Drill Pipe Handling Device with Guide Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current handling systems for drill pipes in deep well drilling operations are inefficient, pose safety risks, and require significant manual effort and maintenance, especially when changing drilling tools or adding drill rods to the drill string.

Innovation Solution

A handling device with a pipe store featuring a guide element and gripping mechanism that allows for automated, safe, and quick movement of drill pipes between the pipe store and the well center, incorporating a horizontal holding element for vertical movement and a box-like structure with projections for optimal storage and handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual handling of drill pipes is used with finger platforms, then workers can directly access and move pipes, but the work is strenuous and carries significant injury risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of pipe handlingVSAvoidinjury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The handling device enables automated pipe handling through a robotic system with gripping elements that can independently grasp, move, and position drill pipes without human intervention on the finger platform, eliminating the strenuous manual work and injury risk while maintaining operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If automated handling systems are implemented, then safety and efficiency improve, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation levelVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handling device is divided into distinct functional modules including a lower section with gripping elements for horizontal pipe movement and an upper section with holding elements for vertical pipe support. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, simplifying maintenance and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high automation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handling device is designed to perform multiple functions: the lower section grips and moves pipes horizontally, the upper section holds and supports pipes vertically, and the system can handle both pipe insertion and removal operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If spatially separated upper and lower sections are used, then automation and safety improve, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling safetyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handling device is divided into distinct functional modules including a lower section with gripping elements for horizontal pipe movement and an upper section with holding elements for vertical pipe support. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, simplifying maintenance and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high automation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A guide element acts as an intermediary component that connects the lower and upper sections, providing a defined path for pipe movement and ensuring proper alignment between the gripping and holding elements. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall design by providing a clear mechanical relationship between sections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If traditional pipe storage and handling methods are used, then simple storage is achieved, but pipe movement control and safety are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage simplicityVSAvoidmovement control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A guide element acts as an intermediary component that connects the lower and upper sections, providing a defined path for pipe movement and ensuring proper alignment between the gripping and holding elements. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall design by providing a clear mechanical relationship between sections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element automatically guides the pipe along a defined path during transfer between storage and handling areas, providing inherent movement control without requiring complex external control systems, thereby maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3049607B1Handling device for drill pipes of a deep hole drilling device
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 HERRENKNECHT VERTICAL GMBH
  • EP3049607B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3049607B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3049607B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a handling device for drill pipes (11) of a deep hole drilling device for creating a deep borehole, comprising at least one pipe rack (10) arranged vertically on a work plane (101) of the drilling device and having an open section, through which the drill pipes can be placed into or removed from the pipe rack. The invention is characterized in that the pipe rack has a guide element (27), by means of which a handling space in the region of the open section is formed that is defined by the guide element on the one side and by the pipe rack on the other side. The invention is further characterized in that the handling device has at least one gripper element for gripping the drill pipe, that the gripper device can be displaced horizontally, and that the drill pipe can be displaced in the region of the handling space via the gripper element.