Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Machine
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-26
2001-11-20
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Machine
C081S057160, C081S057240
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318214
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to power tong assemblies used to grip drill pipe and other similar tubular members. More particularly, this invention relates an apparatus that can safely and effectively position a power tong assembly for engagement with tubular members.
2. Prior Art
Pipe tongs are often employed in the oil and gas industry to break apart or tighten together threaded tubular member connections. It is generally required that one set of pipe tongs grip and rotate one section of tubular member and one set of pipe tongs grip and hold stationary the other section of tubular member. Modem drilling operations usually employed powered pipe tongs, or power tongs. The first tong rotating the tubular member is referred to as the power tong, while the second tong holding the tubular member stationary is referred to as, the back-up power tong. Suitable power tongs can include devices such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,671,961, 5,819,604, and 5,702,139 to Buck, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Presently, when power tong assemblies are placed into operation, they are suspended from cables as shown in FIG.
1
. When lengths of tubular members are joined (“made-up”) or disconnected (“broken”), a power tong
3
engages and grips a first tubular member
1
and a back-up power tong
4
engages and grips a lower tubular member
2
. As power tong
3
grips and rotates upper tubular member
1
and back-up power tong
4
grips and holds stationary lower tubular member
2
, upper tubular member
1
is either forced toward or away from lower tubular member
2
by action of the corresponding threads on tubular members
1
,
2
.
Often when running larger diameter tubulars, a power tong may be used without a back-up power tong. In such an operation, the power tong is suspended from a cable similar to that shown in FIG.
1
. To prevent rotation of the power tong and to hold the power tong in position horizontally, one or more cables may be anchored onto the drilling rig itself and connect to the power tong. This type of operation can be dangerous should one of the supporting cable break during operation.
Power tongs are bulky and heavy tools, with larger tongs weighing as much as 2,300 pounds and even smaller tongs weighing 1,500 to 1,800 pounds. Because of the size and bulk, three or more operators may be needed to position the power tong so that the tongs can grip the tubular members. Because the tongs are suspended from cables, they may swing freely and could potentially strike the nearby operators if not properly handled. What is needed in the art is a device that can reduce the number of operators required to effectively handle the power tong, while at the same time addressing the safety concerns associated with suspending the power tong from cables.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
With the aforementioned considerations in mind, it is therefore an object of this invention to provide a positioning assembly for power tongs that eliminates the need for numerous operators to position the power tongs around the drill pipe.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a positioning assembly for power tong that eliminates the need to suspend the power tongs from a cable.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a safe and economical method for making up and breaking tubular member joints during drilling operations.
These and other advantages and objects of this invention shall become apparent from the ensuing description of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention disclosed herein is a power tong positioning apparatus positionable on the surface of drilling rig deck and attachable to at least one power tong. The power tong support is adapted to position at least one power tong so that it may engage said tubular member. The power tong positioning apparatus includes a frame, a base movably positioned on the frame, and a power tong support attached to the base and movably attachable to at least one power tong.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3803953 (1974-04-01), Geczy et al.
patent: 4202225 (1980-05-01), Sheldon et al.
patent: 4643259 (1987-02-01), Zeringue, Jr.
patent: 5390568 (1995-02-01), Pietras
patent: 5664310 (1997-09-01), Penisson
patent: 5667026 (1997-09-01), Lorenz et al.
patent: 6142041 (2000-11-01), Buck
Hail III Joseph J.
Jones, Walker, Weachter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre, LLP
Thomas David B.
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