US3915244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Break out elevators for rotary drive assemblies
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-06-06
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1994-06-06
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a rotary drive assembly for manipulating well pipe. The assembly, which is carried in a drilling derrick, provides means for both threaded and non-threaded connection with a well pipe. The threaded connection is used for imparting rotary motion to the pipe and an attached drill string during drilling. A break out elevator provides non-threaded connection used for manipulating pipe members and for making up or breaking out a connection between threaded pipe segments. The elevator is pivotally suspended by bails from a rotary powering mechanism which may be raised or lowered in the derrick. Powered cocking means are provided for pivoting the bails as required to move the elevator laterally. Powered gripping means may be used in the elevator to selectively grip or release a pipe member extending through the elevator. Cam surfaces acting with the gripping means automatically increase the gripping forces exerted on the pipe member as the forces tending to move the pipe relative to the elevator increase. A lost motion connection is employed between the bails and the powering mechanism to provide a rotary jarring force to the pipe gripped by the elevator. Several modified gripping assemblies for use in the elevator are described.
Inventors
- 👤 Cicero C Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:12
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/02; E21B19/06; E21B19/07; E21B19/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A well drilling and completion system for manipulating well equipment comprising: a. a vertically movable power drive assembly for providing rotary movement in a well derrick; b. a longitudinally extending output shaft rotatably powered about its longitudinal axis by said power drive assembly and movable vertically therewith; c. a connector assembly carried by said power drive assembly and rotatably powered thereby; d. elevator means included in said connector assembly for engaging well equipment; and e. powered cocking means carried by said powered drive assembly for moving said elevator means laterally relative to said output shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A well drilling and completion system for manipulating well equipment comprising: a. a vertically movable power drive assembly for providing rotary movement in a well derrick; b. a longitudinally extending output shaft rotatably powered about its longitudinal axis by said power drive assembly and movable vertically therewith; c. a connector assembly carried by said power drive assembly and rotatably powered thereby; d. elevator means included in said connector assembly for engaging well equipment; and e. powered cocking means carried by said powered drive assembly for moving said elevator means laterally relative to said output shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as defined in claim 1 further including jarring means connected between said power drive assembly and said elevator means for imparting a sharp jarring force from said power drive assembly tending to rotate said elevator means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as defined in claim 2 wherein said jarring means includes a lost motion connection between said output shaft and said elevator means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said connector assembly is carried by said output shaft and said cocking means is included in said connector assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
A system as defined in claim 4 further including: a. a drive head connected to and rotatably carried by said output shaft; b. bails pivotally carried by said drive head and pivotally secured to said elevator means; and c. extensible and contractable fluid actuated cylinder and piston assemblies, included as a part of said cocking means, connected between said bails and said drive head, for moving said bails and attached elevator means laterally relative to said output shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said elevator means includes radially movable gripping means for selectively gripping well equipment engaged by said elevator means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as defined in claim 6 further including jarring means, including a lost motion connection between Said output shaft and said elevator means, for imparting a sharp jarring force from said output shaft to said elevator means tending to rotate said elevator means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as defined in claim 7 wherein said elevator means includes: a. a tubular housing means having a side access opening for receiving equipment within said elevator means; and b. powered latch means for opening or closing said access opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as defined in claim 6 wherein said gripping means includes rotary camming means for increasing the radially directed gripping force exerted on said equipment by said gripping means as the forces tending to rotate said equipment and said elevator means relative to each other increases.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said radially movable gripping means includes wedging means for moving said gripping means radially as said gripping means are moved axially.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system as defined in claim 10 further including: a. a drive head connected to and rotatably carried by said output shaft; b. bails pivotally carried by said drive head and pivotally secured to said elevator means; and c. extensible and contractable fluid actuated cylinder and piston assemblies, included as a part of said cocking means, for moving said bails and attached elevator means laterally relative to said output shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system as defined in claim 11 further including jarring means for imparting a sharp jarring force from said output shaft to said elevator means tending to rotate said elevator means, said jarring means including a lost motion connection between said output shaft and said drive head permitting limited rotational movement of said output shaft relative to said elevator means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as defined in claim 9 wherein said radially movable gripping means includes inclined slip means movable radially to engage and grip inclined surfaces on said equipment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system as defined in claim 13 further including: a. a drive head connected to and rotatably carried by said output shaft; b. bails pivotally carried by said drive head and pivotally secured to said elevator means; and c. extensible and contractable fluid actuated cylinder and piston assemblies, included as a part of said cocking means, for moving said bails and attached elevator means laterally relative to said output shaft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system as defined in claim 14 further including jarring means for imparting a sharp jarring force from said output shaft to said elevator means tending to rotate said elevator means, said jarring means including a lost motion connection between said output shaft and said drive head permitting limited rotational movement of said output shaft relative to said elevator means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as defined in claim 11 wherein said elevator means includes: a. a tubular housing means having a side access opening for receiving equipment within said elevator means; and b. powered latch means for opening or closing said access opening.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
104 words
A well drilling and completion system for manipulating well equipment comprising: a. a vertically movable power drive assembly for providing rotary movement in a well derrick; b. a longitudinally extending output shaft rotatably powered about its longitudinal axis by said power drive assembly and movable vertically therewith: c. a connector assembly carried by said power drive assembly and rotatably powered thereby; d. elevator means included in said connector assembly for engaging well equipment; and e. jarring means connected between said power drive assembly and said elevator means for imparting a sharp jarring force from said power drive assembly tending to rotate said elevator means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
104 words
A well drilling and completion system for manipulating well equipment comprising: a. a vertically movable power drive assembly for providing rotary movement in a well derrick; b. a longitudinally extending output shaft rotatably powered about its longitudinal axis by said power drive assembly and movable vertically therewith: c. a connector assembly carried by said power drive assembly and rotatably powered thereby; d. elevator means included in said connector assembly for engaging well equipment; and e. jarring means connected between said power drive assembly and said elevator means for imparting a sharp jarring force from said power drive assembly tending to rotate said elevator means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as defined in claim 17 wherein said jarring means includes a lost motion connection between said output shaft and said elevator means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |