Pipe Rolling Tool with Interchangeable Wheel Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual handling of racked tubulars at oil and gas wells is hazardous and inefficient, as workers must directly roll and lift pipes, risking injury and requiring multiple workers for heavier pipes.
Innovation Solution
A pipe rolling tool with bearing-mounted wheels on a long handle allows for safe and efficient movement of racked tubulars by inserting the wheel assembly into the pipe and pushing or pulling the handle, eliminating direct hand contact and enabling single-person operation for most pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If workers manually roll and lift pipes directly, then they can move the pipes, but workers are exposed to injury risks and require multiple workers for heavier pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pipe rolling tool as an intermediary device between the worker and the pipe. The tool includes a handle and a rolling mechanism that contacts the pipe, allowing the worker to move the pipe without direct hand contact. This mediator device transfers the moving function from direct manual handling to tool-assisted handling, thereby improving worker safety while maintaining ease of operation.
2Reliability
If multiple workers are used to move heavier pipes, then the pipes can be moved safely, but the operation becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pipe moving function into two independent parts: the pipe itself and the rolling tool. The tool handles the mechanical function of rolling and moving, while the worker simply operates the handle. This segmentation allows a single worker to perform the task that previously required multiple workers, thereby improving productivity while maintaining safe movement through the specialized design of the rolling mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If workers lean over longer pipe to reach shorter pipe on lower level, then they can access all pipes, but this exposes workers to injury risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the pipe moving operation through the use of a long handle that extends above the pipe rack level. The handle's extended structure allows the worker to reach pipes on lower levels without leaning over them, as the worker can operate the tool from a standing position at a safe distance. This dimensional change in the tool's geometry resolves the contradiction between accessibility and safety.
4Ease of operation
If direct manual manipulation of pipe joints is used, then pipes can be moved, but worker hands are exposed to injury
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling tool serves as a protective intermediary that prevents direct contact between the worker's hands and the pipe. The tool's handle and rolling mechanism perform the manipulation function, keeping the worker's hands at a safe distance from potential injury zones. This intermediary device maintains ease of manual manipulation while eliminating hand injury exposure.
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 tool reduces worker injury risk, allows for faster and safer movement of pipes, and enables single-person operation for most tubulars, while accommodating various pipe sizes with interchangeable wheel assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
bearing-mounted wheels on a long handle allows for safe and efficient movement of racked tubulars by inserting the wheel assembly into the pipe and pushing or pulling the handle
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for moving racked tubulars, such as pipe and casing joints on pipe racks at oil and gas well sites. The pipe moving tool comprises a wheel assembly with a long straight handle. The wheels fit inside the pipe, which is then moved by simply pushing or pulling the handle forward or backward, as needed. Several wheel assemblies of different diameters may be used interchangeably with a single handle. An extension handle also may be included. The use of this tool makes moving the pipe safer as the worker's hands are not exposed to injury. Additionally, the handle on the tool makes it possible to easily and more safely reach and move shorter pipes racked above or below longer pipes in a multi-level pipe rack; it is not necessary for the worker to lean over or under the longer pipes.