Manifold With Side-Directed Ports For Mud Pipe Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for drilling rigs result in idle crew and operational delays due to the cumbersome and time-consuming process of attaching and detaching the effluent mud pipe, which is often larger in diameter and requires crane assistance, when moving the rig between borehole sites.

Innovation Solution

A manifold system with side-directed input ports and a monorail support structure allows for quick and unobstructed attachment and reattachment of the mud pipe, enabling efficient movement of the drilling rig between borehole sites with minimal pipe-fitting required, utilizing a longitudinal tubular body with supports and parallel pipes for fluid flow direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional mud pipe is used for effluent removal, then the pipe can handle heavy fluids, but the pipe weighs so much as to require a crane and coordination of pipe-fitters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle heavy fluidsVSAvoidweight of mud pipe

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The effluent removal system is divided into segments: a stationary manifold with multiple ports and mobile drilling rigs with individual mud pipes. Each rig connects to the manifold independently through standardized ports, allowing the heavy-duty function to be distributed rather than requiring one massive pipe for each rig.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The manifold acts as an intermediary between the stationary storage tank and the mobile drilling rigs. It provides a fixed connection point with standardized ports that accommodate multiple rigs sequentially, eliminating the need to move heavy pipes while still handling heavy fluids through its structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional mud pipe is detached and reattached before and after rig movement, then the rig can be moved to new borehole sites, but the operation imposes delays that leave the rig and drilling crew idle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to move rig to new sitesVSAvoiddowntime during pipe reattachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The manifold is pre-positioned at the drill site with multiple ports arranged to anticipate sequential rig movements. Drilling crews can begin preparations at one port while the rig is being moved to the next location, eliminating idle time through overlapping operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static pipe connections to dynamic, sequential connections. The manifold provides multiple accessible ports that allow the drilling operation to flow continuously from one rig position to the next, with crews working on pipe attachment/detachment during rig movement rather than during drilling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If conventional mud pipe is used, then the pipe is structured to handle heavy fluids, but the pipe is often larger than a foot in diameter and requires extensive pipe-fitting coordination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle heavy fluidsVSAvoidcoordination of pipe-fitters and crane operations

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manifold provides universal connection ports that can accommodate multiple drilling rigs with different mud pipe configurations. The standardized port design allows any rig to connect to any port, eliminating the need for custom pipe-fitting coordination for each specific rig-pipe combination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The manifold's standardized ports are designed to be self-aligning and easy to connect, reducing the skill level and coordination required for pipe-fitters. The structure allows drilling crews to perform much of the connection work themselves rather than requiring specialized pipe-fitting teams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 manifold system reduces downtime and operational costs by allowing seamless reconnection of the mud pipe, enabling continuous drilling operations without the need for extensive crane coordination, thus optimizing the drilling process across multiple boreholes.

Implementation Method 1

A longitudinal tubular body may be supported by at least two supports of a platform. The longitudinal tubular body can direct flow of drilling mud from a drilling rig.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS9291012B2Plural input mud-collecting manifold

Publication Date: 2016.03.22 FAB OF RIG & EXPLORATION EQUIP

AI summary

A manifold directs the flow of drilling mud from a drilling rig. A longitudinal tubular body has a first end and a second end, such that the longitudinal tubular body is supported by at least two supports of a platform. The platform can support a monorail that is parallel to the longitudinal tubular body, so that it is five feet of the longitudinal tubular body. The longitudinal tubular body can have at least three side directed input ports so that the ports are adapted to receive a mud pipe for attachment. Each of the three side-directed input ports can face substantially towards and above the monorail to provide unobstructed lateral attachment of a mud pipe to the longitudinal tubular body.