Walker Pontoon Roller System for Rig Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current walkers for moving structures like oil and gas rigs face issues such as ground destabilization due to high pressures from small stomp pads, and require manual and error-prone adjustments for directional changes, which can lead to damage.
Innovation Solution
A walker design featuring a pontoon with rollers, a longitudinal drive assembly for parallel movement, and lateral and rotational drive assemblies for efficient directional changes, distributing weight and allowing hydraulic and electronic control for smooth movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If small stomp pads are used to carry the structure weight, then the walker can advance the structure, but high pressures are placed on the ground causing ground cracking and sinkage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent stomp pads into a single pontoon structure that spans across the structure being moved. This pontoon distributes the weight over a larger ground area, reducing pressure and preventing ground damage while maintaining advancement capability through integrated hydraulic positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from point-contact stomp pads to a linear pontoon structure, adding dimensional spread along the length of the structure. This dimensional change increases the contact area with the ground, distributing load and reducing pressure intensity at any single point.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of individual stomp pads is performed for direction changes, then the walker can change direction, but the process is time consuming and prone to error
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect the structure's orientation and position, and the control system automatically adjusts the pontoon and drive assemblies to achieve the desired directional change. This eliminates the need for manual measurement and adjustment, reducing time and error while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system using sensors to monitor the structure's position and orientation in real-time. The control system processes this feedback information and automatically adjusts the drive assemblies to achieve precise directional changes, eliminating manual intervention and reducing both time and error.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of stomp pads is performed, then direction change is possible, but improper alignment places high stresses on the walker joints causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the alignment and position of the pontoon and drive assemblies through sensors, providing real-time feedback to maintain proper alignment during directional changes. This prevents improper alignment that would otherwise cause excessive stresses and damage to walker joints, thereby improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of individual pads with an automated hydraulic and electronic control system. This substitution ensures precise, consistent alignment through controlled actuation, eliminating the variability and human error associated with manual adjustment that leads to joint stress and damage.
4Ease of operation
If independent stomp pads are used, then the structure can be moved, but each pad requires separate control increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent control systems into a single integrated control system that manages the entire pontoon and drive assembly as one unit. This merger reduces the number of separate controls needed while maintaining full movement capability, thereby simplifying the overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed as a universal multi-functional unit that can perform positioning, directional control, and coordination of all drive assemblies through a single integrated platform. This universal system eliminates the need for separate controls for each pad or assembly, reducing complexity while preserving ease of operation.
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 enables stable and efficient movement of structures over ground with reduced wear and stress on the walker and structure, minimizing manual adjustments and ground damage, while allowing for precise directional changes.
Implementation Method 1
walkers can eliminate the need for disassembly and reassembly by using hydraulics to lift and move a rig to its new drilling location
Implementation Method 2
a jack with rollers disposed on the pontoon for lifting the structure and sitting on rollers
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a walker for moving a structure over the ground. The structure to be moved may be an oil and gas rig for instance. The walker includes a pontoon for engaging the ground, a jack with rollers disposed on the pontoon for lifting the structure and sitting on rollers, a longitudinal drive assembly for longitudinally moving the pontoon relative to the jack with or without the structure on the rollers, and lateral and rotational drive assemblies for moving the jack and the pontoon relative to the structure when the structure sits on the ground.