Rotary Thread Lubrication for Drill Pipe Internal Threads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for lubricating internal threaded portions of drill pipes are inefficient, particularly when drill strings are pulled out and separated, leading to exposure to weather and contamination, and manual application is restricted due to safety concerns, resulting in incomplete lubrication and increased wear and corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A lubrication device with a rotary applicator body connected to a fluid passage system that allows rotation and internal lubricant supply, ensuring consistent lubrication of internal threaded portions, even when the drill pipes are at rest, and includes a cleaning unit to prepare the surface for lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual lubrication is used on drill pipes pulled out of the well, then accessibility to the threaded portions is improved, but safety risks increase due to restricted access to the drilling floor
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication device is designed to be self-contained with an integrated lubricant reservoir and applicator system that automatically applies lubricant to the threaded portions of drill pipes without requiring personnel to manually access the drilling floor. The device can be operated from a safe distance, eliminating the safety risks associated with manual lubrication while maintaining accessibility to the threaded portions.
2Productivity
If drill pipes are separated and placed in the finger board with boxes projecting above the deck, then drill string separation is efficient, but the threaded portions become exposed to weather and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication device applies protective lubricant to the threaded portions of drill pipes before they are exposed to weather and contamination. By lubricating the threads in advance during the separation process, the device creates a protective barrier that prevents corrosion and contamination, allowing the drill pipes to be efficiently placed in the finger board with boxes projecting above the deck without compromising the threaded portions.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional lubrication methods are used on internal threaded portions, then lubrication can be applied, but complete and consistent coverage is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication device uses an intermediary applicator mechanism that delivers lubricant directly to the internal threaded portions of drill pipes. The applicator system ensures complete and consistent coverage by systematically distributing the lubricant throughout the threaded areas, achieving uniform protection that conventional methods cannot provide.
4Productivity
If drill pipes are handled quickly with remote-controlled iron rough-necks, then make-up and break-out operations are efficient, but thorough lubrication application becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication device is designed to operate continuously during the drill pipe handling process, applying lubricant without interrupting the rapid make-up and break-out operations. The device maintains continuous lubrication application even as drill pipes are quickly moved and positioned by remote-controlled iron rough-necks, ensuring thorough coverage is achieved without sacrificing operational efficiency or requiring additional time.
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
The device ensures thorough lubrication of internal threaded portions, reducing wear and corrosion, and maintaining operational efficiency by allowing controlled lubricant distribution and application, even in restricted access environments.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary device comprising: a first coupling part; a second coupling part; at least one through fluid passage for carrying the lubricant from an inlet on the first coupling part to an outlet on the second coupling part; the first coupling part and the second coupling part being arranged to rotate relative to each other around a rotational axis that, in use, coincides in the main with the longitudinal axis of the pipe body
Implementation Method 2
at least one through fluid passage for carrying the lubricant from an inlet on the first coupling part to an outlet on the second coupling part
Implementation Method 3
a lubrication device for applying a lubricant from a lubricating-fluid reservoir to an internal threaded portion of a pipe body... ensuring consistent lubrication of internal threaded portions, reducing wear and corrosion
Data Source
AI summary
A lubrication device, a lubrication system and a method are for applying a lubricant from a lubricating-fluid reservoir to an internal threaded portion of a pipe body. The lubrication device includes: a rotary device having: first and second coupling parts, and fluid passage for carrying the lubricant from the first coupling part to the second coupling part. The first and the second coupling parts are arranged to rotate relative to each other around an axis that coincides in the main with the longitudinal axis of the pipe body. An applicator body is connected to the second coupling part to allow rotation around the rotational axis of the rotary device. The applicator body has a fluid passage with an outlet for carrying the fluid to the applicator surface as the fluid passage in the applicator body is in fluid communication with a corresponding fluid passage in the rotary device.