Drilling Rig Drawworks Installation Without Crane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling rig systems require the use of cranes for installing drawworks, which is inefficient and poses logistical challenges during transportation and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for installing drawworks on a drilling rig without a crane, utilizing a vehicle to move the drawworks adjacent to the rig and connecting it to the drill floor using a substructure with telescoping beams and hydraulic cylinders to raise the drawworks into place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a crane is used to raise and position the drawworks on the drill floor, then the drawworks can be installed, but the installation process becomes complex and requires additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the crane from the installation process entirely. Instead of using a crane to raise and position the drawworks, the system uses the rig's own substructure and telescoping beams to perform the installation, extracting the external crane dependency from the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The substructure and telescoping beams, which are already part of the rig for other operations, are used multi-functionally to also perform the drawworks installation. This eliminates the need for separate crane equipment by making existing components perform multiple functions.
2Ease of operation
If a crane is used for drawworks installation, then the drawworks can be positioned, but transportation and assembly logistics become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the crane from the system, eliminating the need for crane transportation, assembly, and operation logistics. The positioning function is achieved through the rig's own substructure and telescoping beams, which are already integrated into the rig.
Solution Approach 2:
The rig performs its own drawworks installation using its own substructure and telescoping beams, without requiring external crane equipment. The system is self-sufficient for the installation process, eliminating external dependencies.
3Reliability
If traditional crane-based installation is used, then the drawworks can be secured, but the process requires cables and winching equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes cables and winching equipment from the installation process. The drawworks is secured directly to the drill floor through the substructure and telescoping beams, eliminating the need for intermediate cable and winch systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping beams act as an intermediary mechanism between the substructure and the drawworks, providing a direct mechanical connection for positioning and securing without requiring cables or winches as intermediate elements.
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
Enables efficient and crane-free installation of drawworks, reducing transportation and assembly complexities while allowing for precise positioning and securement without the need for cables or winching, enhancing drilling rig operations.
Implementation Method 1
raising apparatus of a rig substructure supporting the drill floor
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for installing a drawworks on a drilling rig, the method, in certain aspects, including moving a drawworks on movement apparatus on the ground adjacent a drill floor of a rig, connecting the drawworks to the drill floor, moving the movement apparatus away from the rig, and raising the drill floor with the drawworks thereon using raising apparatus of a rig substructure supporting the drill floor. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).