Hingeless Drilling Fluid Containment Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mud buckets used in drilling rigs are large, bulky, and heavy, making them difficult to maneuver and position, and they pose a risk to personnel due to the potential for hands or fingers to be caught between opposing semi-cylindrical members.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight and compact, hinge-less fluid containment apparatus with a housing member, a removable cap, and a base member, featuring a fluid containment door that can be hingedly mounted and secured with a latching assembly, and equipped with elastomeric seal members to provide a fluid pressure seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mud buckets are used to contain drilling fluids, then fluid containment is achieved, but the device becomes large, bulky, and heavy making it difficult to maneuver and position
Solution Approach 1:
The mud bucket is divided into two separate semi-cylindrical halves that can be independently maneuvered and positioned. Each half can be handled separately, making the overall device much easier to operate and position while still providing complete containment when assembled together around the pipe connection.
2Reliability
If conventional hinged mud buckets are used, then fluid containment is achieved, but the device poses safety risks to personnel due to potential pinching between opposing members
Solution Approach 1:
A hingeless coupling mechanism serves as an intermediary between the two semi-cylindrical halves, replacing the traditional hinge assembly. This coupling uses interlocking features with elastomeric seals to join the halves together without requiring hinges, thereby eliminating the pinching hazard to personnel while maintaining effective fluid containment.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional mud buckets are used, then fluid containment is achieved, but the device is expensive and creates environmental hazards through spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The two semi-cylindrical halves are pre-assembled with coupling features and elastomeric seals before deployment. This preliminary assembly ensures that when the halves are positioned around the pipe connection, they form a complete, pre-engineered containment barrier that effectively prevents drilling fluid spillage and environmental pollution from the outset.
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 apparatus effectively contains and collects drilling fluids, preventing uncontrolled spraying, splashing, or spilling, while being safer and easier to operate and store than conventional mud buckets.
Implementation Method 1
Elastomeric seal members selectively provide a fluid pressure seal between the door and housing when the door is closed
Implementation Method 2
The door can be hingedly attached to the housing with the hinge assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid containment device has a housing defining an inner chamber, an elongated vertical opening and a keyway slot. At least one door can alternate between a first open position (leaving the elongated vertical opening unobstructed) and a second closed position (causing the elongated vertical opening to be blocked or obstructed). With the door in said open position, the device can be quickly and efficiently positioned around a threaded connection existing between adjacent pipe sections. A variable diameter seal assembly can be selectively closed around the outer surfaces of any pipe sections, while simultaneously covering upper and lower keyway slot. The device prevents drilling fluid from uncontrolled splashing or spilling on personnel or the surrounding environment upon separation of the pipe sections, while also saving and redirecting the drilling fluid to a rig's mud system for further handling via outlet ports on the housing.