Automated Elevator Device for Drilling Rod Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional well drilling systems require skilled operators at the drilling plane for manual rod placement, posing high operating risks and increasing costs due to the need for manual labor.
Innovation Solution
An automated elevator device that operates without an operator at the drilling plane, utilizing a lifting mechanism with hydraulic cylinders and expansible shoes to securely grip and rotate drilling rods or casings, integrated with a loader and driving head for fully automatic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual rod placement by skilled operator is used, then proper rod positioning is achieved, but operating risks increase and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator device automatically positions and secures rods using hydraulic cylinders and expansible shoes without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates the rod positioning process through automated control mechanisms, eliminating the need for skilled operators to manually handle rods at the drilling plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical rod handling with an automated mechanical system featuring hydraulic actuators. The hydraulic cylinders drive expansible shoes that automatically grip and position rods, substituting human-operated mechanical processes with automated hydraulic-mechanical systems.
2Reliability
If manual rod placement by skilled operator is used, then proper rod positioning is achieved, but operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator device automatically positions and secures rods using hydraulic cylinders and expansible shoes without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates the rod positioning process through automated control mechanisms, eliminating the need for skilled operators to manually handle rods at the drilling plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical rod handling with an automated mechanical system featuring hydraulic actuators. The hydraulic cylinders drive expansible shoes that automatically grip and position rods, substituting human-operated mechanical processes with automated hydraulic-mechanical systems.
3Ease of operation
If automated elevator device is used, then operating costs are reduced and operating risks are minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator device is designed to handle multiple rod sizes and types using the same basic mechanism. The expansible shoes and hydraulic cylinders can accommodate various rod diameters through adjustable expansion, making the complex mechanism versatile rather than specialized for single applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic cylinders to provide the forcing means for expanding the shoes onto the rod. The hydraulic system consolidates multiple forcing actions into a single fluid power system, reducing mechanical complexity compared to using separate mechanical actuators for each expansion point.
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
The automated elevator device significantly reduces operating costs and risks by enabling safe, reliable, and cost-effective fully automatic drilling operations, minimizing the need for skilled operators and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pair of shoes (7) expandable onto the rod (100), said shoes (7) being lockable on the outside of said inner body (9) by forcing means in the form of at least one hydraulic cylinder (11)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An elevator device for drilling systems consisting substantially of a lifting device (2) cooperating with a loading device (3) applied to a drilling machine (4); said lifting device (2) taking a rod (100) or a casing (101) from a horizontal position to successively engage said rod or casing in a driving head (5) of a drilling machine (4), said device being directly mounted on the driving head and being driven by said driving head.