Flexible Service Loop Restraint for Oil Derrick Entanglement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Service loops in oil drilling operations often entangle due to variations in diameter and material, leading to premature failure and safety hazards, with existing metal clamps failing to maintain consistent paths and bend radii under continuous forces and harsh environments.

Innovation Solution

A flexible apparatus comprising interlocking units with central steel rings and flexible cables is positioned at different longitudinal levels to restrain service loops, ensuring uniform paths and bend radii, reducing stress and strain, and incorporating varied steel ring configurations to minimize manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If service loops with different diameters and materials are used to transfer power to the top drive, then the mechanical strength and pressure resistance are improved, but the loops become entangled due to different bend radii and paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidloop path consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible restraining apparatus that can adapt to different loop diameters and materials while maintaining consistent path control. The flexible nature of the restraining mechanism allows it to work with hoses of varying properties without causing entanglement, resolving the contradiction between mechanical strength requirements and path consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The restraining apparatus is designed to accommodate different bend radii by adjusting its restraining parameters. This allows the system to maintain consistent loop paths despite variations in hose diameter and material properties, effectively managing the contradiction between strength optimization and path stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid metal clamps are used to restrain service loops, then the loops are held in fixed positions, but the clamps fail under continuous forces and harsh environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloop position stabilityVSAvoidclamp durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid metal clamps with a flexible restraining apparatus that can withstand continuous forces and harsh drilling environments. The flexible construction allows the apparatus to absorb stresses and maintain loop position stability without failing, directly addressing the reliability issues with rigid clamps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The restraining apparatus is designed with dynamic flexibility to adapt to the continuous movement and forces experienced during drilling operations. This dynamic design allows the system to maintain loop stability while withstanding the harsh environment, overcoming the limitations of static rigid clamps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If service loops are allowed to move freely during top drive travel, then the system is simple and flexible, but the loops become entangled and fail prematurely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidloop service life

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a flexible restraining apparatus that maintains system adaptability while preventing loop entanglement. The flexible design allows the apparatus to move with the top drive while consistently restraining loops to prevent contact and entanglement, thereby extending service life without sacrificing system flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The restraining apparatus acts as an intermediary between the freely moving service loops and the potential entanglement hazards. It provides consistent restraint that prevents loop contact while allowing the overall system to maintain its flexible, adaptive nature during drilling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8016029B2Apparatus for flexibly restraining service loops in an oil derrick to prevent entangling of the loops

Publication Date: 2011.09.13 DELAFIELD CORP

AI summary

An apparatus for flexibly restraining service loops in an oil derrick to prevent entangling of the loops, comprising a plurality of identical apparatus wherein each apparatus is positioned at different longitudinal level to restrain the service loops. Each apparatus is comprised of a plurality of interlocking units, wherein each unit is comprised of a central steel ring which is adhesively bonded to a braid of a service loop penetrating therethrough and exteriorly affixed to first and second interconnecting rings. A first flexible cable and second flexible cable connect the respective first and second interconnecting rings of the units of each apparatus. Therefore, the service loops are flexibly restrained to have a uniform path and bend radius when they travel longitudinally during operation of an oil well drilling machine, which results in reduction of damage of the service loops.