Lifting Plug Grease Collection Groove for Reliable Threading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Excess grease applied to the threaded portions of tubular members during drilling operations can lead to connection failures due to the operator's lack of awareness of the grease quantity applied.

Innovation Solution

A lifting plug with a grease collection groove and apertures is designed to collect and evacuate excess grease from the threaded portion of tubular members, ensuring a reliable connection by minimizing grease interference.

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 serves as an intermediary device between the grease application process and the final connection. It includes a grease collection groove that intercepts excess grease during the threading operation, allowing the threading to proceed smoothly while preventing harmful amounts of grease from reaching the connection interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the harmful element (excess grease) from the system by providing a dedicated collection groove in the lifting plug. This groove captures and removes excess grease during the threading operation, separating the beneficial lubrication function from the harmful excess grease accumulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the operator applies grease to the threaded portion, then the threading process is improved, but the operator has little awareness of the quantity of grease being applied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethreading processVSAvoidgrease quantity awareness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting plug acts as an intermediary that provides visual feedback about grease quantity. The grease collection groove becomes visibly filled with excess grease during application, giving the operator immediate information about how much grease has been applied without requiring complex measurement tools

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design extracts excess grease from the system through the collection groove. By positioning the groove on the lifting plug itself, the design ensures that grease is captured at the source during threading operations, preventing accumulation that would otherwise occur on the lifting plug surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting plug is segmented into functional zones: the lifting surface area and the grease collection groove area. This segmentation allows the lifting plug to simultaneously provide lifting capability while dedicating a specific portion (the groove) to grease collection, preventing grease from contaminating the lifting surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4538498A1Lifting plug
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 VALLOUREC MANNESMANN OIL & GAS FRANCE
  • EP4538498A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4538498A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4538498A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a lifting plug for connection with a tubular member, the lifting plug comprising a body comprising an externally threaded portion; a flange at a first end of the body for engagement with a lifting means; and a grease collection groove interrupting at least a part of the externally threaded portion.