Gripper With Spinning Means For Pipe Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current grippers for handling pipe bodies on a rig floor require manual work and multiple machines, leading to inefficiencies and safety risks due to limited movement and the use of cables and wires, which are hazardous in explosion-exposed areas.
Innovation Solution
A gripper with a rotatable input shaft that integrates gripping and spinning functions via a differential coupling means, allowing selective engagement of either function, and utilizing inductive coupling for wireless power and communication to eliminate the need for cables, enabling full rotational and translational freedom and safe operation in hazardous environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If grippers from prior art are used to combine gripping and spinning functions, then both functions are integrated, but the gripper takes up a lot of space and has limited freedom of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines gripping means and spinning means into a single integrated gripper unit that can perform both functions. The coupling means connects both functions to a common input shaft, allowing the gripper to grip and spin pipe bodies without requiring separate machines, thereby reducing overall system space while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper is designed as a multi-functional device where a single input shaft drives both gripping and spinning operations through the coupling means. This universal design allows one device to replace multiple specialized tools, reducing the space required while providing adaptability for different operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate input shafts are used for gripping and spinning means, then both functions can be independently controlled, but the gripper takes up more space and freedom of movement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control architecture by using a single input shaft that connects to both gripping means and spinning means through the coupling means. This unified control system maintains independent controllability of both functions while significantly reducing the space required compared to separate input shafts.
3Power
If cables and wires are used to provide power and control, then sufficient power and control are available, but freedom of movement is limited and safety risks increase in explosion-exposed areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces cable-based mechanical power and control systems with a wireless inductive coupling system. The inductive coupling means provides power and control signals wirelessly between the gripper and external devices, eliminating physical cables and wires. This substitution maintains full power and control capability while enabling complete freedom of movement and eliminating safety hazards in explosion-prone environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductive coupling means acts as an intermediary that transfers power and control signals through electromagnetic fields rather than physical connections. This intermediary mechanism enables wireless communication and power transfer, allowing the gripper to operate freely without cable constraints while maintaining adequate power supply and control.
4Power
If cables and wires are used for power and control, then sufficient power transmission is achieved, but safety risks increase in explosion-exposed areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces cable-based power transmission with wireless inductive coupling. This substitution eliminates the presence of cables and wires that could spark or create ignition sources in explosion-prone environments, thereby removing the safety hazard while maintaining adequate power transmission capability through electromagnetic fields.
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 gripper enables efficient, safe, and compact operation for gripping and spinning pipe bodies, allowing for full freedom of movement and reducing safety risks by eliminating the need for cables and wires, thus improving workflow and safety on a rig floor.
Implementation Method 1
The gripper may further comprise inductive coupling means for receiving wireless power and/or communication from an external source
Data Source
AI summary
A system for performing a subterranean operation that can include a plurality of tools, and a gripper conveying means configured to connect with any one of the plurality of tools and perform a first operation on a rig. The system can also include tools with an encapsulated chamber having electronic components contained therein with the tools in compliance with an explosion-exposed (EX) certification.