Robotic Riser Connection Handling With Vision-Guided Bolt Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of connecting and disconnecting riser joints in offshore drilling operations is time-consuming and poses a risk of injury to workers due to the manual manipulation of riser bolts.
Innovation Solution
A robotic system with robotic arms and manipulation tools, equipped with cameras and control systems, is used to automate the process of connecting and disconnecting riser joints, including image analysis for determining bolt location and orientation, and a multi-function tool for manipulating riser connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual manipulation of riser bolts is used to connect and disconnect riser joints, then workers can perform the task with simple tools, but the process is time-consuming and poses a risk of injury to workers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robotic system. The robotic arm manipulates riser bolts using automated tools equipped with cameras and control systems, eliminating the need for workers to manually handle bolts with wrenches. This substitution resolves the contradiction by improving worker safety through automation while maintaining connection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system performs the connection task autonomously without human intervention during the critical bolt manipulation phase. The system uses camera-based image analysis to locate and orient bolts, then automatically manipulates them using robotic arms and specialized tools, making the system self-sufficient for the dangerous and time-consuming portions of the task.
2Device complexity
If workers manually manipulate riser bolts using wrenches, then the equipment required is simple, but the process exposes personnel to risk of injury or death
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple manual wrench system with a complex robotic system that includes robotic arms, camera systems for image capture and analysis, control systems, and automated manipulation tools. This increased device complexity eliminates worker exposure to harmful factors by removing personnel from the immediate vicinity of dangerous bolt manipulation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the dangerous bolt manipulation task. The camera system captures images of the riser connection, the control system processes this visual information to determine bolt locations and orientations, and the robotic arm executes the manipulation, creating a safe buffer between human operators and hazardous operations.
3Reliability
If automated robotic system is used to manipulate riser bolts, then worker safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is designed with multi-functionality to justify its complexity. The same robotic arm and manipulation tools are used for both locating/orienting bolts and manipulating them for connection. The camera system serves multiple purposes including image capture, bolt location determination, and orientation assessment. This universality helps offset the complexity by making the system versatile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The manipulation tool includes both the camera system and the bolt manipulation mechanism in a single unified tool that attaches to the robotic arm. The control system integrates image processing, bolt location determination, and robotic arm control into a cohesive automated workflow, reducing the need for separate systems and justifying the overall complexity.
4Productivity
If manual bolt manipulation is used, then the process requires minimal equipment, but it is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system enables continuous automated operation for bolt manipulation. Once the system is initialized and the riser joint is positioned, the robotic arm can continuously locate, orient, and manipulate bolts without interruption or breaks. The automated camera-based identification and robotic manipulation eliminate the sequential, time-consuming nature of manual bolt-by-bolt operations, significantly reducing total connection time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions automatically to prepare for bolt manipulation. The camera system pre-identifies bolt locations and orientations before the robotic arm begins manipulation. The control system pre-processes images to determine the sequence and parameters of bolt manipulation, allowing the robotic arm to execute operations efficiently without delays for manual assessment or planning during the actual connection process.
Data Source
AI summary
The system for making or breaking the riser includes a robotic system. The robotic system includes one or more robotic arms configured to be disposed on a spider deck, and one or more riser-connection manipulation tools each having a camera and being configured to manipulate a riser connection, the camera being configured to capture an image of an object, wherein each robotic arm is configured to couple to one riser-connection manipulation tool. Further the system for making or breaking the riser includes a control system. The control system includes a robot controller in communication with the one or more robotic arms and configured to control the one or more robotic arms. The system for making or breaking the riser is configured to analyze the image to determine the location and orientation of the object and transmit the location and orientation of the object to the robot controller.