Abstract:
Break out wrench assemblies are provided that can include: a pair of opposing arms linked by an actuator; at least one wheel assembly having an axle substantially normal to a surface of at least one of the opposing arms; and a power source coupled to the wheel. Methods for separating linked longitudinal sections are provided, the methods can include: providing at least two linked longitudinal sections; securing one of the two linked longitudinal sections; contacting another of the two linked longitudinal sections with at least one wheel; and powering the wheel to rotate the other of the sections in relation to the secured section.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/649,740 which was filed on May 21, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to the field of well drilling and well maintenance activities that utilize multiple pipe components that are linked together by some type of threaded connection. In particular embodiments, the present disclosure relates to breakout wrenches that may be utilized to break apart these pipe components as well as rod spinners. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In the field of well drilling, oil, gas, or water well drilling, it is becoming a necessity to drill wells deeper than ever before. As a result, more power is needed to rotate the multiple lengths of drill pipe that are utilized to reach these depths during well drilling. These lengths of pipe are connected to one another via a threaded fitting. Upon removing the pipe from the well, it is necessary to break the pipe components or lengths apart at the well head. This can be an extraordinarily dangerous action, as it requires operators to exert a tremendous amount of force in a sometimes unsafe manner to break apart these components. The present disclosure provides breakout wrench assemblies and methods that can be utilized to assist operators in breaking apart pipe components safely, as well as torquing them up to proper specifications. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Break out wrench assemblies are provided that can include: a pair of opposing arms linked by an actuator; at least one wheel assembly having an axle substantially normal to a surface of at least one of the opposing arms; and a power source coupled to the wheel. 
         [0005]    Methods for separating linked longitudinal sections are provided, the methods can include: providing at least two linked longitudinal sections; securing one of the two linked longitudinal sections; contacting another of the two linked longitudinal sections with at least one wheel; and powering the wheel to rotate the other of the sections in relation to the secured section. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of one subassembly of a breakout wrench according to an embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of another subassembly of a breakout wrench according to an embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the two subassemblies of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  according to an embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a breakout wrench at one stage of operation according to an embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a breakout wrench at another stage of operation according to an embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a breakout wrench at another stage of operation according to an embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a breakout wrench at another state of operation according to an embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a breakout wrench at a stage of operation according to an embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a breakout wrench at another stage of operation according to an embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a hydraulic schematic of a controller as it relates to the breakout wrench of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a depiction of the breakout wrench according to an embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 12A-12B  depict a series of breakout wrench operations according to an embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a depiction of a spinner arm according to an embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is another view of the spinner arm of  FIG. 13  according to an embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is a depiction of another spinner arm according to an embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  is another view of the other spinner arm of  FIG. 15  according to an embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  is a depiction of a spinner assembly associated with a breakout wrench according to an embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 18  is another view of the spinner assembly and breakout wrench of  FIG. 18  according to an embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 19  is a hydraulic schematic of the control panel as it relates to both the breakout wrench of the present disclosure and/or the spinner assembly of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    This disclosure is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8). 
         [0027]    The present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-19 . Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a subassembly  16  of breakout wrench assembly  12  (shown in  FIG. 11 ) is depicted. As can be seen, this subassembly includes an actuator  21  that can be coupled to opposing arms  19  having teeth  20 . Upper plate  22  and side walls  26  and  24  as well as bottom plate  28  can form a housing that encloses arms  19  and provides pivot rotation for arms  19  within this housing. This housing can be engaged to a rail  30  which is mounted to a rotation plate  32  to form recess  31  ( FIG. 3 ). Recess  31  can form a track configured to receive rail  46 . Below actuator  21  can be a pivot housing that includes back plate  34  as well as eyelets  36  and  38  respectively. Actuators can include hydraulic cylinders. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , another subassembly  18  is shown that includes an actuator  40  coupled to opposing arms  42  having teeth  44  associated therewith. Upper plate  48  as well as side walls  50  and front walls  56  and bottom plate  52  can form a housing that encloses arms  42  and engages them in a pivotable rotation therewith. Above upper plate  48  of subassembly  18  can be rail  46  which is engaged to couple with recess  31 . At opposing sides of subassembly  12  can be one or more actuators  58  and  60 , respectively. Acutator  58  can pivotably couple with eyelet  54  as shown and actuator  60  can couple with opposing eyelet  54 . These actuators cylinders can have opposing ends, and one opposing end can be configured to couple to eyelet  36  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Actuator  60  can be configured to couple with eyelet  38  as shown in  FIG. 1  as well. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the subassemblies are shown in a subset exploded view associated with one another as subassembly  16  is shown associated with subassembly  18 . Posts  43  can support the second subassembly above the first subassembly via rail  46  and recess  31 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , operation of the wrench can include configuring the wrench to couple with a pipe  23  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Pipe  23  can be at least a pair of longitudinal sections configured to releasably couple. Examples include sections of drilling pipe. As can be seen, wrench  10  is in an operable position  25  proximate pipe  23  rather than another position away from pipe  23 . According to this stage of operation, the assembly  18  would engage the arms to engage a section of pipe. Referring to  FIG. 5 , a top view of this engagement is shown with the upper assembly rotated at least slightly askew from the lower assembly. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , at this stage, both the upper and lower arms of the assembly would engage the pipe with the upper assembly askew to the lower assembly, engaging an upper length of pipe, and as  FIG. 7  demonstrates, at this stage of operation, the upper assembly can be utilized to grip and move the upper length of pipe in a direction unlocking or unscrewing the upper length of pipe from the lower length of pipe. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , another view of the disclosure shows the upper sub assembly in an opposing or counterclockwise skew to the lower sub assembly and in  FIG. 9 , this is depicted as well. 
         [0033]      FIG. 10  demonstrates the schematic for the depicted control panel. This schematic aligns the pressure regulation of the three various valves that control the upper wrench to rotate or upper assembly and lower assembly clamping force, respectively. This schematic can include gauges that have respective control pressure valves residing therewith. 
         [0034]      FIG. 11  is a depiction of the completed sub assembly, and  FIGS. 12A and 12B  are a series of rotations indicating the use of the arms and the rotation of the pipes associated therewith with arms  4  and  5 , indicating the upper arms of the upper sub assembly and arms  1  and  2  indicating the lower arms of the lower sub assembly. Controller  14  and wrench assemblies  12  and  18  can be supported and/or mechanically connected via platform  112 . Controller  14  can provide hydraulic fluid control of actuators via lines  110 . Platform  112  may be coupled to one or more wheels  114  configured to engage support and movement of the breakout wrench between operational and non-operational locations. As is depicted, this series indicates the different stages that the wrench utilizes to break apart the pipe sections. 
         [0035]    In accordance with an additional embodiment of the disclosure and with reference to  FIGS. 13-19 , a spinner assembly is described that can be used alone or in association with the breakout wrench assemblies described. Referring first to  FIG. 13 , a spinner arm  119  is shown extending along a length from a first end  121  to a second end  125  and establishing at least one angle  123  proximate a pivot point of arm  119 . The pivot point can be about the midpoint of arm  119  and define an opening. End  121  can define an opening  127  configured to couple with an actuator, such as a hydraulic piston. At angle  123  of arm  119  another opening  129  may be defined. Opening  129  can be configured to couple with a frame or housing allowing arm  119  to rotate about a rod within the housing. End  125  can define another housing configured to receive at least one wheel assembly, such as a powered wheel assembly. End  125  can define opening  131  which can be configured to receive an axle of the wheel assembly such as a drive shaft from a motor mounted thereon. The axle can be substantially normal to a surface of the one arm. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , another view of arm  119  is shown detailing end  125  to define housing sidewall  133  and top  135 . The one wheel assembly can be configured to be received by the housing 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 15  another spinner arm  120  is shown extending from first end  122  to second end  126  and establishing at least one pivot point  124  proximate the midpoint of arm  120 . End  122  can define an opening  128  configured to couple with an actuator such as a hydraulic piston. In accordance with example configurations, an opposing end of the piston coupled to opening  127  can be coupled to opening  128 , the piston configured to deliver expansive or restrictive force between the openings and in so doing ends  121  and  122 . 
         [0038]    At angle  124  of arm  122  another opening  130  is defined. Opening  130  can be configured to couple with a frame or housing allowing arm  122  to rotate about a rod within the housing. The rod configured to couple with opening  130  can be configured in the frame or housing opposing the rod configured to couple with opening  129 . Such configuration can align arms  119  and  120  in a scissor configuration opposing one another. End  126  can define another housing configured to receive another wheel assembly such as a free wheel assembly. End  126  can define openings  132  which are configured to receive axles aligned substantially normal to the surface of arm  120  and house free wheel assemblies. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , another view of arm  120  is shown depicting end  126  with housing wall  134  and top  136 . This housing can be configured to receive a set of free wheels therein for example as well as configured to define a recess configured to receive a longitudinal section. 
         [0040]    In accordance with example implementations, when arms  119  and  120  are coupled within a housing at openings  129  and  130  respectively, end  125  can oppose end  126 . As described, end  125  can couple a motor to power a wheel assembly and this power wheel can oppose the free wheels of end  126 . In accordance with example methods, a portion of a section of threaded pipe can be positioned between the ends  125  and  126 , the motor activated and the pipe spun or rotated on its lengthwise axis to be removed from a length pipe maintained in a fixed position. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , views of spinner assembly  200  associated with breakout wrench assembly  12  are shown. Referring first to  FIG. 17 , spinner assembly  200  can include a piston  202  operatively engaged between ends  121  and  122  of arms  119  and  120  respectively. These arms are operatively coupled within housing/frame  214  which is biasly supported by support member  204 . Biasing members  204  can be springs or the like, for example. Referring to  FIG. 18 , another view of assemblies  200  and  12  are shown. Accordingly, motor  208  can be mounted above end  125  and operatively engage motorized wheel  210 . Motor  208  can be a hydraulic motor for example. An example motor can include but is not limited to White Drive Products Inc. JLH Model Number 355200A7120AAAAA SO# 9577 (hydraulicsuperstore.com, 837 W. 3rd Street, P.O. Box 787, Lansdale, PA 19446, 877-357-6491). Free wheels  212  can be mounted within end  126 . The components of the systems and assemblies of the present disclosure can be manufactured of steel for example. Referring to  FIG. 19 , a hydraulic schematic is provided to facilitate the operation of the either or both of the breakout wrench and the spinner assembly. 
         [0042]    In compliance with the statute, embodiments of the invention have been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the entire invention is not limited to the specific features and/or embodiments shown and/or described, since the disclosed embodiments comprise forms of putting the invention into effect.