Clamshell Riser Bolt Torque Assembly for Faster Joint Make-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual handling and tightening of multiple bolts in offshore drilling systems is time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring significant physical effort to connect and disconnect riser joints.
Innovation Solution
A riser bolt torque system with a controller-operated riser bolt torque device that automates the process of tightening and loosening bolts to connect and disconnect riser joints, using a clamshell arrangement of arms and torque tools to efficiently secure or release the joints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling and tightening of multiple bolts is used to connect riser joints, then the connection can be achieved with simple equipment, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The torque device is self-positioning through the clamshell arm mechanism that automatically orients itself around the riser joint and bolt array, eliminating the need for complex external positioning equipment while maintaining high assembly speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the bolt-tightening operation into multiple simultaneous actions by deploying multiple torque tools through the clamshell arms, allowing parallel processing of multiple bolts rather than sequential manual tightening
2Reliability
If multiple bolts are tightened manually to secure riser joints, then the connection reliability can be maintained, but significant physical effort and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The clamshell arm mechanism enables continuous torque application across multiple bolts in a single operational cycle, maintaining consistent connection reliability while eliminating the intermittent nature of manual bolt-by-bolt tightening
Solution Approach 2:
The torque device acts as an intermediary between the operator and the multiple bolts, translating a single control input into coordinated torque application across all bolts, ensuring uniform and reliable connections without requiring manual effort at each bolt location
3Ease of operation
If manual bolt tightening is used, then the equipment required is simple, but the labor intensity and physical effort are significant
Solution Approach 1:
The clamshell arm mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: positioning, gripping, torque application, and self-retraction, consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate tools and operations into a single multi-functional device that improves ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
Present embodiments relate to a riser bolt torque device that is configured to couple a first riser joint to a second riser joint to form a riser of a subsea drilling system. The riser bolt torque device includes a first arm and a second arm, multiple torque tools supported on the first arm and the second arm, and one or more actuators configured to drive the first arm and the second arm to pivot relative to one another from an open configuration to a closed configuration to enable alignment between the multiple torque tools and a flange of the first riser joint.