Portable Sheave Stand for Slickline Unit Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The loose fixation of the lower sheave to the wellhead during wireline or slickline operations causes erratic movement, leading to unbalanced conditions that result in premature wear or breakage of the slickline/wireline.
Innovation Solution
A sheave stand system that includes a shaft through the center of the lower sheave to enable rotation about a central axis, a sheave holder to maintain the sheave in a vertical position, and a floor stand to anchor the system to the surface, stabilizing the lower sheave and preventing erratic movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lower sheave is loosely chained to the wellhead, then the sheave can move freely to accommodate cable tension, but this causes erratic movement leading to unbalanced conditions and premature wear or breakage of the slickline/wireline
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static loose chain connection to a dynamic telescoping boom mechanism that can extend and retract. The boom includes a retractable section that allows the lower sheave to move closer to or farther from the wellhead, providing controlled dynamic adjustment while maintaining stability through mechanical constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by introducing a controlled range of motion through the telescoping boom mechanism. The boom can extend to a first length or retract to a second length, allowing adjustment of the sheave position while maintaining balanced and stable operation, eliminating the erratic movement caused by loose chaining
2Reliability
If the lower sheave is fixed rigidly to the wellhead, then the sheave position is stable, but this prevents necessary movement to accommodate cable tension and operational requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces rigid fixation with a dynamic telescoping boom that provides controlled movement capability. The retractable section allows the boom to extend and retract as needed, providing adaptability for different operational requirements while maintaining stability through the mechanical structure and constraints of the telescoping mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The boom is divided into a fixed section and a retractable section, allowing independent movement of the retractable portion. This segmentation enables the system to maintain stable mounting points while providing flexible adjustment capability through the movable retractable section
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes an upper sheave configured to orient a cable towards a well, a lower sheave, having a center, configured to orient the cable towards the upper sheave, and a sheave stand. The sheave stand includes a shaft, running through the center of the lower sheave, configured to enable rotation of the lower sheave about a central axis, a sheave holder, fixed to the shaft, configured to hold the lower sheave in a vertical position, a tool leg, fixed to the shaft, configured to elevate the shaft to a height above a surface, and a floor stand, fixed to the tool leg, configured to anchor the sheave stand to the surface. The sheave stand stabilizes the cable by maintaining the lower sheave in a fixed rotational position.