Winch Drum Torque Strap for Larger Bend Radius and Torque Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing winch reels face challenges in managing large lengths of spoolable lines, particularly in deep wells, due to insufficient torque transmission and a desire for a larger minimum bend radius, which can lead to weak points and difficulty in recovering instruments.
Innovation Solution
A winch reel design incorporating a drum sleeve with a torque strap that includes bands and protrusions to enhance torque transmission and a larger radius, using fasteners to secure the drum sleeve to the winch drum, allowing for increased spooling capacity and improved torque resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a drum sleeve is added to increase the minimum bend radius, then the cable protection is improved, but the torque transmission capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a torque strap as an intermediary component between the winch drum and the drum sleeve. This torque strap comprises bands with protrusions that engage with torque transmitting features on the drum sleeve, serving as a mediator to transmit torque through the drum sleeve structure while maintaining its cable protection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque strap is divided into multiple bands that can be separately attached to the winch drum. Each band has protrusions that engage with corresponding features on the drum sleeve, allowing the torque transmission function to be segmented and distributed across multiple attachment points around the drum circumference.
2Length of moving object
If the winch reel is designed to store longer lengths of line, then the well depth capability is improved, but the torque transmission to the drum deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The torque strap acts as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the winch drum and the drum sleeve, enabling effective torque transmission even when the drum is designed to accommodate longer line lengths. The protrusions on the torque strap engage with torque transmitting features, ensuring that torque is effectively transferred regardless of the drum's increased capacity for long-line storage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a drum sleeve is clamped onto the winch drum, then the minimum bend radius is increased, but the torque transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The torque strap serves as a mediator component that connects the winch drum to the drum sleeve. It comprises bands with protrusions that engage with torque transmitting features on the drum sleeve, effectively transferring torque through this intermediary mechanism and minimizing energy loss that would otherwise occur with direct clamping.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque strap is pre-configured with protrusions that are designed to engage with specific torque transmitting features on the drum sleeve. This preliminary design ensures that when the drum sleeve is installed, torque transmission is immediately established through the engaged protrusions and features, preventing energy loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A winch reel has a winch drum defining a first radius of curvature. A drum sleeve is affixed to the winch drum, and has an exterior surface defining a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius. At least one torque strap is attached to the winch drum. The torque strap comprises at least one band having length selected to circumferentially traverse the winch drum, and having a band clamp at each longitudinal end. At least one fastener attaches the band clamp at one longitudinal end to a band clamp on an opposed longitudinal end of the at least one band. At least one protrusion extends from a surface of the at least one band, the at least one protrusion shaped to transmit torque to a torque transmitting feature on the drum sleeve.