Guided Transport Unit for Drilling Rig Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for relocating drilling rigs require extensive downtime and manual effort due to the lack of a guidance system for precise angular movements, leading to potential misalignment and damage from unwanted forces.
Innovation Solution
A guided transport unit equipped with a directional actuator and guided walking substructures that allow for precise angular movements and secure orientations, utilizing skid pads, vertical displacing members, and a guidance plate to maintain and lock desired positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manually-operated walking structures are used to transport drilling rigs, then the equipment can be relocated, but extensive downtime and manual effort are required due to lack of guidance system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated guidance system that uses directional actuators and sensors to control the transport unit's movement. The guidance system predetermines angular settings and automatically adjusts the walking substructures' orientations, eliminating the need for manual measurement and adjustment while significantly reducing relocation time and increasing productivity.
2Ease of operation
If manually measured jack pads are used for orientation, then the transport unit can be positioned, but misalignment can cause unwanted force and structural damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual measurement and positioning with an automated guidance system that uses directional actuators and sensors to precisely control the orientation of walking substructures. The system predetermines angular settings and automatically adjusts positions to match the planned path, eliminating human error and ensuring precise alignment that prevents unwanted forces and structural damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The guidance system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the position and orientation of walking substructures, comparing actual positions with predetermined settings. The system provides real-time feedback to directional actuators, which make automatic adjustments to maintain precise alignment, ensuring structural integrity during transport operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing walking structures are used without pre-determining angular orientation, then the transport unit can move, but uniform and precise angular orientation cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance system predetermines angular settings for all walking substructures before transport operations begin. The system calculates the optimal orientation for each substructure based on the planned transport path and securely positions them in advance, ensuring uniform and precise angular orientation throughout the movement process while maintaining full adaptability of the transport unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A guided transport unit and methods of guiding the transport unit for moving a superstructure in precise angular movements over a surface are disclosed. The guided transport unit comprises a skid pad, a vertical displacing member engaged with the skid pad, a base operatively associated with the vertical displacing member, and a directional actuator. The base includes a planar element for engaging the surface over which the superstructure is transported, and a carrier for moving the vertical displacing member and skid pad relative to the surface. The directional actuator controls and secures the relationship among the vertical displacing member, the base, and the skid pad for positioning the base in a predetermined direction to engage the surface, setting the carrier to move each skid pad in a predetermined direction across the planar element of the base, and repositioning the base in another direction for movement of the guided transport unit.