Robotic Pipe-Dope Applicator With Low-Pressure Priming

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe-doping systems for drill strings in oil and gas drilling operations face issues such as contamination, variability in application quality, safety risks in the red zone, high costs, complexity, reliability concerns, and limited versatility due to high-pressure spray systems and fixed-position rotating applicators.

Innovation Solution

A robotic pipe-dope application system with a universal applicator and priming station that uses a robotic arm to autonomously apply pipe dope to both male and female portions of threaded connections, utilizing low-pressure pumping and a single applicator for various dimensions, eliminating the need for high-pressure equipment and reducing contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-pressure spray systems are used to apply pipe dope, then application speed and coverage are improved, but system complexity and cost increase, and reliability decreases due to nozzle clogging and pump failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the high-pressure spray mechanical system with a low-pressure foam generation system. Instead of using high-pressure pumps and spray nozzles, the invention uses a foam gun that mixes pipe dope with air at low pressure to create expandable foam, eliminating complex high-pressure components while maintaining application effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and pressure parameters of the pipe dope application. By transforming pipe dope from a liquid sprayed at high pressure into a foam at low pressure, the system achieves better penetration and coverage without the complexity and reliability issues associated with high-pressure systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high-pressure spray systems are used to apply pipe dope, then application speed is improved, but reliability worsens due to nozzle clogging and pump failure in low temperature conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication speedVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the high-pressure spray mechanical system with a low-pressure foam generation system. Instead of using high-pressure pumps and spray nozzles, the invention uses a foam gun that mixes pipe dope with air at low pressure to create expandable foam, eliminating complex high-pressure components while maintaining application effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and pressure parameters of the pipe dope application. By transforming pipe dope from a liquid sprayed at high pressure into a foam at low pressure, the system achieves better penetration and coverage without the complexity and reliability issues associated with high-pressure systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If fixed-position rotating applicators are used to apply pipe dope, then contamination is reduced, but versatility worsens as multiple applicators are needed for drill pipes of varying dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecontaminationVSAvoidversatility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic positioning capability where the foam gun can be moved to different positions and orientations along the drill pipe. This dynamic approach allows a single applicator to effectively service various pipe sizes and configurations, eliminating the need for multiple fixed applicators while maintaining contamination control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The foam gun applicator is designed as a universal tool that can apply pipe dope to various drill pipe configurations through positional adjustment. This single multi-functional applicator replaces the need for multiple specialized applicators, achieving versatility without compromising contamination control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250382848A1Robotic pipe dope application system

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 NAT OILWELL VARCO LP

AI summary

A pipe-dope application system can include an end effector including an applicator configured to retain pipe-dope for application to a drilling component surface, the end effector adapted for connection with a robotic arm configured to perform operations including: applying pipe-dope to the drilling component surface by moving the applicator along the drill pipe surface; and supplying pipe-dope to the applicator by positioning the applicator within a priming station configured to receive the applicator of the end effector.