Actuated Arm for Shaker Room Inspection and Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The environment around shakers in oilfield operations is hazardous and inaccessible, posing risks to human operators and requiring ruggedized instrumentation, while existing monitoring systems lack efficiency in inspecting and maintaining shaker equipment.
Innovation Solution
An actuated arm system with integrated tools such as cameras, sensors, and actuators is used to monitor and control shakers, allowing for remote inspection, maintenance, and replacement of screen assemblies, as well as adjustment of operational parameters to optimize performance and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ruggedized instrumentation is used in the shaker room, then the equipment can survive the vibrations and hostile environment, but the working environment becomes more dangerous and inaccessible to human operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human operators with an automated robotic system equipped with sensors and actuators. The robotic system includes a mobile platform with articulated arms that can autonomously navigate the shaker room, perform inspections, and execute maintenance tasks without human intervention, thereby eliminating exposure to vibrations and hazardous conditions while maintaining operational capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote control system as an intermediary between human operators and the shaker room environment. Operators control the robotic system from a safe location through wireless communication interfaces, allowing them to monitor and manage shaker operations without direct exposure to harmful vibrations and conditions
2Object-affected harmful factors
If remote monitoring and maintenance systems are implemented, then human exposure to hazardous conditions is reduced, but the system complexity and initial setup requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is designed with multi-functionality to perform various tasks including visual inspection via cameras, sensor-based monitoring of shaker performance, predictive maintenance through data analysis, and even minor repair operations. This consolidation of multiple functions into a single platform reduces the need for separate specialized systems, thereby managing complexity while providing comprehensive remote capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates autonomous navigation and self-positioning capabilities using sensors, GPS, and onboard computing. The robotic platform can independently navigate to target locations, adjust its own configuration, and execute pre-programmed maintenance routines without requiring complex external control infrastructure, thereby reducing system complexity through self-sufficiency
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure is generally drawn to systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods, related to monitoring a shaker and monitoring a room in which shaker(s) operate. Specifically, the disclosed systems, devices, apparatuses, and/or methods relate to controlling an actuated arm to inspect, remove, replace, repair, clean the shaker and/or screen assemblies based on monitoring the shaker and its screen assemblies, and to adjust or maintain shaker(s) in a defined area such as the room in which shaker(s) operate. While the examples disclosed herein generally describe shakers for separating solids from fluids, the present disclosure contemplates that other separation equipment (e.g., machines for separating solids from other solids) may also be monitored and controlled by the systems and methods described herein.