Rig Rotation Assembly Using Independent Lifting Jacks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for moving and rotating heavy drilling rigs lack independent directional control and require manual intervention, and they fail to rotate hydraulic lift rods without moving the entire hydraulic lift cylinder, complicating the positioning of bearing pads.
Innovation Solution
The system employs independent vertical lifting jack assemblies with hydraulic cylinders and elongated rods that can rotate independently, using a slew drive to rotate the rods while keeping the cylinder housing stationary, and a roller assembly with retainer plates to transfer rotational movement to bearing pads, allowing incremental movement and alignment without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If traditional roller and skid systems are used to move the drilling rig, then the rig can be moved without disassembly, but the systems lack independent directional control and require manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the rig movement control into multiple independent lifting jack assemblies, each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows automated control of individual units while maintaining overall system coordination, eliminating the need for manual intervention in steering and positioning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting jack assemblies are designed with dynamic control capabilities, allowing each unit to independently adjust its movement, rotation, and positioning. This dynamic control enables automated directional steering and alignment during rig relocation, replacing manual operation requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If hydraulic lift cylinders are rotated to position bearing pads, then rotational positioning is achieved, but the entire cylinder housing moves along with the rod, complicating the positioning process
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the rotational function from the hydraulic lift cylinder by using a separate slew drive mechanism. The cylinder housing remains stationary while the rod rotates independently through the slew drive, simplifying the positioning process and improving bearing pad placement precision without the complexity of moving the entire cylinder assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the rotational positioning function from the lifting function. The hydraulic cylinder provides vertical lifting while a separate slew drive mechanism provides rotational positioning of the rod. This functional segmentation allows independent control of positioning parameters and reduces overall system complexity.
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
This solution enables precise, independent directional control and rotational positioning of heavy equipment, simplifying the rig movement and alignment process by directly transferring rod rotation to bearing pads without complex linkages, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Each lifting jack assembly includes a hydraulic cylinder housing and an elongated extendible and retractable rod movable axially within the cylinder housing
Implementation Method 2
A screw drive in the form of a slew drive rotates the elongated rod with respect to the cylinder housing so that the cylinder housing remains stationary and attached to the pod bracket while the rod rotates
Implementation Method 3
Each rod of each lifting jack assembly is attached at its lower end to a bearing pad
Data Source
AI summary
A rig movement, rotation and alignment assembly. A plurality of lifting jack assemblies are provided, each of the lifting jack assemblies attached to a rig substructure. Each of the lifting jack assemblies has a cylinder housing and a rod movable axially within the cylinder housing. Each rod is engaged with a screw drive in order to rotate the rod with respect to the cylinder housing. Each rod includes a circumferential recess wherein the circumferential recess includes at least one flat segment. A retainer plate attached to each bearing pad is received in and engaged with the circumferential recess and with the flat segment, so that rotation of the rod results in rotation of the bearing pad.