Drilling Rig Structure Installation Without Cranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling rig installation methods rely heavily on cranes and drawworks systems, which are cumbersome and inefficient for transporting and assembling structures like doghouses and cabins, lacking a practical solution for crane-free installation.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a movement apparatus and raising apparatus connected to a drilling rig's substructure, allowing structures to be lifted and positioned onto the drill floor without cranes or cables, using hydraulic cylinders and linkage assemblies to align and secure the structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a crane is used to lift and position rig structures, then the structure can be raised and positioned on the drill floor, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need for crane assembly, cable handling, and drawworks operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the crane, cables, and drawworks from the rig installation process entirely. Instead of using external lifting equipment, the invention integrates a lifting mechanism directly into the rig structure itself, specifically using the drawworks system in a novel manner to lift structures without requiring external cranes or cable handling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rig structure itself provides the lifting capability through an integrated mechanism. The drawworks system, normally used for winding cables, is repurposed to directly lift and position structures without requiring external assistance. The system uses its own components (drawworks, cable, and structural elements) to perform the lifting function that previously required separate crane equipment.
2Productivity
If a crane and cable system is used for structure lifting, then the structure can be raised, but the loss of time increases due to crane assembly, positioning, and cable handling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is pre-integrated into the rig structure during manufacturing, so that when the rig arrives at the site, the lifting capability is already in place and ready for immediate use. There is no time-consuming assembly of cranes or positioning of lifting equipment before structure installation can begin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the lifting function with the existing drawworks system and rig structure. Instead of using separate crane equipment, the lifting mechanism merges the cable winding function of the drawworks with the structure lifting operation, creating a unified system that performs both functions simultaneously without requiring separate equipment assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional crane-based lifting is used, then structures can be raised, but the transportation and assembly complexity increases due to moving and positioning large crane equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the lifting function from external crane equipment and integrates it directly into the rig structure. The drawworks system and cable mechanism are incorporated as permanent components of the rig, eliminating the need to transport, assemble, and disassemble separate crane equipment for each structure installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated lifting mechanism serves multiple functions: it can lift different types of structures (doghouses, cabins, control houses), adjust to various positions on the drill floor, and operate with the existing drawworks system. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for specialized crane equipment for each lifting task.
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 drilling rig structures, reducing transportation and assembly complexities while ensuring precise alignment and secure positioning on the drill floor.
Implementation Method 1
hydraulic cylinders and linkage assemblies to align and secure the structures
Data Source
AI summary
A method for installing rig structure (e.g. cabin, house, a doghouse) on a drilling rig, the method including: connecting support apparatus to a substructure of a drilling rig, supporting a drilling floor; moving a movement apparatus supporting a rig structure to position it adjacent the support apparatus, by moving movement apparatus on ground adjacent the substructure, moving the support apparatus into a connecting orientation with respect to the structure; connecting raising apparatus to the structure, the raising apparatus connected to the support apparatus; raising the structure up to the drill floor with the raising apparatus; and securing the structure to the support apparatus. 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).