Expandable Drum Assembly for Coiled Pipe Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and logistical challenges of using conventional reels for storing, shipping, and deploying flexible pipes at high pressures, such as in the oil and gas industry, due to weight limits and the need for multiple reels, result in increased shipping and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
An expandable coil deployment drum assembly that eliminates the need for reels by using a post, spoke frames with expandable and immovable spokes, and mechanical actuators to secure and deploy coils of pipe, allowing for shipping and deployment without traditional reels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional reels are used to store and ship flexible pipe, then the pipe can be deployed, but the shipping costs and maintenance costs increase due to weight limits and the need for multiple reels
Solution Approach 1:
The drum is divided into multiple removable drum segments that can be attached to and removed from the spokes. This segmentation allows the pipe to be divided into smaller coils that fit within weight limits, enabling multiple pipes to be shipped on a single trailer without requiring multiple complete reels.
Solution Approach 2:
The spoke structure transitions from a static conventional reel to a dynamic expandable structure. The spokes can be extended to support the drum segments when needed and retracted when not in use, allowing the same structure to handle different pipe sizes and quantities adaptively.
2Productivity
If conventional reels are used, then pipe deployment is possible, but the reel weight consumes significant portion of the truck's weight limit
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy reel structure is completely removed from the system. Instead of using traditional reels, the invention extracts only the essential functional elements (spokes and drum segments) needed for deployment, significantly reducing the overall weight while maintaining deployment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drum segments are designed as removable, replaceable components rather than permanent parts of a heavy reel. These lighter, disposable-style segments can be attached only when needed for deployment and removed afterward, reducing the weight that must be transported continuously.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple reels are used to handle pipe production and shipping, then all pipe can be transported, but the cost of maintaining and shipping empty reels back increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spoke structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support when drum segments are attached, can be retracted when not in use, and can accommodate different drum segment configurations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized equipment for different operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The drum segments are designed to be discarded (left at the deployment site) after use rather than recovered and shipped back. Only the lightweight spoke structure needs to be recovered and reused, eliminating the cost and complexity of shipping back heavy empty reels.
Data Source
AI summary
A drum assembly having a post, and first and second spoke frames. Each of the first and second spoke frames includes expandable spokes and immovable spokes, extending away from the post. Each expandable spoke includes a distal end movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A plurality of first drum segments each are mounted to the distal end of one of the expandable spokes of the first spoke frame and to the distal end of one of the expandable spokes of the second spoke frame. A plurality of second drum segments each mounted to an end of one of the immovable spokes of the first spoke frame and to an end of one of the immovable spokes of the second spoke frame. Mechanical actuators, extending between the post and either the expandable spokes or the first drum segments, move the expandable spokes between the retracted and extended positions.