Plurally energized power tongs

Claim 2

In a power tong combination having rotatable pipe gripping means, a first high speed hydraulic motor with means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction, a second high torque hydraulic motor with means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction, fluid valving means connected to said first motor and said second motor and adapted for connection to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, said valving means comprising: a first control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to drive said first motor in either direction, hydraulic limit means cooperating with said first control valve means to limit the flow rate and pressure of hydraulic fluid conducted to rotate said first motor in one direction and thereby limit the rotational speed and torque of said first motor, a second control valve means connected to direct hydraulic fluid to drive said second motor in either direction and a third control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to concurrently rotate said first motor and said second motor in the same direction to impart greatest torque to said pipe gripping means said third valve means being operable independently of said limit means and said first and said second valve means.

Claim 3

In a power tong combination having rotatable pipe gripping means, a first high speed hydraulic motor with means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction, a second high torque hydraulic motor with means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction, fluid valving means connected to said first motor and said second motor and adapted for connection to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, said valving means comprising: a first control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to drive said first motor in either direction, hydraulic limit means cooperating with said first control valve means to limit the flow rate and pressure of hydraulic fluid conducted to rotate said first motor in one direction and thereby limit the rotational speed and torque of said first motor, a second control valve means connected to direct hydraulic fluid to drive said second motor in either direction and a third control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to concurrently rotate said first motor and said second motor in the same direction to impart greatest torque to said pipe gripping means said third valve means being operable independently of said limit means and said first and said second valve means.

Claim 4

In a power tong combination having rotatable pipe gripping means, a first high speed hydraulic motor with means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction, a second high torque hydraulic motor with means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction, fluid valving means connected to said first motor and said second motor and adapted for connection to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, said valving means comprising: a first control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to drive said first motor in either direction, hydraulic limit means cooperating with said first control valve means to limit the flow rate and pressure of hydraulic fluid conducted to rotate said first motor in one direction and thereby limit the rotational speed and torque of said first motor, a second control valve means connected to direct hydraulic fluid to drive said second motor in either direction and a third control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to concurrently rotate said first motor and said second motor in the same direction to impart greatest torque to said pipe gripping means said third valve means being operable independently of said limit means and said first and said second valve means.

Claim 5

A power tong as defined in claim 1 wherein said hydraulic limit means includes a flow control valve connected to limit flow of hydraulic fluid to said first motor and a pressure relief valve connected to limit the pressure of hydraulic fluid to said first motor.

Claim 6

A power tong as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said control valve means comprises a valve having two positions for providing opposing flow direction and a neutral position wherein the working flow ports of said valve are closed off.

Claim 7

A power tong as defined in claim 1 wherein said hydraulic limit means comprises a fluid flow restriction means in cooperative connection with a fluid pressure limiting means.

Claim 8

A power tong comprising: rotatable pipe gripping mean, a first hydraulic motor with means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction, a second hydraulic motor with means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction, hydraulic control means connected to said first motor and said second motor and adapted for connection to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure and including a first control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to drive said first motor in either direction, hydraulic limit means cooperating with said first control valve means to limit the flow rate and pressure of hydraulic fluid conducted to rotate said first motor in one direction and thereby limit the rotational speed and torque of said first motor, a second control valve means connected to direct hydraulic fluid to drive said second motor in either direction, and a third control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to concurrently rotate said first motor and said second motor in the same direction to impart greatest torque to said pipe gripping means, said third valve means being operable independently of said limit means and said first and said second valve means.

Claim 9

A power tong comprising: rotatable pipe gripping mean, a first hydraulic motor with means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction, a second hydraulic motor with means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction, hydraulic control means connected to said first motor and said second motor and adapted for connection to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure and including a first control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to drive said first motor in either direction, hydraulic limit means cooperating with said first control valve means to limit the flow rate and pressure of hydraulic fluid conducted to rotate said first motor in one direction and thereby limit the rotational speed and torque of said first motor, a second control valve means connected to direct hydraulic fluid to drive said second motor in either direction, and a third control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to concurrently rotate said first motor and said second motor in the same direction to impart greatest torque to said pipe gripping means, said third valve means being operable independently of said limit means and said first and said second valve means.

Claim 10

A power tong as defined in claim 5 wherein said hydraulic limit means includes a flow control valve connected to limit flow of hydraulic fluid to said first motor and a pressure relief valve connected to limit the pressure of hydraulic fluid to said first motor.

Claim 11

A power tong as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said control valve means comprises a valve having two positions for providing opposing flow direction and a neutral position wherein the working flow ports of said valve are closed off.

Claim 12

A power tong as defined in claim 5 wherein said hydraulic limit means comprises a fluid flow restriction means in cooperative connection with a fluid pressure limiting means.

Claim 13

A power tong as defined in claim 7 wherein said hydraulic limit means includes a flow control valve connected to limit flow of hydraulic fluid to said first motor and a pressure relief valve connected to limit the pressure of hydraulic fluid to said first motor.

Claim 14

A power tong as defined in claim 9 wherein each of said control valve means comprises a valve having two positions for providing opposing flow direction and a neutral position wherein the working flow ports of said valve are closed off.

Claim 15

A power tong as defined in claim 7 wherein said hydraulic limit means comprises a fluid flow restriction means in cooperative connection with a fluid pressure limiting means.

Claim 16

A power tong comprising: rotatable pipe gripping means, a first hydraulic motor with means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction, a second hydraulic motor with means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction, hydraulic control means connected to said first motor and said second motor and adapted for connection to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure and including a first control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to drive said first motor in either direction, hydraulic limit means cooperating with said first control valve means to limit the flow rate and pressure of hydraulic fluid conducted to rotate said first motor in one direction and thereby limit the rotational speed and torque of said first motor, a second control valve means connected to direct hydraulic fluid to drive said second motor to either direction, and a third control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to concurrently rotate said first motor and said second motor in the same direction to impart greatest torque to said pipe gripping means.

Claim 17

A power tong comprising: rotatable pipe gripping means, a first hydraulic motor with means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction, a second hydraulic motor with means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction, hydraulic control means connected to said first motor and said second motor and adapted for connection to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure and including a first control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to drive said first motor in either direction, hydraulic limit means cooperating with said first control valve means to limit the flow rate and pressure of hydraulic fluid conducted to rotate said first motor in one direction and thereby limit the rotational speed and torque of said first motor, a second control valve means connected to direct hydraulic fluid to drive said second motor to either direction, and a third control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to concurrently rotate said first motor and said second motor in the same direction to impart greatest torque to said pipe gripping means.

Claim 18

A power tong comprising: rotatable pipe gripping means, a first hydraulic motor with means including a first overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, a second hydraulic motor with means including a second overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, said first motor and said second motor being adapted for connection with hydraulic control means energized by a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, said hydraulic control means including a first control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to drive said first motor in either direction, a second control valve means connected to direct hydraulic fluid to drive said second motor in either direction, and a third control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to concurrently rotate said first motor and said second motor in the same directions to impart greatest torque to said pipe gripping means.

Claim 19

A power tong comprising: rotatable pipe gripping means, a first hydraulic motor with means including a first overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, a second hydraulic motor with means including a second overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, said first motor and said second motor being adapted for connection with hydraulic control means energized by a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, said hydraulic control means including a first control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to drive said first motor in either direction, a second control valve means connected to direct hydraulic fluid to drive said second motor in either direction, and a third control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to concurrently rotate said first motor and said second motor in the same directions to impart greatest torque to said pipe gripping means.

Claim 20

A power tong comprising: rotatable pipe gripping means, a first hydraulic motor with means including a first self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, a second hydraulic motor with means including a second self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, hydraulic control means connected with said first motor and said second motor and adapted for connection to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, said hydraulic control means including a first control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to drive said first motor in either direction, hydraulic limit means cooperating with said first control valve means to limit the flow rate and pressure of hydraulic fluid conducted to rotate said first motor in one direction and thereby limit the rotational speed and torque of said first motor, a second control valve means connected to direct hydraulic fluid to drive said second motor in either direction, and a third control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to concurrently rotate said first motor and said second motor in the same directions to impart greatest torque to said pipe gripping means.

Claim 21

A power tong comprising: rotatable pipe gripping means, a first hydraulic motor with means including a first self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, a second hydraulic motor with means including a second self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, hydraulic control means connected with said first motor and said second motor and adapted for connection to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, said hydraulic control means including a first control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to drive said first motor in either direction, hydraulic limit means cooperating with said first control valve means to limit the flow rate and pressure of hydraulic fluid conducted to rotate said first motor in one direction and thereby limit the rotational speed and torque of said first motor, a second control valve means connected to direct hydraulic fluid to drive said second motor in either direction, and a third control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to concurrently rotate said first motor and said second motor in the same directions to impart greatest torque to said pipe gripping means.

Claim 22

A power tong comprising: rotatable pipe gripping means, a first hydraulic motor with means including a first self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, a second hydraulic motor with means including a second self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in eitheR direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, hydraulic control means connected with said first motor and said second motor and adapted for connection to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, said hydraulic control means including a first control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to drive said first motor in either direction, hydraulic limit means cooperating with said first control valve means to limit the flow rate and pressure of hydraulic fluid conducted to rotate said first motor in one direction and thereby limit the rotational speed and torque of said first motor, and a second control valve means connected to direct hydraulic fluid to drive said second motor in either direction.

Claim 23

A power tong comprising: rotatable pipe gripping means, a first hydraulic motor with means including a first self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, a second hydraulic motor with means including a second self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in eitheR direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, hydraulic control means connected with said first motor and said second motor and adapted for connection to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, said hydraulic control means including a first control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to drive said first motor in either direction, hydraulic limit means cooperating with said first control valve means to limit the flow rate and pressure of hydraulic fluid conducted to rotate said first motor in one direction and thereby limit the rotational speed and torque of said first motor, and a second control valve means connected to direct hydraulic fluid to drive said second motor in either direction.

Claim 24

A power tong comprising: rotatable pipe gripping means, a first motor with means including a first self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, a second motor with means including a second self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, control means connected with said first motor and said second motor, said control means including a first control means connected to drive said first motor in either direction, limit means cooperating with said first control means to limit the rotational speed and torque of said first motor, and a second control valve means connected to drive said second motor in either direction.

Claim 25

A power tong comprising: rotatable pipe gripping means, a first motor with means including a first self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, a second motor with means including a second self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, control means connected with said first motor and said second motor, said control means including a first control means connected to drive said first motor in either direction, limit means cooperating with said first control means to limit the rotational speed and torque of said first motor, and a second control valve means connected to drive said second motor in either direction.

Claim 26

A power tong comprising: rotatable pipe gripping means, a first motor with means including a first self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, a second motor with means including a second self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, control means connected with said first motor and said second motor, said control means including a first control means connected to drive said first motor in either direction, a second control means connected to drive said second motor in either direction, and a third control means connected to concurrently rotate said first motor and said second motor in the same directions to impart greatest torque to said pipe gripping means.

Claim 27

A power tong comprising: rotatable pipe gripping means, a first motor with means including a first self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, a second motor with means including a second self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, control means connected with said first motor and said second motor, said control means including a first control means connected to drive said first motor in either direction, a second control means connected to drive said second motor in either direction, and a third control means connected to concurrently rotate said first motor and said second motor in the same directions to impart greatest torque to said pipe gripping means.

Claim 28

A power tong comprising: rotatable pipe gripping means, a first hydraulic motor with means including a first self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, a second hydraulic motor with means including a second self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, hydraulic control means connected with said first motor and said second motor and adapted for connection to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, said hydraulic control means including a first control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to drive said first motor in either direction, and a second control valve means connected to direct hydraulic fluid to drive said second motor in either direction.

Claim 29

A power tong comprising: rotatable pipe gripping means, a first hydraulic motor with means including a first self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, a second hydraulic motor with means including a second self-energizing and overrunning clutch means connected to rotate said pipe gripping means in either direction when activated and disconnected to idle when deactivated, hydraulic control means connected with said first motor and said second motor and adapted for connection to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, said hydraulic control means including a first control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to drive said first motor in either direction, and a second control valve means connected to direct hydraulic fluid to drive said second motor in either direction.

Claim 30

A power tong as defined in claim 18 including hydraulic limit means cooperating with said first control valve means to limit the flow rate and pressure of hydraulic fluid conducted to rotate said first motor and thereby limit the rotational speed and torque of said first motor.

Claim 31

A power tong as defined in claim 18 including a third control valve means connected for conducting hydraulic fluid to concurrently rotate said first motor and said second motor together to impart greatest torque to said pipe gripping means.

Claim 32

A power tong as defined in claim 18 wherein each of said control valve means comprises a valve having two positions for providing opposing flow direction and a neutral position wherein the working flow ports of said valve are closed off.

Claim 33

A power tong as defined in claim 19 wherein said hydraulic limit means comprises a fluid flow restriction means in cooperative connection with a fluid pressure limiting means.

Claim 34

A power tong as defined in claim 19 wherein said hydraulic limit means includes a flow control valve connected to limit flow of hydraulic fluid to said first motor and a pressure relief valve connected to limit the pressure of hydraulic fluid to said first motor.

Claim 35

A power tong as defined in claim 22 wherein each of said control valve means comprises a valve having two positions for providing opposing flow direction and a neutral position wherein the working flow ports of said valve are closed off.