Patent · US Expired

Top drive unit torque break-out system

US5388651A · kind A · utility

120Cited by
37References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 20, 1993
Grant dateFeb 14, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 20, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B19/16
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A torque break-out system for a top drive drilling unit in a drilling rig. The torque break-out system includes a splined sub which is connected to a tubular member of the top drive drilling unit. A collar is positioned circumferentially around the splined sub. The collar has a plurality of interrupted splines in reciprocal relationship to interrupted splines on the splined sub. The collar is positioned by a pivot member having a pair of arms rotatably connected to the collar and a lift cylinder connected to the pivot member. The lift cylinder positions the pivot member between a first position in which the interrupted splines of the splined sub and the collar are not in substantial horizontal alignment and a second position in which the interrupted splines of the splined sub and the collar are in substantial horizontal alignment. The system includes a back-up wrench assembly having a vertical opening through which the drill string is received. A pair of extendible rams are attached to the back-up wrench assembly. A plurality of dies are attached to the rams. The rams are capable of extending towards the drill string so that the drill string is grippingly engaged by the plurality o…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.