Sealing Locking Rod Safety Clamp for Oil Well Polish Rod Ejection Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rod clamps in the oil and gas industry fail to prevent polish rods from being pushed out of the hole due to pressure or sand, leading to safety hazards and equipment damage, and require costly and risky removal of the drive head for maintenance, while also losing pressure sealing when the seal contact is compromised.
Innovation Solution
A sealing/locking rod safety clamp system that includes a lockable drive motor shaft, locking rams, and a redundant seal system to securely hold the polish rod in place, preventing movement and maintaining pressure sealing without the need for a stuffing box, allowing for tri-directional load handling and service operations without removing the drive head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional rod clamp is used to hold the polish rod, then the rod can be held in tension, but the rod can still be pushed out of the hole by pressure or sand, causing safety hazards and equipment damage
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into two independent but cooperating components: a first clamp portion that engages with the drive head shaft and a second clamp portion that engages with the polish rod. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally while working together to provide both holding and locking capabilities, preventing rod ejection under pressure or sand conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp portions are pre-configured with engagement features (teeth, grooves, profiles) that automatically engage with corresponding features on the drive head shaft and polish rod. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the clamp is installed, the rod is immediately secured against both tensile forces and axial pressure, eliminating the need for additional locking mechanisms
2Ease of repair
If the drive head is removed to allow rod and rotor service work, then access to the tubing string is possible, but the operation is costly and poses safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp design extracts the service access problem from the drive head removal requirement. By providing a clamp that can be independently installed and removed from the polish rod, maintenance personnel can service the rod and rotor without disturbing the drive head, effectively separating the service access function from the drive head assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp serves multiple functions: it holds the rod in tension during operation, locks the rod to prevent ejection under pressure, and enables service operations by being independently removable. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for drive head removal during maintenance, reducing both time and cost
3Reliability
If the seal contact with the polish rod is lost, then the stuffing box would lose pressure sealing, but the redundant seal system maintains sealing without a stuffing box
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the clamp structure itself. The clamp portions incorporate sealing surfaces that directly contact the drive head shaft and polish rod, creating a integrated sealing mechanism that eliminates the need for a separate stuffing box assembly while maintaining pressure sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The seal components within the clamp are designed as replaceable, cost-effective elements that can be quickly changed during maintenance without replacing the entire clamp or drive head assembly. This approach provides reliable sealing at lower cost and with reduced complexity compared to traditional stuffing box systems
Data Source
AI summary
Sealing/locking rod safety clamp systems and components are provided. In some embodiments, the systems can comprise a locking rod clamp, a lockable drive motor shaft, and locking shaft rams. Methods of use of sealing/locking rod safety clamp systems and components are also provided.