Tubular handling apparatus

Abstract

In one embodiment, a tubular handling assembly for use with a top drive includes a mandrel coupled to the top drive; a gripping assembly for gripping and releasing a tubular, the gripping assembly coupled to and rotating with the mandrel; and an actuation assembly for actuating the gripping assembly, wherein the gripping assembly is rotatable relative to the actuation assembly.

1 . A tubular handling assembly for use with a top drive, comprising:
 a mandrel coupled to the top drive;   a gripping assembly for gripping and releasing a tubular, the gripping assembly coupled to and rotating with the mandrel;   a link assembly rotationally coupled to the mandrel;   an actuator coupling rotationally coupled to the gripping assembly; and   a plurality of actuators connected to the link assembly and the actuator coupling, wherein the plurality of actuators are configured to actuate the gripping assembly and the gripping assembly is rotatable relative to the plurality of actuators.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a slip link coupling disposed around the actuator coupling. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of actuators are connected to the actuator coupling and the gripping assembly is coupled to the slip link coupling. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the gripping assembly is configured to grip an exterior surface of a tubular. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator coupling is disposed around an actuator pipe. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the gripping assembly is configured to grip an interior surface of a tubular. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of actuators are configured to axially move the actuator coupling. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator coupling comprises a leveling ring. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more bearing assemblies for coupling the actuator coupling to the gripping assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of actuators comprise a piston and cylinder assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator coupling is axially moved relative to the link assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more bearing assemblies for rotationally coupling the link assembly to the mandrel. 
     
     
         13 . A tubular handling assembly for use with a top drive, comprising:
 a mandrel coupled to the top drive;   a gripping assembly for gripping and releasing a tubular, the gripping assembly coupled to and rotating with the mandrel;   a link assembly coupled to the mandrel using a first bearing assembly; and   a plurality of actuation cylinders coupled to the link assembly and to a ring assembly, wherein the plurality of actuation cylinders axially move the ring assembly relative to the link assembly, and   wherein the gripping assembly is coupled to the ring assembly using a second bearing assembly.   
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a torque reaction bracket that is coupled to the link assembly and to a rotationally fixed location to prevent the link assembly from rotating. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a torque support bar that is coupled to the link assembly and the ring assembly to provide structural support. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the gripping assembly includes a plurality of gripping elements coupled to a housing. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , the gripping elements engage an external surface of the tubular. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the gripping assembly includes a plurality of gripping elements coupled to an actuator pipe. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the gripping elements engage an internal surface of the tubular. 
     
     
         20 . A method of handling a tubular using a top drive, comprising:
 coupling a mandrel to the top drive;   rotationally coupling a gripping assembly to the mandrel, wherein the gripping assembly is configured to grip a tubular;   coupling a link assembly to the mandrel;   disposing a plurality of actuation assemblies between the link assembly and a slip coupling, wherein the plurality of actuation assemblies are configured to actuate the gripping assembly;   actuating the gripping assembly to grip the tubular by moving the slip coupling axially relative to the link assembly; and   rotating the gripping assembly and the tubular relative to the plurality of actuation assemblies.