Device for applying torque to a tubular member.

摘要

A device for applying torque to e.g. a screw-threaded pipe includes a pair of gripping jaws (24) pivotally mounted on a cage (16) and carrying respective followers (27) engaging cam surfaces (28) on the radially inner surface of a rotary drive member. The jaws have friction linings (29). The cage is connected to a clamp on the pipe so as to prevent rotation of the cage relative to the pipe. When a rotary drive is transmitted to the drive member, its cam surfaces operate the gripping jaws to clamp them about the pipe and increases the clamping pressure until the pipe begins to rotate with the drive member. The rotary drive member is mounted on a primary support which is held against rotation about the pipe and provides the required reaction force for the rotation. <IMAGE>