Threaded Lifting Plug With Grease Evacuation for Reliable Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Excess grease applied to the threaded portions of tubular members can lead to connection failures during drilling operations, as the operator has limited control over the grease quantity and its distribution.

Innovation Solution

A lifting plug with a tubular body featuring an externally threaded portion, a flange for engagement with a lifting means, and one or more apertures for grease evacuation, along with a grease collection groove to gather excess grease from the threaded portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If grease is applied to the threaded portion of a tubular member, then the threading operation is facilitated, but excess grease can lead to connection failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethreading operationVSAvoidconnection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting plug incorporates grease evacuation apertures that extract excess grease from the threaded portion of the tubular member during the threading operation. This allows the beneficial lubrication to remain while removing the harmful excess grease that would otherwise cause connection failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting plug acts as an intermediary device between the grease application and the connection interface. It provides a controlled path for grease evacuation through the apertures, mediating between the need for lubrication and the risk of excess grease causing failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the operator applies grease at the wellsite, then the threading is lubricated, but the operator has little awareness of the quantity of grease being applied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethreading lubricationVSAvoidgrease quantity control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting plug provides self-regulating grease evacuation through its apertures. The device automatically removes excess grease based on the actual amount present, eliminating the need for the operator to precisely measure or control grease quantity. The system self-adjusts to the varying amounts of grease applied

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a lifting plug is threadedly connected with a tubular member, then a lifting surface is provided, but the lifting plug itself can accumulate excess grease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting capabilityVSAvoidgrease accumulation on lifting plug

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting plug incorporates grease evacuation apertures that actively extract grease from its own threaded portion and from the tubular member's threads. This prevents grease accumulation on the lifting plug surface that would otherwise contaminate the next tubular member during subsequent operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4538499A1Lifting plug

Publication Date: 2025.04.16 VALLOUREC MANNESMANN OIL & GAS FRANCE

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AI summary

The invention relates to a lifting plug for connection with a tubular member, the lifting plug comprising a tubular body comprising an externally threaded portion; one or more apertures extending through the tubular body within the externally threaded portion; and a flange at a first end of the tubular body for engagement with a lifting means.