Die holder device and method for utilizing the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9752394-B2
Application number	US-201314403860-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 29, 2013
Priority date	May 30, 2012
Publication date	Sep 5, 2017
Grant date	Sep 5, 2017

Abstract

A die holder device includes a die holder that has an axial centre line and is adapted to receive a clamp die. The die holder is included in a clamp arm or slide block. The die holder is restricted from axial movement by at least a first complete or partial conical surface and possibly by a second complete or partial conical surface that directly or indirectly bears against the clamp arm or the slide block.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A die holder device comprising:
a die holder having an axial centre line, the die holder configured to receive a clamp die; and
a clamp arm or a slide block in which the die holder is positioned;
wherein the die holder comprises at least one conical surface matching with and complementary fitting to a conical surface on the clamp arm or slide block, the complementary fitting conical surfaces configured to restrict the die holder from axial movement;
wherein the at least one conical surface of the die holder is an axially extending annular surface disposed about the axial centre line;
wherein the conical surface on the clamp arm or slide block is an axially extending annular surface disposed about the axial centre line.

2. The die holder device according to claim 1 , wherein the die holder is formed with a first conical surface and a second conical surface;
wherein the first and second conical surfaces of the die holder fit complementarily to a first conical surface and a second conical surface, respectively, on the clamp arm or on the slide block.

3. The die holder device according to claim 2 , wherein the first conical surface and the second conical surface oppose each other.

4. The die holder device according to claim 3 , wherein the first conical surface is positioned at a first end portion of the die holder.

5. The die holder device according to claim 4 , wherein the second conical surface is positioned at a second end portion of the die holder.

6. The die holder device according to claim 2 , wherein the second conical surface is positioned on a clamp element that is connected to the die holder.

7. The die holder device according to claim 6 , wherein the clamp element is a nut.

8. The die holder device according to claim 2 further comprising a strut having an axial centre line and spanning between the die holder and the die holder actuator;
wherein the axial centre line of the die holder is co-axially aligned with an axial centre line of the strut for at least one position of the die holder within the working range of the die holder and the actuator.

9. The die holder device according to claim 8 , wherein the axial centre line of the die holder coincides with the axial centre line of the strut for at least one position of the die holder within the working range of the die holder and the actuator.

10. A method for utilizing a die holder device, the method comprising:
providing a die holder positioned in a clamp arm or a slide block, wherein the die holder has an axial centre line; and
restricting the die holder from axial movement relative to the clamp arm or the slide block by bearing a conical surface on the die holder against a matching complementary fitting conical surface on the clamp arm or the slide block, wherein the conical surface on the die holder is an axially extending annular surface disposed about the axial centre line and the conical surface on the clamp arm or slide block is an axially extending annular surface disposed about the axial centre line.

11. The method according to claim 10 further comprising:
providing a second conical surface on the die holder; and
letting the first conical surface on the die holder and a second conical surface on the die holder oppose each other.

12. The method according to claim 11 further comprising:
letting the second conical surface be positioned on a clamp element that is connected to the die holder.

13. The method according to claim 12 further comprising:
coupling the clamp element to the die holder by threads.

14. The method according to claim 11 further comprising:
disposing a strut between the die holder and an actuator of the die holder;
aligning the axial centre line of the die holder in the same direction as an axial centre line of the strut for at least one position of the die holder within the working range of the die holder and the actuator.

15. The method according to claim 14 further comprising:
aligning the axial centre line of the die holder to coincide with the axial centre line of the strut for at least one position of the die holder within the working range of the die holder and the actuator.

16. The method according to claim 10 further comprising:
disposing a strut between the die holder and an actuator of the die holder;
coupling the die actuator to a power tong body; and
coupling the clamp arm or the slide block to the power tong body for movement relative to the power tong body.

17. A die holder device, the die holder device comprising:
a clamp arm or a slide block having a through-bore with an inside first conical surface;
a die holder having a cylindrical housing, a first end portion, a second end portion, a die holder bore extending through the second end portion, an outside first conical surface facing away from the first end portion, the cylindrical housing extending into the through-bore of the clamp arm or the slide block;
a clamp die coupled to the die holder and positioned adjacent the first end portion; and
a die actuator coupled to the die holder and positioned opposite the clamp die;
wherein the outside first conical surface of the die holder engages the inside first conical surface of the clamp arm or the slide block.

18. The die holder device of claim 17 further comprising:
a main bearing insert positioned in the die holder bore and adjacent the first end portion of the die holder;
a return bearing positioned in the die holder bore and adjacent the second end portion of the die holder, opposite the main bearing; and
a portion of a sphere coupling the die actuator to the die holder and positioned between the main bearing and the return bearing in die holder bore for rotational motion between the two bearings;
wherein the return bearing is annular and is retained in position by a support ring and a lock ring coupled to the cylindrical housing of the die holder.

19. The die holder device of claim 18 further comprising:
a strut coupled between the die holder and the die actuator;
wherein the portion of the sphere is an end portion of the strut and the strut further includes an elongate portion extending from the spherical portion toward the die actuator.

20. The die holder device of claim 19 wherein the die holder further includes a clamp element coupled to the die holder housing and having an outside second conical surface, the outside second conical surface positioned adjacent the second end portion of the die holder and facing a direction opposing the outside first conical surface;
wherein the through-bore of the clamp arm or the slide block further includes an inside second conical surface configured to engage the outside second conical surface of the clamp element.

21. The die holder device of claim 17 wherein the die holder further includes a nut threadingly coupled to the die holder housing and having an outside second conical surface, the outside second conical surface positioned adjacent the second end portion of the die holder and facing a direction opposing the outside first conical surface; and
wherein the through-bore of the clamp arm or the slide block further includes an inside second conical surface configured to engage the outside second conical surface of the clamp element.

Assignees

• Nat Oilwell Varco Norway As

Inventors

• Webb Jonathan Garrick
• Rosano Hugo Leonardo
• Hill David Allen
• Moen Trond Werner

Classifications

• E21B19/161 Primary

  using a wrench or a spinner adapted to engage a circular section of pipe (E21B19/168 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B25B5/147 Primary

  for pipes · CPC title

• E21B19/02 Primary

  Rod or cable suspensions · CPC title