C-Plate Closure Member Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art C-plates lack a movable cover or closure member to prevent wellbore tubulars or other items from being knocked out of the cut-out section during fishing operations, posing safety and operational risks.
Innovation Solution
A C-plate assembly with a slidable closure member that can be locked in a closed position using a spring-loaded handle, ensuring the cut-out section remains secure and can be efficiently opened and closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a C-plate with a cut-out section is used to hold wellbore tubulars during fishing operations, then the tubulars can be supported and positioned, but the tubulars or items can be knocked out of the cut-out section during operations
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member is divided into two separate sections that can independently slide along the C-plate base. This segmentation allows each section to be operated separately and provides flexibility in closing and securing the cut-out section while maintaining the ability to support tubulars safely
Solution Approach 2:
The closure member is designed with movable, spring-loaded sections that can dynamically transition between open and closed positions. The spring mechanism provides automatic return force and maintains constant pressure on the tubulars, ensuring they remain securely held during fishing operations while allowing easy access when needed
2Reliability
If a closure member is added to the C-plate to prevent items from being knocked out, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member incorporates a spring mechanism that automatically returns the movable sections to their closed position after being opened. This self-service feature eliminates the need for complex locking mechanisms or manual repositioning, maintaining safety while minimizing added complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The closure member uses thin, flexible sections that can slide easily along the C-plate base. These flexible components provide the necessary sealing and securing function without requiring bulky or complex structural elements, thus improving safety with minimal increase in device complexity
3Ease of operation
If the closure member is spring-loaded to automatically lock, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently manufactured and then assembled to the closure member sections. This extraction of the spring mechanism from the main C-plate structure simplifies the manufacturing process by allowing specialized spring components to be produced using standard spring manufacturing techniques, then integrated into the closure system
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is pre-assembled and pre-tested as a complete unit before being integrated into the C-plate assembly. This preliminary preparation of the spring-loaded mechanism allows for quality control and adjustment to be performed on the spring component alone, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining ease of operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The improved C-plate assembly effectively prevents the tubular string or items from being dislodged during operations, enhancing safety and operational efficiency by maintaining the integrity of the fishing assembly components.
Implementation Method 1
The ends of the movable handle are spring loaded to allow for the ends to be pulled out of the openings in the C-plate base such that the closure member can be 'unlocked' and moved from a closed position to an open position during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A C-plate assembly for use in a cable-guided fishing assembly is disclosed. The disclosed invention provides a C-plate assembly in which a closure member is slidable from an open position, which allows a wellbore tubular or other item to be positioned in the cut-out section of the C-plate base, to a closed position, which closes the opening to the cut-out section and thereby prevents the wellbore tubular or other item from being unintentionally knocked free from the cut-out section during a fishing operation. The closure member is locked in place in the closed position by inserting the ends of a movable handle extending off of one side of the C-plate base into openings in the C-plate base. The ends of the movable handle are spring loaded to allow for the ends to be pulled out of the openings in the C-plate base such that the closure member can be “unlocked” and moved from a closed position to an open position during operation.