Conveyor Counter-Force Member V-Shaped Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor apparatuses for continuous elongate devices (CEDs) like coiled tubing face issues with uneven gripping forces due to wavy counter-force members, leading to stress variations and potential deformation of the tubing during insertion or retrieval, with no prior solutions effectively addressing these challenges.
Innovation Solution
The conveyor apparatus features a counter-force member with a series of V-shaped elements along its length, providing a crisscross load distribution and adjustable spacing to maintain even gripping forces, and a gripper shoe design with resilient members to accommodate tubing variations, ensuring stable and efficient passage through the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional counter-force members are used in conveyor apparatus, then the apparatus can convey CEDs, but the counter-force members become wavy causing uneven gripping forces and stress variations
Solution Approach 1:
The counter-force member is divided into multiple segments or sections, each capable of independent movement or adjustment. This segmentation allows each segment to maintain its straightness independently while collectively providing the necessary counter-force, preventing the wavy deformation that occurs in conventional single-piece members.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter-force member is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to adapt its configuration during operation. This may include flexible joints, adjustable segments, or mechanisms that enable the member to maintain optimal straightness and gripping force distribution as the CED moves through the conveyor apparatus.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional gripper shoes are used, then they can engage the CED, but they cannot accommodate tubing variations causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper shoe design incorporates parameters that can change or adjust during operation, such as flexible materials, adjustable gripping surfaces, or mechanisms that adapt to variations in CED diameter, shape, or surface characteristics. This allows the gripper shoe to maintain stable gripping force while accommodating tubing variations without causing deformation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the conveyor apparatus uses simple counter-force members, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision of CED passage is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The counter-force member design incorporates elements from additional dimensions or spatial configurations, such as three-dimensional structural features, multi-planar support elements, or spatially distributed gripping surfaces. This dimensional approach enables precise alignment and passage of CED while maintaining a manageable overall device complexity through elegant geometric solutions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A conveyor apparatus (2), so-called injector head, to enable feeding of e.g. continuous tubing (7) or coiled tubing through the conveyor apparatus (2) to or from a wellhead and a well below and related to use of well tools. A pair of oppositely located, co-operatively movable, segmented continuous belts (28; 29) are installed in an apparatus frame (21), each belt comprising a plurality of interconnected gripper shoe carriers (30) carried and movable by means of a pair of continuous belt drive chains (31; 32), wherein the carrier (30) has roller means (35) configured roll against an elongate counter-force member (37), a so- called skate, associated with the frame (21), wherein a gripper shoe (38; 52) is co-operative with each carrier (30) to positively engage the tubing (7), and wherein a pair of said counter-force members (37) being adapted to interact with a respective belt (28; 29). The counter-force member (37) has an elongate part (37') and integral therewith a plurality of pairs of substantially V- shaped elements (37") extending with their V-legs (37'") laterally from oppositely located side edges of the elongate part (37') towards an apex (37"") of the V - shaped element.