Automated Fluid Conduit Connection Assembly for Elevated Drilling Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
In offshore and onshore drilling operations, connecting high-pressure fluid conduits to elevated cement or fracturing heads poses safety risks and inefficiencies due to the need for manual labor, which can result in accidents and increased downtime, as personnel must be lifted to elevated positions to attach and detach heavy conduits, exposing them to fall hazards and risking dropped objects.
Innovation Solution
An automated connection assembly featuring a winch and stinger system that lifts and securely attaches the conduit end to a quick-lock receptacle on the cement or fracturing head, allowing remote operation and eliminating the need for personnel to be lifted, with safety features like pressure switches and protective shields to prevent accidental disconnection during high-pressure operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If personnel manually connect fluid conduits to elevated cement or fracturing heads, then connection can be performed, but safety risks increase due to fall hazards and dropped objects
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the automated connection assembly performs the connection and disconnection operations autonomously without requiring personnel to manually handle heavy conduits at elevated positions. The winch assembly automatically reels in the conduit, and the quick-connect mechanism automatically engages and locks, eliminating the need for manual intervention in hazardous zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated mechanical system. The winch assembly with motor-driven reel substitutes for manual hauling, and the quick-connect mechanism with automatic locking substitutes for manual coupling operations, thereby eliminating personnel exposure to fall hazards and dropped object risks.
2Ease of operation
If personnel are lifted to elevated positions to attach conduits, then connection can be made, but downtime increases due to manual operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the conduit end near the cement or fracturing head using the automated winch assembly before the actual connection is made. This preliminary action reduces the time required for manual maneuvering and positioning that previously delayed the connection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated winch assembly and quick-connect mechanism replace slow manual operations with faster automated mechanical actions. The motor-driven reel rapidly reels in the conduit, and the automatic locking mechanism quickly secures the connection, significantly reducing overall connection time compared to manual methods.
3Reliability
If automated winch assembly is used to lift conduit end, then personnel safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated connection assembly is designed as a multi-functional unit that combines the winch assembly for lifting, the quick-connect mechanism for coupling, and the locking mechanism for securing. This universal device performs multiple operations that previously required separate manual actions, justifying the increased complexity through consolidated functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated connection assembly acts as an intermediary device between the conduit and the cement or fracturing head. It mediates the connection process by automatically handling the heavy conduit, positioning it, and securing it without direct human intervention, thereby transferring the complexity from manual labor to a controlled mechanical system.
4Productivity
If quick-connect mechanism with automatic locking is used, then connection speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The quick-connect mechanism performs self-service by automatically locking when the conduit end is inserted into the receptacle. The automatic locking feature engages the locking elements without manual intervention, enabling rapid connection while the self-aligning features guide the conduit into proper position, reducing the need for complex manual alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic locking mechanism replaces slow manual locking operations with faster automated mechanical actions. The spring-loaded locking elements and cam-actuated release mechanism substitute for manual wrench operations, significantly increasing connection and disconnection speeds despite the increased mechanical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A connection assembly for automated lifting and positioning of a chiksan or other fluid conduit in proximity to a fluid inlet of a device such as, for example, a cement or hydraulic fracturing head. Once a chiksan or other flow line is positioned in a desired location, a secure connection is made between the outlet of the chiksan or other fluid conduit and the fluid inlet including, without limitation, when the device is positioned at an elevated location above a rig floor.