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:
Aug. 08, 2017
Filed:
Jul. 15, 2013
Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd., Houston, TX (US);
W. Randall Slocum, Houston, TX (US);
Keith A. Hager, Spring, TX (US);
Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
An apparatus includes a thrust bearing adapted to engage a tubular component. A bearing carrier is connected to the thrust bearing, an arm is connected to the bearing carrier, and an actuator is connected to the arm. In one embodiment, the bearing carrier includes an arcuate notch through which the tubular component is adapted to extend. In another embodiment, the apparatus has a first configuration in which a vertical offset is defined between the tubular component and the thrust bearing, and a second configuration in which the thrust bearing is engaged with the tubular component for the support thereof. In another embodiment, the apparatus is placed in the first configuration in response to a cessation of a supply of electrical power to a control valve in fluid communication with the actuator. In another embodiment, the tubular component is connected to, or is part of, a quill of a top drive.