Top drive counter moment system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9404318-B2
Application number	US-201313928173-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 26, 2013
Priority date	Jun 29, 2012
Publication date	Aug 2, 2016
Grant date	Aug 2, 2016

Abstract

Present embodiments are directed to a top drive system comprising a hoisting assembly having an upper link, a lower link, and a first joint coupling the upper link and the lower link. The top drive system also includes a main body coupled to the hoisting assembly by a second joint, wherein the hoisting assembly is configured to support the main body, and the main body is configured to support a tubular. Further, the top drive system includes a frame coupled to the main body and a counter moment system configured to apply a force on the first joint to create a bending moment about the second joint.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A top drive system, comprising:
a hoisting assembly;
an upper link of the hoisting assembly;
a lower link of the hoisting assembly;
a first joint coupling the upper link and the lower link;
a main body coupled to the hoisting assembly by a second joint, wherein the hoisting assembly is configured to support the main body, and the main body is configured to support a tubular;
a frame coupled to the main body; and
a counter moment system configured to apply a force on the first joint to create a bending moment about the second joint, wherein the counter moment system comprises:
a bracket coupled to the frame;
a hydraulic cylinder coupled to the bracket; and
a cable coupled to the hydraulic cylinder and the first joint, wherein the cable is routed through a pulley coupled to the bracket.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic cylinder is configured to create a constant force acting on the cable.

3. The system of claim 1 , comprising a controlled pressure circuit configured to regulate operation of the hydraulic cylinder.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the counter moment system comprises a spring system configured to apply a substantially constant force to the first joint.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the bending moment is configured to reduce a reactive moment acting on a torque bushing of a torque track system.

6. A top drive system, comprising:
a hoisting assembly;
a main body coupled to the hoisting assembly by a first joint, wherein the hoisting assembly is configured to support the main body, and the main body is configured to support a tubular;
a frame coupled to the main body;
a torque track system comprising a torque bushing; and
a counter moment system configured to apply a force on a second joint of the hoisting assembly to create a bending moment about the second joint, wherein the counter moment system comprises:
a bracket coupled to the frame;
a hydraulic cylinder coupled to the bracket; and
a cable coupled to the hydraulic cylinder and the second joint, wherein the cable is routed through a pulley coupled to the bracket.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the bending moment is approximately equal and opposite to an overturning moment acting on the top drive system.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the overturning moment is created by a center of gravity of the top drive system, and the center of gravity is offset from an axis of a hanging load of the tubular.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the bending moment is configured to reduce a reactive moment acting on the torque bushing, wherein the reactive moment is reactive to the overturning moment.

10. The system of claim 6 , wherein operation of the hydraulic cylinder is regulated by a controlled pressure circuit.

11. The system of claim 6 , wherein the force is substantially constant.

12. The system of claim 6 , wherein application of the force rotates a link of the hoisting assembly over a center of gravity of the top drive system.

13. A method, comprising:
coupling a main body of a top drive system to a hoisting assembly with a first joint;
suspending the main body of the top drive system with the hoisting assembly; and
applying a force to a second joint of the hoisting assembly to create a bending moment about the first joint, wherein applying the force to the second joint of the hoisting assembly comprises coupling a cable to the second joint and to a hydraulic cylinder and compressing the hydraulic cylinder.

14. The method of claim 13 , comprising coupling a tubular to the main body of the top drive system and suspending the tubular with the main body of the top drive system.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the force is substantially constant.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the bending moment is substantially equal and opposite to an overturning moment acting on the top drive system, wherein the overturning moment is created by a center of gravity of the top drive system, and the center of gravity is offset from an axis of a hanging load of the top drive system.

Assignees

• Tesco Corp

Inventors

• Bowley Ryan Thomas
• Yajure Edgar Fernando

Classifications

• E21B19/08

  Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables (E21B19/22 takes precedence; automatic feed E21B44/02); Apparatus for increasing or decreasing the pressure on the drilling tool; Apparatus for counterbalancing the weight of the rods · CPC title

• E21B3/02

  Surface drives for rotary drilling · CPC title

• E21B19/00 Primary

  Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables · CPC title

• E21B19/02

  Rod or cable suspensions · CPC title

• E21B3/022

  Top drives · CPC title