Tower Drive Pumping Unit Segmented Wheel Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tower-type oil pumping units face challenges during oil well workover, requiring significant effort and low work efficiency due to the need to move a heavy wire rope wheel, which complicates operations and increases labor intensity.
Innovation Solution
A numerically controlled tower pumping unit with a combination drive and a safety brake system, along with a tower moving system that allows the main tower frame to be moved between normal and workover positions, simplifying the process by using a drive assembly and height adjustable rollers to reposition the unit efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the wire rope wheel is made large in diameter to achieve proper pumping operation, then the pumping efficiency is improved, but the effort required to move the wire rope wheel during well workover increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The wire rope wheel is segmented into a large stationary support wheel and a smaller movable travelator wheel. The stationary wheel maintains the large diameter needed for pumping efficiency, while the smaller travelator wheel can be easily moved during workover operations, thus resolving the contradiction between pumping efficiency and ease of movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional requirement of a large diameter wheel for pumping is extracted from the movable component and assigned to a stationary support structure. The movable travelator wheel is reduced to a smaller size that can be easily repositioned during workover, separating the conflicting requirements of large size for efficiency and small size for mobility.
2Reliability
If the wire rope wheel is made heavy to provide necessary structural strength, then the reliability of the pumping unit is improved, but the work efficiency during well workover decreases due to difficulty in moving
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy structural function is segmented and assigned to the stationary support wheel and foundation structure, while the movable travelator wheel is made lightweight. This allows the heavy components to provide necessary structural strength and reliability, while the light movable component can be easily repositioned during workover operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural support function is moved to a different spatial dimension by creating a stationary support structure that bears the load, while the travelator wheel operates in a separate movable dimension. This dimensional separation allows heavy reliable structures to support the system while lightweight movable components perform the workover movements.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the tower pumping unit is designed with fixed position for stable operation, then the operational stability is improved, but the adaptability for well workover operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tower pumping unit is segmented into stationary components (tower, support wheel, foundation) that provide operational stability, and a movable component (travelator wheel) that provides adaptability for workover. This segmentation allows the fixed structure to maintain stability while the movable part enables repositioning for well workover operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a completely fixed design to a dynamic hybrid design where most components remain stationary for stability, while the travelator wheel is designed to be movable when needed. This dynamic capability allows the unit to switch between stable operational mode and adaptable workover mode, resolving the contradiction between stability and versatility.
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 solution enhances operational safety, reduces labor intensity, and improves workover efficiency by enabling easier repositioning of the tower-type oil pumping unit, thus addressing the challenges of moving heavy components during well maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
An electromagnetic actuator disposed between the pair of braking elements is configured to repel the pair of braking elements when activated
Implementation Method 2
A compression mechanism spring biases the pair of braking elements against the brake cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A numerical controlled drive tower pumping unit includes a main tower frame, a power system, a drive system, a control system, a wire rope wheel, a balance weight box, and a suction rod. The power system, drive system, and control system work to alternately raise and lower the suction rod. The pumping unit includes a safety braking system configured to permit free rotation of the drive system in a normal operating state and prevent rotation of the drive system in an abnormal operation state. The pumping unit includes a tower moving mechanism configured to roll the main tower frame along a foundation frame from a normal operation position with the main tower frame proximate to a wellhead borehole to a workover position with the main tower frame distant from the wellhead borehole. The moving mechanism includes retractable roller assemblies to facilitate movement of the main tower frame.