Trailer Rig Conversion by Removing Carrier Transport Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
The service rig industry faces high maintenance costs due to the prevalence of carrier workover rigs, which require maintenance of transport components, and there is a need to convert carrier rigs into trailer rigs to reduce these costs and simplify transportation logistics.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for converting a carrier workover rig into a trailer workover rig by removing transport components and adding necessary equipment, including a chassis extension, to enable connection to a truck tractor, ensuring proper load distribution and compliance with regulatory standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If carrier service rigs are used for transportation, then the rig can be moved from one location to another under its own power, but maintenance costs increase due to the need to maintain transport components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the transport power system (diesel engine, transmission, steering system) from the carrier rig, extracting these components that cause maintenance issues while retaining the service equipment. The rig is converted from a self-propelled vehicle to a trailer that must be towed by a separate vehicle, eliminating maintenance of the transport components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the rig into two separate functional units: the service equipment (derrick, drawworks, winches) that remains on the trailer, and the transport power system that is separated and placed in a separate tow vehicle. This segmentation allows the service equipment to be maintained independently without the complexity of the transport system.
2Ease of operation
If carrier rigs are used, then the rig can be transported to wellsites, but licensing and insurance expenses increase due to vehicle classification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vehicle classification requirements by removing the self-propelled capability. The converted rig is no longer classified as a motor vehicle but as a trailer, which has different (typically lower) licensing and insurance requirements. The transport function is separated and handled by a standard tow vehicle.
3Ease of repair
If transport components are removed from carrier rig, then maintenance costs are reduced, but the rig cannot be moved without external assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tow vehicle as an intermediary to provide the transportation function that was previously integrated into the rig itself. The tow vehicle acts as a mediator that pulls the converted trailer rig to wellsites, allowing the service equipment to be transported without requiring the rig to have its own power system.
4Device complexity
If carrier rig is converted to trailer rig, then transportation logistics are simplified, but structural modifications are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the transport power system components (diesel engine, transmission, drivetrain) from the carrier rig, which simplifies the overall structure and reduces the complexity of transportation logistics. The remaining service equipment can be more easily managed and transported when detached from the complex power system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of converting a carrier rig to a trailer rig is provided. The carrier rig has a carrier rig chassis, a suspension system, a transport system, and rig service equipment. The method includes removing one or more of the suspension system, the transport system, or the rig service equipment. The method also includes attaching a chassis extension to the carrier rig chassis to form a trailer rig chassis of the trailer rig. The chassis extension is configured to couple to a transport vehicle.