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EP-4551795-B1 - SPIDER LOAD INDICATOR

EP4551795B1EP 4551795 B1EP4551795 B1EP 4551795B1EP-4551795-B1

Inventors

  • LIESS, MARTIN
  • ZIMBELMANN, Georg

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20230606

Claims (15)

  1. A tubular gripping assembly (10) for handling a tubular, comprising: a housing (25) for disposal on a rig floor, housing a plurality of gripping members (17) for gripping the tubular; a first fluid line (42) for opening the gripping members (17), the first fluid line (42) having a first check valve (212); a second fluid line (41) for closing the gripping members (17); and a load transfer indicator assembly (100) attached to the housing (25), the load transfer indicator assembly (100) having: an indicator (130) configured to contact the rig floor, the indicator (130) being movable relative to the housing (25); and a sensor valve (110) configured to open the first check valve (212) for fluid communication through the first fluid line (42) in response to relative axial movement between the indicator (130) and the housing (25).
  2. The assembly (10) of claim 1, further comprising a memory valve (120) configured to maintain the check valve (212) open for fluid communication.
  3. The assembly (10) of claim 1, further comprising an indicator lock (150) configured to lock the indicator (130) in a fixed position and to unlock the indicator (130) to allow axial adjustment of the indicator (130) relative to the housing (25).
  4. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising an activator arm (135) pivotally coupled to the indicator (130).
  5. The assembly (10) of claim 4, further comprising a valve lever (160) coupled to the activator arm (135), the valve lever (160) having a first lever portion (161) and a second lever portion (162).
  6. The assembly (10) of claim 5, further comprising a coupling device (170) for coupling the first lever portion (161) to the activator arm (135).
  7. The assembly (10) of claim 6, wherein the coupling device (170) extends through the first lever portion (161) and a connector plate (139) of the activator arm (135).
  8. The assembly (10) of claim 7, wherein the first lever portion (161) is movable into contact with the connector plate (139), the assembly (10) optionally further comprising an indicator display (190) having an indicator arrow (151) disposed on the first lever portion (161) and a closed region on the activator arm (135).
  9. The assembly (10) of claim 5, wherein the sensor valve (110) is configured to engage the second lever portion (162).
  10. The assembly (10) of claim 5, wherein one end of the valve lever (160) is movable with the housing (25).
  11. The assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the second fluid line (41) includes a second check valve (214).
  12. The assembly (10) of claim 1, further comprising an override valve (180) configured to open the first check valve (212).
  13. A method of operating a tubular gripping assembly (10), comprising: using slips (17) of the tubular gripping assembly to grip a tubular (30); contacting an indicator (130) with a rig floor (20), the indicator (130) coupled to the tubular gripping assembly (10); lifting the tubular gripping assembly (10) relative to the indicator (130) by lifting the tubular (30); moving a sensor valve (110) in response to lifting of the tubular gripping assembly (10), thereby allowing a check valve (212) in an open line (42) to move to an open position; and supplying a fluid through the check valve (212) in the open line (42) to open the slips (17).
  14. The method of claim 13, further comprising activating a memory valve (120) after moving the sensor valve (110), optionally wherein the memory valve (120) maintains the check valve (212) in the open position.
  15. The method of claim 14, wherein the fluid flows through the sensor valve (110) to activate the memory valve (120), optionally further comprising using a reverse valve (230) to prevent reverse flow of fluid in the open line (42).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a load indicator for use with a tubular gripping apparatus, such as a spider. BACKGROUND The handling and supporting of tubular pipe strings has traditionally been performed with the aid of wedge shaped members known as slips. In some instances, these members operate in a tubular gripping apparatus, such as an elevator or a spider. Typically, an elevator or a spider includes a plurality of slips circumferentially surrounding the exterior of the pipe string. The slips are disposed in a housing. The inner sides of the slips usually carry teeth formed on hard metal dies for engaging the pipe string. The exterior surface of the slips and the interior surface of the housing have opposing engaging surfaces which are inclined and downwardly converging. The inclined surfaces allow the slip to move vertically and radially relative to the housing. In effect, the inclined surfaces serve as wedging surfaces for engaging the slip with the pipe. Thus, when the weight of the pipe is transferred to the slips, the slips will move downward with respect to the housing. As the slips move downward along the inclined surfaces, the inclined surfaces urge the slips to move radially inward to engage the pipe. In this respect, this feature of the spider is referred to as "self tightening / wedging effect." Further, the slips are designed to prohibit release of the pipe string until the pipe load is supported and lifted by another device. In the makeup or breakout of pipe strings, the spider is typically used for securing the pipe string in the wellbore at a rig floor. Additionally, an elevator suspended from a rig hook includes a separately operable set of slips and is used in tandem with the spider. The elevator may include a self-tightening feature similar to the one in the spider. In operation, the spider holds the tubular string at an axial position while the elevator positions a new pipe section above the pipe string for connection. It is common to install centralizers on the pipe string to help centralize once the pipe string is in the wellbore. After completing the connection, the elevator pulls up on and bears the weight of the string thereby releasing the pipe string from the slips of the spider there below. The elevator then lowers the pipe string into the wellbore. Before the pipe string is released from the elevator, the slips of the spider are allowed to engage the pipe string again to support the pipe string. After the weight of the pipe string is switched back to the spider, the elevator releases the pipe string and continues the makeup or break out process for the next joint. In some instances, the elevator and the spider are controlled by different people. For example, the driller controls the elevator, and the casing crew controls the spider. To check for load transfer, the pipe string is lifted, and the crews looks to see if the spider moves up with the pipe string. If a gap occurs between the spider and the rig-floor, then it is an indication that the load has been transferred from the spider to the elevator. The spider can now be opened. However, errors may occur with visual confirmations. Publication No. US 2011/0114308 describes a spider for mounting on a rig floor and a pipe gripper attached to a top drive. A hydraulic safety circuit monitors hydraulic fluid pressure at an apply port of the spider and prevents release of hydraulic fluid pressure to move the gripping members to the released position if hydraulic fluid pressure is not already present at the apply port of the spider. There is a need, therefore, for a load transfer indicator for use with a spider. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE In some embodiments, the indicator assembly 100 includes an overload protection for the sensor valve 110. Referring to Figure 8, in some instances, a tool or debris 9 may be interfere with indicator 130 from contacting the rig floor 20. When this occurs, the indicator 130 is allowed to move up relative to the spider 10 without damaging the sensor valve 110. As seen Figure 8, the connector plate 139 has moved away from the first lever portion 161 and further compressed the spring. Figure 8A is a top view of an indicator display of the indicator assembly of Figure 8. It is contemplated the indicator 130 may move from 10 mm to 20 mm above the rig floor 20. A tubular gripping assembly according to an aspect of the present invention is defined in claim 1. A method of operating a tubular gripping assembly according to another aspect of the present invention is defined in claim 13. In one embodiment, a method of connecting a first tubular to a second tubular includes using slips of the tubular gripping assembly to grip the first tubular and connecting the second tubular to the first tubular. The method also includes contacting an indicator with a rig floor, wherein the indicator coupled to the tubular gripping assembly. The method further includes lifting the tu