A power tong continuously rotates tubulars for
spinning and torquing threaded connections.
Continuous rotation is achieved through a rotating jaw having
grippers that grip the tubular and continuously rotate with it. Hydraulic and electrical power necessary for actuating the
grippers is generated
on board. A
serpentine belt system turns the motors of the on-board hydraulic
power unit and electric generators to supply the
grippers with hydraulic and electrical power. The
serpentine belt system is driven by a secondary drive mounted on a
fixed frame. The rotating jaw is rotatably mounted to the
fixed frame and driven during continuous three hundred and sixty degrees of rotation by a primary drive, mounted on the
fixed frame. A fixed jaw is also mounted to the frame. Tubular grippers on the fixed jaw grip a first side of a tubular joint. The grippers on the rotating jaw grip the opposite second side of the tubular joint.
High torque low-rotational speed applied to the rotating jaw torques the joint. Low torque high-rotational speed applied to the rotating jaw
spins the joint.