Rotatable Blowout Preventer Cradle with Pivoting Gate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions fail to provide a cradle or collar for blowout preventers that allows for rotational positioning during installation, removal, transportation, and storage, while accommodating various sizes and ensuring retention during operation.
Innovation Solution
A cradle with a pivoting gate and rollers that can be manually or mechanically rotated, attached to a storage, transport, and lift skid assembly, allowing for secure retention and movement of blowout preventers of different sizes, with adapters for smaller diameters and a hydraulic motor for mechanical rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the blowout preventer is transported horizontally on a flatbed trailer, then transportation is simplified, but rotation to vertical position and alignment with wellhead becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle is designed with a rotatable frame that can dynamically change orientation from horizontal transport position to vertical installation position. The frame rotates about a vertical axis to align the blowout preventer with the wellhead, and can also tilt to accommodate different wellhead positions, providing the needed adaptability while maintaining transportation simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The cradle serves multiple functions: it acts as a transport platform, a rotational positioning device, and an installation aid. The universal design allows the same cradle structure to handle both horizontal transportation and vertical positioning requirements, eliminating the need for separate handling equipment
2Manufacturing precision
If the blowout preventer is rotated to align flange bolts with wellhead openings, then proper installation alignment is achieved, but the operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle acts as an intermediary device between the blowout preventer and the wellhead. It provides a controlled rotation mechanism that simplifies the alignment process by allowing the operator to rotate the entire cradle assembly rather than manually rotating the heavy blowout preventer, thereby achieving precise alignment with simpler operations
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation function is segmented into discrete, manageable steps. The cradle frame can be rotated in controlled increments to bring flange bolts into alignment with wellhead openings, making the complex alignment task into a series of simple, sequential positioning operations
3Ease of operation
If the blowout preventer is rotated to avoid substructure clashes, then proper positioning over wellhead is achieved, but the operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle is designed with pre-configured rotation capability that allows the operator to anticipate and perform necessary rotations before approaching the wellhead. The frame can be rotated in advance to the correct orientation, reducing on-site adjustment time and avoiding clashes with substructure during the critical installation phase
4Adaptability or versatility
If a cradle is designed to accommodate various sizes of blowout preventers, then versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle incorporates adjustable parameters such as modifiable frame dimensions, adaptable central opening size, and configurable gate positions. These parameter changes allow the same cradle structure to accommodate different blowout preventer sizes without requiring multiple specialized cradles, achieving versatility through flexible design rather than structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A retention, transportation and positioning cradle for a blowout preventer. The cradle includes a frame surrounding a circumference of the blowout preventer, with the frame having an opening for receipt or removal of the blowout preventer. A lift connecter mechanism on the frame connects to a lift mechanism. A pivoting gate encloses the opening on the frame. A plurality of rollers on an upper support surface of the frame engages the blowout preventer permitting rotation of the blowout preventer with respect to the cradle.