Mud Bucket Integral Fluid Storage for Spillage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mud bucket systems are inefficient in preventing spillage of operational fluids during the disconnection of tubular string joints in subterranean operations, as they rely on external hoses and pumps to collect and transport drilling mud, which can lead to fluid loss and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A mud bucket system with a clam shell enclosure and integral storage tank that seals around the joint of a tubular string, capturing expelled fluids and storing them until the bucket is moved away from the well center, where the fluid is then drained into a collection chamber, reducing spillage and improving containment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If external hoses and pumps are used to collect and transport drilling mud, then fluid collection is achieved, but fluid spillage and loss occur during the process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling mud lossVSAvoidexternal hose and pump system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the fluid collection function and storage function into a single integrated mud bucket system. The bucket includes a collection chamber that receives expelled drilling mud and an integral storage tank that stores the collected fluid, eliminating the need for separate external hoses and pumps to transport the fluid away from the well center.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the storage function from the traditional external collection system and integrates it directly into the mud bucket at the well center. By incorporating an integral storage tank within the bucket structure, the system captures and stores drilling mud at its source without requiring external transport infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a sealed chamber is formed around the tubular joint, then fluid containment is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid containmentVSAvoidclam shell enclosure structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mud bucket is divided into distinct functional segments: a clam shell enclosure with first and second portions that form a sealed chamber, and an integral storage tank. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while working together as an integrated system, improving fluid containment through the sealed chamber design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If drilling mud is expelled during joint disconnection, then operational efficiency is maintained, but fluid spillage increases without proper containment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidfluid spillage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealed chamber formed by the clam shell enclosure acts as an intermediary between the tubular joint disconnection process and the external environment. It captures drilling mud as it is expelled during joint disconnection, preventing direct spillage while maintaining the operational efficiency of the disconnection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of expelled drilling mud (which would normally spill and be lost) into a beneficial outcome by capturing it in the sealed chamber and storing it in the integral storage tank. The expelled fluid becomes a recoverable resource rather than waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 system effectively prevents spillage and efficiently collects and stores operational fluids, enhancing the operational efficiency and safety of subterranean operations by ensuring all fluids are captured and reused.

Implementation Method 1

a clam shell enclosure comprising a first portion and a second portion, with the second portion rotationally coupled to the first portion, where the first portion and the second portion are configured to form a sealed chamber around a joint of a tubular string

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11473380B2Mud bucket with integral fluid storage

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 CANRIG ROBOTIC TECH AS

AI summary

A system including a mud bucket with a clam shell enclosure and a storage tank. The clam shell enclosure can have a first portion and a second portion, with the second portion being rotationally coupled to the first portion, where the first portion and the second portion are configured to form a sealed chamber around a joint of a tubular string when the second portion is rotated into engagement with the first portion, where the sealed chamber is configured to receive expelled fluid from the tubular string when the joint is unthreaded, and the storage tank is configured to receive and store the expelled fluid from the sealed chamber while the mud bucket is located at the well center.