Apparatus for manipulating power tongs

Abstract

An apparatus for manipulating a power tong to various positions on the rig floor. A boom of fixed length is mounted to a drilling rig either directly or indirectly by means of a bearing housing. The bearing housing is slewable about a vertical axis and the boom is axially drivable with respect to the bearing housing, these motions together or individually causing lateral motion to the power tong. In one embodiment, the bearing housing and thereby the boom is tilted by use of hydraulic cylinders mounted between the bearing housing and slewing housing, allowing the elevation of the power tong to be changed. In a second embodiment, the end of the boom at the power tong is supported by a hydraulic cylinder and hanging cable. In a third embodiment, the power tong is supported directly by a hanging cable and hydraulic cylinder arrangement and the end of the boom pushes and slews to impart lateral motion indirectly to the power tong by way of the hanging cable or cylinder or tong itself.

1 . A manipulator for positioning power tongs comprising:
 a boom of fixed length supported by a bearing means and axially moveable with respect thereto,   a means to linearly drive said boom with respect to said bearing means,   a means of attaching a power tong to one end of said boom,   a stewing means allowing said bearing housing and, thereby, said boom to rotate about a vertical axis,   a means for supporting said manipulator.   
   
   
       2 . A manipulator of  claim 1  further comprising a means of tilting said boom and thereby changing the elevation of said power tong. 
   
   
       3 . A manipulator of  claim 2  further comprising a gimble means at the end of said boom to allow the power tong to remain vertical as the boom is tilted. 
   
   
       4 . A manipulator of  claim 3  further comprising a swivel means to enable the power tong to be rotated about the axis of the gimble. 
   
   
       5 . A manipulator of  claim 2  wherein the tilting means is one or more hydraulic cylinders attached to the bearing means. 
   
   
       6 . A manipulator of  claim 2  wherein the tilting means is a hydraulic cylinder attached to a suspension cable that is attached to the derrick structure on one end and the end of the boom at the other. 
   
   
       7 . A manipulator of  claim 6  further comprising a gimble means at the end of said boom to allow the power tong to remain vertical as the boom is tilted. 
   
   
       8 . A manipulator of  claim 7  further comprising a swivel means to enable the power tong to swivel about the axis of the gimble means. 
   
   
       9 . A manipulator of  claim 1  wherein the power tong is supported by a hanging cable and hydraulic cylinder arrangement,
 a means to apply lateral forces from the boom to the hanging cable.   
   
   
       10 . A manipulator of  claim 9  wherein the means to apply lateral forces to the hanging cable is a roller means allowing the cable to move vertically with respect to the boom. 
   
   
       11 . A manipulator of  claim 1  wherein the power tong is supported by a hanging cable and hydraulic cylinder arrangement,
 a means to apply lateral forces from the boom to the hydraulic cylinder.   
   
   
       12 . A manipulator of  claim 1  wherein the power tong is supported by a hanging cable and hydraulic cylinder arrangement,
 A means to apply lateral forces from the boom to the power tong itself.   
   
   
       13 . A manipulator of  claim 1  wherein the linear drive means is one or more pinion gears powered by hydraulic motors and acting upon one or more gear racks. 
   
   
       14 . A manipulator of  claim 1  wherein the linear drive means is one or more pinion gears powered by pneumatic motors and acting upon gear one or more gear racks. 
   
   
       15 . A manipulator of  claim 1  wherein the linear drive means is one or more pinion sprockets powered by one or more hydraulic motors and acting upon one or more roller chains affixed to said boom. 
   
   
       16 . A manipulator of  claim 1  wherein the linear drive means is one or more cable on sheave arrangements powered by one or more hydraulic cylinders.