Anti-falling mechanism and anti-falling method for blowout preventer hoisting and moving device
By using the anti-fall mechanism of the blowout preventer hoisting device, which employs a mechanical locking structure of couplings and T-claws, the problem of falling due to wire rope breakage during the blowout preventer hoisting process is solved, thus achieving safe protection and reliable operation for high-altitude work.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BAOJI ENG HYDRAULIC PARTS FACTORY
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing blowout preventer (BOP) hoisting and moving devices pose a safety hazard during suspension, movement, and installation due to wire rope breakage, which could cause the BOP to fall. They also lack effective mechanical locking protection.
The anti-fall mechanism of the blowout preventer hoisting device includes a connecting seat, coupling, T-claw and hydraulic motor. It achieves safety protection when the blowout preventer is suspended through mechanical locking, and can perform hovering and lateral movement operations in the protected state. The mechanical locking structure of the coupling and T-claw ensures that the blowout preventer does not fall.
It achieves mechanical locking safety protection when the blowout preventer is suspended at a high altitude, and can perform hovering and translating operations in the protected state, which improves operational reliability and avoids the safety hazard of the blowout preventer falling.
Smart Images
Figure CN121948302A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of well blowout preventer (BOP) hoisting and moving operation technology, and in particular to a fall prevention mechanism and method for a BOP hoisting and moving device. Background Technology
[0002] In oil and gas drilling and workover operations, according to operational procedures, to prevent blowout accidents, the blowout preventer (BOP) must be hoisted from outside the drilling rig or workover rig to the wellhead for installation and removal. The safety of suspension, movement, and installation during this process is paramount. Currently, most BOP installation and removal utilize a hydraulically controlled combination of cylinders, pulleys, and wire ropes for hoisting and removal. Figure 7 (As shown). When suspending, moving, or installing the blowout preventer (BOP), the hydraulic system can completely lock the cylinders as needed, ensuring the BOP will not fall if the wire rope is functioning properly. However, if the wire rope breaks or other unexpected events occur, the BOP may fall, posing a safety hazard. Summary of the Invention
[0003] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention aims to provide a fall prevention mechanism and method for a blowout preventer hoisting device. This mechanism can achieve fall prevention safety protection by mechanical locking when the blowout preventer is suspended at a high altitude, and can also achieve hovering and lateral movement operations under this protection state. This effectively solves the safety hazards currently existing in the hoisting and moving of blowout preventers at high altitudes.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: a fall prevention mechanism for a blowout preventer hoisting device, comprising a connecting seat, a coupling, a T-shaped claw, and a motor; The connecting seat is an I-shaped structure consisting of a top plate, a vertical shaft, and a circular base plate. The top plate is fixed to the bottom of the main body of the blowout preventer hoisting device. The T-shaped claw consists of a connecting column and a suspension block horizontally set at the top of the connecting column. The lower end of the connecting column is fixed to the hook assembly of the blowout preventer hoisting device. The coupling is a cylindrical structure, and the cylindrical structure has a shaft hole, a cylindrical inner cavity and an elongated hole arranged axially from top to bottom in the center. The circular base plate is adapted to be set in the cylindrical inner cavity, and the vertical shaft is adapted to extend out from the shaft hole, thereby suspending the coupling below the connecting seat and allowing it to rotate freely. The shape of the suspension block is adapted to the elongated hole, and the suspension block rotates 90° after entering the cylindrical cavity through the elongated hole, so that the T-shaped claw is suspended below the coupling. The motor is fixed below the top plate, and a small gear is fixed on the main shaft of the motor. A semi-circular gear that meshes with the small gear is fixed on the side wall of the coupling. When the motor drives the semi-circular gear through the pinion to rotate the coupling 90°, the suspension block aligns vertically with the elongated hole, allowing the suspension block to disengage from the elongated hole. When the suspension block re-enters the cylindrical cavity from the elongated hole, the motor rotates in the opposite direction, causing the coupling to rotate in the opposite direction by 90°. The suspension block then crosses with the elongated hole, causing the T-shaped claw to suspend below the coupling again.
[0005] Preferably, the top surface of the coupling is provided with a first limiting post and a second limiting post at 90° intervals around its circumference, and the bottom surface of the top plate is provided with a third limiting post. The third limiting post is arranged on the same circumferential line as the first and second limiting posts and is located between the first and second limiting posts. When the coupling rotates 90°, the third limiting post abuts against the first limiting post. When the coupling rotates 90° in the opposite direction, the third limiting post abuts against the second limiting post.
[0006] Preferably, an inspection rod is horizontally fixed on the outer wall of the coupling. When the coupling rotates 90° clockwise, the inspection rod is perpendicular to the hook assembly. When the coupling rotates 90° counterclockwise, the inspection rod is parallel to the hook assembly.
[0007] Preferably, the two ends of the elongated hole are arc structures adapted to the inner diameter of the cylinder cavity, and the width of the elongated hole is adapted to the outer diameter of the connecting post.
[0008] Preferably, the motor is a hydraulic motor.
[0009] This application also provides a method for preventing the fall of a blowout preventer hoisting device, which uses the fall prevention mechanism described above to achieve fall prevention; Before lifting the blowout preventer (BOP), first, operate the motor to drive the coupling to rotate 90° clockwise and observe the visual inspection rod to ensure it is in place, aligning the suspension block with the elongated hole. Then, lift the BOP to its highest point using the BOP lifting device. After the suspension block enters the cylindrical cavity through the elongated hole, operate the motor to rotate in the opposite direction to drive the coupling to rotate 90° counterclockwise, so that the suspension block and the elongated hole are cross-shaped. Then, operate the BOP lifting device to lower the BOP a short distance. When the BOP remains completely still, it indicates that the T-claw has been fully seated and is suspended below the coupling. At this point, the T-claw is locked, and the BOP can be suspended and moved to prevent it from falling due to a broken lifting wire rope. When the blowout preventer hoisting device needs to lower the blowout preventer, operate the hoisting device to first raise the blowout preventer to the highest point again, then operate the motor to drive the coupling to rotate 90° clockwise, and observe the visual rod to ensure it is in place, so that the suspension block is aligned with the elongated hole, and the suspension block can be released from the elongated hole, then the blowout preventer can be lowered.
[0010] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The anti-fall mechanism for the blowout preventer hoisting device disclosed in this application can achieve fall protection through mechanical locking when the blowout preventer is suspended at a high altitude, and can achieve hovering and lateral movement operations under this protection state; at the same time, the visual observation rod allows the operator standing on the ground to visually observe the locking and disengagement state of the T-shaped claw, which has high operational reliability and effectively solves the safety hazards existing in the current high-altitude operations of suspending and moving blowout preventers. Attached Figure Description
[0011] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the fall protection mechanism of the present invention.
[0012] Figure 2 This is a top view of the coupling of the present invention.
[0013] Figure 3 This is a bottom view of the coupling of the present invention.
[0014] Figure 4 This is a top view of the T-shaped claw of the present invention.
[0015] Figure 5 This is an assembly diagram of the fall protection mechanism of the present invention.
[0016] Figure 6 This is a connection diagram of the fall protection mechanism and hook assembly of the present invention.
[0017] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the installation position of the present invention on an existing blowout preventer hoisting device.
[0018] In the diagram: 11-Hook assembly; 12-Wire rope; 2-Connecting seat; 21-Top plate; 22-Vertical shaft; 23-Circular base plate; 3-Coupling; 3a-Cylindrical inner cavity; 3b-Shaft hole; 3c-Elongated hole; 4-T-claw; 41-Connecting column; 42-Suspension block; 5-Motor; 61-Pin gear; 62-Half-circular gear; 71-First limiting column; 72-Second limiting column; 73-Third limiting column; 8-Visual inspection rod. Detailed Implementation
[0019] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0020] See attached document Figures 1-7 The shown is a fall prevention mechanism for a blowout preventer hoisting device, including a connecting seat 2, a coupling 3, a T-shaped claw 4 and a motor 5 (preferably a hydraulic motor to adapt to the flammable and explosive working environment of oil drilling).
[0021] like Figure 1 , 5As shown, the connecting seat 2 is an I-shaped structure composed of a top plate 21, a vertical shaft 22, and a circular base plate 23. The top plate 21 is fixed (preferably welded) to the bottom of the blowout preventer lifting device. Figure 1 , 3 As shown, the T-shaped claw 4 consists of a connecting column 41 and a suspension block 42 horizontally mounted on the connecting column 41. The lower end of the connecting column 41 is fixed to the dedicated hook assembly 11 for lifting and moving the blowout preventer. The blowout preventer lifting and moving device is similar to a crane structure used in industrial production, utilizing a moving trolley that moves on the crossbeam of the blowout preventer lifting and moving device. The moving trolley is equipped with a hoisting mechanism, and two steel wire ropes 12 connect the two sides of the hook assembly 11 (as in existing technology). Figure 7 In the middle, two steel wire ropes 12 are each connected to a hook.
[0022] like Figure 1 , 5 As shown, the coupling 3 has a cylindrical structure, and the cylindrical structure has a shaft hole 3b, a cylindrical inner cavity 3a, and an elongated hole 3c arranged axially from top to bottom in the center. The circular base plate 23 is adapted to be disposed in the cylindrical inner cavity 3a, and the vertical shaft 22 is adapted to extend out from the shaft hole 3b, thereby suspending the coupling 3 below the connecting seat 2 and allowing it to rotate freely. The shape of the suspension block 42 is adapted to the elongated hole 3c, and the suspension block 42 rotates 90° after entering the cylindrical inner cavity 3a from the elongated hole 3c, so that the T-shaped claw 4 is suspended below the coupling 3.
[0023] like Figure 1 , 5 As shown, the motor 5 is fixed below the top plate 21. This not only ensures a stable connection of the motor 5 but also increases the connection area of the top plate 21, thereby improving the overall connection strength of the mechanical lock. A small gear 61 is fixed on the main shaft of the motor 5, and a semi-circular gear 62 that meshes with the small gear 61 is fixed on the side wall of the coupling 3. Preferably, one side of the semi-circular gear 62 is welded to the side wall of the coupling 3, and the teeth of the semi-circular gear 62 allow the coupling 3 to rotate 90°.
[0024] When the motor 5 drives the semi-circular gear 62 through the pinion 61 to rotate the coupling 3 by 90°, the suspension block 42 is aligned vertically with the elongated hole 3c, allowing the suspension block 42 to disengage from the elongated hole 3c. When the suspension block 42 re-enters the cylindrical cavity 3a from the elongated hole 3c, and the motor 5 rotates in the opposite direction to rotate the coupling 3 in the opposite direction by 90°, the suspension block 42 and the elongated hole 3c cross each other, causing the T-shaped claw 4 to be suspended below the coupling 3 again.
[0025] To ensure precise rotation of coupling 3, such as Figure 1 , 5As shown, the top surface of the coupling 3 is circumferentially spaced with a first limiting post 71 and a second limiting post 72, and the bottom surface of the top plate 21 is provided with a third limiting post 73. The third limiting post 73 is on the same circumference as the first limiting post 71 and the second limiting post 72 and is located between the first limiting post 71 and the second limiting post 72. When the coupling 3 rotates 90°, the third limiting post 73 abuts against the first limiting post 71, and the motor 5 stops rotating (locked and pressurized); when the coupling 3 rotates 90° in the opposite direction, the third limiting post 73 abuts against the second limiting post 72, and the motor 5 stops rotating (locked and pressurized), ensuring that the coupling 3 achieves precise rotation.
[0026] To enable operators to determine the disengagement and locking status of the T-claw 4, such as... Figure 1 As shown, an inspection rod 8 is provided on the outer wall of the coupling 3. When the coupling 3 rotates 90° clockwise, the inspection rod 8 is perpendicular to the hook assembly 11. When the coupling 3 rotates 90° counterclockwise, the inspection rod 8 is parallel to the hook assembly 11, so that the operator can intuitively observe the state of the T-claw and provide visual protection.
[0027] Preferably, the two ends of the elongated hole 3c are arc structures adapted to the inner diameter of the cylindrical inner cavity 3a, and the width of the elongated hole 3c is adapted to the outer diameter of the connecting post 41, which allows the T-shaped claw 4 to enter and exit through the elongated hole 3c and rotate smoothly within the cylindrical inner cavity 3a.
[0028] This application also provides a method for preventing the blowout preventer (BOP) from falling when the BOP is lifted: Before lifting the BOP, the motor 5 is first operated to drive the coupling 3 to rotate 90° clockwise, and the visual inspection rod 8 is observed to be in place, so that the suspension block 42 is aligned with the elongated hole 3c; then the BOP is lifted to the highest point by the BOP lifting device, and after the suspension block 42 enters the cylindrical inner cavity 3a through the elongated hole 3c, the motor 5 is then operated to rotate in the opposite direction to drive the coupling 3 to rotate 90° counterclockwise, so that the suspension block 42 and the elongated hole 3c are cross-shaped; then the BOP is lowered a short distance by the BOP lifting device, and when the BOP is completely still, it indicates that the T-claw 4 has been fully seated and suspended below the coupling 3. At this time, the T-claw 4 is locked, and the BOP can be suspended and moved to prevent the BOP from falling due to the breakage of the lifting wire rope.
[0029] When the blowout preventer hoisting device needs to lower the blowout preventer, the hoisting device is operated to first raise the blowout preventer to its highest point again, and then the motor 5 is operated to drive the coupling 3 to rotate 90° clockwise. The visual inspection rod 8 is observed to be in place, so that the suspension block 42 is aligned with the elongated hole 3c, and the suspension block 42 can be disengaged from the elongated hole 3c, and the blowout preventer can be lowered.
[0030] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.
Claims
1. A fall prevention mechanism for a blowout preventer hoisting device, characterized in that: Includes connecting seat, coupling, T-claw and motor; The connecting seat is an I-shaped structure consisting of a top plate, a vertical shaft, and a circular base plate. The top plate is fixed to the bottom of the main body of the blowout preventer hoisting device. The T-shaped claw consists of a connecting column and a suspension block horizontally set at the top of the connecting column. The lower end of the connecting column is fixed to the hook assembly of the blowout preventer hoisting device. The coupling is a cylindrical structure, and the cylindrical structure has a shaft hole, a cylindrical inner cavity and an elongated hole arranged axially from top to bottom in the center. The circular base plate is adapted to be set in the cylindrical inner cavity, and the vertical shaft is adapted to extend out from the shaft hole, thereby suspending the coupling below the connecting seat and allowing it to rotate freely. The shape of the suspension block is adapted to the elongated hole, and the suspension block rotates 90° after entering the cylindrical cavity through the elongated hole, so that the T-shaped claw is suspended below the coupling. The motor is fixed below the top plate, and a small gear is fixed on the main shaft of the motor. A semi-circular gear that meshes with the small gear is fixed on the side wall of the coupling. When the motor drives the semi-circular gear through the pinion to rotate the coupling 90°, the suspension block aligns vertically with the elongated hole, allowing the suspension block to disengage from the elongated hole. When the suspension block re-enters the cylindrical cavity from the elongated hole, the motor rotates in the opposite direction, causing the coupling to rotate in the opposite direction by 90°. The suspension block then crosses with the elongated hole, causing the T-shaped claw to suspend below the coupling again.
2. The fall arrest mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coupling has a first limiting post and a second limiting post spaced 90° apart on its top surface, and a third limiting post on its bottom surface. The third limiting post is located on the same circumferential line as the first and second limiting posts and is positioned between the first and second limiting posts. When the coupling rotates 90°, the third limiting post abuts against the first limiting post. When the coupling rotates 90° in the opposite direction, the third limiting post abuts against the second limiting post.
3. The fall arrest mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A visual inspection rod is horizontally fixed on the outer wall of the coupling. When the coupling rotates 90° clockwise, the visual inspection rod is perpendicular to the hook assembly. When the coupling rotates 90° counterclockwise, the visual inspection rod is parallel to the hook assembly.
4. The fall arrest mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two ends of the elongated hole are arc structures adapted to the inner diameter of the cylinder cavity, and the width of the elongated hole is adapted to the outer diameter of the connecting post.
5. The fall arrest mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The motor is preferably a hydraulic motor.
6. A method for preventing the fall of a blowout preventer hoisting device, characterized in that: Fall prevention is achieved using the fall prevention mechanism described in claim 3; Before lifting the blowout preventer (BOP), first, operate the motor to drive the coupling to rotate 90° clockwise and observe the visual inspection rod to ensure it is in place, aligning the suspension block with the elongated hole. Then, lift the BOP to its highest point using the BOP lifting device. After the suspension block enters the cylindrical cavity through the elongated hole, operate the motor to rotate in the opposite direction to drive the coupling to rotate 90° counterclockwise, so that the suspension block and the elongated hole are cross-shaped. Then, operate the BOP lifting device to lower the BOP a short distance. When the BOP remains completely still, it indicates that the T-claw has been fully seated and is suspended below the coupling. At this point, the T-claw is locked, and the BOP can be suspended and moved to prevent it from falling due to a broken lifting wire rope. When the blowout preventer hoisting device needs to lower the blowout preventer, operate the hoisting device to first raise the blowout preventer to the highest point again, then operate the motor to drive the coupling to rotate 90° clockwise, and observe the visual rod to ensure it is in place, so that the suspension block is aligned with the elongated hole, and the suspension block can be released from the elongated hole, then the blowout preventer can be lowered.