Control Line Clamp Collars for Robotic Pipe Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of control line clamps in the oil and gas industry is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and hazardous due to manual handling in the 'red zone', requiring intricate tasks and posing risks to workers.
Innovation Solution
A control line clamp assembly that can be automated for installation, using a clamping element and collars that attach to a pipe by positioning them around the pipe and pressing them together, eliminating the need for screws, pins, or welding, allowing robotic manipulation and reducing human intervention in the hazardous area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual installation of control line clamps is performed by workers in the red zone, then the clamps can be installed with traditional methods, but the risk of accidents and fatalities increases due to close proximity to heaving drilling equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical installation with an automated robotic system. The robotic arm positions and applies the control line clamp to the production tubing without human workers needing to be in the hazardous red zone, thereby substituting human mechanical action with automated mechanical action.
Solution Approach 2:
The control line clamp assembly is designed to be self-installing through the automated robotic system. The clamp automatically positions itself around the production tubing and secures the control line without requiring manual manipulation or additional fastening operations by workers.
2Reliability
If traditional control line clamps with screws and pins are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but the installation becomes labour intensive and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The control line clamp assembly is divided into separate components: a clamp body, a securing mechanism with arms, and a mounting interface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and enables automated manipulation by the robotic system, improving installation speed while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for traditional fastening elements such as screws, pins, and welding operations. The securing mechanism uses a simplified engagement system where arms deflect and lock into position, removing complex fastening steps and enabling rapid automated installation.
3Strength
If conventional control line clamps requiring screws and welding are used, then strong attachment is achieved, but the device complexity and difficulty of automated manipulation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The securing mechanism incorporates dynamic elements where arms can deflect elastically during installation and then lock into a fixed secure position. This dynamic behavior allows the mechanism to be easily manipulated by the robotic system during installation while maintaining strong attachment strength once installed, reducing the complexity of the installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the attachment mechanism from static fastening (screws, welding) to a dynamic engagement system where mechanical properties such as arm deflection and locking geometry are utilized. This parameter change simplifies the installation process for automated systems while maintaining or enhancing attachment strength through the locking mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A control line clamp includes a clamping element for retaining one or more control lines alongside a pipe; a first collar; and a second collar. The clamping element is arranged to be attached to the pipe by positioning the first and second collars around the pipe on opposing sides of the clamping element and moving the first and second collars relatively towards each other in an axial direction.