Abstract:
An apparatus for rotating a tubular, the apparatus, in at least certain aspects including having a plurality of tubular-contacting rollers with one or more pairs of interlaced rollers. This Abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention is directed to apparatuses for connecting and disconnecting tubular members (e.g. casing, tubing, pipe, or drill pipe) and, in certain particular aspects to spinners, spinning wrenches, spinning tongs, iron roughnecks and methods of their use. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Drill pipe introduced into a well during oil and gas wellbore drilling is assembled in lengths joined with threaded joints. As the pipe is fed into a well, the sections of pipe are threaded together. When removing pipe, the threaded sections are disconnected and the sections of pipe stored. Inserting and removing the sections of drill pipe is called “tripping.” Threading and unthreading sections of pipe on tripping in and out of the well can be a difficult and cumbersome job. To make up the threads (or unscrew or break the threads) requires relatively high torque (rotational force). “Spinning” the pipe section after breaking (or before making up) the joints requires much less torque and is accomplished at much higher speed. Tightening and breaking joints requires a wrench to be tightly clamped on the pipe. In the early days, tightening and breaking was done manually with hand wrenches (more recently with power assisted wrenches). Spinning is a separate operation, long ago and in some places today done by wrapping a chain around a pipe and pulling the chain with a winch. Today power tong wrenches are used. Certain of these tongs have an open slot for pipe insertion and hydraulically powered clamps to grip the pipe. The pipe is rotated by a motor mechanically attached to the wrench. Such wrenches can develop high torque and work very well for making and breaking thread joints. Usually these wrenches work in combination with a backup wrench that holds the other section of threaded joint. The wrench is removed after making or breaking the threads, and a spinner (or top drive unit) spins out the threaded joint. Such wrenches are exemplified by the description in U.S. Pat. No. 4,348,920. Some types of these wrenches lack the capacity of handling different diameter pipe without changing pipe clamps. Since drill pipe, couplings, tapered pipe and joints are of different diameters, some wrenches handle widely varying diameters—from about 3.5 to about 9.5 inches in diameter. It is a great advantage for a wrench to be able to accommodate a range of diameters without having to change the clamps. U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,356 is an example of a power tong wrench which can not only accommodate the desired range of pipe diameters, but is also capable of making and breaking pipe sections and spinning the pipe. The ability to do both with the same wrench is highly desirable since it accomplishes with one connection step what previously required two or more connections with a wrench and spinner. 
         [0005]    “Iron roughnecks,” which combine a torque wrench and a spinning wrench, have been used for connecting and disconnecting various tubulars, e.g. drilling components, such as drill pipe, in running a string of drill pipe or other pipe into or out of a well. The prior art includes a variety of iron roughnecks; see e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,023,449; 4,348,920; 4,765,401; 6,776,070, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
         [0006]    Various prior art iron roughnecks have a spinning wrench and a torque wrench mounted together on a carriage. For making or breaking threaded connections between two tubulars, e.g. joints of drill pipe, certain iron roughnecks have a torque wrench with two jaw levels. An upper jaw of the torque wrench is used to clamp onto a portion of an upper tubular, and a lower jaw clamps onto a portion of a lower tubular, e.g. upper and lower threadedly connected pieces of drill pipe. After clamping onto a tubular, the upper and lower jaws are turned relative to each other to break or make a connection between the upper and lower tubulars. A spinning wrench, mounted on the carriage above the torque wrench, engages the upper tubular and spins it until it is disconnected from the lower tubular (or in a connection operation, spins two tubulars together prior to final make-up by the torque wrench). 
         [0007]    Certain iron roughnecks are mounted for movement from a wellbore center to a retracted position which does not interfere with or block performance of other operations relative to the well and rotating or driving apparatuses. Such a prior art system can be used for making and breaking joints in a main string or for connecting to or disconnecting from a tubular section located apart from a wellbore center, e.g. in a mousehole (or rathole) at a side of a well. 
         [0008]    Certain prior art iron roughneck systems include a carriage for rolling on the surface of the rig floor along a predetermined path. In certain prior art systems a spinner and torque wrench are mounted for upward and downward movement relative to a carriage, for proper engagement with tubulars, and for tilting movement between a position in which their axis extends directly vertically for engagement with a vertical well pipe and a position in which the axis of the spinner and torque wrench is disposed at a slight angle to true vertical to engage and act against a pipe in an inclined mousehole. In certain prior art systems, a spinner is movable vertically with respect to a torque wrench. 
         [0009]    The prior art discloses a variety of tongs and spinners for use in wellbore operations, e.g., but not limited to, as disclosed in and referred to in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,684,737; 6,971,283; 5,660,087; 5,161,438; 5,159,860; 5,842,390; 5,245,877; 5,259,275; 5,390,568; 4,446,761; 4,346,629; 4,221,269; 3,892,148; 4,023,449; 5,044,232; 5,081,888; 5,167,173; 5,207,128; 5,409,280; 5,868,045; 6,966,385; 6,138,529; 4,082,017; 6,082,224; 6,213,216; 6,330,911; 6,668,684; 6,752,044; 6,318,214; and 6,142,041 (all said patents incorporated fully herein for all purposes). 
         [0010]    There is a need, recognized by the present inventors, for an efficient tubular spinning system which can effectively handle a range of tubulars with varying diameters. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention, in certain embodiments, provides an apparatus for rotating a tubular, the apparatus including a plurality of adjacent driven rollers which can be interlaced to accommodate tubulars with a range of diameters. Such an apparatus may have a motor for each set of rollers. In certain aspects, this configuration of motors with interlacing rollers permits axes of adjacent motors to be relatively closer resulting in a more compact tool. 
         [0012]    Accordingly, the present invention includes features and advantages which are believed to enable it to advance spinning system technology. Characteristics and advantages of the present invention described above and additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0013]    Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to any particular individual feature disclosed here, but include combinations of them distinguished from the prior art in their structures, functions, and/or results achieved. Features of the invention have been broadly described so that the detailed descriptions that follow may be better understood, and in order that the contributions of this invention to the arts may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the invention described below and which may be included in the subject matter of the claims to this invention. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this invention, its teachings, and suggestions will appreciate that the conceptions of this disclosure may be used as a creative basis for designing other structures, methods and systems for carrying out and practicing the present invention. The claims of this invention are to be read to include any legally equivalent devices or methods which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0014]    What follows are some of, but not all, the objects of this invention. In addition to the specific objects stated below for at least certain preferred embodiments of the invention, there are other objects and purposes which will be readily apparent to one of skill in this art who has the benefit of this invention&#39;s teachings and disclosures. It is, therefore, an object of at least certain preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide the embodiments and aspects listed above and: new, useful, unique, efficient, nonobvious spinners and systems and methods for making and breaking threaded connections between tubular members; and rollers for such spinners and systems with spaced-apart grooves and a projections permitting interlacing of the rollers. 
         [0015]    The present invention recognizes and addresses the problems and needs in this area and provides a solution to those problems and a satisfactory meeting of those needs in its various possible embodiments and equivalents thereof. To one of skill in this art who has the benefits of this invention&#39;s realizations, teachings, disclosures, and suggestions, various purposes and advantages will be appreciated from the following description of preferred embodiments, given for the purpose of disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detail in these descriptions is not intended to thwart this patent&#39;s object to claim this invention no matter how others may later attempt to disguise it by variations in form or additions of further improvements. 
         [0016]    The Abstract that is part hereof is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and scientists, engineers, researchers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent terms or legal terms of phraseology to determine quickly from a cursory inspection or review the nature and general area of the disclosure of this invention. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention, which is done by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting of the scope of the invention or of the claims in any way. 
         [0017]    It will be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention may include one, some, or all of the disclosed, described, and/or enumerated improvements and/or technical advantages and/or elements in claims to this invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    A more particular description of embodiments of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by references to the embodiments which are shown in the drawings which form a part of this specification. These drawings illustrate certain preferred embodiments and are not to be used to improperly limit the scope of the invention which may have other equally effective or equivalent embodiments. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of a system according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1B  is a rear perspective view of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of a roller of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0022]      FIG. 1D  is a front view of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0023]      FIG. 1E  is a side view of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0024]      FIG. 1F  is a cross-section view along line  1 E- 1 E of  FIG. 1C . 
           [0025]      FIG. 1G  is a top view, partially cutaway, of part of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 1H  is a top view, partially cutaway, of part of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0027]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of part of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0028]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of part of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0029]      FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of part of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0030]      FIG. 2D  is a perspective view of part of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0031]      FIG. 2E  is a perspective view of part of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0032]      FIG. 2F  is a perspective view of a bogey limiter for use in the system of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0033]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of part of the system of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0034]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of part of the system of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0035]      FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of part of the system of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0036]      FIG. 3D  is a perspective view of part of the system of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0037]      FIG. 3E  is a perspective view of part of the system of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0038]      FIG. 3F  is a perspective view of part of the system of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0039]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of part of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0040]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of part of the system of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0041]      FIG. 5  is a side schematic view of a system according to the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 6  is a side schematic view of a system according to the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 7A  is a front perspective view of a spinner system according to the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of the system of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0045]      FIG. 7C  is a rear view of the system of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0046]      FIG. 7D  is a rear view of the system of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0047]      FIG. 7E  is a front view of the system of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0048]      FIG. 7F  is a bottom view of the system of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0049]      FIG. 7G  is a top partially cutaway view of the system of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0050]      FIG. 7H  is a top cross-section view of the system of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0051]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of part of a clamp apparatus of the system of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0052]      FIG. 8B  is a top view of the part of  FIG. 8A . 
           [0053]      FIG. 8C  is a top view of part of the clamp apparatus of  FIG. 8A . 
           [0054]      FIG. 8D  is a cross-section view along line  8 D- 8 D of  FIG. 8B . 
           [0055]      FIG. 8E  is a perspective view of part of the clamp apparatus of the system of  FIG. 8A . 
           [0056]      FIG. 8F  is a side view of the clamp apparatus of  FIG. 8A . 
           [0057]      FIG. 8G  is a cross-section view of the clamp apparatus as shown in  FIG. 8F . 
           [0058]      FIG. 8H  is a top view of the clamp apparatus of  FIG. 8A . 
           [0059]      FIG. 8I  is a cross-section view of the clamp apparatus as shown in  FIG. 8H . 
           [0060]      FIG. 8J  is a cross-section view of the clamp apparatus as shown in  FIG. 8I . 
       
    
    
       [0061]    Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the above-identified figures and described in detail below. Various aspects and features of embodiments of the invention are described below and some are set out in the dependent claims. Any combination of aspects and/or features described below or shown in the dependent claims can be used except where such aspects and/or features are mutually exclusive. It should be understood that the appended drawings and description herein are of preferred embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention or the appended claims. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In showing and describing the preferred embodiments, like or identical reference numerals are used to identify common or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
         [0062]    As used herein and throughout all the various portions (and headings) of this patent, the terms “invention”, “present invention” and variations thereof mean one or more embodiment, and are not intended to mean the claimed invention of any particular appended claim(s) or all of the appended claims. Accordingly, the subject or topic of each such reference is not automatically or necessarily part of, or required by, any particular claim(s) merely because of such reference. So long as they are not mutually exclusive or contradictory any aspect or feature or combination of aspects or features of any embodiment disclosed herein may be used in any other embodiment disclosed herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0063]      FIGS. 1A-1H  illustrate a spinner system  10  according to the present invention which has a main frame  12  with a crossmember  13  connecting two spaced-apart upright beams  14  releasably connected by chains  16  to a hanging bracket  18 . Clamping cylinder assemblies  20  disposed between frame members or plates  22 ,  24  move arms  26 ,  28  which, in turn, move bogeys  30 ,  32  to move rollers mounted thereon (described below) into contact with a tubular to be rotated. Tubulars can include pipe, drill pipe, tubing, and casing. Each arm  26 ,  28  includes a top plate ( 26   a,    28   a ) and a bottom plate ( 26   b,    28   b ). It is within the scope of the present invention for any part or piece or component that includes multiple items, e.g. (but not limited to) a component with multiple plates, to instead be made as a single integral component, e.g. a casting. Thus, e.g., a part with multiple plates connected together, e.g. welded together, may e a single manufactured casting. 
         [0064]    Chains or cables connected to torque reaction links  34 ,  36  releasably connect the system to a support column or other structure (see also link  34 ,  FIG. 2D ). Optional covers  41 - 44  shield motors  51 - 54  which rotate rollers  61 - 64 . The arms  26 ,  28  are pivotably secured to trunnions  23 ,  25  of trunnion blocks  27 ,  29 . An end  31 ,  33  of each cylinder assembly  20  is rotatably secured by a pin  35  to a cylinder mount  37 . 
         [0065]    The plates  22 ,  24  have slots  21   a,    21   b  (respectively—see  FIGS. 1A ,  2 A) in which a pin  39  moves. The pin  39  extends through a hole  73  in an upper plate  30   a  and a hole  74  in a lower plate  30   b  of the left hand bogey  30  to secure the left hand bogey  30  to the plates  22 ,  24 . The slots  21   a,    21   b  limit movement of the pin  39  thereby limiting movement of the left hand bogey  30 . This also limits the movement of the rollers  63 ,  64  rotatably connected to the left hand bogey  30  (as described in detail below). Cover mount blocks  49  on the plate  30   a  provide structure to which the cover  43  is secured. The cover  44  is secured to the plates  26   a,    26   b.  The left hand bogey  32  pivots about a pin  48 . The pin  48  extends through holes  88  in the plates  26   a,    26   b.    
         [0066]    The right hand bogey  32  is “free floating”” in the sense that it is not slaved to anything and can pivot, e.g. up to 10 degrees with respect to the center line of the system. The right hand bogey  32  freely about a pin  45 . The right hand bogey  32  has a top plate  32   a  and a bottom plate  32   b.  The pin  45  passes through holes  71 ,  72  (see  FIG. 2C ) to secure the right hand bogey  32  to the plates  22 ,  24 . The cover  42  is secured to mount blocks  75 . The cover  42  is secured to the arms  26 ,  28 . 
         [0067]    The motors  53 ,  54  are on top of the left hand bogey  32  and the motors  51 ,  52  are on top of the right hand bogey  30 . As shown in dotted line in  FIG. 1D  a flow divider  170  receives power fluid (e.g. hydraulic fluid under pressure from a rig source). Power fluid from the flow divider  170  is provided via connections  172  to the motors  51 - 54  and to the clamping cylinders  20 . As shown the motors  51 - 54  are located above corresponding rollers; but it is within the scope of the present invention to locate the motors at any convenient location whether above the rollers or not. 
         [0068]    The roller  62  is mounted with portions in the holes  76   a,    76   b  (see  FIG. 2C ); the roller  61  is mounted with portions in the holes  77   a,    77   b;  the roller  64  is mounted with portions in the holes  78   a,    78   b  (see  FIG. 2B ); and the roller  63  is mounted with portions in the holes  79   a,    79   b.    
         [0069]    The pin  47  extends through a hole  94  in the plate  26   a,  through a hole (not shown) in the plate  26   b  and through a hole  87  in the plate  22  and a hole  88  in the plate  24  to pivotably connect the arm  26  to the plates  22 ,  24 . The pin  46  extends through a hole  89  in the arm  28 , through holes  85 ,  86  in the plates  22 ,  24  and through a lower hole  101  in the plate  28   b  to pivotably pin the arm  28  to the plates  22 ,  24 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 2E  shows the arm  28  (the arm  26  is a mirror image of the arm  28 ). 
         [0071]      FIG. 2F  shows a bogey limiter  110  (see also in  FIG. 1A ) which prevents the bogey  32  from rotating more than a certain amount, e.g. within a 10 degree range of motion. In certain aspects, the bogey limiter is deleted. 
         [0072]      FIGS. 3A-3F  show a roller  120  and associated parts. The roller  120  may be any of the rollers  61 ,  62 ,  63 ,  64  (or any roller herein). The roller  120  has a body  122  with a plurality of spaced-apart projections  124 - 127 . Optionally, the projections have a series of spaced-apart grooves  128  or  129 . It is believed that the projections with these grooves will function similarly to the treads of a tire on a wet surface and a surface film on the projections will be forced into the grooves thereby increasing friction between the rollers and a tubular to be rotated. 
         [0073]    The roller body  122  has a recess  139  and a slot  131  which receives a corresponding member  132  (into slot  131 ) and a corresponding end (into recess  139 ) of a drive spindle  133 . The drive spindle  133  passes through an upper bearing housing  134 . The drive spindle  133  is connected to a drive shaft of a motor (e.g. a motor  51 - 54 ). The motor rotates the drive spindle  133  which in turn rotates the roller  120 . The motor can be bolted to the upper bearing housing  134 . 
         [0074]    The roller  120  rotates on a lower spindle  135  which rotates in a lower bearing housing  136  whose bottom is covered with a cover  137 . The upper bearing housing  134  and the lower bearing housing  136  are connected to a corresponding bogey (see any bogey in the system of  FIG. 1A ). 
         [0075]    Between the projections  124 - 127  are a series of spaced-apart areas  141 ,  142 , and  143  and an area  144  beneath the lowermost projection  127 . Projections on an adjacent roller like the projections  124 - 127  can be received in and fit within the areas  141 - 144  as two rollers are moved toward each other. The areas  141 - 144  are recessed with respect to the outer surfaces of the projections  124 - 127 . It is within the scope of the present invention for a first roller to have one projection (or at least one projection) and an adjacent roller to have one groove (or at least one groove), with the one projection projecting into and received within the one groove so that the two rollers are interlaced (or for the at least one projection to project into the at least one groove or for each of a series of spaced-apart projections on a first roller to project into and be received within a corresponding groove of a series of spaced apart grooves on a second adjacent roller. Also, a spinning wrench system according to the present invention can have two pairs of such rollers, the two pairs movable to contact each other so that a first roller of each pair interlaces with each other and a second roller of each pair interlaces with each other. 
         [0076]      FIGS. 1F-1H  illustrate movement of the arms  26 ,  28 ; the bogeys  30 ,  32 ; and the rollers  61 - 64  with respect to the frame  12  and with respect to a tubular T (see  FIG. 1H ). 
         [0077]    In  FIGS. 1F and 1G  the pin  39  is at one end  21   c  of the slots  21   a,    21   b  (end  21   c  of the slot  21   a ) which positions the rollers  63 ,  64  at an angle to a central axis A of the system  10  (e.g. in one particular aspect four degrees). The clamping cylinders  20  have not been actuated to move the arms  26 ,  28 , the bogeys  30 ,  32  and the rollers  61 - 64  inwardly toward the tubular T. 
         [0078]    As shown in  FIG. 1H , the clamping cylinders  20  have been actuated, pivoting the arms  26 ,  28  to move the bogeys  30 ,  32  and the rollers  61 - 64  moving the rollers  61 ,  62  toward the rollers  63 ,  64 . The rollers  61 ,  63  are interlaced with each other with the projections on one roller received in the valleys of the other roller. The rollers  62 ,  64  are interlaced with each other with the projections on one roller received in the valleys of the other roller. As shown in  FIG. 1F , the rollers  61 ,  62  are mounted so that they are interlaced with each other with the projections of one roller received in the valleys of the other roller; as are the rollers  63 ,  64 . All of the rollers contact the tubular T and, when rotated, the rollers rotate the tubular T. The interlacing facilitates maintenance of spacing apart of the rollers around a tubular and helps prevent the rollers from slipping on a tubular or from spitting a tubular out the front of the system. 
         [0079]    As shown in  FIG. 1H , the pin  39  has moved to an opposite end  21   d  of the slots  21   a,    21   b  guiding the orientation of the bogey  30  and rollers  63 ,  64  at a desired location. The available stroke of the cylinders stops movement of the bogey  30  at a “clamp off” position or “clamp on without pipe” position. An axis B of the rollers  63 ,  64  is parallel to the axis A insuring the rollers are maintained horizontal to the central axis of the system at all times. In one aspect, the bogey pivot pins  345 ,  348  each will move through an arc while a theoretical pipe center remains in position relative to the system. This results in a small variable forward/rearward offset between the bogey pivot pins  345 ,  348  and the theoretical pipe center. This offset can be reduced or eliminated by allowing the bogies to angle slightly either side of perpendicular to centreline. This angle is governed by the shape of the guide slot (slots  332   a,    332   b ) acting with the pin  339  of the bogey  332 . The slots  332   a,    332   b  are shaped to “open up” the angle of the bogey  332  in a “clamp off” position (when the bogies are moved away from the theoretical pipe center). 
         [0080]    As shown in  FIG. 1H , each roller  61 - 64  has an equal amount of contact with the tubular T so that static clamp forces are applied equally by all four rollers, including those on the right hand bogey (since the right hand bogey floats free, the left hand bogey allows all rollers to contact a tubular with equal force). During spinning, rollers diagonal to each other have equal clamp force, but the leading and trailing rollers on each bogey have different contact force onto a pipe. 
         [0081]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views of the cover  41 . 
         [0082]      FIG. 5  shows a system  200  according to the present invention for connecting and disconnecting tubulars TB and TL While a spinning system  210  (shown schematically) according to the present invention spins the tubular TB a wrench  202  (e.g. any suitable wrench or tong) holds the tubular TL. A hanger  204  permits connection of the system  210  to another member or structure. The wrench  202  is connected to the spinning system  210  with a connection  206  and a spring  208 . The spinning system  210  may include any spinner according to the present invention, including but not limited to, that of  FIG. 1A  or of  FIG. 7A . 
         [0083]      FIG. 6  show a system  10  according to the present invention (like systems disclosed in co-owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,185,547 and 7,062,991 incorporated fully herein for all purposes) which has a carriage  20  which is movably connected for up/down vertical movement to a column  14  and which can also translate horizontally on a rig floor RF for movement toward and away from a drill pipe D of a drill string DS in a well W. Support arms  22 ,  24  (two each) are pivotably connected at one end to a base  23  of the carriage  20  and at their other ends to a support  25 . Optionally, only one support arm is used or two arms in parallel are used. A connector  21  is removably emplaceable in a socket  29  to mount the system on the rig. 
         [0084]    A torque wrench  11  (e.g. as disclosed in co-owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,185,547 and 7,062,991, or in any prior art cited therein) and a spinner  12  (any according to the present invention) are connected to the carriage  20  and are movable by a power mechanism PM toward and away from the column  14  by moving the support arms  22 ,  24 . Optionally, a known torque wrench may be used, e.g. instead of the torque wrench  100 . The spinner is movable up and down on the spin wrench carriage  25  toward and away from the torque wrench. A control console CS for the system  10  is shown schematically in  FIG. 1B . Optionally, the console CS communicates by wire or wirelessly with the torque wrench  100  and/or the spinner  12  and/or the control console CS is located remotely from it. 
         [0085]      FIGS. 7A-7H  illustrate a spinner system  300  according to the present invention which has a frame  312  with a crossmember  313  connecting two spaced-apart beams  314  releasably connected by connectors  316  to a hanging bracket  318 . Clamping cylinder assemblies  320  disposed between frame members  322 ,  324  are connected to and selectively move arms  326 ,  328  which, in turn, move bogeys  330 ,  332  to move rollers mounted thereon (described below) into contact with a tubular to be rotated. Cylinder yoke bushings  334  of the clamping cylinder assemblies  320  received and held in corresponding holes  326   h,    328   h  in plates  326   a,    326   b,    328   a,    328   b  of the arms  32   b,    328 , respectively, to pivotably connect the arms  326 ,  328  to the clamping cylinder assemblies  320 . A center member  321  connected to both clamping cylinder assemblies  320  is secured to a frame center mount  335 . It is within the scope of the present invention to use a single cylinder assembly instead of the two cylinder assemblies  320 . 
         [0086]    Each arm  326 ,  328  includes a top plate ( 326   a,    328   a ) and a bottom plate  326   b,    328   b ). These plates  326   a,    326   b,    328   a,    328   b  are pivotably mounted to and between the frame members  322 ,  324  with pins  325 . 
         [0087]    Covers  341 - 344  shield motors  351 - 354  and rollers  361 - 364  which are rotated by the motors  351 - 354 . The bogeys  330 ,  332  are pivotably connected to the arms. 
         [0088]    The plates  322 ,  324  have slots  322   a,    324   a  respectively in which a pin  339  moves. The pin  339  extends through a hole  373  in an upper plate  332   a  and a hole  374  in a lower plate  332   b  of the bogey  332 . The slots  332   a,    332   b  guide movement of the pin  339  thereby guiding movement of the bogey  332 . This also guides the movement of the rollers  363 ,  364  rotatably connected to the bogey  332  (as described in detail below). Cover mount blocks  349  on the plate  332   a  provide structure to which the cover  343  is secured. The cover  344  is secured to the arm  328 . The bogey  332  pivots about a pin  348 . The pin  348  extends through holes  388  in the plates  328   a,    328   b.    
         [0089]    The bogey  330  is “free floating”” in the sense that it is not slaved to anything and can pivot with respect to the arm  326  and can pivot, e.g. up to 10 degrees, with respect to the center line of the system. The bogey  330  freely pivots about a pin  345 . The bogey  330  has a top plate  330   a  and a bottom plate  330   b.  The pin  345  passes through holes  371 ,  372  to secure the bogey  330  to the arm  326 . The cover  341  is secured to mount blocks  375 . The cover  342  is secured to the arm  326 . 
         [0090]    The motors  353 ,  354  are on top of the bogey  332 ; and the motors  351 ,  352  are mounted on top of the bogey  330 . A flow divider  370  receives power fluid (e.g. hydraulic fluid under pressure from a rig source). Power fluid from the flow divider  370  is provided via connections  372  to the motors  351 - 354 . Power fluid from the flow divider  370  is provided to the clamping cylinder assemblies  320  via connections  374 . As shown the motors  351 - 354  are located above corresponding rollers; but it is within the scope of the present invention to locate the motors (or a single motor or two motors) at any convenient location whether above the rollers or not, below the rollers, or adjacent the rollers; or to use a single motor for driving multiple rollers, e.g., but not limited to, a first motor for driving the rollers on one side, e.g. via appropriate gearing, and a second motor for driving the rollers on the other side. One motor can drive multiple rollers, e.g. via gearing, in synchronization. 
         [0091]    The roller  62  is mounted with portions in the holes  76   a,    76   b  (see  FIG. 2C ); the roller  61  is mounted with portions in the holes  77   a,    77   b;  the roller  64  is mounted with portions in the holes  78   a,    78   b  (see  FIG. 2B ); and the roller  63  is mounted with portions in the holes  79   a,    79   b.    
         [0092]    A pin  347  extends through holes in the plates  322 ,  324  and through holes in the plates  326   a,    326   b  to pivotably connect the arm  326  to the plates  322 ,  324 . A pin  346  extends through holes in the plates  328   a,    328   b  and through holes in the plates  322 ,  324  to pivotably connect the arm  328  to the plates  322 ,  324 . 
         [0093]    The rollers  361 - 364  may be like any roller disclosed herein according to the present invention (e.g., but not limited to, the rollers shown in  FIGS. 1A and 3C ). For example, the roller  363  has a plurality of spaced-apart projections  377  and a plurality of spaced-apart recesses  379 . Any of the rollers  361 - 364  may have grooves like the grooves  128  or  129  described above. The rollers  361 - 364  may have the associated parts as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3F . 
         [0094]    As shown in  FIGS. 7E-7H , the clamping cylinder apparatuses have been activated to move the arms  326 ,  328 , bogeys  330 ,  332 , and rollers  361 - 364  inwardly to clamp a tubular T for spinning. The pin  339  has guided the rotation of the bogey  332  about the pivot pin  348 . The pin  337  prevents the bogey from trying to rotate in the opposite direction to the rollers  363  and  364 . The pin  339  slides along the slots  332   a,    324   a  as the clamp cylinders are operated, but it is the end stroke of the clamp cylinders and not the slots that limit the extremes of clamping movement. The bogey  332  can be considered as the “master” while the bogey  330  is the “slave”. The bogey  332  aligns the spinner unit precisely with the tubular centerline irrespective of the tubular diameter. The bogey  330  then passively self aligns as clamp force is applied. 
         [0095]    The rollers  361 - 364  are interlaced as shown in  FIGS. 7E-7H . The roller  361  interlaces with the roller  362  and with the roller  363 . The roller  362  also interlaces with the roller  364 . The roller  364  interlaces with the rollers  362  and  363 . 
         [0096]    In certain aspects, interlacing of rollers works like treads on a tire; i.e. contact area is reduced and local contact pressure is increased, while surface contamination tends to be pressed into the grooves. 
         [0097]    Any suitable powered cylinder assemblies may be used for the clamping cylinder assemblies  320 . In one particular aspect, as shown in FIGS.  7 H and  8 A- 8 D, each clamping cylinder assembly  320  has a housing  320   a  within which a piston  320   p  is movably mounted. To accommodate the pivoting of an arm  326  or arm  328  to which the housing  320   a  is connected, a pivotable connector  320   c  connects the piston  320   p  to the center member  321 . 
         [0098]    The connector  320   c  has a first member  320   d  with a ball end  320   e  and a second member  320   f  with a ball end  320   g.  A pin  320   h  pins an end  320   i  of the second member  320   f  to the first member  320   d.  The ball end  320   e  of the first member is movable in a first spherical bearing  320   j  connected to the piston  320   p.  The ball end  320   g  is movable in a second spherical bearing  320   k  connected to the center member  321 . The members  320   d,    320   f  act like a rod connected to the piston  320   p.  Thus the housing  320   a  is pivotable with respect to the housing center member  321 , allowing the cylinder to accommodate a certain amount of both angular and parallel misalignment without transferring significant loads to the cylinder slides and seals. Thus the fixed cylinders using the hemispherical bearings  320   e,    320   g  are substantially or almost totally isolated from side loads (e.g. loads perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the members  320   d,    320   f  which could create a moment which would be resisted by sliding surfaces of the piston). In certain aspects such side or lateral loads can be the result of wear of moving parts; production or installation tolerances; mechanical deflection under loading; or incorrect operation. 
         [0099]    A seal  320   m  (e.g., but not limited to, a rubber bellows apparatus) seals the housing- 320   a -center-mount- 321  interface and prevents moisture and contamination from reaching the connector system and ball joints. A retaining ring  321   a  screwed onto the center member  321  locks the ball end of the connector to the center member  321  to retain the spherical bearing  320   k  and resists cylinder retract loads when pressure is applied to the return side of the piston (pressure in the volume space  320   x ). 
         [0100]    Pressurized oil from the flow divider  370  enters a cylinder retract port  320   w  to move the housing inwardly to unclamp the rollers from a tubular. The rollers are applied by supplying pressurized oil from the flow divider  370  to the rear of the piston via one of the two cylinder extend ports  320   r.  Channels  320   s  within the body of the cylinder lead this oil to the rear of the piston. Oil within the space  320   x  is pressed out of the cylinder retract port as the cylinder extends. 
         [0101]    In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present invention and the embodiments disclosed herein and those covered by the appended claims are well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends set forth. Certain changes can be made in the subject matter without departing from the spirit and the scope of this invention. It is realized that changes are possible within the scope of this invention and it is further intended that each element or step recited in any of the following claims is to be understood as referring to the step literally and/or to all equivalent elements or steps. The following claims are intended to cover the invention as broadly as legally possible in whatever form it may be utilized. The invention claimed herein is new and novel in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §102 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in §102. The invention claimed herein is not obvious in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §103 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in §103. This specification and the claims that follow are in accordance with all of the requirements of 35 U.S.C. §112. The inventors may rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the scope of their invention and of the claims that follow as they may pertain to apparatus not materially departing from, but outside of, the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. All patents and applications identified herein are incorporated fully herein for all purposes. What follows are some of the claims for some of the embodiments and aspects of the present invention, but these claims are not necessarily meant to be a complete listing of nor exhaustive of every possible aspect and embodiment of the invention. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words ‘means for’ together with an associated function. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.