Pipe Puller Assembly for Low-Slope Skidway Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe handlers struggle to efficiently move pipes down a skidway at low slopes, where gravitational force is insufficient due to increased friction, requiring additional machinery and complex installations.
Innovation Solution
A pipe puller assembly that attaches to existing skate systems, featuring a skate attachment with linear bearings, a slide mechanism, and a pivotable pipe grasp, allowing for mechanical engagement and disengagement without power, wires, or control systems, and adjustable grips for various pipe sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the skidway slope is reduced to lower the drilling platform, then the platform is more accessible and safer, but gravitational force becomes insufficient to move pipes down the skidway due to increased friction
Solution Approach 1:
A cable is introduced as an intermediary element to transmit pulling force from the skate mechanism to the pipe. The cable allows the skate to pull the pipe horizontally or at shallow angles when the pipe is near the kickers, overcoming the insufficient gravitational force at low slopes without requiring a steep skidway inclination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its pulling mechanism based on pipe position. When the pipe is at higher positions, gravity naturally pulls it down. When the pipe approaches the kickers and gravity becomes insufficient, the system transitions to active cable pulling by the skate mechanism to complete the movement, creating a dynamic hybrid system that uses both gravitational and mechanical forces as needed.
2Productivity
If additional pipe pulling machinery is installed to handle low slope operations, then pipe movement capability is improved, but device complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The skate mechanism is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a pushing device (using its front face) and as a pulling device (using the cable attachment at its rear). This eliminates the need for separate pulling machinery, as the same skate handles both pushing pipes up the skidway and pulling them down to the kickers, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pushing and pulling functions are merged into a single integrated skate mechanism. The front skate face handles pushing operations while the rear cable attachment handles pulling operations, combining what would traditionally require separate machines into one unified device that simplifies installation and operation.
3Reliability
If a pipe puller mechanism is added to assist pipe descent, then pipe handling reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable pulling mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the skate's own motion. As the skate reciprocates along the skidway, its rearward movement automatically tensions and pulls the cable, which in turn pulls the pipe down to the kickers. The skate's operational cycle itself provides the pulling action, eliminating the need for separate motors, controls, or power systems that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable serves as a simple mechanical intermediary that directly transmits the pulling force generated by the skate's motion to the pipe. This straightforward mechanical connection avoids complex control systems, sensors, or powered actuators, maintaining reliability through simplicity of the force transmission path.
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
Enables reliable and intuitive pipe handling at low slopes, reducing the need for duplicate machinery and simplifying installation, with magnetic assistance for stable engagement and disengagement, enhancing versatility and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a pipe grasp pivotal about a pipe grasp rotary axis that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis, the pipe grasp configured to pivot between a first pipe grasp position disengaged from the pipe and a second pipe grasp position engaged with the pipe
Implementation Method 2
a linkage coupling the skate plate to the pipe grasp and converting reciprocal movement of the skate plate into rotary movement of the pipe grasp about the pipe grasp rotary axis
Implementation Method 3
at least one linear bearing supported by the skate attachment; the at least one slide passing through the at least one linear bearing and configured to linearly reciprocate within the at least one linear bearing
Implementation Method 4
with magnetic assistance for stable engagement and disengagement
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe puller removably couples to a pipe handler skate using two manually removable pins. The pipe puller includes at least one slide and linear bearing combination, a skate plate affixed adjacent a first end of the slide and interposed between a front skate face and a pipe in the skidway, a pipe grasp pivotal between a first position disengaged from the pipe and a second position engaged with the pipe, linkage coupling the skate plate to pipe grasp and converting reciprocal movement of the skate plate into rotary movement of the pipe grasp, and a puller stop bracket secured to the pipe handler. A pair of force threshold activated pipe grasp assists retain the pipe grasp in either pipe-engaged or pipe-disengaged position until a force threshold is reached greater than and separate from the static and dynamic coefficients of friction of the various pintles and linear bearings.