Snubbing Slip Load Transfer Control System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional snubbing units in the oil and gas industry face challenges in safely and reliably transferring heavy tubular loads due to manual operation, which can result in accidental release of load-bearing components, risking equipment damage and personnel safety.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing actuation sensors and a control system to monitor and control the engagement and load transfer of load-bearing components, ensuring that one set of slips is fully engaged before releasing the other, using position and load sensors to confirm proper engagement and prevent accidental release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation of slips is used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but safety and reliability deteriorate due to accidental release risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously monitors the engagement status of both slip sets through sensors and provides feedback signals. The system only permits release of one slip set when sensors confirm the other slip set is fully engaged, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism that prevents accidental release while maintaining operational control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If automated control system is implemented, then safety and reliability improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A control system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the slip mechanism. This intermediary layer processes sensor data, enforces safety logic, and controls slip actuation, thereby improving reliability without requiring direct complex interaction between the operator and the mechanical slip system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces purely manual mechanical operation with an automated control system that uses sensors and electronic controls to monitor and manage slip engagement. This substitution enhances safety by eliminating human error while maintaining the core mechanical slip function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If sequential slip engagement is enforced, then load transfer safety improves, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload transfer safetyVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control system requires preliminary confirmation that one slip set is fully engaged before permitting release of the other slip set. This preliminary action ensures load transfer safety by verifying engagement status in advance, preventing premature release that could compromise load support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8939219B2System and method for monitoring and controlling snubbing slips

Publication Date: 2015.01.27 SNUBCO MFG

AI summary

A system and method for monitoring and controlling a snubbing unit having traveling slips and stationary slips are provided. Position sensors are associated with the slips for detecting opened and closed positions of the slips. Load sensors are associated with the slips for detecting load status of the slips. A control system receives input signals from the sensors, and confirms that either the traveling slips or the stationary slips are loaded before releasing or allowing the release the opposing set of slips, when transferring the pipe string load from the one set of slips to the other set of slips.