Height-Adjustable Crown Assembly for Drill Ship Mobility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drill ships face mobility and cost issues due to their fixed derrick height, which affects their center of gravity and makes navigation through restricted waterways and adverse weather conditions challenging, particularly evident in the need to partially disassemble the derrick to pass through narrow passages like the Panama Canal.
Innovation Solution
A height-adjustable derrick system where the crown assembly, optionally with a motion compensator, is movably mounted on the derrick, allowing it to be lowered within the derrick to reduce overall height and adjust the center of gravity, facilitated by movement apparatus such as powered lines or jacking systems, enabling the derrick to be reduced in height by up to 30 feet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the derrick height is increased to improve drilling capability, then the drilling depth and load carrying capability are improved, but the mobility and ability to pass through restricted waterways deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The derrick height is made dynamically adjustable through a retractable crown assembly that can be raised and lowered along the derrick structure. This allows the drill ship to configure its derrick height according to operational needs or navigational constraints, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high drilling capability and ensuring mobility through restricted waterways.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the derrick height is fixed to maintain structural stability, then the drilling operation stability is improved, but the ability to adjust center of gravity for adverse weather conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The crown assembly is designed with movable components including a traveling block and hoist system that allow vertical adjustment along the derrick. This dynamic configuration enables the center of gravity to be adjusted for weather conditions while maintaining structural stability during drilling operations through controlled positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The derrick structure is segmented into fixed portions and the movable crown assembly portion. This segmentation allows the main derrick structure to remain stable for drilling operations while the crown assembly can be independently adjusted to change the center of gravity for adverse weather conditions.
3Manufacturing precision
If the derrick is made permanent and upright to ensure drilling precision, then the drilling accuracy is improved, but the complexity of disassembly and reassembly for canal passage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crown assembly is designed as a movable component that can be repositioned vertically along the derrick structure using a hoist system. This eliminates the need for complete disassembly and reassembly when passing through canals, while maintaining the precision required for accurate drilling operations through controlled positioning of the crown assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
Floating systems for well operations are disclosed with a height-adjustable crown assembly movably connected to a derrick; in one aspect, movable within the derrick by movement apparatus; and, in one aspect, movable with a motion compensator. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).