Patent Abstract:
A tong assembly for use in make-up or break-out of a tubular. The tong assembly has a pair of chain assemblies connected to hydraulic chain cylinders, a first jaw connected to a first arm for supporting a first tubular, a second jaw connected to a break-out body between the break-out body and the second chain cylinder, and a make-out/break-out cylinder to push the chain cylinders in a make-up rotation or a break-out rotation allowing the assembly to provide changes of direction without changing tong assembly configuration or position.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a Continuation in Part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/302,554 filed on Nov. 22, 2011, entitled “TONG ASSEMBLY FOR MANIPULATING A TUBULAR.” This reference is hereby incorporated in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present embodiments generally relate to a tong assembly for use in make-up or break-out of a tubular. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A need exists for a tong assembly for making-up or breaking-out a tubular that can be used with limited training or expertise. 
     A further need exists for a tong assembly that can be used to automatically break-out or make-up tubulars with minimal risk and minimal human interaction. 
     A further need exists for a tong assembly that does not require readjustment during the make-up or break-out procedure due to rolling off center of the tubular when the jaw connects with the tubular. 
     The present embodiments meet these needs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1  depicts an exploded view of an arm frame according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 2A  depicts a top view of a top plate of the arm frame according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 2B  depicts a bottom view of a bottom plate of the arm frame according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 3A  depicts a perspective view of a two tong die jaw usable with the arm of according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 3B  depicts a perspective view of a two tong die jaw with tapered jaw tail and latching member usable with the arm according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 3C  shows a side view of a tail hole according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  depicts an exploded view of a two tong die jaw according to one more embodiments. 
         FIG. 5A  depicts a side view of an exemplary tong die according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 5B  depicts a cut view of the exemplary tong die of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the tong assembly with two chain assemblies, two jaws, an arm frame, two chain cylinders, and one break-out/make-up cylinder and break-out/make-up body according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is a detail of a chain assembly according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a detail of a chain link usable in a chain assembly according to one or more embodiments. 
     
    
    
     The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the present apparatus in detail, it is to be understood that the apparatus is not limited to the particular embodiments and that it can be practiced or carried out in various ways. 
     The present embodiments generally relate to a tong assembly with a break-out/make-up arm, which can be spaced apart from a backup arm. The break-out/make-up arm, the backup arm, or combinations thereof, can engage a tubular. 
     The tong assembly can have an automated make-up or break-out procedure, such as a remote control, which actuates the cylinders, eliminating the loss of extremities due to injury from manual tongs. 
     The tong assembly can prevent work slows by replacing manual tongs, leading to overall employment growth. The tong assembly can prevent layoffs or employee replacement by preventing injuries that can require hospitalization. 
     The tong assembly can have a design which internally dissipates energy, aiding in the prevention of violent energy releases that can lead to oil spills. 
     The tong assembly can be extremely portable and require little extra equipment, which can allow water well drilling to be done safely by low skill individuals in remote towns and villages. 
     The tong assembly can have a specialized design, which can prevent the use of dangerous equipment, which is not designed for the purpose of make-up or break-out, from being used, such as overhead cranes with cables. 
     The invention provides a seamless, effortless switch for a tong assembly from breaking-out to making-up of tubulars. 
     The present embodiments do not require a machine set up change when changing from a break-out operational mode to a make-up operational mode or vice versa. 
     This invention allows effortless and immediate change from making-up to breaking-out of a pipe instantly, from a tubular make-up orientation (a forward rotating direction) to a tubular break-out orientation (a reverse rotating direction from the make-up rotational direction). 
     Typical tong assemblies may require an hour or more to set up the machine for making-up or breaking-out of tubulars. This invention enables a change from make-up to break-out of tubulars for drill pipe in a drill string, in less than 5 minutes. 
     Turning now to the Figures,  FIG. 1  shows an arm frame  56  for a break-out/make-up arm for a tong assembly. 
     The arm frame  56  can have a top plate  60 , which can have a top fastening hole  78  for receiving a jaw retaining pin  164 . 
     The top plate  60  can have a top reducer hole  81  for retaining added parts to the arm frame, such as accessories like a reducer, to accommodate a smaller outer diameter pipe. 
     Spaced apart from the top reducer hole  81  can be a first top chain connection hole  602   a  and a second top chain connection hole  607   a.    
     A break-out/make-up cylinder connection hole  111   a  can engage a first cylinder connecting pin  10 . The first cylinder connecting pin  10  can hold a break-out/make-up cylinder. 
     Usable break-out/make-up cylinders can be hydraulic and self-contained units, in embodiments. 
     In embodiments, the break-out/make-up cylinder can perform two different activities. The break-out/make-up cylinder can both make-up and break-out drill pipe using only one configuration to do both activities. 
     In embodiments, once positioned, the dual purpose break-out/make-up cylinder can handle forward and reverse stroking. 
     In embodiments, when stroking out, the break-out/make-up cylinder can perform a break-out/make-up stroke for breaking out a first tubular to any kind of connection or for breaking-out a first tubular to a second tubular. 
     In embodiments, when stroking out, the break-out/make-up cylinder can apply up to 4000 psi, or pressure as needed, to break-out two tubulars or a tubular with a connection. 
     In embodiments, a dual purpose break-out/make-up cylinder can be used with a rod that extends and retracts hydraulically. 
     In embodiments, for break-out, the dual purpose break-out/make-up cylinder can use as much psi as needed in order to break a pipe joint. 
     In embodiments, in make-up operational mode, the dual purpose break-out/make-up cylinder can supply a controlled pressure in order to limit excessive torque applied to drill pipe as needed or as specified by the manufacturer of a pipe joint. 
     By controlling pressure, the amount of torque that needs to be applied to the drill pipe is controlled. The apparatus prevents over torqueing of the drill pipe and prevents shearing of drill pipe threads. 
     A chain cylinder connection hole  112   a  can engage a second cylinder connecting pin  11  for holding a chain cylinder. 
     The break-out/make-up cylinder connection hole  111   a  and the chain cylinder connection hole  112   a  can range in diameter from 0.50 inches to 3 inches. 
     In embodiments, the top plate  60  can have a first concave edge  603   a  configured to accommodate a chain link. The first concave edge  603   a  can match a chain link radius of a chain assembly. 
     The top plate can have a second concave edge  604   a  configured to accommodate larger radius or larger outer diameters of tools than the maximum capacity of the first concave edge  603   a  of the top plate. The top plate can have a rod rest  126   a.    
     In embodiments, the top plate can have a jaw resting edge  127   a . The jaw resting edge  127   a  can be configured to support a jaw  12 . 
     The top plate can receive, through the first top chain connection hole  602   a , a first chain connection pin  181   a  for connecting between the top plate to the chain assembly. 
     The top plate can receive, through the second top chain connection hole  607   a , a second chain connection pin  181   b  for connecting between the top plate and the chain assembly. 
     A bottom plate  84  can have matching aligned holes with the top plate  60 . The bottom plate can be mounted to align with the top plate. 
     Mounted between the top and bottom plates can be side support plates  106   a ,  106   b ,  106   c ,  106   d  and  106   e . Side support plate  106   e  can support the first and second chain connection pins  181   a  and  181   b , enabling a load transfer from the chain connection pins. 
     The plurality of side support plates can connect the top and bottom plates. In an embodiment, the side support plates can be welded to the top and bottom plates. 
     In embodiments, the side support plates can be from 1 inch to 3 inches in height. The side support plates can be from 0.5 inches to 1 inch in thickness. The side support plates can be formed from steel. 
     In embodiments, the bottom plate  84  can have a bottom fastening hole  100 , which aligns with the top fastening hole  78 . 
     In embodiments, the bottom plate can also have a bottom reducer which aligns with the top reducer hole. 
     In embodiments, the bottom plate  84  can have a first bottom chain connection hole  602   b  and a second bottom chain connection hole  607   b . The first and second bottom chain connection holes can align with the first and second top chain connection holes of the top plate. 
     The bottom plate can have a jaw resting edge  127   b . The jaw resting edge  127   b  and the jaw resting edge  127   a  can both be configured to support the jaw  12 . 
     The bottom plate can have a pair of load support walls  108  and  109 . 
     In embodiments, the load support walls can be mounted to the bottom plate in parallel with each other. 
     In embodiments, the load support walls can be mounted in a tapered configuration that tapers from a large end at the jaw resting edge to a more narrow location interior of the arm frame. 
     In embodiments, the load support walls and the spacing bars can all be the same height. 
     The pair of load support walls can create a pocket between the top and bottom plates. The pocket can have the top and bottom fastening holes and the jaw retaining pin extend through it. The jaw retaining pin  164  can hold the tail of the jaw through a tail hole  608  between the top and bottom plates. 
     The bottom plate can include a break-out/make-up cylinder connection hole  111   b , a chain cylinder connection hole  112   b , and rod rest  126   b.    
     The first bottom chain connection hole  602   b  can be formed within a first concave edge  603   b.    
     The second bottom chain connection hole  607 B can be formed within a second concave edge  604   b.    
       FIG. 2A  shows a top view of the top plate according to one or more embodiments. 
     The top plate  60  is shown with the top fastening hole  78 , the break-out/make-up cylinder connection hole  111   a , the chain cylinder connection hole  112   a , a top reducer hole  81 , and a notch  125   a  adjacent the top reducer hole on the same side as the chain cylinder connection hole. 
     The notch  125   a  can be configured to accommodate a body of the chain cylinder. 
     In currently available systems, when a chain cylinder body rests in contact with the arm frame, the cylinder rod of the chain cylinder can be pulled toward the arm frame improperly, creating a side load that will cause the rod to pull inward toward the arm frame and bend or break. 
     In the present embodiments, the notch  125   a  formed in the top plate and the corresponding notch in the bottom plate are configured so that the cylinder rod rests on rod rest  126   a  of the top plate and the rod rest of the bottom plate. 
     The notches enable the chain cylinder to be larger in size than those usable in currently available tong assemblies, providing a chain cylinder that generates a stronger gripping force. 
     The notches also enable the chain cylinder to operate with the chain assembly to handle smaller outer diameter tubular joints. This notch is a major benefit of this invention. The notch enables this tong assembly to be more versatile than other tong assemblies without requiring additional parts and without requiring additional time for tong assembly set up. 
     The notch enables the apparatus to have a chain cylinder that is safer than other tong assemblies because the configuration reduces the possibility of rod damage. 
     The top plate is shown with the jaw resting edge  127   a  formed on a side at a right angle to the side with the rod rest  126   a.    
     The top plate is shown with the first top chain connection hole  602   a  formed within the first concave edge  603   a  and the second top chain connection hole  607   a  formed within the second concave edge  604   a.    
       FIG. 2B  shows a bottom view of the bottom plate according to one or more embodiments. 
     The bottom plate  84  is shown with the bottom fastening hole  100 , the break-out/make-up cylinder connection hole  111   b , and the chain cylinder connection hole  112   b.    
     The bottom plate can have a notch  125   b , which can be identical to the notch in the top plate. 
     The bottom plate is also shown with a bottom reducer hole  82 , the rod rest  126   b , the jaw resting edge  127   b  formed on a side at a right angle to the side of the bottom plate with the rod rest, the first bottom chain connection hole  602   b  formed within the first concave edge  603   b , and the second bottom chain connection hole  607   b  formed within the second concave edge  604   b.    
       FIG. 3A  depicts a perspective view of the jaw according to one or more embodiments. 
     The jaw  12  can have a jaw head  13  and a jaw tail  606 . The jaw head can be wider than the jaw tail. 
     In embodiments, the jaw head  13  can have two tong die grooves  18   a  and  18   b.    
     The jaw head  13  can have a face  16  formed between the two tong die grooves. 
     The jaw head  13  can have a first sloped edge  14   a  and a second sloped edge  14   b  forming the first tong die groove  18   a.    
     The jaw head  13  can have a third sloped edge  14   c  and a fourth sloped edge  14   d  forming the second tong die groove  18   b.    
     The tong dies can be removably inserted in the tong die grooves. 
     The jaw head can have a load surface  19  opposite the face  16  for engaging the jaw resting edges of the arm frame. 
     Each tong die groove can have a holding means to assist in holding the tong die into the tong die groove. The holding means can be a detent that fits into a detent hole  99   a  in the tong die groove  18   a  and a similar detent hole  99   b  in the tong die groove  18   b.    
     The jaw tail  606  can extend from the jaw head  13  opposite the face  16  for insertion between the top and bottom plates in the pocket. 
     The jaw tail  606  is shown with the tail hole  608  for receiving the jaw retaining pin. 
     The jaw retaining pin can be inserted through the top fastening hole and the bottom fastening hole simultaneously while engaging the tail hole to hold the tail into the pocket when the arm is assembled. 
     The jaw tail can have an outer side  611  configured for contacting simultaneously against load support walls in the pocket between the top and bottom plates. 
     The first damper cavity  610  can surround a first side of the tail hole  608  on a first side. 
     A second damper cavity can surround a second side of the tail hole. A damper can be inserted into each damper cavity. 
       FIG. 3B  depicts a perspective view of the jaw  12  with a tapered jaw tail  671  and latching member  623  usable with the arm frame. The jaw can be a two tong die jaw. 
     The jaw head  13  and connected tapered jaw tail  671  have an axis  627 . The ends of the tapered jaw tail that extend from the jaw head come together toward the axis  627 . 
     The jaw head  13  and latching member  623  are shown extending away from the load surface  19  for latching the jaw tail into the pocket. 
     The second damper cavity  612  is shown surrounding the tail hole  608 . 
       FIG. 3C  shows a side view of the tail hole  608  with the first damper cavity  610  and the second damper cavity  612 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts an exploded view of the jaw according to one or more embodiments. 
     The jaw  12  can have a plurality of tong die grooves, with each groove having a holding means. 
     Tong dies  26   a  and  26   b  can fit within each of the tong die grooves. 
     The first tong die  26   a  can be held in the tong die groove using a first holding means, shown here as a ball  40   a  and spring  41   a  held by a fastener  42   a , forming a detent as the holding means. 
     The second tong die  26   b  can be held in the tong die groove using a second holding means, shown here as a ball  40   b  and spring  41   b  held by a fastener  42   b , which can be identical to the first detent. 
     Each holding means can provide a holding compression to prevent the tong die from sliding out of the tong die groove. 
     A first rubber/elastomeric damper  615  can be disposed in the first damper cavity of the first side of the jaw tail. A second rubber/elastomeric damper  617  can be disposed in the second damper cavity on the second side of the jaw tail. 
     Two screws  45   a  and  45   b  can hold the second tong die  26   b  in one of the tong die grooves. 
     Two screws  47   a  and  47   b  can hold the first tong die  26   a  in the other tong die groove. 
       FIG. 5A  depicts a side view of the tong die with teeth according to one or more embodiments.  FIG. 5B  depicts a cut view of the tong die of  FIG. 5A . 
     A depression  198  can be in the first tong die  26   a  for connecting with the ball of the holding means. 
       FIG. 6  shows the arm frame with the top plate connected to the bottom plate. 
     A pocket  600  for receiving the jaw tail  606  of the jaw  12  can be formed between the top plate  60  and the bottom plate  84 . A chain assembly  320  can connect opposite the face of the jaw  12  forming a secure engagement for gripping tubulars. The jaw is shown with the jaw head  13 . 
     The chain cylinder connection hole  112   a  can engage a chain connecting pin to engage a first chain cylinder  114 . 
     The first chain cylinder  114  can have a cylinder body  117  and a rod  119 . 
     The first top chain connection hole  602   a  and the first bottom chain connection hole  602   b  can engage a chain connecting pin to secure the chain assembly  320  to the arm frame  56 . 
     The second top chain connection hole  607   a  and the second bottom chain connection hole  607   b  can engage a chain connecting pin to secure the chain assembly  320  to the first arm on an end opposite the first chain connecting pin. 
     A break-out/make-up cylinder  113  can be connected to the break-out/make-up cylinder connection hole  111   a  with a pin through the arm frame  56 . 
     The jaw  12  can be fixedly secured between the top and bottom plates within the pocket  600  using the jaw retaining pin that engages the top fastening hole. 
     The break-out/make-up cylinder  113  can also engage a rigid body  700  using a break-out/make-up arm anchoring pin  703 . 
     The rigid body  700  can engage a second chain cylinder  714  using a chain connecting pin. 
     A second chain cylinder  714  can connect to a second jaw  712  that can engage a second chain assembly  720  for holding the first tubular. 
       FIG. 7  shows a chain assembly according to one or more embodiments. 
     The chain assembly  320  can have a plurality of chain links  326   a - 326   e , which can be connected in series. 
     A locking link  327  can be connected using a locking pin  331  to engage one of the chain links with the chain cylinder. 
     Each chain link can have a chain link face  328   a - 328   e  and a chain link back  329   a - 329   e.    
     At least one tong die groove can be formed in each chain link face. 
     Each tong die groove can have groove edges for slidably receiving a tong die which opposes tong dies in tong die grooves on the jaw. Tong dies  26   a - 26   e  are shown engaging the tong die grooves on the chain link faces of the chain links. 
     A plurality of handles  91   a - 91   c  can be connected to the chain assembly. 
     In embodiments, one of the handles can be attached to a connecting link, a chain link, or a locking link. 
     Each handle can have an upper handle plate with an upper flat edge, a lower handle plate with a lower flat edge; an attachment plate integral with the upper flat edge and integral with the lower flat edge and extending between the upper handle plate and the lower handle plate; and a gripping post affixed between the upper handle plate and the lower handle plate. 
     In embodiments, each of the chain links can be connected to hinge pins  162   a - 162   d  through the first top chain connection hole and the first bottom chain connection hole into the arm frame. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a detail of a chain link usable in the chain assembly according to one or more embodiments. 
     The chain link  326   a  is shown with a groove  62  for containing the tong die  26   a  on the chain link face  328   a  of the chain link. A chain link radius  339  is also shown. 
     The chain link is depicted with the chain link back  329   a.    
     In embodiments, the face of the jaw can have three parallel tong die grooves and a tong die in one or more parallel tong die grooves. 
     The tong die grooves can have groove edges, which can incline towards a center line as the groove edges extend from the jaw body, such as at a 75 degree angle. 
     The face of the jaw can have a facial radius, which can be large enough to accommodate the tubular, such as a facial radius which can be from about 2 inches to about 60 inches. 
     The tong die can include one or more tooth beds. The tooth beds can support a plurality of teeth, which can extend from the tooth bed. 
     In embodiments, tong dies usable with the apparatus can have teeth. In other embodiments, tong dies without teeth can be used. The tong die usable in embodiments can be any tong die that is available for use in the make-up or break-out of tubulars. 
     The plurality of teeth can be used for gripping the tubular and can be of various shapes and spacing, such as pyramid shaped teeth spaced equidistant from one another with 8 rows and 16 columns of teeth total. 
     The tong die can include tooth bed edges. The tooth bed edges can have a slope, such as a slope of about 75 degrees. The slope of the tooth bed edges can provide a flush fit with the groove edges. 
     The present embodiments further relate to an apparatus usable with a method to break-out/make-up a pair of tubulars using a tong assembly for use in drilling a wellbore. 
     The method can include engaging the first tubular with the chain assembly connected to the rigid body. 
     The method can include pulling the chain assembly tight around the first tubular using the chain cylinder connected to the rigid body. 
     The method can include connecting the first tubular with the jaw secured to the rigid body. 
     The method can include connecting tong dies on the chain assembly to the first tubular. 
     In embodiments, the rigid body can be a fixed back up for the breaking-out and making-up of the first tubular with a second tubular. 
     The method can include engaging the second tubular with the second chain assembly connected to a break-out frame. 
     The method can include pulling the second chain assembly tight around the second tubular using the second chain cylinder to connect the second tubular with the second jaw secured to the rigid body and connect tong dies on the second chain assembly with the second tubular. 
     The method can include operating a break-out/make-up cylinder connected to the rigid body to perform a make-up operation by rotating the chain assembly in a first direction rotating the first tubular while holding the second tubular with the second chain assembly without movement of the second chain assembly creating a backup assembly that works as a vise in embodiments. 
     The break-out/make-up cylinder connected to the rigid body enables the two tubulars to connect together and form a tubing joint. 
     The break-out operation is performed by rotating the chain assembly in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     The chain assembly can rotate the first tubular while holding the second tubular with the second chain assembly without movement of the second chain assembly creating a back-up assembly, enabling the two tubulars to separate and be broken-out. 
     In embodiments, the method can include using tubulars with an outer diameter from 1 inch to 36 inches. 
     In embodiments, the method can include pulling either of the chain assemblies tight around the tubular using pressures from 100 psi to 4000 psi. 
     In embodiments, the method can include rotating the chain assembly from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. 
     The method can include rotating the chain assembly from 0 degrees to 45 degrees for make-up of the tubulars and 0 degrees to 45 degrees for break-out of the tubulars. 
     The method can include using the chain assembly connected to the arm frame using a pair of chain assembly pins, one chain assembly pin connecting each end of the chain assembly, each chain assembly pin penetrating aligned chain connection holes in the top and bottom plate. 
     The method can include using a plurality of parallel tong die grooves with a tong die in each tong die groove on the face of each jaw and each chain assembly. 
     In embodiments, the method can include using the tapered jaw tail opposite the jaw head while maintaining at least 50 percent continuous contact between the outer surface and the load support walls between the top and bottom plates for load transfer from the jaw tail to the arm frame or the rigid body. 
     In embodiments, the method can include using each chain assembly to enable flexibility to connect around variable outer diameters of the tubulars. 
     In embodiments, each chain assembly can have the plurality of chain links connected in series and the locking link connecting one of the chain links to the chain cylinder. 
     In embodiments, the chain links can connect in series and connect around the tubular outer diameter. 
     The method can include using a plurality of handles. In embodiments, one of the handles can be attached to the chain link, or the locking link, providing gripping safety when installing the chain assembly around the tubular or removing the chain assembly from the tubular. 
     The method can include connecting each of the chain links in series to hinge pins through connection holes into the arm for quick connect and quick disconnect in the case of an emergency. 
     While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4