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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Compact casing tongs for use on top head drive earth drilling machine

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5427132
This patent describes casing tongs for a drilling machine of the type comprising a mast and a top head drive assembly movable along the mast, wherein the top head drive assembly comprises a quill and means for rotating the quill. The casing tongs comprising: a rigid tube having an upper end and a lower end; a first element secured to the upper end of the tube and shaped to engage the quill to support the tube from the quill such that rotation of the quill causes rotation of the tube; a plurality of jaws, each configured to engage an exterior surface of the length of casing; means for supporting the jaws in the tube for limited rotational and radial movement to engage the casing body below the casing collar; brake means, coupled between the jaws and a nonrotating element external to the tube, for selectively retarding rotation of the jaws when the tube is rotated by the quill and the brake means is set. The supporting means and brake means cooperating to shift the jaws radially inwardly to clamp the casing body for rotation when the tube is rotated by the quill and the brake means is set.
Assignee:
W-N Apache Corp., Wichita Falls, TX
Patent Number(s):
US 4867236
Application Number:
PPN: US 7254422A
OSTI ID:
5427132
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English