Adjustable Pipe Bunk System for Tubular Load Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation of heavy columnar construction members, such as oilfield tubulars, poses challenges due to their weight, length, and shape, leading to potential damage and safety hazards during loading, unloading, and transit, as well as the risk of overloading and damage to expensive equipment.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable pipe bunk system comprising opposite-facing pipe bunks with horizontal and vertical members, adjustable slide members, and locking mechanisms, which securely supports tubulars on a flatbed truck or boat deck, eliminating the need for chalks and allowing for easy adjustment to accommodate various diameters, thereby preventing shifting and overloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional flatbed trailers with upright members and wood strips are used to transport tubulars, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the load stability is poor and tubulars may shift or come loose during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe bunk apparatus is divided into multiple modular components including horizontal base members, vertical members, adjustable slide members with locking mechanisms, and pipe retaining members. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall load stability, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide members are designed to be adjustable along the horizontal base members and can be locked at various positions. This dynamic adjustability allows the apparatus to adapt to different pipe sizes and configurations, improving load stability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through controlled flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed pipe bunk structures are used, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the adaptability to different tubular diameters and configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The slide members can be positioned at different locations along the horizontal base members and locked in place using locking mechanisms. This dynamic positioning capability enables the apparatus to accommodate various tubular diameters and configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe bunk apparatus is designed with universal components that can handle different sizes and types of tubulars. The adjustable slide members and retaining members can be configured for various pipe diameters, making the same apparatus structure versatile for multiple applications without requiring complete redesign.
3Reliability
If heavy tubulars are handled manually or with simple equipment, then the equipment cost is low, but the safety risk and potential damage to tubulars is high
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe bunk apparatus is pre-configured with horizontal base members, vertical members, and adjustable retaining members before loading. This preliminary setup creates a secure framework that prevents tubulars from shifting or falling during transportation, improving safety while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through advance preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus design inherently provides protection against potential damage by securing tubulars in place before any harmful movement can occur. The locking mechanisms and retaining members act as preventive measures that cushion against the harmful effects of shifting or dropping heavy tubulars during transit.
Data Source
AI summary
A pair of pipe bunks are utilized on in combination with a flatbed truck, deck of a work boat, or other conveyance means for securing loads of long, heavy, structural members during transportation. The pipe bunks have particular utility for oilfield tubulars. Each pipe bunk comprises a horizontal base member which is attached cross-wise to the flatbed of the truck, or deck of the workboat. A horizontal beam is attached to the horizontal base member and a vertical member is affixed to each opposing outside end of the horizontal beam. Adjustable slide members are slidingly attached to the horizontal base member, where each adjustable slide member has a vertical member which is disposed in offset facing relation with a respective outside vertical member. The slide members are attached to the horizontal base member with guide members. The slide members are adjustable with respect to the distance of each from the respective outside vertical member to accommodate the width of the desired load. The slide members are locked into position to secure the relative position of the slide members with the respective outside vertical members.