Elevator Stabilizer for Pipe Handling Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevators used in pipe handling often become unbalanced and tilt relative to the pipe string due to misalignment of the center of gravity and pivot point, causing instability and difficulty in gripping the pipe string.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable stabilizing mechanism is mounted to the elevator, comprising adjustable contacting members that can be adjusted to firmly grip the bail, preventing pivotal movement and maintaining the elevator in a vertical orientation relative to the pipe string.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the elevator is suspended from bails without stabilization, then the equipment can move freely and is easy to operate, but the elevator becomes unbalanced and tilts relative to the pipe string causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stabilizing mechanism as an intermediary component between the elevator and the bail. This mechanism includes a stabilizing member with contacting members that engage the bail to prevent unwanted pivoting motion, thereby stabilizing the elevator without complicating its operation
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing mechanism incorporates adjustable contacting members that can be positioned to firmly grip the bail. The mechanism allows controlled movement while preventing excessive pivoting, maintaining dynamic stability during pipe handling operations
2Ease of manufacture
If the elevator is designed to pivot freely on the bail, then the equipment is simple in structure and easy to manufacture, but the misalignment of center of gravity and pivot point causes tilting and difficulty in gripping the pipe string
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing mechanism serves as an intermediary that engages the bail to constrain unwanted pivoting motion. This addition maintains the simple overall structure while significantly improving the reliability of pipe gripping operations by preventing elevator tilt
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing mechanism applies local constraint only where needed - at the bail contact points - while leaving the rest of the elevator structure free to perform its function. The contacting members are positioned to engage specific portions of the bail to prevent pivoting without affecting overall elevator simplicity
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A stabilizer to suppress unwanted pivotal movement in pipe handling equipment suspended from bails. The stabilizer can contain either or both adjustable contacting members and non-adjustable contacting members which are rigidly connected to a portion of the pipe handling equipment. The adjustable contacting members contact the bails on one or both sides of the bail(s) to suppressing motion of the elevator relative to the bail.