Abstract:
A drilling rig with a top drive having a torque measuring load cell made from a strain gauged bending pin. When the unit torques up, the bending pin can be arranged to bend slightly in proportion to torque, and a strain gauge on the bending pin provides measurement that can be calibrated electronically in foot-lbs of torque.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation in part of co-pending U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/301,520 filed on Nov. 21, 2011, entitled “TORQUE MEASURING TOP DRIVE,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/420,672, filed on Dec. 7, 2010, entitled “TORQUE MEASURING TOP DRIVE”. These references are hereby incorporated in their entirety herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present embodiments generally relate to a drilling rig for operating equipment that moves pipe into a wellbore having a top drive and a strain gauge load cell having two pins, a hinge pin and a torque measuring pin. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A need exists for a drilling rig with a top drive and a strain gauge load cell that can be calibrated, eliminating or reducing inaccuracies associated with determining load on conventional top drives used for drilling wells. 
     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 a drilling rig with top drive according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a top drive according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 3A  depicts a first detailed view of portions of a top drive. 
         FIG. 3B  depicts a second detailed view of portions of the top drive. 
         FIG. 3C  depicts a third detailed view of portions of the top drive. 
         FIG. 4A  depicts a top drive with a torque wrench assembly and a kick out elevator link that uses the strain gauge load cell according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 4B  is a detail of a portion of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  depicts a top view of a torque track slide assembly with the strain gauge load cell. 
         FIG. 6A  depicts a cut side view detail of the strain gauge load cell. 
         FIG. 6B  depicts a cut view of a hinge pin according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIG. 6C  depicts an embodiment of a controller. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a detailed view of a torque slide assembly used with a top drive. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a pneumatic thread compensator and two sheaves instead of a lifting block. 
     
    
    
     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 they can be practiced or carried out in various ways. 
     The present embodiments relates to a drilling rig, such as an oil rig with a derrick or a tower, for drilling a wellbore. 
     Turning now to the Figures,  FIG. 1  shows a drilling rig  16  for use in drilling wells made of a derrick  20  having a crown  88  at an end of the derrick  20  and a drilling rig base  22  with a drilling rig floor  90 . 
     A torque track slide assembly  84  slides over a modular torque track assembly  15 . The modular torque track assembly  15  between the crown  88  of the derrick  20  and the drilling rig base  22  with drilling rig floor  90 . 
     The drilling rig base  22  shows the drilling rig floor  90  connected to a drilling rig floor substructure  91 . 
     The drilling rig has a lifting block  12  that is secured to a cable  158 . The cable  158  can extend from the lifting block  12  over at least one sheave  160  mounted to the top of the derrick  20  at the crown  88 . 
     The drawworks  162  can be connected to a drawworks motor  164  for turning the drawworks  162 , and for raising or lowering the lifting block  12 . 
     The drawworks motor can be energized from a power supply  166  such as a hydraulic power supply. The drawworks motor can be used to turn the drawworks and raise or lower the top drive with the cable. 
     A top drive  10  can slidingly engage the modular torque track  85  by attaching to the torque track slide assembly  84 . The top drive  10  can include a mud pump  71 . 
     A pipe  116   a  can be engaged with the drilling rig  16  at one end and with a drill bit  119  on the other end within the wellbore  8 . 
     A stand of pipes, including pipe  116   c  connected to pipe  116   b  can be maintained in a racking position  190  relative to the drilling rig floor  90 . 
     A blowout preventer (BOP) stack  117  is shown positioned over the wellbore  8  with the pipe  116   a  passing through the blowout preventer (BOP) stack  117 . 
     A hydraulic fluid source  200  for powering the top drive  10  is shown. The hydraulic fluid passes through a conduit  300 . Slips  191  are also shown at the top of the wellbore  8 . The top drive  10  can be in communication with a controller  262 , which is described in more detail in  FIG. 6C . 
     The lifting block  12  can have a hook and can be secured to a cable  158  and to a the crown  88  of the derrick for hoisting up and lowering down the top drive as needed to rotate the pipe holding a drill bit. 
     The cable  158  can extend from the lifting block  12  over at least one sheave mounted to the top of the derrick adjacent the crown and can be used with the drawworks to raise or lower the top drive. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a side view of an embodiment of a top drive  10  engaged with a lifting block  12 . 
     The lifting block  12  can be in connection with a top drive housing  54  that contains the top drive  10 . The torque track slide assembly, shown in  FIG. 1 , can also connect to the top drive housing  54  of a top drive  10  contained within the housing. 
     The top drive housing  54  can support the top drive  10  for connection to the cable  158 , shown in  FIG. 1 . The top drive housing  54  can be made from steel and can be configured to support a rotating stem, also referred to as a main shaft, which can be mounted therein. 
     The top drive  10  can include a pneumatic thread compensator  19 , a first upper link  50 , a second upper link  52 , a top drive housing  54  connected to both upper links  50  and  52 , a first lower link  56  and a second lower link  58  connected to the top drive housing  54 , and an elevator  60  connected to both lower links  56  and  58 . 
     In one or more embodiments, the first lower link can be connected or pinned to the top drive housing, and a second lower link can be connected or pinned to the top drive housing opposite the first lower link. 
     The lower links can extend from the top drive housing and can be connected to an elevator, which can be a manual or hydraulic elevator. The top drive can include at least one elevator hydraulic cylinder that can be used to kick out the elevator to grab a pipe or a stand of pipes from a pipe rack, a V-door, a mouse hole, or another location. 
     The top drive  10  can be used for engaging a pipe or a stand of pipes, such as pipe  116 , which can be a drill pipe extending from a drilling rig floor  90 , through a drilling rig floor substructure  91 , and into a wellbore  8 . 
     The top drive  10  can include a mud pump  71  in fluid communication with a mud reservoir  70  for pumping a pressurized mud  68  to a wash pipe packing seal assembly  87 . 
     The wash pipe packing seal assembly  87  can be connected to the top drive housing  54 . The pressurized mud  68  can flow along a central mud flow path  69 , to a drill bit that can be connected to the pipe  116 . 
       FIG. 3A  depicts a view of a torque measuring portion of the top drive  10 . 
     The top drive  10  can include or be connected to a bail  14 . The bail  14  can be engaged with the lifting block. 
     Also shown are the elevator  60  and the drilling rig floor  90 . 
       FIG. 3B  depicts a second detailed view of portions of the top drive. 
     The top drive housing  54  can support a rotating stem  74 , which can be mounted therein. 
     The rotating stem  74  can be spinably connected with a motor  72 . The motor  72  can be connected with the top drive housing  54 . The motor can be a hydraulic motor. In one or more embodiments, the motor can at least partially extend into the top drive housing. 
     A heavy thrust bearing  62  can be disposed about the rotating stem  74  within the top drive housing  54 . 
       FIG. 3C  depicts a third detailed view of portions of the top drive 
     An inside blowout preventer  78  can be connected to the rotating stem  74  and to a saver sub  82 . The inside blowout preventer can be connected to the rotating stem opposite from where the rotating stem is mounted to the top drive housing, such as to a bottom end of the rotating stem. 
     An upper clamp assembly  76  can be disposed about and can lock the connection between the rotating stem  74  and the inside blowout preventer  78 . The upper clamp assembly can lock the connection between the rotating stem and the inside blowout preventer. 
     A lower clamp assembly  80  can be disposed about and can lock the connection between the inside blowout preventer  78  and the saver sub  82 . The lower clamp assembly, which can be the same type of clamp as the upper clamp assembly, can lock the connection between the inside blowout preventer and the saver sub. 
     In one or more embodiments, each clamp assembly can include one or more tong dies for preventing backing out or breaking off of any tool joint connections in the top drive, such as threaded connections between pipes. 
       FIG. 4A  depicts details of portions of the top drive. The top drive can include a torque wrench assembly  86  that can be connected to the top drive housing  54  (shown in  FIG. 4B ) and/or a torque track slide assembly  84  (also shown in  FIG. 4B ). 
     In one or more embodiments, the torque wrench assembly can include a pair of torque supporting telescoping rectangular tubes for supporting a torque load with telescoping movement. The torque wrench assembly can include a hydraulic cylinder with a first end, a second end, and a single hollow cylinder rod disposed therethrough. 
     The hydraulic cylinder can be disposed inside the torque supporting telescoping rectangular tubes. The single hollow cylinder rod can be moveably positionable within the hydraulic cylinder, such that the single hollow cylinder rod can moveably extend out of the first end and the second end of the hydraulic cylinder. 
     The torque track slide assembly  84  can be configured to slide on a modular torque track  85 . The modular torque track  85  can be suspended from a crown  88  of a derrick, and can be connected to the drilling rig floor  90  and/or to the drilling rig floor substructure  91 . The torque track slide assembly, the top drive housing, the top plate, and the bottom plate can provide protection from external forces to the area therein. 
     In one or more embodiments, the modular torque track can be hanging loosely and can be only slightly tensioned, such that no torque loads are imparted onto the derrick. The modular torque track can be suspended from the crown of the derrick or the drilling rig. 
     The torque track slide assembly can include a body, also referred to as a slide body, a top plate engaged with the top drive housing, a bottom plate engaged with the top drive housing, and a torque assembly door. The torque assembly door can be a rotatable slide door that can be engaged around a rectangular torque reaction tube. The rotatable slide door can provide for easy installation and removal of the rectangular torque reaction tube. 
     The top drive can include an elevator hydraulic cylinder  120  (shown in  FIG. 4B ) connected to the elevator  60  and to the top drive housing  54  (shown in  FIG. 4B ) for kicking out the elevator  60  with the lower links, such as the lower link  56 , to grab pipes. 
       FIG. 4B  shows the top drive housing  54  and a torque track slide assembly  84 . 
     The torque track slide assembly  84  can include a slide body  92 , a top plate  94  engaged with the top drive housing  54 , and a bottom plate  96  engaged with the top drive housing  54 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a top view of the torque track slide assembly  84  with the strain gauge load cell  18 . A rectangular torque reaction tube  100  is shown. 
     A first boss  240  is depicted, along with a torque measuring pin head  222 , a pin flat side  224 , and a flat fixed surface  226 . The pin flat side  224  can be for orientation against the flat fixed surface  226  of the first plate. A hinge pin  232  is also shown. 
     The first boss can be connected to the top drive housing to hold and contain a segment of the torque measuring pin. 
     The first boss can have a first bore with a first bore diameter to allow the torque measuring pin to pass through the first bore without touching the first bore. A segment of the torque measuring pin body can be surrounded by the first boss. 
     The torque measuring pin can engage through the first boss or the first bore without engaging the first bore or the first boss. The first boss can be configured to restrain vertical movement between the first plate and the second plate when torque is applied to the top drive. 
       FIG. 6A  depicts a cut side view detail of the strain gauge load cell  18 . 
     In one or more embodiments, the strain gauge load cell can be attached to a top drive housing of the top drive. The strain gauge load cell can include a first plate  216  opposite a second plate  218  mounted to the top drive housing. 
     The strain gauge load cell  18  can include a hinge pin, which can have a constant diameter. The hinge pin can have a hinge pin head and a hinge pin body for securing the torque slide assembly of the top drive to the top drive housing. The hinge pin can engage with the first plate, the torque slide assembly, and the second plate for securing the torque slide assembly of the top drive to the top drive housing. 
     A torque measuring pin  220  with a torque measuring pin head  222 , a torque measuring pin body  221 , a first pin diameter  227 , a second pin diameter  229 , and a third pin diameter  231 , is depicted engaged with both the first plate  216  and the second plate  218 . The three diameters of the torque measuring pin  220  can be used for ease of installation. 
     The torque measuring pin  220  can be made from steel, a heat treated steel, a durable alloy, or combinations thereof. The torque measuring pin  220  can have a length that is configured to span from the first plate  216  to the second plate  218  for engagement thereto. 
     The torque measuring pin head  222  can have a diameter that is slightly greater than the first pin diameter  227 . 
     The torque measuring pin  220  can secure the torque track slide assembly to the top drive housing  54 . 
     The torque measuring pin body  221  can have a torque measuring pin hole  228  for engaging a first restraining member  230 . The torque measuring pin hole  228  can include a flexible bushing  235  to centralize the first restraining member  230  in the torque measuring pin hole  228 , and to hold the torque measuring pin head  222  above the first plate  216 , thereby preventing dragging of the torque measuring pin head  222  when the torque measuring pin body  221  bends, which can affect the accuracy of torque measurements. 
     The torque measuring pin can have a pin head flat side for orientation against a fixed surface of the first plate, providing for a smooth engagement between the torque measuring pin and the first plate. 
     The torque measuring pin can engage with the first plate, the torque slide assembly of the top drive, and the second plate for securing the torque slide assembly to the top drive housing. 
     A first boss  240  can be formed between the first plate  216  and the second plate  218  to restrain vertical movement between the first plate  216  and the second plate  218 . 
     The first boss  240  can have a first bore  243  with a first bore diameter  241  that can be larger than the second pin diameter  229 , enabling the torque measuring pin body  221  to easily drop into position. The first boss  240  can be positioned proximate to the first plate  216 . 
     A second boss  244  can be formed and positioned near the second plate  218  to restrain axial movement between the first plate  216  and the second plate  218 . The torque measuring pin  220  can be inserted into the second boss  244 . The second boss  244  can have a second bore  246  aligned with the first bore  243 . 
     The second bore  246  can have a second bore diameter  247 . The second bore diameter  247  can be large enough to clear deflection of the torque measuring pin body  221 . 
     The second bore diameter can be configured to allow deflection of the torque measuring pin body without engaging the torque measuring pin body. The second bore diameter can allow the torque measuring pin to pass through the second bore without touching the second bore. The second boss can surround a segment of the torque measuring pin body. 
     The segment of the torque measuring pin body that can be surrounded by the second boss can be located opposite from the segment of the torque measuring pin body surrounded by the first boss. 
     The torque measuring pin can engage through the second boss or the second bore without engaging the second boss or the second bore. The second boss can be configured to restrain axial movement between the first plate and the second plate when torque is applied to the top drive. 
     A third boss  250  with a third bore  252  can have a third bore diameter  251  that can be equal to the first pin diameter  227  to snugly engage the torque measuring pin body  221  and allow the torque measuring pin  220  to bend when torque is applied simultaneously by the first plate  216  and the second plate  218 . As such, the third boss  250  can react to the applied torque. For example, the third bore diameter can be equal to a diameter of the torque measuring pin proximate the third bore, allowing the torque measuring pin to bend when torque is applied to the torque measuring pin simultaneously by the first plate and the second plate, and allowing the third boss to react to the applied torque. 
     A top bushing  112  can connect to the first plate  216 . A bottom bushing  115  can connect to the second plate  218 . The top bushing  112  can be larger in diameter than the bottom bushing  115 , such as from about 1 percent to about 10 percent larger. 
     A strain gauge load cell sensor  260  can be connected to the torque measuring pin body  221  between the first boss  240  and the third boss  250  with a specific orientation to receive bending information. 
     The strain gauge load cell sensor can be connected to or otherwise engaged with the torque measuring pin. An illustrative strain gauge load cell sensor can be one made by Dynasen of Goleta, Calif. The strain gauge load cell sensor can measure strain or torque from the torque measuring pin and can produce signals therefrom. 
     A controller  262  can be connected to the strain gauge load cell sensor  260  to receive signals over wires  51  from the strain gauge load cell sensor  260 . 
     The controller  262  can be connected to a power supply  264  for detecting measurable bending of the torque measuring pin body  221 , which can be calibrated in torque for detecting forward and reverse bending of the torque measuring pin body  221 . 
     The controller  262  can transmit determined torque strain and compliance with preset limits  273  for use in operation of the top drive. 
     The controller, which can be an electronic controller, can be connected to or otherwise engaged with the strain gauge load cell sensor. The controller can be in communication with the strain gauge load cell sensor for receiving the produced signals from the strain gauge load cell sensor. For example, the controller can be connected to the strain gauge load cell sensor with wires or through a wireless communication. 
     The controller can be in communication with a power supply. The power supply can be one or more batteries or a 110 volt power source. The controller can include a processor with a data storage. Computer instructions for calibrating can be stored in the data storage. 
     The controller can use the signals from the strain gauge load cell sensor to detect measurable pin body movement or bending of the torque measuring pin. The detected measurable pin body movement or bending can be calibrated in torque for detecting forward and reverse bending of the torque measuring pin body. 
     In one or more embodiments, the processor of the controller can be configured to execute computer instructions in the data storage to compare received signals of the measured torque sensed by the strain gauge load cell sensor to preset limits stored in the data storage. As such, the controller can determine torque strain on the top drive continuously during operational use of the top drive, can determine whether or not the measured torque is within preset limits, and can transmit the determined torque strain and compliance with preset limits to users for use in operation of the top drive. For example, the preset limits can be an amount of torque above which the top drive should not be operated at, an amount of torque below which the top drive should not be operated, or combinations thereof. 
       FIG. 6B  depicts a cut side view detail of the hinge pin  232  according to one or more embodiments. The hinge pin  232  can have a hinge pin head  234 , a hinge pin body  239 , and a constant diameter  233 . 
     The hinge pin  232 , including the hinge pin head  234  and the hinge pin body  239 , can engage with the first plate  216  and the second plate  218 . The hinge pin  232  can secure the torque slide assembly to the top drive housing  54 . 
     The hinge pin  232  can have a second pin hole  237 , a second restraining member  238 , and a second flexible bushing  236 . 
     In embodiments, the hinge pin body can include a second pin hole for engaging a second restraining member. Each pin hole can range in diameter from about one-quarter of an inch to about three inches, depending upon the size of the top drive. 
     A fourth boss  266  with a fourth boss bore diameter  268  can receive the hinge pin  232  in a snug fit engagement. 
     The fourth boss can be parallel with the first boss and connected to the top drive housing. The fourth boss can have a fourth bore with a fourth bore diameter to receive the hinge pin body in a close alignment. The hinge pin can engage through the fourth boss to hinge the first plate and the second plate to the top drive housing. 
     A fifth boss  270  with a fifth boss bore diameter  272  can receive the hinge pin body  239  in a snug fit engagement. 
     The fifth boss can be connected to the top drive housing in parallel with the second boss. The fifth boss can have a fifth bore with a fifth bore diameter to receive the hinge pin body in a close alignment. The hinge pin can engage through the fifth boss to hinge the first plate and the second plate to the top drive housing. 
     A sixth boss  274  with a sixth boss bore diameter  276  can receive the hinge pin body  239  in a snug and secure engagement. 
     The sixth boss can be connected to the top drive housing in parallel with the third boss. The sixth boss can have a sixth bore with a sixth bore diameter to receive the hinge pin body in a close alignment. The hinge pin can engage through the sixth boss to hinge the first plate and the second plate to the top drive housing. 
     In one or more embodiments, the fourth boss, the fifth boss, and the sixth boss can have equal diameters. 
     The fourth boss bore diameter  268 , the fifth boss bore diameter  272 , and the sixth boss bore diameter  276  can be equal. 
     Third bushings  242   a  and  242   b  can also have identical diameters. 
       FIG. 6C  depicts an embodiment of the controller  262 , which can measure strain determined by the strain gauge load cell sensor, and can calibrate the strain to a torque, such as in foot pounds. 
     The controller  262  can include a processor  263  with a data storage  265 . The data storage  265  can include computer instructions for calibrating  267 . The data storage  265  can include preset limits  273  stored therein. 
     The data storage  265  can also include computer instructions to compare formed signals to the preset limits to determine torque strain on the top drive continuously during operational use of the top drive, and to determine compliance with the preset limits  271 . 
     The processor  263  can be configured to execute the computer instructions stored within the data storage  265 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a view of a portion of the top drive. One or more solenoid valves  126  can be mounted to the torque track slide assembly  84 . The solenoid valves  126  can be connected to a control panel  127  for operating the top drive. 
     A hydraulic power unit  129  can be in communication with the control panel  127  for powering the top drive. 
       FIG. 8  describes an embodiment of the apparatus with the lifting block being replaced with a pneumatic thread compensator  19  and two sheaves. The lifting block can be a first sheave  151  opposite a second sheave  153 . Connecting the sheaves is the pneumatic thread compensator  19 . Attached to the pneumatic thread compensator are the first upper link  50  and the second upper link  52  to which the top drive housing  54  is attached. 
     Also shown is the top drive  10  mounted in the top drive housing  54 , wherein the top drive  10  supports the rotating stem  74 . 
     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.