Rotary Lock Starter Gear Gap for Full-Torque Unlocking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blowout preventer (BOP) systems face challenges in efficiently and reliably unlocking the rotary lock system, particularly in providing full torque to the lock member to facilitate the unlocking operation.
Innovation Solution
The starter engine system, which includes a rotary engine, a gear box, and a starter engine component, operates to provide full torque to the lock member by utilizing a circumferential gap between the driven gear and the rotatable starter component, allowing the rotary engine to complete a defined number of turns before applying torque to the lock member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large, high-power engine is used to provide full torque to unlock the rotary lock, then the unlocking reliability is improved, but the system size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary rotation of the drive shaft through the gear box before applying torque to the lock member. The circumferential gap allows the driven gear to rotate freely for a defined number of turns without engaging the lock member, enabling the engine to build up full torque gradually. This preliminary action sequence ensures reliable unlocking while allowing the use of a smaller, less complex engine.
2Device complexity
If a small, low-power rotary engine is used to reduce system size, then the device compactness is improved, but the torque availability for unlocking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential gap between the driven gear and rotatable starter component enables preliminary rotation without load. The small engine can complete multiple turns to build up speed and torque before the driven gear engages the lock member, ensuring sufficient torque availability despite the engine's small size.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear box acts as an intermediary between the small rotary engine and the lock member. It provides mechanical advantage through gear reduction, converting the small engine's high-speed, low-torque output into the high-torque, low-speed rotation needed to unlock the lock member.
3Speed
If torque is applied immediately to the lock member, then the unlocking speed is improved, but the engine must be large and complex to provide full torque from startup
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the unlocking process into two phases: preliminary rotation phase where the driven gear rotates freely through the circumferential gap, and torque application phase where the lock member is engaged. This allows rapid engagement once full torque is available, achieving fast unlocking without requiring a large, complex engine.
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 the rotary lock system to effectively and reliably unlock, allowing the rams to open and close freely, while also enabling the use of a small, low-power rotary engine to operate the system compactly.
Implementation Method 1
a gear box, and a starter engine component. The gear box includes a drive gear, a chain, and a driven gear
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary lock system includes a gear configured to be driven to rotate via an engine. The rotary lock system includes a rotatable starter component configured to engage the gear via an interface. The interface includes a circumferential gap to enable the gear to rotate through an angle before contacting and driving the rotatable starter component.