Stabbing Guide Actuation Mechanism for Tubular Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stabbing guides in the oil and gas industry are cumbersome due to their large size and weight, limiting flexibility and requiring significant manual intervention for operation.

Innovation Solution

A compact and lightweight stabbing guide with moveable guide members and an actuation mechanism, integrated into a tubular connection tool, allowing for minimal manual operation and easy handling, with the ability to be used with different tubular diameters and featuring a support for storage and transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a mounting frame is used to support the stabbing guide, then the guide members can be positioned accurately, but the size and weight of the stabbing guide increase, reducing flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidweight of stabbing guide

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting frame is extracted and removed from the stabbing guide design. The guide members are now directly supported by the tubular connection tool itself, eliminating the additional structural components while maintaining positioning functionality through the tool's inherent structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tubular connection tool is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the connection tool and the support structure for the guide members. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting frames and positioning mechanisms, reducing overall weight and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If a mounting frame is used to support the stabbing guide, then the guide members can be positioned accurately, but the size of the stabbing guide increases, reducing flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsize of stabbing guide

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support function and positioning function are merged into the tubular connection tool's existing structure. The guide members utilize the tool's body and components as their support structure, combining multiple functions into a single integrated system rather than adding separate mounting infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If manual location and manipulation is used, then the stabbing guide can be operated, but significant manual intervention is required, reducing operational efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveoperabilityVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The tubular connection tool is designed to automatically perform the functions of locating, supporting, and positioning the guide members during the connection operation. The tool's inherent mechanical structure provides self-guiding and self-positioning capabilities, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The tubular connection tool acts as an intermediary between the operator and the guide members. Instead of directly manipulating the guide members, the operator controls the connection tool, which in turn automatically positions and manipulates the guide members, reducing manual effort while improving efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If additional tools are used to operate the stabbing guide, then the guide can be manipulated, but space requirements increase and handling becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemanipulabilityVSAvoidnumber of tools

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12044082B2Stabbing guide and an operating method

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 ITREC BV

AI summary

A stabbing guide for tubulars, including a body; a plurality of guide members moveably supported by the body to receive a tubular and to move relative to the body between an open position and a closed position; and an actuation mechanism configured to be operated to move the plurality of guide members between the open and closed positions, wherein the body is configured to be held by a tubular connection tool.