Injector Tilt-Mount Latching for Safe Stowage Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Coiled Tubing Units (CTUs) lack a safe and reliable mechanism to secure the injector head during movement, posing a risk of equipment damage and personnel safety due to manual retention pins that can be misplaced, leading to potential falls.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical latching system with a visual indication of the latched/unlatched state, requiring one movement to secure all pins, and a hydraulic circuit that prevents unsafe movement when unlocked, combined with hydraulic or electrical actuation for secure injector head positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual retaining pins are used to secure the injector head, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of securing the injector head deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latching system automatically engages and disengages the locking pins through the actuator mechanism, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system serves itself by using the actuator's movement to automatically secure or release all locking pins simultaneously, improving reliability while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple locking pins are merged into a single coordinated system controlled by one actuator. Instead of independently securing each pin, the invention combines them into a unified latching mechanism where one actuation event secures all pins simultaneously, reducing operational complexity while ensuring consistent retention.
2Reliability
If multiple retaining pins are used to secure the injector head, then the reliability of securing the injector head is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple pin operations into a single actuator movement. One continuous motion of the actuator simultaneously engages or disengages all locking pins, maintaining the reliability of multiple pins while dramatically simplifying the operator's task to a single action.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator mechanism is pre-configured with linkages that automatically position and engage all locking pins in the correct sequence and orientation. The preliminary mechanical arrangement ensures that a single actuator movement reliably secures all pins without requiring the operator to manually position each one.
3Device complexity
If no visual indication system is added to show latched/unlatched state, then the device complexity remains low, but the loss of information about the current state increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indication system uses color changes or distinct visual markers to clearly indicate whether the injector head is latched or unlatched. This provides immediate, intuitive information about the system state without adding complex electronic or mechanical indicators, minimizing complexity while eliminating information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate visual feedback about the latching state through the indication mechanism. When the actuator moves to the latched or unlatched position, the visual indicator simultaneously changes to confirm the current state, ensuring the operator has complete information about system status.
4Reliability
If hydraulic circuit interlocking is implemented to prevent movement when unlocked, then the reliability of safe operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic circuit interlocking is merged with the existing latching mechanism. The same actuator that controls the locking pins also controls the hydraulic valve through mechanical linkage, combining the latching and hydraulic control functions into a single integrated system. This reduces overall complexity while ensuring that hydraulic movement is only permitted when properly latched.
Data Source
AI summary
An injector tilt and stowage mechanism has a potential safety concern if retaining pins are not in place when the injector is tilted for stowage. A mechanical latching system is designed that secures the injector and simultaneously engages or disengages the hydraulic system to prevent movement in an unsecured condition.