Curved Support Frames for Compact Drill Pipe Storage Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seabed drilling rigs face challenges in rotating and loading/unloading drill pipes due to the bulky and heavy drill pipe storage unit, which is prone to bending deformation when in a lying state, making it difficult to launch, retract, and fix on a mother ship, especially under ocean wave and current conditions.
Innovation Solution
A support device comprising a rack with curved support frames, lateral drill pipe stoppers, and annular fences is designed to facilitate the rotation and loading/unloading of drill pipes, featuring a compact structure with a support regulating mechanism and elastic opening-closing mechanisms to prevent pipe fallouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the drill pipe storage unit is designed to be compact with small main shaft and bearings, then the seabed drilling rig size and weight are reduced for convenient launching and retracting, but the drill pipe storage unit becomes prone to bending deformation and cannot rotate when in a lying state
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is divided into multiple independent components: curved support frames, lateral drill pipe stoppers, and annular fences. Each component performs a specific function - the curved support frames provide rotational support, the stoppers prevent pipe displacement, and the fences contain pipes. This segmentation allows the system to support the compact drill pipe storage unit without requiring large structural components.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved support frames are designed with arc-shaped structures that match the curvature of the drill pipe storage unit. This curved geometry distributes the support force evenly along the unit's surface, preventing bending deformation while enabling smooth rotation. The lateral stoppers also use curved surfaces to contact the drill pipes, providing stable positioning during rotation.
2Length of stationary object
If the drill pipe storage unit is placed in a lying state for launching and retracting, then the height is reduced to fit within the mother ship's A-shaped frame, but the loading and unloading of drill pipes becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support device enables the drill pipe storage unit to dynamically rotate between lying and upright positions. The curved support frames provide continuous rotational support, allowing the unit to transition smoothly between orientations. This dynamic capability facilitates easier loading and unloading of drill pipes by allowing vertical positioning during operations while maintaining compact horizontal storage during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved support frames act as intermediaries between the drill pipe storage unit and the rack system. They transfer the weight and rotational forces from the compact storage unit to the supporting structure, enabling the unit to be positioned optimally for both transport and operational requirements without direct contact between the storage unit and the rack.
3Weight of moving object
If the main shaft and bearings of the drill pipe storage unit are made small for compactness, then the overall rig size is reduced, but the rotation capability is compromised when in a lying state
Solution Approach 1:
The curved support frames serve as intermediary support structures that replace the need for large main shafts and bearings. Instead of relying on the storage unit's own rotational components, the external curved frames provide the rotational support function, allowing small bearings to suffice while maintaining full rotation capability in the lying state.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation function is moved from the horizontal axis (through the main shaft) to the vertical dimension, where the curved support frames provide rotational support from above. This dimensional shift allows the compact storage unit with small bearings to rotate effectively while in a lying position, as the support comes from a different spatial orientation.
Data Source
AI summary
A support device for the rotation of a high-capacity and compact drill pipe storage unit of a seabed drilling rig in a lying state, including: a rack, a plurality of curved support frames, a plurality of lateral drill pipe stoppers and a plurality of annular fences. The curved support frames are provided parallelly and coaxially on a slideway of the rack. A separating plate is provided on each of the curved support frames. A curved support surface of each of the curved support frames is in contact with a circular edge surface of the corresponding separating plate. The annular fences are mounted on the rack. Each of the annular fences is provided with a first gap and a second gap. The first gap is provided corresponding to the lateral drill pipe stopper. The second gap is configured to allow the drill pipes enter and exit the drill pipe storage unit.