Hydraulic Collet Connector for Remote Wellhead Tree Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for connecting equipment to wellheads or Christmas trees, such as those used in fracking operations, require direct human intervention and are inefficient, especially when dealing with heavy loads and restricted access areas, leading to safety concerns and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A remotely activated hydraulic connector system that uses shouldered collets to engage and disengage threaded members using hydraulic pressure, allowing for hands-free operation and secure connections without manual orientation, featuring segments with female threaded profiles that collapse to engage and expand to disengage, ensuring reliable and quick connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual connection methods are used for heavy equipment loads, then direct human intervention is required, but safety concerns increase and operational costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical connection operations with an automated mechanical system. The robotic arm with gripper mechanism performs the connection and disconnection of heavy equipment loads automatically, eliminating the need for direct human intervention while maintaining operational reliability and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic or pneumatic actuation systems to power the robotic arm and gripper mechanism. This allows the system to generate sufficient force to handle heavy equipment loads (20,000 lbs or more) remotely, improving both safety and operational capability without direct human contact.
2Productivity
If direct human intervention is used for connecting equipment to wellheads, then connection can be made, but labor costs increase and safety risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is designed to perform connection operations autonomously without requiring human operators to physically intervene. The system can independently position, grasp, connect, and disconnect equipment loads, enabling self-service operation that reduces both labor costs and operational time.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm is pre-positioned and pre-programmed to perform connection operations in advance, allowing equipment to be connected to wellheads before actual fracking operations begin. This preliminary action optimizes workflow and reduces overall operational time.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual orientation and connection of threaded members is required, then precise alignment is needed, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic gripper acts as an intermediary between the control system and the threaded members. It provides precise positioning and alignment capabilities through controlled movement along X, Y, and Z axes, simplifying the overall operation by automating the complex alignment task that would otherwise require manual skill and precision.
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
Enables safe, efficient, and cost-effective remote connection and disconnection of equipment to wellheads and Christmas trees, reducing labor costs and improving safety by eliminating the need for direct human intervention and minimizing the risk of accidents.
Implementation Method 1
A remotely activated hydraulic connector system that uses shouldered collets to engage and disengage threaded members using hydraulic pressure
Implementation Method 2
moving said one or more segments axially of said threaded profile member to allow the threads of said segments to engage the threads of said threaded profile member
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a new and improved remotely activated connecting device for connecting a wellhead and or Christmas tree positioned on a wellhead to a fracking tree that may comprise a collet system for selectively engaging and disengaging from a threaded and or spiral shoulder that may utilize hydraulics for same.