Power Tong Vertically Pivoting Door Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power tongs used in oil and gas drilling operations face challenges in securely gripping and rotating threaded pipe connections due to inadequate door locking mechanisms, which can lead to instability and increased load on pivot pins during operation.
Innovation Solution
A power tong design featuring a vertically pivoting door with curved protrusions and grooves, along with a docking member system, to securely lock the door in the closed position, reducing the load on pivot pins and enhancing operational stability by providing additional securing structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple door closing mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the door cannot be securely locked in the closed position, leading to instability during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved protrusions and curved grooves on the door and body surfaces that engage during pivoting motion. The curved geometry allows the door to be securely locked in the closed position through surface engagement rather than simple point contact, providing reliable locking while maintaining relatively simple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking member acts as an intermediary element between the door and body. It engages with the docking member receptacle to provide additional securing structure, mediating the connection between the door locking mechanism and the main body to enhance reliability without significantly increasing overall complexity.
2Reliability
If additional securing structures are added to the door, then the door locking reliability is improved, but the load on pivot pins increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved protrusions and grooves are designed to engage during the door's pivoting motion, distributing the locking force across a curved surface rather than concentrating it at a single point. This reduces the peak load on the pivot pins while maintaining secure door closure through the geometric engagement of the curved features.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a robust door locking mechanism is implemented, then operational stability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved protrusions and grooves provide robust door locking through geometric engagement that maintains operational stability. The curved surfaces naturally guide the door into the locked position during pivoting, providing stable closure without requiring complex multi-component locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved protrusions and grooves serve multiple functions: they guide the door during pivoting motion, provide the primary locking mechanism, and distribute loads during operation. This multi-functionality achieves robust door securing while avoiding the need for separate, additional complex locking components.
4Force
If the door is secured with multiple structures, then the load distribution on pivot pins is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved protrusions and grooves can be manufactured as integrated features on the door and body surfaces using standard machining or forming processes. The curved geometry distributes loading during door closure and operation, reducing peak forces on pivot pins while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through continuous surface features rather than multiple discrete components.
Data Source
AI summary
A power tong having a door that pivots in a vertical plane that is parallel to a plane that includes the axis of the tubular being made up or broken down by the power tong. The door is pivotally coupled to a power tong body for movement between an open position, that allows a tubular joint to be introduced through a throat and into a bay of the power tong, and a closed position that closes the bay of the power tong to enable the gripping and rotating components of the power tong to be engaged to grip and rotate the tubular joint introduced into the power tong. The power tong door includes structures that are engaged upon pivotal closure of the door with corresponding structures on the power tong body.