Quick Bail Latch Mechanism for Safer Rig Bail Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing bail systems for drilling rigs are cumbersome and time-consuming to change, especially when switching from drilling to casing operations, requiring manual labor and increasing the risk of injury due to pinch-point areas, and existing solutions like link connectors and extensions are inefficient and pose safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A quick bail system that adapts to existing rig bails, allowing for easy extension and connection without manual intervention, using a bail extender with a latch pin mechanism that automatically locks and unlocks to secure the bail in place, eliminating the need for additional bails and reducing the risk of injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual bail changeout is performed to switch between drilling and casing operations, then the rig can accommodate different equipment types, but the process is time-consuming and increases the risk of injury due to manual labor and pinch-point areas
Solution Approach 1:
The bail system performs its own extension and connection operations automatically. The elevator bail automatically extends by engaging the connector, and the latch pin mechanism automatically locks and unlocks without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the need for workers to manually handle heavy bails, thereby reducing both the time required for bail changeout and the risk of injury while maintaining adaptability to different equipment types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual bail changeout is performed, then equipment type switching is possible, but the risk of injury increases due to pinch-point areas requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates manual intervention in hazardous areas by enabling the bail to automatically extend and lock into place. The latch pin mechanism self-actuates during the connection process, keeping workers' hands away from pinch-point areas between the bail, connector, and latch pin. This automatically performs the hazardous manual tasks while preserving the ability to switch between drilling and casing operations.
3Length of moving object
If existing solutions like link connectors are used to extend bails, then the overall length requirement is met, but additional bails of various lengths must be stored at the rig which is inefficient and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The bail system is divided into modular components: a standard elevator bail and a separate connector assembly. This segmentation allows the connector to be detached and stored when not in use, while the standard bail remains permanently installed on the rig. This eliminates the need to store multiple different-length bails, as the same standard bail can be quickly reconfigured with connectors as needed, reducing both inventory complexity and storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The bail system transitions from a static, fixed-length configuration to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. The connector can be quickly attached and detached to extend the bail length only when needed for specific operations. This dynamic approach allows the rig to use a single standard bail with variable extension capability, eliminating the need to maintain inventory of multiple fixed-length bails and reducing storage requirements.
4Loss of time
If link extensions are used to connect to existing rig bails, then downtime is decreased and extra-long elevator links are not needed, but manual removal of a pin at the extension is required which increases the risk of serious injury and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The latch pin mechanism is designed to automatically lock and unlock during the connection process without requiring manual intervention. As the elevator bail engages the connector, the latch pin self-actuates to secure the connection, keeping workers' hands away from dangerous pinch-point areas. This automatic self-service operation maintains the quick installation advantage while eliminating the safety hazard of manual pin removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of removing and installing pins is replaced by an automatic mechanical system. The latch pin mechanism uses the motion of the bail engagement itself to drive the locking action, substituting the need for manual pin handling with an automated mechanical sequence that is both faster and safer.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for extending rig bails, of which the method includes bringing a rig bail towards a connector end of a quick bail system such that an eyelet of the rig bail makes contact with a latch pin of the quick bail system so that the latch pin is moved to an open position, moving the eyelet of the rig bail to enter the connector end of the quick bail system and aligning the rig bail with the quick bail system, lowering the rig bails until the eyelet of the rig bail is fully entered into the connector end of the quick bail system, and returning the latch pin to a closed position.