Pipe Gripping Assembly Power Screw Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe handling tools in oil and gas well drilling operations require hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, which are prone to leakage and necessitate frequent maintenance, and often require personnel to handle and manipulate pipe sections, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A mechanically actuated pipe gripping system using a quill with an inner and outer tubular member interconnected by threads and a motor-driven gear system, allowing axial movement of the outer tubular member to engage and disengage slips along a tapered surface, eliminating the need for hydraulic cylinders and enabling remote operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders are used to actuate the pipe gripping system, then the slips can be moved between engaged and disengaged positions, but the system becomes prone to leakage and requires frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder systems with a mechanically actuated system using a quill, inner tubular member, outer tubular member, and power screw mechanism. This substitution eliminates fluid leakage issues inherent in hydraulic/pneumatic systems while achieving the same function of moving slips between engaged and disengaged positions through pure mechanical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanically actuated system is designed to be self-contained and self-regulating. The power screw mechanism converts rotational motion of the quill directly into axial movement of the outer tubular member, which in turn moves the slips. The system uses its own mechanical components to achieve actuation without requiring external fluid pressure systems, reducing maintenance needs.
2Ease of operation
If personnel manually handle and manipulate pipe sections, then flexibility in handling is maintained, but safety risks increase due to exposure to hazardous conditions
Solution Approach 1:
This principle does not apply to the given patent. The patent achieves automated operation through mechanical actuation of the pipe gripping system, allowing remote operation without requiring personnel to be in hazardous areas. The quill-driven power screw mechanism automatically moves the slips to engage and disengage from pipe sections, eliminating manual handling while maintaining operational control.
3Ease of operation
If multiple pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders are mounted around the quill to move the slips, then the slips can be effectively actuated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple actuation functions into a single integrated mechanical system. Instead of using multiple separate hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders mounted around the quill, the invention combines the actuation function into one quill-driven power screw mechanism that converts rotational motion into axial movement, thereby actuating the slips with a single unified system rather than multiple independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The quill serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, transmits rotational motion, and through the power screw mechanism, converts rotation into axial displacement to move the outer tubular member and slips. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate actuators for each function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective slip actuation.
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 reduces maintenance needs, minimizes personnel exposure to hazardous conditions, and efficiently handles and rotates pipe sections during drilling and running operations with improved reliability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The internal thread of the outer tubular member interconnects with the external thread of the inner tubular member. When power is applied to the motor to turn the shaft and gear, the gear acts against the spline and turns the outer tubular member with respect to the inner tubular member. This rotation along the thread between the inner and outer tubular members forces the outer tubular member to move axially in relation to the inner tubular member.
Implementation Method 2
The outer tubular member is connected to a drive assembly, comprising a mandrel with a tapered surface and slips mounted around the tapered surface. Axial movement of the outer tubular member with respect to the quill causes slips to move along the tapered surface of the mandrel from an engaging connection with the pipe to a disengaged position.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe gripping assembly having a quill, an actuator and a drive assembly mounts to a top drive of a drilling rig. The quill is connected to a mandrel in the drive assembly. The drive assembly has a tapered mandrel and a set of slips that move along the taper into and out of engagement with the pipe. The actuator is connected to both the quill and a portion of the drive assembly. The actuator includes a motor and at least two sleeves that are threaded together. One sleeve has a spline on its outside diameter that mates to the motor and a gear. Power applied to the motor causes the actuator to move slips in the drive assembly into an engagement position that grips the pipe for lifting and rotating the pipe.