Tong System Movable Centering Contour for Drilling Rigs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tong systems for drilling rigs lack efficient, low-wear, and low-maintenance options for precise positioning over stationary drill rod elements, limiting their effectiveness in connecting or disconnecting drill string elements.
Innovation Solution
The tong system incorporates at least two clamping blocks with a movable centering contour, featuring a central notch and lateral lugs, allowing for adjustment relative to the stationary drill rod element in both axial and transverse directions, ensuring complete centering and facilitating easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional clamping blocks are used for positioning the tong system, then the structure is simple, but the positioning precision and centering capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping block is divided into a stationary part and a movable centering contour part. The centering contour can move relative to the clamping block body, allowing independent centering action without affecting the overall clamping structure. This segmentation enables precise positioning while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering contour is designed to be movable relative to the clamping block, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This movement allows the centering contour to adapt to different drill rod positions and achieve precise centering, while the movable nature reduces wear on the main clamping block structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tong system lacks adjustable centering capability, then the device is simple, but the adaptability to different drill rod positions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The centering contour is designed to move relative to the clamping block along a guide path, enabling dynamic adjustment to different drill rod positions. This single degree of freedom movement provides adaptability without requiring complex multi-axis adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable centering contour acts as an intermediary between the stationary clamping block and the drill rod. It mediates the positioning process by first centering the drill rod relative to the clamping block, then allowing the clamping surfaces to engage. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall adjustment mechanism.
3Reliability
If the centering contour is fixed on the clamping block, then the structure is stable, but wear occurs on the main clamping block structure
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the centering contour from the main clamping block structure, the wear-prone centering surfaces are isolated to a dedicated movable component. This segmentation protects the main clamping block from wear, maintaining structural stability while reducing maintenance needs on critical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable centering contour is designed as a replaceable component that can be easily replaced when worn. This allows the expensive main clamping block structure to remain intact and reusable, while the cheaper centering contour absorbs the wear and can be replaced as needed.
4Ease of operation
If only axial adjustment is provided by clamping blocks, then the adjustment mechanism is simple, but transverse centering capability is missing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds transverse adjustment capability by allowing the centering contour to move in a direction perpendicular to the axial clamping direction. This dimensional addition enables complete centering in both axial and transverse directions without requiring complex multi-axis mechanisms, as the movable centering contour handles transverse adjustment while the clamping block handles axial adjustment.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a tong system for connecting a drill rod element (12) to an often stationary drill rod element (12) or for disconnecting a drill rod element from another drill rod element (12), wherein the tong system comprises at least two clamping blocks (20, 22), which face each other and are intended to fasten the tong system to the stationary drill rod element (12), and wherein at least one clamping block (20, 22) comprises movable means (30, 32) having a centering contour, which movable means (30, 32) are effective for adjusting the tong system in relation to the stationary drill rod element (12). The invention further relates to a clamping block (20, 22) as a component of such a tong system.