Pipe Handling Apparatus Live Surface Pendulum Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe handling systems for drill rigs are inefficient and unsafe, as they require manual stabilization of penduluming tubulars, which are heavy and potentially hazardous, especially in adverse weather conditions, and lack efficient methods for quickly delivering or removing tubulars from the well center.
Innovation Solution
A pipe handling apparatus with a live surface that controls the motion of tubulars to reduce pendulum motion, combined with a catwalk having a reversible kink and a conveyor system, allowing for efficient delivery and removal of tubulars, and a stand building apparatus for assembling and disassembling tubulars offline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual stabilization of penduluming tubulars is used, then tubulars can be hoisted and presented at the rig floor, but physical strain and safety risks for personnel increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The live surface automatically controls the motion of tubulars during hoisting, eliminating the need for manual stabilization by personnel. The system serves itself by using the controlled motion of the live surface to dampen pendulum effects without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The live surface acts as an intermediary between the hoisting mechanism and the tubulars, mediating the motion transfer and controlling the dynamics to reduce pendulum motion while protecting personnel from safety risks.
2Productivity
If tubulars are presented near the edge of the drill rig floor, then they can be hoisted by drill rig equipment, but personnel must work near the well center in hazardous conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The live surface extends horizontally over the rig floor, creating a new spatial dimension for tubular presentation. This allows tubulars to be delivered at a distance from the well center while still being accessible to hoisting equipment, removing personnel from hazardous zones.
3Productivity
If conventional pipe handling systems are used, then tubulars can be delivered to the rig floor, but the process is slow and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The live surface provides continuous motion control throughout the entire tubular delivery process, eliminating interruptions and manual intervention steps. This continuous action accelerates the tripping operations and improves overall productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe handling system comprises a carriage having an upper surface adapted to support a tubular. The carriage comprises a first section and a second section. The first and second sections are pivotally coupled together for rotation about a pivot axis. The carriage is movable relative to a base and configured such that the leading end of the carriage is elevated as the carriage is advanced. An actuator is coupled between the first and second sections. The actuator is operable to pivot the second section relative to the first section about the pivot axis. In some embodiments the carriage is configured with a positive kink to deliver tubulars to a rig floor and with a negative kink to deliver tubulars to an online or offline stand building system. In some embodiments a live surface on the carriage is controllable to reduce or eliminate swinging of tubulars as they are transferred to or from the drill rig.