An automatic length measuring device for tubing and its length measuring method

Abstract

This invention discloses an automatic tubing length measuring device and method, relating to the field of automatic tubing length measuring in oilfields. The device includes a support bracket, a tubing drive mechanism, a tubing positioning detection mechanism, and a PLC control mechanism. The tubing drive mechanism includes a drive cylinder with a displacement sensor and a tubing pusher plate driven by the cylinder. The tubing positioning detection mechanism includes a fixed plate, a detection sensor, a detection baffle, and an elastic abutment plate, with the elastic abutment plate connected to the detection baffle via a connecting column. Driven by the drive cylinder, the tubing pusher plate pushes the tubing on the support bracket towards the elastic abutment plate, thereby causing the detection baffle to move outward. After detecting the baffle, the detection sensor uploads information to the PLC control mechanism, which promptly reads the cylinder displacement data and calculates the tubing length. This invention, through the sensitive detection of the detection baffle by the detection sensor, can promptly read the displacement reading of the drive cylinder, achieving accurate measurement of the tubing length with high sensitivity, meeting the automatic tubing length measuring requirements of oilfields.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automatic length measurement technology for oilfield tubing, and in particular to an automatic length measurement device and method for tubing. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional oilfield pressurized well workover equipment often requires multiple workers to manually measure the length of the downed tubing string to match the measured depth. With the rapid development of mechanization and automation, manual measurement of tubing string length is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to large errors, no longer meeting automation requirements. Current automatic tubing string length measuring devices are complex in structure, have large measurement errors, and still suffer from low efficiency and inaccurate measurement data.

[0003] Therefore, it is evident that the existing tubular length measuring devices and methods described above still have inconveniences and shortcomings in terms of structure, method, and use, and urgently need further improvement. How to create a new automatic tubular length measuring device and method that is simple in structure, has high detection sensitivity, and provides accurate and reliable results to meet the needs of automated length measuring has become a pressing goal for the industry. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an automatic length measuring device for tubing, which has a simple structure, high detection sensitivity, and accurate and reliable results, thus meeting the requirements of automated length measuring and overcoming the shortcomings of existing tubing length measuring devices.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides an automatic pipe length measuring device, including a support bracket for horizontally placing the pipe to be measured, a pipe driving mechanism and a pipe positioning detection mechanism located at both ends of the support bracket, and a PLC control mechanism connected to the pipe driving mechanism and the pipe positioning detection mechanism.

[0006] The tubing drive mechanism includes a drive cylinder with a displacement sensor and a tubing pusher plate driven by the drive cylinder. The drive cylinder is connected to the PLC control mechanism.

[0007] The column positioning detection mechanism includes a fixed plate, a detection sensor, a detection baffle, and an elastic abutment unit. The detection sensor is fixed to the back of the fixed plate. The elastic abutment unit includes an elastic abutment plate, a connecting column, and an elastic element. The connecting column is movably inserted through the central hole of the fixed plate. The detection baffle is fixed to the distal end of the connecting column extending from the fixed plate. The elastic abutment plate is fixed to the proximal end of the connecting column. The elastic element is sleeved on the outer periphery of the connecting column near the elastic abutment plate. The elastic abutment plate and the column push plate are arranged opposite each other and both overlap axially with the column placed on the support bracket.

[0008] Driven by the hydraulic cylinder, the push plate of the tubing column pusher pushes the tubing column placed on the support bracket toward the elastic abutment plate. The elastic abutment plate is squeezed by the tubing column, and on the basis of compressing the elastic element, the connecting column causes the detection baffle to move outward. After the detection sensor detects the detection baffle, it uploads information to the PLC control mechanism. The PLC control mechanism reads the displacement data of the hydraulic cylinder, controls the hydraulic cylinder to stop moving, and calculates the length of the tubing column.

[0009] As a further improvement, the support bracket is provided with at least two column support blocks, and the upper middle part of the column support block is provided with a V-shaped groove or a U-shaped groove.

[0010] In a further improvement, the tubing pusher plate is fixed to the end of the extension rod of the drive cylinder, and when the drive cylinder retracts, it drives the tubing pusher plate to move towards the elastic abutment plate.

[0011] In a further improvement, the driving cylinder can be a driving cylinder or a driving electric cylinder.

[0012] In a further improvement, the elastic abutment unit also includes four guide posts located around the connecting post. One end of each of the four guide posts is connected to the perimeter of the elastic abutment plate, and the other end can be movably inserted through the four guide holes of the fixed plate to ensure that the elastic abutment plate is balanced and displaced when the tube post abuts.

[0013] As a further improvement, the detection sensor adopts an inductive proximity switch.

[0014] In a further improvement, the support frame adopts a truss structure, and the fixing plate is provided with fixing connectors on both sides for fixing the fixing plate in the truss structure.

[0015] In a further improvement, the support bracket and the tubing drive mechanism are fixed on the same fixed platform, so that the elastic abutment plate and the tubing push plate are arranged opposite to each other; or,

[0016] The support bracket and the pipe drive mechanism are respectively fixed on the installation platform of the pressurized pipe automated control device. The end of the support bracket away from the pipe drive mechanism is provided with a rotating pin, which is used to drive the support bracket and the pipe positioning detection mechanism to rotate relative to the installation platform. When the support bracket rotates to the horizontal position, the elastic abutment plate on it is positioned opposite to the pipe push plate.

[0017] As a further improvement of the present invention, the present invention also provides an automatic tube length measurement method. This automatic tube length measurement method uses the aforementioned automatic tube length measurement device, and the specific measurement method is as follows:

[0018] (1) The support bracket is placed horizontally, and the driving cylinder extends to place the long tube column to be measured on the support bracket;

[0019] (2) During measurement, the PLC control mechanism drives the drive cylinder to retract. During the retraction of the drive cylinder, the tube pusher plate pushes the tube towards the elastic abutment plate. Under the push of the tube, the elastic abutment plate drives the detection baffle to move towards the detection sensor. After the detection sensor detects the detection baffle, it uploads information to the PLC control mechanism. The PLC control mechanism reads the displacement data Lx of the drive cylinder, controls the drive cylinder to stop retracting, and calculates the length Y of the tube. The formula for calculating the length Y of the tube is:

[0020] Y=S+Lx

[0021] Wherein, S is the basic data for length measurement, which is the sum of the distance between the push plate of the tubing and the elastic abutment plate when the drive cylinder is fully retracted without the tubing and the displacement distance of the detection baffle during length measurement;

[0022] (3) The PLC control mechanism controls the drive cylinder to extend and remove the tubing. The elastic abutment plate is reset under the action of the elastic element, ready for the next length measurement.

[0023] In a further improvement, the basic length measurement data S is obtained by measuring the standard tubing during steps (1) and (2), and its calculation formula is as follows:

[0024] S=N-Ln

[0025] Where N is the standard tubing length, and Ln is the displacement data of the drive cylinder read by the PLC control mechanism when the tubing position signal is generated during the measurement of the standard tubing length.

[0026] With this design, the present invention has at least the following advantages:

[0027] This invention relates to an automatic tubing length measuring device. By incorporating a tubing arrival detection mechanism and a corresponding tubing drive mechanism, the tubing to be measured is moved axially along the support bracket by a tubing pusher plate under the action of a drive cylinder. This movement, in turn, pushes an elastic abutment plate, causing a detection baffle to move outward. The device then uses a sensitive sensor to detect the baffle, promptly reading the displacement of the drive cylinder to achieve accurate tubing length measurement. The measurement process is stable, with high detection sensitivity, high data accuracy, and high measurement efficiency, effectively meeting the automatic length measurement needs of oil fields and other straight pipe objects. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The above is merely an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic length measuring device for tubing of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the automatic length measuring device for tubing of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the pipe drive mechanism in the automatic pipe length measuring device of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the tubing placement detection mechanism in the automatic tubing length measuring device of the present invention. Figure 1 .

[0033] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the tubing placement detection mechanism in the automatic tubing length measuring device of the present invention. Figure 2 .

[0034] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the structure of the tube column positioning detection mechanism in the automatic tube column length measuring device of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that a more thorough understanding of the invention will be achieved and that the full scope of the invention will be conveyed to those skilled in the art.

[0036] See attached document Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the automatic pipe length measuring device in this embodiment can be used in conjunction with the automated control device for pipes in live-line operations to measure the length of the pipe before pipe laying is required in automated live-line operations. The automatic pipe length measuring device includes a support bracket 1 for horizontally placing the pipe to be measured, a pipe drive mechanism 2 and a pipe positioning detection mechanism 3 located at both ends of the support bracket 1, and a PLC control mechanism connected to the pipe drive mechanism 2 and the pipe positioning detection mechanism 3.

[0037] Specifically, the support bracket 1 is equipped with two tubing support blocks 11. Each tubing support block 11 has a V-shaped groove 111 in the upper center to ensure stable placement of the tubing and prevent radial movement, allowing only axial sliding. In this embodiment, the support bracket 1 is designed to be 8m long, capable of supporting commonly used 8.5-10.0m oilfield tubing. Of course, the support bracket 1 can have multiple tubing support blocks, or U-shaped grooves or other irregular grooves can be provided on the tubing support blocks to ensure easy placement and removal of the tubing, and that it can only move axially.

[0038] See attached document Figure 3 As shown, the tubing drive mechanism 2 includes a drive cylinder 21 with a displacement sensor 22, and a tubing push plate 23 driven by the drive cylinder 21. The tubing push plate 23 is fixed to the end of the extension rod of the drive cylinder 21. The displacement sensor 22 is a magnetic scale, which can accurately output the extension displacement data of the extension rod of the cylinder. The drive cylinder 21 is connected to the PLC control mechanism, which can control the start and stop of the drive cylinder 21 and read the extension displacement data of the extension rod of the drive cylinder 21. When the drive cylinder 21 retracts, it drives the tubing push plate 23 to move towards the support bracket 1. Of course, in this embodiment, the drive cylinder 21 can also be an existing drive mechanism such as a drive cylinder or a drive electric cylinder, as long as the existing drive mechanism can read the displacement distance of the extension rod.

[0039] See attached document Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the column positioning detection mechanism 3 includes a fixed plate 31, a detection sensor 32, a detection baffle 33, and an elastic abutment unit. The detection sensor 32 is fixed to the back of the fixed plate 31. The elastic abutment unit includes an elastic abutment plate 34, a connecting post 35, and an elastic element 36. The connecting post 35 is movably inserted through the central hole of the fixed plate 31. The detection baffle 33 is fixed to the distal end of the connecting post 35 extending from the fixed plate 31. The elastic abutment plate 34 is fixed to the proximal end of the connecting post 35. The elastic element 36 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the connecting post 35 near the elastic abutment plate 34. The elastic abutment plate 34 and the column push plate 23 are arranged opposite each other, and both overlap axially with the column placed on the support bracket 1. That is, when the column to be tested is placed on the support bracket 1, it is located exactly between the elastic abutment plate 34 and the column push plate 23.

[0040] The tube pusher plate 23, driven by the drive cylinder 21, pushes the tube placed on the support bracket 1 toward the elastic abutment plate 34. The elastic abutment plate 34 is squeezed by the tube, and on the basis of compressing the elastic element 36, the connecting column 35 causes the detection baffle 33 to move outward. After the detection sensor 32 detects the detection baffle 33, it uploads information to the PLC control mechanism. The PLC control mechanism reads the displacement data of the drive cylinder 21 in time, controls the drive cylinder 21 to stop moving, and calculates the length of the tube.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the elastic abutment unit further includes four guide posts 37 located around the connecting post 35. One end of each of the four guide posts 37 is connected to the perimeter of the elastic abutment plate 34, and the other end can be movably inserted through the four guide holes of the fixing plate 31. The connecting post 35 is located in the middle of the four guide posts 37. The protruding ends of the four guide posts 37 are also provided with stop pins to prevent the guide posts from dislodging. The arrangement of the four guide posts 37 ensures that the elastic abutment plate 34 is balanced in displacement when the tube column abuts, preventing it from swaying left and right or rotating.

[0042] In this embodiment, the detection sensor 32 is an inductive proximity switch. When the detection baffle 33 approaches, it sends a signal that the tube column is in place. It has a more sensitive detection effect than traditional hydraulic sensors, ensuring the detection sensitivity of the length measuring device.

[0043] More specifically, in this embodiment, the support bracket 1 adopts a truss structure, and the fixing plate 31 is provided with fixing connectors 38 on both sides for fixing the fixing plate 31 in the truss structure. The fixing connectors 38 can adopt any existing connection mechanism, such as the L-shaped connecting plate and fixing bolts shown in the figure, as long as they can firmly fix the fixing plate and the components connected thereto in the truss structure. This invention does not make any specific limitation.

[0044] The support bracket 1 and the pipe drive mechanism 2 are respectively fixed on the installation platform of the automated control device for pressurized pipe operations, enabling automatic measurement of the pipe length before the pipe is lowered into the pressurized system. A rotating pin 12 is provided at the end of the support bracket 1 furthest from the pipe drive mechanism 2. This pin 12 drives the support bracket 1 and the pipe positioning detection mechanism 3 to rotate relative to the installation platform. When pipe length measurement is required, the support bracket 1 is rotated to a horizontal position; when measurement is not required, it is rotated to a vertical position, saving space. When the support bracket 1 is rotated to a horizontal position, its elastic abutment plate 34 is positioned opposite to the pipe push plate 23.

[0045] When the automatic pipe length measuring device is used in the automated control device for pipe strings in live-line operations, it can work well with the oilfield automatic live-line operation device through the PLC control mechanism to realize the automatic pipe string lowering and length measuring action, as well as the statistical work of length data of multiple lowered pipe strings, thus meeting the automation requirements of automatic live-line operations.

[0046] Of course, the support bracket 1 and the column drive mechanism 2 can also be fixed on the fixed platform of other equipment. The column length measurement function can be realized simply by setting the elastic abutment plate 34 opposite to the column push plate 23. In addition, the column positioning detection mechanism 3 can also be set separately from the support bracket 1. That is, the column positioning detection mechanism 3, the support bracket 1, and the column drive mechanism 2 can be fixed in sequence. It can be used for length measurement of any straight tubular long object, such as cylindrical iron rod, triangular iron, round wood, bamboo pole, etc.

[0047] Based on the aforementioned automatic length measuring device for tubing, the specific length measuring method of this device includes the following steps:

[0048] (1) Place the support bracket 1 horizontally, extend the drive cylinder 21, and place the long tube to be measured on the tube support block 11 of the support bracket 1.

[0049] (2) During measurement, the PLC control mechanism drives the drive cylinder 21 to retract. During the retraction process, the tube pusher plate 23 pushes the tube towards the elastic abutment plate 34. Under the push of the tube, the elastic abutment plate 34 drives the detection baffle 33 to move towards the detection sensor 32. After the detection sensor 32 detects the detection baffle 33, it uploads information to the PLC control mechanism. The PLC control mechanism reads the displacement data Lx of the drive cylinder 21 at this time and controls the drive cylinder 21 to stop retracting, and calculates the length Y of the tube. The formula for calculating the length Y of the tube is:

[0050] Y=S+Lx

[0051] Wherein, S is the basic data for length measurement, which is the sum of the distance between the push plate of the tubing and the elastic abutment plate when the drive cylinder is fully retracted without the tubing and the displacement distance of the detection baffle during length measurement.

[0052] Preferably, the basic length measurement data S can be calculated from a standard tubing string when performing steps (1) and (2) above, and the calculation formula is as follows:

[0053] S=N-Ln

[0054] Where N is the standard tubing length, and Ln is the displacement data of the drive cylinder read by the PLC control mechanism when the tubing position signal is generated during the measurement of the standard tubing length.

[0055] (3) The PLC control mechanism controls the drive cylinder 21 to extend and remove the tubing. The elastic abutment plate 34 is reset under the action of the elastic element 36, ready for the next tubing length measurement.

[0056] Through extensive data measurement, analysis, and verification, this automatic tube length measurement method has been found to have high accuracy in detection results, with a repeatability accuracy within 3 mm, and it operates smoothly and stably, fully meeting the project's detection requirements.

[0057] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, or alterations made by those skilled in the art using the disclosed technical content shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tubular string automatic length measuring device, characterized by, It includes a support bracket for horizontally placing a pipe column, a pipe column driving mechanism and a pipe column positioning detection mechanism located at both ends of the support bracket, and a PLC control mechanism connected to the pipe column driving mechanism and the pipe column positioning detection mechanism. The tubing drive mechanism includes a drive cylinder with a displacement sensor and a tubing pusher plate driven by the drive cylinder. The drive cylinder is connected to the PLC control mechanism. The column positioning detection mechanism includes a fixed plate, a detection sensor, a detection baffle, and an elastic abutment unit. The detection sensor is fixed to the back of the fixed plate. The elastic abutment unit includes an elastic abutment plate, a connecting column, and an elastic element. The connecting column is movably inserted through the central hole of the fixed plate. The detection baffle is fixed to the distal end of the connecting column extending from the fixed plate. The elastic abutment plate is fixed to the proximal end of the connecting column. The elastic element is sleeved on the outer periphery of the connecting column near the elastic abutment plate. The elastic abutment plate and the column push plate are arranged opposite each other and both overlap axially with the column placed on the support bracket. Driven by the hydraulic cylinder, the push plate of the tubing column pusher pushes the tubing column placed on the support bracket toward the elastic abutment plate. The elastic abutment plate is squeezed by the tubing column, and on the basis of compressing the elastic element, the connecting column causes the detection baffle to move outward. After the detection sensor detects the detection baffle, it uploads information to the PLC control mechanism. The PLC control mechanism reads the displacement data of the hydraulic cylinder, controls the hydraulic cylinder to stop moving, and calculates the length of the tubing column.

2. The automatic length measuring device for tubing as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The support frame is provided with at least two column support blocks, and the upper middle part of the column support block is provided with a V-shaped groove or a U-shaped groove.

3. The automatic length measuring device for tubing as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The tubing pusher plate is fixed to the end of the extension rod of the drive cylinder. When the drive cylinder retracts, it drives the tubing pusher plate to move towards the elastic abutment plate.

4. The automatic length measuring device for tubing as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The driving cylinder is either a pneumatic cylinder or an electric cylinder.

5. The automatic length measuring device for tubing as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic abutment unit also includes four guide posts located around the connecting post. One end of each of the four guide posts is connected to the four edges of the elastic abutment plate, and the other end can be movably inserted through the four guide holes of the fixed plate to ensure that the elastic abutment plate is balanced and displaced when the tube post abuts.

6. The automatic length measuring device for tubing according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The detection sensor is an inductive proximity switch.

7. The automatic length measuring device for tubing as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The support frame adopts a truss structure, and the fixing plate is provided with fixing connectors on both sides for fixing the fixing plate in the truss structure.

8. The automatic length measuring device for tubing according to claim 7, characterized in that, The support bracket and the tubing drive mechanism are fixed on the same fixed platform, so that the elastic abutment plate and the tubing push plate are positioned opposite each other; or... The support bracket and the pipe drive mechanism are respectively fixed on the installation platform of the pressurized pipe automated control device. The end of the support bracket away from the pipe drive mechanism is provided with a rotating pin, which is used to drive the support bracket and the pipe positioning detection mechanism to rotate relative to the installation platform. When the support bracket rotates to the horizontal position, the elastic abutment plate on it is positioned opposite to the pipe push plate.

9. An automatic length measurement method for a tubular string, characterized in that, The automatic length measuring device for tubing as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, specifically the length measuring method, is as follows: (1) The support bracket is placed horizontally, and the driving cylinder extends to place the long tube column to be measured on the support bracket; (2) During measurement, the PLC control mechanism drives the drive cylinder to retract. During the retraction of the drive cylinder, the tube pusher plate pushes the tube towards the elastic abutment plate. Under the push of the tube, the elastic abutment plate drives the detection baffle to move towards the detection sensor. After the detection sensor detects the detection baffle, it uploads information to the PLC control mechanism. The PLC control mechanism reads the displacement data Lx of the drive cylinder, controls the drive cylinder to stop retracting, and calculates the length Y of the tube. The formula for calculating the length Y of the tube is: Y=S+Lx Wherein, S is the basic data for length measurement, which is the sum of the distance between the push plate of the tubing and the elastic abutment plate when the drive cylinder is fully retracted without the tubing and the displacement distance of the detection baffle during length measurement; (3) The PLC control mechanism controls the drive cylinder to extend and remove the tubing. The elastic abutment plate is reset under the action of the elastic element, ready for the next length measurement.

10. The automatic length measurement method for tubing according to claim 9, characterized in that, The length measurement baseline data S is obtained by measuring the standard tubing during steps (1) and (2), and its calculation formula is as follows: S=N-Ln Where N is the standard tubing length, and Ln is the displacement data of the drive cylinder read by the PLC control mechanism when the tubing position signal is generated during the measurement of the standard tubing length.

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