GB2430018A

GB2430018A - Use of magnetic force for traction for internal crawling type deployment systems for ferrous piping

Info

Publication number: GB2430018A
Application number: GB0518588A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graeme Mcnay
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-09-13
Filing date: 2005-09-13
Publication date: 2007-03-14
Also published as: GB0518588D0

Abstract

A pipeline crawler/tractor uses magnetic force to improve traction within a ferrous pipe. In preferred embodiments, a number of magnets may be provided on a track like drive component (as shown), a magnet may be provided within a wheel forming part of the crawler/tractor (figure 2), or a number of magnets may be provided on the underside of the body of the crawler/tractor (figure 3). The magnetic force may be provided by magnetisation of a ferrous material, an electron magnet or a permanent magnet. The magnetic force may be increased or decreased as required.

Description

i 2430018 Use of magnetic force to aid traction for internal crawling /

tractor type deployment systems for ferrous piping including downhole applications.

When deploying equipment down piping traction force needs to be applied. This invention relates to achieving traction to the ferrous material of piping to aid the deployment of equipment down piping including downhole well applications.

To apply this force the present invention proposes to use magnetic force to exert an attraction force to aid traction to the driven components of crawler / tractor type tools.

A larger traction force (pull force against the pipe wall) by utilising magnetism can be exerted on ferrous tubing without the need for physical contract with the ferrous tubing to aid movement inside ferrous material piping.

The magnets including electro magnets used to exert the force, which are both relatively light and cost effective. Numerous magnets can be added or removed to vary the amount of traction (downward force required).

The force exerted by the crawler / tractor type components can be almost entirely applied to forward motion if round magnetic fields are applied either through the wheels, tracks or body of the crawler / tractor type tool. When the crawler / tractor tool is de-energised, and permanent magnets are used the pull force will still be exerted, meaning that on inclines the crawler / tractor type tool will remain stationary.

This could be an advantage or disadvantage depending on the application being used.

The magnetic force is applied to the crawler / tractor type tool at a point in which will give the maximum amount of attraction force the drive components and ferrous pipe material. This force will be maintained as long as the same distance is maintained

between the ferrous piping and magnetic fields.

Introduction to drawings

Figure 1 Shows a track like drive component with magnetic attraction device Figure 2 Shows a wheel like drive component with magnetic attraction device.

Also, showing how the magnetic forces cancel each other out while retaining maximum pull force on ferrous pipe.

Figure 3 Shows how a body mounting wheels and magnets retains full pull on ferrous pipe material while still allowing forward of reverse movement.

Detailed description of invention

A magnetic force is applied to a pipe crawling device to improve the downward force and aid traction on the driven parts of the crawler I tractor tool. This means that the crawler / tractor type tool will maintain the high level of attraction to the pipe even if it isn't in the same direction as the force of gravity. Losses in this type of invention will only be the force exerted by gravitational force on the crawler / tractor like tool if inverted for example. This effect will be same for all types of this invention. Where possible a non-magnetic covering will be added over the magnetic source to stop the build up off lose metallic product, which will be attracted inadvertently. This will either fall off or be retrieved with the crawler / tractor like tool. A removal plate, which will remove the larger parts of material, will also be installed. This will help to maintain the drive components efficiency and reduce build up. The drive components could include either an electrical (including chemical/electric cell), hydraulic or pneumatic power source. Power transmition should be through a clutch like device, which will allow free rotation of the wheel like or track like drive components in either direction while the power is off the motor like power generator if the magnetic force is over come or switched off. Once the power is on the clutch like device will engaging and will allow power transmition to for the motor like device to the wheel or track like device. If the power is switched off or fails the clutch will disengage and the device will allow the wheel like device or track like device to be moved if the pull force of the magnet is over came or switched off.

Magnetic attraction can be added or removed to the tracks on track driven crawler / tractor type tools to improve pull and attraction as required (see figure 1). They can be added to the individual traction points all the way round the track. As the track drives the magnets will be added and removed to the ferrous piping as the tracks drive forward and backwards. Varying the magnetic pull force of the magnets used can be adjusted to suit the pipe and tracks to gain the maximum amount of traction. This method could include the magnets in direct contact with the ferrous material but necessarily be required too to gain the desired effect. The magnetic force is applied to the crawler / tractor type tool at a point in which will give the maximum amount of attraction force the drive components and ferrous pipe material. This force will be maintained as long as the same distance is maintained between the ferrous piping and

magnetic fields.

Another way this invention this could be used is by incorporating round field magnetism into wheel like shapes (see figure 2). Magnets inserted into wheel like shapes are a way of achieving the same effect. This has the advantage of the push-pull effect as the wheel like shape turns are cancelled out while still maintaining the pull effect towards to the ferrous pipe material. This means there is no loss / or much reduced loss in forward momentum of the drive components. The magnetic force is applied to the crawler / tractor type tool at a point in which will give the maximum amount of attraction force the drive components and ferrous pipe material. This force will be maintained as long as the same distance is maintained between the ferrous piping and magnetic fields. Magnetising the wheels material if it is ferrous is also a way of achieving the same effect.

Continuous type force could be applied to both the body of the crawler / tractor like tool and the ferrous pipe can be maintained by interfacing the magnetic force to the body of the crawler / tractor tool (see figure 3). This has the advantage of maintaining a continuous attraction force to the ferrous pipe. The magnetic force is applied to the crawler / tractor type tool at a point in which will give the maximum amount of attraction force the drive components and ferrous pipe material. This force will be maintained as long as the same distance is maintained between the ferrous piping and

magnetic fields.

Claims

Claims I. A magnetic force when correctly positioned will aid the drive

components of crawler /tractor type deployment systems while driving down ferrous piping (including downhole) will improve the traction and pull between the two.

Therefore improving the power that can be transferred between the two.
2. Magnetic force according to claim 1 or any of the proceeding claims is provided by either magnetisation of a ferrous material, electron magnetic or permanent magnet.
3. Magnetic force according to claim 1 or any of the proceeding claims, can be adjusted by adding or removing magnetisation of a ferrous material, electrical magnetic or permanent magnet to gain the maximum traction and pull for propelling the crawler /tractor type tool forwards and backwards.
4. Magnetic force according to claim 1, has its push-pull reaction force while attached to a wheel like feature is rotating cancelled out/or much reduced while not, or not greatly reducing the overall pull of the magnetic force between the wheel like feature and ferrous material.
5. Magnetic force according to claim 1 or any of the proceeding claims does not need to be in direct contact with the ferrous material to have the required effect.
6. Magnetic force according to claim 1 or any of the proceeding claims, can aid the traction /pull force for crawler /tractor type deployment systems.