Mobile Drilling Rig Substructure Height Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling rig designs face challenges in mobility due to height restrictions and uneven load distribution, particularly with larger rigs that exceed power line clearance and require extensive dismantling for transportation, leading to increased downtime and logistical complexities.
Innovation Solution
A mobile drilling rig system with pivotable wheel assemblies and a collapsible substructure that can be raised and lowered using hydraulic cylinders and scissors apparatuses, allowing for efficient movement and assembly without external cranes, while maintaining a low center of gravity and compact transport configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rig is mounted on tires for mobility, then the rig can be moved between well sites, but the rig height exceeds power line clearance restrictions and causes electrical arcing hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The substructure is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between an extended drilling configuration and a retracted transport configuration. During transport, the substructure is lowered to reduce overall rig height, allowing the rig to pass under power lines without electrical arcing while maintaining mobility on tires.
Solution Approach 2:
The substructure can be lowered vertically to change the height dimension, transforming the rig from a tall drilling configuration to a compact transport configuration that fits under power line clearance restrictions while maintaining tire-based mobility.
2Force
If the substructure is made larger for large hookload applications, then the rig can handle heavier loads, but the rig becomes too tall to move under power line restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The substructure is designed with variable height capability, allowing it to be extended to full height for drilling operations to maximize hookload capacity, and retracted to a lowered position for transport to comply with power line clearance restrictions.
3Ease of operation
If the rig is dismantled into pieces for transportation, then the rig can be moved between well sites, but the rig experiences increased downtime and logistical complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The substructure is divided into modular sections that can be independently adjusted or reconfigured, allowing the rig to be prepared for transport by lowering and securing specific substructure components without requiring complete dismantling of the entire rig system.
Solution Approach 2:
The substructure's ability to dynamically lower and retract allows the rig to be quickly prepared for transport by simply lowering the substructure to a transport position, eliminating the need for time-consuming complete dismantling and reassembly operations.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the substructure is lowered for transport, then the rig height complies with power line restrictions, but the rig requires complex raising and lowering mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Hydraulic cylinder apparatus are used to provide powered raising and lowering of the substructure, enabling compliant height adjustment for power line clearance while reducing the manual complexity compared to purely mechanical systems. The hydraulic system allows controlled, stable positioning at various heights.
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
Enables quicker and more efficient rig movement with reduced downtime, improved load distribution, and enhanced maneuverability, accommodating larger rigs within height restrictions and facilitating easier transportation and assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a raising system connected to the substructure and to the base box for raising the substructure above the base box, the raising system includes a plurality of powered cylinder apparatuses for raising and lowering the substructure
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of scissors apparatuses for bracing the substructure, the scissors apparatuses each with top ends connected to the substructure and bottom ends connected to the base box, the scissors apparatuses positionable in a collapsed configuration with the substructure lowered and in an extended configuration with the substructure raised
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of wheel assemblies pivotably connected to the base box, each of the plurality of wheel assemblies selectively pivotable from a first position to a second position, the first position for moving the mobile drilling rig from a first location to a second location
Data Source
AI summary
Mobile drilling rigs and methods for moving drilling rigs are disclosed which, in one aspect, include wheel assemblies connected to a rig which wheel assemblies are selectively movable from a rig drilling position to a rig movement position. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).