Automated Fluid Conduit Connection Assembly for Drilling Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
In offshore and onshore drilling operations, connecting high-pressure fluid conduits to elevated cement or fracturing heads poses safety risks and inefficiencies due to the need for manual labor at elevated positions, which can result in accidents and increased downtime.
Innovation Solution
An automated connection assembly featuring a winch system and quick-lock receptacle allows for remote operation, lifting, and secure attachment of fluid conduits to cement or fracturing heads, eliminating the need for personnel to access elevated locations and reducing connection time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual labor is used to connect fluid conduits to elevated cement or fracturing heads, then connection can be achieved, but safety risks increase due to personnel exposure to hazards at elevated positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical connection operations with an automated robotic system. The robotic manipulator performs the connection tasks that previously required human operators to physically access elevated positions, thereby eliminating safety risks while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a robotic manipulator as an intermediary between the control system and the fluid conduit connection process. This intermediary performs the dangerous manual tasks at elevated positions, protecting human operators from hazards while enabling precise connection operations.
2Productivity
If manual connection procedures are used, then connection can be made, but connection time increases leading to decreased operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system performs connection operations autonomously without requiring human intervention for each connection task. The system can independently position, align, and connect fluid conduits to elevated equipment, significantly reducing connection time and improving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing manual connection procedures with automated robotic manipulation, the system achieves faster and more consistent connection speeds. The robotic manipulator can perform repetitive connection tasks more quickly and with greater precision than manual operations, thereby reducing overall connection time.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If personnel access elevated positions for connection tasks, then connection can be performed, but risk of accidents and dropped objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts human operators from the hazardous elevated work environment by deploying a robotic manipulator to perform connection tasks. This removes the source of harm (human personnel) from the dangerous location while maintaining the necessary operational functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic manipulator serves as an intermediary that performs connection operations at elevated positions without exposing human operators to hazards. The system can safely handle heavy components and perform precise maneuvers in environments that would be dangerous for human workers.
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 automated system enhances safety by preventing personnel exposure to hazards, reduces connection time, and ensures secure, reliable attachment of high-pressure conduits, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing the risk of accidents.
Implementation Method 1
a winch assembly disposed at said elevated location
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
A connection assembly (10) for automated lifting and positioning of a chiksan (110) or other fluid conduit in proximity to a fluid inlet (60) of a device such as, for example, a cement (100) or hydraulic fracturing head. Once a chiksan or other flow line is positioned in a desired location, a secure connection is made between the outlet of the chiksan or other fluid conduit and the fluid inlet including, without limitation, when the device is positioned at an elevated location above a rig floor.