	US 7,500,518 B2
	Top drive swivel apparatus and method
Kip M. Robichaux, Houma, La. (US); Terry P. Robichaux, Houma, La. (US); Steve Jacobs, Houma, La. (US); Bryan Clement, Houma, La. (US); Murray Pellegrin, Houma, La. (US); Kenneth G. Caillouet, Houma, La. (US); and Philip K. Watson, Houma, La. (US)
Assigned to Mako Rentals, Inc., Houma, La. (US)
Filed on Jul. 31, 2007, as Appl. No. 11/831,475.
Application 11/831475 is a continuation of application No. 11/371168, filed on Mar. 07, 2006, granted, now 7,249,632.
Application 11/371168 is a continuation of application No. 10/658092, filed on Sep. 09, 2003, granted, now 7,007,753.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/409177, filed on Sep. 09, 2002.
Prior Publication US 2008/0179058 A1, Jul. 31, 2008
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E21B 43/04 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 166—278 [166/51]

16 Claims

1. A method of using a top drive swivel comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a top drive swivel insertable into a drill or work string comprising:

(i) a mandrel having upper and lower end sections and connected to and rotatable with upper and lower drill or work string sections, the mandrel including a longitudinal passage forming a continuation of a passage in the drill or work string sections;

(ii) a sleeve having a longitudinal sleeve passage, the sleeve being rotatably connected to the mandrel;

(iii) a seal between upper and lower end portions of the mandrel and sleeve, the seal preventing leakage of fluid between the mandrel and sleeve;

(iv) the sleeve comprising an inlet port;

(v) the mandrel comprising a plurality of spaced apart radial ports in fluid communication with both the inlet port and the longitudinal passage to supply pressurized fluid from the inlet port to the longitudinal passage and in the passage in drill or work string sections; and

(vi) a clamp, the clamp being detachably connected to the sleeve;

(b) attaching the swivel to the drill or work string of a rig; and