Patent EA-003648-B1 (EA)
Title: Device for frictional engagement with tubular goods
Inventor: VATHE PER
IPC: E21B19/16
Filed: 1999-12-21
Abstract: 1. A device (10) for gripping and fixing a tubular (21), comprising means for subsequent loosening of the grip, which device (10) includes a dividable housing (15) for proceeding towards and embracing the tubular (21), said housing (15) receives and retains at least one gripping element (14), which at least one gripping element (14) is activable in order to tighten with heavy force the gripping element (14) against a tubular (21), characterized in that the at least one gripping element (14) is a resilient, incompressible body that is allowed to undergo deformation, and that the at least one gripping element (14) has a friction forming radially inner surface (14F) for direct engagement with the tubular (21). 2. A dividable spinner and torque tong (1) for spinning in and making up tubular joints (22,23), comprising an outer stationary housing (5) having a drive gear (9) connected to a driving motor, an inner rotatable housing (2) having a driven ring gear (3) in mesh with the drive gear (9), at least one element (4) for gripping a tubular (20), which inner housing (2) has an internal mechanical or hydraulic system (8) that is able to activate the at least one gripping element (4), characterized in that the at least one gripping element (4) is a resilient, incompressible body that is allowed to undergo deformation, and that the at least one gripping element (4) has a friction forming radially inner surface (4F) for direct engagement with the tubular (20). 3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (5;15) is assembled by two main components (2;12 and 6;16) that are movable in respect of each other and are able to apply force against the at least one resilient, incompressible body (4;14) such that the body (4;14) undergoes deformation with expansion in a substantially radially inward main direction. 4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the at least one resilient, incompressible body (4;14) comprises a rubber elastomeric material that encloses a gel or liquid volume. 5. A device according to any of the claims 1-4, characterized in that the resilient, incompressible body (4;14) is reinforced, such as steel armoured. 6. A device according to any of the claims 1-5, characterized in that the friction forming surface (4F;14F) comprises hard particles (13), preferably of hard metal, that are vulcanised into the elastomeric material. 7. A device according to any of the claims 1-6, characterized in that the resilient, incompressible body (4;14) comprises an outer jacket (11) in form of a laminate, including an inner layer (11A) of rubber material, an embedded reinforcing layer (11B) and an outer friction layer (11C). 8. A device according to any of the claims 1-7, characterized in that the one main component (6;16) of the housing (5;15) is, in respect of the tubular (20;21), axially moveable towards the second main component (2;12) and exerts a squeeze force against the at least one resilient, incompressible body (4;14) and causes radially inward directed deformation of the body (4;14). 9. A device according to claim 8, characterized in that hydraulic cylinders (7;17) exert said axial motion and squeeze force between the main components (2;12 and 6;16) of the housing (5;15). 10. A device according to any of the claims 2-9, characterized in that for the spinner and torque tong (1), the at least one resilient, incompressible body (4) is activated by means of an internal hydraulic system (8) that is applied by rotation of the spinner and torque tong (1).