what is a power tong operator quotation

Straight Tong Die Driver: Used for die slot redressing, the straight tong die driver is the simplest of type of rig tong. Though it is also the simplest type of rig tong to use, it is also the least safe of the three. Its handle and handguard protect hammer blows from falling onto the grip. Straight tong die drivers are lightweight—under eight pounds—and measure in at around 1”.

Angled Tong Die Driver: The angled tong die driver has a grip that’s angled away from the perpendicular tong as well as brass guards for the tong tip and handle, making this rig tong safer than the straight tong die driver. While this tong is safer, however, it’s actually harder to keep the angle tong die driver in place. This driver is similar in length to the straight tong die driver, but is about two pounds heavier, weighing in at over nine pounds.

Hammerless Tong Die Driver: This variety of tong die driver is made up of a hand pipe that can be used to apply pressure to the tong’s tip without using a hammer at all. This option is the safest of the three driver types because there’s no hammer required, it’s also the slowest driver for this same reason. The hammerless tong die driver is about as long and weighs as much as the straight tong die driver.

What oilfield tools does your operation need? Keystone Energy Tools has atool to fit your bill.Contact us today to learn more about how rig tongs can make your work environment safer, and to learn more our other oil and gas industry products.

Radial Lock Door: A patented door locking system (US Patent 6,279,426) for Eckel tongs that allows for latchless locking of the tong door. The tong door swings easily open and closed and locks when torque is applied to the tong. When safety is important this locking mechanism combined with our safety door interlock provides unparalleled safety while speeding up the turn around time between connections. The Radial Door Lock is patented protected in the following countries: Canada, Germany, Norway, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Sliding Head: A type of head used in specific Eckel tongs that slides out from a pocket within the tong. This head biting system utilizes our wide angle wrap-around type dies and is considered the best choice of power tong biting systems for use on small tubular and drill pipe.

Torque Control System: A method used to monitor the torque turn values when making up tubular connections (Tubing, Casing, & Drill Pipe). Any flaws in the make-up process will be readily shown in a graph.For more information click here.

The tong should be secured for both make-up or break-out operation, by utilizing the snub line. If this is not done, the tong may be thrown against operator causing physical harm.

To be sure connectors are completely tight, first tighten them until trave lis restricted and the end of the thread travel appears to be reached. Then try to tighten the connector further to be sure first restriction was not a false tightness. Then continue to tighten the fitting until connection is tight.

When using the mechanical shift lever to change speeds, the power tong must first come to a complete stop before shifting. When using tongs hydraulic shift two-speed motor to change speeds, the tong may be shifted "On the Run."

Eckel tongs have proven to basically to last forever with minimal maintenance as all they are manufactured with the highest quality of steel. Using Eckel equipment tells your customer that you have the highest quality equipment on the market.

Tong size is determined by range of tubulars you will run. For example a 5-1/2 Hydra-Shift® is capable of running tubulars 5-1/2-inches and smaller while the 14 UHT is capable of running tubulars 14-inches and smaller. It is important not to use a large range of sizes with just one tong. If you have a 10-3/4 Standard and you regularly run 4-1/2-inch tubing with this tong, you might consider using a smaller tong.

Determine the maximum torque that will be required to break-out the tubular you are running. There are many influences that figure in to break out torque. In some instances it requires up to 2-1/2 times the makeup torque to break out a connection.

Wrap-Around dies offer a much larger surface contact on the tubular. This distributes the force uniformly around the tubular reducing needless pipe damage due to point loading.

PSI pressure determines the maximum torque the tong will safely be able to reach. Eckel rates all their tongs at the industry standard 2500 PSI. A competitor with a similar size tong may show more or the same torque as an Eckel tong due to a higher PSI from the power unit (which is in fine print) in an effort to fool you, thinking there tong is equal to the industry standard (Eckel tong.)

Gallons Per Minute determines the rotational speed of the tong. A low GPM will cause the tong to operate at a lower speed while a high GPM will result in the tong to rotate at a higher speed. Eckel offers an RPM (Revolutions per minute) Control which is a flow divider to decrease the amount of hydraulic fluid that reaches the tong if needed, the remaining fluid is returned to the power unit reservoir. By decreasing the amount of fluid reaching the tong the operator is able to control the maximum RPM of the tong.

Field tests have shown depending on several factors most power units used in above 32 degrees Fahrenheit conditions no matter if your hydraulic oil tank holds 200 gallons of oil, will exceed 150 degrees during a short 8 hour job. Most power units without hydraulic oil coolers exceed 170 degrees which is way past the recommended guide lines.

Texas International Oilfield Tools (TIOT) offers a free standing test stand for testing of hydraulic casing and tubing power tongs. The test stand is designed to resist torque applied by a power tong through a test mandrel.

The test stand is an air operated device that utilizes a hydraulic active dual spring disc brake chamber in order to apply friction force (“brake” action) to the rotating (or stationary) test mandrel mechanism. The power tong is tested by applying torque to the test stand’s mandrel. The test stand’s brake is activated by pushing and twisting clockwise the red control box button on the control box. A brake foot pedal is supplied as backup for the mini power unit. Using the control box mounted on the test stand, the black knob regulates pressure.

The terms VARCO, VARCO-BJ, and BJ are trademarks of Varco I/P, Inc., National Oilwell Varco, L.P., or their affiliates. Texas International Oilfield Tools is not an authorized distributor of any Varco I/P or NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO product. Texas International Oilfield Tools is not affiliated with Varco I/P, Inc., National Oilwell Varco, L.P., or their affiliates. Varco I/P, Inc., National Oilwell Varco, L.P., and their affiliates do not endorse any Texas International Oilfield Tools’ products or replacement parts.

You’re the one with the power – the power tongs, that is. You control the equipment that threads sections of drill casing to form the pipe that is placed hundreds of metres into the ground. When you arrive at site, the rig crew knows it’s time to get to work. Your strength and dexterity serve you well in this occupation.

Power tong operators control the equipment that threads sections of drill casing into the wellbore. As a member of the oilfield well services team, they are responsible for operating power tongs, torque measuring equipment and tube/casing handling equipment at the well site. Casing is required to maintain an oil or gas well’s structural integrity, prevent the cross-contamination of water with other fluids and control well pressure during the drilling, production and maintenance of the well. Power tong operators must be able to transport equipment to and from the well location, safely rig in and operate the equipment, perform day-to-day inspections, servicing and maintenance of equipment, and complete all required paperwork accurately and on time.

Tong Line Pull Gauges and Tong Torque Gauges both tell the operator the amount of torque being applied to oilfield tongs; however, they perform this necessary task differently.  Although they both measure the force applied to the pipe in make up and break out situations, how they measure this force is what makes these two gauges different.  Knowing which tong gaugewill work best for your application and employees is all important in selecting a tong gauge.

The biggest difference between these two gauges is how and what they measure.  A tong line pull gauge measures true force (force/pounds), so what you see on the gauge is exactly what’s being applied to the pipe.  Basically, it’s the what-you-see-is-what-you-get gauge.  A tong torque gauge, on the other hand, measures the force that is being applied to the load cell and reads this force in foot/pounds. A more detailed explanation of both gauges follows.

A tong line pull gauge is universal.  As long as the tong is a manual tong, a tong line pull gauge will fit on any hydraulic tong system.  No matter what the tong’s handle length, a tong line pull gauge will measure force/pounds.  The advantage to these gauges is that because they are universal, they can be used on any manual tong system. For example, you have two tongs, one with a 48 inch handle, and one with a 36 inch handle. You can use a tong line pull gauge with each tong, either the 48 inch handle or 36 inch handle, and measure the force pounds being applied to the drill pipe.  Having this gauge on hand can be very useful when you have to move from different manual tong systems with different handle lengths. These systems, consisting of gauge, hose, and load cell, are great for the driller who wants to measure force/pounds on a variety of manual tongs.

Handle lengths are measured from the center of the tong to the end of the handle.  If this measurement is in inches, it will need to be converted to feet in order to find max torque.

Once you have the max torque needed and the handle length in feet, you can complete the formula.  The example below shows the formula in action.  If you want to measure the maximum torque of 18,000 foot/pounds and you have a handle length of 34 inches, the calculations will look like this:

In this instance, when trying to determine foot/pounds and the reading he needs on the gauge, the driller will need to multiply 2.83 by the reading on the gauge (in this instance 6360.42) to make sure he’s reaching the torque required. Alternately, the drilling can use the maximum torque required, divide it by the handle length to determine what the optimal reading will be.

Tong torque gauges can be used on manual tongs or power tongs, but the handle length must never change because these gauges are not universal.  A tong torque gauge is calibrated to a specific tong handle length and thus reads in foot/pounds instead of force/pounds.  The advantage to the gauge readings being foot/pounds is that the driller does not have to convert the gauge measurement in order to know the foot pounds being imposed on the drill string. By doing the math beforehand, the driller will avoid any miscalculations that could cause possible twistoffs.  The calculations are completed when the system is calibrated, taking the worry out of the driller’s hands and making the measurement of torque easier in the field. These systems, consisting of gauge, hose, and load cell, are great for the driller who wants to measure foot pounds without calculations in the field.

In oilfield exploration and production operations, various oilfield tubular members are used to perform important tasks, including, but not limited to, drilling the wellbore and casing a drilled wellbore. For example, a long assembly of drill pipes, known in the industry as a drill string, may be used to rotate a drill bit at a distal end to create the wellbore. Furthermore, after a wellbore has been created, a casing string may be disposed downhole into the wellbore and cemented in place to stabilize, reinforce, or isolate (among other functions) portions of the wellbore. As such, strings of drill pipe and casing may be connected together, such as end-to-end by threaded connections, in which a male “pin” end of a first tubular member is used to threadably engage a corresponding female “box” end of a second tubular member. Alternatively, a tubular string may be made-up of a series of male-male ended tubular joints coupled together by female-female couplers. The process by which the threaded connections are assembled is called “making-up” a threaded connection, and the process by which the connections are disassembled is referred to “breaking-out” the threaded connection. As would be understood by one having ordinary skill, individual pieces (or “joints”) of oilfield tubular members may come in a variety of weights, diameters, configurations, and lengths.

Power tongs are machines that may be used to make-up and break-out threaded connections between adjacent tubular segments by gripping and rotating a first tubular segment relative to a second tubular segment to either make-up or break-out the threaded connection between the two tubular segments. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of an externally gripping power tong 100. The power tong 100 includes a drive motor 110 that may be hydraulically, electrically, and/or pneumatically-powered, and a gripping assembly mechanically coupled to the motor 110 for gripping and rotating a tubular segment received within a bay 106. A generally “C”-shaped gear housing 112 supports a pair of pivoting doors 114. The doors 114 may be closed to secure the bay 106 or swung open (as indicated in FIG. 1) to provide access to the bay 106. The bay 106 is generally surrounded by the gear housing 112. The center of the bay 106 is between a pair of generally opposed pivotable gripping jaws 120, each having a generally arcuate gripping surface disposed radially inwardly toward the center of the bay 119.

Makeup requirements for tubular connections require high torque, such as in the order of thousands, and up to tens of thousands, of ft-lb torque. The components of a power tong must be capable of producing and sustaining the torques required to rotate tubular segments. As such, safely and effectively handling tubular members within an oilfield environment remains a priority to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of such tubular handling equipment.

FIGS. 2A-2C show multiple views of a power tong assembly used to grip and rotate a tubular segment in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5A and 5B show multiple schematic views of a simplified hydraulic circuit for a power tong assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

The following discussion is directed to various embodiments of the invention. Certain features of the embodiments may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used, as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. It is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to intimate that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and components herein may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in interest of clarity and conciseness.

In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . . ” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct coupling, and the “connect” or “connects” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection, unless otherwise denoted. In addition, the terms “axial” and “axially” generally mean along or parallel to a central axis (e.g., central axis of a body or a port), while the terms “radial” and “radially” generally mean perpendicular to the central axis. The use of “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” and variations of these terms is made for convenience, but does not require any particular orientation of the components.

In accordance with various aspects disclosed herein, the present disclosure relates to a power tong assembly that may be used to make-up, break-out, and/or torque two or more tubular members, such as within an oilfield exploration and production operation environment discussed above. The power tong assembly includes a power tong is configured to grip and rotate a tubular segment in a first direction, such as to make-up a threaded connection with the tubular segment, and in a second direction, such as to break-out the threaded connection with the tubular segment. The power tong assembly further includes an interlock system operably coupled to the power tong, in which the interlock system may be configured to selectively allow the power tong to rotate the tubular segment in one of the first direction and the second direction while preventing the power tong to rotate the tubular segment in the other of the first direction and the second direction. The interlock system may, additionally or alternatively, be configured to selectively allow the power tong to rotate or not rotate in response to conditions that are sensed by the interlock system.

For example, the power tong may be operated in two directions, such as a make-up direction (e.g., operated in a make-up setting) and a break-out direction (e.g., operated in a break-out setting), in which the make-up setting enables the power tong to rotate a tubular segment in the first direction to make-up a threaded connection with the tubular segment, and the break-out setting enables the power tong to rotate the tubular segment in the second direction to break-out the threaded connection with the tubular segment. Further, the interlock system includes a make-up setting that allows the power tong to rotate the tubular segment in the first direction to make-up the threaded connection with the tubular segment and a break-out setting that allows the power tong to rotate the tubular segment in the second direction to break-out the threaded connection with the tubular segment. As such, the interlock system is configured to prevent the power tong to operate in the make-up setting when the interlock system is in the break-out setting, and further is configured to prevent the power tong to operate in the break-out setting when the interlock system is in the make-up setting.

In one or more embodiments, the power tong may include a high-speed setting to rotate the tubular segment in the first direction and the second direction in a high gear and a low-speed setting to rotate the tubular segment in the first direction and the second direction in a low gear. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the interlock system is configured to allow the power tong to operate in the make-up setting and the high-speed setting only when the interlock system is in the make-up setting, and is configured to allow the power tong to operate in the break-out setting and the high-speed setting only when the interlock system is in the break-out setting. The interlock system may further include a selector mechanism, such as a plug assembly or a three-way valve, which enables the interlock system to move between the make-up setting and the break-out setting. Further, the interlock system may include a power tong gear position sensor. The power tong gear position sensor may be used to sense and determine if the power tong is configured to operate in high gear (e.g., a high-speed setting) or operate in low gear (e.g., a low-speed setting). Accordingly, as discussed more below, the interlock system may use the selector mechanism and/or the power tong gear position sensor to sense the setting or mode of operation of the power tong, in which the interlock system may be configured to selectively allow the power tong to rotate or not rotate in response to conditions that are sensed by the selector mechanism and/or the power tong gear position sensor of the interlock system. Furthermore, the interlock system may be operably coupled to a bi-directional hydraulic motor of the power tong such that the interlock system disables the hydraulic motor to prevent the power tong to rotate the tubular segment in the other of the first direction and the second direction.

In one or more embodiments, the interlock system may include a selector mechanism, in which the selector mechanism may be used as a tong operator interface to switch and move the interlock system between the make-up setting and the break-out setting. In such an embodiment, if the selector mechanism is in the make-up setting (e.g., a make-up position) and the power tong is actuated in the make-up direction, the interlock system may permit the power tong to operate. In particular, the interlock system may permit the power tong to operate in the make-up direction in high-speed (e.g., the high-speed setting) and low-speed (e.g., the low-speed setting) if the selector mechanism of the interlock system is in the make-up position. Further, in such an embodiment, the interlock system may prevent or block the power tong to operate in the break-out direction in high-speed and only permit the power tong to operate in the break-out direction in low-speed if the selector mechanism of the interlock system is in the make-up position.

Further, if the selector mechanism is in the break-out setting (e.g., a break-out position) and the power tong is actuated in the break-out direction, the interlock system may permit the power tong to operate. In particular, the interlock system may permit the power tong to operate in the break-out direction in high-speed and low-speed if the selector mechanism of the interlock system is in the break-out position. Further, in such an embodiment, the interlock system may prevent or block the power tong to operate in the make-up direction in high-speed and only permit the power tong to operate in the make-up direction in low-speed if the selector mechanism of the interlock system is in the break-out position.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, multiple views of a power tong assembly 200 used to grip and rotate a tubular segment 202 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. In particular, FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the power tong assembly 200 when in use to make-up and/or break-out a threaded connection between a first upper tubular segment 202A and a second lower tubular segment 202B, FIG. 2B shows an above schematic view of the power tong assembly 200 when in use to make-up a threaded connection with the tubular segment 202, and FIG. 2C shows another above schematic view of the power tong assembly 200 when in use to break-out a threaded connection with the tubular segment 202.

In one or more embodiments, when making-up and breaking-out threaded connections between tubular segments, a mechanism or component is used to hold reaction torque on one tubular segment while the power tong is used to rotate the other tubular segment. One or more power tong assemblies may include with integral backup wrenches, in which the backup wrench may hold reaction torque on a tubular segment while the power tong makes-up and breaks-out threaded connections by rotating an adjacent tubular segment. In an embodiment in which a power tong assembly does not include an integral backup wrench, such as shown in FIG. 2A, reaction torque may be held on the lower tubular segment 202B using a drilling rotary 204 and/or other tubular gripping mechanism (e.g., a manual tong, a spider, a collar load support), while the power tong assembly 200 is used to rotate and apply torque to the upper tubular segment 202A.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, a tong operator 206 may be in close proximity to the power tong assembly 200, such as particularly when making-up and breaking-out connections. For example, a power tong 208 of the power tong assembly 200 includes a make-up setting and a break-out setting, with the power tong 208 switchable between the make-up and break-out settings. In the make-up setting, the power tong 208 is used to rotate the upper tubular segment 202A in the first direction to make-up a threaded connection between the upper tubular segment 202A and the lower tubular segment 202B, and in the break-out setting, the power tong 208 is used to rotate the upper tubular segment 202A in the second direction to break-out the threaded connection between the upper tubular segment 202A and the lower tubular segment 202B. Furthermore, the power tong 208 may include a high-speed setting and a low-speed setting, with the power tong 208 switchable between the high-speed and low-speed settings. In the high-speed setting, the power tong 208 is used to rotate the upper tubular segment 202A in the first direction or in the second direction in a high gear. In the low-speed setting, the power tong 208 is used to rotate the upper tubular segment 202A in the first direction or in the second direction in a low gear. Accordingly, the tong operator 206 may operate and switch the power tong 206 between each of these different settings.

FIG. 2B shows an example of the power tong 208 when in the make-up setting, in which the power tong 208 is used in this embodiment to rotate the tubular segment 202A in a first direction (e.g., clockwise direction) when making-up threaded connections with the tubular segment 202A. As the power tong 208 rotates the tubular segment 202A in the clockwise direction, the power tong 208 will have the tendency to move and rotate from a reactive torque 210A in the counter-clockwise direction. In one or more embodiments, to prevent movement and rotation of the power tong 208, a snub line 212A may be attached to the power tong 208 in a direction opposite to the reactive torque 210A to prevent movement of the power tong 208 in response to the reactive torque 210A. As such, the snub line 212A may be used in the orientation shown to prevent rotation of the power tong 208 when making-up threaded connections with the tubular segment 202A.

Similarly, FIG. 2C shows an example of the power tong 208 when in the break-out setting, in which the power tong 208 is used in this embodiment to rotate the tubular segment 202A in a second direction (e.g., counter-clockwise direction) when breaking-out threaded connections with the tubular segment 202A. As the power tong 208 rotates the tubular segment 202A in the counter-clockwise direction, the power tong 208 will have the tendency to move and rotate from a reactive torque 210B in the clockwise direction as well. In one or more embodiments, to prevent movement and rotation of the power tong 208, a snub line 212B may be attached to the power tong 208 in a direction opposite to the reactive torque 210A. As such, the snub line 212B may be used to prevent rotation of the power tong 208 when breaking-out threaded connections with the tubular segment 202A.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the direction of the attachment of the snub line 212 to the power tong 208 depends on if the power tong 208 is in the make-up setting or the break-out setting. However, as the power tong 208 may not include an integral backup wrench, and is shown to only include the rotary 204 to hold reaction torque, the power tong 208 may present a risk to the tong operator 206. In particular, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, if the tong operator 206 switches the power tong 208 to operate in the break-out setting instead of the make-up setting, the snub line 212A will be ineffective in preventing rotation of the power tong 208. This will allow the power tong 208 to rotate and spin around the tubular segment 202A in the clockwise direction and strike the tong operator 206. This inefficiency is even further magnified if the tong operator 206 is operating the power tong 208 in the high-speed setting, as opposed to the low-speed setting. Similarly, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2C, if the tong operator 206 switches the power tong 208 to operate in the make-up setting instead of the break-out setting, the snub line 212B will be ineffective in preventing rotation of the power tong 208. This will allow the power tong 208 to rotate and spin around the tubular segment 202A in the counter-clockwise direction and strike the tong operator 206.

Though not shown, the tong operator 206 often operates the power tong 208 from scaffolding or within confined spaces, in which the power tong 208 may then knock the tong operator 206 from the scaffolding and/or smash the tong operator 206 against the structure of a drilling rig, both of which are life-threatening injuries to the tong operator 206. Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to a power tong assembly, in which the power tong assembly includes a power tong and includes an interlock system operably coupled to the power tong, in which the interlock system is configured to selectively allow the power tong to rotate the tubular segment in one of the first direction and the second direction while preventing the power tong to rotate the tubular segment in the other of the first direction and the second direction.

As discussed above, the power tong 208 includes a make-up setting and a break-out setting, which may be operated through one or more handles or levers included with the power tong 208. The make-up setting enables the power tong 208 to rotate the tubular segment 202A in the first direction to make-up a threaded connection with the tubular segment 202A, and the break-out setting enables the power tong 208 to rotate the tubular segment 202A in the second direction to break-out the threaded connection with the tubular segment 202A.

Accordingly, an interlock system in accordance with the present disclosure that is operably coupled to the power tong 208 also includes a make-up setting and a break-out setting, in which the interlock system may be operated using a selector mechanism included within the interlock system. The make-up setting of the interlock system allows the power tong 208 to rotate the tubular segment 202A in the first direction, such as in both the high-speed setting and the low-speed setting, to make-up the threaded connection with the tubular segment 202A, and the break-out setting of the interlock system allows the power tong 208 to rotate the tubular segment 202A in the second direction, such as in both the high-speed setting and the low-speed setting, to break-out the threaded connection with the tubular segment 202A. FIG. 3A shows a flow chart of operation of a power tong assembly in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown, the interlock system may be set in either an interlock system make-up setting 302A or an interlock system break-out setting 302B. When in the interlock system make-up setting 302A, the power tong is enabled/allowed to operate in a power tong make-up setting 304A and is disabled/prevented to operate in a power tong break-out setting 304B. When in the interlock system break-out setting 302B, the power tong is disabled/prevented to operate in a power tong make-up setting 304C and is enabled/allowed to operate in a power tong break-out setting 304D.

As such, with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, the interlock system is configured to prevent the power tong 208 to operate in the make-up setting when the interlock system is in the break-out setting, and further is configured to prevent the power tong 208 to operate in the break-out setting when the interlock system is in the make-up setting. Such a configuration may provide an additional safety feature to the power tong assembly 200, thereby helping prevent the tong operator 206 from unintentionally making-up and/or breaking-out of threaded connections that may lead to accidents within a drilling environment.

Further, as also discussed above, the power tong 208 may include a high-speed setting and a low-speed setting, which may be operated through one or more handles or levers included with the power tong 208. The high-speed setting enables the power tong 208 to rotate the tubular segment 202A in the first direction and/or the second direction in a high gear, and the low-speed setting enables the power tong 208 to rotate the tubular segment 202A in the first direction and/or the second direction in a low gear.

Accordingly, an interlock system in accordance with the present disclosure may be configured to allow the power tong 208 to operate in the make-up setting and the high-speed setting only when the interlock system is in the make-up setting, and may further be configured to allow the power tong 208 to operate in the break-out setting and the high-speed setting only when the interlock system is in the break-out setting.

FIG. 3B shows a flow chart of operation of a power tong assembly with an interlock system in a make-up setting in accordance with the present disclosure. The interlock system may be set in an interlock system make-up setting 306A, and the power tong may be set in either a power tong high-speed setting 308A or a power tong low-speed setting 308B. When in the interlock system make-up setting 306A and the power tong high-speed setting 308A, the power tong is enabled/allowed to operate in a power tong make-up setting 310A and is disabled/prevented to operate in a power tong break-out setting 310B. When in the interlock system make-up setting 306A and the power tong low-speed setting 308B, the power tong is enabled/allowed to operate in a power tong make-up setting 310C and is also enabled/allowed to operate in a power tong break-out setting 310D.

Further, FIG. 3C shows a flow chart of operation of a power tong assembly with an interlock system in a break-out setting in accordance with the present disclosure. The interlock system may be set in an interlock system break-out setting 306B, and the power tong may be set in either a power tong high-speed setting 308C or a power tong low-speed setting 308D. When in the interlock system break-out setting 306B and the power tong high-speed setting 308C, the power tong is disabled/prevented to operate in a power tong make-up setting 310E and is enabled/allowed to operate in a power tong break-out setting 310F. When in the interlock system break-out setting 306B and the power tong low-speed setting 308D, the power tong is enabled/allowed to operate in a power tong make-up setting 310G and is also enabled/allowed to operate in a power tong break-out setting 310H.

FIG. 3D shows a flow chart of operation of a power tong assembly in accordance with the present disclosure. In one or more embodiments, the interlock system may include a selector mechanism 312, in which the selector mechanism 312 may be used as a tong operator interface to switch and move the interlock system between operating the power tong in a make-up direction 314 or a break-out direction 316. Further, the interlock system may include a power tong gear position sensor 318. The power tong gear position sensor 318 may be used to sense and determine if the power tong is configured to operate in high gear (e.g., a high-speed setting) or operate in low gear (e.g., a low-speed setting). If the selector mechanism 312 is in the make-up setting (e.g., a make-up position) and the power tong gear sensor 318 detects that the power tong is in high gear, the interlock system may permit the power tong to operate in the make-up direction in high gear 320A and prevent or block the power tong to operate in the break-out direction in high gear 320B. If the selector mechanism 312 is in the make-up setting and the power tong gear sensor 318 detects that the power tong is in low gear, the interlock system may permit the power tong to operate in the make-up direction in low gear 320C and permit the power tong to operate in the break-out direction in high gear 320D.

Further, If the selector mechanism 312 is in the break-out setting (e.g., a break-out position) and the power tong gear sensor 318 detects that the power tong is in high gear, the interlock system may prevent or block the power tong to operate in the make-up direction in high gear 320E and permit the power tong to operate in the break-out direction in high gear 320F. If the selector mechanism 312 is in the break-out setting and the power tong gear sensor 318 detects that the power tong is in low gear, the interlock system may permit the power tong to operate in the make-up direction in low gear 320G and permit the power tong to operate in the break-out direction in high gear 320H.

An interlock system in accordance with the present disclosure may have one or more different types of configurations. For example, as shown and discussed below, the interlock system may be hydraulically controlled, in which the interlock system may include one or more hydraulic components and/or actuators and may be used to selectively control hydraulic fluid flow through the power tong. In particular, the interlock system may be used to selectively provide and control a supply of hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic motor of the power tong. However, in another embodiment, the interlock system may additionally or alternatively be magnetically controlled, electrically controlled, mechanically controlled, and/or pneumatically controlled. Accordingly, the present disclosure contemplates other methods and configurations for an interlock system than only those discussed herein, and therefore the present disclosure should not be so limited.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4G, multiple views of a power tong assembly 400 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. The power tong assembly 400 includes a power tong 402 used for gripping and rotating tubular segments, particularly for making-up and breaking-out threaded connections, and also includes an interlock system 410. The interlock system 410 is operably coupled to the power tong 402 to selectively allow the power tong to rotate the tubular segment in one of the make-up and the break-out direction while also preventing the power tong 402 from rotating the tubular segment in the other of the make-up and the break-out direction. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the interlock system 410, or at least portions or components thereof, are positioned upon and operably coupled to a motor 404 of the power tong 402. The motor 404 may be a bi-directional hydraulic motor, in which the interlock system 410 may be used to disable the motor 404, such as by limiting hydraulic fluid supply to the motor 404, to prevent the power tong 402 from rotating the tubular segment in an undesired direction or at an undesired speed.

Along with the motor 404, the power tong 402 may include one or more handles 406 to set the power tong 402 in the make-up setting or the break-out setting. For example, in FIG. 4A, one of the handles 406 may be moved to set the power tong 402 in either the make-up setting or the break-out setting, while the other of the handles 406 may be moved to operate a lift cylinder operably coupled to the power tong 402 to selectively raise and lower the power tong 402. The power tong 402 may further include a handle 408 (e.g., speed shifting shaft) to set the power tong 402 in the high-speed setting or the low-speed setting. For example, in FIG. 4A, the handle 408 may be moved in one direction to set the power tong 402 in the high-speed setting or may be moved in another direction to set the power tong 402 in the low-speed setting.

As the interlock system 410 may include multiple portions or components, the interlock system 410 is shown in this embodiment as including a manifold 412, which may be formed as one or more housings, and a speed detection mechanism 414 (e.g., power tong gear position sensor 318). FIG. 4B shows a detailed view of the manifold 412, and FIG. 4C shows a detailed view of the speed detection mechanism 414. The manifold 412 may be positioned on the motor 404 of the power tong 402 and may have hydraulic fluid pumped through the manifold 412. As such, the manifold 412 may include hydraulic logic elements to selectively divert hydraulic fluid flow therethrough, such as including one or more valves, plugs, and/or switches to selectively divert the flow through the manifold 412. In particular, in this embodiment, the manifold 412 may include therewith or therein a selector mechanism 416, a check valve, an orifice or a needle valve, and an unloader valve.

The selector mechanism 416 may be included within the interlock system 410, and may be used as a tong operator interface to switch and move the interlock system 410 between the make-up setting and the break-out setting. Examples of the selector mechanism 416 are shown in FIGS. 4D-4F. In FIGS. 4D and 4E, the selector mechanism 416 is shown as a plug assembly 418 that includes one or more plugs. The plugs of the plug assembly 418 may be rearranged and positioned within the manifold 412 to set the interlock system 410 in a make-up setting (e.g., high-speed make-up setting), as shown in FIG. 4D, or to set the interlock system 410 in a break-out setting (e.g., high-speed break-out setting), as shown in FIG. 4E. Alternatively, the selector mechanism 416 is shown as a three-way valve 420 in FIG. 4F, such as a three-way ball valve, in which the three-way valve 420 may be set and moved between the make-up setting and the break-out setting.

The speed detection mechanism 414 may be operably coupled to the handle 408 that shifts the power tong 402 between the high-speed setting and the low-speed setting. Accordingly, the speed detection mechanism 414 may be positioned adjacent the handle 408, such as positioned on the bottom of the power tong 402. In this embodiment, the speed detection mechanism 414 may include a cam-operated valve 422. FIG. 4G shows a cross-sectional view of the cam-operated valve 422. As such, the cam-operated valve 422 is activated and moved between an open position and a closed position based on movement of a camming rod 424. The camming rod 424 may be coupled to the handle 408, and therefore the camming rod 424 may move with the handle 408 when shifting the power tong 402 between the high-speed setting and the low-speed setting. Accordingly, the cam-operated valve 422 may detect the speed of the power tong 402, such as if the power tong 402 is in the high-speed setting or the low-speed setting, based upon the position and movement of the camming rod 424.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, multiple schematic views of a simplified hydraulic circuit 500 for a power tong assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. As shown in this embodiment, the hydraulic circuit 500 includes a hydraulic motor 502 (e.g., bi-directional hydraulic motor), such as the motor 404 shown in FIG. 4A, and a directional control valve 504 (e.g., four-way, three-position directional control valve) that controls fluid flow to the hydraulic motor 502. The directional control valve 504 may include or be operably coupled to the handles 406 of the power tong 402. As such, the directional control valve 504 may be used to control the direction of rotation of the hydraulic motor 502, and therefore may be used to move the power tong 402 between the make-up setting and the break-out setting. Hydraulic fluid may be provided along a pressure flow path 550 and flow through a motor inlet flow path 552 into the directional control valve 504. The directional control valve 504 may then be used to selectively flow the hydraulic fluid into either the A-side or the B-side of the hydraulic motor 502, depending on the desired rotation of the power tong 402. Hydraulic fluid may then return from the hydraulic motor 502 back into the directional control valve 504, in which hydraulic fluid may then be provided to a return flow path 556 through a motor outlet flow path 554.

The hydraulic circuit 500 may further include a bypass flow path 558, in which the bypass flow path 558 may be used to directly route hydraulic fluid from the pressure flow path 550 to the motor outlet flow path 554 and/or directly to the return flow path 556. The bypass flow path 558 may include a directional control valve 560 (e.g., two-way, two-position directional control valve) fluidly coupled thereto, in which the directional control valve 560 may include a pilot-operated valve and/or a cartridge valve. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the directional control valve 560 may be pilot-operated into the closed position, in which the directional control valve 560 may be opened when pilot pressure to the directional control valve 560 is relieved along a case drain flow path 562. When the control valve 560 opens, hydraulic fluid flows along the bypass flow path 558 instead of the motor inlet flow path 552, thereby disabling and preventing the hydraulic motor 502 from operation.

The directional control valve 560, as shown in the embodiment in FIGS. 5A and 5B, may be opened from operation of either a directional control valve 564 or a directional control valve 566 fluidly coupled in parallel to the directional control valve 560 along the case drain flow path 562. The directional control valve 564 (e.g., two-way, two-position directional control valve) may include an interlock valve that is movable between the open and closed position based upon an open or closed position of a door of the power tong 402. If the door of the power tong 402 is opened, the directional control valve 564 may relieve pilot pressure to the directional control valve 560 along the case drain flow path 562, thereby opening the directional control valve 560 and preventing operation of the hydraulic motor 502.

Further, the directional control valve 566 (e.g., two-way, two-position directional control valve), which may include an unloader valve as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, may be movable between the open and closed position based upon a pilot pressure received along a pilot flow path 568. If pilot pressure is received along the pilot flow path 568 to the directional control valve 566, the directional control valve 566 will open, thereby relieving pilot pressure to the directional control valve 560 along the case drain flow path 562, opening the directional control valve 560, and preventing operation of the hydraulic motor 502. Otherwise, if enough pilot pressure is not received along the pilot flow path 568 to open the directional control valve 566, pilot pressure will be maintained to keep the directional control valve 560 closed and the hydraulic motor 502 operational.

Referring still to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the hydraulic circuit 500 includes a direction detection portion or a selector mechanism 570, such as the selector mechanism 416 of the interlock system 410 shown in FIGS. 4A-4G, that may be used to selectively fluidly couple an A-side motor flow path 572A or a B-side motor flow path 572B to a pilot flow path 574. As discussed above, the selector mechanism 570 may be used to switch and move the interlock system 410 between the make-up setting and the break-out setting. The direction detection portion or selector mechanism 570 shown in FIG. 5A is a schematic symbol for the plug assembly 418 shown in FIGS. 4D and 4E, and the direction detection portion or selector mechanism 570 shown in FIG. 5B is a schematic symbol for the three-way valve 420 shown in FIG. 4F.

The hydraulic circuit 500 may further include a directional control valve 576 (e.g., three-way, two-position directional control valve), which may be the cam-operated valve 422 of the speed detection mechanism 414 shown in FIGS. 4A, 4C, and 4G. The directional control valve 576 may be movable between the open and closed position based upon if the power tong 402 is in the high-speed setting and the low-speed setting. As such, in this embodiment, the directional control valve 576 may be in the open position when the power tong 402 is in the high-speed setting, thereby fluidly coupling the pilot flow path 574 to the pilot flow path 568. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the directional control valve 576 may be in the closed position when the power tong 402 is in the low-speed setting, thereby preventing fluid from flowing from the pilot flow path 574 to the pilot flow path 568. Furthermore, the hydraulic circuit 500 may include a check valve 578 and an orifice or a needle valve 580. The check valve 578 and the needle valve 580 may be in parallel with each other, as shown, and may be fluidly coupled to the pilot flow path 574 or the pilot flow path 568.

In operation, the selector mechanism 570 may be used to either allow fluid flow through the A-side motor flow path 572A or the B-side motor flow path 572B and into the pilot flow path 574. When the A-side motor flow path 572A is open with fluid allowed to flow therethrough, the A-side of the hydraulic motor 502 is not operational. For example, hydraulic fluid may be provided along the motor inlet flow path 552, into the directional control valve 504, and towards the A-side of the hydraulic motor 502. As the A-side motor flow path 572A is open, hydraulic fluid will flow into the A-side motor flow path 572A and continue along the pilot flow path 574. If the directional control valve 576 is present and open (e.g., the power tong 402 is in the high-speed setting), hydraulic fluid may flow from the pilot flow path 574 to the pilot flow path 568 to provide pilot pressure to the directional control valve 566. When pilot pressure is received along the pilot flow path 568 to the directional control valve 566, the directional control valve 566 will open, thereby relieving pilot pressure to the directional control valve 560 along the case drain flow path 562, opening the directional control valve 560, and preventing operation of the hydraulic motor 502.

Similarly, when the B-side motor flow path 572B is open with fluid allowed to flow therethrough, the B-side of the hydraulic motor 502 is not operational. For example, hydraulic fluid may be provided along the motor inlet flow path 552, into the directional control valve 504, and towards the B-side of the hydraulic motor 502. As the B-side motor flow path 572B is open, hydraulic fluid will flow along the B-side motor flow path 572B and continue along the pilot flow path 574. The hydraulic fluid may then flow from the pilot flow path 574 to the pilot flow path 568 to provide pilot pressure to the directional control valve 566.

In an embodiment in which hydraulic fluid received through the A-side of the hydraulic motor 502 causes the power tong 402 to make-up threaded connections with a tubular segment, the right side of the directional control valve 504 may be used as the make-up setting for the power tong 402, and the opening the B-side motor flow path 572B may be used as the make-up setting for the selector mechanism 570 (e.g., selector mechanism 416). In such an embodiment, the hydraulic motor 570 may, thus, be disabled when the directional control valve 504 is switched to the left side for the break-out setting of the power tong 402, thereby disabling and preventing the hydraulic motor 570, and the power tong 402, from operating in the break-out setting when the interlock system 410 is in the make-up setting.

Similarly, in an embodiment in which hydraulic fluid received through the B-side of the hydraulic motor 502 causes the power tong 402 to break-out threaded connections with a tubular segment, the left side of the directional control valve 504 may be used as the break-out setting for the power tong 402, and the opening the A-side motor flow path 572A may be used as the break-out setting for the selector mechanism 570 (e.g., selector mechanism 416). In such an embodiment, the hydraulic motor 570 may, thus, be disabled when the directional control valve 504 is switched to the right side for the make-up setting of the power tong 402, thereby disabling and preventing the hydraulic motor 570, and the power tong 402, from operating in the make-up setting when the interlock system 410 is in the break-out setting.

As shown and discussed above, the interlock system 410 may include a manifold 412, in which the manifold 412 may include hydraulic logic elements to selectively divert hydraulic fluid flow therethrough. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the manifold 412 may include the selector mechanism 570, the directional control valve 566, the check valve 578, and the orifice or needle valve 580. The check valve 578 and the orifice or needle valve 580 may be used to maintain pressure on the directional control valve 566 through the pilot flow path 574, the directional control valve 576, and the pilot flow path 568. The check valve 574 enables hydraulic fluid to pass across and enter into the pilot flow path 568 and open the directional control valve 566 (e.g., enter a pilot cavity of the unloader valve). The orifice or needle valve 580 may enable the pressure from the hydraulic fluid to then be maintained within the pilot flow path 568 and upon the directional control valve 566 (e.g., maintain pressure within the pilot cavity of the unloader valve) by slowing and regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid away from the pilot flow path 568.

Further, as discussed above, the directional control valve 566 (e.g., unloader valve) may be used as a disabling portion within the interlock system to disable and prevent rotation of the power tong based a speed detection portion (e.g., a directional control valve 576 and/or a cam-operated valve 422) and the direction detection portion (e.g., selector mechanism 570). For example, when pilot pressure is received along the pilot flow path 568 to the directional control valve 566, the directional control valve 566 will open, thereby relieving pilot pressure to the directional control valve 560 along the case drain flow path 562. This enables the directional control valve 560 to open, in which hydraulic fluid then flows along the bypass flow path 558 instead of the motor inlet flow path 552, thereby disabling and preventing the hydraulic motor 502 from operation.

Accordingly, a power tong assembly including a power tong and an interlock system in accordance with the present disclosure may include one or more advantages, such as by decreasing the likelihood of an accident when operating a power tong. In particular, the interlock system is configured to selectively allow the power tong to rotate the tubular segment in one of the first direction and the second direction while preventing the power tong to rotate the tubular segment in the other of the first direction and the second direction. As such, the interlock system may be used to prevent the power tong from operating in a direction unintended by a tong operator, thereby preventing damage to the power tong, to the tubular segments handled by the power tong, and the tong operator.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific details, it is not intended that such details should be regarded as limitations on the scope of the invention, except to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.

The present invention relates to open-head power tongs used in drilling operations, and more particularly, is directed to an improved means of actuating and deactuating the operation of the power tong drive means in response to the opened and closed positions of an access door.

As well known in the drilling industry, power tongs are employed in making-up and breaking-out operations of casings, tubings, rods, pipes and the like. More particularly, power tongs are used to grip and rotate lengths of drill pipe or the like to connect or join several lengths of pipe together to thereby form a drill string in a make-up operation, and in the alternative, to grip and rotate a length of drill pipe to disconnect it from the drill string in a break-out operation.

One type of power tong commonly used today is the open-head tong, such as the one shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,014. The open-head tong has a bifrucated frame defining a central opening and a side opening communicating with the central opening for the passing therethrough of a drill pipe or the like. Due to the extreme costs of drilling, open-head tongs have become very popular, in that, they can easily and readily be moved into and out of an operative position when they are needed in the making up and breaking out of drill strings.

In operation, the open-head power tong exerts large rotational torques on the drill pipes, usually the larger the tong, the larger the torque output. Due to these large torque outputs and the resulting forces generated therefrom, the open-head tongs have been provided with an access door that bridges the gap between the bifrucated ends of the tong. The primary purpose of such an access door is to strengthen the tong structure so as to prevent, during the operation of the tong, the bifrucated ends from separating or springing apart, which not only results in damage to the tong, but could also inflict injury to the operating personnel. The access door, in addition to providing structural rigidity to the tong, also provides the operator with safety in bodily protecting him from the rotating pipe gripping and engaging jaws.

Such access doors perform very satisfactorily in providing structural rigidity to the tong and do provide protection to the operators from the rotating components of the tong when the door is properly latched in position during the make-up and break-out operations; however, in an effort to save time, operators have been known to operate the tong with the access door open, and in some instances, the operators have even removed the access door from the tong. Such operator"s carelessness not only causes costly structural damage to the tong, but also results in personal injury to the operator.

In U.S. Pat. No. 2,705,614 there is shown an open-head power tong having an automatic hydraulically powered access door, operably interconnected to the hydraulic cylinders that actuate the jaw gripping mechanism, which must be closed before the jaws can be actuated so as to rotate a drill pipe. Such door interlock mechanism has been specifically designed for the type of tong disclosed and is not readily adaptable to other types of power tongs, such as the one shown in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,014. Further, the hydraulic circuitry that is involved with such a powered access door is not only complicated, having expensive components, but is also, costly to maintain and repair. Still further, such door interlock mechanism does not provide adequate safety to an operator, in that, although the operator is protected from the pipe gripping and engaging mechanism when the door is closed, he is also subjected to the risk of having the power operated door being automatically swung into him as it is being closed, thus, creating a potentially dangerous and unsafe condition under which the operator must work.

The present invention obviates the problems experienced with access doors and disadvantages associated with the prior art door-interlock mechanisms by providing, as one of its principle objects, an improved door-interlock mechanism for an open-head power tong that ensures the access door is in a closed position before the tong can be operated, thereby preventing possible structural damage to the tong from operating the tong with the door open, as well as, preventing personal injury to the operators by protecting them from the various rotating components of the tong.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a door-interlock mechanism for an open-head power tong that is simple in structure and adaptable to all types of open-head power tongs.

Accordingly, the present invention, sets forth in an open-head power tong having an access door mounted on the tong and moveable between opened and closed positions, an improved door-interlock mechanism that includes means for controlling the operation of the tong in response to the opened and closed position of the door. More particularly, the control means preferably includes a pneumatic contact valve interconnected with a pneumatically piloted diverter valve operably associated with the power means of the tong such that the power means is placed in either an operative or inoperative condition in response to respective closed and opened positions of the door. Specifically, the pneumatic contact valve is so positioned in the vicinity of the side opening that the door, in its closed position, engages the contact valve thereby actuating the diverter valve to permit operation of the power means, and when, the door is moved from its closed position out of engagement with the contact valve, the contact valve causes the diverter valve to deactuate the power means, thus stopping the operation thereof.

These and other advantages and attainments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an open-head power tong incorporating the improved door-interlock mechanism of the present invention with the access door being in its closed position in engagement with the contact valve which actuates the diverter valve.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic fragmentary view of the power tong showing the side edge portion of the access door with the door latch removed and with the contact valve being in disengagement with the door which is partly open.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly, to FIG. 1, there is shown, for illustration purposes only, an open-head power tong, being generally indicated by the numeral 10, incorporating the principles of the present invention. The tong illustrated in FIG. 1 is of the type shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,014, and thus, for the sake of brevity, since the tong itself forms no part of this invention, only a brief description of the tong will follow.

Briefly, as best seen in FIG. 1, the power tong 10 is comprised of a bifrucated frame structure 12 defining a central drill pipe receiving opening, and a side opening that communicates to the central opening for laterally passing a drill pipe therewithin. Rotatably supported within the frame structure 12 is a pipe engaging and gripping means that includes jaws 14 that