Brake Lever Lock Mechanism for Drilling Rig Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake control systems in drilling rigs can cause surprise, personnel injury, and equipment damage due to rapid and forceful automatic actuation of the brake lever, despite safety devices that prevent the travelling block from exceeding limits.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for operating a brake lever that includes a handle and a lock with a first position to prevent pivotal movement and a second position to allow movement, along with a brace connected to the handle and lever, enabling controlled manual and automatic operation by locking and unlocking the handle to prevent sudden movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automatic actuation of the brake lever is implemented to prevent the travelling block from exceeding predetermined limits, then safety and reliability of the system is improved, but the brake lever moves rapidly and forcefully causing surprise, personnel injury, and equipment damage
Solution Approach 1:
The brake lever system transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic adjustable connection. The handle is initially locked to the lever in a manual operation configuration, then unlocked and repositioned to an automatic operation configuration where the handle can pivot independently. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt its behavior based on the operational mode, enabling automatic actuation while controlling the movement characteristics to prevent harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle serves as an intermediary element between the operator and the brake lever. By positioning and configuring the handle differently, it mediates between manual control and automatic actuation. The handle's ability to pivot and be repositioned allows it to transmit forces in a controlled manner, preventing the rapid forceful movement that would otherwise occur during automatic actuation.
2Ease of operation
If the brake lever is manually operated to apply or release the brake, then personnel have direct control over brake operation, but the system cannot automatically prevent the travelling block from exceeding predetermined limits
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic configurability between manual and automatic operation modes. The handle can be positioned in different configurations - locked for manual operation where personnel have direct control, or unlocked for automatic operation where the safety system can automatically actuate the brake. This dynamic switching capability resolves the contradiction by allowing both modes to function as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake lever system is designed with multi-functionality to serve both manual and automatic operation modes. The same brake lever assembly can operate in manual mode with direct personnel control or switch to automatic mode for automated safety protection. The handle's reconfigurable connection allows the system to universally support both operational approaches without requiring separate systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If the handle is fixedly connected to the lever, then manual positioning is precise and controlled, but automatic actuation cannot rapidly move the brake lever when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between handle and lever changes from fixed to movable based on operational needs. In manual mode, the handle is locked to provide precise controlled positioning. In automatic mode, the handle is unlocked allowing rapid movement of the lever through the pivotal connection. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between precision and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into separate functional components - the handle for manual control and the lever for brake actuation. The pivotal connection between them allows independent optimization of each component's function while maintaining their mechanical linkage. This segmentation enables precise manual positioning through the handle while allowing rapid automatic actuation through the lever's independent movement capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for operating a brake lever includes a handle and a lock having a first position that prevents pivotal movement of the handle with respect to the lever and a second position that allows pivotal movement of the handle with respect to the lever. A method for operating a brake lever includes locking a handle to the lever to prevent pivotal movement between the handle and the lever and manually positioning the lever to apply and release the brake. The method further includes unlocking the handle from the lever to permit pivotal movement between the handle and the lever and automatically positioning the lever to apply the brake.