Source: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7360603.html
Timestamp: 2019-06-19 08:01:54
Document Index: 253853300

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 25', 'art 254', 'art 365', 'art 356', 'art 357', 'art 414', 'art 414', 'art 411', 'art 411', 'art 365', 'art 365', 'art 365', 'art 365']

Methods and apparatuses for wellbore operations - Varco I/P, Inc.
Methods and apparatuses for wellbore operations
United States Patent 7360603
A dual sided elevator for supporting a tubular member in a wellbore operation, the elevator in one aspect having an openable back end and an openable front end, either end openable by using opening apparatus at the front of the elevator; such an elevator with operation apparatus within an elevator body; and/or a top drive system which, in at least certain embodiments, has an apparatus connected below it for breaking connections and such an elevator.
Ensley, Eric T. (Cypress, TX, US)
Bennett, Dean A. (Katy, TX, US)
Araujo, Raul (Houston, TX, US)
11/176976
166/77.52, 166/380
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6968895 Drilling rig elevator safety system 2005-11-29 Mosing et al. 166/77.52
20040154835 Tong for wellbore operations 2004-08-12 Allen et al. 175/170
6626238 Remote sensor for determining proper placement of elevator slips 2003-09-30 Hooper 166/66
6571667 Manual tong safety latch 2003-06-03 Price et al. 81/57.33
6568479 Horseshoe shaped elevator and method for using same 2003-05-27 Mosing et al. 166/380
6520709 Variable length/capacity elevator links 2003-02-18 Mosing et al. 403/305
6494273 Elevator for supporting an elongate member such as a drill pipe 2002-12-17 Martin 175/220
6227587 Combined well casing spider and elevator 2001-05-08 Terral 294/102.2
6073699 Single joint elevator 2000-06-13 Hollingsworth, Jr. 166/379
5992801 Pipe gripping assembly and method 1999-11-30 Torres 248/49
5848647 Pipe gripping apparatus 1998-12-15 Webre et al. 166/379
5794314 Collapsed tubing holders 1998-08-18 Gamper et al. 24/517
5755289 Drilling rig elevator with replaceable clamping inserts and method for installation 1998-05-26 Angman et al. 166/378
4834441 Drill pipe handling device 1989-05-30 Schivley 294/90
4415193 Slip setting ring 1983-11-15 Carlberg 294/102A
4354706 Dual string elevators 1982-10-19 Coyle, Sr. 294/102A
4126348 Universal handling head for a pipe racker 1978-11-21 Palmer 294/88
3996737 Method of manufacturing elevator links and a cast elevator link blank for use in the method 1976-12-14 Burstall 59/35R
3461666 ELEVATOR LINK AND PROCESS OF MAKING THE SAME 1969-08-19 Burstall
3403791 Pipe elevator for use with split block 1968-10-01 Marks et al.
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3140523 Slip elevators 1964-07-14 Taylor, Jr.
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1842638 Elevating apparatus 1932-01-26 Wigle
1779895 Elevator link 1930-10-28 White
1756376 Method of making weldless elevator links 1930-04-29 Moore
1448100 Elevator 1923-03-13 Wigle
1371835 Safety-casing clamp 1921-03-15 Angus 294/90
1113659 N/A 1914-10-13 Lebus 166/77.52
1021984 N/A 1912-04-02 Holmes 294/90
WO2005106185A1 2005-11-10 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HANDLING PIPE
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1. An elevator for use in wellbore operations, the elevator comprising a first side body with a first front end and a first back end, a second side body with a second front end and a second back end, a space between the first side body and the second side body for receiving a tubular member, the side bodies for supporting a tubular member within the elevator, first release apparatus releasably connecting together the first front end and the second front end, second release apparatus releasably connecting together the first back end and the second back end, and actuation apparatus connected to the elevator for selectively operating a chosen one of the first release apparatus or the second release apparatus, the first release apparatus including first latch apparatus for selectively latching together the first front end and the second front end, the second release apparatus including second latch apparatus for selectively latching together the first back end and the second back end, wherein the actuation apparatus comprises handle apparatus manipulable to activate a chosen one of the first release apparatus or the second release apparatus, wherein the handle apparatus includes a first handle pivotably mounted to the first side body, the first handle pivotable to selectively operate the first release apparatus, and a second handle pivotably mounted to the first side body, the second handle pivotable to selectively operate the second release apparatus, locking apparatus for selectively locking the elevator closed, preventing the actuation apparatus from operating, and operation apparatus within the second side body for moving the second side body with respect to the first side body.
2. An elevator for use in wellbore operations, the elevator comprising a first side body with a first front end and a first back end, a second side body with a second front end and a second back end, a space between the first side body and the second side body for receiving a tubular member, the side bodies for supporting a tubular member within the elevator, first release apparatus releasably connecting together the first front end and the second front end, second release apparatus releasably connecting together the first back end and the second back end, and actuation apparatus connected to the elevator for selectively operating a chosen one of the first release apparatus or the second release apparatus, operation apparatus within the second side body for moving the second side body with respect to the first side body, the operation apparatus includes a first piston/cylinder device connected to the first release apparatus, the operation apparatus includes a second piston/cylinder device connected to the second release apparatus, and a fluid channel system within the second side body for conveying fluid under pressure to the first piston/cylinder device and to the second piston/cylinder device.
3. An elevator for use in wellbore operations, the elevator comprising a first side body with a first front end and a first back end, a second side body with a second front end and a second back end, a space between the first side body and the second side body for a tubular member, first release apparatus releasably connecting together the first front end and the second front end, second release apparatus releasably connecting together the first back end and the second back end, actuation apparatus connected to the elevator for selectively operating a chosen one of the first release apparatus or the second release apparatus, operation apparatus within the second side body for moving the second side body with respect to the first side body, the operation apparatus including a first piston/cylinder device connected to the first release apparatus, and a fluid channel system within the second side body for conveying fluid under pressure to the first piston/cylinder device.
4. The elevator of claim 3 further comprising the first release apparatus including first latch apparatus for selectively latching together the first front end and the second front end, the second release apparatus including second latch apparatus for selectively latching together the first back end and the second back end.
6. The elevator of claim 5 wherein the handle apparatus includes a first handle pivotably mounted to the first side body, the first handle pivotable to selectively operate the first release apparatus, and a second handle pivotably mounted to the first side body, the second handle pivotable to selectively operate the second release apparatus.
7. The elevator of claim 6 further comprising a rod extending through a rod channel in the first side body, the rod having a first end and a second end, the first end of the rod connected to the second handle, the second end of the rod connected to the second release apparatus, and the second handle pivotable to move the rod to operate the second release apparatus.
8. The elevator of claim 6 further comprising locking apparatus for selectively locking the elevator closed, preventing the activation apparatus from operating.
9. The elevator of claim 6 further comprising first locking apparatus for selectively locking the first handle and preventing the first handle from pivoting, and second locking apparatus for selectively locking the second handle and preventing the second handle from pivoting.
10. The elevator of claim 3 wherein the operation apparatus includes a second piston/cylinder device connected to the second release apparatus, and the fluid channel system within the second side body is also for conveying fluid under pressure to the second piston/cylinder device.
11. The elevator of claim 10 further comprising a source of fluid under pressure in communication with the fluid channel system, and flow control apparatus for continuously applying fluid under pressure from the source to the piston/cylinder devices to continuously bias the piston/cylinder devices in an elevator-opening configuration.
12. The elevator of claim 10 further comprising each piston/cylinder device having a full stroke length, and retention apparatus for selectively restraining the piston/cylinder devices preventing the piston/cylinder devices from extending to their full stroke lengths so that the release apparatuses are positionable to properly connect ends of the side bodies together.
13. The elevator of claim 3 further comprising at least one first pipe gripping element on an interior of the first side body, and at least one second pipe gripping element on an interior of the second side body.
14. The elevator of claim 3 further comprising a first main pin extending through the first front end of the first side body, the second front end of the second side body and the first release apparatus, the first side body and the second side body pivotable about the first main pin, a second main pin extending through the first back end of the first side body, the second back end of the second side body, and the second release apparatus, the first side body and the second side body pivotable about the second main pin.
15. An elevator for use in wellbore operations, the elevator comprising a first side body with a first front end and a first back end, a second side body with a second front end and a second back end, a space between the first side body and the second side body for a tubular member, first release apparatus releasably connecting together the first front end and the second front end, second release apparatus releasably connecting together the first back end and the second back end, actuation apparatus connected to the elevator for selectively operating a chosen one of the first release apparatus or the second release apparatus, wherein the activation apparatus comprising handle apparatus connected to the elevator and manipulable to activate the chosen one of the first release apparatus or the second release apparatus, the handle apparatus including a first handle pivotably mounted to the first side body, the first handle pivotable to selectively operate the first release apparatus, and a second handle pivotably mounted to the first side body, the second handle pivotable to selectively operate the second release apparatus, a rod extending through a rod channel in the first side body, the rod having a first end and a second end, the first end of the rod connected to the second handle, the second end of the rod connected to the second release apparatus, and the second handle pivotable to move the rod to operate the second release apparatus.
16. The elevator of claim 15 further comprising locking apparatus for selectively locking the elevator closed, preventing the activation apparatus from operating.
17. The elevator of claim 15 further comprising first locking apparatus for selectively locking the first handle and preventing the first handle from pivoting, and second locking apparatus for selectively locking the second handle and preventing the second handle from pivoting.
18. An elevator for use in wellbore operations, the elevator comprising a first side body with a first front end and a first back end, a second side body with a second front end and a second back end, a space between the first side body and the second side body for a tubular member, first release apparatus releasably connecting together the first front end and the second front end, second release apparatus releasably connecting together the first back end and the second back end, actuation apparatus connected to the elevator for selectively operating a chosen one of the first release apparatus or the second release apparatus, a first main pin extending through the first front end of the first side body, the second front end of the second side body and the first release apparatus, the first side body and the second side body pivotable about the first main pin, a second main pin extending through the first back end of the first side body, the second back end of the second side body, and the second release apparatus, the first side body and the second side body pivotable about the second main pin.
19. A method for supporting a tubular member with an elevator in wellbore operations, the method comprising opening an elevator, the elevator comprising a first side body with a first front end and a first back end, a second side body with a second front end and a second back end, a space between the first side body and the second side body for a tubular member, first release apparatus releasably connecting together the first front end and the second front end, second release apparatus releasably connecting together the first back end and the second back end, actuation apparatus connected to the elevator for selectively operating a chosen one of the first release apparatus or the second release apparatus, wherein the activation apparatus comprising handle apparatus connected to the elevator and manipulable to activate the chosen one of the first release apparatus or the second release apparatus, the handle apparatus including a first handle pivotably mounted to the first side body, the first handle pivotable to selectively operate the first release apparatus, and a second handle pivotably mounted to the first side body, the second handle pivotable to selectively operate the second release apparatus, a rod extending through a rod channel in the first side body, the rod having a first end and a second end, the first end of the rod connected to the second handle, the second end of the rod connected to the second release apparatus, and the second handle pivotable to move the rod to operate the second release apparatus, placing a portion of a tubular member within the elevator, and closing the elevator to support the tubular member with the elevator.
Elevators are used in these operations to selectively support tubular members and to facilitate moving tubular members from one location to another. As more pieces of hollow tubular drill pipe are added to the top of a drill string, drilling is halted and successive pieces of drill pipe are connected to the drill string using elevators to support the pipe. To remove drill pipe from the string, to “trip out” of a hole, (e.g. to replace a drill bit or to cement a section of casing), the process is reversed, again requiring cessation of drilling operations which can entail stopping circulation of drilling fluid until operations re-commence. Re-instituting the flow of drilling fluid and reconstituting the required column of it in the wellbore can take a significant amount of time and the effects of removing and then reintroducing the drilling fluid into the wellbore can have harmful effects on both equipment and on the wellbore and to the formation being drilled through. In such circumstances, expensive and time-consuming of additional fluid weighting may be required
The power unit 1061 of the drilling assembly includes a pipe section having a lower tapered external thread forming a pin and threadedly connectable to the upper end of drill string 1013 to drive it. In some instances, a conventional crossover sub 1072 and a short “pup joint” 1073 are connected into the string directly beneath the power unit. At its upper end, pipe section 1070 has a tapered internal thread connectable to the rotary stem 1075 of swivel 1062. This stem 1075 turns with the drill string relative to the body 1076 of the swivel, which body is supported in non-rotating relation by a bail 1077 engaging hook 1021 of the traveling block. Drilling fluid is supplied to the swivel through a flexible inlet hose 1078, whose second end is connected to the derrick at an elevated location 1079 well above the level of the rig floor. For driving the tubular shaft 1070, power unit 1061 includes an electric motor.
In one embodiment (see FIG. 3) each link 24 has a lower portion 25 which passes through corresponding eyes 45 of the elevator 40 and has a top section 26 with dual spaced-apart tubular portions 27a, 27b which receive corresponding parts 25a, 25b of the lower portion 25. Optionally, the links 24 have a top hollow tubular member 28, movable with respect to the PG 50, to which the tubular portions 27a, 27b are connected.
Each eye 121 has a movable lockable latch 122 which can be selectively opened for receiving a lower ring 104a. Each eye 121 has a body 123 with a shaft 125. Optionally, springs 126 encircle top portions of the shafts 125 and serve as rotational devices to rotationally moves a holding mechanism 150 around the links 104 to free the links 104. Studs 127 abut lower ends of the springs 126 and hold them in position on the shafts 125.
As shown in FIG. 5A the holding mechanism 150 has a housing 151 (with plates 151a, 151b) to which are pivotally connected two generally horseshoe-shaped open-throated members 152. Each member 152 pivots on a shaft 125. To selectively prevent such pivoting, a bolt 156c is inserted through the members 152, each with an open throat 155 within which is releasably positioned part of a shaft 104b of a main link 104. A plate 156 is movably and releasably connected to the housing 151 by a rod 156b of a piston/cylinder apparatus 156a. With the pins 156c lowered and in place, the main links 104 are held within the throats 155 which are sufficiently long so that the main links 104 as shown in FIG. 5A cannot move out of the throats 155 when in position as in FIG. 5A. With the bolts 156c removed when the cylinder 156a raises the plate 156, the members 152 are free to pivot and, thus, the main links 104 are freed to move away from the throats 155.
The support system 120 has piston/cylinders 128 for moving the gripper system 110 up and down. Upper ends of housings 132 are secured to the bodies 123 and lower ends of the housings 132 are secured to a main body 129 of the pipe gripping system 110. Optional protective railings 131 connected to the main body 129 encompass part of the perimeter of the pipe gripping system 110. Mounting posts 128c, move in corresponding tubes 128a.
FIG. 5B shows the entire saver sub 160. FIG. 6 shows the members 152 pivoted with respect to the links 104 and the gripper system 110 moved away from and hanging substantially parallel to a vertical axis of the saver sub 160 and drill pipe 106. Optional skid pieces 131a are slanted to facilitate movement of the gripper system 110 past apparatus with which it may come in contact as it is lowered (e.g. a CCS system).
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B a system 10a (like the system 10 described above) has a top drive drilling system 20a (“top drive”; shown partially) from whose links 104a is suspended a connection tool system 200 (“CONN TOOL”) in some of the drawing figures. A support apparatus 202 supports a gripper system 210 (like the pipe gripper 50, gripper system 110 or any gripper system according to the present invention) to which is secured a dual sided elevator 230. A front end 233 of the elevator 230 has opposed elevator halves 231, 232 in an open position for receiving, encompassing, and supporting a piece or stand of drill pipe 206. In one embodiment, to initiate the sequence of steps shown in FIGS. 15A-22B, a driller at a driller's console (see FIG. 2, console DC) presses a selected button and the sequence is begun.
FIG. 6E illustrates the drill pipe 206 being lifted into position off a rig floor to a location above a continuous circulation system 240 (see FIG. 7A) which may be any continuous circulation system referred to herein. As shown in FIG. 6E as compared to FIG. 6B, the elevator 230 has moved below the gripper system 210 and the drill pipe 206 is lined up generally with a longitudinal axis of a saver sub 260 (like the saver sub 160 or any saver sub referred to herein). Such alignment is facilitated by an over center connection of ends 208a of piston/cylinder devices 208 (see also FIG. 8) to links 214. The devices 208 urge the elevator 230 toward the position shown in FIG. 6B. Other ends 208b of the piston/cylinder devices 208 are connected to the gripper system 210. The elevator 230 is lowered into the position shown in FIG. 6E by its own weight and by the weight of the drill pipe. The links 214 abut stops 208f which prevent the links 214 from moving past the position shown in FIG. 6E and the over center connection of the ends 208a facilitates maintaining the elevator 230 and the drill pipe in the position shown in FIG. 6E.
FIG. 7B illustrates the driller stabbing the drill pipe 206 into the system 240 after the pipe has been correctly aligned with the system 240 using the pipe guide 242. A snubber 246 of the system 240 selectively grips the pipe. As shown in FIG. 7C jaws (not shown) in the snubber 246 close on and grip the drill pipe 206 whose bottom end 206a is not yet connected to a drill string 209 whose upper end is held within the system 240. The bottom end 206a of the drill pipe 206 rests on top of blind ram blocks 241 (shown by a horizontal dotted line) of a middle pressure chamber of the system 240.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate steps in connecting the lower end of the saver sub 260 to an upper end 206b of the drill pipe 206. As shown in FIG. 8 the saver 260 is positioned for lowering down to the drill pipe 206. The top drive 20a and the system 200 are lowered to stab a lower end 260a of the saver sub 260 into the top end 206b of the drill pipe 206. In the position shown in FIG. 9 the jaws of the gripper system 210 are not gripping this splined portion 260c.
The top drive 20a rotates the saver sub 260 while the snubber 246 holds the drill pipe 206 thereby making-up the connection between the saver sub 260 and the drill pipe 206.
FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate the opening of the front end 233 of the elevator 230 and positioning a tugger cable 250 within the elevator 230. The tugger cable 250 extends in the derrick (see FIG. 2) and is movable by personnel on the rig floor into position within the elevator 230. FIGS. 13A, 13B show the elevator 230 closed around the tugger cable 250. The tugger cable 250 maintains the elevator 230 and the connection tool system 200 in the position shown in FIG. 13B and in FIG. 14 away from the drill pipe 206 and to a side of the system 240 so that the top drive 20a can rotate the drill pipe 206 and the drill string of which it is a part (extending down below the system 240 and the associated drill rig) to drill the wellbore. With the elevator 230 and the system 200 held out of the way, the top drive 20a can drill down an entire stand of which the drill pipe 206 is a piece to a point at which the bottom of the saver sub 260 is within the system 240; i.e., drill down can proceed down to a point further than it could if the elevator 230 and the system 200 was still located directly below the top drive 20a. The system 240 maintains fluid circulation in the wellbore during connection make-up (e.g. connection of saver sub to drill pipe). A curved or slanted portion 239a of a body 239 to which the links 214 are connected facilitates contact of the body 239 by the system 240 and movement of the body 239 past the system 240 in the event of such contact. The lower end of the tugger cable 250 is connected to an anchor 252 with a lower part 254 that is located beneath the elevator 230 and which has a portion larger in diameter than the elevator 230 so that the tugger cable 250 is secured to and held in position with respect to the elevator 230. Optionally, a power system 104b (shown schematically, FIG. 14) moves the system 200 out of the way and the tugger cable is not used.
As shown in FIG. 17, jaws 211, 212 of the gripper system 210 have closed around and are not gripping the splined portion 260c of the saver sub 260 while the snubber 246 of the system 240 holds the drill pipe 206. The jaws 211, 212 are then moved to break the connection between the saver sub 260 and the drill pipe 206. After the step shown in FIG. 17, the gripper system 210 is lowered so that its jaws grip the drill pipe 206 and then its jaws break the saver-sub/drill-pipe connection. Hydraulic cylinder devices 200c move the gripper system 210 down. Once the connection is broken, the top drive 20a rotates the saver sub 260 to totally disconnect the saver sub 260 from the drill pipe 206. As shown in FIG. 18, the drill pipe 206 has been released from the snubber 246, the top drive 20a and the connection tool system 200 is raised away from the drill pipe 206 with the drill pipe 206 still within the elevator 230 and with the bottom end 206a in a position as shown in FIG. 7C. The driller then picks up the stand of drill pipe with the top drive system, deploys the pipe guide 242 over the center of the system 240, and grasps the drill pipe with the holder 244 of the pipe guide 242, then, as shown in FIG. 19, the stand of drill pipe is moved away from the system 240 using the pipe guide 242.
As shown in FIGS. 20A, 20B the drill pipe stand is then lowered so its bottom end rests on a rig floor 14a.
As shown in FIGS. 21A, 21B, the front end 233 of the elevator 230 is opened by the derrickman who pulls the drill pipe 206 out of the elevator 230 for racking back in a fingerboard of the derrick. As shown in FIGS. 22A, 22B, the elevator 230 is closed.
FIG. 23C shows parts of the latch mechanisms 341, 342 in more detail. To release the latch mechanism 341, a pin 379 is removed and a front release handle 362 is pulled so that its end 363 releases a projection 364 of a member 365 thereby releasing a hinge/latch assembly 392 of the latch 341 and permitting the opening of the front end 333 by allowing the two side bodies 331, 332 to pivot about a pin 367 which holds them together. The handle 362 pivots about a pin 362a which secures the handle 362 to the side body 331. The elevator is opened by the action of a piston system (like that of the piston 420 described below) located at the back of the elevator.
A hinge/latch hook assembly 370 which includes a bar 371 pivotably mounted with a pin 372 to the side body 332 has an end 373 forced outwardly by a spring 374 which is partially within a recess 374a in the side body 332 and which also has an exterior end that abuts the end 373 of the bar 371. A pin 375 pins a roller 375a to the bar 371. A spring 369 with a first end in a recess 369a in the side body 331 has a second end that abuts the end 363 and pushes the bar 371 outwardly.
With the pin 379 in place, the back end 335 of the elevator 330 can be opened by removing a pin 361 and pulling on a rear release handle 381 which also pivots about the pin 368. Pulling on the handle 381 results in the pulling of a release rod 382 which extends through a channel 383 through the side body 331 and has an end 384 pivotably attached with a pin 385 to a release member 386. A spring 387 in a recess 387a in the side body 331 resists pulling of the release rod 382 and urges release rod 382 towards back end 335. Movement of the release member 386 resulting from pulling of the release rod 382 moves a projection 388 of a member 389 releasing a hinge/latch assembly 390 of the latch 342 and allowing the two side bodies 331, 332 to pivot about a pin 391 which holds them together to open the back end 335 of the elevator 330 (assisted by the hydraulic system with the piston 420, described below). In one aspect the rear release handle is optional and the rear latch is optional.
Optionally inserts 393 are positioned in corresponding recesses 393a in the side bodies 331, 332 for contacting and facilitating the holding of a tubular (e.g. casing, tubing, pipe, drill pipe, drill collar, etc.) within the elevator 330.
A hinge/latch hook assembly 401 which includes a bar 402 pivotably mounted with a pin 403 to the side body 332 has an end 404 forced outwardly by a spring 405 partially in a recess 405a in the side body 332 and which has an exterior end that abuts the end 404 of the bar 402. A pin 406 holds a roller 406a (like the roller 375a) to an end 407 of the bar 402 to the side body 332.
FIGS. 24A and 24B show the hinge/latch assembly 392 which has an upper hinge latch body 411; a piston rod pivot pin 412 through holes 356, 357 to which an end of a piston rod 420a is connected; a lower hinge latch body 413; a front hinge latch body 414; a projection 415 which is used in closing the elevator as the piston 420 is pushing on the assembly 392, but the projection 415 co-acts with the roller 375a to prevent the latch from fully engaging until a member 364 abuts part of the side 331. It is within the scope of the present invention to delete either piston 420 or piston 420a and its associated devices, lines, and mechanisms. A shaft 365c of a member 365 projects through a hole 416b in the assembly body 411. The member 365 has a body 365a with a top end 365d which projects beyond the plate 411. A projection 365b projects from the body 365a. The projection member 364 is receivable in a recess 363a of the end 363 of the handle 362. A groove 365f in a lower part 365e of the body 365a receives a nub 353 of a latch body 414. A shaft portion 365g of the body 365a is received in a corresponding hole 413a of a lower plate 413. Bolts 354 through holes 355 extending into holes 356a (in part 356) and 357a (in part 357) secure the body 414 to the plates 411, 413. The rear latch 390 has parts like that of the front latch 392 and the parts of the rear latch 390 as labelled in FIGS. 24C and 24D are like the corresponding parts in FIGS. 24A, 24B, and 24E with like numerals indicating like parts (e.g. part 414s in FIGS. 24C and 24D is like part 414 in FIGS. 24A and 24B and, e.g. part 411s is like part 411.
The piston 420 is within the side 332 of the elevator 330 and selectively moves the assembly 392 to latch the elevator shut. Hydraulic power fluid is applied through channels in the arm 352 and the side body 332 (channels 337, 338, 339) and ports 1, 2 for a piston 420a. A similar piston device 420d latches the back side 335 of the elevator shut.
As shown in FIG. 25 the elevator 330 is closed, latched, and locked. The pin 379 is in place and prevents movement of the handle 362. Pressure from a pressure system PS with a valve, line to tank, and Fluid Under Pressure inlet line, is being applied to both pistons 420 and 420a which are attempting to retract and they would, therefore, if permitted to, open the elevator 330 (i.e. the elevator is biased open in this configuration). Fluid under pressure is applied via Port 2 and Port 4 to the pistons 420 and 420a; but, as in FIG. 25, the pistons 420 and 420a are restrained and cannot (until released) open the elevator.
As shown in FIG. 25A, the pin 379 has been removed releasing the handle 362. Pulling on the handle 362 moves the handle 362 toward and against the spring 369 and brings the handle 362's end 363 into contact with the projection 364 of the member 365 of the hinge/latch assembly 392 of the latch mechanism 342. The resulting movement of the member 365 results in releasing the projection 365b from a groove 331a in the body 331. Thus the assembly 392 is released and allowed to rotate about the pin 391 to initiate opening of the elevator 330 (see FIG. 26).
FIG. 26B illustrates opening of the elevator as the assembly 392 continues to rotate about the pin 391. The piston 420 is retracting rotating the assembly 392. As this occurs, the member 365 continues to rotate and its part 365e contacts the roller 375a of the assembly 370. The handle 362 has been moved back to its resting position.
As shown in FIG. 26A, with the hinge/latch assembly 390 of the rear latch mechanism 341 locked and latched, when the piston 420a is retracted, the elevator 330 is opened as the side bodies 331, 332 pivot about the pin 367. The side bodies move relative to each other as the elevator is opening. Fluid under pressure applied to Port 4 retracts the piston 420a.
As shown in FIGS. 27 and 27A, the elevator 330 is open and the piston 420a is fully retracted.
As shown, e.g., in FIG. 25A, an end 420e of the piston 420 has a slot 420s within which the pin 412 can move (or, put another way, the slot 420s can move about the pin 412). The latch assembly 392 rotates and the pin 412 has a fixed location on the latch assembly 392. When the latch assembly 392 rotates, the location of a center line of the pin 412 does not stay in line with a center line of the piston 420. The slot 420s allows the pin 412 to move in a desired arc to accommodate motion of the piston 420. Alternatively, the piston could be mounted, e.g., linked to the side body, so it moves for such accommodation.
FIG. 29 illustrates initiation of closing of the elevator 330. As Shown in FIG. 29A, the piston 420 extends, rotating the assembly 392 until the projection 415 of the front hinge latch body 414 lockingly engages the roller 375a of the assembly 370, thereby preventing the assembly 392 from rotating all the way to latching and closing. Thus, as desired, the motion of the assembly 392 is limited until a later point when the part 365b is again in position to enter the groove 331a to lock the elevator. Fluid under pressure is being applied through Ports 1 and 3 to the piston 420a from the pressure system PS with a valve VA closed. Extension of the piston 420a closes the elevator 330.
FIGS. 30 and 30A show the elevator 330 nearly closed as the member 365 contacts the side body 331. Part 365e of the member 365 contacts the roller 375a of the assembly 370 overcoming the spring 374 and moves the assembly 370 out of engagement with the projection 415. This allows the cylinder 420 to extend and to push the assembly 392 to rotate the assembly 392 into place. In one aspect closing is initiated by an operator pushing a button on a control console to activate a valve to apply fluid under pressure to Ports 1 and 3, or to Ports 1-4.
FIG. 31 illustrates rotation of the assembly 392 driven by the piston 420 as the elevator is closing. FIG. 32 illustrates rotation of the assembly 392 prior to latching. FIG. 33 depicts latching of the elevator 330. For latching the member 365 rotates so that the projection 364 enters the recess 363a of the end 363 of the handle 362 and the gripping force of the spring 369 then pushes the projection 365b into the groove 331a. In this position, the assembly 392 is prevented from rotating out and the elevator 330 is latched. To lock the elevator 330 the pin 379 is reinstalled preventing movement of the handle 362. As shown in FIG. 27 when the assembly 392 is fully retracted the top end 365d of the body 365a contacts the side body 332. This orients the member 365 in a position ready for subsequent closing. The assembly 370 is making contact with the part 365e. In proceeding to a closing step, e.g. in FIG. 29, the top end 365d is no longer touching the side body 332 and the member 365 is free to rotate. A nub 353 on the latch body 414 is positioned within a groove 365f. The groove 365f is sized and located, with the nub 353 within it, so that the member 365 is prevented from over-rotating and ending up in the wrong location.
FIGS. 34A and 34B illustrate how abutment of shackles 230a on each side of the elevator 330 against rods 230r-230u provide for maintaining the elevator 330 in a desired orientation, e.g. as in FIG. 6B (as shown in FIG. 34B) and in FIG. 10B (as shown in dotted line in FIG. 34B). As shown in FIG. 34B, with the shackle 230a abutting the rod 230s the elevator is maintained in the position of FIG. 6B. As shown in dotted line in FIG. 34B once the elevator has shifted it can go no further than the position shown in FIG. 10B due to the abutment of the shackle 230a by the rod 230u.
The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not in necessarily all, embodiments new, useful and nonobvious top drive system and methods of their use; components thereof and methods of their use; and new, useful, nonobvious dual sided elevators and methods of their use.
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