Wellbore Mud Pit Safety System with Perimeter Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wellbore drilling mud pits pose a drowning risk due to their large dimensions, and existing safety measures are inadequate in detecting incidents and deploying rescue devices promptly and effectively.
Innovation Solution
A fluid pit safety system comprising sensors to detect changes in fluid height, a perimeter detection sub-system to identify disruptions, and a rescue device that can be actuated by a computer system to deploy a net or other rescue mechanism, alerting personnel and expediting rescue efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional safety measures are used in mud pits, then device complexity is reduced, but safety reliability and response time are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The safety system is divided into distinct functional modules: perimeter detection subsystem with light emitters and detectors, fluid height sensors, computer system for signal processing, and rescue device. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the complex safety system to be managed through modular components that can be independently optimized and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection actions by continuously monitoring the perimeter and fluid height before drowning incidents occur. The perimeter detection subsystem and fluid height sensors are always active, detecting disruptions or height changes that indicate potential incidents, enabling early warning and prompt rescue deployment.
2Loss of time
If manual detection and rescue deployment are used, then device complexity is low, but response time and rescue effectiveness are delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensors detect perimeter disruptions or fluid height changes, send signals to the computer system, which processes the information and automatically triggers the rescue device. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates manual detection delays and ensures rapid automated response to drowning incidents.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety system operates autonomously by self-detecting incidents through its sensor network and self-activating the rescue device when drowning conditions are detected. The computer system automatically processes sensor signals and deploys the rescue device without requiring human intervention, enabling the system to serve itself in detecting and responding to incidents.
3Productivity
If automated rescue systems are deployed, then rescue effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation and maintenance become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical detection and rescue deployment with automated electronic and mechanical systems. Light emitters and detectors substitute for human visual detection, fluid height sensors replace manual water level monitoring, and automated motors deploy the rescue device instead of manual operation, significantly improving rescue effectiveness while reducing human labor requirements.
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 significantly reduces the frequency and severity of drowning incidents, fatalities, and injuries by autonomously detecting perimeter breaches and fluid height changes, deploying rescue devices, and alerting personnel, thus enhancing safety in wellbore drilling environments.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid height sensor can be an ultrasonic sensor
Implementation Method 2
The perimeter detection sub-system can include at least one light emitter configured to emit a light beam; a plurality of field deflectors configured to direct the light beam, and at least one light beam detector configured to detect the light beam
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid pit safety system is disclosed to prevent drowning incidents in a fluid pit filled with a fluid. The system comprises a plurality of sensors spatially disposed adjacent the fluid pit, a perimeter detection sub-system defining a perimeter arranged around an edge of the fluid pit, and a rescue device arranged in the fluid pit. The plurality of sensors are configured to detect a change in fluid height in the fluid pit. The perimeter detection sub-system is configured to detect a disruption in the perimeter. The rescue device is configured to move towards a surface of the fluid in the fluid pit in response to the plurality of sensors detecting the change in the fluid height in the fluid pit and the perimeter detection sub-system detecting the disruption in the perimeter.