US 12,188,311 B2
Control attachment for a tong assembly positioning system
Alexander Migutin, Langenhagen (DE); Karsten Heidecke, Houston, TX (US); and Martin Helms, Burgdorf (DE)
Assigned to WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed by Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Mar. 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/192,689.
Prior Publication US 2022/0282583 A1, Sep. 8, 2022
Int. Cl. E21B 19/16 (2006.01); F15B 15/20 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 19/165 (2013.01) [E21B 19/163 (2013.01); F15B 15/20 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tong positioning system, comprising:
a tong assembly comprising a power tong and a backup tong;
a first actuator configured to raise or lower the tong assembly;
a positioning device configured to move the tong assembly laterally, the positioning device including a second actuator;
a preexisting control system; and
a retrofit control attachment in communication with the preexisting control system and operatively connected to the first and second actuators, the retrofit control attachment including:
a control valve assembly configured to actuate the first and second actuators;
a compensation valve block fluidly coupled to the control valve assembly and fluidly coupled to the first actuator; and
a control device configured to operate the control valve assembly, wherein the control device is further configured to actuate the compensation valve block to provide thread compensation during a thread makeup and/or a thread breakout operation of the tong assembly,
whereby the retrofit control attachment provides improved control over vertical and lateral positioning of the tong assembly compared to the preexisting control system.