Modular spinner roller

Abstract

A spinner roller set adapted for use in an apparatus used to connect and disconnect threaded drilling tubulars includes a first and a second modular spinner roller that mounts independent drive and spacer discs on a central shaft. The setup is arranged so that the spinner rollers when in use can engage a small diameter tubular using the same setup as that for engaging a much larger diameter tubular. When a drive disc is in need of replacement, the worn drive disc can be removed from the central shaft and replaced with a new drive disc. The other drive discs and spacers can be reused.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A spinner roller set adapted for use in an apparatus used to connect and disconnect threaded drilling tubulars, the spinner roller set comprising:
 a first and a second modular spinner roller, the first and second modular spinner rollers including:
 a central shaft spanning a top to bottom distance of the spinner roller; and 
 at least two independent drive discs mounted on and removable from the central shaft and spaced apart from one another by a spacer disc. 
   
     
     
         2 . A spinner roller set according to  claim 1  further comprising one of the drive discs of the first modular spinner roller being arranged opposite a spacer disc of the second modular spinner roller. 
     
     
         3 . A spinner roller set according to  claim 1  further comprising the spacer disc having a same outside diameter as the drive discs. 
     
     
         4 . A spinner roller set according to  claim 1  further comprising the spacer disc having a different outside diameter than the drive discs. 
     
     
         5 . A spinner roller set according to  claim 1  further comprising the drive discs and the spacer disc having a non-circular central opening complementary in shape to the central shaft. 
     
     
         6 . A spinner roller adapted for use in an apparatus used to connect and disconnect threaded drilling tubulars, the spinner roller comprising:
 a central shaft spanning a top to bottom distance of the spinner roller; and   at least two independent drive discs mounted on and removable from the central shaft and spaced apart from one another by a spacer disc.   
     
     
         7 . A spinner roller according to  claim 1  wherein the at least two independent drive discs have a different outside diameter than the spacer disc. 
     
     
         8 . A spinner roller set according to  claim 1  further comprising the drive discs and the spacer disc having a non-circular central opening complementary in shape to the central shaft. 
     
     
         9 . A method of replacing a worn spinner roller use in an apparatus used to connect and disconnect threaded drilling tubulars, the method comprising the steps of:
 removing one or more independent drive discs and spacers from a central shaft of the spinner roller, at least one of the removed independent drive discs being a worn drive disc in need of replacement; and   replacing the worn drive disc with a new independent drive disc, the new independent drive disc being mounted on the central shaft.   
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  further comprising the step of reinstalling any other removed drive disc and spacer disc onto the central shaft.