Casing grapple

Abstract

A tubular is automatically gripped below an upset end or coupling and released mechanically or with the use of pressure or other devices such as motors and or gear arrangements. A mandrel connects to a traveling block and/or top drive and enables selective supporting and releasing of an “upset end” tubular (casing, tubing or drill pipe) by changing the load carrying element as well as sealing element, this allows supporting while running or pulling, filling, flow back and/or circulation.

We claim: 
     
       1. An assembly for moving at least one tubular between a location outside a borehole and the borehole, comprising:
 a mandrel comprising an upper end adapted for connection to a device that provides axial or rotational movement and fluid delivery to a passage through said mandrel, said mandrel further comprising an open lower end; 
 an outer housing surrounding said mandrel comprising a lower end entry opening for the tubular; 
 a gripping assembly within said outer housing having a first position interfering with said passage for mechanical engagement with the tubular on insertion into said lower end entry opening for tandem movement toward a second position radially displaced clear of said passage by the tubular passing said lower end entry opening, said gripping assembly selectively movable toward said first position relative to and against the passing tubular to grip the tubular for support from said outer housing; 
 a release assembly on said outer housing for selectively moving said gripping assembly to said second position to permit removal of the tubular; 
 said gripping assembly rotatably mounted to turn with the tubular when in contact therewith and relative to said outer housing as said tubular is advanced into said lower end entry opening. 
 
     
     
       2. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said release assembly selectively actuated adjacent an upper end of said outer housing by said device to move said gripping assembly from said first to said second positions when the tubular is independently supported. 
 
     
     
       3. The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein:
 a linkage is actuated by the device to axially move said gripping assembly until said gripping assembly engages said mandrel for radial displacement to said second position. 
 
     
     
       4. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said outer housing further comprising an externally visible position indicator for said gripping assembly. 
 
     
     
       5. The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein;
 said position indicator moving in tandem with said release assembly. 
 
     
     
       6. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said passage further comprising a sealing member to engage the tubular when the tubular is advanced through said lower end entry opening and into said passage. 
 
     
     
       7. The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein:
 said sealing member engages internally to the tubular. 
 
     
     
       8. The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein:
 said sealing member is biased toward the tubular. 
 
     
     
       9. The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein:
 said sealing member engages a top of the tubular with a smaller seal than an upper seal on said sealing member disposed in said passage such that pressure in a flowpath through said sealing member coming from said passage holds said sealing member to the top of the tubular with a net force. 
 
     
     
       10. The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein:
 said outer housing further comprising an externally visible position indicator for said gripping assembly. 
 
     
     
       11. The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said position indicator moving in tandem with said release assembly. 
 
     
     
       12. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said gripping assembly comprising a plurality of elongated fingers disposed along a tapered surface within said outer assembly; 
 said elongated fingers engaging said mandrel when axially shifted by said release assembly when said fingers move from said first to said second position of said gripping assembly. 
 
     
     
       13. The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein:
 said tapered surface guiding said fingers toward the tubular for a grip of a tapered surface defining an upset on the tubular. 
 
     
     
       14. The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein:
 said fingers retaining the tubular by a wedging action resulting from relative axial movement of said fingers with respect to said tapered surface. 
 
     
     
       15. The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein:
 said fingers engaging a radial surface on said outer housing after travelling along said tapered surface for retaining the upset or coupling on the tubular. 
 
     
     
       16. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said release assembly comprises a double acting hydraulic piston. 
 
     
     
       17. An assembly for moving at least one tubular between a location outside a borehole and the borehole, comprising:
 a mandrel comprising an upper end adapted for connection to a device that provides axial or rotational movement and fluid delivery to a passage through said mandrel, said mandrel further comprising an open lower end; 
 an outer housing surrounding said mandrel comprising a lower end entry opening for the tubular; 
 a gripping assembly within said outer housing having a first position interfering with said passage for mechanical engagement with the tubular on insertion into said lower end entry opening for tandem movement toward a second position radially displaced clear of said passage by the tubular passing said lower end entry opening, said gripping assembly selectively movable toward said first position relative to and against the passing tubular to grip the tubular for support from said outer housing; 
 a release assembly on relatively movable components of said outer housing for selectively mechanically moving said gripping assembly toward said second position to permit removal of the tubular; 
 said release assembly selectively actuated adjacent an upper end of said outer housing by said device to move said gripping assembly from said first to said second positions when the tubular is independently supported. 
 
     
     
       18. The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein:
 a linkage is actuated by the device to axially move said gripping assembly until said gripping assembly engages said mandrel for radial displacement to said second position. 
 
     
     
       19. An assembly for moving at least one tubular between a location outside a borehole and the borehole, comprising:
 a mandrel comprising an upper end adapted for connection to a device that provides axial or rotational movement and fluid delivery to a passage through said mandrel, said mandrel further comprising an open lower end; 
 an outer housing surrounding said mandrel comprising a lower end entry opening for the tubular; 
 a gripping assembly within said outer housing having a first position interfering with said passage for mechanical engagement with the tubular on insertion into said lower end entry opening for tandem movement toward a second position radially displaced clear of said passage by the tubular passing said lower end entry opening, said gripping assembly selectively movable toward said first position relative to and against the passing tubular to grip the tubular for support from said outer housing; 
 a release assembly on said outer housing for selectively moving said gripping assembly to said second position to permit removal of the tubular; 
 said passage further comprising a sealing member biased to move axially into selective engagement with the tubular for subsequent tandem movement when the tubular is advanced through said lower end entry opening and into said passage. 
 
     
     
       20. The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein:
 said sealing member engages internally to the tubular. 
 
     
     
       21. The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein:
 said sealing member engages a top of the tubular with a smaller seal than an upper seal on said sealing member disposed in said passage such that pressure in a flowpath through said sealing member coming from said passage holds said sealing member to the top of the tubular with a net force.