Tubular drive system

Abstract

Present embodiments are directed to tubular drive system including a gripping device configured to couple with a length of tubular, a rotational system configured to drive rotation of the gripping device, and a load support feature coupled to the gripping device and the rotational system, wherein the load support feature is configured to support the gripping device and the rotational system.

1 . A tubular drive system, comprising:
 a gripping device configured to couple with a length of tubular;   a rotational system configured to drive rotation of the gripping device; and   a load support feature coupled to the gripping device and the rotational system and configured to support the gripping device and the rotational system.   
     
     
         2 . The tubular drive system of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping device comprises:
 a main body configured to extend over and at least partially around a distal end of the length of tubular;   torsional clamp devices configured to engage an outer circumferential surface of the length of tubular with frictional engagement features that extend radially inward from the main body; and   at least one seal configured to engage with the distal end of the length of tubular and facilitate fluid flow through the gripping device into the length of tubular.   
     
     
         3 . The tubular drive system of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping device comprises elevators configured to radially engage an outer circumferential area of the length of tubular to establish support for a pulling load without establishing a threaded engagement with threads of the length of tubular. 
     
     
         4 . The tubular drive system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotational system comprises:
 at least one motor configured to generate a rotational force; and   a transmission configured to transfer the rotational force to the gripping device.   
     
     
         5 . The tubular drive system of  claim 4 , wherein transmission comprises a gear fixed to a main body of the gripping device. 
     
     
         6 . The tubular drive system of  claim 5 , wherein the gear is fixed to the main body of the gripping device by bolting, welding, brazing, threading, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The tubular drive system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one motor comprises a hydraulic motor, an electric motor, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The tubular drive system of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of yoke links coupled to the load support feature and configured to transfer weight from the load support feature to a traveling block. 
     
     
         9 . The tubular drive system of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of yoke links are coupled to the load support feature via a respective pivotable connection. 
     
     
         10 . The tubular drive system of  claim 1 , comprising a thrust bearing disposed between the gripping device and the load support feature, wherein the thrust bearing is arranged within the drive system to transfer a weight of the gripping device and of the length of tubular to the load support feature. 
     
     
         11 . The tubular drive system of  claim 1 , comprising a centralizer bearing disposed between the gripping device and the load support feature, wherein the centralizer bearing is configured to maintain a vertical alignment of the gripping device relative to the load support feature. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a control feature configured to monitor operational parameters of the gripping device. 
     
     
         13 . A method, comprising:
 gripping a distal end of a length of tubular with a gripping device;   driving rotation a gear fixed to the gripping device with at least one motor; and   coupling the length of tubular to a drill string stump,   wherein the gripping device and the at least one motor are supported by a load plate.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising transferring a load from the gripping device to the load plate with a thrust bearing disposed between the gripping device and the load plate. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising transferring a load from the load plate to a traveling block with a plurality of yoke links pivotably coupled to the load plate. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein gripping the distal end of the length of tubular with the gripping device comprises radially engaging an outer circumference of the distal end of the length of tubular with a plurality of elevators of the gripping device without establishing a threaded engagement with threads of the length of tubular. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein gripping the distal end of the length of tubular with the gripping device comprises positioning a seal against the distal end of the length of tubular to facilitate fluid flow through the gripping device into the length of tubular. 
     
     
         18 . A system, comprising:
 a gripping device configured to couple with a distal end of a length of tubular;   a rotational system comprising a plurality of motors configured to drive rotation of a gear fixed to the gripping device;   a load plate coupled to the gripping device and the rotational system and configured to support the gripping device and the rotational system; and   a thrust bearing disposed between the gripping device and the load plate, wherein the thrust bearing is configured to transfer a load from the gripping device to the load plate.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the gripping device comprises a plurality of elevators configured to radially engage an outer circumference of the length of tubular to grip the length of tubular without establishing a threaded engagement with threads of the length of tubular. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of motors comprises four motors, each of the four motors comprises an electric motor or a hydraulic motor, and each of the four motors is configured to drive rotation of the gear fixed to the gripping device.