Self-aligning Pipe Gripping Assembly with Rotational Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe gripping devices in oil well drilling are prone to damage from off-center forces, leading to costly and time-consuming repairs, and require manual realignment to maintain effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
Self-aligning piston assemblies with a cam and roller mechanism that can rotate out of alignment to mitigate stress and automatically return to an aligned position, using a splined shaft and energy-storing springs to engage and disengage pipe segments, and a die assembly for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional pipe gripping devices are fixedly mounted in a robust support, then structural stability is improved, but the device becomes susceptible to damage from off-center forces and requires manual realignment
Solution Approach 1:
The piston assembly is designed with rotational freedom around the shaft, transitioning from a fixed static mounting to a dynamic self-aligning structure. The piston body can rotate relative to the piston rod, allowing the gripping device to adapt to off-center forces and maintain reliability without manual realignment.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional pipe gripping devices are fixedly mounted, then ease of manufacture is improved, but loss of time occurs due to manual realignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The piston assembly automatically realigns itself through rotational movement around the shaft when subjected to off-center forces. This self-correcting mechanism eliminates the need for manual realignment operations, reducing downtime while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the addition of rotational freedom.
3Manufacturing precision
If the piston body is constrained to remain aligned with the shaft, then gripping precision is improved, but the device becomes vulnerable to off-center loads
Solution Approach 1:
The piston body is designed with asymmetric rotational capability around the shaft, allowing it to tilt and rotate away from perfect alignment when subjected to off-center forces. This controlled asymmetry protects the device from damage while maintaining sufficient gripping precision through the cam and roller mechanism.
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 self-aligning piston assemblies reduce the risk of damage from off-center loads, allow for automatic realignment, and maintain effective pipe gripping without manual intervention, enhancing the durability and efficiency of pipe handling operations.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient, energy-storing member may be in a pre-compressed state when the piston body is in the engaged position
Implementation Method 2
The resilient, energy-storing member comprises a plurality of springs
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe gripping assembly to selectively engage and disengage a pipe segment includes first and second jaws configured to clamp together around the pipe segment, at least one splined shaft fixedly housed in each of the first and second jaws; and at least one self-aligning piston housed in each of the first and second jaws and configured to slide and to rotate along the splined shaft. The self-aligning pistons each include a piston body, a cam, and a roller assembly coupled to the piston body and to the splined shaft. Each one of the roller assembly is configured to rotate relative to one of the cams.