Heave Compensation Winch with Active and Passive Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore drilling operations in deep waters face challenges with increased equipment weight and wave-induced heaving motion, which existing hoisting systems struggle to compensate for effectively, leading to deviation of drill strings and other loads from the seabed.
Innovation Solution
The integration of both active and passive heave compensation systems in a winch with a planetary gear system, where active heave compensation is provided by motors and passive heave compensation by hydraulic cylinders, allows for simultaneous and efficient counteraction of wave-induced motion, maintaining a constant weight on bit and reducing load deviation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multi-part block-and-tackle arrangements with more lines and sheaves are used to increase hoisting capability, then the hoisting capacity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drawworks and heave compensator into a single integrated winch unit, merging the hoisting function and heave compensation function into one device. This eliminates the need for separate block-and-tackle arrangements and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining hoisting capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The winch is designed to perform multiple functions: primary hoisting, active heave compensation, and passive heave compensation. The planetary gear system allows the same drum to serve both hoisting and heave compensation purposes, reducing the number of components needed.
2Device complexity
If hydraulic cylinders are used for both main hoisting and heave compensation in cylinder rigs, then the system simplification is achieved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heave compensation function into two segments: active heave compensation using motors for controlled, power-efficient operation, and passive heave compensation using hydraulic cylinders for uncontrolled motion absorption. This segmentation allows each system to operate in its optimal efficiency range.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive heave compensation system uses hydraulic cylinders with accumulators to absorb and release energy periodically during wave-induced heave motions. The accumulators store hydraulic fluid during downward heave and release it during upward heave, reducing the power demand on the active motor system.
3Measurement precision
If active heave compensation is used to control drill string position, then the position precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the active heave compensation system with the drawworks, using the same drum and hoisting lines for both primary hoisting and active heave compensation. This integration reduces the number of separate systems needed while maintaining position control precision through the planetary gear system.
4Productivity
If faster hoisting speeds are achieved, then the productivity is improved, but the stability under wave-induced motion worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The passive heave compensation system using hydraulic cylinders and accumulators is configured to anticipate and counteract wave-induced heave motions before they significantly impact the load. The accumulators are pre-charged to provide immediate compensation force when needed, maintaining load stability during high-speed hoisting operations.
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 combination enables more stable and efficient hoisting operations by minimizing the impact of wave-induced heaving, reducing equipment weight, and lowering power consumption, while allowing for faster hoisting speeds and reduced complexity in system design.
Implementation Method 1
a planetary gear system, which allows both active and passive heave compensation to be applied to a rotating drum of the winch
Implementation Method 2
passive heave compensation by hydraulic cylinders
Implementation Method 3
active heave compensation is provided by motors
Data Source
AI summary
Various hoisting systems with heave compensation are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a winch having a rotatable drum and a heave compensation system with both active and passive drive input devices. The heave compensation system can be coupled to the rotatable drum so that the active and passive drive input devices can each be used to drive rotation of the rotatable drum in response to heaving motion of the winch. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.