Pipe Wiper Box Sliding Containment Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drill pipe wiper systems face issues with fluid spillage and equipment damage during tripping out, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the use of hinges that are prone to damage and require additional equipment.
Innovation Solution
A pipe wiper assembly with sliding containment arms that adjust between open and closed positions, eliminating the need for hinges and reducing manufacturing costs, while providing a secure storage mechanism for the wiper within the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hinges are used in pipe wiper systems, then the wiper can be stored within the housing, but the hinges are prone to damage and require additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hinge component entirely from the pipe wiper system. Instead of using hinges to attach the wiper to the housing, the design uses a direct attachment mechanism where the wiper is secured to the housing through a simplified structure that eliminates vulnerable hinge joints, thereby preventing fluid spillage while reducing equipment complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe wiper system is divided into separate functional components: the housing, the wiper element, and the attachment mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the attachment mechanism designed to secure the wiper without requiring hinges, thus improving reliability while maintaining storage capability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional pipe wiper systems are used, then fluid spillage can be prevented, but equipment damage occurs and downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe wiper is pre-positioned within the housing in a stored condition before tripping out the drill pipe. The wiper is attached to the housing in advance through the simplified attachment mechanism, ensuring it is ready to immediately prevent fluid spillage when the pipe is withdrawn, thereby preventing damage and reducing downtime by eliminating the need for additional equipment or complex assembly operations
Data Source
AI summary
The pipe wiper assembly of the present invention assists with wiping the pipe as the pipe is removed from the hole (“tripped out”). The pipe passes through the two pipe apertures of the pipe wiper assembly during the removal. Two upper containment arms adjust between an open position and a closed position within the housing to form the upper pipe aperture. The lower containment lip forms the lower piper aperture. The upper containment arms and lower containment lip partially enclose the housing to prevent the wiper from exiting the wiper storage. The containment arms slideably adjust to eliminate the need for hinges. The removal of the hinges provides for easier storage and transportation of the pipe wiper assembly. The removal of hinges also reduces manufacturing costs of the pipe wiper assembly.