Self-adjusting pipe spinner with remote drive assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipe spinning technologies require manual adjustment and operator intervention to accommodate different pipe diameters, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and poses safety risks due to the need for climbing and manual manipulation of complex machinery.
Innovation Solution
A self-adjusting pipe spinner with a case having pivotally connected members and a drive assembly that can be moved horizontally via gear racks, allowing for remote adjustment of the chain length to accommodate various pipe diameters, eliminating the need for manual repositioning of the drive assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of the drive assembly is used to accommodate different pipe diameters, then the spinner can be adjusted to various pipe sizes, but the adjustment process is time-consuming and requires operator intervention that poses safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The drive assembly automatically adjusts its position along the gear rack to accommodate different pipe diameters without requiring manual intervention. The system uses the pipe itself as a reference, with the drive assembly moving to the appropriate position based on the pipe's dimensions, thereby eliminating the time-consuming manual adjustment process while maintaining full adaptability to various pipe sizes
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of the drive assembly is used to accommodate different pipe diameters, then the spinner can be adjusted to various pipe sizes, but operator safety is compromised due to the need for climbing and manual manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the adjustment operation autonomously, with the drive assembly moving itself along the gear rack based on the pipe diameter. This eliminates the need for operators to climb onto the spinner or manually manipulate the drive assembly, thereby maintaining full adaptability to different pipe sizes while completely removing the safety risks associated with manual adjustment operations
3Device complexity
If the drive assembly is fixed in position, then the structure is simpler, but the spinner cannot accommodate different pipe diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The drive assembly is designed to move along the gear rack, transforming from a fixed to a dynamic configuration. This movement capability allows the spinner to accommodate different pipe diameters by positioning the drive assembly at appropriate locations along the rack, while the overall structural simplicity is maintained through the use of a straightforward linear guidance system rather than complex multi-axis mechanisms
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
Enables safer and quicker pipe changes by allowing remote adjustment of the spinner to accommodate different pipe sizes, reducing operator risk and increasing efficiency in tripping operations by automating the process of making and breaking threaded connections.
Implementation Method 1
Upper and lower plates having gear racks are mounted on the stationary case member for moving a drive assembly horizontally across the case
Implementation Method 2
a chain spinner that uses a chain to engage and spin the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A self-adjusting spinner is provided that is capable of accommodating various pipe sizes without requiring the need for an operator to climb up the support mechanism and manually change the position of the drive assembly. The self-adjusting spinner includes a case having two pivotally connected members: a stationary case member and a moving case member. Upper and lower plates having gear racks are mounted on the stationary case member for moving a drive assembly horizontally across the case. The drive assembly includes a motor that drives gear sprocket through a drive shaft. The drive sprocket then drives a chain that rotates a drill pipe in an operative position relative to the case. The spinner also includes an adjusting assembly mounted on the case that moves the drive assembly along the gear rack upon the actuation of an adjustment sequence. When the adjustment sequence is initiated, the effective length of the chain is adjusted to accommodate drill pipes of varying diameters.