Guide Part Device

Abstract

A guide part device for guiding a top drive into a pipe, the end portion of the top drive which is arranged to be connected to the pipe being formed with a sloping end face.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a guide part. More particularly, it relates to a guide part for guiding a top drive into a pipe.

[0002] During the connection of a top-drive rotary system, a so-called top drive, to a pipe as it is known for example from the assembling of a pipe string for drilling in the ground, it is normal to position the top drive above the pipe by means of mechanized and remote-operated apparatuses.

[0003] Experience goes to show that several attempts may often be necessary before succeeding in guiding the threads of the top drive into the box portion of the pipe.

[0004] The invention has for its object to remedy or reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention through the features which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow.

[0006] A guide part in accordance with the invention for guiding a top drive into a pipe is characterized by the end portion of the top drive which is arranged to be connected to the pipe being formed with a sloping end face.

[0007] During movement in towards the other pipe, a sloping end face may contribute to the top drive guiding itself into the pipe as the foremost, leading part of the sloping end face enters the box of the other pipe.

[0008] The end face may be arranged axially outside the threads of the end portion or it may overlap the threads of the end portion, whereby the end face cuts through the threads.

[0009] The end face may be centred relative to the centre axis of the top drive, that is to say the area of the end face is distributed around the centre axis of the top drive.

[0010] If desirable, the end face may be offset relative to the centre axis of the top drive. By a radial offset, for example, the leading portion of the end face may be moved closer to the centre axis of the top drive.

[0011] A device in accordance with the invention may facilitate the positioning operation during connection of the top drive to a pipe.

[0012] In what follows is described an example of a preferred embodiment which is visualized in the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a top drive, which is formed in accordance with the invention, during movement in towards a pipe.

[0014] In the drawing the reference numeral 1 indicates a top drive having an end portion 2, the end portion 2 including a centric thread 4 projecting outwards. The top drive 1 is arranged to be connected to a pipe 6 which is provided with a box portion 8.

[0015] The thread 4 complementarily fits an internal thread 10 in the box portion 8.

[0016] The end portion 2 of the top drive 1 is formed with a slanting end face 12 located axially outside the thread 4. The end face 12 has a leading portion 14 which is located, in this preferred exemplary embodiment, at a radial distance from the centre axis 16 of the top drive 1.

[0017] When the thread 4 of the top drive 1 is to be guided into the internal thread 10, the top drive 1 is moved down towards the pipe 6 until the leading portion 14 is in the internal thread 10.

[0018] By moving the top drive 1 further towards the pipe 6, the slanting end face 12, which does not have to be flat, guides the thread 4 into the internal thread 10.

Claims

1. A guide part device for guiding a top drive's pipe formed end portion with threads, into a pipe, wherein the end portion of the top drive which is arranged to be connected to threads of the pipe, outside the threads have a leading end part that includes a sloping end face.

2. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sloping end face is arranged axially outside the threads of the end portion.

3. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sloping end face overlaps the threads of the end portion.

4. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sloping end face is centered relative to the centre axis of the top drive.

5. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sloping end face is offset relative to the centre axis of the top drive.

6. Use of a guide part according to claim 1 to guide the top drive into a pipe.

Images