Telescopic Mast Double-Piston Actuator Drilling Rig

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drilling rigs with telescopic masts face challenges in achieving long drilling lengths without increasing dimensions and weight, which complicates transportation, rig up and rig down processes, and compromises safety and efficiency due to the limitations of traditional hydraulic systems.

Innovation Solution

A double-piston and double-effect telescopic mast system that extends or retracts its longitudinal extension using two actuator devices and a supply chamber, allowing for greater mobility and longer drill pipe lengths without increasing the rig's size or weight, by optimizing the movement system with aligned and opposed actuator devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the mast longitudinal extension is increased to accommodate longer drill pipes, then the drilling length is improved, but the rig dimensions and weight increase, complicating transportation and reducing mobility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling lengthVSAvoidrig weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mast is divided into multiple telescopic sections that can extend and retract independently, allowing the drilling length to be increased without permanently increasing the rig's overall dimensions or weight. The segmented structure enables the mast to achieve long drilling lengths when needed while maintaining a compact configuration for transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mast transitions from a static structure to a dynamic telescopic system that can change its length according to operational requirements. The movable sections allow the mast to extend during drilling operations to accommodate longer drill pipes, then retract to a compact size for transportation, thereby resolving the contradiction between drilling length and rig weight/dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of moving object

If the mast longitudinal extension is increased to accommodate longer drill pipes, then the drilling length is improved, but the rig dimensions increase, reducing mobility and ease of transportation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling lengthVSAvoidrig footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mast is divided into multiple telescopic sections that can extend and retract independently, allowing the drilling length to be increased without permanently increasing the rig's overall dimensions or weight. The segmented structure enables the mast to achieve long drilling lengths when needed while maintaining a compact configuration for transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mast transitions from a static structure to a dynamic telescopic system that can change its length according to operational requirements. The movable sections allow the mast to extend during drilling operations to accommodate longer drill pipes, then retract to a compact size for transportation, thereby resolving the contradiction between drilling length and rig weight/dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If traditional hydraulic systems are used to move the mast, then the structure is simple, but the stroke limitation restricts the maximum longitudinal extension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator system complexityVSAvoidmast extension length

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single long-stroke hydraulic actuator, the mast is divided into multiple telescopic sections with multiple shorter-stroke actuators. Each actuator handles a specific section's extension, and the cumulative effect achieves the desired total mast length. This segmentation overcomes the stroke limitation of traditional single-actuator hydraulic systems while keeping individual actuator designs simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple hydraulic actuators are combined to work together in a coordinated manner, with each actuator contributing to the overall mast extension. The actuators are connected through a common hydraulic system that can supply pressure to multiple sections simultaneously, achieving greater total extension than a single actuator could provide while maintaining manageable complexity through shared hydraulic infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If the mast is made more robust to handle longer drilling lengths, then the drilling performance is improved, but the rig up and rig down times increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling performanceVSAvoidrig up and rig down time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic mast structure allows for rapid extension and retraction through controlled hydraulic movement of segmented sections. During rig up, the mast can be quickly extended to the required length by activating the hydraulic actuators in sequence, and during rig down, it can be rapidly retracted to its compact configuration. This dynamic structure enables the rig to achieve both robust drilling capability and fast setup/takedown times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mast sections are pre-positioned and pre-loaded in a compact configuration during transportation. When arriving at the drilling site, the hydraulic system can immediately begin extending the mast sections in a controlled sequence, eliminating the need for time-consuming assembly operations. The preliminary compact packing of sections allows for rapid deployment to the required drilling length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enables drilling rigs to achieve longer drilling lengths with reduced rig up and rig down times, enhanced mobility, and improved safety, while maintaining compact dimensions, thus increasing drilling performance and reducing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

a double-piston and double-effect telescopic mast to extend or retract the mast, thus increasing or decreasing its longitudinal extension

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

double-piston and double-effect telescopic mast system that extends or retracts its longitudinal extension using two actuator devices and a supply chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPascal's Law: Pascal's Law

Data Source

PatentUS10662717B2Telescopic mast for drilling and associated drilling rig

Publication Date: 2020.05.26 DRILLMEC

AI summary

A telescopic mast includes at least one first structure including a fixing portion adapted to be fixed to a drill floor. At least one second structure is mobile relative to the first structure, to obtain a telescopic mast. A moving system is adapted to extend and retract a longitudinal extension of the telescopic mast, by moving the second structure. The moving system includes at least one first actuator device, adapted to be fixed to the first structure or to the drill floor at its first end. The second structure is fixed at a first end of at least one second actuator device. At least one supply chamber is adapted to supply at least the first actuator device and at least the second actuator. At least one first actuator device and the at least one second actuator device are aligned along a single direction and operate with opposite directions.