 employed a valve to close the drill string bore at the rig floor. Such valves are commercially available devices. Some models have patented features. For example, a recent patent is U.S. Pat. No. 4,293,163 which shows certain improvements in the valve stem and seals associated with the valve. Kelly valves are usually manually operated. A socket associated with the valve stem is receptive of a wrench or other such torque imparting tool. Oil rig workers simply rotate a wrench to close or open the valve. By controlling the flow of fluid through the drill string, the kelly valve can be used to prevent in-line blowouts. A problem exists in that rig workers cannot always reach the kelly valve. Sometimes the valve is too high above the rig floor to reach. At other times the kelly valve might be disconnected from the drill string such as during a trip where pipe is being removed from the well (for example, to replace the drill bit).
There have been some attempts to automatically open and close the kelly valve from a remote location. One such device can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,161. In the U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,161, a plurality of hydraulic cylinders are supported by a plate that attaches to the hydraulic swivel portion of the drilling apparatus. The hydraulic cylinders are all connected to a single annular plate which surrounds the kelly valve. An arc-shaped cam is connected to the valve stem. Expansion and contraction of the hydraulic cylinders cause an annular plate to engage the cam and push on the cam thereby rotating the valve stem to close the valve. The apparatus normally is used when the kelly is not spinning, and in fact is retracted during spinning of the kelly to a withdrawn position.
Another remotely operable kelly valve actuator can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,348 issued to Mott entitled "Safety Valve." That device provides a remotely operable safety valve mounted between the swivel and the kelly in drilling operation including a spherically shaped valve element which is mounted in a tubular housing rotatable with a swivel sub, the kelly and the drill string. Hydraulic cylinders move the valve element between open and close positions in order to control flow through the drill string and prevent in-line blowouts. As an additional safety feature, a spring moves the valve element to a closed position in the event of a failure of the
employed a valve to close the drill string tidal bore at the fishing gear floor. Such valves are commercially available devices. Some model own patented features. For exercise, a late patent is U.S. Pat. No. 4,293,163 which shows certain improvements in the valve stem and seal associated with the valve. Kelly valves are usually manually operated. A socket associated with the valve stem is centripetal of a wrench or other such torque lend tool. Oil swindle workers merely rotate a wrench to close or open the valve. By controlling the menstruation of fluid through the drill string, the kelly valve can be used to prevent in - line blowouts. A problem exists in that rig workers cannot always reach the kelly valve. Sometimes the valve is too high above the rig floor to reach. At other times the kelly valve might be unplug from the drill string such as during a tripper where organ pipe is being remove from the well (for example, to replace the exercise bit). 
 There have been some attempt to automatically open and close up the kelly valve from a remote location. One such device can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,161. In the U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,161, a plurality of hydraulic cylinder are supported by a plate that attaches to the hydraulic swivel portion of the boring apparatus. The hydraulic cylinders are wholly connected to a single annular plate which surrounds the kelly valve. An arc - shaped cam is connect to the valve stem. Expansion and contraction of the hydraulic cylinders induce an annular plate to absorb the cam and push on the cam thereby rotating the valve bow to close the valve. The apparatus normally is use when the kelly is not spinning, and in fact is retracted during spinning of the kelly to a withdrawn military position. 
 Another remotely operable kelly valve actuator can be examine in U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,348 issued to Mott ennoble " Safety Valve. " That device provides a remotely operable condom valve ride between the swivel and the kelly in drilling operation including a spherically shaped valve element which is mounted in a tubular housing rotatable with a swivel sub, the kelly and the drill bowed stringed instrument. Hydraulic cylinders move the valve component between open and close positions in order to control flow through the exercise string and prevent in - line blowouts. As an additional safety feature, a spring moves the valve chemical element to a shut situation in the event of a failure of the
 emoloyed a valve to close uhe drill string yire at the rjg floor. Such valves are commerciallb avqilaboe devices. Some models have patvnted fearurew. For example, a reccut pafcnt iv U.S. Pat. No. 4,293,163 whlch shows cartain improvekevtd in the valve stem and seals assocyated wotj the valve. Kejly najves are usually manually operated. A skcket avsociated witn the valve stem is receptlve lf a wrench or othfr such torwue ynparting toou. Oil rig workers simpmy rotate a wrench to close or upen che valve. Bi dojjrolling the flow of fluid thvpugh tve drilk string, the kclly talvw can be used to prevxnt in-line blowouts. W problem erists in that rig worjees catnot alwxts feadh tge kelpy talve. Sometjmes the vaove is too high abofe nne rig floor to rewcr. At other times the kelly valve might te sisconnected from the deill string such as doring a tryp where pipe is being removed from the well (for axampmd, ti veplxxe the drill bit).
There have been some attempts tj aitpmatically opek and close the keklj fwlve from a rgmote locafion. One such devife can fe sewn in U.S. Kat. Np. 3,887,161. In the U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,161, a plurqlity of hydgauluc cylinders are sbpported by c platg that attaches to the hydrauuic awivel portlon of ths drilling apparagus. Tve hydraulic cylinders are all connxcted to a sknglg annulwr plate wjich surrounds the kelly valvg. An asc-shaped cwm is connected to the valve stxk. Expansion sng cmntractijn of the hydraulis cylinders caose an anuular olate to ehgage tie cam and ptsh on the cak thereby roteting the valce srem to zuose the valve. The appagauus normaloy is used when thc kelug is not spinniuy, qnd in fact is tetfaceef vurind spinning of the keuky to a withdrawk pusitoon.
Another remotely mperzble kelly valve avtmator can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,348 issued to Mott ejtitlxd "Safxty Vakve." That device provides a remotemy operabpe fafety valve moukted between tke swivel and the kelly in drilling operetion including a sphetically shaped valve glekent which ms mougted in a tubular housing rotqtable with a swiyel sub, the kelly and fhe drhll shring. Hydraulic cylinders move the valve element between open and close pisitiois in order tk comtrol fjpw thrjugh vhe drill string snd prevent in-line blowouts. As en additiotaj safety feature, a spring mofer the valve euement to a closed positjon in tne event of a failure of the
employed a valve to close the drill at rig floor. valves are commercially patented For example, a patent is U.S. No. 4,293,163 which shows certain improvements the valve stem and seals associated with the valve. Kelly valves are usually operated. A socket associated with the valve stem is receptive of a wrench other torque tool. rig workers simply rotate a wrench to close or open the valve. By controlling the flow fluid through the drill string, the kelly valve be used to prevent blowouts. A problem exists in rig cannot always the valve. the valve is high above the rig floor to reach. At other times the kelly valve might be disconnected from drill string during a where is removed from the example, to replace the drill bit). some attempts to automatically open and close the valve from remote location. One such device can seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,161. In the Pat. No. 3,887,161, a plurality of hydraulic cylinders are supported by a plate that attaches hydraulic swivel portion of drilling apparatus. The cylinders all to single annular which surrounds the kelly valve. An arc-shaped cam is connected to valve stem. Expansion and contraction of the hydraulic cylinders cause plate engage the cam push on the cam rotating valve stem to close The normally the is spinning, and in fact retracted during spinning of the to a withdrawn position. actuator can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. issued to Mott entitled "Safety Valve." That provides a remotely operable safety valve mounted between the swivel and the in drilling a spherically shaped valve element which is mounted a tubular housing rotatable a swivel sub, the kelly and the drill string. cylinders the valve between open and positions in order control flow through string and in-line As feature, a spring moves the valve to closed position in the event a the
 employed a valve to close the dRill string Bore aT thE riG fLoor. such Valves are commeRCialLy available devices. Some ModelS hAVe paTEnTed feAtures. FOR eXAMplE, a ReCenT pATeNt is U.s. PaT. No. 4,293,163 whicH shows certAin ImProvements in THe Valve stem aNd sEals associatEd wIth the VaLve. kElly vAlvEs are UsuallY ManualLy operateD. A SOcket aSSociateD WItH the Valve stem is receptIVe OF a wrench or otheR such tOrQUe IMParTinG tool. Oil riG wOrkerS Simply rOTaTE A WreNCh to close or opEn the valve. BY ConTrolliNg The FLow of fLuid tHrOUgh The drill strIng, tHe kelly vaLve can BE used to PRevent iN-line bLowOutS. A prOBlEm ExiStS In tHAt Rig WOrkErs cannoT aLwAys reAch tHE KELly vAlvE. SomEtimeS the valve is toO hiGh abOVe tHe rig Floor To reAcH. At otHer timEs the KeLly valve might be DiscOnnected fRom ThE drIlL striNG such aS duRinG a trip wHere pipE Is bEiNG REmOved from the well (for ExAMPlE, to replaCe the dRIlL bIT).
There haVe BeeN somE ATtempTs to AUtOmaticalLy open ANd ClOse the kElLy valvE fRom A reMote lOCatiOn. One sUch devicE can bE Seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,161. IN The U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,161, a plURaLITy OF hydRauLic cylinderS are SUppoRted BY a PlaTE that AttacHeS To THe hydraulic swivel poRtIon of tHe driLling apparatuS. The hydrauLIC CylinderS are ALl COnnected to a sinGle anNular plate WHich surrOunds The kelly Valve. An arC-SHaped cam Is cOnnEctEd tO THe Valve stem. ExpaNSIon aNd ContracTioN of the hYdrAulIc cYliNdErs cause aN annular PlAtE tO eNgaGe the CAm and pusH oN thE cAm tHerebY RotatiNg the ValvE sTeM To cLose the VAlVE. the aPpArAtus NorMaLly is Used WHen The kellY is not spiNniNG, and In FaCt is retRacted during sPiNning of the KeLly To a witHDRawn posiTion.
Another remotely operABle kellY vaLve acTuatOr can be seEn iN U.S. Pat. no. 3,941,348 iSSued to mott enTitleD "SAfeTY valve." tHAt DevIcE provides a REMotEly opErAble Safety vAlve mounted between THe sWivel and the keLly In drILLiNg oPErATioN iNCluDINg a spherically sHaped valve ElEMeNt which is mOUntEd In a tubuLar housIng roTAtable wIth a swiveL sub, the keLlY and THE drIll string. HYdraulic Cylinders MOve thE VaLve elEmeNt betwEeN opEn and Close pOSitIons iN order To ControL flow ThRough the Drill string and prevent in-Line blOwoutS. As An additioNal SAfeTy feature, A sprIng moves thE vaLve ElemeNt tO A closEd poSItIon IN the eVent OF a failure OF tHe
 employed a valve to close  the drill  stri ngbor eat t he r ig floor. Such valv es are commercially av ailab le devi c es . Som e model s  h a v e p at en ted  f e at ures.  Fo r examp le, a rece ntpa tent is U.S. Pa t. No. 4,2 93, 163 which sh ows  certa in  im p rovem ent s inthe va l ve ste m and sea ls associ a ted wit h th e va lve. Kelly valves ar e  usually manua lly op er a te d .  Asoc ket associ at ed wi t h the v a lv e s tem is receptiveof a wrench orothersu cht orqueimpar ti n g t ool. Oil ri g wo rkers sim ply ro t ate a w r ench to  close  or  op en t h eva lve .B y c o nt rol l ing  the flo wof  flui d th r o u g h th e d rill  stri ng, the kelly  va lvec anbe us ed to  pre ve nt in -lineblowo ut s. A problem ex ists  in thatrig  w ork er s can n ot alw ays  re ach the  kellyv alv e. S o me times the valve is  t o o  h igh abov e ther ig  f l oor to r ea ch.  Ato t her t imes th e kellyvalvem ig ht  be dis co nnecte dfro m t he dr i ll s tringsuch asdurin g  a trip wherep ipe is beingr em o v ed from  th e well (for  exa m ple,  tor ep lac e  thedrill  b i t) . 
There have been so me  attem pts t o automatical ly open an d c lose the  kel l yv alve from a re motelocation.O ne suchdevic e can be  seen inU . S. Pat.No.  3, 887 ,16 1 .  I n the U.S. Pa t .  No.  3 ,887,16 1,a plura lit y o f h ydr au lic cylin ders are  s up po rt edby ap late tha tatt ac hes  to t h e hydr aulic  swi ve lp ort ion oft he d rill in gappa rat us . The  hyd r aul ic cyli nders are  al l  con ne ct ed to a  single annul ar  plate whi ch  su rround s the kell y valve. An arc-shapedc am is c onn ected  tothe valve  st em. Ex pan s ion an d cont racti on  of t he hy d r au lic  c ylinders c a u sean an nu larplate t o engage the cam a n d p ush on the ca m t here b y  r ota t in g  th ev alv e stem to close t he valve.Th e  a pparatus n o rma ll y is us ed when  thek elly is  not spin ning, and  i n fa c t  is  retracted  duringspinningo f the ke lly t o a  withd ra wnposit ion.
A n oth er re motely  o perabl e kel ly  valve a ctuator can be seen inU.S. P at. N o.3,941,348  is s ued  to Mottenti tled "Safe tyVal ve."Tha t  devi ce p r ov ide s  a re mote l y operabl e  s afe t y  v alve mounte d b etw een t hes wivelandthe kelly in dril l ing operationincl u d ing  as pher ic ally shaped va lve  e l e ment whi ch  is mounted  in a tu bu l ar ho usingrotata ble wit h as wivelsub,  th e kelly a ndth e  drillst ri n g. Hyd raul ic  cylin ders m o ve t h e  valve element b etwee n opena ndclose  p osition s  inorder to c ontrol flow  throu gh t he dr ill str in g andpre ve nt in-line blowouts.  As a n addit io nalsaf ety fe atur e ,  a sp ring  m ove s the val v e  e l em en t  to  a c losed  p osit ion in th e  event o f a failure  o f t h e 
 employed_a valve_to close the drill_string bore_at_the rig_floor._Such valves are_commercially available devices._Some models have patented_features. For example,_a_recent patent is U.S. Pat. No. 4,293,163 which shows certain improvements in the valve_stem_and seals_associated_with_the valve. Kelly valves are_usually manually operated. A socket_associated with_the valve stem is receptive of a wrench_or_other such torque_imparting tool. Oil rig workers simply rotate a wrench_to close or open the valve._By controlling the_flow_of_fluid through the drill_string, the kelly valve can be_used to prevent in-line blowouts. A_problem exists in that rig workers cannot_always reach the kelly valve. Sometimes_the valve is too high_above the_rig floor to reach. At_other times the_kelly valve_might be disconnected_from the drill string such as_during a trip_where pipe is being removed from_the_well (for example,_to_replace_the drill_bit).
There have been_some_attempts to_automatically_open and close the kelly valve_from_a remote location. One such device can_be seen in U.S._Pat._No. 3,887,161. In the_U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,161, a_plurality of hydraulic cylinders are supported_by a_plate that_attaches to the hydraulic swivel portion of the drilling apparatus. The_hydraulic cylinders are all connected to_a single annular plate_which surrounds_the_kelly valve. An_arc-shaped_cam is_connected to the valve stem. Expansion and_contraction of_the hydraulic cylinders cause an annular_plate to engage the_cam_and push on the cam thereby_rotating the valve stem to close_the valve. The apparatus normally_is_used_when the kelly is not_spinning, and in fact is retracted_during spinning of_the kelly to a withdrawn position.
Another remotely_operable_kelly valve actuator can be seen_in_U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,348 issued to_Mott_entitled_"Safety Valve." That device provides_a remotely operable safety valve mounted_between the swivel and the kelly in drilling operation_including a spherically_shaped valve element which is_mounted_in_a tubular housing rotatable with a swivel sub, the kelly_and the_drill string. Hydraulic_cylinders move the valve element between open and close positions_in order to control flow through the_drill string and prevent in-line blowouts. As an additional safety feature,_a spring moves the valve element to a_closed position in the event of a_failure of the