Gearless Hoisting Apparatus Direct Drive Motor Drum

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevators for drilling rigs are complex, heavy, and labor-intensive to produce and maintain due to numerous moving parts and the need for gears and brakes, which increases production and maintenance costs and wear.

Innovation Solution

A gearless elevator design where the drive motor and drum share a common axis, allowing direct torque transmission without gears, reducing the number of moving parts and simplifying assembly and maintenance, with an optional electromagnetic brake for controlled lowering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If gears and manual transmissions are used to drive the drum, then torque conversion is achieved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque conversion capabilityVSAvoidnumber of moving parts
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical gear transmission system with an electromagnetic drive system. The electric motor directly drives the drum through electromagnetic forces, eliminating the need for gears, shafts, and other mechanical transmission components. This substitution reduces device complexity while maintaining torque conversion capability through the motor's inherent torque-speed characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the gear transmission system from the elevator mechanism. By taking out the manual transmission and gear components, the design achieves direct-drive operation where the electric motor connects directly to the drum, significantly reducing the number of moving parts and simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If multiple brakes and safety devices are added, then safety and control are improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety and controlVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the safety brake and working brake functions into a single integrated braking system. Instead of using separate mechanical brakes, the design employs an electromagnetic brake that can operate in different modes to provide both safety functions and controlled lowering, reducing component count while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnetic brake serves multiple functions: it acts as a safety brake to prevent uncontrolled descent, a working brake for controlled lowering, and can potentially serve as a holding brake. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate braking components needed while improving overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a gearless design with direct motor-drum coupling is used, then device complexity is reduced, but torque multiplication capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of moving partsVSAvoidtorque multiplication
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the electric motor to achieve high torque output at low speeds. By selecting a motor with appropriate torque characteristics and operating it in its high-torque regime, the system achieves sufficient torque multiplication without mechanical gears. The motor's torque-speed curve is utilized to provide the necessary torque multiplication effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If numerous moving parts are used, then functional capabilities are enhanced, but wear and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional capabilitiesVSAvoidwear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical transmission components subject to wear (gears, shafts, couplings) with an electromagnetic drive system. The electromagnetic coupling between motor and drum eliminates mechanical contact and friction, significantly reducing wear while maintaining full functional capabilities for torque transmission and speed control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This design results in a lighter, more compact, and easier-to-transport elevator with reduced production and maintenance time, lower wear, and lower lubricant requirements, while maintaining high torque and force capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic brake, which brakes the lowering of the drilling device during operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP2303754B1Gearless hoisting apparatus
Publication Date: 2013.08.28 BENTEC GMBH DRILLING & OILFIELD SYSTEMS
  • EP2303754B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2303754B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2303754B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

The invention relates to a hoisting apparatus (10) for moving a load, particularly a drilling device, comprising a drum (24) that can be rotated about the longitudinal axis (X) thereof for winding a flexible pulling means, comprising at least one driving motor (32, 46), which has high torque and is disposed together with the drum (24) on a common axis (Y), the axis in particular being parallel to the longitudinal axis (X), wherein the drum (24) can be driven in a gearless manner by the driving motor (32, 46), and to a method for producing such a hoisting apparatus (10).