Drilling Mud Screen With Puller Tool For Rig Floor Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling mud screen systems are inefficient and hazardous due to the need for frequent reinstallation or replacement, especially with double-shoulder high-strength connections, leading to accidents and excessive mud consumption.
Innovation Solution
A drilling mud screen system with a puller/installer tool that allows for easy installation and removal of the mud screen without disassembling the drill string, featuring a body with offset inlets and outlets and a filter constructed from AISI 4145 or equivalent stainless steel with a hardened coating, enabling efficient mud flow and reduced erosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the drilling mud screen is installed on the drill floor with double-shoulder high-strength connections, then the connection strength is improved, but the mud screen installation becomes impossible due to space elimination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the mud screen installation from the internal dimension (inside the drill string) to an external dimension (on the drill floor or rig floor). This allows the mud screen to be installed in a location that does not interfere with the double-shoulder connection geometry, resolving the spatial conflict while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the double-shoulder connection assembly for strength and the mud screen assembly for filtration. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the connection for mechanical strength and the mud screen for filtration efficiency - without compromising either function.
2Reliability
If the drilling mud screen is reinstalled frequently with each stand pipe addition, then the mud screen maintains proper filtration position, but the drilling time is lost and crew safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mud screen is pre-installed on the drill floor in a ready position before drilling operations begin. This preliminary placement eliminates the need for repeated installation and reinstallation with each stand pipe addition, saving drilling time while ensuring the mud screen is always in the correct position for filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The mud screen system is designed to maintain its filtration function automatically throughout the drilling process without requiring manual intervention for reinstallation. The system serves itself by remaining in place and continuing to filter drilling mud across multiple stand pipe additions.
3Ease of repair
If the drilling mud screen is installed on the drill floor, then the mud screen is easily accessible for maintenance, but the risk of accidents to crew below increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mud screen is extracted from the enclosed space inside the drill string and placed on the open drill floor or rig floor. This extraction improves accessibility for maintenance operations while the elevated rig floor location reduces the hazard to crew members working below by removing the need for frequent vertical handling of heavy components.
4Ease of operation
If the nose of the double-shoulder pin connection is decreased to fit the mud screen flange, then the mud screen can be installed, but the connection tolerances are exceeded and pin/box damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves the mud screen installation to a different spatial dimension (external to the drill string) rather than forcing it into the internal dimension where it would interfere with connection geometry. This eliminates the need to modify connection dimensions and preserves manufacturing precision.
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 system enhances safety by reducing accidents and mud consumption, improves efficiency by eliminating the need for frequent reinstallation, and extends the life of mud screens by ensuring proper installation and easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a filter constructed from AISI 4145 or equivalent stainless steel with a hardened coating, enabling efficient mud flow and reduced erosion
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling mud screen comprising: a body having a first end and a second end and a centerline, wherein the first end and/or the second end of the body has a means to engage a drilling mud screen puller/installer tool; a drilling mud inlet at the first end of the body; a filter having a first end, a second end, and openings, wherein the filter is fluidly connected to the second end of the body via a first connection and/or an optional first end retaining ring; a drilling mud outlet at the openings of the filter; and a second end cap fluidly connected at the second end of the filter via a second connection, wherein the filter has an optional retaining ring disposed between the first connection and the second connection is disclosed.