Sucker Rod Transfer Assembly Spring Safety Ring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sucker rod transfer systems rely on gravity to maintain safety rings in place, which can lead to accidental dislodgment and potential damage or injury due to the unwieldy weight and size of sucker rods.
Innovation Solution
A sucker rod transfer assembly featuring a spring that biases a safety ring into a retaining configuration, providing a secure and automatic means to prevent the sucker rod from falling, using a spring with a spring index of at least 30 and a spring force of up to 10 pounds-force to maintain the sucker rod in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gravity is used to maintain safety rings in place, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to accidental dislodgment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the safety ring from a passive gravity-dependent component to an actively biased component by introducing a spring mechanism. The spring applies continuous mechanical force to maintain the safety ring in its engaged position, transforming the retention mechanism from gravity-based to elasticity-based, thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism automatically maintains the safety ring in the engaged position without requiring external intervention or monitoring. The elastic force self-regulates to keep the safety ring pressed against the sucker rod, providing self-service functionality that enhances reliability while keeping the device relatively simple
2Reliability
If a spring mechanism is added to bias the safety ring, then the reliability improves through automatic securement, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spring component that changes the mechanical state of the safety retention system from passive to active. The spring's elastic properties provide continuous biasing force, ensuring the safety ring remains engaged with the sucker rod, thereby improving reliability through automatic securement while adding only one additional component to the system
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as an intermediary element between the safety ring and the sucker rod, providing the necessary biasing force without requiring direct mechanical connection or complex actuation mechanisms. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system while achieving reliable automatic retention
3Ease of operation
If the spring force is kept low (less than 10 pounds-force), then the ease of operation improves for manual handling, but the force available to secure the sucker rod is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the spring force parameter to a specific range (less than 10 pounds-force) that balances two competing requirements: providing sufficient biasing force to maintain safety ring engagement with the sucker rod while keeping the force low enough to allow easy manual compression and operation. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and securing force
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 spring-based safety ring system ensures continuous and automatic securement of the sucker rod, preventing unintended disengagement and enhancing safety during handling and transportation, reducing the risk of damage or injury.
Implementation Method 1
a spring that circumscribes the outer surface of the body and that is in biasing contact with the safety ring
Implementation Method 2
These rings rely on gravity to remain in place and may be moved out of place inadvertently
Data Source
AI summary
A sucker rod transfer assembly for handling a sucker rod prior to the sucker rod being installed for use in a well. The transfer assembly includes an elongated body having a cavity that receives an end of the sucker rod. A slot is formed in an end wall of the body, and an opening extends lengthwise along the body that exposes the cavity. The sucker rod is engaged with the transfer assembly by inserting a tip and shoulder of the sucker rod laterally into the opening while sliding a portion of the sucker rod below the shoulder into the slot. The sucker rod is axially supported in the transfer assembly by interfering contact between the shoulder and edges of the slot. A spring selectively biases safety rings around the sucker rod end to retain the sucker rod end in the cavity.