Hoisting Wire Replacement via Coordinated Drum and Anchor Tensioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing hoisting systems in drilling rigs require manual labor for replacing drill wires or cables, which is inefficient and poses safety risks due to high wear and fatigue, necessitating frequent manual handling and replacement of sections to prevent system breakdowns.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that automate the 'cut and slip' operation by using a coordinated operation of the deadline anchor and storage drum with motorized drives and hydraulic systems to reel, cut, and reattach the wire or cable, reducing manual labor and ensuring continuous tension for secure handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual replacement of wire or cable sections is performed, then the wire or cable can be replaced to prevent wear and fatigue, but a large number of personnel are required and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire or cable integrityVSAvoidpersonnel involvement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated winch system that uses a deadline anchor and drum mechanism to reel, cut, and replace wire or cable sections automatically, eliminating the need for multiple personnel to manually handle the wire during replacement operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service replacement where the hoisting system itself performs the wire replacement operation through automated coordination between the winch, deadline anchor, and drum, without requiring external manual intervention from drilling crew members

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If manual handling of wire or cable is performed during replacement, then the wire can be reeled and replaced, but wear and fatigue increase due to improper handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereplacement speedVSAvoidwire wear and fatigue

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual handling with an automated winch system that maintains proper tension and control during reeling operations, ensuring the wire is handled correctly throughout the replacement process to minimize additional wear and fatigue beyond normal operational wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains optimal tension parameters throughout the wire replacement operation by coordinating the deadline anchor and drum movements, ensuring the wire remains under appropriate tension to prevent slack-induced wear while enabling rapid replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the entire wire or cable is replaced, then system reliability is maintained, but the time and resources required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehoisting system reliabilityVSAvoidreplacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the wire or cable into segments, allowing replacement of only the worn or damaged section rather than the entire length. The system can reel in a portion of the wire, cut it, and replace just the necessary segment while retaining usable portions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary positioning and tensioning of the wire section to be replaced, preparing the exact segment that needs replacement in advance, which streamlines the replacement process and reduces overall downtime by avoiding unnecessary handling of the entire wire length

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution reduces personnel involvement, enhances safety, and ensures precise reeling of the wire or cable, minimizing wear and fatigue, thereby extending the lifespan of the hoisting system components and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

using a coordinated operation of the deadline anchor and storage drum with motorized drives and hydraulic systems to reel, cut, and reattach the wire or cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic system: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS10351396B2Apparatus and method for replacing cable or wire in a hoisting system

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 MHWIRHT AS

AI summary

A method for replacing a length of a wire/cable in a hoisting system. The wire/cable extends from a storage drum to a winch. The method includes removing at least one lock which prevents a deadline anchor arranged between the storage drum and the winch from rotating, reeling onto the storage drum a first length of the wire/cable with a simultaneous coordinated operation of the deadline anchor and the storage drum, the simultaneous coordinated operation being controlled so that the wire/cable is in a continuous tension between the deadline anchor and the storage drum, securing the wire/cable to an attachment point, cutting a section of the wire/cable between the attachment point and the winch and removing the cut section of the wire/cable, reattaching the wire/cable remaining to the winch, reeling out a second length of the wire/cable from the storage drum, and securing the wire/cable to the deadline anchor.