Patent ID: 7753138

Claim:
A system for coupling a pipe segment to a pipe string comprising: a top drive assembly having an output shaft; and a pipe running tool coupled to the top drive assembly and rotatable by the output shaft of the top drive assembly, the pipe running tool comprising: an internal gripper for insertion within an internal diameter of the pipe segment and comprising a tapered slip cone section which slidably receives corresponding tapered surfaces of a plurality of slips, such that a vertical force on the slips causes the slips to move radially outwardly into gripping engagement with the internal diameter of the pipe segment; a slip actuator that applies the vertical force to each of the plurality of slips; wherein the vertical force applied to the slips is sufficient to allow the gripping engagement of the slips with the internal diameter of the pipe segment to transmit a torque from the top drive output shaft to the pipe segment, and wherein each of the plurality of slips comprises a step that engages the slip actuator for receiving the vertical force on the slips.