Hands-Free Gooseneck Flow Spool With Self-Locking Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MPD systems require manual and labor-intensive assembly of goosenecks and flexible hoses in the moon pool area of a floating vessel, which is a dangerous and unstable environment due to vessel movement, making the operation difficult and risky.
Innovation Solution
A hands-free gooseneck flow spool system with a hands-free connection system, alignment pins, and a rotatable locking collar that simplifies the assembly process by allowing goosenecks to be aligned and locked into place without substantial manual force or rotation, using a hoisting system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual assembly of goosenecks is performed in the moon pool area, then the goosenecks can be connected to the flow spool, but the operation becomes dangerous and difficult due to vessel movement requiring substantial manual force and rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The gooseneck assembly system is designed to lock automatically upon insertion without requiring manual rotation or adjustment. The self-locking mechanism detects when the gooseneck is properly inserted and secures it in place autonomously, eliminating the need for workers to apply substantial manual force in the hazardous moon pool environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical assembly process (requiring workers to physically rotate and secure goosenecks) is replaced with an automated locking mechanism that uses spring-loaded pins and cam-actuated latches. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for human intervention in the dangerous vessel environment while maintaining secure connections.
2Productivity
If conventional manual assembly procedures are used, then goosenecks can be connected, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The goosenecks are pre-configured with alignment features and the locking mechanism is pre-loaded in the unlocked position. When the gooseneck is inserted, the alignment features guide it into the correct position and the locking mechanism automatically engages, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual alignment and securing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic self-locking mechanism eliminates the manual steps of rotating, tightening, and securing the gooseneck connections. The system performs the locking action autonomously upon insertion, dramatically reducing both the labor intensity and time required for flow spool assembly operations.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A hands-free gooseneck flow spool includes a mandrel, a hands-free gooseneck receiver fixedly attached to the mandrel, and a hands-free gooseneck removably attached to the hands-free gooseneck receiver. The hands-free gooseneck receiver includes a lockable gooseneck receiver including a gooseneck receiver end fluidly connected to a mandrel connection end, a rotatable locking collar at least partially disposed within the gooseneck receiver end of the lockable gooseneck receiver, and a plurality of alignment pins. The hands-free goose neck includes a substantially U-shaped gooseneck pipe member including a hose connection end that is fluidly connected to a receiver connection end, a hands-free connection system including a pad-eye track disposed on the U-shaped gooseneck pipe member and a pad-eye shackle movably attached to the pad-eye track, and a plurality of alignment pin receivers disposed near the receiver connection end.