Actuatable Paddle Geometry for Single-Setup Cement Slurry Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing consistometers require multiple setups and testing procedures to evaluate rheology, thickening time, and transition time of cement slurries, which can lead to errors and increased laboratory space requirements due to the need for separate geometries and conditions for each parameter.
Innovation Solution
An actuatable paddle system with a central shaft and concentric drive shafts that rotate lateral blades between horizontal and vertical positions, allowing for adjustable drag and simultaneous testing of multiple parameters in a single setup, reducing the need for multiple equipment configurations and minimizing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate canister and paddle combinations are used for testing rheology, thickening time, and transition time, then each parameter can be tested with appropriate geometry, but multiple consistometer setups are required increasing device complexity and laboratory space
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle is designed with multiple blade configurations that can be actuated to provide different geometries suitable for testing rheology, thickening time, and transition time. This multi-functional paddle replaces the need for multiple separate canister-paddle combinations, allowing a single consistometer setup to perform all required tests.
Solution Approach 2:
The paddle incorporates actuable blades that can dynamically change their configuration during testing. The blades can be positioned in different orientations (e.g., horizontal, vertical, angled) to create different geometries appropriate for each test parameter, enabling adaptive testing within a single setup.
2Measurement precision
If separate canister and paddle combinations are used for different test parameters, then appropriate testing geometry is achieved, but laboratory space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By making the paddle universal with multiple actuable blade configurations, the system eliminates the need for multiple dedicated testing stations. A single consistometer with the actuable paddle can perform all required tests, thereby reducing the laboratory space needed for housing multiple separate testing setups.
3Measurement precision
If multiple consistometer setups are used to test different parameters, then comprehensive testing is achieved, but potential for errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple testing capabilities into a single consistometer setup with one paddle that can assume different configurations. This consolidation ensures that all tests (rheology, thickening time, transition time) are performed in the same physical system under consistent conditions, eliminating errors that could arise from transferring samples between different setups or from variations between separate instruments.
4Device complexity
If a single paddle geometry is used for all tests, then device simplicity is maintained, but testing accuracy for all parameters cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle transitions from a static single-geometry design to a dynamic multi-geometry design. The blades can be actuated to different positions and orientations, allowing the same physical paddle structure to provide multiple geometries optimized for different test parameters, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the paddle by actuating the blades to different configurations. This allows optimization of the paddle geometry for each specific test parameter (rheology, thickening time, transition time) without requiring multiple physical paddles, as the same paddle can be reconfigured to provide the appropriate geometry for each test.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient testing of cement slurry properties by allowing a single piece of equipment to perform multiple tests without altering temperature and pressure conditions, reducing laboratory space and minimizing errors through adjustable paddle configurations.
Implementation Method 1
Rotating the lateral blades results in changing their angular orientation between a horizontal position, where the lateral blades cause minimum drag on the paddle as moving through a fluid composition, and a vertical position, where the lateral blades cause maximum drag on the paddle as moving through the fluid composition
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary paddle includes a central shaft having a first end and a second end. One or more lateral blades extend laterally from the central shaft, and each lateral blade including a geared end positioned adjacent the central shaft and a distal end opposite the geared end. Each lateral blade provides a blade gear at the geared end. A drive shaft is movably positioned within the central shaft and operatively coupled to the one or more lateral blades such that rotation of the drive shaft about a central axis rotates the one or more lateral blades about a corresponding one or more blade axes. The one or more lateral blades are able to move between a horizontal position and a vertical position via independent actuation.