Patent ID: 8157004

Claim:
A pipe handling apparatus for assembling and dismantling pipe strings used in wells, the apparatus comprising: a) a main arbor arranged for attachment to an overhead support; b) a main body situated on said main arbor for axial movement thereon, said mail arbor and main body defining an assembled length; c) an active arbor supported by said main body, extending therefrom, arranged for axial movement relative thereto, and rotationally connected to said main arbor; d) a first fluid powered hydraulic cylinder arranged to vary the assembled length of said main arbor and said main body in response to fluid power selectively supplied by a separate source; e) a second fluid powered hydraulic cylinder arranged to adjust the assembled length of said main body and said active arbor in response to fluid power selectively supplied by a separate source; f) a wedge-lock pipe gripper situated on said active arbor for gripping pipe by contact with said pipe's inner surface when said assembled length of said main body and said active arbor is selectively adjusted; and g) fluid conducting galleries, at least partly in said main body, arranged to conduct fluid to enable said separate source of fluid power to selectively actuate said first and said second fluid powered hydraulic cylinders.