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:
Feb. 08, 2011
Filed:
Nov. 15, 2007
Applicant:
Doyle F. Boutwell, Jr., Houston, TX (US);
Inventor:
Doyle F. Boutwell, Jr., Houston, TX (US);
Assignee:
Weatherford/Lamb, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
E21B 47/18 (2006.01); E21B 19/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for improving top drive operations. A method of ensuring safe operation of a top drive includes operating a top drive, thereby exerting torque on a first tubular to makeup or breakout a first threaded connection between the first tubular and a second tubular. The method further includes monitoring for break-out of a second connection between a quill of the top drive and the first tubular; and stopping operation of the top drive and/or notifying an operator of the top drive if break-out of the second connection is detected.