Tubular Handling Apparatus with Vertical Base Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Taller tubular-laying towers require larger, elongated booms for tubular handling, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns due to increased boom dimensions and the need for multiple handovers during tubular positioning and welding operations.

Innovation Solution

A tubular handling system with a vertical extending frame that allows the base to move vertically, enabling the boom to adjust its position and function as both a loader and elevator, reducing the need for extensive boom lengths and minimizing handovers by integrating tubular handling and accessory placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the tubular-laying tower is made taller to increase productivity, then the tower height is improved, but the boom dimension becomes excessively large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetower heightVSAvoidboom dimension

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The base is made movable along the tower in vertical direction, allowing the boom to dynamically adjust its position height. This transforms the static boom into a dynamic system where the effective working height is achieved through base movement rather than increased boom length, resolving the contradiction between tower height and boom dimension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing boom length in horizontal dimension to reach higher positions, the solution adds vertical movement capability to the base along the tower. This shifts the problem from a one-dimensional (horizontal) solution to a two-dimensional solution involving both vertical base movement and horizontal boom articulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the boom dimension is increased to handle taller towers, then the tower height capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetower height capabilityVSAvoidboom structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable base serves multiple functions: it acts as the support for the boom articulation mechanism and simultaneously provides the vertical positioning capability needed for tall towers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic base movement capability allows a single boom structure of moderate length to service the entire tower height range, eliminating the need for multiple boom segments or complex extension mechanisms that would increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the boom dimension is increased to reach elevated positions, then the positioning capability is improved, but the number of handovers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidnumber of handovers

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable base enables the boom to dynamically reposition itself vertically along the tower, allowing direct delivery of tubulars to elevated positions without intermediate handovers. This dynamic positioning capability maintains precise placement accuracy while eliminating productivity losses from multiple transfer operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If separate apparatuses are used for tubular handling and accessory placement, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling capabilityVSAvoidapparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable base integrates both tubular handling and accessory placement functions into a single unified apparatus. The base serves as the common platform for both operations, eliminating the need for separate support structures and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate both tubular handling operations and accessory placement operations. This multi-functional design allows a single apparatus to perform multiple tasks that would traditionally require separate dedicated devices, thereby reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8992152B2Tubular handling system and method for handling tubulars

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 ITREC BV

AI summary

The present invention relates to a tubular handling system (1) comprising:—a tower (10) comprising a tubular lift device for lowering and/or raising a tubular in an essentially vertical orientation,—a support (20) for supporting the tubular-laying tower—a tubulars supply system, preferably provided on the support, for supplying tubulars to an essentially horizontal supply position in the vicinity of the tower,—a tubular handling apparatus (2) for transporting a tubular between the essentially horizontal supply position and the tubular lift device in the tower, wherein the tubular handling apparatus comprises: a gripper (4a, 4b) adapted for gripping the tubular, a base (6), and a boom (5) to which the one or more grippers are attached, which boom is pivotable with respect to the base in a boom. According to the invention, the tubular handling apparatus further comprises a vertical extending frame (7), wherein said base is guided by said frame and movable in a vertical translational movement with respect to the frame.