Electric Heave-Compensation Drilling Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional heave-compensation systems in floating drilling vessels are often complex, costly, and have low serviceability due to their reliance on hydraulic systems, which store energy near the actuators, increasing the risk of energy loss and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A drilling unit with a compact design featuring a slideable support frame actuated by electric motors or linear actuators, allowing controllable distance adjustment between the winch and crown block, and integrated with electrical energy recovery systems for efficient and safe energy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hydraulic systems are used for heave-compensation, then energy storage is achieved near actuators, but system complexity, cost, and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy storage function from the hydraulic system and implements it separately using electrical energy storage devices (batteries, capacitors, flywheels). This separation allows the hydraulic actuators to focus solely on compensation operations while energy management is handled independently, reducing overall system complexity and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical energy storage system serves multiple functions: it stores energy for the hydraulic actuators, provides backup power for control systems, and can supply power during peak demand periods. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and simplifies the overall architecture.
2Loss of energy
If hydraulic systems store energy near actuators, then energy loss is minimized, but serviceability and safety decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments energy storage and energy consumption locations. Electrical energy storage devices are positioned in accessible areas for easy maintenance, while hydraulic actuators remain at the drill tower. Energy is transmitted through the existing hydraulic fluid system, minimizing energy loss during transmission while improving serviceability.
3Weight of moving object
If compact design is implemented with electric motors, then weight and volume are reduced, but compensation accuracy may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional heavy mechanical compensation mechanisms with electric motors and electrical energy storage systems. Modern electric motors provide precise control through electronic feedback systems, maintaining or improving compensation accuracy while significantly reducing weight and volume compared to hydraulic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from hydraulic pressure-based control to electrical parameter-based control. Electric motors allow for precise adjustment of speed, torque, and position through electrical parameters, enabling accurate heave compensation with a more compact and lighter system architecture.
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 solution provides accurate compensation with reduced weight and volume, improved serviceability, and energy efficiency, enabling safe and controlled energy storage, and acting as a backup system in case of failures, reducing environmental and material risks.
Implementation Method 1
The position of the slideable support frame with respect to the drill tower structure is controlled by at least one electric motor or electric linear actuator
Implementation Method 2
a heave-compensation system for compensating vertical movements of the floating vessel due to waves
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drilling unit (100a, 100b) for mounting on a deck (200) of a floating vessel, the drilling unit (100a, 100b) comprising a drill tower structure (130) with a heave-compensation system for compensating vertical movements of the floating vessel due to waves. The drilling unit (100a, 100b) further comprises a winch (110) mounted at or near the deck (200), a crown block (151) mounted at a top side (140) of the drill tower structure (130) and at least one wire rope (120) provided between the winch (110) and the crown block (151). The heave-compensation system comprises a slideable support frame (150) configured to be moved relative to the drill tower structure (130) in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the drill tower structure (130), wherein either the winch (110) or the crown block (151) is provided within the slideable support frame (150) such that a distance between the winch (110) and the crown block (151) is controllable, wherein the position of the slideable support frame (150) with respect to the drill tower structure (130) is controlled by at least one electric motor or linear actuator (171). Alternatively, the crown block may be dispensed with and the winch (110) is placed in the slideable support frame (150) at the top side (140) of the drill tower structure (130). The invention provides a drilling unit with an improved and overall more compact design of a compensation system.