Top drive swivel apparatus and method

US7007753B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Mako Rentals, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Kip M. Robichaux · Houma, US
• Terry P. Robichaux · Houma, US
• Steve Jacobs · Houma, US
• Bryan Clement · Houma, US
• Murray Pellegrin · Houma, US
• Kenneth G. Caillouet · Thibodaux, US
• Philip Watson · Vaughan, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 9, 2003
• Grant date: Mar 7, 2006
• Expiry date: Sep 10, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16L27/087
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

For use with a top drive power unit supported for connection with a well string in a well bore to selectively impart longitudinal and/or rotational movement to the well string, a feeder for supplying a pumpable substance such as cement and the like from an external supply source to the interior of the well string in the well bore without first discharging it through the top drive power unit including a mandrel extending through a sleeve which is sealably and rotatably supported thereon for relative rotation between the sleeve and mandrel. The mandrel and sleeve have flow passages for communicating the pumpable substance from an external source to discharge through the sleeve and mandrel and into the interior of the well string below the top drive power unit. The unit can include a packing injection system, clamp, and novel packing configuration.