Articulated Fluid Delivery Assembly for Precise Wellhead Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid delivery systems for fracking operations are inefficient, requiring extensive hardware and labor for setup and teardown, posing safety risks and being slow and imprecise due to manual operation and complex piping configurations.
Innovation Solution
A fluid delivery system featuring an articulated fluid delivery unit (FDU) with rotating connections and swivel joints capable of withstanding high pressures, allowing for automated and robotic control of spatial positioning and fluid flow, including a stinger assembly with rotating connections for precise fluid delivery to wellheads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional piping configurations with multiple connections and disconnections are used, then fluid delivery to multiple wells can be achieved, but setup and teardown time increases significantly and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery system is designed as a universal platform that can service multiple wellheads through a single articulated unit with multi-axis articulation. The system can dynamically reposition its fluid connection adapter to connect to different wellheads without requiring complete disassembly or reconfiguration, making the same hardware serve multiple functions across different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated fluid delivery unit incorporates multiple articulating joints that allow dynamic repositioning of the fluid connection adapter during operation. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt its configuration on-the-fly to connect to different wellheads, eliminating the static, fixed piping configurations that require time-consuming setup and teardown.
2Measurement precision
If manual operation and complex piping configurations are used, then fluid delivery can be performed, but operational precision and safety decrease while labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical positioning with automated control systems that precisely manage the articulating joints and fluid flow. Sensors and control algorithms substitute for manual operation, providing precise spatial positioning and automated connection/disconnection sequences, thereby improving both precision and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated fluid delivery unit incorporates feedback mechanisms through sensors that monitor the position of articulating joints and the status of fluid connections. This real-time feedback enables precise control and positioning, allowing the system to automatically adjust its configuration for optimal alignment with target wellheads, thereby improving measurement precision while reducing manual complexity.
3Reliability
If extensive hardware and complex piping are deployed, then fluid delivery capability is ensured, but device complexity and operational risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery system is segmented into modular components, including the articulated boom structure with distinct articulating joints and the separate fluid connection adapter. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for reliability while reducing overall system complexity. The modular design enables simpler, more reliable connections compared to extensive complex piping networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs flexible hoses or bellows in the articulating joints to accommodate movement while maintaining fluid sealing. These flexible elements replace rigid, complex piping configurations that would require multiple rigid connections and joints, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining fluid delivery reliability through the flexible, articulated pathways.
Data Source
AI summary
A spatially positioned assembly comprising, in preferred embodiments, first and second boom sections concatenated in articulated fashion to a turret at a proximal end thereof, and rotatably connected with a fluid connection adapter at a distal end thereof. The fluid connection adapter is preferably configured for connection to a mating fluid connection housing assembly provided on a wellhead. Independent control of rotation at each of multiple axes on the spatially positioned assembly allows an operator to establish corresponding desired spatial positions for the spatially positioned assembly.