IP Library Granted Patent US 9,745,810
Granted Patent B2
US 9,745,810 · App. 14/481,491 · Granted Aug 29, 2017

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,745,810
App. No.
14/481,491
Granted
Aug 29, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fill up tool includes a mandrel; a primary sealing member disposed around the mandrel; and a selectively operable secondary sealing member activated by rotation of the mandrel. In another embodiment, the selectively operable secondary sealing member is activated using hydraulic pressure.

Claims (43)

1. A load transfer assembly for use with a top drive equipped with a tubular gripping apparatus and a tool connected to the top drive, comprising:

a tubular connector interposed between the top drive and the tool;

a load ring coupled to the tubular gripping apparatus; and

a link for coupling the tubular connector to the load ring,

wherein the tubular connector comprises:

a connection housing;

a connection shaft having a shoulder, wherein an outer diameter of the shoulder engages an interior surface of the connection housing to rotationally fix the connection shaft relative to the connection housing, and the connection shaft is axially movable relative to the connection housing to allow an axial loading surface of the shoulder to selectively engage with the connection housing to transfer an axial load and disengage from the connection housing to isolate the top drive from an upward force; and

a connection adaptor coupled to one of the connection housing and the connection shaft and configured to connect with the tool.

2. The load transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connection shaft having an upper end connected to the top drive and a lower end coupled to the connection housing.

3. The load transfer assembly of claim 2 , wherein the shoulder is located at a lower end of the connection shaft and the shoulder sealingly engages the interior surface of the connection housing.

4. The load transfer assembly of claim 2 , wherein the shoulder of the connection shaft has a polygonal cross-section, the connection housing has a polygonal shaped opening that mates with the shoulder of the connection shaft.

5. The load transfer assembly of claim 2 , wherein the connection adaptor is coupled to the connection housing, an axial gap exists between the connection adaptor and the lower end of the connection shaft that is disposed in the connection housing.

6. The load transfer assembly of claim 2 , wherein the tubular connector further comprises:

a link plate disposed around the connection housing, wherein a first end of the link is coupled to the link plate and a second end of the link is coupled to the load ring.

7. The load transfer assembly of claim 6 , wherein the tubular connector further comprises:

a bearing disposed between the link plate and the connection housing to permit relative rotation between the link plate and the connection housing.

8. The load transfer assembly of claim 6 , wherein the link comprises two or more link elements.

9. The load transfer assembly of claim 8 , wherein each link element is pivotably coupled to the link plate.

10. The load transfer assembly of claim 8 , wherein each link element is pivotably coupled to the load ring.

11. The load transfer assembly of claim 8 , wherein the link elements are rigid elements.

12. The load transfer assembly of claim 8 , wherein the link elements are flexible elements.

13. The load transfer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connection adaptor is coupled to a lower end of the connection shaft, and an axial gap exists between an upper end of the connection shaft and the connection housing.

14. A load transfer assembly for use with a top drive with a tubular gripping apparatus and a tool connected to the top drive, comprising:

a slip joint assembly connected between the top drive and the tool comprising:

a connection housing;

a connection shaft coupled to an upper end of the connection housing, wherein the connection shaft is axially movable relative to the connection housing and rotationally fixed relative to the connection housing; and

a connection adaptor coupled to a lower end of the connection housing,

wherein the connection shaft has a shoulder, an outer diameter engages an interior surface of the connection housing, an axial load surface of the shoulder is engagable to the connection housing, and an axial gap exists between the connection adaptor and the connection shaft to allow the axial load surface disengaging from the connection housing;

a load ring configured to connect with the tubular gripping apparatus; and

two or more links coupled between the slip joint assembly and the load ring.

15. The load transfer assembly of claim 14 , wherein the slip joint assembly further comprises:

a link plate rotatably disposed around the connection housing, wherein a first end of each of the links is coupled to the link plate and a second end of each of the links is coupled to the load ring.

16. The load transfer assembly of claim 14 , wherein the shoulder is located at a lower end of the connection shaft and the shoulder sealing engages the interior surface of the connection housing.

17. A tubular connector for connecting between a top drive and a tool, comprising:

a connection housing;

a connection shaft having a shoulder, wherein the shoulder includes splines for mating with an interior surface of the connection housing to rotationally fix the connection shaft relative to the connection housing, the connection shaft is axially movable relative to the connection housing to allow an axial loading surface of the shoulder to selectively engage with the connection housing to transfer an axial load and disengage from the connection housing to isolate the top drive from an upward force, and the connection shaft has an upper end connected to the top drive and a lower end coupled to the connection housing; and

a connection adaptor coupled to one of the connection housing and the connection shaft and configured to connect with the tool.

18. The tubular connector of claim 17 , wherein the connection adaptor is coupled to a lower end of the connection shaft, and an axial gap exists between an upper end of the connection shaft and the connection housing.

19. The tubular connector of claim 17 , wherein the shoulder is located at the lower end of the connection shaft and the shoulder sealing engages the interior surface of the connection housing.

20. A slip joint assembly for connecting between a top drive and a tool, comprising:

a connection housing configured to connect to the top drive;

a connection shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the connection shaft is configured to connect to the tool, the second end of the connection shaft is coupled to the connection housing, and the connection shaft is axially movable relative to the connection housing and rotationally fixed to the connection housing; and

wherein the connection shaft has a shoulder, the shoulder includes splines for mating with an interior surface of the connection housing, an axial load surface of the shoulder is engagable to the connection housing, and an axial gap exists between the connection housing and the connection shaft to allow the axial load surface disengaging from the connection housing.

Assignments (9)
PATENT SECURITY INTEREST ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 26, 2023
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 063470/0629 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 057683/0423 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2021
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 057683/0706 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 053838/0323 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 054288/0302 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 26, 2019
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 051419/0140 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2019
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WELLS FARGO BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 051891/0089 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Sep 29, 2015
From: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 036709/0793 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 9, 2014
From: WIENS, JIMMY DUANE; GUTSU, YURY P.; THOMAS, BENSON; HEIDECKE, KARSTEN; HOLLINGSWORTH, JIM; BOUTWELL, DOYLE FREDRIC, JR.; STEPHENS, RODNEY; THOMPSON, RUSSELL W.; ZIMMERMAN, PATRICK JAMES
To: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
Reel/Frame 033702/0695 →