Drilling Jack With Lead Screw for Extended Torque-Resistant Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic jacks used in drilling operations are limited by the torque exerted by a rotating drill string, leading to mechanical failure and inefficient operation due to restricted travel range.
Innovation Solution
A jack design utilizing an elongated receiving element and a base with motors and gear wheels to facilitate linear movement, capable of withstanding torque from a rotating drill string over a large range of travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If hydraulic cylinders are used to extend the travel range of the jack, then the range of vertical travel is increased, but the jack cannot withstand the torque applied by the rotating drill string leading to mechanical failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic cylinder mechanical system with an electric motor and lead screw system. The electric motor (2F) drives a lead screw (3D) that converts rotational motion to linear motion of the elongated receiving element (3A). This substitution eliminates the torque limitation of hydraulic cylinders while maintaining the ability to withstand drill string torque through the robust mechanical connection of the lead screw and motor assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The lead screw (3D) acts as an intermediary mechanism between the electric motor (2F) and the elongated receiving element (3A). It transfers and transforms the rotational force from the motor into controlled linear motion, while also providing mechanical advantage to withstand the torque from the rotating drill string. The gear wheel (2G) engaging with the linear gear (3C) on the receiving element provides additional mechanical advantage and torque multiplication.
2Reliability
If the range of travel is limited to prevent mechanical failure, then reliability is maintained, but the operation becomes inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the hydraulic cylinder system with an electric motor and lead screw system, the patent enables both full travel range and torque resistance simultaneously. The electric motor provides controlled rotational force that drives the lead screw to move the receiving element through the full aperture length, while the robust mechanical connection withstands the drill string torque, thus improving productivity without sacrificing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the jack by switching from hydraulic pressure-driven motion to electric motor-driven mechanical motion. This parameter change allows for controlled extension and retraction through the full range of the aperture while maintaining the ability to withstand torque, thereby increasing operational efficiency by eliminating the need for repeated lifting steps.
3Force
If hydraulic cylinders are used, then the jack can exert axial force to lower or raise pipe sections, but the torque from the rotating drill string limits the amount of travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the hydraulic cylinder system with an electric motor (2F) and lead screw (3D) system. The lead screw converts rotational motion from the motor into linear motion of the elongated receiving element (3A), enabling travel distances that exceed the physical length of any single hydraulic cylinder. The motor provides sufficient torque to drive the lead screw while withstanding the drill string rotation, and the system maintains the ability to exert axial force on the pipe section through the clamping mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotational dimension through the lead screw mechanism. Instead of relying solely on linear extension of hydraulic cylinders, the system uses rotational motion of the electric motor to drive the lead screw, which then converts this rotation into linear motion. This dimensional transformation allows for greater travel distance while maintaining force application capability, as the screw mechanism can accommodate multiple rotations to achieve extended linear displacement.
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 efficient and economical handling of pipe sections by allowing controlled lowering and raising over a wide range without mechanical failure, reducing the need for repeated lifting steps.
Implementation Method 1
The jack includes an electric motor (2F) and a lead screw (3D). The lead screw is configured to convert rotational motion into linear motion of the elongated receiving element (3A).
Implementation Method 2
The base (2) is provided with a gear wheel (2G) engaging the linear gear (3C).
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a jack (1) for drilling, the jack comprising an elongated receiving element (3A) for receiving and clamping a tubular element and a base (2) comprising an open-ended aperture, the elongated receiving element (3A) being arranged in the open-ended aperture. The elongated receiving element (3A) is linearly moveable through the open-ended aperture between a retracted position and an extended position. The invention further concerns a drill rig, the use of a jack for drilling and a method for handling a pipe section of a drill string.