Catwalk Leg Locking Mechanism for Wellhead Clearance Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catwalk machines face challenges in maintaining clearance over wellheads due to the limited ability of hydraulic cylinders to support the machine's weight indefinitely, especially when repositioning and navigating around existing wellheads.
Innovation Solution
A locking device is integrated into the catwalk machine's legs, which includes an outer and inner portion with a bore and channel, actuated by a pin mechanism to transition between unlocked and locked states, allowing the leg to extend and secure the machine's position, thereby transferring the load from hydraulic cylinders to the locking device, enabling stable clearance over wellheads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hydraulic cylinders are used to lift the catwalk machine to clear wellheads, then the machine can navigate over obstacles, but the hydraulic cylinders cannot support the weight indefinitely
Solution Approach 1:
The leg is divided into multiple segments (lower portion, upper portion, locking device with inner and outer portions) that can be independently positioned and locked. This segmentation allows the hydraulic cylinder to provide temporary lifting force while the locking mechanism provides indefinite structural support, resolving the contradiction between obstacle clearance capability and continuous support reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is activated in advance to secure the leg in the extended position before the hydraulic cylinder needs to maintain continuous support. By preliminarily locking the leg structure, the system transitions from relying on continuous hydraulic pressure to a passive mechanical lock, enabling indefinite support without compromising the ability to clear wellheads.
2Length of stationary object
If the leg is extended to provide clearance over wellheads, then the machine can walk over obstacles, but the hydraulic cylinder load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the hydraulic cylinder and the leg structure. It receives the extended leg position and converts it into a locked, load-bearing configuration that transfers the full weight load from the hydraulic cylinder to the rigid locking mechanism and leg structure, thereby reducing hydraulic cylinder load while maintaining the extended length for obstacle clearance.
3Reliability
If the locking device secures the leg in extended state, then the load transfers from hydraulic cylinders, but the locking mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device employs a nested structure where the inner portion moves within the outer portion along a bore. This nested design achieves reliable load transfer through a compact, integrated mechanism rather than multiple separate components, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining high reliability for supporting the catwalk machine weight in the extended leg position.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking device includes an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer portion has a bore formed at least partially axially therethrough and a channel formed laterally therethrough. The inner portion is positioned at least partially within the bore. A first link is positioned at least partially outside of the outer portion and coupled to the inner portion through the channel. A second link is coupled to the outer portion. A pin is coupled to the first link and the second link. The locking device is in an unlocked state when the inner portion is fully positioned within the bore, and the locking device is in a locked state when an end of the inner portion extends axially out of the bore.