Breakout Wrench System for Drill String Joint Loosening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rock drilling operations face difficulties in efficiently breaking loose drill string joints, particularly when some joints remain tightened, requiring additional methods and potentially causing damage during the rattling process.
Innovation Solution
A breakout wrench system with a frame mounted to a rock drill feed guide, featuring a sub-frame with rotatable jaw members and clamping assemblies actuated by pneumatic or hydraulic actuators, which securely engage and rotate sections of the drill string to loosen joints without damaging the drill string or centralizer components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional rattling method is used to break loose drill string joints, then some joints may be loosened, but the drill string and centralizer components may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The breakout wrench system divides the drill string into multiple engagement sections, with first jaw members engaging a first section and second jaw members engaging a second section. This segmentation allows controlled rotation and breakout of joints without uncontrolled rattling that causes damage to the entire drill string and centralizer components.
Solution Approach 2:
The breakout wrench acts as an intermediary device between the rock drill and the drill string joints. It provides controlled breakout force through its jaw members and actuator system, preventing direct harmful impacts from traditional rattling methods while still achieving joint loosening.
2Reliability
If multiple methods are used to break loose all joints, then complete joint loosening is achieved, but operational time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The breakout wrench combines multiple breakout functions into a single integrated device. It can engage multiple sections of the drill string simultaneously with its first and second jaw members, allowing all joints to be broken loose in one operation rather than requiring multiple separate methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The breakout wrench performs preliminary breakout action before drill string removal. By pre-loosening all joints using the controlled rotation mechanism, it eliminates the need for subsequent rattling operations, reducing total operational time while ensuring complete joint loosening.
3Device complexity
If simple centralizer structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to control and rotate drill string sections is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The breakout wrench is designed as a multi-functional device that combines centralizing, clamping, and controlled rotation capabilities in a single structure. The frame provides centralizing function while the jaw members and actuators provide controlled breakout capability, eliminating the need for separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The breakout wrench incorporates dynamic elements including rotatable sub-frames and actuated jaw members that can move between clamped and rotated positions. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt to different drill string sections and perform both centralizing and breakout functions as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A breakout wrench for use with a rock drill string includes a frame adapted for mounting to a rock drill feed guide structure, and a sub-frame rotatably connected to the frame about a drill string longitudinal axis. The sub-frame supports a pair of jaw members adapted for radial movement towards and away from one another and to releasably engage a first section of a drill string. The breakout wrench also includes a clamping member supported by the rock drill feed guide structure. The clamping member is adapted to releasably engage a second section of the drill string spaced axially from the first section.