Coiled Tubing Injector Tilt Safety Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coiled tubing injectors, when stored at an angle for transport due to height restrictions, are prone to movement and potential ejection from their cradles due to weight and pressure, posing safety and efficiency risks, especially since manual pin locking is error-prone and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sensors in the injector cradle to detect securement pins and prevent tilting unless all mechanical locks are engaged, ensuring securement through mechanical, optical, pneumatic, hydraulic, or magnetic sensors that transmit signals to control the tilting mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the injector is stored at an angle for transport, then height restrictions are accommodated, but the injector becomes prone to movement and ejection from its cradle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by requiring securement pins to be inserted into the cradle before tilting the injector. The system checks for proper pin insertion through sensors before allowing the tilting operation to proceed, ensuring the injector is pre-secured to prevent movement during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms through sensors that detect whether securement pins are properly inserted into the cradle. The system continuously monitors the secured state and provides feedback to control the tilting mechanism, only permitting tilting when the injector is confirmed to be securely pinned, thereby preventing unstable movement.
2Reliability
If manual pin locking is used to secure the injector, then the injector can be secured to the tilt, but human error and time-consuming operations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using sensors to automatically detect whether securement pins are properly inserted into the cradle. The system performs the verification function that would otherwise require manual checking by operators, eliminating human error and reducing the time required to confirm proper securement before tilting.
3Productivity
If the injector is not properly secured before tilting, then tilting can proceed quickly, but the injector may be ejected causing damage or injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a control system that prevents the tilting operation from initiating unless sensors confirm proper pin insertion. This preemptive measure counteracts the potential harmful effect of ejection by ensuring the injector is securely constrained before any tilting motion occurs, eliminating the risk of injury or damage.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application pertains to a coiled tubing injector system. The system comprises a coiled tubing injector; an injector tilt configured to be mounted to a trailer wherein the injector tilt is configured to receive the coiled tubing injector; a securing mechanism to secure the coiled tubing injector to the injector tilt; and a sensor configured to detect whether the securing mechanism is positioned to substantially secure the coiled tubing injector to the injector tilt. Advantageously, the system is configured such that the injector can only be tilted if the sensor detects that securing mechanism is positioned to substantially secure the coiled tubing injector to the injector tilt.