Clamping head assembly for clamping drill pipe elements and drilling equipment - Patents.com

Abstract

To provide a tightening head assembly for tightening a drill pipe element.SOLUTION: A tightening head assembly 10 comprises a tightening head base 12, a tightening jaw base body 20 that is radially adjustable between a tightening position and a released position with respect to a drill pipe element, and an adapter element 30 that is adapted to a shape of the drill pipe element to be tightened and configured to contact the drill pipe element in the tightening position and to tighten the drill pipe element in the tightening position. The adapter element 30 is operable in a locked position locked to the tightening jaw base body 20 and a released position released from the tightening jaw base body 20, and is removable from the tightening jaw base body 20 in the released position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamping head assembly for clamping a drill pipe element, comprising a clamping head base, at least one clamping jaw base body radially adjustable at the clamping head base between a clamping position and a release position relative to the drill pipe element, and at least one adapter element on the clamping jaw base body, the adapter element adapted to the shape of the drill pipe element to be clamped, the adapter element configured to abut the drill pipe element in the clamping position and to clamp the drill pipe element in the clamping position, as described in the preamble of claim 1. [Background technology]

[0002] A known clamping head assembly is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,499. In this known assembly, drill pipe elements can be clamped and held by three clamping jaws arranged 120° apart from one another. Such clamping head assemblies are particularly used on drilling rigs in which the drill pipe consists of several drill pipe elements, in particular several threadedly connected drill pipe elements. In particular, such clamping head assemblies can be used when threading additional drill pipe elements or when loosening drill pipe elements during withdrawal from the borehole, for example, to hold an existing drill pipe so that it does not slip back into the borehole during withdrawal from the borehole. Here, loosening and tightening of threaded connections in the drill pipe are also important aspects, since the clamping jaws can transmit high torques due to frictional forces in the clamped state. Depending on the type of drilling rig, such clamping head assemblies can be axially or radially movable.

[0003] The clamping head assembly includes clamping jaws with contact surfaces whereby the clamping jaws contact the circumference of the drill pipe over as large an area as possible, which allows for the highest possible adhesive and frictional forces and therefore the best possible holding force on the drill pipe.

[0004] Therefore, when changing the diameter of the drill pipe, it is common practice to change the actual clamping jaws, which may also be called adapter elements, and to replace the actual clamping jaws with other clamping jaws having a profile adapted to the changed circumference of the drill pipe.

[0005] For this purpose, it is known to loosen the connecting device on the clamping jaw, remove the existing clamping jaw, and replace the existing clamping jaw with a new clamping jaw. The connecting device must then be reclosed so that the clamping head assembly can be used again. These changes must be performed manually, requiring a significant amount of time and effort. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 1936109 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The underlying object of the present invention is to specify a clamping head assembly that can be efficiently adapted to accommodate modified drill pipe components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a clamping head assembly having the features set forth in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0009] The clamping head assembly according to the present invention is characterized in that an adapter element is releasably disposed on the clamping jaw base body, the adapter element being lockable by an actuatable locking device, and the locking device comprising at least one latch element, the at least one latch element being adjustable between a locked position in which the adapter element is locked and fixed to the clamping jaw base body, and a released position in which the adapter element is released from the clamping jaw base body and can be removed from the clamping jaw base body.

[0010] The basic idea of ​​the present invention is to releasably mount an adapter element, which is the actual clamping jaw, on a clamping jaw base body and lock the adapter element with an actuable locking device. This eliminates the need for complex connecting devices, particularly those involving screws. Instead, an easy-to-operate locking device with a latching element is provided, preferably an automatically or semi-automatically operated locking device with a latching element. The latching element can be adjusted between a locked position and an unlocked position by a simple latching movement, particularly a linear or arcuate movement. This locking device on the clamping jaw base body can therefore be used to quickly unlock and lock the adapter element, thereby enabling efficient replacement of the adapter element.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping head base is of a substantially cylindrical or tubular design. The clamping head base represents a base body or frame on which the clamping jaw base body is mounted. The clamping head base can be annular or sleeve-shaped and can surround the outer surface of the drill pipe element. Alternatively or additionally, the clamping head base can be rod-shaped or similarly designed so that it can be placed inside a tubular rod element. Thus, depending on the design of the clamping head base, clamping can be performed outside the drill pipe element and / or inside the drill pipe element.

[0012] In a simple embodiment, it may be sufficient to arrange a single clamping jaw base body that can be supplied on the drill pipe element by means of clamping jaws or adapter elements. According to a further development of the invention, it is particularly advantageous if a plurality of clamping jaw base bodies are arranged distributed over the circumference of the drill pipe element to be clamped. In particular, two, three, four or any other suitable number of clamping jaw base bodies with corresponding adapter elements can be arranged distributed in one plane over the circumference of the drill pipe element. In particular, the adapter elements are arranged radially opposite one another so that they can cancel out each other's abutment forces.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the present invention, at least one latch element is advantageously biased and held in the locked position by a biasing device. Preferably, all latch elements of the clamping head assembly are biased and held in the locked position. This ensures fail-safe operation. In this case, the biasing device can be, in particular, a tension spring that holds the latch element in the locked position by a spring force. Therefore, to release the adapter element, the latch element must be actively moved to the released position by a force acting against the biasing device. After this force is removed, the latch element returns to the locked position.

[0014] It is further preferred that at least one latch element comprises an actuating part for adjusting the latch element from the locked position to the released position. In particular, this actuating part can be a pin or a bolt, which preferably projects relative to the base body of the clamping jaw. By actuating the actuating part, in particular by applying a compressive force to the actuating part, the latch element can be adjusted from the locked position to the released position.

[0015] In particular, according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is advantageous if at least one latch element is displaceably mounted on or in the clamping jaw base body, with an actuating portion of the latch element projecting relative to the clamping jaw base body in the locked position. The latch element can preferably be adjustably mounted in a corresponding receptacle on or in the clamping jaw base body. The actuating portion of the latch element preferably projects from this receptacle so that it can be actuated in a simple manner.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that the at least one clamping jaw base body is mounted so as to be axially displaceable, and that a wedge gate valve mechanism is formed on the clamping head base, by means of which the axial movement of the at least one clamping jaw base body can be converted into a radial clamping movement. Guide bars, in particular guide bars oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drill pipe, can be arranged on the clamping head base, or the clamping head base can be of an overall conical design, so that the longitudinal axial displacement of the clamping jaw base body also results in a radial adjustment and clamping movement of the clamping jaw base body.

[0017] According to a further development, it is particularly advantageous if at least one stop is arranged on the clamping head base, and an actuating portion of the latch element is movable against the at least one stop, allowing the latch element to be adjusted from its locked position to its released position. In particular, during the axial movement, the actuating element can project forward in the direction of movement so that after an adjustment movement of the clamping jaw base body, the actuating element is pressed axially against the stop. The stop is arranged so that the actuating portion does not come into contact with the stop during the normal axial clamping movement for clamping the drill pipe. Rather, contact between the actuating portion and the stop is only possible when clamping of the drill pipe element is not provided and therefore no drill pipe is placed in the clamping head assembly. Thus, the stop can be used by the actuating element to adjust the latch element from the locked position to the released position. In this position, the unlocked adapter element can then be removed from the clamping jaw base body and a new, compatible adapter element can be inserted. Using this configuration, the actuating drive can be used for unlocking or locking, which also provides for performing the clamping movement during drilling operations.

[0018] A preferred embodiment of the invention is, in particular, that an adjusting device, in particular with at least one adjusting cylinder, is arranged by means of which the at least one clamping jaw base body can be adjusted, which may in particular comprise one or more hydraulic cylinders, which are preferably aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drill pipe section to be clamped.

[0019] Another suitable embodiment of the invention is that the adapter element comprises at least one retaining portion that protrudes into a recess in the clamping jaw base body, which at least one retaining portion is configured to cooperate with at least one latch element of the clamping jaw base body to at least positively fix the adapter element to the clamping jaw base body, preferably, the fixation can be performed not only positively but also insecurely.

[0020] In particular, it is advantageous if the holding part comprises a holding pin having a locking recess formed thereon, in which the latch element engages with the latch part for secure locking in the locked position. A through-hole or preferably an outer recess, in particular an annular recess, in which the latch element securely engages with the at least one latch part can be arranged on the holding part. This ensures secure retention of the adapter element on the clamping jaw base body.

[0021] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, it can be provided that the latch element comprises a release portion which, in the release position, is arranged over the locking recess so that the adapter element with the holding portion can be removed from the base body of the clamping jaw. In particular, the latch element can be a pin- or bolt-shaped latch element in which the release portion is formed by a recess. Therefore, when this recess of the release portion is moved into the area of ​​the locking recess of the holding portion of the adapter element, a positive lock can be released. In this release position, the adapter element with the holding portion can be released and removed from the base body of the clamping jaw.

[0022] The present invention further comprises a drilling rig for forming boreholes, in particular for forming boreholes in the earth, comprising at least one drill pipe section, the drilling rig being provided with the above-described clamping head assembly according to the invention. By using such a drilling rig, the above-described advantages can be achieved, in particular when replacing the drill pipe with a drill pipe having a different outer diameter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a clamping head assembly according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a clamping jaw base body with an adapter element inserted in a locked position. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of an adapter element with an associated latch element in a locked position, with the clamping jaw base body not shown. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view of the adapter element and latch element corresponding to the perspective view of FIG. 3, but with the latch element in a released position. [Figure 5] 3 is a perspective view of the clamping jaw base body according to FIG. 2 when the adapter element is removed in the release position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The invention will be further explained below with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments which are illustrated diagrammatically in the drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a clamping head assembly 10 according to the invention, which comprises a sleeve-type clamping head base 12. The clamping head assembly 10 can be securely attached to a partially shown rotary drive 80, in particular to a rotary-driven output element 82, by means of a connecting part having an external thread 84. The clamping head base 12 can therefore rotate together with the output element 82 of the rotary drive 80. The external thread 84 of the output element 82 allows a drill pipe having a corresponding internal thread to be screwed onto it. The drill pipe is arranged inside the sleeve-type clamping head base 12 and is not shown in FIG. 1.

[0026] The clamping head carriage 14 is mounted on the outside of the sleeve-type clamping head base 12 so as to be axially displaceable. To achieve the axial displacement, an adjustment device 70 having one or more adjustment cylinders 72 can be arranged, as also shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 . The adjustment device 70 can be fixedly attached to a base body (not shown), such as a drilling rig, and can be stationary relative to a rotary drive element 82. The at least one adjustment cylinder 72 can displace an actuator 74, which is connected to the axially movable clamping carriage 14 by a pivot bearing 76. In this way, an axial actuating movement can be transmitted from the relatively fixed adjustment device 70 to the clamping carriage 14, which rotates about a longitudinal and / or rotational axis on the clamping head base 12.

[0027] At the front of the clamping carriage 14, one or more clamping jaw base bodies 20 may be connected to the clamping carriage 14 by an annular holder 22. The holder 22 may be configured to form an axially fixed connection with at least one clamping jaw base body 20 but allow radial movement about a longitudinal or rotational axis of the clamping jaw base body 20 relative to the clamping head base 12.

[0028] The outer surface of the clamping jaw base body 20 is inclined or tapered so that the clamping jaw base body 20 forms a wedge gate valve mechanism 18 with a corresponding inclined or conical guide element 17 fixedly attached to the outer surface of the clamping head base 12. The wedge gate valve mechanism 18 is configured so that during the axial forward movement of the clamping carriage 14, the clamping jaw base body 20 not only adjusts axially but also radially, particularly radially inward, in a defined manner.

[0029] A plate-shaped adapter element 30, preferably having an arcuate inner surface adapted to the drill pipe element to be clamped, is arranged radially inward on the clamping jaw base body 20. The adapter element 30 extends from the clamping jaw base body 20 mounted radially outward through the window-like passage 16 in the clamping head base 12 into the inner space of the sleeve-shaped clamping head base 12. The induced radial movement of the clamping jaw base body 20 with the adapter element 30 mounted thereon allows for radial press-fit clamping of the cylindrical drill pipe element arranged in the clamping head base 12. By returning the clamping carriage 14 by the adjustment device 70, the clamping jaw base body 20 with the adapter element 30 is again returned radially, and the clamping of the drill pipe element is released.

[0030] According to the invention, the adapter elements 30 are each releasably and replaceably held on the clamping jaw base body 20 by a locking device 40 which has a bolt-like latch element 42 arranged parallel to the longitudinal or rotational axis and having a pin-like actuating portion 44 which projects axially with respect to the end face of the associated clamping jaw base body 20.

[0031] To release the locking device 40, the clamping jaw base body 20 can be moved to a forward end position in which the actuating portion 44 of the latch element 42 presses against the axial stop 60. The operation of the locking device 40 will be described in more detail below with respect to the remaining figures.

[0032] Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the clamping jaw base body 20. The clamping jaw base body 20 has a recess 26 into which an adapter element 30 having a retaining portion 36 is snugly inserted. Figure 2 further shows that the adapter element 30 has an arcuate clamping surface 32 on its upper surface, the contour of which is adapted to the outer contour of the cylindrical drill pipe element to be clamped.

[0033] A locking device 40 having a bolt-type latch element 42 is arranged inside the clamping jaw base body 20. The latch element 42 is displaceably mounted and held in a receiving bore of the clamping jaw base body 20 by a screwed fastening plate 24, and a pin-shaped actuating part 44 having a dome-shaped head projects from the latch element 42 to the outside of the clamping jaw base body 20 in a defined manner.

[0034] The design and operation of the locking device 40 will be explained in more detail with respect to the schematic diagrams of Figures 3 and 4. For clarity, only the adapter element 30 and the locking device 40 are shown, not the surrounding clamping jaw base body 20.

[0035] 3 shows the locking device 40 in its locked position. The bolt-shaped latch element 42 is held in the locked position by a biasing device 50, which, according to the exemplary embodiment shown, may be configured as a coil spring 52. In this process, the latch portion 46 of the latch element 42 engages with the annular groove-shaped locking recess 38 of the retaining pin 37 formed on the underside of the retaining portion 36 of the adapter element 30. The retaining pin 37 is thereby received in a corresponding receiving bore in the clamping jaw base body 20. In this arrangement, the retaining pin 37 is therefore securely held by the latch portion 46 engaged with the locking recess 38. In this locked position, the forward operating portion 44 of the latch element 42 projects axially in a defined manner relative to the retaining plate 24 attached to the clamping jaw base body 20.

[0036] When the clamping jaw base body 20 is moved axially against the stop 60 shown in FIG. 1, the actuation portion 44, and therefore the latch element 42, is pushed inward to the release position shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4. During this actuation movement, the larger-diameter latch portion 46 disengages from the locking recess 38. Furthermore, as the latch element 42 moves into the area of ​​the locking recess 38 on the retaining pin 37, the release portion 48 of the latch element 42 is pushed. The release portion 48 has a smaller diameter than the adjacent latch portion 46. The release portion 48 is configured to ensure that the retaining pin 37 is no longer obstructed, and thus the adapter element 30 can be pulled upward out of the recess 26 on the clamping jaw base body 20, as shown in FIG. 5. In this release position, a new adapter element 30 can then be inserted into the clamping jaw base body 20. The new adapter element 30 preferably has a clamping surface 32 with a different arcuate contour.

[0037] After inserting the new adapter element 30, the clamping jaw base body 20 can be pushed away from the catch 60 again using the adjustment device 70 shown in Figure 1, adjusting the bolt-type latch element 42. In the process, the latch element 42 is returned to the locked position by the biasing device 50, which is compressed to the release position by the coil spring 52. The latch element 42 again returns to the position according to Figure 3.

[0038] Figure 5 shows diagrammatically the removal of the adapter element 30 from the approximately rectangular recess 26 on the clamping jaw base body 20. It is further apparent from Figure 5 that in this release position according to Figure 4, the latch element 42 is pressed into the receiving bore of the clamping jaw base body 20 by means of the actuating portion 44, which does not protrude with respect to the surface of the clamping jaw base body 20 bearing the retaining plate 24.

Claims

1. 1. A clamping head assembly for clamping drill pipe sections, comprising: a tightening head base; at least one clamping jaw base body radially adjustable at said clamping head base between clamping and release positions relative to said drill pipe section; at least one adapter element on the clamping jaw base body; wherein the adapter element is adapted to the shape of the drill pipe element to be clamped, and the adapter element is configured to abut and clamp the drill pipe element in the clamped position; the adapter element being releasably disposed on the clamping jaw base body, the adapter element being lockable by an actuatable locking device; the locking device comprises at least one latch element, the at least one latch element being adjustable between a locked position in which the adapter element is locked and fixed to the clamping jaw base body and a released position in which the adapter element is released from the clamping jaw base body and is removable from the clamping jaw base body; at least one latch element being biased and held in said locked position by a biasing device; A clamping head assembly comprising:

2. 2. The fastening head assembly of claim 1, The clamping head base is of substantially cylindrical or tubular design. A clamping head assembly comprising:

3. 2. The fastening head assembly of claim 1, A plurality of clamping jaw base bodies are arranged so as to be distributed around the circumference of the drill pipe section to be clamped. A clamping head assembly comprising:

4. 2. The fastening head assembly of claim 1, The at least one latch element includes an actuation portion for adjusting the latch element from the locked position to the released position. A clamping head assembly comprising:

5. 2. The fastening head assembly of claim 1, the at least one latch element is displaceably mounted on or within the clamping jaw base body; In the locked position, an actuating portion of the latch element protrudes relative to the clamping jaw base body. A clamping head assembly comprising:

6. 2. The fastening head assembly of claim 1, the at least one clamping jaw base body is mounted so as to be axially displaceable; A wedge gate valve mechanism is formed on the clamping head base, and the wedge gate valve mechanism is capable of converting axial movement of the at least one clamping jaw base body into radial clamping movement. A clamping head assembly comprising:

7. 2. The fastening head assembly of claim 1, At least one stop is disposed on the clamping head base, an actuating portion of the latch element is movable against the at least one stop, and the latch element is adjustable from its locked position to the released position. A clamping head assembly comprising:

8. 2. The fastening head assembly of claim 1, the adapter element includes at least one retaining portion that protrudes into a recess in the clamping jaw base body; the at least one retaining portion is configured to cooperate with the at least one latching element of the clamping jaw base body to at least securely secure the adapter element to the clamping jaw base body. A clamping head assembly comprising:

9. 9. The fastening head assembly of claim 8, The retaining portion includes a retaining pin having a locking recess formed thereon, where the latch element engages with the latch portion to securely lock into a locked position. A clamping head assembly comprising:

10. 10. The fastening head assembly of claim 9, The latch element includes a release portion, the release portion being disposed over the locking recess in the release position such that the adapter element including the retention portion is removable from the clamping jaw base body. A clamping head assembly comprising:

11. 2. The fastening head assembly of claim 1, An adjusting device having at least one adjusting cylinder is provided, by means of which the at least one clamping jaw base body can be adjusted. A clamping head assembly comprising:

12. a fastening head assembly according to claim 1; at least one drill pipe section; Drilling equipment for creating boreholes in the ground.

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