Guide Structure for Gripping Tool Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping tools for tubular structures in well drilling require significant skill, time, and cost to install, especially when conditions are less optimal, and there is a need for a solution that can efficiently guide these tools into position with reduced weight and increased efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a nubbin and a guide structure, where the guide structure is coupled to the nubbin, featuring a proximal and distal guide end with an increasing cross-sectional dimension, and a nubbin collar with apertures, allowing for secure coupling and alignment with the nubbin, facilitating the insertion of gripping tools into tubular structures with reduced installation time and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional gripping tools are installed without a guide structure, then the installation process requires significant skill and time, but the apparatus weight remains lower
Solution Approach 1:
A guide structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the gripping tool and the tubular structure. The guide structure includes a guide body with a guide passage that receives the gripping tool, and a guide member that moves within the guide passage to control the gripping tool's movement. This intermediary mechanism enables precise, automated positioning of the gripping tool without requiring significant operator skill or time, while the modular design keeps the added weight manageable.
2Productivity
If a guide structure is added to guide the gripping tool, then the insertion speed and precision improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is segmented into distinct functional components: a guide body containing the gripping tool, a guide member that moves within the guide passage, and a drive mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while enabling independent optimization and maintenance of individual parts, thereby increasing insertion speed without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member is nested within the guide body, moving along rails or guides that are integral to the guide body structure. The gripping tool is nested within the guide structure during the insertion process. This nesting arrangement compactly integrates multiple functions into a space-efficient configuration, improving insertion speed while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If manual installation of gripping tools is used, then the equipment cost is lower, but the skill requirement and installation time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure enables the gripping tool to guide and position itself within the tubular structure through the guide passage and guide member mechanism. The drive mechanism automatically moves the guide member along the guide passage, which in turn moves the gripping tool into precise position. This self-service capability eliminates the need for skilled manual operation, making installation easy for operators with minimal training while dramatically reducing installation time.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, system and method for guiding a gripping tool into a structure to be gripped. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a nubbin and a guide structure fixed to the nubbin. In a second aspect, the system comprises the apparatus and a target structure to be gripped by the gripping tool. In a third aspect, the method comprises coupling the nubbin to a target structure to be gripped by a gripping tool and moving a leading portion of the gripping tool through the apparatus and into the target structure. In a fourth aspect the apparatus comprises a guide structure configured to be fixed to a nubbin. In a fifth aspect the apparatus comprises coupling the nubbin to a target structure, coupling the guide structure to the nubbin and moving a leading portion of the gripping tool through the apparatus and into the target structure.