Foldable Walking Beam Joint for Safer Sucker Rod Servicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sucker rod pumping systems face challenges with maintenance and installation due to the need to disconnect the heavy horsehead from the walking beam, which is time-consuming, dangerous, and costly, and can lead to damaged components and accidents.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece foldable walking beam with connection plates, allowing the system to be folded axially or longitudinally for servicing without disconnection from the horsehead, providing working space and reducing equipment replacement and service costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the horsehead is disconnected from the walking beam for maintenance, then the subsurface pump components can be serviced, but the process becomes time-consuming, dangerous, and costly with potential component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The walking beam is divided into two separate pieces (first piece and second piece) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the horsehead to remain attached to one piece while the other piece is moved aside, enabling maintenance without complete disconnection and reducing service time and risk
Solution Approach 2:
The walking beam structure transitions from a fixed rigid connection to a dynamic configurable arrangement where the two pieces can be selectively positioned relative to each other. This allows the system to adapt between operational configuration (pieces connected) and maintenance configuration (pieces separated), improving ease of repair while maintaining structural integrity when needed
2Ease of repair
If the horsehead is disconnected from the walking beam, then servicing can proceed, but component damage and accidents may occur
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the walking beam into two pieces, the horsehead remains securely attached to one piece during maintenance operations. This eliminates the need to completely disconnect the horsehead, thereby maintaining component integrity and reducing safety risks while still enabling necessary servicing
Solution Approach 2:
The two-piece walking beam structure acts as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates maintenance without requiring direct disconnection of the horsehead. The first piece with the horsehead remains in place while the second piece is repositioned, serving as a mediator that enables servicing while preserving safety and component integrity
3Loss of time
If a two-piece foldable walking beam is used, then maintenance can proceed without horsehead disconnection, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The walking beam is segmented into two pieces with connection plates and fastening mechanisms, which increases structural complexity but enables rapid maintenance operations. The segmented design allows the second piece to be quickly repositioned without disconnecting the horsehead, significantly reducing maintenance time despite the added structural elements
Solution Approach 2:
The walking beam incorporates dynamic positioning capability where the two pieces can be selectively connected or repositioned. This dynamic feature adds complexity to the structure but provides the flexibility needed for quick maintenance operations, reducing the time lost during servicing while maintaining operational integrity
Data Source
AI summary
A two-piece coupling walking beam is foldable and separable for sucker rod pumping system shipment, storage, installation, or servicing. It provides a two-piece coupling walking beam using connection plates—a pin plate, a fastening plate, and/or strengthening plate(s) for sucker rod pumping systems. A foldable walking beam with a two-piece coupling beam has a connection joint by which the portion with a horsehead located in the front end of the beam for sucker rod pumping systems wherein the walking beam can be folded either transversely (horizontally or sideways) or longitudinally (vertically) to the other portion of the beam without a horsehead to provide working space for system maintenance, installation/reinstallation, or servicing.