FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to Oil Rig Power Control Room (PCR), where
incoming and outgoing electrical connections are taken through plug and
receptacle (socket) for quick connection and disconnection. More particularly the
invention relates to an improved Receptacle mounting device adaptable on Oil
Rig Power control Room (PCR).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In an Oil Rig PCR, the receptacles (sockets) are mounted on a receptacle
(socket) boards, normally fabricated by a 3.15 thick MS sheet. Size of the socket
boards varies as per requirement, based on number and size of the sockets to be
mounted. Typically, a receptacle (socket) board has a dimension of the order of
1750mm X 1300, which may have more than hundred sets of drill holes to
accommodate corresponding number of receptacles (sockets). Sets of holes are
drilled matching with the mounting holes of a particular receptacle (socket),
which is to be mounted at that particular location. Receptacle (sockets) have at
least three to four mounting holes, and the receptacle (sockets) are mounted on

the receptacle (socket) board, using known hardware, selected based on the
diameter of the mounting holes provided on the receptacle (socket). For fixing
the receptacle (socket) on the receptacle (socket)-board, the normal
arrangement of mounting used is to place a nut at PCR inside, and a screw at
outside of the PCR as shown in Figure 1. An alternative arrangement is welding
of the nut on the receptacle (socket) board and fixing the receptacle (socket
using the screw. These receptacles (socket) are mounted very close to each
other due to limited space availability for the receptacle (socket) board.
It is known that a large number of external electrical connections, in order to
facilitate quick and easy rig building and dismantling requirement, as these rigs
are transported from one location to other after completion of oil well, are taken
from the PCR through said plug and receptacle (socket) arrangement. Due to
mobile nature of the PCR, there is a restriction on the size of the PCR, further
considering that many types of equipment are to be packaged in a transportable
container (the PCR). This also restricts availability of space for maintenance
receptacle (socket) on the receptacle (socket) board. To ensure economical
usage of the space, these receptacles (socket) are mounted in close proximity,
as close as possible to each other, with a minimum possible clearance at sides,
top and bottom, barely enough to carry out connection and disconnection.
Figure 2 displays one such receptacle (socket) board on the PCR, with the
receptacles (sockets) mounted in close proximity.

Being a current carrying contact receptacle (socket), the associated plugs are
subjected to erosion including wear and tear due to aging, usage, handling,
transportation and various other reasons, over a period of time and require
replacement in regular intervals. These receptacles (sockets) are being mounted
on the receptacle (socket) board directly through the screw and nut, with head
of the screw being outside the PCR and the nut being inside the PCR at the other
side of receptacle (socket)-board sheet.
For replacing a receptacle (socket), this arrangement requires at least two
operators at a time, taking position at either side of the receptacle (socket)
board, with one person holding the nut from inside the PCR and another person
loosening the screw. Apart from requiring two operators for replacement of the
receptacle (socket), this arrangement is time consuming, unsafe and requires a
shutdown. Prior to taking up replacement of plug and receptacle (socket), it is
required to take out approximately 1.5 X 1.5 sqm insulating barrier provided at
the back side of the receptacle (socket) board, in a cramped area for protecting
accidental contact with live parts.
This known mounting arrangement of the receptacle (socket) also fails to provide
sufficient rigidity, to withstand the forces exerted during
connection/disconnection of the receptacle (socket)s and to withstand weight of
the plug-receptacle (socket) and cables, which inter alia causes problems in
transportation and handling. As the receptacle (socket) board itself is only a
sheet holding the heavy receptacle (socket)s and associated plugs and cables,
results in some waviness on the sheet at the point of mounting of the receptacle
(socket). The prior are arrangement is flimsy and occasionally lead to loss of
hardware.

Alternative arrangement used in prior art, is welded nut but this was stopped
due to its own disadvantages. It required welding of typically 400 odd nuts at
precise locations on a fairly large sheet typically 1750mm X 1300mm. This
arrangement required use of very large spot welding machine and highly skilled
operator. Process was time consuming. Further the welded portions were
susceptible to corrosion, in a harsh, dusty, saline and coastal outdoor
environment. Rectification of thread failure due to wrong welding process, rough
usage, corrosion etc was unavoidable and required cutting of the nuts and
rewelding of new nut difficult to carry out at sites. Therefore alternative method
of welding of nut was also not successful and this arrangement was abandoned
after a few attempts.
During drilling operation of an Oil Rig, replacement of the plug receptacle
(socket) is risky as it required human entry into a cramped area (the plug-
receptacle (socket) chamber) inside the PCR. Typical Plug-receptacle (socket)
chamber area is shown in Figure 3. The plug receptacle (socket) chamber is not
designed for continuous human presence. As economical usage of space inside
the PCR is basic requirement, very limited space is available inside the plug-
receptacle (socket) chamber for a human to work. Moreover, it is having many
equipment's in small space such as Lighting and ECB transformers, heavy cables
which continuously produces heat, during operation. Presence of items such as
ECB Controller at other side of wall further restricts the working space. Terminals
of receptacle (socket) are exposed and live and extreme precaution is required

by maintenance staff to ensure that their metallic tools do not touch the exposed
termination of nearby receptacles (sockets) and the wall which are quite close.
Therefore a shutdown is required to replace the defective receptacle (socket),
which may not be possible, due to inherent nature of job. Disruption of drilling
activities due to unplanned shutdown may not be acceptable, while drill string
(steel pipes joint through thread at end to make one composite string) is
negotiating at deeper depth, of a few kilometers, with presence of hazardous
gases. Forced and unplanned shutdown such as one required for replacement of
plug and receptacle (socket) may result into disastrous consequences such as
leakage of hazardous gases at surface, collapsing of well etc.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose an improved
Receptacle (socket) mounting device adaptable in Oil Rig Power control Room
(PCR), which eliminates the disadvantages of prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to propose an improved Receptacle
(socket) mounting device adaptable in Oil Rig Power control room (PCR) which
allows replacement of receptacles (socket) from outside the PCR.
A still another object of the present invention is to propose an improved
Receptacle (socket) mounting device adaptable in Oil Rig Power control Room
(PCR) which reduces the time required to replace the receptacle (socket)s.

Yet another object of the present invention is to propose an improved Receptacle
(socket) mounting device adaptable in Oil Rig Power control Room (PCR) which
provides safety of maintenance staff carrying out replacement of the receptacle
(socket).
A further object of the invention to propose an improved Receptacle (socket)
mounting device adaptable in Oil Rig Power control Room (PCR) which ensures
safety of equipment by eliminating possibility of accidental contact with live
parts.
Still another object of the present invention is to propose an improved
Receptacle (socket) mounting device adaptable in Oil Rig Power control Room
(PCR) which eliminates requirement of shutdown for carrying out receptacle
(socket) replacement.
A still further object of the present invention is to propose an improved
Receptacle (socket) mounting device adaptable in Oil Rig Power control Room
(PCR) which eliminates the need of human entry to plug-receptacle (socket)
area.

Another object of the present invention is to propose an improved Receptacle
(socket) mounting device adaptable in Oil Rig Power control Room (PCR), which
enhances continuity of drilling operations.
A still another object of the present invention is to propose an improved
Receptacle (socket) mounting device adaptable in Oil Rig Power control Room
(PCR) which eliminates welding work.
Yet another object of the present invention is to propose an improved Receptacle
(socket) mounting device adaptable in Oil Rig Power control Room (PCR) which
simplifies manufacturing process and reduces time required to assemble the
receptacle (socket) board of PCR.
A further object of the present invention is to propose an improved Receptacle
(socket) mounting device adaptable in Oil Rig Power control Room (PCR) which
imparts enough rigidity to plug-receptacle (socket) mounting device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, there is provided an improved receptacle mounting device for socket
board of Oil Rig PCR comprising a plurality of socket mounting rings having two
sets of threaded holes, a first set of holes for fixing the socket mounting ring
easily on the receptacle board by using screws from inside the PCR, and the

second set of holes is used for mounting of the socket from outside the PCR
wherein the first set of holes on the receptacle mounting ring is selected based
on weight of the plug-receptacle combination and associated cable being
independent of diameter of the mounting hole of the socket and number of
mounting holes on the receptacle (socket), and wherein the receptacle mounting
ring comprises a third set of tapped holes over which the receptacle is mounted
from outside the PCR. Any maintenance/ replacement required for plug and
receptacle can be carried out from outside the PCR only, where open space
without any restriction is available to the maintenance staff to carry out such
repair/ replacement of plug and receptacle from outside the PCR, conveniently.
The second set of holes have a sufficient depth equal to thickness of the ring
itself and hence mating of threads for socket mounting, is adequate.
The complete assembly is easy to manufacture by using simpler manufacturing
techniques only and does not require any welding. The smaller size of individual
ring makes it very convenient to manufacture and subsequently carry out zinc
plating/ any other anti-corrosion treatment conveniently.
The present invention results in a more rugged, user friendly and safe design for
mounting of receptacle on a receptacle board. This arrangement also results in
lesser shutdown and regularity of operation, thus advantageous of the user as
well as manufacturer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Figure 1: shows mounting arrangement of receptacle as per prior art.
Figure 2: shows Typical receptacle mounted in a close proximity in a socket
board under use.
Figure 3 : shows plan of receptacle chamber of an Oil Rig PCR.
Figure 4: shows receptacle mounting ring mounted on receptacle board of an
Oil Rig PCR according to the invention.
Figure 5: shows a typical receptacle mounting ring.
Figure 6: shows the mounting device of receptacle (socket) according to the
invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention will be described with the help of following drawings:

Figure 1 displays prior art in which receptacle (2), with the corresponding plug is
mounted on a socket board (1), with the help of screw (3) and nut (4)
arrangement. Figures 2 and 3 displays a typical receptacle board arrangement in
an Oil Rig PCR. Heavy cables (5) are connected through plug on the receptacle.
Figure 3 displays typical plan of socket board chamber which is an extremely
cramped area Entry is through a hinged door (8) on a plural wall (9) with
thermally insulated material. Lighting transformers and ECB Controller
transformer (10) at one hand and ELCB Box/ECB Controller (6) etc. occupies
most of the passage space to the socket board (1). Insulating barrier (7) needs
to be removed prior to assessing of the socket board (1). Figure 4 displays
socket mounting rings (11) mounted on the socket board (1) as per improved
design. As shown in Figure 5 it has two set of holes i.e. set of holes A (12) for
fixing of Socket Mounting Ring (11) and set of holes B (13) for fixing of sockets
on socket mounting ring. Cable passage shall be by a third through hole (14).
Figure 6 displays socket (2), mounted on the receptacle mounting ring (11) with
screws (3) put from outside the PCR whereas the receptacle mounting ring (11)
is mounted on the receptacle board (1) by using a screw placed from inside the
PCR. Hex screws with head inside the PCR used for mounting of the rings (11)
on the receptacle board (1) have maximum length such that the end of the
screw flushes with the receptacle mounting ring outer surface after fastening.
The relative location of the receptacle mounting hole on the receptacle mounting
ring (11) shall match with the mounting holes provided on the receptacle
supposed to be mounted over it.

As the receptacle are mounted using simple hex screws, with head accessible
outside the PCR. The replacement of the receptacle can be carried out simply by
unfastening and fastening back these screws after replacing defective receptacle.
By inherent design features of plug and receptacle parts of plug-receptacle
assembly outside the PCR are insulated. Additionally ample free unhindered
space is available outside the PCR for carrying out replacement. Thus the
arrangement ensures mounting/replacement of receptacle by a single
maintenance staff, safely and in minimum time without requiring any shutdown.
Compared to conventional arrangement this arrangement provides enough
rigidity and strength to receptacle mounting arrangement by making ring an
integral part of receptacle board by using adequately sized hardware.

WE CLAIM :
1. An improved receptacle mounting device for socket board of Oil Rig Power
Control Room (PCR) comprising a plurality of socket mounting rings
having two sets of threaded holes, a first set of holes for fixing the socket
mounting ring easily on the receptacle board by using screws from inside
the PCR, and the second set of holes is used for mounting of the socket
from outside the PCR, wherein the first set of holes on the receptacle
mounting ring is selected based on weight of the plug-receptacle
combination and associated cable being independent of diameter of the
mounting hole of the socket and number of mounting holes on the
receptacle (socket), and wherein the receptacle mounting ring comprises
a third set of tapped holes over which the receptacle is mounted from
outside the PCR.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sockets are mounted on the
receptacle mounting ring with screws fitted from outside the PCR, and
wherein the mounting ring is mounted on the receptacle board by a screw
placed inside the PCR.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the screw placed inside the PCR
is a hexagonal screw with an extended length such that the end of the
screw flushes with the outer surface of the receptacle mounting ring after
fastening

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an improved receptacle mounting device for socket
board of Oil Rig Power Control Room (PCR) comprising a plurality of socket
mounting rings having two sets of threaded holes, a first set of holes for fixing
the socket mounting ring easily on the receptacle board by using screws from
inside the PCR, and the second set of holes is used for mounting of the socket
from outside the PCR, wherein the first set of holes on the receptacle mounting
ring is selected based on weight of the plug-receptacle combination and
associated cable being independent of diameter of the mounting hole of the
socket and number of mounting holes on the receptacle (socket), and wherein
the receptacle mounting ring comprises a third set of tapped holes over which
the receptacle is mounted from outside the PCR.