Tubular Elevator Slip Mechanism for Flush Joint Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single joint elevators in the oil and gas industry are unable to handle tubulars without a collar, specifically flush or semi-flush joints, as they rely on collars for gripping and cannot accommodate tubulars without shoulders.
Innovation Solution
A tubular handling tool with a body and coupled slips, including passive and active slips, that can engage and grip tubulars without the need for a collar, utilizing a pin mechanism for closure and hydraulic actuation to secure the tubular, allowing for the handling of tubulars with various joint types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional single joint elevator is used to handle tubulars, then the elevator can securely grip tubulars with conventional connections (collars), but it cannot grip tubulars without collars (flush or semi-flush tubulars)
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator is designed with multiple gripping mechanisms that can accommodate different tubular types. The slips can engage with collars on conventional tubulars, while the body can directly grip flush or semi-flush tubulars without requiring a collar, making the elevator universal for handling all tubular joint types
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator body is divided into functional segments including slips for collar engagement and direct body gripping surfaces for tubulars without collars. This segmentation allows different parts of the elevator to perform different gripping functions simultaneously or alternatively depending on the tubular type
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single joint elevator designed for conventional connections is used, then the structure can be simple and focused on collar engagement, but it lacks the capability to handle flush or semi-flush tubulars
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator integrates multiple gripping approaches into a single device structure. The body includes both slip mechanisms for collar engagement and direct gripping surfaces, allowing one elevator to handle multiple tubular configurations without requiring separate specialized equipment
3Reliability
If an elevator is designed to grip only at the collar, then the gripping mechanism can be focused and simple, but it cannot accommodate tubulars that do not have a shoulder or collar
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the elevator have different gripping characteristics optimized for specific tubular types. The slips provide localized collar engagement, while the body provides distributed gripping contact for tubulars without collars, with each local area optimized for its specific function
Data Source
Figure 1~2D
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
An elevator for use in handling a tubular includes a first body part coupled to a second body part; and at least two slips coupled to each of the first and second body parts, wherein one or more of the slips includes an engagement member for coupling with a mating member of the first body part or the second body part, wherein at least 25% of the engagement member is coupled with the mating member when the slip is in an open position. In another embodiment, a swivel includes an upper housing rotatably coupled to a lower housing; and a rotary union having a rotating body attached to the lower housing and a non-rotating body attached to the upper housing, wherein the swivel is configured to transfer load from the lower housing to the upper housing.