Well Drilling Assemblies and Methods

Abstract

Break out wrench assemblies are provided that can include: a pair of opposing arms linked by an actuator; at least one wheel assembly having an axle substantially normal to a surface of at least one of the opposing arms; and a power source coupled to the wheel. Methods for separating linked longitudinal sections are provided, the methods can include: providing at least two linked longitudinal sections; securing one of the two linked longitudinal sections; contacting another of the two linked longitudinal sections with at least one wheel; and powering the wheel to rotate the other of the sections in relation to the secured section.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/649,740 which was filed on May 21, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of well drilling and well maintenance activities that utilize multiple pipe components that are linked together by some type of threaded connection. In particular embodiments, the present disclosure relates to breakout wrenches that may be utilized to break apart these pipe components as well as rod spinners.

BACKGROUND

[0003] In the field of well drilling, oil, gas, or water well drilling, it is becoming a necessity to drill wells deeper than ever before. As a result, more power is needed to rotate the multiple lengths of drill pipe that are utilized to reach these depths during well drilling. These lengths of pipe are connected to one another via a threaded fitting. Upon removing the pipe from the well, it is necessary to break the pipe components or lengths apart at the well head. This can be an extraordinarily dangerous action, as it requires operators to exert a tremendous amount of force in a sometimes unsafe manner to break apart these components. The present disclosure provides breakout wrench assemblies and methods that can be utilized to assist operators in breaking apart pipe components safely, as well as torquing them up to proper specifications.

SUMMARY

[0004] Break out wrench assemblies are provided that can include: a pair of opposing arms linked by an actuator; at least one wheel assembly having an axle substantially normal to a surface of at least one of the opposing arms; and a power source coupled to the wheel.

[0005] Methods for separating linked longitudinal sections are provided, the methods can include: providing at least two linked longitudinal sections; securing one of the two linked longitudinal sections; contacting another of the two linked longitudinal sections with at least one wheel; and powering the wheel to rotate the other of the sections in relation to the secured section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one subassembly of a breakout wrench according to an embodiment.

[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of another subassembly of a breakout wrench according to an embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the two subassemblies of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 according to an embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a breakout wrench at one stage of operation according to an embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a breakout wrench at another stage of operation according to an embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a breakout wrench at another stage of operation according to an embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a breakout wrench at another state of operation according to an embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a top view of a breakout wrench at a stage of operation according to an embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a breakout wrench at another stage of operation according to an embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a hydraulic schematic of a controller as it relates to the breakout wrench of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 11 is a depiction of the breakout wrench according to an embodiment.

[0018] FIGS. 12A-12B depict a series of breakout wrench operations according to an embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 13 is a depiction of a spinner arm according to an embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 14 is another view of the spinner arm of FIG. 13 according to an embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 15 is a depiction of another spinner arm according to an embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 16 is another view of the other spinner arm of FIG. 15 according to an embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 17 is a depiction of a spinner assembly associated with a breakout wrench according to an embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 18 is another view of the spinner assembly and breakout wrench of FIG. 18 according to an embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 19 is a hydraulic schematic of the control panel as it relates to both the breakout wrench of the present disclosure and/or the spinner assembly of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

[0026] This disclosure is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws "to promote the progress of science and useful arts" (Article 1, Section 8).

[0027] The present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-19. Referring first to FIG. 1, a subassembly 16 of breakout wrench assembly 12 (shown in FIG. 11) is depicted. As can be seen, this subassembly includes an actuator 21 that can be coupled to opposing arms 19 having teeth 20. Upper plate 22 and side walls 26 and 24 as well as bottom plate 28 can form a housing that encloses arms 19 and provides pivot rotation for arms 19 within this housing. This housing can be engaged to a rail 30 which is mounted to a rotation plate 32 to form recess 31 (FIG. 3). Recess 31 can form a track configured to receive rail 46. Below actuator 21 can be a pivot housing that includes back plate 34 as well as eyelets 36 and 38 respectively. Actuators can include hydraulic cylinders.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, another subassembly 18 is shown that includes an actuator 40 coupled to opposing arms 42 having teeth 44 associated therewith. Upper plate 48 as well as side walls 50 and front walls 56 and bottom plate 52 can form a housing that encloses arms 42 and engages them in a pivotable rotation therewith. Above upper plate 48 of subassembly 18 can be rail 46 which is engaged to couple with recess 31. At opposing sides of subassembly 12 can be one or more actuators 58 and 60, respectively. Acutator 58 can pivotably couple with eyelet 54 as shown and actuator 60 can couple with opposing eyelet 54. These actuators cylinders can have opposing ends, and one opposing end can be configured to couple to eyelet 36 as shown in FIG. 1. Actuator 60 can be configured to couple with eyelet 38 as shown in FIG. 1 as well.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 3, the subassemblies are shown in a subset exploded view associated with one another as subassembly 16 is shown associated with subassembly 18. Posts 43 can support the second subassembly above the first subassembly via rail 46 and recess 31.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 4, operation of the wrench can include configuring the wrench to couple with a pipe 23 as shown in FIG. 5. Pipe 23 can be at least a pair of longitudinal sections configured to releasably couple. Examples include sections of drilling pipe. As can be seen, wrench 10 is in an operable position 25 proximate pipe 23 rather than another position away from pipe 23. According to this stage of operation, the assembly 18 would engage the arms to engage a section of pipe. Referring to FIG. 5, a top view of this engagement is shown with the upper assembly rotated at least slightly askew from the lower assembly.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 6, at this stage, both the upper and lower arms of the assembly would engage the pipe with the upper assembly askew to the lower assembly, engaging an upper length of pipe, and as FIG. 7 demonstrates, at this stage of operation, the upper assembly can be utilized to grip and move the upper length of pipe in a direction unlocking or unscrewing the upper length of pipe from the lower length of pipe.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 8, another view of the disclosure shows the upper sub assembly in an opposing or counterclockwise skew to the lower sub assembly and in FIG. 9, this is depicted as well.

[0033] FIG. 10 demonstrates the schematic for the depicted control panel. This schematic aligns the pressure regulation of the three various valves that control the upper wrench to rotate or upper assembly and lower assembly clamping force, respectively. This schematic can include gauges that have respective control pressure valves residing therewith.

[0034] FIG. 11 is a depiction of the completed sub assembly, and FIGS. 12A and 12B are a series of rotations indicating the use of the arms and the rotation of the pipes associated therewith with arms 4 and 5, indicating the upper arms of the upper sub assembly and arms 1 and 2 indicating the lower arms of the lower sub assembly. Controller 14 and wrench assemblies 12 and 18 can be supported and/or mechanically connected via platform 112. Controller 14 can provide hydraulic fluid control of actuators via lines 110. Platform 112 may be coupled to one or more wheels 114 configured to engage support and movement of the breakout wrench between operational and non-operational locations. As is depicted, this series indicates the different stages that the wrench utilizes to break apart the pipe sections.

[0035] In accordance with an additional embodiment of the disclosure and with reference to FIGS. 13-19, a spinner assembly is described that can be used alone or in association with the breakout wrench assemblies described. Referring first to FIG. 13, a spinner arm 119 is shown extending along a length from a first end 121 to a second end 125 and establishing at least one angle 123 proximate a pivot point of arm 119. The pivot point can be about the midpoint of arm 119 and define an opening. End 121 can define an opening 127 configured to couple with an actuator, such as a hydraulic piston. At angle 123 of arm 119 another opening 129 may be defined. Opening 129 can be configured to couple with a frame or housing allowing arm 119 to rotate about a rod within the housing. End 125 can define another housing configured to receive at least one wheel assembly, such as a powered wheel assembly. End 125 can define opening 131 which can be configured to receive an axle of the wheel assembly such as a drive shaft from a motor mounted thereon. The axle can be substantially normal to a surface of the one arm.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 14, another view of arm 119 is shown detailing end 125 to define housing sidewall 133 and top 135. The one wheel assembly can be configured to be received by the housing

[0037] Referring to FIG. 15 another spinner arm 120 is shown extending from first end 122 to second end 126 and establishing at least one pivot point 124 proximate the midpoint of arm 120. End 122 can define an opening 128 configured to couple with an actuator such as a hydraulic piston. In accordance with example configurations, an opposing end of the piston coupled to opening 127 can be coupled to opening 128, the piston configured to deliver expansive or restrictive force between the openings and in so doing ends 121 and 122.

[0038] At angle 124 of arm 122 another opening 130 is defined. Opening 130 can be configured to couple with a frame or housing allowing arm 122 to rotate about a rod within the housing. The rod configured to couple with opening 130 can be configured in the frame or housing opposing the rod configured to couple with opening 129. Such configuration can align arms 119 and 120 in a scissor configuration opposing one another. End 126 can define another housing configured to receive another wheel assembly such as a free wheel assembly. End 126 can define openings 132 which are configured to receive axles aligned substantially normal to the surface of arm 120 and house free wheel assemblies.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 16, another view of arm 120 is shown depicting end 126 with housing wall 134 and top 136. This housing can be configured to receive a set of free wheels therein for example as well as configured to define a recess configured to receive a longitudinal section.

[0040] In accordance with example implementations, when arms 119 and 120 are coupled within a housing at openings 129 and 130 respectively, end 125 can oppose end 126. As described, end 125 can couple a motor to power a wheel assembly and this power wheel can oppose the free wheels of end 126. In accordance with example methods, a portion of a section of threaded pipe can be positioned between the ends 125 and 126, the motor activated and the pipe spun or rotated on its lengthwise axis to be removed from a length pipe maintained in a fixed position.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, views of spinner assembly 200 associated with breakout wrench assembly 12 are shown. Referring first to FIG. 17, spinner assembly 200 can include a piston 202 operatively engaged between ends 121 and 122 of arms 119 and 120 respectively. These arms are operatively coupled within housing/frame 214 which is biasly supported by support member 204. Biasing members 204 can be springs or the like, for example. Referring to FIG. 18, another view of assemblies 200 and 12 are shown. Accordingly, motor 208 can be mounted above end 125 and operatively engage motorized wheel 210. Motor 208 can be a hydraulic motor for example. An example motor can include but is not limited to White Drive Products Inc. JLH Model Number 355200A7120AAAAA SO# 9577 (hydraulicsuperstore.com, 837 W. 3rd Street, P.O. Box 787, Lansdale, PA 19446, 877-357-6491). Free wheels 212 can be mounted within end 126. The components of the systems and assemblies of the present disclosure can be manufactured of steel for example. Referring to FIG. 19, a hydraulic schematic is provided to facilitate the operation of the either or both of the breakout wrench and the spinner assembly.

[0042] In compliance with the statute, embodiments of the invention have been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the entire invention is not limited to the specific features and/or embodiments shown and/or described, since the disclosed embodiments comprise forms of putting the invention into effect.

Claims

1. A break out wrench assembly comprising: a pair of opposing arms linked by an actuator; at least one wheel assembly having an axle substantially normal to a surface of at least one of the opposing arms; and a power source coupled to the wheel.

2. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the pair of opposing arms include a pivot point located along the length of each arm between the arms opposing ends.

3. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 2 wherein the pivot point includes an opening.

4. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 2 wherein the pivot point defines a bend in the length of each arm.

5. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 1 wherein the one opposing arm is configured to house the one wheel assembly, the housing having sidewalls extending from the one arm and extending to a roof.

6. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 1 further comprising another wheel assembly associated with the other opposing arm.

7. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 6 wherein the other opposing arm is configured to house the other wheel assembly, the housing having sidewalls extending from the one arm and extending to a roof.

8. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 6 wherein the other wheel assembly is a pair of wheels with each wheel having an individual axle aligned normal to the surface of the other arm.

9. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 8 wherein the other wheel assembly defines a recess.

10. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 1 wherein the power source is a hydraulic motor.

11. A method for separating linked longitudinal sections, the method comprising: providing at least two linked longitudinal sections; securing one of the two linked longitudinal sections; contacting another of the two linked longitudinal sections with at least one wheel; and powering the wheel to rotate the other of the sections in relation to the secured section.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the linked longitudinal sections are linked via a thread engagement.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the securing comprises actuating a first pair of opposing arms to secure at least one of the sections.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: actuating a second pair of opposing arms to secure at least another section; and actuating a rotation of the second pair of opposing arms in relation to the first pair of opposing arms to unlock the one section from the other section.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the powering the one wheel separates the one section from the other section.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising vising the other section between a pair of wheel assemblies, one of which is the powered wheel assembly and each of the pair is associated with opposing arms.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising actuating the opposing arms to vise the other section between the wheel assemblies.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the longitudinal sections are sections of drilling pipe.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the actuating is hydraulic actuation.

Images