초록 ▼

A multi-seal sealing assembly with multiple seals so that when one seal wears out another can be moved into sealing position; and a top drive system for wellbore operations with such a sealing assembly; the sealing assembly in one aspect having a seal carrier movable to move at least one secondary s

A multi-seal sealing assembly with multiple seals so that when one seal wears out another can be moved into sealing position; and a top drive system for wellbore operations with such a sealing assembly; the sealing assembly in one aspect having a seal carrier movable to move at least one secondary seal into sealing position when a primary seal has worn out.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system comprising motor apparatus, a main shaft having a top end and a bottom end, a seal ring around the main shaft, the seal ring having a primary seal surface and a secondary seal surface, a gear system driven by th

What is claimed is: 1. A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system comprising motor apparatus, a main shaft having a top end and a bottom end, a seal ring around the main shaft, the seal ring having a primary seal surface and a secondary seal surface, a gear system driven by the motor apparatus and interconnected with the main shaft for driving the main shaft, bearing apparatus around the main shaft, the bearing apparatus containing bearing lubricant, a support member around the main shaft below the bearing apparatus, a sealing assembly below the support member and adjacent the main shaft for sealing against the main shaft to prevent the bearing lubricant from flowing down out of the bearing apparatus, the sealing assembly comprising a seal carrier adjacent the main shaft, a primary seal member on the seal carrier, the primary seal member sealingly contacting the primary seal surface of the seal ring, at least one secondary seal on the seal carrier, the seal carrier selectively movable to move the at least one secondary seal into sealing contact with the secondary seal surface of the seal ring, and the seal carrier releasably secured to the support member with at least one rotatable bolt threadedly mated with the support member so that rotating the at least one bolt moves the at least one secondary seal into sealing contact with the secondary surface to seal the ring. 2. The top drive system of claim 1 wherein the primary seal surface has a first diameter and the secondary seal surface has a second diameter, the first diameter smaller than the second diameter. 3. The top drive system of claim 1 further comprising a retainer releasably securable to the main shaft to hold the seal ring in place. 4. The top drive system of claim 1 further comprising a retainer releasably securable to the main shaft to hold the seal ring in place. 5. A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system comprising motor apparatus, a main shaft having a top end and a bottom end, a seal ring around the main shaft, the seal ring having a primary seal surface and a secondary seal surface, a gear system driven by the motor apparatus and interconnected with the main shaft for driving the main shaft, bearing apparatus around the main shaft, the bearing apparatus containing bearing lubricant, a support member around the main shaft below the bearing apparatus, a sealing assembly below the support member and adjacent the main shaft for sealing against the main shaft to prevent the bearing lubricant from flowing down out of the bearing apparatus, the sealing assembly comprising a seal carrier adjacent the main shaft, a primary seal member on the seal carrier, the primary seal member sealingly contacting the primary seal surface of the seal ring, at least one secondary seal on the seal carrier, the seal carrier selectively movable to move the at least one secondary seal into sealing contact with the secondary seal surface of the seal ring, and the seal carrier having a carrier threaded surface, support member having a corresponding member threaded surface, the seal carrier rotatable with the carrier threaded surface threadedly engaging the member threaded surface so that the seal carrier is movable to move the at least one secondary seal into sealing contact with the secondary seal surface. 6. A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system comprising motor apparatus, a main shaft having a top end and a bottom end, a quill connected to the main shaft, a gear system connected to the quill for driving the quill to drive the main shaft, bearing apparatus around the main shaft, the bearing apparatus containing bearing lubricant, a support member around the main shaft below the bearing apparatus, the quill having an exterior surface and a circumferential groove, a sealing assembly adjacent the quill, the sealing assembly for preventing bearing lubricant from flowing down out of the bearing apparatus, the sealing assembly comprising a seal carrier, a primary seal member on the seal carrier, the primary seal member sealingly contacting the exterior surface of the quill, at least one secondary seal on the seal carrier, the secondary seal initially positioned adjacent and spaced-apart from the groove and not in sealing contact with the quill, the seal carrier selectively movable to move the at least one secondary seal into sealing contact with the exterior surface of the quill, and the seal carrier releasably secured to the support member with at least one rotatable bolt threadedly mated with the support member so that rotating the at least one rotatable bolt moves the at least one secondary seal away from the groove and into sealing contact with the exterior surface of the quill. 7. A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system comprising motor apparatus, a main shaft having a top end and a bottom end, a quill connected to the main shaft, a gear system connected to the quill for driving the quill to drive the main shaft, bearing apparatus around the main shaft, the bearing apparatus containing bearing lubricant, a support member around the main shaft below the bearing apparatus, the quill having an exterior surface and a circumferential groove, a sealing assembly adjacent the quill, the sealing assembly for preventing bearing lubricant from flowing down out of the bearing apparatus, the sealing assembly comprising a seal carrier, a primary seal member on the seal carrier, the primary seal member sealingly contacting the exterior surface of the quill, at least one secondary seal on the seal carrier, the secondary seal initially positioned adjacent and spaced-apart from the groove and not in sealing contact with the quill, the seal carrier selectively movable to move the at least one secondary seal into sealing contact with the exterior surface of the quill, and the seal carrier having a carrier threaded surface and the support member having a member threaded surface, the seal carrier rotatable with the carrier threaded surface threadedly engaging the member threaded surface so that the seal carrier is movable to move the at least one secondary seal away from the groove and into sealing contact with the quill. 8. A method for sealing against a main shaft of a top drive system, the top drive system comprising motor apparatus, a main shaft having a top end and a bottom end, a seal ring around the main shaft, the seal ring having a primary seal surface and a secondary seal surface, a gear system driven by the motor apparatus and interconnected with the main shaft for driving the main shaft, bearing apparatus around the main shaft, the bearing apparatus containing bearing lubricant, a support member around the main shaft below the bearing apparatus, a sealing assembly below the support member and adjacent the main shaft for sealing against the main shaft to prevent the bearing lubricant from flowing down out of the bearing apparatus, the sealing assembly comprising a seal carrier adjacent the main shaft, a primary seal member on the seal carrier, the primary seal member sealingly contacting the primary seal surface of the seal ring, at least one secondary seal on the seal carrier, the seal carrier selectively movable to move the at least one secondary seal into sealing contact with the secondary seal surface of the seal ring, and the seal carrier releasably secured to the support member with at least one rotatable bolt threadedly mated with the support member so that rotating the at least one bolt moves the at least one secondary seal into sealing contact with the main shaft, the method comprising locating the seal carrier so that the primary seal sealingly contacts the primary seal surface of the seal ring, and moving the seal carrier by rotating the at least one bolt so that the at least one secondary seal sealingly contacts the secondary seal surface.