Power Swivel Guide Beam for Drilling Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power swivel systems in oil and gas drilling operations lack a rigid guidance system for vertical movement and effective torque transfer, leading to inefficiencies in drilling operations, particularly when attaching new sections of drill pipe.
Innovation Solution
A guide system comprising a mast, a pipe rotator, a guide beam, and a torque transfer assembly that allows the power swivel to pivot and rotate relative to the mast, enabling precise vertical movement and torque transfer, while maintaining stability during drilling operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the power swivel is suspended by steel cables from the mast, then the power swivel can move vertically during drilling operations, but the guidance and stability of the power swivel deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A guide beam is introduced as an intermediary component between the mast and the power swivel. The guide beam provides a rigid structural element that guides the vertical movement of the power swivel while allowing it to pivot and rotate. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by providing both guided movement capability and stability, eliminating the need for flexible steel cables while maintaining operational versatility.
2Reliability
If the power swivel is rigidly attached to the mast, then the guidance and stability are improved, but the ability to pivot and rotate for attaching new drill pipe sections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a dynamic attachment mechanism where the power swivel is coupled to the guide beam through a pivot point that allows controlled movement. The guide beam itself can rotate relative to the mast, enabling the power swivel to pivot and rotate away from the drilling structure when needed for attaching new drill pipe sections. This dynamic design maintains guidance and stability during drilling while providing the adaptability to reposition for pipe attachment operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If a guide system with guide beam and dolly assembly is introduced, then the vertical movement guidance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system is segmented into distinct functional components: a guide beam for vertical guidance, a dolly assembly for supporting the power swivel and enabling pivoting, and a torque transfer assembly for transmitting rotational force. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability. The modular approach reduces complexity by allowing independent design, assembly, and maintenance of each segment.
4Power
If a torque transfer assembly is added to transfer torque from the guide beam to the mast, then the torque transfer effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The torque transfer assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the guide beam and the mast. It includes a torque post that receives torque from the guide beam and transmits it to the mast through a connection mechanism. This intermediary assembly ensures effective torque transfer while maintaining a relatively simple structure that integrates seamlessly with the existing guide beam and mast components.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for drilling a subterranean borehole. In an embodiment, the system includes a mast, and a pipe rotator coupled to the mast. The pipe rotator includes a stem that is configured to be coupled to an end of a drillstring and a motor that is configured to rotate the stem. In addition, the system includes a guide beam coupled to the mast. The guide beam includes a longitudinal axis and is configured to guide vertical motion of the pipe rotator. The guide beam includes a plurality of elongate sections configured to be generally aligned along the longitudinal axis. In addition, the guide beam includes a plurality of coupling assemblies configured to interconnect the plurality of elongate sections and align the plurality elongate sections along the longitudinal axis.