Two-Stage Mast Erection System for Drilling Rigs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern drilling rigs with increased capacity and size pose challenges in transportation and assembly due to the need for large and expensive multi-stage telescopic hydraulic cylinders, which can restrict transportability and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A system using two distinct mast erection apparatuses to raise the drilling rig mast in two stages, allowing for orientation at different angles, and a single hydraulic cylinder to raise the substructure, optimizing cylinder length and reducing overall height for transport while maintaining operational capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a single multi-stage telescopic hydraulic cylinder is used to raise the mast, then the mast can be raised to the required height, but the cylinder length and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mast raising operation is divided into two distinct stages using two separate apparatuses: a first mast erection apparatus raises the mast to an intermediate position at a first acute angle, and a second mast erection apparatus raises it further to a fully raised position at a second angle. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single complex multi-stage telescopic hydraulic cylinder, reducing both length and complexity while achieving the same functional outcome.
2Power
If larger drilling rig components are used to increase capacity, then drilling load capability increases, but transportation characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic mast erection where the mast is raised in two stages to different angles depending on operational requirements. The first apparatus handles the initial raising to an intermediate acute angle, and the second apparatus completes the erection to a fuller angle. This dynamic, staged approach allows high-capacity rigs with larger components to be transported efficiently while maintaining the ability to achieve full operational capacity at the drilling site.
Data Source
AI summary
A mast erection system includes a first mast erection apparatus that is adapted to pivotably raise a drilling rig mast of a drilling rig assembly to an intermediate raised position wherein the drilling rig mast is oriented at a first acute angle relative to a horizontal plane, and a second mast erection apparatus that is adapted to further pivotably raise the drilling rig mast from the intermediate raised position at the first acute angle to a fully raised position wherein the drilling rig mast is oriented at a second angle relative to the horizontal plane that is greater than the first acute angle.