Method and apparatus for connecting and disconnecting tubular members
US4372026A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 1980 |
| Grant date | Feb 8, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49822
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A power energized mechanism for connecting and disconnecting pipe connections and the like comprising a housing structure having interconnected therewith a rotatable drive gear that is rotated by means of a suitable motor. A pair of spaced external ring gear elements are interconnected with the rotary drive gear with the external gear teeth thereof disposed in interengaging relation with opposed pinion gears provided on a plurality of cam elements that are positioned in spaced relation about the ring gears. Each of the cam elements incorporates an intermediate cam section having defined thereon a pair of cam surfaces that are adapted respectively to engage pipe that is positioned within the receptacle defined by the cooperating gear and cam mechanisms. To minimize deformation of the pipe during pipe rotating operations, the cam surfaces that engage the pipe define uniform motion curve cams that have the effect of self-tightening to ensure restriction of the magnitude of frictional engagement with the pipe to only that necessary for accomplishing rotation of the pipe.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.