Drilling Rig Mast Telescoping Spring Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling rig masts face challenges during raising and lowering due to mechanical failures in raising devices, leading to potential collapse and increased risk of injury, as these failures are difficult to predict or detect.
Innovation Solution
A drilling rig system incorporating a telescoping spring assembly coupled to the front legs, which applies a force opposing the mast's weight as it pivots between horizontal and vertical positions, reducing the strain on raising equipment and absorbing kinetic energy in case of device failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a raising line system is used to raise and lower the mast, then the mast can be positioned between horizontal and vertical positions, but mechanical failure of the raising device can cause mast collapse and injury
Solution Approach 1:
A telescoping spring assembly is coupled to the front legs of the mast to provide beforehand cushioning. The spring assembly is pre-configured to compress and absorb kinetic energy in the event of a raising device failure, preventing catastrophic mast collapse and protecting personnel and equipment before the harmful event completes
2Productivity
If the mast is raised to a vertical position for drilling operations, then drilling operations can be performed, but the raising equipment experiences high strain and wear during the raising process
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping spring assembly acts as a counterweight mechanism that provides an opposing force to the mast weight during raising and lowering operations. This distributes the load between the spring assembly and the raising equipment, reducing strain and wear on the raising line system while maintaining the ability to perform drilling operations
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 minimizes strain and wear on raising equipment, prevents mast collapse, and reduces the risk of damage and injury by controlling the mast's movement and absorbing kinetic energy in case of system failures.
Implementation Method 1
a telescoping spring assembly coupled to the one or more front legs. The telescoping spring assembly is configured to apply a third force to the mast that acts in the direction opposing the second force
Implementation Method 2
The telescoping spring assembly includes a compression spring that is in an uncompressed state when the mast is in the substantially vertical position and that compresses as the mast is lowered from the substantially vertical position to the substantially horizontal position
Implementation Method 3
The telescoping spring assembly is configured to absorb at least a portion of a kinetic energy of the mast in the event of a failure of the raising line or drawworks that causes the rig to fall to the substantially horizontal position
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling rig system includes a mast that includes one or more front legs, one or more rear legs positioned opposite the one or more front legs, and a crown block at the top of the mast. The system also includes a raising line coupled to the crown block or the one or more rear legs and configured to apply a first force to the mast. The first force acts in a direction opposing a second force generated by the weight of the mast as the mast pivots between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position. The system also includes a drawworks assembly coupled to the raising line and configured to pull the raising line to generate the first force, and a telescoping spring assembly coupled to the one or more front legs. The telescoping spring assembly is configured to apply a third force to the mast that acts in the direction opposing the second force.