Tubular handling apparatus
A tubular gripping assembly for use with a top drive to handle a tubular includes a tubular gripping tool having a mandrel and gripping elements operatively coupled to the mandrel; and a link assembly attached to the mandrel, wherein a load of the link assembly is transferred to the mandrel. The tubular gripping assembly may also include one or more of a swivel having selectively actuatable seals, a thread compensator to facilitate tubular make-up, or a wedge lock release apparatus to facilitate the release of gripping elements from the tubular.
1. A tubular handling assembly for use with a top drive, comprising:
a mandrel coupled to the top drive;
an actuator for moving gripping elements between a tubular gripping position and a tubular releasing position;
a tubular engagement member for engaging a tubular;
a clamping indicator coupled to the gripping elements for indicating a position of the gripping elements; and
a coupling indicator coupled to the engagement member for indicating a position of the tubular, the coupling indicator including a longitudinally movable elongated member having spaced apart tapered portions and a sensor linked to the elongated member for transverse movement relative thereto in response to engagement with the tapered portions.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the clamping indicator comprises a pin having at least two widths.
3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the gripping elements include wedge shaped slips.
4. The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the gripping elements are adapted to move radially inward and outward.
5. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the tubular gripping position is radially inward of the tubular releasing position.
6. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a leveling ring coupled to the clamping indicator and movable therewith.
7. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a sensor head attached to a piston.
8. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein the piston moves the sensor head relative to a contour of at least one of the clamping indicator and the coupling indicator.
9. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the clamp indicator is coupled to an actuator pipe and moveable therewith, the actuator pipe connected to the gripping elements.
10. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coupling indicator is movable with the engagement member.
11. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a sensor head attached to a piston, and wherein the sensor head is adapted to move along a contour of the elongated member to indicate the position of the tubular.
12. A method of handling a tubular, comprising:
providing a tubular handling assembly having gripping elements and a tubular engagement member;
determining a position of the tubular relative to the tubular engagement member using a coupling indicator,
the coupling indicator including a longitudinally movable elongated member having spaced apart tapered portions and a sensor linked to the elongated member for transverse movement relative thereto in response to engagement with the tapered portions;
actuating the gripping elements to engage the tubular; and
determining a position of the gripping elements using a clamping indicator.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the gripping elements are axially movable.
14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising engaging a stop member with the engagement member.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein determining a position of the tubular comprises measuring a contour of the coupling indicator.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the clamp indicator is coupled to an actuator pipe and moveable therewith, the actuator pipe connected to the gripping elements.
17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the coupling indicator is movable with the engagement member.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the sensor includes a sensor head attached to a piston, and wherein the sensor head is adapted to move along a contour of the elongated member to indicate the position of the tubular.
19. A method of handling a tubular, comprising:
positioning the tubular in a mandrel having gripping elements and a tubular engagement member;
contacting the tubular with the tubular engagement member;
actuating the gripping elements to engage the tubular;
actuating a clamping indicator having tapered portions to indicate a position of the gripping elements; and
actuating a coupling indicator having a longitudinally movable elongated member having spaced apart tapered portions to indicate a position of the tubular relative to the tubular engagement member and a sensor linked to the elongated member for transverse movement relative thereto in response to engagement with the tapered portions.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the clamp indicator is coupled to an actuator pipe and moveable therewith, the actuator pipe connected to the gripping elements.
21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the coupling indicator is movable with the engagement member.
22. The method of claim 19 , wherein the sensor includes a sensor head attached to a piston, and wherein the sensor head is adapted to move along a contour of the elongated member to indicate the position of the tubular.