Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Ser. Application No. 62/329,642, filed on Apr. 29, 2016, titled HIGH-TORQUE ROLLER WITH INTERNAL GEARS; which application is incorporated by reference in this application in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The invention generally relates to oilfield tubular spinners and, in particular, a chainless apparatus and method for rotating a tubular and a chainless apparatus and method for clamping a tubular. 
       2. Related Art 
       [0003]    In drilling for oil and gas, it is necessary to assemble a suing of drill pipe joints. Thus, a tubular drill string may be formed from a series of connected lengths of drill pipe and suspended by an overhead derrick. These lengths of drill pipe are connected by tapered external threads (the pin) on one end of the pipe, and tapered internal threads (the box) on the other end of the pipe. 
         [0004]    During the drilling and completion of a well, as the well is drilled deeper, additional joints of pipe are periodically added to the drill string and, as the drill bit at the end of the drill string is worn, the drill string must occasionally be pulled from the well and reinstalled for maintenance purposes. The process of pulling or installing the drill string is referred to as “tripping.” During tripping, the threaded connections between the lengths of drill pipe are connected and disconnected as needed. The connecting and disconnecting of adjacent sections of drill pipe (referred to as making or breaking the connection, respectively), involves applying torque to the connection and rotating one of the pipes relative to the other to fully engage or disengage the threads. 
         [0005]    In modern wells, a drill string may be thousands of feet long and typically is formed from individual thirty-foot sections of drill pipe. Even if only every third connection is broken, as is common, hundreds of connections have to be made and broken during tripping. Thus, the tripping process is one of the most time consuming and labor intensive operations performed on the drilling rig. 
         [0006]    Currently, there are a number of devices utilized to speed tripping operations by automating or mechanizing the process of making and breaking a threaded pipe connection. These devices include tools known as power tongs, iron roughnecks, and pipe spinners. Many of these devices are complex pieces of machinery that require two or more people to operate and require multiple steps, either automated or manual, to perform the desired operations. Additionally, many of these devices grip the pipe with teeth that can damage the drill pipe and often cannot be adjusted to different pipe diameters without first replacing certain pieces, or performing complex adjustment procedures. 
         [0007]    In particular, roughnecks combine a torque wrench and a spinning wrench, simply called a spinner, to connect and disconnect drill pipe joints of the drill string. In most instances, the spinner and the torque wrench are both mounted together on a carriage. To make or break a threaded connection between adjoining joints of drill pipe, certain roughnecks have a torque wrench with two jaw levels. In these devices, an upper jaw of the torque wrench is utilized to clamp onto a portion of an upper tubular, and a lower jaw clamps onto a portion of a lower tubular (e.g., upper and lower threadedly connected pieces of drill pipe). After clamping onto the tubular, the upper and lower jaws are turned relative to each other to break or make a connection between the upper and lower tubulars. A spinner, mounted on the carriage above the torque wrench, engages the upper tubular and spins it until it is disconnected from the lower tubular (or in a connection operation, spins two tubulars together prior to final make-up by the torque wrench). 
         [0008]    Generally, a spinner comprises four rollers, each driven by a separate hydraulic motor, that engage the outer wall of the drill pipe to spin the pipe. However, other spinners exists that use flexible belts or chains to engage and spin the pipe. An example of a chain spinner is the SPINMASTER® spinner made available from Hawk Industries. The basic function and construction of the SPINMASTER® spinner are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,924 (Hauk). 
         [0009]    In particular, the Hauk &#39;924 patent discloses a spinner that includes first and second elongate casing sections that are pivotally connected to each other at a pivot, and first and second driven sprockets mounted, respectively, on the casing sections at locations remote from the pivot. The spinner also includes a drive sprocket, mounted on the first casing section, driven by a motor-gear assembly and a continuous chain mounted around the drive sprocket, and around the first and second driven sprockets. The chain has an inverse internal portion adapted to receive and directly contact a tubular well element to be rotated. Cylinders connected between the casing sections pivot them toward and away from each other and thus, alternately clamp the inverse internal portion around the well element, and release such element from the inverse internal portion of the chain. 
         [0010]    Some prior art spinners, such as the SPINMASTER®, are also adjustable to accommodate pipes of varying diameter. These spinners are adjusted by changing the location of the drive sprocket relative to the driven sprockets, thus the effective length of the chain is adjusted to accommodate different pipe diameters. While adjustable spinners are versatile, these spinners must be manually adjusted by the operator during use. In many instances, the operator must climb atop of the spinner, disengage fasteners or locking pins holding the drive sprocket in place, manually adjust the drive sprocket to a desired location, and re-fasten or lock the drive sprocket at its new location. Manually adjusting the spinner can therefore be consuming and dangerous. 
         [0011]    To connect and disconnect adjacent sections of drill pipe, torque must be applied to the upper tubular to allow the upper tubular to rotate while the lower tubular is clamped by a clamping device. Once the connection between the upper and lower tubular becomes tight, additional higher torque must also be applied by the clamping device to the lower tubular to prevent the lower tubular from slipping or prevent it from rotating in the same direction as the upper tubular. To properly connect and disconnect adjacent sections of drill pipe, torque must be applied to both the upper and lower tubular such that upper tubulars can be rotated against the lower tubular. Rollers on prior art spinners only allow for enough torque to rotate the upper tubular while a separate clamping device is used to apply higher torque to the lower tubular. 
         [0012]    A need exists for an improved chainless spinner that accommodates various pipe sizes, that evenly applies torque on the tubular and that is easy to repair and maintain. A need also exists for chainless piper spinners to be capable of applying additional torque to the pipes to allow the spinner to also perform the dual function of acting as a clamping device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0013]    An apparatus for spinning a tubular is provided. In one implementation, the apparatus includes a yoke having a first arm and a second arm outwardly extending in angular opposition from a central region, where each arm carries at least one rail and where the first arm and the second arm define a well therebetween. The apparatus further includes a center roller coupled to the central region of the yoke proximate the well, a first adjustable roller slidably coupled to the first arm, and a second adjustable roller slidably coupled to the second arm, where the first and second adjustable rollers may be linearly translated towards and away from the center roller. 
         [0014]    In another implementation, the apparatus includes a frame having at least one arm outwardly extending from a central region, and a drive roller detachable coupled to the at least one arm. 
         [0015]    A method of rotating a tubular is also provided. The method includes providing a spinner having a central roller, a first adjustable roller, and a second adjustable roller, where a well is defined by the central roller, the first adjustable roller and the second adjustable roller. The method further includes positioning the spinner about the tubular such that the tubular is received by the well, translating the adjustable rollers linearly towards the center roller, engaging the tubular by the rollers such that the tubular is gripped by the rollers at three points, and driving at least one roller to spin the tubular. 
         [0016]    In another implementation, an apparatus for spinning or clamping a tubular is provided. The apparatus includes a yoke having a first arm and a second arm outwardly extending in angular opposition from a central region, wherein each arm carries at least one rail and wherein the first arm and second arm define a well there between. The apparatus further includes a center roller coupled to the central region of the yoke proximate the well, a first adjustable roller slidably coupled to the first arm, and a second adjustable roller slidably coupled to the second arm, where the first and second adjustable rollers may be linearly translated towards and away from the center roller. Further, the first, second and center roller of the apparatus all include internal gears to allow additional torque to be applied to the tubular when it is desired to having the apparatus clamp the tubular. 
         [0017]    Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and advantages of the disclosure will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0018]    The invention may be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one example of an implementation of the apparatus in accordance with present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the apparatus illustrating an adjustable roller system detachably coupled to the frame at the pin assembly of each arm. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the apparatus of  FIG. 1  engaged with a tubular. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  engaged with the tubular. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of one example of an implementation of a drive roller assembly of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the drive roller assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the drive roller assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a cross-section view of the roller of  FIG. 6 , taken along lines A-A. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the planet carrier assembly of the drive roller assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the planet carrier assembly of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the planet carrier assembly of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a cross-section view of the planet carrier assembly of  FIG. 10  taken along line A-A. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    The description of implementations below is presented for purposes of illustration. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed invention to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the description below, or may be acquired from practicing the invention. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention. 
         [0032]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , an apparatus  100  for spinning a tubular is provided. The apparatus  100  may include a frame  102 , a center roller assembly  104 , a first adjustable roller assembly  106 , and a second adjustable roller assembly  108 . 
         [0033]    In particular,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one example of an implementation of the apparatus  100  in accordance with present invention. As shown, the frame  102  may include a substantially V-shaped construction having a central region  110 , and a first arm  112  and second arm  114  outwardly extending in angular opposition from the central region  110 . Each arm  112 ,  114  carries a rail system  116 ,  118 . The first arm  112  and second arm  114  define a well  120  therebetween. 
         [0034]    The center roller assembly  104  may be coupled to the central region  110  proximate the well  120 . Each adjustable roller assembly  106 ,  108  is coupled to a motor carriage  122 ,  124 . Each motor carriage  122 ,  124  is slidably coupled to the rail system  116 ,  118  of each arm  112 ,  114 , such that the adjustable roller assemblies  106 ,  108  may be linearly translated along the rail systems  116 ,  118  towards and, alternately, away from the center roller assembly  104  in a fixed angular orientation relative to the center roller assembly  104 , as depicted by arrows  123 . Each carriage  122 ,  124  is translated along the rail system  116 ,  118  by a hydraulic cylinder  126  coupled between the carriage  122 ,  124  at one end  128 , and a pin assembly  132  coupled to the frame  102  at an opposite end  130 . Each roller assembly  104 ,  106 ,  108  includes a drive roller  134 ,  136 ,  138  directly driven by motors  144 ,  146 ,  148 , respectively. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the apparatus  100  illustrating how an adjustable roller system  106  is detachably coupled to the frame  102  at the pin assembly  132  ( FIG. 1 ) of each arm  112 ,  114 . As shown, each pin assembly  132  includes a coupling pin  202  that is received by a pair of sleeves  204  coupled to a distal end of the motor carriage  122 . The sleeves  204  are configured such that an end  130  of the hydraulic cylinder  126  may be disposed in corresponding alignment between them. 
         [0036]    As specifically shown, the motor carriage  122  may be coupled to the frame  102  by inserting the coupling pin  202  through a pair of orifices  206  formed at a distal end of the arm  112 . The sleeves  204  and end  130  of the cylinder may be disposed between and positioned in alignment with the orifices  206  such that the coupling pin  202  may pass and extend therethrough. Once the coupling pin  202  is installed through the orifices  206 , the pin  202  may be secured to the frame  102  by a dowel pin  208 , for example, that may be inserted into a pin hole  210  located and a bottom end of the pin  202 . 
         [0037]    In the alternative, the motor carriage  122 , and thus the roller assembly  106 , may be disassembled from the frame  102  by first removing the dowel pin  208  from the coupling pin  202 , and then removing the coupling pin  202  from the orifices  206 . Once the coupling pin  202  is removed from the orifices  206 , the motor carriage  122  may be removed from the rail system  116 . In this way, the roller assembly  106  may be disassembled from the frame  102  for maintenance, repair and replacement. Further, the rollers assemblies  106 ,  108  may be removed from the apparatus  100  without having to disassemble the frame  102 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the apparatus  100  engaged with a tubular  302  or pipe. To engage the tubular  302 , the adjustable roller assemblies  106 ,  108  are initially translated to an open or extended position (not shown). The apparatus  100  is then brought into close proximity to the tubular  302  such that the tubular  302  is positioned in the well  120 , between the roller assemblies  104 ,  106 ,  108 . The hydraulic cylinders  126  are actuated to bring the adjustable roller assemblies  106 ,  108  into contact with the tubular  302 . Thereafter, the cylinders  126  continue to linearly extend to pull the apparatus  100  toward the tubular  302  until all three roller assemblies  104 ,  106 ,  108  are in contact with the tubular  302 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the apparatus  100  engaged with the tubular  302 . As shown, the adjustable roller assemblies  106 ,  108  may be translated linearly towards and, alternatively, away from the center roller assembly  104  to accommodate tubulars of varying dimensions. For example, the adjustable roller assemblies  106 ,  108  may be self-adjusted to accommodate tubulars with diametrical dimensions between approximately  2 % and  13 % inches. In accordance with the present invention, the drive rollers  134 ,  136 ,  138  of the adjustable roller assemblies  106 ,  108  will always engage the tubular  302 , regardless of its size, at a set contact angle of, for example, 120° relative to the x-axis (30° relative to the drive roller of the center roller assembly  104 ). Thus, the rollers may maintain a three-point contact of 120°, as shown at points  402 ,  404 ,  406 , to reduce triangulation of the tubular  302  as it is being spinned by the rollers  134 ,  136 ,  138 . 
         [0040]    An additional benefit of engaging a tubular  302  at the same angle, for example 120°, regardless of tube size, is that it enables the apparatus to engage the tubular with equal spinning loads at each contact point  402 ,  404 ,  406 . Moreover, the translating adjustable rollers of the present invention provide a mechanical advantage over rollers that pivot into engagement with the tubular because rollers that pivot into engagement require more torque to keep the rollers engaged with the tubular due to the moment arm. 
         [0041]    In another implementation of the invention, the design of drive rollers  134 ,  136 ,  138  of the present invention can be modified to allow the spinner to have a dual function and operate as a clamping device. As will be illustrated in more detail below, in connection with  FIG. 5-11 , the drive rollers  134 ,  136 ,  138  can be replaced with driver roller assembly  500 , which is a driver roller having internal gear mechanisms. By adding internal gear mechanisms to the drive roller, the drive roller assembly  500  is able to apply additional torque on the tubulars, and thus, allow the spinner apparatus  100  to also operate as a clamping mechanism. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of one example of an implementation of a drive roller assembly  500  having internal gear mechanisms, and  FIG. 6  is a top view of the drive roller assembly  500  of  FIG. 5 . The drive roller assembly  500  can be used interchangeably with drive rollers  134 ,  136 ,  138  ( FIG. 1 ). As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 &amp; 6 , each drive roller assembly  500  includes a driver roller  502  enclosing the internal gears that allow the driver rollers  502  to apply additional torque on the tubulars. Housed within the driver roller  502  is a roller insert  504  that secures a modified sun gear  506 . The modified sun gear  506  includes an opening  508  for receiving the drive shaft of a gear motor from  144 ,  146 ,  148  ( FIG. 1 ) to rotate the driver roller assembly  500 . The modified sun gear  506  includes ridges  510  within the opening for engaging the drive shaft of the gear motor  144 ,  146 ,  148  ( FIG. 1 ), which provides for rotation of the drive roller  506 . The outer surface of the drive roller  506  may be smooth to minimize the damage done to the tubular pipe when acting as a spinner or casing joint when acting as a clamping device. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the drive roller  500  assembly of  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the drive roller assembly  500  includes, from top to bottom: (i) a roller insert  504 ; (ii) a modified sun gear  506 ; (iii) a sun gear insert  712 ; (iv) a planet carrier assembly  714 ; (v) a high load thrust bearing  716 ; (vi) a drive roller  502 ; (vii) a high-load ball bearing  718  and (viii) a tapered roller  720 . 
         [0044]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the modified sun gear  506  has external teeth  722  on the lower portion of the modified sun gear  506  for securely fitting in, and engaging, the planet carrier assembly  714 . The lower portion of the modified sun gear  506  is positioned in an opening in the center of the planet carrier assembly  714 . The modified sun gear  506  further includes a sun gear insert  712  that press fits into the bottom of the modified sun gear  506 , which may be inserted in the modified sun gear  506  before inserting the modified sun gear  506  into the planet carrier assembly  714 . 
         [0045]    The planet carrier assembly  714  includes an upper plate  724  and a lower plate  726  and three planet gears  728  positioned there between, about the circumference of the plates  724  and  726  equidistant from one another. The upper plate  724  has a central opening for receiving the lower portion of the modified sun gear  506 . The teeth  722  on the lower portion of the modified sun gear  506  engage the teeth on the three planet gears  728  when positioned within the central opening of the upper plate  724  of the planet carrier assembly  714 . 
         [0046]    The driver roller  502  is a hollow tube having a cavity that houses the planet carrier assembly  714 , the modified sun gear  506 , the high load thrust bearing  716 , a high-load ball bearing  718  and a high-load tapered roller  720 . The planet carrier assembly  714  and the modified sun gear  506  sit atop the high load thrust bearing  716 , a high-load ball bearing  718  and a high-load tapered roller  720  within the cavity of the driver roller  502 . 
         [0047]    A ring gear  730  is located in the inner radius of the drive roller  506 . The ring gear  730  includes cut teeth or cogs that engage the cut teeth of the three planet gears  728  of the planet carrier assembly  714 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  is a cross-section view of the drive roller assembly of  FIG. 6 , taken along lines A-A.  FIG. 8  best illustrates the assembly, engagement and the coupling of the various components of the drive roller assembly  500 . As illustrated, the a roller insert  504  maintains the higher portion of the modified sun gear  506  within the planet carrier assembly  714  atop the high load thrust bearing  716 , the high-load ball bearing  718  and the tapered roller bearing  720 . The teeth of the lower portion of the modified sun gear  506  engage the teeth of the planet rollers  728  in the planet carrier assembly  714 . The teeth of the planet gears  728  in the planet carrier assembly  714  thereby engage in the teeth of the ring gear  730  of the driver roller  502 , when assembled. Thus, in operation, the rotation of the modified sun gear  506  (driven by the drive shaft of the motor) allows the rotation of the planet gears  728  in the planet carrier assembly  714  which in turn, rotates the driver roller  502  through engagement with the ring gear  730 . This 3:1 gear ratio then provides three times (3×) the torque at one-third the speed. 
         [0049]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the planet carrier assembly  714  of the drive roller assembly  500  of  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the planet carrier assembly  714  includes an upper plate  724  and a lower plate  726 , with three planet gears  728  positioned between the upper and lower plates. The planet gears  728  are positioned equidistant from one another spaced about the circumference of the plate  724  and  726  and positioned such that the teeth of the planet gears  728  extend out past the outer circumference of the plates  724  and  726  for engagement with the ring gear  730  of the drive roller  502 . 
         [0050]    The upper plate  724  has a central opening for receiving the lower portion of the modified sun gear  506 . The planet gears  728  rotate about dowel pins  932  that run from the upper plate  724  to the lower plate  726  and through the center of each planet gear  728 . The three planet gears  728  are arranged to interact with both the ring gear  730  of the drive roller  502  and the modified sun gear  506  at the same time. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 9 and 10  also illustrate the use of a machine key  715  positioned in grooves  960  ( FIG. 11 ) that extend on the sides of the central opening of the lower plate  726 . The machine key is engaged by the shaft (not shown) on the apparatus or spinner  100  that holds the drive roller assemblies  500  on the spinner  100 . The engagement of the machine key by the shaft prevents the movement of the upper and lower plates  724  and  726  of the planet carrier assembly  714 , while still allowing the planet gears  728  to rotate about the dowel pins  932 . The machine key  715  is used to transmit the torque from the shaft to the planet carrier gear  714 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the planet carrier assembly  714  of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 10  best illustrates the equal size and spacing of the three planet gears  728  about the planet carrier assembly  714 . The planet gears  728  rotate about the dowel pins  932  running from the upper plate  724  through the center of the planet gears  728  to the lower plate  726 . The dowel pins  932  are secured on the upper and lower plates  724  and  726  by retaining rings  936 .  FIG. 10  illustrates the teeth  940  of the planet gears  728  extending outward past the upper and lower plates  724  and  726  for engagement with the ring gear  730  of the driver roller  502  and extending within the opening of the upper plate  724  for engagement with the teeth  722  on the lower portion of the modified sun gear  506  when inserted into the center of the planet carrier assembly  714 . The concentricity of the planet gear  728  spacing with the modified sun gear  502  and ring gear  730  allows the torque to carry through a straight line thus, eliminating the need to redirect the power or relocate other components. 
         [0053]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the planet carrier assembly  714  of  FIG. 9 . As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the planet carrier assembly  714  includes, from top to bottom, the following components: (i) retaining rings  936 ; (ii) an upper plate  724 ; (iii) high-load thrust bearings  942 ; bearing sleeves  944 ; (iv) planet gears  728 ; (v) additional high-load thrust bearings  942 ; (vi) a machine key  715 ; (vii) a lower plate  726 ; (viii) dowel pins  932  and (ix) additional retaining rings  936 . 
         [0054]    The three planet gears  728  are held between the upper lower and plates  724  and  726  of the planet carrier assembly  714  by dowel pins  932  and bearing sleeves  944  that run through the center openings in the planet gears  728 . The dowel pins  932  and bearing sleeves  944  allow the planet gears  728  to rotate above their center axis. The planet gears  728  are spaced about from the upper and lower plates  724  and  726  to allow for the planet gears  728  to spin freely between the plates by high-load thrust bearings  942  positioned above and below the planet gears  728  around the dowel pins  932 . Both the upper and lower plates  724  and  726  have internal recesses  955  for receiving the bearings  942  and maintaining space between the planet gears  728  and the upper and lower plates  724  and  726 . The dowel pins  932  run through the openings in the upper and lower plates  724  and  726  and extend into outer recesses  950  in both the upper and lower plates  724  and  726  that allow the dowel pins  932  to be secured to the upper and lower plates  724  and  726  with retaining rings  936  positioned within the outer recesses of the upper and lower plates  724  and  726 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 12  is a cross-section view of the planet carrier assembly  714  of  FIG. 10  taken along line A-A.  FIG. 12  best illustrates how the dowel pins  932  and bearing sleeves  944  extend through the center of the planet gears  728  and through openings on the upper and lower plates  724  and  726 . The outer recesses  950  of the upper and lower plates  724  and  726  to allow for retaining rings  936  to be positioned below (or countersunk below) the outer surfaces of the plates  724  and  726 . Inner recesses  955  receiving the high-load thrust bearings  942  and provide space between the planet gears  728  and upper and lower plates  724  and  726  to allow the planet gears  728  to freely spin between the upper and lower plates  724  and  726 . 
         [0056]    In operation, each gear motor  144 ,  146 ,  148  ( FIG. 1 ) drives the modified sun gear  506 , which rotates the set of three planet gears  728  on a stationary planet carrier assembly  714 . The three planet gears then engage and rotate the ring gear  730  of the driver roller  502 . The rotation of the modified sun gear  506  and planet carrier assembly  714  rotates the drive roller  502 . By using this internal gear system, a gear ratio of 3:1 is delivered, thus providing three times the torque at one-third the speed. Incorporating this internal gear systems into the drive roller assemblies  500  delivers higher torque that permits the spinner/apparatus  100  to not only allow the rollers to make up drill pipe, but also to clamp casing joints. By being able to operate as both a drill spinner and clamping device, the vertical footprint of the apparatus is minimized as is the need to incorporate a taller external gear box to apply higher torque. 
         [0057]    In general, terms such as “coupled to,” and “configured for coupling to,” and “secured to,” and “configured for securing to” and “in communication with” (for example, a first component is “coupled to” or “is configured for coupling to” or is “configured for securing to” or is “in communication with” a second component) are used herein to indicate a structural, functional, mechanical, electrical, signal, optical, magnetic, electromagnetic, ionic or fluidic relationship between two or more components or elements. As such, the fact that one component is said to be in communication with a second component is not intended to exclude the possibility that additional components may be present between, and/or operatively associated or engaged with, the first and second components. 
         [0058]    The foregoing description of implementations has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or may be acquired from practicing the invention. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 0