Torque Track System with Pivoting Joints for Drilling Rigs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional torque track systems for drilling operations are cumbersome and time-consuming to assemble and disassemble, requiring complete disconnection of elongate track segments, which complicates manipulation and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A torque track system featuring rotatable joints with fasteners that allow adjacent segments to pivot and maintain a physical connection, enabling the system to be stacked and transported in a compact form while remaining partially assembled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple elongate track segments are completely disconnected during disassembly, then the torque track system can be transported more easily, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The torque track system is divided into multiple elongate track segments that can be independently handled and positioned. Each segment can be manipulated separately while maintaining connection through the joint mechanism, allowing for easier transportation and reconfiguration without requiring complete disconnection of all segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint mechanism incorporates a pin that can transition between a locked position (maintaining rigid connection between segments) and an unlocked position (allowing segments to be disconnected or repositioned). This dynamic capability enables the system to switch between stable operational configuration and flexible transportation configuration, reducing assembly time while ensuring secure connections during use.
2Ease of manufacture
If technicians are suspended in the air to drive or remove pins from track segments, then the torque track system can be assembled and disassembled, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The joint mechanism serves as an intermediary component between track segments, incorporating the pin and associated locking features within a centralized structure. This intermediary design allows pin insertion and removal to be performed from accessible positions on the ground rather than requiring technicians to be suspended in the air, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining secure connections between segments.
3Reliability
If the torque track system is designed as a single rigid structure, then it provides stable support, but it becomes bulky and difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The torque track system is divided into multiple elongate track segments that can be independently handled and positioned. Each segment can be manipulated separately while maintaining connection through the joint mechanism, allowing for easier transportation and reconfiguration without requiring complete disconnection of all segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint mechanism incorporates a pin that can transition between a locked position (maintaining rigid connection between segments) and an unlocked position (allowing segments to be disconnected or repositioned). This dynamic capability enables the system to switch between stable operational configuration and flexible transportation configuration, reducing assembly time while ensuring secure connections during use.
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling rig includes a torque track system configured to couple to a derrick and to a top drive of the drilling rig, where the torque track system is configured to resist movement of the top drive in a lateral direction with respect to the derrick and to transfer torsional loads to the derrick in an operating configuration, a first torque track segment of the torque track system, and a second torque track segment of the torque track system coupled to the first torque track segment with a joint. The joint is configured to enable the first torque track segment and the second torque track segment to pivot with respect to one another while maintaining a physical connection between the first torque track segment and the second torque track segment during manipulation of the torque track system into and out of the operating configuration.