Coil Drum Assembly for Automated Spoolable Pipe Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for loading and unloading coils of flexible pipe require significant manual labor and additional equipment, making the process inefficient and labor-intensive, especially for large and heavy coils.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a first tower and a second tower configured to move along tracks on a vessel, with a coil drum assembly that can be inserted into the coil, supported, and rotated to deploy spoolable pipe, allowing for automated handling and deployment of coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual labor and additional equipment are used for loading and unloading coils of pipe, then the process can handle large and heavy coils, but the process becomes labor-intensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coil drum assembly is designed to insert itself into the interior channel of the coil and rotate during deployment, enabling the system to handle and deploy the coil autonomously without requiring manual labor or additional equipment for loading and unloading operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical handling systems (cranes, forklifts, manual labor) with an automated tower and coil drum assembly system that uses controlled longitudinal and transverse movement along tracks to load, position, and deploy coils automatically
2Weight of moving object
If extra equipment and human manual labor are involved in loading or unloading coils, then large and heavy coils can be handled, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tower and coil drum assembly system serves multiple functions: it moves longitudinally and transversely along tracks to position itself, the coil drum assembly inserts into and supports the coil, and the system automatically deploys the coil by rotating the drum assembly, eliminating the need for separate loading, positioning, and deployment equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The coil drum assembly acts as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the tower system and the coil, inserting into the interior channel to provide support and enable controlled deployment through rotation, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture
3Length of moving object
If coils are transported as large and heavy coils, then the pipe can be delivered to various sites, but the loading and unloading process becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning by moving the tower and coil drum assembly along the tracks to the exact location where the coil needs to be loaded or unloaded, enabling quick and efficient operations without time-consuming manual handling or repositioning of heavy equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A system for deploying a coil of spoolable pipe from a vessel includes a first tower configured to move longitudinally and transversely along a first track coupled to the vessel, a second tower configured to move longitudinally along a second track coupled to the vessel, and a coil drum assembly coupled to the first tower. The first tower is configured to insert the coil drum assembly transversely into an interior channel of the coil when the coil drum assembly is in a retracted position, the coil drum assembly is configured to support the coil when the coil drum assembly is in an extended position and rotate during deployment of the spoolable pipe, and the first tower and the second tower are configured to move the coil drum assembly vertically.