Pivot Locking Arm for Pipe Cradle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting and storing long drilling pipes in the oil and gas industry are inefficient as they often result in pipe damage due to shifting during transit, which can lead to costly and time-consuming repairs.
Innovation Solution
A releasable lock mechanism for a pipe cradle that includes an elongate arm pivotally mounted on a cradle frame, with a threaded locking element that secures cross-beams in place, preventing movement and ensuring the pipes remain aligned and secure during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If horizontal cross-beams are used to maintain pipes in position, then pipes are secured during transport, but beams can shift in transit causing pipe movement and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The locking means incorporates an elongate arm that can pivot between a first position (allowing beam insertion/removal) and a second position (securing beams in place). This dynamic mechanism transforms the static cradle into an adaptable system that can both load/unload and secure pipes, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking means acts as an intermediary element between the cradle frame and the horizontal cross-beams. By introducing this intermediate locking mechanism, the system achieves both secure beam positioning and maintained structural stability, preventing the beam shifting problem while preserving ease of pipe handling.
2Reliability
If multiple cradles are deployed along the length of pipes, then pipe support is improved, but a shift at one cradle can still cause pipe bending and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The locking means prevents harmful pipe movement by proactively securing horizontal cross-beams in place before transport begins. By preemptively locking the beams, the system counteracts potential shifting forces that could cause pipe bending, thereby protecting against damage across all cradles deployed in the pipe string.
3Productivity
If industrial slings are used to transport pipes, then pipes can be moved efficiently, but pipes do not maintain their shape when not being lifted
Solution Approach 1:
The locking means performs preliminary securing of horizontal cross-beams to the cradle frame before the pipes are subjected to transport forces. This preliminary action ensures that when pipes are placed on the cradle, they are immediately supported in a stable configuration that maintains their shape and alignment throughout transport, eliminating the need for continuous lifting to maintain form.
Data Source
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AI summary
A releasable lock (11) for a pipe cradle is disclosed. The releasable lock (11) comprises an elongate arm (1), pivotally secured at a first end to a pivot end mounted on a cradle frame (12). At a second end the releasable lock comprises a locking element (3), said locking element (3) being moveable between a release position allowing pivoting of the elongate arm (1) about the pivot end and a gripping position preventing said pivoting. The pivot end is moveable about a pivot pin (10) housed on the cradle, said movement displacing the elongate arm (1) between a first release position allowing removal or addition of pipes (15) from/to a cradle and a second position in which pipes are secured in position in the cradle.