Torque Impact Mitigator for Power Tongs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual operation of power tongs in oil drilling rigs requires multiple workers and poses risks of injury or damage due to the size and weight of the equipment, necessitating a solution to mitigate torque impacts and improve safety during the engagement and disengagement of pipe joints.
Innovation Solution
A torque impact mitigator is anchored to the drilling rig, utilizing a hydraulic cylinder with a compression spring and piston system to control the movement of power tongs, reducing buckling and allowing hydraulic fluid flow to manage the torque impact, thereby stabilizing the equipment and preventing accidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation of power tongs is used, then the equipment can be moved and positioned, but multiple workers are required and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation system with a hydraulic control system. A hydraulic cylinder with piston and rod mechanism is introduced to automatically position and control the power tong, eliminating the need for multiple workers to manually move and position the heavy equipment, thereby improving safety while maintaining operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a torque impact mitigator as an intermediary device between the power tong and the rig structure. This mitigator includes a hydraulic cylinder that acts as a mediator to control the movement and positioning of the power tong, reducing direct manual handling and associated safety risks
2Ease of operation
If power tong is moved manually into position, then the tong can engage the pipe, but the tong may strike workers or disengage inadvertently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary positioning control through the hydraulic cylinder system. Before the power tong engages the pipe, the hydraulic system pre-positions the tong at the correct location and orientation, eliminating the need for workers to manually swing and position the tong near the pipe, thereby preventing strike injuries
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated hydraulic positioning system. The hydraulic cylinder with piston and rod mechanism provides controlled movement and stable positioning of the power tong, eliminating unpredictable manual movements that could cause the tong to strike workers or disengage inadvertently
3Ease of operation
If multiple workers operate the tong, then the tong can be controlled, but the complexity and time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual control operations with automated hydraulic control. The hydraulic cylinder system automatically performs positioning, engagement, and disengagement operations that previously required multiple workers coordinating manual movements, significantly reducing operation time and increasing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service operation through the hydraulic system. The power tong with hydraulic actuation can automatically position itself, engage the pipe joint, and disengage without requiring multiple workers to manually guide and control each movement, thereby reducing operational complexity and time requirements
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
The torque impact mitigator effectively reduces the rotational torque impact of power tongs, ensuring safer operation by stabilizing the equipment and preventing damage to tubulars during joint making and breaking, enhancing safety and efficiency on the rig floor.
Implementation Method 1
A compression spring is disposed between the piston and the compression end of the hydraulic cylinder. A rod clevis is secured to the second end of the piston rod to compress the compression spring into a compressed state when the rod clevis is moved away from the hydraulic cylinder and to release the compression spring into a relaxed state when the rod clevis is moved towards the hydraulic cylinder.
Implementation Method 2
One or more bores is disposed through the piston to allow the passage of hydraulic fluid into the compression end of the hydraulic cylinder when the compression spring is in the compressed state, and to allow the passage of hydraulic fluid into the rebound end of the hydraulic cylinder when the compression spring is in the relaxed state.
Data Source
AI summary
A torque impact mitigator including a housing assembly having a hydraulic cylinder. A piston is disposed within the hydraulic cylinder. A piston rod is mounted at a first end to the piston and having a second end extending out from the compression end. A compression spring is disposed between the piston and an end of the cylinder. A rod clevis is secured to the second end of the piston rod to compress the compression spring into a compressed state when the rod clevis is moved away from the cylinder and to release the compression spring into a relaxed state when the rod clevis is moved towards the cylinder. A plug is disposed within an upper end of the compression spring and having a bore extending therethrough to receive the piston rod. One or more bores are disposed through the piston to allow passage of hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic cylinder.