weatherford lamb power tong for sale

The 14-100 hydraulic power tong provides 100,000 ft-lb (135,600 N∙m) of torque capacity for running and pulling 7- to 14-in. casing. The tong has a unique gated rotary, a free-floating backup, and a hydraulic door interlock.

Our 14-50 high-torque casing tong provides 50,000 ft-lb (67,790 N∙m) of torque capacity for running and pulling 6 5/8- to 14-in. casing. The tong has a unique gated rotary, a free floating backup, and a hydraulic door interlock.

The 16-25 hydraulic casing tong provides 25,000 ft-lb (33,900 N∙m) of torque capacity for running and pulling 6 5/8- to 16-in. casing. The tong features a unique gated rotary and as many as seven contact points that create a positive grip without damaging the casing.

Rigged up without rig modifications, our 21-300 riser tong is the only tong capable of producing 300,000 ft-lb (406,746 N∙m) of continuous rotational torque in both makeup and breakout mode. The power it achieves in a compact size compares with a conventional 24-in. casing tong.

The 24-50 high-torque casing tong provides 50,000 ft-lb (67,790 N∙m) of torque capacity for running and pulling 10 3/4- to 24-in. casing. The tong features a unique gated rotary, a free-floating backup, and a hydraulic door interlock.

The 30-100 high-torque casing tong provides 100,000 ft-lb (135,600 N∙m) of torque capacity for running and pulling 16- to 30-in. casing. The tong features a unique gated rotary, a free-floating backup, and a hydraulic door interlock.

The 5.5-15 hydraulic tubing tong provides 15,000 ft-lb (20,340 N∙m) of torque capability for makeup and breakout of 1.66- to 5.5-in. tubing and premium or standard connections on corrosion‑resistant alloy tubulars. The tong features an ergonomic, lightweight design with a free-floating hydraulic backup.

The 7.6-30 hydraulic tubing tong provides 30,000 ft-lb (40,670 N∙m) of torque capability for makeup and breakout of 2 3/8- to 7 5/8-in. tubing and premium or standard connections on corrosion‑resistant alloy tubulars. The tong features an ergonomic, lightweight design with a free-floating hydraulic backup.

Our SpeedTork 8.0-70 tong provides torques up to 70,000 ft-lb (94,900 N∙m) and 360° rotation in makeup and breakout operations. It can torque drillpipe connections, drillstring components, drilling tools, packers, couplings, and valves.

The tongs head of oscillating double jaw plate is made by precision casting, in this way, not only the outline is beautiful, but also the strength is high and the dismounting is convenient. The perfect design can ensure that the clamping is reliable and the backslide is easy.It adopts ribbon brake apparatus, and the brake moment is high. The operation is so easy that it’s convenient to repair and change.With hydraulic torque indicator and installation interface of torque gauge, it can equip model NKY torque control recorder, so as to realize the computer management.

Tongs - Power - BJ sucker rod tong adopts advanced sucker rod or tubing technology and has a compact structure, high reliability and is safe and convenient to operate.

Tongs - Power - New Carter Tool Co. Inc., CT93R Hydraulic powered tubing tong. Complete with 2-3/8" to 3-1/2" jaw assemblies, standard motor, torque gauge assembly, pressure relief valve... More Info

Tongs - Power - New Carter Tool Co., Inc. 5-1/2" CTSX Hydraulic Tubing Tong with heavy case and cover; complete with rigid hanger assy., suspension spring assy., front end control assy.,... More Info

Tongs - Power - New Carter Tool Co. Inc. M-Series power sucker rod tongs, complete with spring hanger assy., gate assy., front end control assy., pressure gauge assy., two 90 degree XH s... More Info

Tongs - Power - New Carter Tool Co., Inc. 4-1/2" RSX Hydraulic Tubing Tong with heavy case and cover; complete with rigid hanger assy., suspension spring assy., front end control assy., ... More Info

Tongs - Power - D D 58-93-2-R Power Tubing Tong is smaller, lighter, and faster than the Foster 5893R. The D D 58-93-2-R Tong is capable of gripping tubulars from 1 5/16" to 7" o.d. More Info

Tongs - Power - FARR TONG MODEL KT 14,000 RINEER GA37 MOTOR, LIFT VALVE ASSEMBLY TORQUE CAPACITY: 50,000 FT/LB SIZE RANGE 4 1.2-14 WITH SAFETY DOOR MOST SIZES OF FARR POWER TONGS ARE IN ... More Info

Tongs - Power - FARR TONG MODEL KT20,000 STAFFA 080 MOTOR, LIFT VALVE ASSEMBLY TORQUE CAPACITY: 50,000 FT/LB SIZE RANGE: 7-20 MOST SIZES OF FARR POWER TONGS ARE IN HOUSTON, IN STOCK READ... More Info

Tongs - Power - FARR MODEL KT5500 HYDRAULIC TUBING TONG C/W 2 SPEED RINEER MOTOR, SIZE RANGE: 2-3/8 IN. - 5-1/2 IN. OD, TORQUE RTED: 18,700 FT/LB C/W SAFETY DOOR MOST SIZES OF FARR POWER... More Info

Tongs - Power - FARR TONG MODEL KT5500 TORQUE CAPACITY: 18000 FT/LB SIZE RANGE: 2 1/16-5 1/2 OD WITH SAFETY DOOR MOST SIZES OF FARR POWER TONGS ARE IN HOUSTON, IN STOCK READY FOR IMMEDIA... More Info

Tongs - Power - FARR TONG MODEL KT5500 5 1/2 IN. TONG TORQUE CAPACITY: 18,000 FT/LB SIZE RANGE: 2 1/16-5 1/2 IN. OD, RINEER 15-13 MOTOR, HIGH TORQUE CLINCHER BACKUP TRIPLE VALVE ASSEMBLY... More Info

Tongs - Power - FARR TONG MODEL KT7585 TORQUE CAPACITY: 25000 FT/LB SIZE RANGE: 2 1/16-8 5/8 OD WITH SAFETY DOOR MOST SIZES OF FARR POWER TONGS ARE IN HOUSTON, IN STOCK READY FOR IMMEDIA... More Info

Tongs - Power - FARR TONG MODEL KT7585 8 5/8 IN. TONG TORQUE CAPACITY 25,000 FT/LB SIZE RANGE: 2 1/16-8 5/8 IN. OD, RINEER 15-15 MOTOR CLINCHER BACKUP, TRIPLE VALVE MOST SIZES OF FARR PO... More Info

Tongs - Power - FARR TONG MODEL LW9625 TORQUE CAPACITY 12000 FT/LB SIZE RANGE 2 7/8 -9 5/8 OD WITH SAFETY DOOR MOST SIZES OF FARR POWER TONGS ARE IN HOUSTON, IN STOCK READY FOR IMMEDIATE... More Info

Tongs - Power - Farrs newest tubular connection tool offers a significantly reduced rig footprint, while continuing to deliver power & uncompromising reliability. The simple design drast... More Info

Tongs - Power - Farr Canada"s newest tubular connection tool offers a significantly reduced rig footprint, while continuing to deliver power and uncompromising reliability. The simple de... More Info

This invention is directed to apparatus and methods for aligning wellbore tubulars; and to power tongs used in making and breaking joints of tubular members such as wellbore casing and tubing; to parts thereof; including, but not limited to gripping elements, and methods of their use.

During the drilling of oil and gas wells and the production of materials therefrom, various operations require the connection and disconnection of successive lengths of threaded tubulars such as pipe, casing, or tubing. Tools known as tongs are used to "make" and "break" such connections. Certain known power tongs have a body, a rotary rotatably mounted in said body and at least one active jaw which, on rotation of the rotary is cammed against a pipe in the rotary and grips it for rotation with the rotary. In known arrangements the camming action is generated by a cam member which is bolted to the rotary and is shaped so that the active jaw is cammed against the pipe on rotation of the rotary relative to the active jaw in one sense and will be released on rotation of the rotary relative to the active jaw in the opposite sense.

With known tongs high torques are applied to tubulars due to combinations of factors such as thread sealing requirements, the presence of corrosion, the existence of distortion, and pipe size and weight. Both in the "make" direction of rotation when a shoulder is suddenly encountered, and in the "break" direction at initial engagement of the tong and disengagement of the threads high shock forces may arise; e.g., with a power-driven tong, in excess of 50,000 foot-pounds of torque may be exerted, while relatively small die elements on jaws of the tong engage the pipe with extremely high force loadings. Slippage occurs and pipe surfaces become marred, marked, indented, or otherwise damaged.

Dies for gripping jaws have been provided with multiple serrations, or penetration features, to provide the interference contact at the joint surface. Grip element penetration into the joint surface is limited and controlled. The distribution and balance of grip element energizing forces are critical factors in the design, development and evaluation of such tong mechanisms. Linkages, levers, wedges, and cams are used to balance force components. Grip elements, or dies, are accurately disposed within carrier bodies, or jaws, which span a circumferential segment of the joint surface.

Uneven die loading can cause excessive indentation, marring or damage to a tubular surface. Drag or braking devices are used in certain tongs to effect proper biting of the dies relative to the pipe. The head or other member supporting the dies is frictionally restrained to insure that the dies do not simply rotate with the rotary as the rotary is driven.

Other tongs use an endless belt, chain or flexible material loop for gripping a tubular. Such tongs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,799,010; 3,906,820; 3,892,140; 4,079,640; 4,099,479; and 4,212,212. There are a variety of problems associated with certain of these tongs:

Jaw/die tongs and the belt/chain tongs are used with relatively hard and rigid metal tubulars such as casing and tubing. If these tongs are used with thick tubulars or tubulars made from relatively "softer" metals or from premium metals such as high alloy steels or low carbon steels or tubulars made from non-metal materials such as fiber glass, they often literally chew up the tubular. The use of strap wrenches is inadequate since the torque applied with such wrenches cannot be precisely controlled.

Certain tubulars are treated with a rust or corrosion resistant material or coating. If the coating is indented, gouged, or broken, its protective purpose is defeated. Producing enough force in a tong to join such tubulars while not injuring a protective coating presents a dilemma.

The present invention, in certain embodiments, discloses a power tong for joining tubulars so that marking of, indentation of, and surface injury to tubulars are reduced or eliminated. In one aspect a power tong is provided and a method of its use for handling tubulars coated with a corrosion-resistant material which should not be broken or penetrated. In one embodiment such a tong has one or more gripping jaws with gripping elements made of aluminum alloys, zinc, zinc alloys, aluminum, brass, bronze, cermet, plastic, fiberglass, metal alloys, or a combination thereof which present a smooth face (straight or curved) to a tubular without any teeth, pointed projections, or toothed dies. In one aspect the gripping elements are releasably connected directly to jaws. In another aspect the gripping elements are releasably connected to a jacket or holder which itself is releasably connected to a jaw.

In one aspect the cylinder(s) are powered by a small air-driven hydraulic pump with an hydraulic fluid reservoir mounted on a plate on the movable or fixed jaw. Air is supplied to activate a motor of the pump and the pump then provides hydraulic fluid to move a piston of the hydraulic cylinder(s). The motion of the cylinder moves the movable jaw on its roller to travel to a pre-load position on the cam. The cylinder applies pressure until the hydraulic pressure is released. A hydraulic fluid accumulator and a valve may be used to maintain hydraulic pressure at all times so that the cylinder(s) continuously maintain the desired load on the jaw until the air supply to the pump is removed.

In another aspect the cylinders are connected to a rotary of the tong or to any other member that rotates with the rotary rather than to a fixed jaw. Such a pre-load system may, according to this invention, be used with any tong including a tong that does use toothed dies.

In one embodiment the present invention discloses a gripping arrangement for a tong with a sheet of grit which is preferably bonded to a carrier plate. In another embodiment the gripping arrangement comprises a layer of flexible material having a smooth flat surface or a surface with ridges and valleys, for example in the fashion of the surface of a file. The flexible material, in one aspect, is metal, for example sheet aluminum, zinc, brass, bronze, zinc alloy, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, or steel having a thickness of about 1.5 mm. The layer of flexible material may be used in conjunction with a carrier plate or on its own. In a further embodiment the gripping arrangement may comprise a layer of perforate material one of both surfaces of which are preferably coated with grit to facilitate adhesion. The layer will typically be formed from metal having a thickness of about 1.5 mm. The layer may be used in conjunction with a carrier plate or used on its own. In yet another embodiment the gripping arrangement may comprise a layer of expanded mesh, e.g. metal mesh, which has been flattened. One or both surfaces of the expanded mesh may be coated with grit and the layer may be used in conjunction with a carrier plate or used on its own. The grit may comprise, for example, diamond dust, particles of silicon, zircon, tungsten carbide and mixtures thereof. The gripping arrangement may comprise end plates which are attached to the carrier plate. Preferably, the carrier plate is provided with side flanges for insertion into a jaw holder. The present invention also provides a jaw assembly fitted with a gripping arrangement in accordance with the present invention. Preferably, the jaw assembly includes a jaw holder having an arcuate recess which accommodates an arcuate pad of resilient elastomeric material which supports said gripping arrangement. Advantageously, at least one shim is provided which is disposed between said arcuate pad of resilient elastomeric material and said gripping arrangement. The shim will be flexible and generally from 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm thick and made from sheet metal. The present invention also provides a tong fitted with at least two such jaw.

In one embodiment the present invention discloses an apparatus for aligning tubulars and includes a guide on one of a power tong and a backup tong. In one embodiment the apparatus has a socket centralizer mounted on said one of said power tong and said backup tong. In one aspect, said one of said power tong and said backup tong is said power tong. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a power tong and a backup tong, and the guide is mounted on the power tong and apparatus is provided to maintain the power tong and the backup tong in a certain juxtaposition during a stabbing operation. Preferably, said apparatus includes locating rods on one of the power tong and the backup tong and blocks shaped to receive at least the ends of the locating rods on the other of the power tong and the backup tong. Advantageously, the backup tong is provided with at least two prismatic jaw assemblies to locate the backup tong in fixed juxtaposition with respect to a tubular being gripped.

The present invention, in one aspect, provides a jaw unit for use in a tong, which jaw unit comprises a jaw holder and a jaw movable with respect to said jaw holder, characterized in that said jaw is slidably mounted on said jaw holder. Preferably, said jaw is slidable with respect to said jaw holder about an arcuate path. Advantageously, said jaw has a gripping surface which is substantially arcuate for gripping the surface of a tubular and the center of curvature of such arcuate path lies between the center of curvature of said grip ping surface and said arcuate path. The gripping surface may be a continuous surface or defined by several spaced apart gripping elements. Preferably, the center of curvature of said arcuate path lies between the center of curvature of said grip ping surface and said gripping surface. Advantageously, the center of curvature of said arcuate path is substantially midway between the center of curvature of said gripping surface and said gripping surface. Preferably, one of said jaw and said jaw holder is provided with an arcuate track which defines said arcuate path, and the other of said jaw and said jaw holder is slidably mounted in said arcuate track.

The present invention also provides a jaw assembly comprising two jaw units in accordance with the present invention. Preferably, said jaw units are mounted for pivotal movement about a common pivot shaft. Advantageously, said jaw assembly includes means which bias said jaw units apart. The present invention also provides a rotary fitted with a jaw unit in accordance with the present invention, a rotary fitted with a jaw assembly in accordance with the present invention, and a tong fitted with a rotary in accordance with the present invention.

One of the features of existing tongs is that their rotaries are difficult to furnish. Thus, routine maintenance usually involves dismantling the whole rotary, checking the parts and reassembling the whole. While this is a straightforward procedure in the clean conditions of a workshop it can be problematic when carried out in a muddy field, in sand or in snow. The present invention aims to help solve this problem and provides a rotary which comprises a top section, a bottom section, and a peripheral wall therebetween, characterized in that at least one of said top section and said bottom section is provided with an elongate slot which, when said rotary is in use, accommodates a pivot shaft on which a jaw assembly can be pivotally mounted.

Jaw holders and jaws for tongs are traditionally machined from a solid piece. This is a comparatively expensive procedure. The present invention proposes to make such parts from a stack of individually cut laminations.

Such methods and devices including a power tong with at least one jaw with at least one tubular gripping element having a smooth gripping surface (flat or curved) and, in one aspect, such an element which is flexible;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a tubular connection system according to the present invention. FIGS. 2B and 2C are perspective views of a casing tong of the system of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 5A shows schematically an initial position of elements of a tong system according to the present invention. FIG. 5B shows pre-loading on a pipe of the jaws of the system of FIG. 5A. FIG. 5C shows a tubular gripped with the system of FIG. 5A.

FIGS. 1A-1C show a typical prior art power tong that uses fixed jaws and a movable jaw to grip pipe for tubular disconnecting and connecting operations. An outer case houses a powered rotary to which the jaws are mounted. A cam surface of the rotary moves a movable (ACTIVE or MASTER) jaw into (and away from) gripping contact with a tubular, e.g. pipe. Each jaw has toothed gripping inserts to facilitate engagement with the surface of the tubular (see FIG. 1B). FIG. 1C shows the tong in an "OPEN" position in which the tubular is not gripped.

The tong shown in FIG. 1A is a Weatherford Model 14.5-50 High Torque Tong. The brochure "New ! Weatherford Model 14.5-50 High Torque Tong," (1991) and the manual entitled "Model 14.5-50 Hydraulic Power Tong Installation, Operation and Maintenance" (1993) are submitted herewith and incorporated herein fully by reference for all purposes. It is to be understood that the teachings of the present invention are applicable to any tong and any tong system that has one or more gripping elements or jaws and that the Model 14.5-50 tong is shown here for illustrative purposes and not by way of limitation of the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2A a system 10 according to the present invention includes a power tong 100 according to the present invention which is like the tong of FIG. 1A but which also includes a unique jaw system 110 with inserts 150 on fixed jaws 120 and insert 152 on movable jaw 122 and at least one jaw pre-load assembly like that shown in FIG. 5A. The system 10 includes a free floating backup tong 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, rods 112 are connected to the movable jaw 122. The inserts 150 are on fixed jaws 120 and the insert 152 is on a movable jaw 122 (corresponding to the fixed jaws and active jaw, respectively, of the tong of FIG. 1A).

FIGS. 4A-4G illustrate an alternative jaw mounting system in which holders are interposed between jaw bodies and inserts. The holders protect the jaws from damage if the inserts wear down and a variety of different types and/or sizes of inserts may be used with and interchanged on a single holder. In one aspect it is within the scope of this invention to use these holders to mount conventional toothed dies to a tong jaw and to use them for easy substitution of new and/or different dies.

FIG. 4A shows a jaw system 400 for a tong (like the tong of FIG. 2A) which has two fixed jaws 402 and a movable (movable toward and away from a tubular to be gripped 403) jaw 404. Each jaw 402 has a jaw body 405 with a holder 406 secured thereto. In one aspect dovetail keys 407 secured to the holder or releasably mounted thereto fit in corresponding slots 408 of the jaw bodies 405 to releasably mount the holder 406 to the body. In one aspect dovetail keys 409 releasably mount the holders 406 to jaw bodies 405. The dovetail keys 409 are releasably held in corresponding recesses 411 in the holders 406. One or more dovetail keys 409 may be used (two shown for each holder 406).

FIG. 5A shows a tong system 500 with a tong having a movable rotary 502, fixed jaws 504, 505, and a movable jaw 506 (remainder of tong, not shown, like the tong of FIG. 2A; like the tong of FIG. 1A, but with the added features discussed here). Pins 520 pin the fixed jaws to the rotary. Inserts 522 on the fixed jaws 504, 505 are like the inserts described herein for other fixed jaws. Insert 524 on the movable jaw 506 is like other inserts described herein for movable jaws. A pre-load cylinder 508 to assist in make-up is pivotably connected at one end to the fixed jaw 505 and at the other end to the movable jaw 506. A pre-load cylinder 510 to assist in break-out is pivotably connected at one end to the fixed jaw 504 and at the other end to the movable jaw 506. It is within the scope of this invention for the ends of cylinders connected to the fixed jaws to instead be secured to the rotary or to a support ring or other member that rotates with the rotary. It is within the scope of this invention to employ one cylinder interchangeable between the positions of the cylinders 508 and 510 (FIG. 5A) or one cylinder connectible to the fixed jaw 506 at one end for break-out and at the other end of the fixed jaw 506 for make-up with the other cylinder end secured to the rotary. Rollers 530 rotatably mounted on the movable jaw 506 co-act with cam surfaces 532 on the rotary 502 to move the jaw 506 to operative and inoperative positions.

Air in a line 640 selectively applied with a control system 650 (e.g. mounted on the rig floor, on the tong or remote controlled) selectively actuates the pump 630 to pump fluid through the valve 602 to the pre-load cylinders. The directional control valve 602 is either manually operated or operated by remote control. Correct fluid pressure is monitored with a gauge 651.

As shown in FIG. 5C the tubular 650 has been gripped due to the action of the pre-load cylinder 510 with a suitable pre-load force (e.g., but not limited to, about 500, 1000, 5000, 10000 or 50000 pounds of force). This force is sufficient that when the rotary 502 of the tong is rotated the jaws do not slip on the tubular 650; but the pre-load force is sufficiently low that the jaws do not mark or damage the tubular 650.

FIG. 8 shows schematically a top view of a power tong according to the present invention. A power tong T has an hydraulic motor M with control/monitor apparatus C on a tong case S. A movable jaw J is moved and rotated by a rotary R which is moved by interconnection, via appropriate gearing, by the motor M. Fixed jaws F and G are secured to the rotary R. A first pre-load cylinder D connects the movable jaw J to the fixed jaw G for applying a pre-load to the movable jaw for make-up operations. A second pre-load cylinder L connects the movable jaw J to the fixed jaw F for applying a pre-load to the movable jaw for break-out operations. An insert I (any insert disclosed herein) is secured to the movable jaw J and inserts K (any insert disclosed herein) are secured to the fixed jaws F and G.

FIG. 9 shows a tong jaw 450 according to the present invention with an insert 454 (any insert disclosed herein) and rods 452 secured thereto, e.g. by welding. The rods 452 provide a member to which either a cylinder body or a piston of a pre-load piston cylinder apparatus is connectible. Instead of the rods 452 as shown which extend from above the jaw 450 to a point below it, only rod sections may be used secured to one or both sides of the jaw to provide a securement member for an end of a pre-load apparatus.

According to the present invention a variety of apparatuses and devices may be employed to pre-load a tong jaw having one or more smooth faced gripping insert elements thereon. In one aspect a manually activated pre-load cylinder is used which has fluid or material manually introduced therein to apply a pre-load or manually removed therefrom to release a pre-load. In another aspect a pre-load cylinder is pivotably secured at one end to a rotary or part thereof and the other end is releasably connectible to either end of a movable jaw so that a pre-load may be applied, selectively, to either end of the movable jaw for make-up or break-out operations as desired. In one aspect such a pre-load cylinder has a rod with an end member receivable in and movable in a slot in the movable jaw or there are recesses at either end of the jaw for holding the end member of the rod so that a pre-load can be applied. A secondary small cylinder may be used to selectively move the pre-load cylinder in the jaw slot or it can be moved manually. In another embodiment the tong"s movable jaw has one or more upwardly projecting lugs engageable by a forked piston rod end of a pre-load piston/cylinder that is attached to the rotary. The rotary is rotated so that the jaw is cammed into the pipe to be rotated in a pre-load position and then the forked rod is removed for further tong operations.

In use, two or more jaw assemblies are placed in a tong and are disposed around a length of casing. The jaw assemblies 1001, 1001" are then advanced radially inwardly in the direction of arrows "A" (FIG. 12) until they engage and firmly grip the casing. Because of the flexible construction of the gripping arrangement 1007, the shims 1006 and the arcuate pad 1004, the friction layer 1009 substantially conforms to the circumference of the casing and grips the casing with a substantially uniform gripping action. Once the casing has been firmly gripped the jaws are rotated by the tong in the usual manner. It will be noted that circumferential forces applied to the friction layer are transmitted through the carrier plate 1008 so that any local loads caused, for example by an irregularity in the surface of the casing are redistributed by the carrier plate 1008 and transmitted to the jaw holder 1002 via the side flange 1011 and the arcuate pad 1004 (see FIG. 18).

Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19B of the drawings there is shown a conventional tong assembly which is generally identified by the reference numeral 2001.

The power tong 2002 comprises a pair of gates 2004, 2005 which are held together in the position shown by latch 2006. When the latch 2006 is released the gates 2004, 2005 can be swung open by admitting hydraulic fluid to piston and cylinder assemblies 2007 and 2008. The power tong 2002 also contains a rotary 2009 which is provided with four jaw assemblies 2010. The rotary 2009 can be rotated by a hydraulic motor 2011.

The backup tong 2003 is provided with two gates 2012, 2013 which are held together by latch 2014 but which, when latch 2014 is released can be swung to an open position.

Once the pin is correctly located the stabbing guide is removed. The gates 2004, 2005 of the power tong 2002 and the gates 2012, 2013 of the backup tong 3 are then opened and the tong assembly 2001 moved towards the casing until the lower length of casing lies within the backup tong 2003 and the upper length of casing lies within the power tong 2002. The gates 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013 are then closed and latched. Jaw assemblies in the backup tong are then advanced to engage the lower length of casing while jaw assemblies in the power tong 2002 are advanced to grip the upper length of casing. The hydraulic motor 2011 is then actuated to turn the rotary 2009 and rotate the upper length of casing relative to the lower length of casing. The tong assembly 2001 is supported by a pneumatic lifting cylinder 2015 which enables the power tong 2002 to move towards the backup tong 2003 as the pin enters the socket. Reaction forces are transmitted by columns 2016 disposed to either side of the tong assembly 2001 and by a series of levers in a known manner. It should be noted that the power tong 2002 is free to move in a plane parallel to the backup tong 2003 within certain limits.

The apparatus 2100 comprises a tong assembly 2101 which is generally similar to the tong assembly 2001 shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B and parts of the tong assembly 2101 similar to the tong assembly 2001 have been identified by similar reference numerals in the "2100" series.

Turning first to the guide 2117 it will be seen from FIG. 21B that this comprises four identical components 2118 which are bolted to the top of the power tong 2102. As best shown in FIG. 21C each component is tapered so as to guide the pin of an upper casing to the center of the opening of the power tong 2102.

Referring now to FIG. 22, the backup tong 2103 is provided with three prismatic jaw assemblies 2119a, 2119b, and 2119c which, when actuated, hold a lower length of casing 2120 in a fixed position relative to the backup tong 2103.

As shown in FIG. 23 the backup tong 2103 is provided with three upwardly extending locating rods 2121 which are each provided with a conical tip 2122. Similar, the underside of the power tong 2102 is provided with three blocks 2123 each of which is provided with a recess 2124 shaped to receive the conical tip 2122 of a respective locating rod 2121.

In use, the lower length of casing 2120 is first secured by slips on the rig floor in the usual manner. The gates 2112 and 2113 of the backup tong 2103 are then opened and the tong assembly 2101 moved into position with the backup tong 2103 circumjacent the lower length of casing 2120 and immediately below the socket 2125 thereof.

The gates 2112 and 2113 are then closed by hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies 2126 and 2127 and the latch 2114 closed. The prismatic jaw assembly 2119a is fixed while prismatic jaw assemblies 2119b and 2119c are automatically advanced by a predetermined distance when the latch 2114 is closed. This grips the lower length of casing firmly and also ensures that the backup tong 2003 is in a fixed position relative to the lower length of casing 2120. The position thus far attained is shown in FIG. 23.

At this time pneumatic lifting cylinder 2115 is extended which lowers the backup tong 2003. The conical tips 2122 of the locating rods 2121 enter the recesses 2124 of the blocks 2123 and thus locate the power tong 2002 with respect to the backup tong 2003. This in turn locates the guide 2117 with respect to the lower length of casing 2120 so that the center of the guide 2117 is coaxial with the axis of the lower length of casing 2120. This position is shown in FIG. 24.

The power tong 2102 is then raised so that the blocks 2123 are well clear of the locating rods 2121. At this point the jaw assemblies in the power tong 2102 are applied to the upper length of casing 2128 and the hydraulic motor 2111 actuated to rotate the rotary and screw the pin 2129 into the socket 2125. During the procedure the power tong 2102 moves towards the backup tong 2103. However, even when the joint is tightened to the required torque the blocks 2123 still lie a short distance above the conical tips 2122 of the locating rods 2121.

At this stage the jaw assemblies of both the power tong 2102 and the backup tong 2103 are relaxed, the gates 2104, 2105, 2112 and 2113 opened and the tong assembly 2101 retracted in preparation for the casing being lowered. It will be noted that one component 2118 of the guide 2117 is mounted on each of the gates 2104, 2105 and accordingly the guide 2117 opens and closes with the gates 2104, 2105.

For certain applications a backup tong is not required, for example where the power tong can conveniently be restrained by a chain attached to the drilling tower.

The apparatus 2200 comprises a power tong 2202 which is generally similar to the power tong 2002. The basic construction of the power tong 2202 is similar to the power tong 2002 and parts having similar functions have been identified by the same reference numeral in the "2200" series.

The main differences are that the apparatus 2200 does not include a backup tong and that it is provided with a guide 2217 and a socket centralizer 2230.

In use, the lower length of casing 2220 is first secured by slips (not shown) with the socket 2225 facing upwardly close to the slips. The power tong 2202 is then lowered onto the socket 2225 so that the socket 2225 enters the socket centralizer 2230 and aligns the socket centralizer 2230, the socket 2225 and the guide 2217. The upper length of casing 2228 is then lowered so that its pin 2229 enters the guide 2217, is center there by and enters the socket 2225. At this point power tong 2202 is raised. Its jaw assemblies are then advanced to grip the upper length of casing 2228 which is then rotated to screw the pin 2229 into the socket 2225. Once the joint is tightened to the required torque the gates 2204, 2205 are opened and the power tong 2202 withdrawn.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 29 is generally similar to that shown in FIG. 28 except that the apparatus 2300 also includes a backup tong 2303. Since the upper length of casing 2328 and the lower length of casing 2320 are being aligned by the guide 2317 and the socket centralizer 2330 no special arrangements need be made for aligning the power tong 2302 and the backup tong 2303.

The procedure for connecting the upper length of casing 2328 to the lower length of casing 2320 is as follows. First, the lower length of casing 2320 is secured in slip (not shown). The gates 2312, 2313 of the backup tong are then opened and the apparatus 2300 maneuvered so that the lower length of casing 2320 is disposed within the backup tong 2303. The power tong 2302 is then lowered until the socket 2325 on the lower length of casing 2320 is received within the socket centralizer 2330. The upper length of casing 2328 is then lowered until the pin 2329 passes through guide 2317 and enters the socket 2328. Only at this stage are gates 2312, 2313 closed and the jaw assemblies of the backup tong 2303 activated to grip the lower length of casing 2320. The power tong 2302 is then raised and its jaw assemblies activated to grip the upper length of casing 2328 which is then rotated to cause the pin 2329 to enter the socket 2325 and the joint to be tightened to the desired torque. The jaw assemblies are then relaxed and the gates 2304, 2305, 2312, 2313 of the power tong 2302 and the backup tong 2303 opened prior to retracting the apparatus 2300.

Various modifications to the embodiments described are envisaged, for example, if desired, the guide and the socket centralizer could be mounted on the backup tong 2303 rather than the power tong 2302. Alternatively, the guide could be mounted on the backup tong without a socket centralizer. Such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 30.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 30 is generally similar to that shown in FIG. 19a and 19b and parts of the tong assembly 2401 similar to the tong assembly 2001 have been identified by similar reference numerals in the "2400" series. One difference is that the top of the backup tong 2403 is provided with a guide 2417.

In use, the lower length of casing 2420 is first secured by stops 2431 on the rig floor in the usual manner. The gates 2412 and 2413 of the backup tong 2403 are then opened. Since two of the four components 2418 of the guide 2417 are mounted on the gates 2412 and 2413 the guide 2417 opens with the gates 2412 and 2413 so that the lower length of casing 2420 can enter the backup tong 2403 when the carriage 2432 which supports the apparatus 2400 is advanced towards the casing 2420 on rails 2433. When the lower length of casing 2420 is fully within the backup tong 2403 the gates 2412 and 2413 are closed. The components 2418 of the guide 2417 have a stepped interior (not visible in FIG. 30) so that the lower part of each component 2418 touches the socket on the top of the lower length of casing 2420 whilst the upper part of the interior of each component 2418 tapers inwardly to form a funnel. Once the lower length of casing 2420 has been gripped the upper length of casing 2428 is lowered through the power tong 2402 towards the lower length of casing 2420. The guide 2417 guides the pin on the bottom of the upper length of casing 2428 into the socket. The power tong 2402 is disposed a small distance above the guide 2417. Once the pin of the upper length of casing 2428 has entered the socket on the lower length of casing the jaws of the power tong 2402 are applied to the upper length of casing 2428 which is rotated until the joint reaches the desired torque.

Referring now to FIG. 38, the rotary 3100 is shown fitted in a tong 3116. As shown in FIG. 39 and 40, the rotary 3100 is formed as a one piece casting which comprises a top section 3117, a bottom section 3118, and a peripheral wall 3119 on which is formed a toothed track 3120. Both the top section 3117 and the bottom section 3118 are provided with an elongate slot 3121, 3122 respectively. Each elongate slot 3121, 3122 has its center of curvature on the center of rotation of the rotary 3100.

As can be seen in FIG. 38 and FIGS. 31 to 37, the sides of the rotary 3100 are provided with cams 3128, 3129, 3130 and 3131 which are screwed to the rotary 3100. The rotary 3100 is located in the tong 3116 by nine guide rolls 3132, five of which are visible in FIG. 38. The guide rolls 3132 each have an upper and a lower roller which bears against the peripheral wall 3119 of the rotary 3100 above and below the toothed track 3120 respectively.

Manufacturer of oil well casing hydraulic power tongs. Provides make-up and break-out capabilities when running casing tubular in the drill hole. Available from 5 1/2 to 36 in. capacity and 15,000 up to 2,00,000 ft·lb torque. Offered with self aligning throat, speed shifting and radial lock door. Suitable for handling high torque and lightweight casing. Secondary services include assembly, engineering, welding, cutting, heat treating, machining, testing and inspection. Serves oil and gas industries. CE certified. Made in the USA.

The 9-5/8” power tong with Rineer GA15-13 two-speed hydraulic motor, motor valve, lift cylinder valve, rigid sling, FARR® hydraulic backup, configured for compression load cell.

Power tongs are an essential tool in the drilling industry and are used to make up, break out, apply torque and to grip the tubular components. We are distributors for both Starr Power Tongs and McCoy Global hydraulic power tongs in multiple sizes and torque ranges from high torque to low torque that can be used to run both casing, drill pipe and tubing. When determining which power tong is best for your project, you will want to select the power tong that best fits your tubular size ranges and torque required.

All of our power tongs are available with either the McCoy\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"s patented WinCatt data acquisition software recently updated to the MTT systems or AllTorque\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"s computer monitoring system for all the torque and turn control system needed in today\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"s market for the making of tubular connections. Discover our wide selection of McCoy and Starr casing tongs, tubing tongs and power tongs for sale below!

The present invention relates to tools used in the oil and gas drilling industry, such as power tongs, to grip and apply torque to drill pipe and other tubular members. More particularly, the present invention relates to the jaw members of the power tong and an improved structure for such jaw members.

The use of power tongs to make up and break apart threaded connections on drill pipe and similar tubulars is well known in the oil and gas industry. Typically the power tong will have at least two jaw members which ride on cam surfaces in order to bring the jaws into and out of contact with the tubular. An example of this camming mechanism is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,213 to David A. Buck, which is incorporated by reference herein. The jaw members themselves have also been the subject of inventive effort as evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,709,599, 4,649,777 and U.S. application Ser. No. 08/805,442, filed on Feb. 25, 1997, all to David A. Buck and all incorporated by reference herein. The jaw members typically will have roughened or knurled gripping surface which will allow the jaw members to superficially penetrate or "bite" into the outer surface of a tubular and thereby securely grip the tubular.

Generally, the jaw members are mounted between upper and lower cage plates which may rotate within the body of the power tongs. The jaw members mounting in the cage plates allows the jaw members may move radially toward and away from the tubular in order to selectively engage and disengage the tubular. As explained in more detail below, this radial movement is effected by rollers on the jaw members traveling along cam surfaces positioned on a ring gear. Applying torque to the ring gear will urge the rollers or cam followers of the jaw members up the cam surfaces so that the jaw members close on the tubular. The power tong is structured so that initial rotation of the ring gear causes the jaw members to exert radial force on the tubular, but the jaw members do not initially transfer torque to the tubular. However, continued rotation of the ring gear will begin to impart both an increasing radial force and torque to the tubular.

Therefore the present invention provides an improved power tong jaw having a jaw body with a roller aperture formed therein. A jaw roller is positioned in said roller aperture by some type of retaining surface, such as a roller pin. Additionally, a friction reducing surface is formed between the jaw roller and the jaw pin. In one embodiment, this friction reducing surface comprises a plurality of needle bearings.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a conventional power tong with the cover plate and upper cage plated removed in order to show the power tong"s main internal components.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a prior art power tong 1 such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,213 to David A. Buck, which is incorporated by reference herein. FIG. 1 illustrates tong 1 with the top cover plate and top cage plate removed exposing to view ring gear 5, lower cage plate 7 and jaw members 10. Jaw members 10 are positioned between lower cage plate 7 and an upper cage plate (not shown). Jaw members 10 are also positioned in slots which are formed in the upper and lower cage plates such that jaw members 10 may move radially toward and away from tubular 8. As seen in FIG. 2, conventional jaw member 10 will have a jaw body 11 and a die 14 which will provide the surface actually engaging the tubular 8. Die 14 will attach to the front of jaw body 11 and be held in place when die clips 15 are attached to jaw body 11 by way of conventional screws (not shown) engaging clip apertures 16. The rear of jaw body 11 will have a roller aperture (not seen in FIG. 2, but similar aperture 23 seen in FIG. 4) which receives roller 12 such that roller 12 may be pivotally held in place by jaw pin 13. As suggested by FIG. 1, jaw member 10 is positioned in power tong 1 such that jaw roller 12 may engage cam surfaces 4 and 6. Ring gear 5 is mounted in the body 2 of power tong 1 on ring gear rollers 3 such that ring gear 5 may rotate relative to both the tong body 2 and the cage plates. Relative movement between ring gear 5 and the cage plates causes rollers 12 of jaw members 10 to ride onto positive cam surface 6 or neutral cam surface 4 and engage or disengage tubular 8. FIG. 1 illustrates the relative movement between cage plate 7 and ring gear 5 as having moved jaw members 10 on to positive cam surface 6 and into engagement with tubular 8. Generally a friction causing brake band (not shown) will hold the cage plates stationary as ring gear 5 begins its initial rotation. This allows jaw members 10 to ride onto positive cam surface 6 and engage tubular 8 without torque being applied to jaw members 10 and hence without torque being applied to tubular 8. As jaw members 10 travel further on cam surface 6, jaw members 10 tend to become, in effect, wedged between tubular 8 and cam surface 6. This produces the radial load on tubular 8 and imparts torque to the cage plates through jaw members 10. Continued rotation of ring gear 5 will eventually generate sufficient torque for the cage plates to overcome the frictional resistance of the brake band. At this point, the cage plates and ring gear 5 rotate together and torque will begin to be applied to tubular 8. The continued rotation of ring gear 5 not only supplies torque to jaw members 10, but also produces additional radial force against tubular 8. In order to prevent slipping between tubular 8 and jaw members 10, it is important that the radial force be sufficient to securely grip tubular 8 prior to significant torque being applied to jaw members 10. When tubular 8 is a comparatively small tubular, preventing slippage becomes even more difficult since small tubulars present less surface area to be gripped. Therefore it is advantageous to eliminate any unnecessary frictional forces that tend to prevent torque from producing a corresponding radial load on jaw members 10. As mentioned above, one source of friction are the rollers 12 of jaw members 10. Therefore the present invention provides a jaw member that substantially reduces the frictional forces caused by rollers 12.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate further alternate embodiments wherein roller retaining surface 35 comprises a structure other than a jaw pin 36. FIG. 7 shows a jaw member 20 having a jaw body 21 and a roller aperture 23 with open sidewalls 47. Roller aperture 23 is sized to have a diameter just slightly larger than jaw roller 22. Therefore when jaw roller 22 is inserted in jaw aperture 23, jaw roller 22 will be able to rotate within jaw aperture 23. Since roller aperture 23 does not completely inclose jaw roller 22, a section of jaw roller 22 will extend beyond open sidewalls 47 such that jaw roller 22 will be able to contact the cam surface of the power tongs. As seen in FIG. 7, sidewalls 47 will form in this embodiment the retaining surface 35 which holds jaw roller 22 within roller aperture 23. The inner walls of roller aperture 23 will form a contacting surface 46 against which jaw roller 22 will rotate. In this embodiment, a friction reducing surface 31, such as the Teflon® materials described above, is formed on jaw roller 22 such that jaw roller 22 may rotate against contacting surface 46 with a reduced frictional resistance. Alternatively, the friction reducing surface 31 could be formed on contacting surface 46 or even on both jaw roller 22 and contacting surface 46. Jaw member 20 will also include retainer plates 45 which will secure jaw roller 22 from vertical movement in roller aperture 23. The bearing structure shown in FIG. 7 is generally referred to in the art as a "journal bearing".

In operation, a jaw roller 22 will be positioned in roller aperture 23 of the jaw member 20 illustrated in FIGS. 8-10. When roller 22 moves along the cam surface of the power tongs, it will rotate causing the ball bearings 50 in the shallow bearing groove 52 to move along the length of shallow bearing groove 52. As ball bearings 50 enter into curved section 55, circulating channel 51 will transition into deep bearing groove 53. It is preferable that ball bearings 50 move below the surface of aperture wall 54 prior to beginning movement in a vertical direction in curved section 55. Otherwise ball bearings 50 will not be able to roll horizontally and will present a less efficient friction reducing surface. Ball bearings 50 will circulate in the sense that jaw roller 22 is forcibly rolling ball bearings 50 toward one end of shallow bearing groove 52. As ball bearings 50 exit that end of shallow bearing groove 52 and enter in deep bearing groove 53, these ball bearings 50 will force ball bearings 50 in their front to travel along deep bearing groove 53 and enter shallow bearing groove 52 at its opposite end. In this manner, the rotation of jaw member 22 will cause a continuous circulation of ball bearings 50 between shallow bearing groove 52 and deep bearing groove 53.

Nor is the scope of the present invention limited to the specific embodiments illustrated above. Friction reducing surface 31 is intended to include all manner of mechanisms for reducing friction between jaw pin 36 and jaw roller 22. For example, if a proper seal is placed between jaw pin 36 and jaw roller 22, it is envisioned that a viscous liquid could serve as a friction reducing surface 31. All such modifications are considered within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize the significant advantages gained by reducing the friction forces acting on the jaw members of a power tong. For example, applicant has found that the present invention requires significantly less torque to achieve the same radial load as compared to prior art jaws. Applicant achieved these results by employing the present invention in a power tong similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 08/806,074 to David A. Buck, which is incorporated by reference herein. The power tong in question was a 51/2 inch model tool (i.e., capable of gripping tubulars up to 51/2 inches in diameter) and the test was performed on a 31/2 inch tubular. When the prior art jaw assembly having no friction reducing surface was used in the power tong, a radial load of 40,000 lbs was transmitted to the tubular after the power tong had generate 4000 ft-lbs of torque on the tubular. By contrast, when a jaw as seen in FIG. 3 was used under the same conditions, a radial load of 40,000 lbs was transmitted to the tubular by the power tong generating only 1200 ft-lbs of torque. By way of explanation, it will be understood that it is the friction of the brake band which causes the radial loads given above to significantly exceed the torque loads. The torque load represents the amount of torque transferred to the tubular. However, no torque load is placed on the tubular until after the power tong generates enough torque to exceed the frictional resistance of the brake band. On the other hand, the radial load is being placed on the tubular as soon as the jaw members engage the tubular. This radial load increases on the tubular before the frictional resistance of the brake band is overcome and the radial load continues to increase after the bake band is overcome. Therefore, typically the radial load is relatively large as compared to the torque load placed on the tubular.

14. Buyer’s Responsibility. Upon the Agent"s declaration of an item as "Sold" and Buyer’s full payment, title to the offered lot shall pass to the Buyer, who shall forthwith assume full risk and responsibility for the lot. Dependent upon the Item(s) value, Buyer may consider taking steps to have the Item(s) insured as of such transfer of title Buyer is solely responsible to provide any personnel, equipment or material needed to pick up items purchased and shall assume all responsibility for the removal of any item purchased at the sale and any and all risks associated with such removal including, without limitation, the responsibility for providing licensed, qualified and bonded professionals to ensure proper water, gas and/or power disconnection, and to leave the Sale Site in a safe condition, undamaged by the removal process. Agent retains the right to prohibit and stop the ongoing removal of any item, by a Buyer, which Agent, at its’ sole discretion, determines is not being removed in a professional and reasonable manner.