Automated Drilling Rig Stand Handling via Machine Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for tripping and handling drilling rigs or workover rigs are largely manual and mechanized, leading to inefficiencies and safety risks due to the need for numerous manual operations and lack of automation, particularly when handling long and heavy drilling pipes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method that utilizes a control system and machine vision techniques to automate the positioning, alignment, and jointing of drilling rig stands, reducing manual interventions by using smart detection modules to guide the pipe racking device, iron floor man, and iron roughneck, enabling precise and automated handling of stands during tripping and pulling operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operations are used for handling drilling pipe stands, then operators can directly control and confirm each operation, but the processing efficiency is greatly reduced and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated control system that uses machine vision technology to detect stand positions and automatically controls the pipe racking device, iron floor man, and iron roughneck to perform positioning, alignment, and jointing operations, thereby eliminating the need for manual confirmation and significantly improving processing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the drilling rig to perform self-positioning and self-alignment through automatic control. The machine vision system detects positions, and the control system automatically adjusts the equipment positions and operations without requiring operator intervention, allowing the system to service itself during the tripping process
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are jointed together during processing, then the system can handle complex drilling operations, but a large number of manual operations and manual confirmations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves as a universal controller that manages multiple devices including the pipe racking device, iron floor man, and iron roughneck. The machine vision system provides universal detection capabilities for positioning and alignment across all devices, enabling coordinated operation of multiple devices through a single integrated control system that reduces operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the detection function (machine vision system), control function (control system), and execution functions (pipe racking device, iron floor man, iron roughneck) into an integrated automated system. This combination allows multiple devices to operate cooperatively without requiring separate manual control for each device, thereby reducing the number of manual operations needed
3Reliability
If machine vision technique is used for automatic positioning and alignment, then manual operations are reduced and safety risks are minimized, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and manual positioning with an automated machine vision system that detects stand positions and provides feedback to the control system. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to visually confirm positions manually, significantly improving safety while the integrated control system manages the complexity of coordinating multiple devices based on vision data
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method for running a drilling rig or a workover rig including a plurality of stands into a wellbore. In step 1, position information of the stands in a finger board area may be recorded with a control system. In step 2, the stands may be placed. In step 3, a position of a traveling block may be adjusted so as to move a power elevator to a second waiting position of a racking platform. In step 4, the stands may be pushed with the pipe racking device. In step 5, the second stand may be moved and stabbed in the first stand with an iron floor man. In step 6, a joint between the first stand and the second stand may be made up. In step 7, the traveling block may be moved downward. In step 8, the traveling block may be moved upward.