Electronic Control System for Tubular Handling Tool Interlock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional interlocking systems in the drilling industry, such as those using hydraulic or pneumatic circuits, are inadequate in preventing inadvertent release of tubulars or tubular strings during handling operations, posing a risk of accidental dropping.

Innovation Solution

An electronic control system comprising sensors, a controller, and electronically controlled valves that monitor operational characteristics like load, pressure, and position of tubular handling tools, ensuring precise control and prevention of inadvertent release by actuating valves to manage pressurized fluid supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional hydraulic or pneumatic interlocking systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the reliability in preventing inadvertent release is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of inadvertent releaseVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional hydraulic or pneumatic interlocking systems with an electronic control system that uses sensors to detect operational characteristics and electronically controlled valves to manage pressurized fluid supply. This substitution improves reliability through precise electronic monitoring and control while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic control system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor operational characteristics of tubular handling tools and provide real-time feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect actual tool states and adjust fluid supply accordingly, significantly improving reliability in preventing inadvertent release compared to open-loop hydraulic systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual lever control is used, then the ease of operation is high, but the risk of inadvertent release increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of inadvertent releaseVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual lever control with an electronic control system that automatically manages fluid supply to tubular handling tools based on sensor feedback. This eliminates the risk of operator error associated with manual lever operation while maintaining ease of use through automated decision-making logic that monitors tool engagement status and fluid pressure conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic control system performs self-monitoring and self-regulation of fluid supply to tubular handling tools. The sensors detect tool engagement status and the controller automatically adjusts valve positions to maintain safe operating conditions without requiring continuous manual intervention, thereby improving reliability while preserving operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If electronic control system with sensors and electronically controlled valves is implemented, then the reliability and precision are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational characteristic monitoringVSAvoidsystem component quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an electronic control system that uses sensors to precisely monitor operational characteristics such as fluid pressure and tool engagement status. While this increases measurement precision, the system manages complexity through integrated electronic control architecture that consolidates monitoring and control functions in a unified platform, reducing the need for multiple separate mechanical monitoring devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic control system is designed with multi-functional capabilities, where the controller performs multiple tasks including monitoring sensor inputs, processing operational data, controlling valve actuation, and providing system diagnostics. This universal approach allows a single control unit to handle various monitoring and control functions, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10801277B2Electronic control system for a tubular handling tool

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

An electronic control system comprises a first tubular handling tool, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to control actuation of the first tubular handling tool in response to an electronic signal received from the sensor that corresponds to an operational characteristic of the first tubular handling tool. The electronic control system functions as an electronic interlock system to prevent mishandling of a tubular. A method of controlling a tubular handling tool comprises measuring an operational characteristic of the tubular handling tool, communicating the operational characteristic to a controller in the form of an electronic signal, and using the controller to control actuation of the tubular handling tool in response to the measured operational characteristic.