Molded Reinforcing Insert for Well Stripper Rubbers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and labor-intensive process of recovering and refurbishing metal inserts used in stripper rubbers for well drilling operations makes them economically unfeasible for disposal, necessitating a more cost-effective and easily replaceable reinforcing insert that maintains strength and resistance to deformation.
Innovation Solution
A molded reinforcing insert made of a high Shore D hardness material, such as polyurethane, encasing a metal ring or individual threaded inserts, which is cheaper to produce and can be economically disposed of after use, while providing equivalent or superior reinforcement to traditional metal inserts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional metal inserts are used in stripper rubbers, then reinforcing strength and resistance to deformation are improved, but production cost and refurbishment cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material consisting of a metal insert encased in molded material (rubber or polymer) to create the reinforcing insert. This composite structure combines the strength of metal with the cost-effectiveness and ease of manufacturing of molded materials, resolving the contradiction between reinforcing strength and production cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or other polymers with specific physical properties to replace traditional metal inserts. This parameter change allows for reduced production cost while maintaining adequate reinforcing strength through proper selection of material density, hardness, and structural design.
2Strength
If traditional metal inserts are used in stripper rubbers, then reinforcing strength is improved, but the refurbishment process becomes labor intensive and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by designing the reinforcing insert as a non-re refurbishable component that is replaced rather than refurbished. The molded material encasing the metal insert can be easily removed or replaced as a single unit, eliminating the labor-intensive grit blasting and surface preparation required for traditional metal inserts. This resolves the contradiction by accepting reduced refurbishment cycles in exchange for dramatically reduced refurbishment time and labor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the stripper rubber assembly into separable components: the reusable stripper rubber body and the disposable reinforcing insert. This segmentation allows the reinforcing insert to be easily removed and replaced without affecting the rest of the assembly, reducing refurbishment time while maintaining the strength benefits of a metal core during its service life.
3Ease of manufacture
If molded material is used to encase the metal insert, then production cost is reduced, but bonding compatibility with stripper rubber material must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating surface treatments or modifications on specific areas of the metal insert that enhance bonding compatibility with the molded material and stripper rubber. The surface of the metal insert may be treated with coatings, textures, or chemical treatments locally at the bonding interface to ensure reliable adhesion, while the bulk material maintains its strength properties. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring bonding reliability only where needed without compromising production cost benefits.
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 molded reinforcing insert reduces production costs and allows for easy disposal, maintaining performance and strength equivalent to traditional metal inserts, while simplifying the manufacturing and replacement process.
Implementation Method 1
a molded insert material in which the metal ring or the circular arrangement of individual threaded inserts is encased, the molded insert material having a Shore D hardness value of at least 55
Data Source
AI summary
A low cost, disposable, molded reinforcing insert which has a metal ring or a circular arrangement of threaded metal inserts encased therein, a low cost disposable stripper rubber for drill pipes or other tubulars which includes the molded reinforcing insert, and molding methods for forming the reinforcing insert and the stripper rubber.