The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 04, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 08, 2001
Herman Kamphorst, Northorn, DE;
Dietrich Böttger, Den Helder, NL;
Gustaaf Louis van Wechem, Reeuwijk, NL;
Varco I/P, Inc., Orange, CA (US);
Abstract
A drive unit ( ) for a subsoil drilling rig comprises a drive unit ( ), an engagement unit ( ) for releasably engaging a tube section ( ) extending therefrom in a drilling direction and a gripper ( ) movable relative to the engagement unit ( ) between a first position for gripping a tube engaged by the engagement unit ( ) and a second position for gripping a tube section ( ) in a transfer position. Supplied tube sections ( ) can be handled reliably and movements of supplied tube section ( ) can be controlled accurately. Co-ordination of positions and movements between the supplied tube sections ( ) and the drive unit ( ) is simplified. A drilling rig incorporating such a drive unit ( ) and a method employing such a drive unit ( ) are described as well.