Hoisting System Selective Winch Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hoisting systems for floating vessels, such as those used in offshore oil and gas exploration, face issues like frequent wire replacement due to cut and slip operations, leading to downtime and energy wastage, especially when operating at lower loads or with heave compensation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A hoisting system comprising a hoisting tower, a movable yoke, and two winches with sheaves and releasable connectors, allowing selective engagement of hoisting members for optimized lifting capacity and reduced wear, along with a compensator for maintaining constant tension and heave compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional drawworks systems with single hoisting wire are used, then lifting capacity is achieved, but frequent wire replacement is required leading to downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The hoisting system is divided into multiple independent hoisting members (first hoisting member and second hoisting member) that can operate independently. This segmentation allows one member to be serviced while the other remains operational, eliminating complete system downtime for maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from single-wire continuous operation to multi-wire selective operation. By having multiple hoisting members that can be independently engaged and disengaged, the system can rotate between members, extending the operational life of individual wires while maintaining continuous productivity.
2Reliability
If heave compensation capability is added to counteract wave loads, then vessel stability is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation of heave compensation, the system uses periodic action by selectively engaging and disengaging different hoisting members based on operational requirements. The releasable connectors allow the system to alternate between members, reducing continuous energy consumption while maintaining stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by having multiple hoisting members available, where one can be in service while another is being maintained or is in standby. This eliminates idle energy consumption from continuous operation of a single system while maintaining operational readiness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple winches with releasable connectors are used, then operational flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the hoisting function into multiple independent winches (first winch and second winch) with individual hoisting members. Each unit can be independently controlled and maintained, providing operational flexibility while keeping individual components manageable in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple hoisting members are designed with universal functionality to perform the same lifting task. The releasable connectors enable any member to be selectively engaged, providing multi-functionality that increases adaptability without requiring fundamentally different system components.
Data Source
AI summary
A hoisting system includes a hoisting tower, a yoke which is movable relative to the hoisting tower and which carries a tool, a first winch, a second winch, a first sheave arranged in a top section of the hoisting tower, a second sheave arranged in the top section of the hoisting tower, a first hoisting member arranged to extend from the first winch to the yoke via the first sheave, a second hoisting member arranged to extend from the second winch to the yoke via the second sheave, and at least one first releasable connector which selectively connects the second hoisting member to the yoke.