Latching Assembly with Pivoting Gripping Members for Offshore Drilling
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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 harsh environments where mechanical or electrical failures can occur, and require complex umbilical connections for operation.
Innovation Solution
A latching assembly with a tubular housing, pivotally attached gripping members, and an actuator that moves latch members between latch and release positions, along with locking elements and a secondary release mechanism, powered by an onboard electrical system for remote operation without umbilicals, ensuring secure engagement and disengagement of the drill string within the riser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a removable latch is used to secure the rotating control device to the riser, then installation and removal are simplified, but the reliability of the connection may be compromised in harsh offshore environments
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism performs preliminary engagement actions automatically during the connection process. The gripping members extend into the inner bore to engage the tubular member before final locking occurs, ensuring secure attachment is established in advance of complete assembly, thereby maintaining both ease of installation and connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates spring elements that bias latch members toward the release position, creating a fail-safe mechanism. This preliminary protective action ensures that if the actuator fails or power is lost, the latching mechanism automatically defaults to a safe released state, preventing catastrophic failure while maintaining secure operation during normal use
2Reliability
If remote release capability is implemented, then operational safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or hydraulic actuation systems with an electrical actuator that can be remotely controlled. This substitution simplifies the overall control system while maintaining remote release capability, as electrical systems require fewer intermediate mechanical components and can be more easily integrated with remote monitoring and control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves multiple functions: it engages latch members to secure the device, releases latch members for removal, and can be integrated with remote control systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each operation, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining operational safety
3Strength
If gripping members extend into the inner bore to engage the tubular member, then latching security is improved, but the risk of mechanical failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping members are designed to pivot between extended and retracted positions rather than being fixed. This dynamic configuration allows the gripping members to adapt to slight misalignments and reduce stress concentrations during engagement, thereby maintaining strong latching security while reducing the risk of mechanical failure from rigid constraint
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 reliable, remote-controlled, and fail-safe latching and release operations of the drill string, reducing the risk of mechanical or electrical failures and eliminating the need for umbilical connections, thus 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
Implementation Method 2
the latch members may comprise a spring element that biases the latch members toward the release position
Data Source
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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.