Cable Damper Assembly for Sudden Slack-Release Tension Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
In oilfield operations, sudden tension forces on cables due to slack release can damage equipment and pose risks to personnel, as the forces are often difficult to detect and may break the cables, leading to equipment drops.
Innovation Solution
A damper system is introduced, comprising an upper and lower connector connected by a body with distinct portions that experience varying levels of plastic strain and stretching, designed to absorb and manage sudden tensile forces, including a middle portion that stretches and laterally offset portions that straighten and support loads, protecting the cable from excessive stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cable is used to support and move pipe handling equipment, then the equipment can be positioned and moved horizontally and vertically, but sudden slack release causes excessive tensile forces that may damage or break the cable
Solution Approach 1:
A damper assembly is connected between the cable and the pipe handling equipment to absorb sudden tensile forces. The damper includes a body with a middle portion and laterally offset portions that can deform plastically to cushion the impact when slack is released, preventing excessive forces from reaching the cable.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper assembly acts as an intermediary component between the cable and the pipe handling equipment. It mediates the force transmission by absorbing and dissipating sudden tensile loads through controlled plastic deformation of its body portions, protecting the cable from damage while still allowing normal operation.
2Strength
If the cable is designed to withstand high tensile forces, then cable strength is improved, but the system complexity increases and detection of force thresholds becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The damper assembly is designed to automatically activate when tensile forces exceed a threshold. The body portions deform plastically in response to excessive forces without requiring external control systems, sensors, or complex mechanisms. The damper self-regulates the force transmission based on the physical properties of its material and geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper changes its mechanical parameters (stiffness, strength) through controlled plastic deformation of its body portions. The middle portion and laterally offset portions are designed with specific yield strengths that allow them to deform at different force thresholds, providing progressive damping without complex control systems.
3Loss of energy
If the damper body portions are designed to deform plastically to absorb energy, then force damping is improved, but the damper structure becomes more complex with multiple portions
Solution Approach 1:
The damper body is segmented into distinct portions: a middle portion and laterally offset portions. Each segment is designed to deform plastically at different force thresholds, with the middle portion deforming first and the laterally offset portions providing additional damping capacity. This segmentation allows controlled energy absorption through progressive deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper body portions are designed as composite structural elements where the middle portion and laterally offset portions work together to provide progressive plastic deformation. The different geometries and material properties of each portion create a composite damping system that absorbs energy efficiently while maintaining structural integrity.
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 damper system effectively absorbs kinetic energy from sudden force exertions, reducing the risk of cable damage and equipment drops, while providing visible indicators for maintenance and ensuring safe operation by managing forces within thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
The middle portion is configured to experience more plastic strain than the first and second laterally offset portions when the force is greater than a first threshold
Implementation Method 2
The first and second laterally offset portions are configured to at least partially straighten while the middle portion stretches
Data Source
AI summary
A damper includes an upper connector configured to be connected to a cable. The damper also includes a lower connector configured to be connected to a load. The damper also includes a body extending between and connecting together the upper and lower connectors. The body includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to experience greater plastic strain than the second portion.