Modular Spider Assembly for Rotary Table Pipe Gripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spider systems for rotary tables are not adaptable to different pipe sizes and rotary table openings, requiring multiple spiders for varied use and being difficult to disassemble, maintain, and replace, with limited adaptability and manual operation.
Innovation Solution
A modular spider design with integrated slip carriers and a linear motor for powered radial movement, featuring changeable dies and a segmented ring structure that can fit non-circular recesses, allowing easy assembly and disassembly, and accommodating various pipe sizes by substituting components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current spider systems are designed for specific pipe sizes and rotary table openings, then they provide reliable pipe gripping performance, but they require multiple spiders for different applications and are difficult to disassemble, maintain, and replace
Solution Approach 1:
The spider assembly is divided into modular components including a body, multiple slip carriers, and interchangeable dies. Each slip carrier is a separate module that can be independently replaced or adjusted, allowing the system to adapt to different pipe sizes while maintaining reliable gripping performance through standardized modular interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The spider assembly is designed with universal features including a standardized body that can accommodate multiple slip carriers and interchangeable dies. This multi-functional design allows a single spider assembly to handle various pipe sizes and configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized spiders
2Reliability
If current spider systems are designed for specific pipe sizes, then they provide optimized gripping for that size, but they require separate spiders for different pipe sizes increasing inventory complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The spider assembly incorporates universal slip carriers and interchangeable dies that can be configured for different pipe sizes. This allows a single standardized spider body to perform optimized gripping for multiple pipe sizes by simply changing the die components, significantly reducing inventory requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains optimized gripping performance across different pipe sizes by changing the parameters of the gripping interface through interchangeable dies. The core spider assembly remains the same, but the die parameters are adjusted to match different pipe dimensions, preserving gripping optimization without increasing inventory
3Device complexity
If manual operation is used for slip manipulation, then the structure can be simpler, but the operation efficiency and adaptability to various pipe sizes are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The slip carriers are designed with dynamic capabilities through powered actuation mechanisms that enable automated radial movement. This transforms the static manual operation system into a dynamic automated system, improving operation efficiency while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through integrated motor-driven components
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 adaptable and efficient pipe gripping with even pressure distribution, reducing inventory and manufacturing complexity while allowing easy maintenance and resizing for different rotary table sizes.
Implementation Method 1
The slips are powered by a linear motor in both directions. This will allow for powered radial movement in both directions.
Implementation Method 2
The non-continuous peripherally distributed parts of the assembly have a slip manipulation surface which slopes downward toward the vertical center line of the rotary table. On each surface a slip will travel, so that when the slip moves down, it also radially constricts.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary table has a non-circular drive recess in the central opening which carries an assembly of mounting structures and slip carriers that when joined together fit in the non-circular drive recess. The plurality of slip carriers are distributed about the periphery of the drive recess are extended down into the central opening of the rotary table. A slip and die arrangement is situated on each slip carrier. Slip manipulation drive cylinders, are distributed about the assembly periphery and move a synchronizer plate that moves the slips vertically to grip or release pipe extending through the opening of the rotary table.