Reversible Rod Tong Assembly with Rotatable Inner Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rod tongs require manual disconnection of hydraulic power and complex manual steps to change between making and breaking connections, leading to increased operational complexity and time delays.
Innovation Solution
A reversible rod tong assembly with an outer ring and inner ring, where the outer ring rotates to engage and disengage jaws using rollers, and a lock mechanism allows for automatic return to default positions, eliminating the need for manual orientation changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual steps are used to change between making and breaking connections, then the device structure remains simple, but operational time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner ring is made rotatable relative to the outer ring, allowing the tong to dynamically switch between making-up and breaking-out modes by rotating the inner ring to different angular positions. This dynamic configuration eliminates manual repositioning steps while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The same tong assembly performs both making-up and breaking-out functions by utilizing the rotatable inner ring mechanism. The jaws and rollers work in both directions, allowing one device to handle multiple operational modes without requiring separate tools or complex reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If hydraulic power remains connected during orientation changes, then operational continuity is maintained, but safety risks increase due to potential unintended movement
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable inner ring mechanism automatically maintains proper jaw orientation relative to the rod square during both making-up and breaking-out operations. The system self-adjusts through the controlled rotation mechanism, eliminating the need for manual power disconnection and repositioning by operators.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the inner ring is fixed in orientation, then the device structure is simpler, but the ability to switch between making and breaking modes requires manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The inner ring is made rotatable relative to the outer ring, allowing the tong to dynamically switch between making-up and breaking-out modes by rotating the inner ring to different angular positions. This dynamic configuration eliminates manual repositioning steps while maintaining operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A rod tong assembly has inner and outer rings. The outer ring has rollers disposed about a central opening. The inner ring disposes in the outer ring and has three jaws for engaging a rod element. The outer ring is rotated clockwise to make a rod connection and is rotated counter-clockwise to break the rod connection. When rotated, the rollers pivot the opposing jaws pivot against flats of the rod element. Further rotation of the outer ring then rotates the inner ring to respectively tighten or loosen the connection. To return the assembly to its default condition, operators switch a lock disposed on the inner ring to a return condition. When the outer ring is then rotated back, the lock catches on the outer ring and allows the inner ring to rotate in the same direction as the outer ring.