Automated Tong Assembly Self-Centering Tubular Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tong assemblies for making up or breaking out tubulars require significant training, pose risks due to manual operation, and can misalign during use, leading to inefficiencies and potential injuries.

Innovation Solution

A tong assembly with an automated make-up or break-out procedure, featuring a rocker jaw with inclined tong die grooves and a backup arm system that self-centers and prevents rolling, allowing for minimal human interaction and reduced risk of injury, designed for use by low-skill operators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual tong operation is used, then operator control and flexibility are improved, but safety risk and skill requirement increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator controlVSAvoidsafety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical tong operation with an automated robotic system that uses sensors, controllers, and automated positioning mechanisms to perform make-up and break-out operations, eliminating direct human exposure to hazardous areas while maintaining operational precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The automated tong assembly performs self-positioning and self-adjustment through integrated sensors and control systems that automatically detect tubular alignment and adjust jaw positioning without requiring skilled manual intervention or readjustment during operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If automated procedure is used, then safety and productivity are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidautomation system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated tong assembly integrates multiple functions including gripping, positioning, alignment detection, and make-up/break-out operations into a single universal robotic system that can handle various tubular sizes and operations through programmable control and interchangeable components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses intermediate sensors, actuators, and control units as mediators between the operator and the tong assembly, allowing automated operation while reducing overall system complexity through modular architecture and standardized interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If jaw connects with tubular, then gripping force is improved, but misalignment and rolling occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping forceVSAvoidtubular alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The automated system performs preliminary alignment detection and jaw positioning before applying gripping force, using sensors to detect tubular centerline and pre-position jaws to prevent misalignment and rolling during the make-up or break-out operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through sensors that continuously monitor tubular position and jaw alignment during operation, automatically adjusting jaw positioning to maintain proper alignment and prevent rolling even under high gripping forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8601911B1Tong assembly for manipulating a tubular

Publication Date: 2013.12.10 SCORPION OIL TOOLS

AI summary

A tong assembly from manipulating a tubular, wherein, the assembly has a make-up/break-out arm or a backup arm. The make-up/break-out arm or backup arm engages a tubular. The make-up/break-out arm or backup arm is connected with one or more cylinders grips the tubular using either rocker jaws or chain links containing tong dies.