Breakaway Link Decouples Slips Lifter During Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for slips lifters in subterranean operations are not equipped to handle the rotation of tubular strings, leading to potential damage and requiring frequent repairs.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising slips, a slips lifter, and a breakaway link that decouples the slips from the slips lifter when the slips are rotated relative to the lifter, preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the slips lifter is used to manipulate slips during subterranean operations, then the slips can be raised and lowered to engage and disengage from the tubular string, but the slips lifter is not equipped to handle rotation of the slips, causing damage to the slips lifter, slips, or well center equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The link is divided into two separate elements (first element and second element) that can be coupled together during normal operation but decouple when rotation occurs. This segmentation allows the system to maintain structural integrity for lifting operations while enabling failure isolation to protect the slips lifter from rotational damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The link acts as an intermediary component between the slips lifter and the slips. It transfers lifting forces during normal operation but decouples when rotational forces are applied, thereby protecting the slips lifter while still enabling slip manipulation functionality.
2Force
If the slips are engaged with the tubular string before the top drive is disconnected, then the slips can carry the weight of the tubular string, but the tubular string may be rotated before the slips are disengaged, causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The link is pre-configured with a decoupling mechanism that automatically activates when rotational forces are detected during slip engagement. This preliminary preparation ensures that the link will fail safely in the event of rotation, protecting the slips lifter before damage can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harmful rotational force that could damage the slips lifter is converted into a useful decoupling signal. When rotation occurs, the link decouples to protect the slips lifter, transforming the harmful rotational force into a protective mechanism that prevents further damage.
3Strength
If the link is made rigid to maintain strong coupling between slips and slips lifter, then lifting strength is maximized, but the link cannot decouple to protect against rotational damage
Solution Approach 1:
The link transitions from a rigid static connection to a dynamic system that can adapt its state based on operational conditions. During normal lifting operations, the link maintains strong rigid coupling to maximize lifting strength. When rotational forces are applied, the link dynamically decouples to protect the slips lifter, providing both strength and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that can include slips configured to selectively engage a tubular string that extends into a wellbore, a slips lifter configured to selectively raise or lower the slips, and a link configured to decouple the slips from the slips lifter when the slips are rotated relative to the slips lifter. A method that can include operations of coupling a slips lifter, via a link, to slips on a rig floor, engaging the slips to a tubular, rotating the slips relative to the slips lifter, and decoupling the slips from the slips lifter by decoupling a first element of the link from a second element of the link in response to rotation of the slips.