US3277750A

US3277750A - Pipe spinner

Info

Publication number: US3277750A
Application number: US366943A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jesse S Montgomery
Original assignee: MONTGOMERY DRILLING CO
Current assignee: MONTGOMERY DRILLING CO
Priority date: 1964-05-13
Filing date: 1964-05-13
Publication date: 1966-10-11
Anticipated expiration: 1983-10-11

Description

Oct. 11, 1966 J. S.'MONTGQMERY 3,

PIPE SPINNER Filed May 13, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Jesse 8. Montgomery MM J mm ATTORNEY Oct. 11, 1966 J. s. MONTGOMERY 3,277,750

PIPE SPINNER Filed May 13, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet B INVENTOR. Jesse 8. Montgomery BY 44% J W ATTORNEY United States Patent apartnership Filed May 13, 1964, Ser. No. 366,943 9 Claims. (Cl. 81-57) This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for making and breaking threaded joints and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a pipe spinner for use in the screwing and unscrewing of threaded drill pipe, drill rods, or the like, in the drilling or servicing of Well bores.

As is well known, drill pipe sections must be added to a drill string during a well drilling operation as the depth of the well bore increases. As a result, there are many threaded, joints which must be connected during the drilling operation. Conversely, it is frequently necessary to remove the drill pipe from the well bore and each pipe section must be unthreaded or unscrewed from the adjacent section as the string is pulled from the bore. The initial spinning up or threading of a pipe joint is usually accomplished manually through the use of a spinning line or spinig cable to make up the joint to an initial tightness, subsequent to which more powerful means may be used for completing the make up of the joint. These spining lines have certain disadvantages in that not only is it time consuming but it can oftentimes be very dangerous or hazardous to the personnel.

The present invention contemplates a pipe spinner apparatus particularly designed and constructed for eliminating the necessity of a spinning cable, or the like. The novel pipe spinner comprises an outer housing supporting an inner rotatable body having -a gripper element adapted to engage the outer periphery of the pipe section, or the like. A power means such as a motor is carried by the outer housing for rotation of the inner housing for quickly spinning the pipe to thread or unthread the pipe joint. The outer housing may be secured to a derrick structure in a manner whereby the apparatus may be quickly and easily disposed over the upper end of the uppermost drill pipe section and may be easily moved to an out of the way position when not in use. The gripper member is particularly designed for protection of the outer periphery of the pipe section and will slip around the pipe when suflicient tightness in the threaded joint has been achieved. The gripper element will also slip along the surface of the pipe in the event the threads become cross threaded thus substantially eliminatin damage to the threads.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a novel pipe spinner for facilitating the making up or break-ingout of a threaded joint.

It is another object of this invent-ion to provide a 3,277,750 Patented Oct. 11, 1966 in connection with a detailed description of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional elevational view of a pipe spinner embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of a portion of a well derrick having a pipe spinner embodying the invention secured thereto and engaging a drill string.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional elevational View of a modified pipe spinner embodying the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to FIGURE 1, reference character 10 generally indicates a pipe spinner comprising an outer housing 12 and a rotatable inner housing 14. The housing 12 may be of substantially any desired configuration and .as depicted herein is cylindrical and provided with one open end 1 5 and an opening 16 at the opposite end thereof. A cover 18 is removable secured to the opening 16 in any well known manner such as by a plurality of spaced bolts 20. A suitable reversing motor 22 is carried by the cover 20 and extends innto the interior of the housing 12 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The rotor 22 may be of any well-known type such as an air motor, a hydraulic motor, or an electric motor, if desired.

The inner housing 14 is preferably substantially concentrically disposed within the housing 12 to provide an annular chamber 23 therebetween. The housing 14 may be rotatably supported within the housing 12 in any suitable manner and as depicted in FIGURE 1, an inwardly directed circumferential shoulder 24 is provided on the inner periphery of the outer housing 12 for supporting a suitable bearing 26 which in turn supports an outwardly directed circumferential shoulder 28 provided on the outer periphery of the inner housing 14. In this manner the inner housing 14 may be freely rotated with respect to the outer housing 12 in a manner as will be hereinafter set forth.. A suitable rotary seal 30 is novel pipe spinning apparatus which may be quickly and easily disposed over a pipe section for the threading or unthreading of a pipe joint.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel pipe spinner having a gripping element for engaging a tubular member in a manner substantially precluding damage thereto.

A further object of this invent-ion is to provide a novel pipe spinner for the making up or breaking out of a threaded joint in a manner for eliminating the necessity of spinning lines, or the like.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a novel pipe spinner which is simple and efficient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Other and further objects and advantages features of the present invention will hereinafter more fully appear spaced from the shoulder 24 and, as viewed in FIGURE 1, cooperates with

complementary shoulders

32 and 34 provided on the outer housing 12 and inner housing 14, respectively, for sealing the lower end of the chamber 23.

The housing 14 as shown herein is preferably substantially cylindrical and is provided with one open end 36 for disposition over a drill pipe section 38 therethrough in a manner and for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The opposite end 40 of the housing 14 is preferably closed to provide a stop for limiting the movement of the device 10 in one direction with respect to the pipe 40. A yielding or flexible bladder or gripping element 42 is provided on the inner periphery of the housing 14 and may be secured therein in any well known manner such as by a plurality of upper bolt or stud members 44 and lower stud members 46. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 48 may be provided in the side walls of the housing 14 for admitting a fluid or pressure behind or into engagement with the gripping element 42. Replaceable segments (not shown) may be provided on the inner periphery of the gripping element 42 in any well konwn manner for facilitating the gripping of the outer periphery of the pipe 38 if desired.

A suitable ring gear 50 may be secured to the upper end 40 of the inner housing 14 in any well known manner .such as by a plurality of spaced, studs 52. A beveled A suitable fitting 58 is provided in the housing 12 to provide connection between the chamber 23 and a source of power fluid (not shown) whereby a fluid, such as air or hydraulic fluid may be admitted into a chamber 23. Pressure in the chamber 23 is transmitted through the bores or apertures 48 for acting against the outer periphery of the gripping element 42 for urging the gripper member 42 radially inwardly into a tight engagement with the outer periphery of the pipe 38. Conversely, withdrawal of fluid from the chamber 23 reduces the pressure against the outer periphery of the gripper element 42 whereby the element 42 will move radially outwardly for releasing the engagement with the pipe 38. It will be apparent that mechanical means such as fluid operated cylinders (not shown) may be utilized to provide for radial contraction and expansion of the gripper element 42 if desired. The fluid operated cylinders thus used may be provided with spring means (not shown) for retract ing the cylinders to retract the boot or gripper element 42 when it is desired to release the engagement of the pipe 38. Of course, the fluid operated cylinders would be actuated by the fluid pressure in the chamber 23. In addition, the lower end of the chamber 23 is sealed by the rotary seal 30 for precluding leakage of fluid therefrom.

The outer housing 12 is stationary with respect to the inner housing 14 and may be secured to a derrick structure 58 (FIGURE 2) in any suitable manner. As depicted herein, an outwardly expanding apertured flange 60 is provided On the outer periphery of the housing 12 for securing the housing 12 to a pair of mutually angularly disposed

arms

62 and 64. The

arms

62 and 64 are preferably pivotal-1y secured in any well known manner (not shown) between the derrick structure 58 and the pipe spinner whereby the entire apparatus 10 may be pivoted to an out of the way position as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 2 when not in use.

OPERATION During the drilling of a well bore, or the like, as the depth of the bore increases and it becomes necessary to add sections of drill pipe to the drill string, the

arms

62 and 64 may be actuated to permit the pipe spinner 10 to be swung in a substantially clockwise direction from the out of the way position shown in dotted lines in FIG- URE 2 to a position over the upper end of the uppermost pipe 38 as shown in solid lines. The upper end of the pipe extends through the inner housing 14 and the downward movement of the housing 14 with; respect to the pipe 38 is limited by the engagement of the closed end 40 with the upper end of the pipe section. Fluid pressure may then be admitted from any suitable source (not shown) through the fitting 58 for pressurizing the chamher 23 and urging the gripping element or boot 42 radially inwardly, as shown in FIGURE 1, and into gripping engagement with the outer periphery of the pipe 38. The motor 22 may then be actuated for rotating the housing .14 in a right hand direction or the desired direction for spinning up or making up the threaded joint between the uppermost pipe section and the 'adjacent pipe section therebelow. When the threaded joint has become sufliciently tightened, the pressure in the chamber 23 may be relieved for permitting radially outward expansion of the gripping element 42. This releases the gripping engagement between the element 42 and the outer periphery of the pipe 38 and the apparatus 10 may be pivoted in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 2 to the out of the way position. If desired, the threaded joint may be further tightened by use of the usual power tongs, or the like (not shown).

As hereinbefore set forth, fluid actuated cylinders or pistons may be provided in the housing 14 acting against the outer periphery of the boot 42 in order to provide the radial inward and outward movement of the boot. In this event, the pressure provided in the chamber 23 could be utilized for actuation of the cylinders for radially inward movement of the gripping boot 42 and release of the pressure in the chamber 23, being transmitted to the cylinders, would permit the cylinders to move the boot 42 radially outwardly. Of course, spring means (not shown) may also be utilized in conjunction with the cylinders as is well known for facilitating retraction of the cylinders for moving the boot 42 radially outwardly to a disengaged position with respect to the pipe.

It will be apparent that rotation of the inner housing 14 may be reversed by reversal of the motor 22 when it is desired to unthread or break out a pipe joint as opposed to the threading or making up thereof. In addition, in the event the threads of the pipe joint become cross threaded, or the like, during the making up of the connection, the gripper element will slip on the outer periphery of the pipe, thus substantially eliminating damage to the threads.

MODIFICATION Referring now to FIGURE 3, a modified form of the invention is generally indicated at 70, and comprises a stationary outer housing 72 similar to the housing 12 having a rotatable inner housing 74 concentrically disposed therein. The inner housing 74 may be rotatably supported within the outer housing 72 in any suitable manner and as depicted herein a pair of spaced shoulders 76 and 78 are provided on the inner periphery of the housing 72 for supporting

suitable bearings

80 and 82, respectively, which in turn support outwardly directed

shoulders

84 and 86 provided on the outer periphery of the inner housing 74.

The lower end 88 of the housing 72 is preferably open and the opposite end thereof may be closed by a suitable cover 90 removably secured thereto in any well known manner, such as by a plurality of spaced studs 92. A suitable reversing motor 94 is carried by the cover 90 and etxends into the housing 72 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. In addition, the housing 72 may be secured to or carried by the

arms

62 and 64 as hereinbefore set forth in the first embodiment of the invention.

The lower end 96 of the inner housing 74 is open for receiving the pipe section 38 therein and a radially expandable and contractible boot or gripping element 98 generally similar to the gripper element 42 may be secured to the inner periphery of the inner housing 74 in any well known manner such as by a plurality of bolts 100. The upper end 102 of the housing 74 is preferably closed as clearly shown in FIGURE 3 and is provided with a plurality of radially extending internal passageways 104. It will be apparent that the end 102 may be closed by a separate cover element (not shown) removably secured to the housing 74, if desired. The passageway 104 extends into connection with the longitudinally extending passageway 106 provided in the side walls of the housing 104and the passageway 106 terminates in an angular portion 108 extending into communication with the outer periphery of the boot 98. A suitable rotary seal element or device 110 is disposed within a central bore 112 provided in the end wall 102 for providing con nection of fluid from an upwardly extending conduit 114 to the radial passageway 104 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The conduit 114 extends outward -ly through a bore 116 provided in the cover 90 and into connection with a suitable source of pressure fluid (not shown). It is to be noted that fluid conduits (not shown) may be carried by. the housing 74 in lieu of the

passageways

104, 106 and 108 for conducting fluid pressure from the rotary seal to the outer periphery of the gripping element 98.

A ring gear 118' generally similar to the ring gear 52 is removably secured to the upper end 102 of the housing 74 in any suitable manner such as by the spaced bolts 120 and cooperates with a beveled gear 122 carried by the drive shaft 124 of the motor 94 for transmitting rotation to the inner housing 74.

The operation of the modified pipe spinner 70 is similar to that of the spinner and when the device 70 is disposed over the upper end of the pipe section 38, fluid pressure may be applied through the conduit 144 and to the rotary seal 110. The rotary seal disperses the pressure fluid through the radial passageways 104 and to the passageways 106 for discharge behind or against the outer periphery of the gripper element 98. This pressure causes a radially inward movement of the boot 98 into a gripping engagement with the pipe 38. Actuation of the motor 94 in one direction transmits rotation to the housing 74 for spinning up the threaded joint between the two adjacent pipe sections and of course actuation of the motor 94 in an opposite direction will provide a reverse action for the housing 74 for breaking out or -unthreading of the joint when desired.

From the foregoing it will be aparent that the present invention provides a novel pipe spinner designed and constructed for facilitating the making up and breaking of threaded joints in a manner eliminating the usual spinning line or cable. The novel pipe spinner may be quickly disposed over the upper end of a pipe section and the gripper element may be radially expanded inwardly for gripping the outer periphery of the pipe. The inner housing may then be rotated for either threading or unthreading of the pipe joint, as desired. Subsequent to the threading or unthreading operation, the pipe spinner may be moved to an out of the way position until it is to be used again.

Changes maybe made in the combination and arrangement of parts :as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A pipe spinner comprising first housing means, second housing means having an open end and a closed end and being rotatably supported by said first housing means, means provided for rotating said second housing, and gripping means carried by said second housing operable for engaging the outer periphery of a tubular member for spinning thereof during rotation of the second housing and in both directions of rotation of said second housing.

2. A pipe spinner comprising first housing means, second housing means rotatably supported within said first housing means, a power source for providing rotation to said second housing means, flexible gripping means carried by said second housing means and operable to alternate extended and retracted positions for alternate engagement and disengagement with the outer periphery of a tubular member, and means for directing a pressure force against the gripping means to provide said engaged position thereof with the tubular member for rotation of the tubular member during rotation of the second housing means.

3. A pipe spinner comprising a first housing, a second housing having a closed end and an open end and being substantially concentrically disposed Within said first housing, means cooperating between said first and second housings whereby said second housing may be rotated with respect to said first housing, a reversing motor carried by said first housing, means cooperating between the motor and the second housing for transmitting rotation to the second housing, pipe gripping means carried by the second housing and operable to alternate extended and retracted positions, means for applying fluid pressure to said gripping means to provide said extended and retracted positions therefor, and said gripping means engageable with a tubular member in the extended position thereof for rotating the tubular membed simultaneously with the second housing and in both directions of rotation of said motor and second housing.

4. A pipe spinner comprising a stationary outer housing, an inner housing having an open end and a closed end and being rotatably disposed within the outer housing, a reversing motor carried by the outer housing, gear means cooperating between the motor and the inner housing for transmitting rotation to the inner housing, a contractable and expandable gripping member secured to the inner periphery of said inner housing and rotatable simultaneously therewith, means for directing fluid to and withdrawing fluid from the gripping member to provide alternate contracted and expanded positions therefor, and said gripping member in said expanded position engageable wit-h a pipe for rotation of the pipe simultaneously with the inner housing and in both directions of rotation of said inner housing.

'5. A pipe spinner comprising a stationary outer housing, a rotatable inner housing concentrically disposed within said outer housing to provide an annular pressure chamber therebetween, said inner housing having one end thereof open for receiving a pipe therethrough, a reversing motor carried by the outer housing, gear means cooperating between the inner housing and motor to transmit rotation to the inner housing, a flexible gripping member secured to the inner periphery of the inner housing and rotatable therewith, means providing communication between the outer periphery of the gripping member and the pressure chamber, means for directing fluid into the pressure chamber and relieving the pressure therefrom, said gripping member responsive to increased fluid pressure for expanding radially inward into engagement with the pipe for rotating the pipe simultaneously with the inner housing and responsive to relief of pressure for contracting radially outward to release the engagement with the pipe.

6. A pipe spinner comprising a stationary outer housing, an inner housing journalled in the outer housing for rotation with respect thereto and having one end open for receiving a pipe therethrough, a reversing motor carried by the outer housing, gear means cooperating between the motor and inner housing for transmitting rotation to the inner housing, a substantially annular expandable and contractable gripping boot secured to the inner periphery of the inner housing and rotatable therewith, passageway means extending into communication with the outer periphery of said gripping boot, means for directing fluid through said passageway means for intermittently exerting fluid pressure to the outer periphery of the gripping boot, and said gripping boot responsive to the application of fluid pressure for expanding radially inward into gripping engagement with the pipe for rotation thereof simultaneously with the inner housing.

7. A pipe spinner comprising a substantially cylindrical stationary outer housing, a substantially cylindrical rotatable inner housing concentrically disposed within the outer housing to provide an annular pressure chamber therebetween, said inner housing having one end .open for receiving a pipe therethrough and the opposite end closed to limit the longitudinal movement of the inner housing in one direction with respect to thepipe, bearing means cooperating between the inner and outer housings for facilitating rotation of the inner housing, a reversible motor carried by the outer housing, gear means cooperating between the motor and the inner housing for transmitting rotation to the inner housing, radially expandable and contractible gripping means carried by the inner housing, seal means provided for the pressure chamber, means carried by the outer housing for alternately admitting fluid to and discharging fluid from the pressure chamber, means for communicating pressure from the pressure chamber to the outer periphery of the gripping means whereby the gripping means is moved to alternate radially expanded and contracted positions, and said gripping means in said expanded position engageable with the pipe for transmitting rotation thereto and in said contracted position being disengaged from said pipe.

'8. A pipe spinner comprising a substantially cylindrical stationary outer housing, a substantially cylindrical inner housing rotatably disposed within said outer housing and having one end open for receiving a pipe therethrough and having the other end closed, bearing means cooperating between said inner and outer housings for facilitating rotation of the inner housing, a reversible motor carried by the outer housing, gear means actuated by the motor for transmitting rotation to the inner housing, and pressure operable gripping means carried by the inner housing for engaging the pipe to transmit rotation thereto in both directions of rotation.

9. A pipe spinner comprising a substantially cylindrical stationary outer housing, a substantially cylindrical inner 10 secured to the inner periphery of the inner housing and operable to alternate radially extended and contracted positions, passageway means extending into communication With the gripping member, rotary seal means for directing fluid to and from the passageway means, said gripping member responsive to the application of pressure for flexing to a radially extended position for engaging the pipe to transmit rotation thereto and responsive to release of pressure for flexing to a radially contracted position to disengage the pipe.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,263,267 11/1941 Franklin 8157 2,566,999 9/1951 Stone 81-57 X 2,618,468 11/1952 Lundeen 81-57 3,023,995 3/1962 Hopkins 285-97 X WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

JAMES L. JONES, Examiner.

Claims

1. A PIPE SPINNER COMPRISING FIRST HOUSING MEANS, SECOND HOUSING MEANS HAVING AN OPEN END AND A CLOSED END AND BEING ROTATABLY SUPPORTED BY SAID FIRST HOUSING, AND MEANS PROVIDED FOR ROTATING SAID SECOND HOUSING OPERABLE GRIPPING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID SECOND HOUSING OPERABLE FOR ENGAGING THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF A TUBULAR MEMBER FOR SPINNING THEREOF DURING ROTATION OF THE SECOND HOUSING AND IN BOTH DIRECTIONS OF ROTATION OF SAID SECOND HOUSING.