Retractable Mousehole Apparatus for Drilling Rig Crane Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
State-of-the-art mouseholes interfere with overhead crane operations on drilling rigs, requiring time-consuming and risky disconnection of utilities and lifting devices to allow unimpeded crane movement, due to their fixed suspension from the drill floor.
Innovation Solution
A retractable mousehole apparatus with a carrier connected to the deck structure, featuring guiding devices and movement means, including winches and cables, allowing the mousehole to be moved between an active position extending into the cellar compartment and a retracted position above the drill floor, thus avoiding interference with crane operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the mousehole is suspended from the drill floor, then the drill pipe can be held in vertical orientation, but the overhead crane operations are interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The mousehole apparatus is made movable between a retracted position (stored above the drill floor) and an extended position (deployed into the cellar compartment). The carrier can be moved along the deck structure using movement means, allowing the system to dynamically adapt between interfering with crane operations and providing stable drill pipe holding functionality.
2Area of stationary object
If the mousehole is extended into the cellar compartment, then access to cellar deck area is enabled, but crane movement is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The mousehole apparatus transitions between extended and retracted positions. When extended, it provides access to the cellar compartment for drill pipe handling. When retracted, it clears the cellar deck area for unimpeded crane operations, allowing both functions to operate at different times without conflict.
Solution Approach 2:
The mousehole apparatus is moved along the vertical dimension (above and below the drill floor) rather than occupying horizontal space in the cellar compartment. This dimensional transition allows crane operations in the horizontal plane to proceed unimpeded when the mousehole is retracted to the vertical storage position.
3Ease of operation
If the mousehole is disconnected and reconnected, then crane movement is enabled, but operational time and risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of disconnecting and reconnecting utilities, the mousehole apparatus dynamically moves between retracted and extended positions while remaining connected to the deck structure. This eliminates the time-consuming disconnection/reconnection process while still enabling crane operations when retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier serves multiple functions: it can move the mousehole apparatus between positions, provide guiding devices for the main body, and maintain utility connections. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate disconnection and reconnection operations, reducing time loss.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables unimpeded movement of overhead cranes by retracting the mousehole apparatus, reducing operational risks and time consumption, while maintaining access to the cellar deck area for efficient drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
The movement means comprises a first winch arranged on the carrier, a cable extending from the winch, via the interaction member and back to a second winch or fixture on the carrier
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A mousehole apparatus having a main body (14) configured for holding a drill pipe or similar elongate element, comprises a carrier (8) connected to a deck structure (34) and having a support region (9) adapted for releasable supportive interaction with an abutment element (5) on the main body. The carrier comprises guiding devices (6a,b) for the main body and movement means (10, 12, 16, 22) operable to move the main body with respect to the carrier.