Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC

Other

Jan Rothe

Martin Helms

Frank Wern

Heidi N Cline

Martin Liess

Bjoern Thiemann

Georg Zimbelmann

A method of connecting or disconnecting a first tubular to a second tubular includes engaging the first tubular with a power tong; engaging the second tubular with a backup tong; and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular. The method also includes, while rotating, monitoring a distance between the backup tong and the power tong and comparing the distance to a first threshold value; and stopping rotation of the first tubular when the distance equals to the first threshold value. According to one embodiment, a tong assembly includes a power tong, a backup tong, a sensor configured to measure a distance between the power tong and the backup tong, and a controller configured to compare the distance to a threshold value.

Sensor system for tong assembly

A method used to determine an operational mode of a tong. The method includes rotating a first sensor target relative to a first sensor and rotating a second sensor target relative to a second sensor. The method also includes identifying a position of the first sensor target using the first sensor and analyzing the position of the first sensor target to determine the operational mode of the tong.

Apparatus and methods for determining operational mode of tong assembly

A system for tong assembly operation includes a mode switch for shifting the tong assembly between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, the mode switch having a first portion associated with the first mode and a second portion associated with the second mode; a first target coupled to the first portion, the first target movable to a first position corresponding to the first mode of operation; a second target coupled to the second portion, the second target movable to a second position corresponding to the second mode of operation; a first sensor configured to identify the first position of the first target; and a second sensor configured to identify the second position of the second target.

A tong assembly includes a power tong, a backup tong, and a carriage assembly operatively connecting the power tong and the backup tong. The carriage assembly includes a movable trolley assembly. The movable trolley assembly is axially located between the power tong and the backup tong. The movable trolley assembly is supported by the power tong. The movable trolley assembly is configured to axially move the power tong and backup tong relative to each other.

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Hannover, Germany

Jan Rothe