Inclined Bridge Pipe Handler for Tubular Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pipe handling systems in subterranean operations face inefficiencies in manipulating and transporting tubulars between horizontal and vertical storage areas and the well center, particularly due to limitations in orientation changes and equipment handling capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A pipe handling system comprising a bridge with inclined rails and an arm that can rotate tubulars between horizontal and inclined orientations, allowing for efficient movement between storage areas and the rig floor, along with a shuttle for handling large or bulky equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional pipe handling systems are used to move tubulars between horizontal storage area and rig floor, then tubulars can be transported, but orientation changes are inefficient and require multiple manual operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetubular handling efficiencyVSAvoidmanual handling requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an inclined bridge as an intermediary structure between the horizontal storage area and the rig floor. This bridge provides a continuous inclined surface that enables seamless orientation transition of tubulars from horizontal to vertical position, eliminating the need for multiple manual handling operations and intermediate storage transfers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a spatial dimension by creating an inclined three-dimensional pathway (bridge) rather than using traditional two-dimensional horizontal transfers. This inclined bridge allows tubulars to be moved along a sloped trajectory, enabling continuous orientation change from horizontal to vertical without discrete manual repositioning steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If manual handling operations are used for tubular orientation changes, then flexibility is maintained, but operational time and labor intensity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidoperational time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined bridge acts as a mediator that maintains operational flexibility while reducing time loss. It provides a continuous inclined surface that allows tubulars to be moved smoothly between orientations without discrete manual handling steps, thereby maintaining adaptability while significantly reducing operational time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The inclined bridge is pre-configured with the appropriate slope and geometry to facilitate seamless orientation changes. This preliminary preparation of the transfer pathway eliminates the need for time-consuming manual repositioning operations during actual tubular handling, as the orientation transition path is already optimized and in place.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional pipe handler systems are used, then equipment can be moved between storage areas, but handling of large or bulky equipment is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment handling capabilityVSAvoidbulky equipment handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined bridge serves as an intermediary structure that accommodates various sizes and types of equipment. Its open framework design with rails and support structures allows large or bulky equipment to be moved along the inclined path without requiring complex manual manipulation, thereby enhancing versatility while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Quantity of substance

If horizontal storage area is used, then tubulars can be stored efficiently, but direct access to rig floor requires complex transfer mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetubular storage capacityVSAvoidtransfer mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined bridge is introduced as a simple intermediary structure that directly connects the horizontal storage area to the rig floor. This single continuous inclined pathway replaces complex multi-stage transfer mechanisms, maintaining efficient tubular storage capacity while significantly simplifying the transfer mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11486209B2Robotic pipe handler systems

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 NABORS DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES USA INC

AI summary

A tubular handling system can include a bridge disposed in a horizontal orientation above a horizontal storage area, a tubular lift system that can transport a tubular in a horizontal orientation between the horizontal storage area and an intermediate storage location, and a pipe handler, moveably coupled to the bridge, that can transport the tubular between the intermediate storage location and a rig floor. Also provided is a method for handling tubulars that can include operations of delivering or retrieving a tubular in a vertical orientation to or from a rig floor, transporting the tubular between the rig floor and a bridge, rotating the tubular between vertical and horizontal, retrieving or delivering the tubular to an intermediate storage location, and raising or lowering the tubular between the intermediate storage location and a horizontal storage area while maintaining the tubular in the horizontal orientation.