Tong Positioning Control Attachment for Hydraulic Upgrade Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tong positioning devices are heavy, expensive, and require complex hydraulic control systems to operate new tong assemblies, making it costly for oilfield operators to upgrade their positioning devices.
Innovation Solution
A control attachment system that includes a shutoff valve, a control valve block, and a control device, attachable to existing positioning devices, allowing for the control of new tong assemblies and positioning devices using a simplified hydraulic control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a new tong assembly is purchased to improve operational success rate, then productivity and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring a new positioning device with complex hydraulic control system
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independent parts: the existing positioning device control system and the new tong assembly control system. The adapter assembly acts as an intermediary that receives hydraulic fluid from the existing system and redistributes it to control both the positioning device actuators and the tong assembly actuators, allowing independent control without system integration complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly serves as an intermediary component between the existing positioning device hydraulic system and the new tong assembly hydraulic system. It includes a control valve assembly with multiple valves that mediate the distribution of hydraulic fluid to different actuators, enabling compatibility without requiring upgrades to the positioning device
2Ease of manufacture
If an existing positioning device is used with a new tong assembly, then cost is reduced, but the hydraulic control system becomes insufficient to control both devices
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly provides multi-functionality by enabling a single existing hydraulic control system to control multiple different devices (positioning device and tong assembly). The control valve assembly can selectively direct hydraulic fluid to different actuators based on operational requirements, making the system universally compatible with both old and new equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is made dynamic through the use of multiple controllable valves in the adapter assembly. These valves can be actuated to change the hydraulic fluid flow paths in real-time, allowing the system to adapt between controlling the positioning device and controlling the tong assembly based on operational needs
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex hydraulic control system is implemented to control both positioning device and tong assembly, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly merges the control functions for both the positioning device and tong assembly into a single integrated unit. By combining multiple control valves and hydraulic pathways in one adapter assembly, the system achieves unified control capability without the need for separate complex control systems for each device
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
Enables the use of new tong assemblies with existing positioning devices, reducing the need for costly upgrades and simplifying the hydraulic control system, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing expenses.
Implementation Method 1
The positioning device may support a tong assembly during a makeup or breakout operation. Tong assemblies and positioning devices are often both hydraulically actuated
Implementation Method 2
The compensation valve block may be activated to compensate for a vertical position change of the power tong relative to the backup tong during a thread makeup or thread breakout operation
Data Source
AI summary
A tong positioning system includes a positioning device configured to move a tong assembly. The positioning device includes a first actuator, a second actuator, and a control attachment attachable to the positioning device. The control attachment includes a shutoff valve fluidly coupled to a hydraulic supply, a control valve block, and a control device. The control valve block includes a hydraulic input fluidly coupled to the shutoff valve, a hydraulic output fluidly coupled to a hydraulic return, a first valve fluidly coupled to the first actuator, the first valve configured to actuate the first actuator, and a second valve fluidly coupled to the second actuator, the second valve configured to actuate the second actuator. The control device is configured to control the first valve and to control the second valve to actuate the first and second actuators to move the tong assembly.