Telescopic Filling Pipe for Casing Liquid Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for filling casing pipes with drilling liquid during commissioning are time-consuming and inefficient, requiring additional systems and equipment, which occupy valuable space and increase costs, and do not allow for flexible adaptation to varying distances between the liquid storage and the casing top.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic filling pipe with a constricted outlet that extends axially under pressure and retracts due to a prestressed force, such as a spring or elastic body, allowing for flexible alignment and sideways movement, enabling continuous liquid supply during casing assembly and lowering without the need for additional hydraulic systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate hydraulic system with storage and pressure transmitter is used to extend the filling pipe, then the pipe can be extended and retracted, but the system becomes more complex and occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pipe extension function with the liquid supply function by using the liquid pressure itself to drive the telescopic extension, eliminating the need for a separate hydraulic system. The filling pipe combines both liquid delivery and mechanical extension capabilities in a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own liquid supply pressure to automatically extend the telescopic pipe sections, without requiring external hydraulic power. The liquid flow serves dual purposes: filling the casing and providing the mechanical force for extension.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional hydraulic systems and equipment are added for pipe extension, then the pipe can be extended, but the equipment occupies valuable space and increases costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the extension mechanism within the existing filling pipe structure, using telescopic sections that slide within each other. This eliminates the need for separate hydraulic cylinders and power units, significantly reducing the space required on the drilling deck.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling pipe uses nested telescopic sections where one pipe section is inserted within another, allowing compact storage when retracted and extended configuration when needed, maximizing space efficiency on the drilling installation.
3Device complexity
If the filling pipe is fixed length, then the system is simpler, but it cannot adapt to varying distances between liquid storage and casing top
Solution Approach 1:
The filling pipe transitions from a fixed length design to a dynamic telescopic design, allowing the pipe length to change based on operational requirements. The telescopic sections can extend to reach varying distances between the liquid storage and casing top, then retract when not needed.
4Ease of operation
If the casing is filled while unattached to the deck, then the Top Drive is free to position, but liquid spillage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filling operation is performed in advance, during the casing assembly phase on the deck, before the casing is lowered into the well. The telescopic pipe extends and fills the casing while it is still positioned on the deck, preventing spillage that would occur during lowering operations.
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
This solution allows for continuous casing filling without interrupting operations, enabling efficient liquid supply during assembly and lowering, reducing equipment needs, and improving adaptability and safety by minimizing liquid spillage and space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a constricted outlet which means that the pipe end part is pushed axially outwards and extends the filling pipe when the liquid is supplied under pressure
Implementation Method 2
the pipe end part is pushed outwards during the counter effect from a prestressed force and is pulled back by the influence of said prestressed force when the supply of liquid ceases
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described for supply of liquid from a liquid storage to a casing string (10,12, 14..) which from a deck (16) on an installation is conveyed down in a well with the help of a pipe handler comprising an elevator, where the liquid is supplied via an uppermost casing (10) which is added to the casing string, and the liquid is supplied through a filling pipe (30) via an outlet nozzle (36) to the top of the casing (10) already during the pipe's (10) screwing into the casing string (10, 12, 14..) where the filling pipe is extended during the liquid supply until the casing string is being lowered down to a position where it is securely locked to the deck (16), and liquid is added to a suitable level in the casing string. The method is characterised in that the filling pipe (30) is extended in that it comprises a telescopic axially moveable pipe end part (35) with a constricted outlet (36) which leads to the pipe end part (35) being pushed axially outwards and extends the filling pipe (30) when the liquid is supplied under pressure, and the pipe end part (35) is pushed outwards under the counter effect of a prestressing force, and pulled back under the influence of said prestressing force when the liquid supply stops. Also described is a device as given in claim 10.