Lifting Loop Coupling Mechanism for Submersible Pump Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for lifting and lowering submersible pumps from deep pits or underwater spaces are hazardous due to manual hook alignment risks, corrosion issues with chains, and high operational costs, particularly in confined and dirty environments like sewage pumping stations.
Innovation Solution
A device with a first member for attachment to a lifting device and a second member that automatically guides and secures a lifting loop, featuring a securing mechanism and release mechanism to safely couple and decouple the loop, reducing manual intervention and enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a chain is permanently attached to the pump for lifting, then the lifting operation can be performed, but the chain is subject to corrosion and fouling from sludge or solid particles
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting system is divided into separate components: a lifting device with a hook and a loop attached to the pump. The hook can be detached and reused, while the loop remains with the pump. This segmentation allows the lifting mechanism to be separated from the pump, preventing corrosion and fouling of the lifting equipment while maintaining lifting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful chain attachment is extracted from the system. Instead of permanently attaching a chain to the pump, the invention uses a removable loop on the pump that interfaces with a separate lifting hook. This extraction eliminates the corrosion and fouling problem associated with permanent chain attachment while preserving the essential lifting function.
2Ease of operation
If a releasable hook is manually guided onto the pump loop, then the pump can be lifted, but the process is troublesome, risky and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The loop is pre-attached to the pump in a fixed, predetermined position and orientation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual alignment during lifting operations. The loop is already in the correct position for the hook to engage, transforming a complex manual alignment task into a simple automatic coupling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting system is designed to couple automatically without requiring manual guidance or alignment by operators. The predetermined positioning of the loop and the design of the hook enable self-aligning and self-coupling operation, eliminating the troublesome and time-consuming manual guiding process while reducing operational risk.
3Reliability
If the well is pumped out before retrieval, then the lifting operation can be performed safely, but the process is time consuming and adds operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The requirement for well pumping is extracted and eliminated from the lifting procedure. The invention enables safe lifting operations without requiring the well to be pumped out first. The removable loop and hook system allows direct coupling and lifting, removing the time-consuming well pumping step while maintaining safety through proper lifting mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If operators work in confined, dirty spaces below ground level, then the pumps can be serviced, but operators are exposed to hazardous conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting system is designed to perform coupling and uncoupling operations automatically without requiring operator intervention in the hazardous confined space. The predetermined loop positioning and automatic hook engagement enable the system to service itself, allowing operators to remain safely above ground level while pumps are serviced below.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop and hook system acts as an intermediary mechanism that transfers the lifting function from above-ground equipment to the submerged pump. This intermediary system enables safe operation by mediating the connection between the operator's lifting device and the pump in the hazardous environment, eliminating the need for operators to directly interact with the confined space.
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
The device automates the hook-up process, reducing operator risk, lowering operational costs, and enabling safer, more efficient lifting and lowering of submersible pumps, even in challenging environments, by using a guided path and weight-activated release mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a securing mechanism on said first member which automatically secures said lifting loop to said first member when said lifting loop engages said first member
Implementation Method 2
a release mechanism for releasing the securing mechanism to release the lifting loop from the first member
Implementation Method 3
a second member having means on said second member for automatically guiding said lifting loop to define a path for coupling and uncoupling of said lifting loop to and from said first member
Data Source
AI summary
There is a method and a device for lifting and lowering respectively a load, the load having a lifting loop attached to the load. The device comprising: a first member having means for attachment to a lifting device and means for attachment to the lifting loop of the load; a second member having means on the second member for automatically guiding the lifting loop to define a path for coupling and uncoupling of the lifting loop to and from the first member; a securing mechanism on the first member which automatically secures the lifting loop to the first member when the lifting loop engages the first member; and a release mechanism for releasing the securing mechanism to release the lifting loop from the first member.