Hinged Drill Bit Protector for Offshore Transport Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional methods for transporting and storing drill bits are costly and hazardous due to the time-consuming assembly and disassembly of drill strings, the fragility of drill bits, and the danger of handling heavy breaker plates during offshore operations.
Innovation Solution
A hinged protector apparatus comprising two semi-circular portions with a locking mechanism, designed to securely envelop the drill bit, allowing it to be transported and stored without a breaker plate, enabling onshore assembly and reducing the weight and risk of handling during transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a breaker plate is used to secure the drill bit during transportation and storage, then the drill bit is protected from damage, but the weight and handling difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the heavy breaker plate from the protective system, replacing it with a lightweight hinged protector apparatus that provides adequate protection without the excessive weight and handling difficulties of traditional breaker plates
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the weight parameter of the protective apparatus by replacing dense breaker plate material with lightweight hinged protector material, maintaining protective function while significantly reducing mass for easier handling during transportation
2Stability of the object's composition
If a breaker plate is attached to the drill bit for secure holding, then the drill bit is stabilized during assembly, but the complexity of assembly procedures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the protective apparatus into hinged portions that can be independently positioned and secured, allowing the drill bit to be stabilized through a simplified hinging mechanism rather than complex breaker plate attachment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged protector apparatus is designed to be pre-assembled and positioned around the drill bit before final assembly operations, providing stabilization in advance and reducing the complexity of subsequent assembly procedures
3Strength
If manual rig tongs are used to torque the motor onto the drill bit, then the connection is made secure, but the operation becomes dangerous due to the weight of the drill bit and motor
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged protector apparatus acts as an intermediary protective structure that enables secure connection of the motor to the drill bit while reducing the handling dangers associated with manual rig tongs by providing a controlled, protected environment for the assembly operation
Data Source
AI summary
An oil, gas or water borehole drill bit protector apparatus (10, 100, 200, 300, 400) comprises one or more protector portions (10A, 10B; 100A, 100B) adapted to be placed around and/or adapted to envelope at least a drilling portion of the drill bit; and the one or more protector portions comprising an aperture(16) through which a connection portion of the drill bit projects in use. The one or more protector portions are placed around and/or enveloping the drilling portion of the drill bit; and closed around the drilling portion of the drill bit such that the connection portion of the drill bit projects through the aperture of the one or more protector portions.