Horseshoe Slip Elevator for Pipe Racking

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Solution Overview

Problem

The oilfield industry faces inefficiencies in deploying tubulars due to the time-consuming process of attaching and removing lifting apparatuses, which lengthens the run-in and trip-out time, and the need for multiple lift nubbins, posing safety risks and logistical challenges, especially when assembling stands of tubulars.

Innovation Solution

A pipe racking system with a vertical column, movable main arm, gripper, and elevator with slips that radially grip the tubulars, allowing for efficient assembly and disassembly of tubular stands without the need for lift nubbins, using a method that involves lowering and raising the main arm to position and secure tubulars vertically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lift nubbins are used to support tubulars during stand assembly, then the elevator has a designated engagement surface, but the time required to attach and remove lifting apparatuses increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelevator engagement reliabilityVSAvoidstand assembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the lift nubbin component entirely from the system. Instead of using a separate lifting apparatus attached to the tubular, the elevator itself integrates the engagement functionality directly onto the tubular outer diameter through slips, eliminating the need for attachment and removal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the lifting function and the engagement function into a single integrated system. The elevator's slips directly engage the tubular OD, merging what were previously separate components (lift nubbin + elevator) into one unified lifting and engagement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple lift nubbins are kept available on the rig for stand assembly, then tubular support is ensured, but safety risks and logistical challenges increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetubular support reliabilityVSAvoidsafety risks from dropped objects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the lift nubbin component entirely, the invention eliminates the source of potential dropped objects. The direct engagement of elevator slips with the tubular OD removes intermediate components that could fail or be improperly handled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of having multiple lift nubbins (which could be dropped or mishandled) into a benefit by using the tubular's own outer diameter as the engagement surface, requiring no additional components and eliminating the associated safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If clamp-type elevators with spring-biased slips are used, then radial gripping of tubulars is achieved, but mechanical stops may be overloaded and fractures occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic slip engagementVSAvoidmechanical stop strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the engagement parameters by using pneumatic or hydraulic actuation instead of spring biasing. This allows for controlled, gradual application of gripping force with precise control over the maximum force applied, preventing mechanical overload while maintaining effective radial gripping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical spring-bias system with a pneumatic or hydraulic actuation system. This substitution provides more controlled and adjustable force application, eliminating the sudden mechanical overload that occurs with spring-based systems while maintaining automatic engagement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system significantly reduces the time required for assembling and disassembling tubular stands, enhances safety by eliminating the need for lift nubbins, and allows for efficient handling and storage of tubulars, improving operational efficiency in the oilfield.

Implementation Method 1

an apparatus for gripping a tubular and supporting a weight of the tubular by radially gripping an outer diameter surface of the tubular

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial gripping force: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10612321B2Stand building using a horseshoe slip elevator

Publication Date: 2020.04.07 FRANKS INT

AI summary

A pipe racking system and method, of which the pipe racking system includes a vertical column extending upwards from a rig floor, a main arm that is movable vertically along the column, a gripper connected to a distal end of the main arm and movable therewith, and an elevator including a plurality of slips configured to engage an outer diameter surface of a tubular and support a weight of the tubular by gripping the outer surface of the tubular. The elevator is suspended from the gripper or a distal end of the main arm via one or more suspension arms. The system also includes one or more guide arms connected to the vertical column. The one or more guide arms are configured to maintain a vertical orientation of the tubular.