Hydraulic Latching Assembly for Offshore Drilling Riser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latching assemblies for rotating control devices in offshore drilling lack efficient and remote-controlled mechanisms for secure latching and release, particularly in scenarios where umbilicals are not feasible, leading to potential mechanical or electrical failures and increased maintenance complexity.
Innovation Solution
A latching assembly with a tubular housing, pivotally attached gripping members, and an actuator that moves between positions to engage and disengage latch members and gripping members, utilizing electrical actuators and secondary locking mechanisms for secure latching and release, along with a secondary release element for axial and radial movement, enabling remote operation without umbilicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a removable latch is used to secure the rotating control device to the riser, then installation and removal are simplified, but the risk of mechanical or electrical failures increases and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical latch mechanisms with a hydraulic actuation system. The hydraulic actuator uses fluid pressure to move the latch members between locked and unlocked positions, eliminating complex mechanical linkages and reducing the risk of mechanical failure while maintaining ease of operation through remote hydraulic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic actuator that receives hydraulic fluid through ports in the housing. The hydraulic pressure drives the actuator piston, which in turn moves the latch members. This hydraulic system provides reliable, controlled actuation without requiring complex mechanical transmission mechanisms, thereby improving reliability while enabling remote operation.
2Device complexity
If traditional latching mechanisms are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but remote control capability is limited and umbilicals are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a hydraulic actuator that can be controlled remotely through hydraulic lines. The hydraulic system allows the latch members to be actuated from a distance without requiring physical presence at the device, enabling remote control capability while maintaining relative structural simplicity through the use of standard hydraulic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hydraulic fluid as an intermediary medium to transmit control forces to the latch members. This allows remote actuation by converting hydraulic pressure into mechanical motion, enabling control without direct mechanical connection or complex electrical systems, thus maintaining structural simplicity while achieving remote operation.
3Reliability
If latch members extend out from the housing, then secure latching is achieved, but the risk of interference with surrounding components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the latch members to be dynamically positioned - they extend outward only when needed for latching and can be retracted when not in use. The hydraulic actuator enables controlled extension and retraction of the latch members, allowing them to assume different positions based on operational requirements. This dynamic positioning ensures secure latching when engaged while minimizing interference with surrounding components when retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the latching function into separate, independently controllable latch members. Each latch member can be actuated individually or in sequence, allowing selective engagement with the riser. This segmentation enables the system to achieve secure latching through multiple discrete points while reducing the overall interference footprint compared to a single large latch mechanism.
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 solution provides a reliable, remote-controlled latching mechanism that securely attaches and detaches the rotating control device from the riser, reducing maintenance complexity and ensuring operation without the need for umbilicals, enhancing operational safety and efficiency in offshore drilling.
Implementation Method 1
An actuator engages the latch members and the gripping members and moves between a first position and a second position, the actuator engaging the latch members and the gripping members such that the actuator moves the latch members from the latch position to the release position and the gripping members from the retracted position to the gripping position
Implementation Method 2
the latch members may comprise a spring element that biases the latch members toward the release position
Implementation Method 3
the first end of the gripping members may comprise a cam surface that engages the actuator, the actuator moving axially along the housing and applying a force to the cam surface to rotate the gripping members between the gripping position and the release position
Data Source
AI summary
A latching assembly has a tubular housing having an outer surface and an inner surface that defines an inner bore. Latch members are carried by the housing that have a latch position that extends out from the outer surface and a release position that is retracted from the latch position. A plurality of gripping members are pivotally attached to the housing. The gripping members are pivotally attached to the tubular housing and move between a gripping position wherein the gripping members extend into the inner bore and a retracted position. An actuator engages the latch members and the gripping members and moves between a first position and a second position. The actuator moves the latch members from the latch position to the release position and the gripping members from the retracted position to the gripping position as the actuator moves from the first position to the second position.