Torque Tong Drive Ring with Endless Chain Power Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing torque tongs for assembling pipe joints in drilling operations face complexity and reliability issues due to fixed radial openings, which hinder continuous rotation and require complex mechanical designs, limiting their use in dynamic drilling environments like floating platforms.

Innovation Solution

A torque tong with a permanently open radial opening and a rotatably supported drive ring equipped with fluid-operated gripping jaws and a hydraulic system, powered by an endless chain and motors, allowing continuous rotation and simplified operation while maintaining robustness and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed radial opening is provided in torque tongs for radial movement, then the tongs can be pulled outward for special operations or removed in case of failure, but the mechanical design becomes very complex and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial movement capabilityVSAvoidmechanical design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the radial opening entirely from the torque tong body, extracting the problematic feature that caused mechanical complexity. Instead, a permanently open radial opening is provided in the drive ring, which rotates with the pipe, eliminating the need for complex opening/closing mechanisms while maintaining the ability to access the pipe center for special operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than providing a movable opening in the stationary torque tong body, the invention inverts the approach by providing the opening in the rotating drive ring. This reverses the reference frame - the opening moves with the rotation, eliminating the need for complex mechanical opening/closing systems while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a variable radial opening is provided in torque tongs for continuous rotation, then operational flexibility is improved, but the mechanical design becomes very complex and has not gained widespread use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidmechanical design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The variable radial opening mechanism is completely removed from the torque tong body. The invention extracts the opening feature and relocates it to the drive ring, which rotates with the pipe, thereby eliminating complex mechanical opening/closing mechanisms while maintaining operational flexibility throughout the entire rotation cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by providing the radial opening in the rotating drive ring rather than in the stationary tong body. This reversal allows the opening to be permanently accessible during rotation, eliminating the need for variable opening mechanisms and reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If hydraulic components are integrated on the rotary drive ring, then continuous rotation with gripping jaw activation is enabled, but the system requires complex power and fluid supply mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous rotation capabilityVSAvoidpower supply mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary endless chain that connects the stationary power sources to the rotating drive ring. This chain acts as a mediator, transferring rotational motion and power without requiring direct mechanical connection, thereby enabling continuous rotation while simplifying the power supply mechanism. The chain can engage and disengage from sprockets on the drive ring as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical power transmission systems with a simpler chain-driven mechanism. Instead of using elaborate gear systems or direct drive mechanisms to power the rotating drive ring, a flexible chain connected to stationary motors provides the necessary rotational motion, significantly reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining continuous rotation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2744969B1Device for activation of gripping jaws in continuously rotating torque tongs for use under pulling and opening of threaded connections

Publication Date: 2016.10.05 ROBOTIC DRILLING SYST

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AI summary

Continuously rotating power tong for making the threaded connections (2) of pipes, primarily used for drilling for oil and gas in the petroleum industry. The power tong comprising radially movable jaw sections (22), connected to a driving disc (12), where hydraulic pumps (16, 17) are mounted, the pumps (16, 17) being driven by an endless chain (15) through gears (35) and the chain (15) being driven by motors (18, 19) through gears (27, 28).