Hinged Retractable Outriggers for Mobile Drilling Rig Mobility

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile oil well drilling rigs face challenges in efficiently moving within confined oilfield spaces and transporting along public highways due to their bulky and heavy designs, which restrict flexibility and increase the risk of damage during maneuvering and transportation.

Innovation Solution

A mobile drilling structure equipped with hinged outriggers that can transfer weight to wheeled frame dollies, allowing for retractable and pivotable movement, enabling lateral and longitudinal movement without rotating the rig, and facilitating easier transportation by reducing the rig's profile when dismantled.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If permanently attached wheel assemblies are used to move the drilling rig, then the rig can be transported along roadways and moved within oilfields, but the structure consumes considerable space and adds unnecessary weight

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemobilityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel assembly is divided into two independent parts: a permanently attached dolly with a single wheel for roadway transport, and removable outriggers with additional wheels for oilfield mobility. This segmentation allows the rig to have different mobility configurations depending on the operational context, reducing weight and space when full mobility is not required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outriggers are designed to be removable and reconfigurable rather than permanently fixed. They can be attached when oilfield mobility is needed and removed or retracted when not needed, allowing the system to dynamically adapt its mobility capabilities to match operational requirements and reduce unnecessary weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If permanently attached wheel assemblies are used to move the drilling rig, then the rig can be transported along roadways and moved within oilfields, but the structure adds considerable space consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemobilityVSAvoidspace

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel assembly is divided into two independent parts: a permanently attached dolly with a single wheel for roadway transport, and removable outriggers with additional wheels for oilfield mobility. This segmentation allows the rig to have different mobility configurations depending on the operational context, reducing weight and space when full mobility is not required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outriggers are designed as removable components that can be taken out or retracted when not needed for oilfield operations. This extraction principle allows the rig to maintain minimal space consumption during roadway transport while providing expanded mobility capabilities when deployed in oilfield environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the drilling rig has a bulky design for stability during drilling, then it maintains stability during operation, but it restricts flexibility and increases the risk of damage during maneuvering and transportation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The outriggers are designed to be removable and reconfigurable rather than permanently fixed. They can be attached when oilfield mobility is needed and removed or retracted when not needed, allowing the system to dynamically adapt its mobility capabilities to match operational requirements and reduce unnecessary weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution enhances mobility within oilfields by reducing the complexity and risk of movement, allowing the rig to navigate through tight spaces and be transported more efficiently along highways, while maintaining stability and control through hydraulic, pneumatic, or servo mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

maintaining stability and control through hydraulic, pneumatic, or servo mechanisms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic mechanism: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

maintaining stability and control through hydraulic, pneumatic, or servo mechanisms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic mechanism:

Data Source

PatentUS9896887B2Drilling rig with hinged, retractable outriggers

Publication Date: 2018.02.20 NAT OILWELL VARCO LP

AI summary

A method includes coupling a plurality of outriggers to a drill rig structure, supporting the weight of the drill rig structure with the plurality of outriggers, and moving the drill rig structure while supporting the weight with the plurality of outriggers.