Conveyor Apparatus V-Shaped Counter-Force Member Segmentation
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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 incorporates resilient members to adapt to tubing variations, ensuring smooth passage and alignment above the wellhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional counter-force members are used in conveyor apparatus, then the apparatus can convey continuous elongate devices, but uneven gripping forces occur due to wavy counter-force members leading to stress variations and potential deformation of the tubing
Solution Approach 1:
The counter-force member is divided into multiple V-shaped elements distributed along its length. Each V-shaped element acts as an independent segment that provides localized support and gripping force, preventing the wavy deformation that occurs in conventional solid counter-force members. This segmentation ensures uniform force distribution along the tubing surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The V-shaped elements are specifically designed with their apexes oriented toward the tubing to concentrate gripping forces at precise locations. This local geometric configuration ensures that even gripping forces are applied exactly where needed along the tubing surface, preventing stress concentrations that would cause deformation.
2Productivity
If conventional conveyor apparatus are used, then insertion and retrieval of CEDs can be performed, but the process lacks accuracy and speed due to stress variations and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the counter-force member into V-shaped elements, the system achieves both high-speed operation and high precision. The segmented structure reduces friction and stress variations during conveyance, enabling faster insertion and retrieval while maintaining accurate positioning through uniform force distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The V-shaped geometry of the elements changes the pressure distribution parameters along the tubing surface. This parameter change from uniform pressure to concentrated apex pressure improves both the speed and accuracy of CED insertion and retrieval by reducing deformation and friction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design ensures stable, even gripping forces and reduced stress on the tubing, preventing deformation and ensuring accurate, rapid, and safe insertion and retrieval of CEDs through lubricator strings, addressing the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
a rear side of the carrier has at least one roller configured to roll about a shaft attached to the carrier against an elongate counter-force member
Implementation Method 2
incorporates resilient members to adapt to tubing variations
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor apparatus (2), so-called injector head, for feeding e.g. continuous tubing (7) or coiled tubing through the conveyor apparatus (2), to and 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 in the apparatus, 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 a rear side (30″) of the carrier (30) has at least one roller (35) configured to roll about a shaft (36) attached to the carrier (30) against an elongate counter-force member (37) associated with an apparatus frame (21) and extending between said drive sprockets (33; 34), and wherein a gripper shoe (38; 52) to engage and feed the tubing is located at a front side of each carrier (30), The shaft (36) of the at least one roller (35) is resiliently supported transversely of its longitudinal axis by means of a plurality of resilient members (48) fitted in the rear side (30″) of the carrier (30) to lie about the shaft (36) at spaced apart locations.