Patent ID: 8726984

Claim:
A rotary table device, comprising: a static frame that radially outwardly extends from a vertical derrick at a fixed vertical position, the static frame having a horizontally planar upper contact surface that extends radially outwardly to an outer edge, the outer edge defining a radially inwardly extending recess that defines part of a radial pipe string opening for receiving a pipe string; a rotary table supported on the upper contact surface of the frame, the rotary table having rotary table sections that are pivotable with respect to the upper contact surface between an open position for receiving the pipe string and a closed position for enclosing and rotating the pipe string; each rotary table section comprising a base section, a semi-circular ring section and an upper ring support section that is disposed between the base section and the semi-circular ring section; wherein the base section comprises a lower end surface that faces the upper contact surface of the frame and an oppositely-oriented upper bearing contact surface; the rotary table being vertically movable with respect to the frame between a loaded position wherein the lower end surface abuts the upper contact surface and an unloaded position wherein the lower end surface is lifted clear of the upper contact surface; wherein the upper ring support section has a base contact surface in which is formed at least one arc-shaped groove; and a plurality of roller bodies disposed in the groove in the base contact surface; wherein in the upper bearing contact surface of the base section are formed at least one arc-shaped groove that aligns with the groove in the base contact surface so as to also receive the plurality of roller bodies; and wherein when the rotary sections are in the closed position, the grooves in the base contact surface and in the upper bearing contact surface together define a circular rolling track for the plurality of roller bodies; wherein when the upper ring support section is rotated with respect to and supported by the base section, the upper ring support section rolls on the roller bodies.