Claims:We claim:
1. A brake band test facility structure (200) to test brake band of drawworks, the brake band test facility comprises:
a base structure (8) made of steel;
a circular mounting flange (9) is mounted on the base structure (8) to receive a circular brake flange (3);
a hydraulic jack housing structure (15) is mounted on the base structure (8) to house a hydraulic jack (4);
a brake band fixing structure (12) is mounted on the base structure in front of the hydraulic jack housing structure (15) to fix a brake band (1).
2. The brake band test facility structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base structure (8) is made of a plurality of I beams (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e), the base structure (8) has two horizontal I beams (8a, 8d) which are connected through three vertical I beams (8b, 8c, 8e) at a distance from each other.

3. The brake band test facility structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base structure (8) is rectangular in shape.

4. The brake band test facility structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein complete perimeter of the circular mounting flange (9) is connected with a plurality of I beams (8a, 8b, 8d, 8e) of the base structure (8).

5. The brake band test facility structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydraulic jack housing structure (15) is mounted on a I beam (8c) of the base structure (8), the hydraulic jack housing structure (15) comprises three plates combine with each other to form a housing structure which is open at one end to allow operations of the hydraulic jack (4).

6. The brake band test facility structure (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hydraulic jack housing structure (15) is supported by triangular plate structures (16) for strength and rigidity.

7. The brake band test facility structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brake band fixing structure (12) comprise a vertical plate supported by two triangular plate structures (12a, 12b) from back side and front side of the brake band fixing structure (12) has a plurality of triangular lugs (13) for connecting the hydraulic jack (4) and the brake band (1).

8. The brake band test facility structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brake band (1) is provided over the circular brake flange (3).

9. The brake band test facility structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of the brake band (1) is fixed with the brake band fixing structure (12) via connecting links (6) though pin (7), the pin (7) hinges the connecting links (6) with the brake band fixing structure (12);
other end of the brake band (1) is hinged on the brake band fixing structure (12) via boomerang shaped links (5) through pin (7).

10. The brake band test facility structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of the boomerang shaped links (5) is connected with the hydraulic jack (4) through pin (10) and other end is connected with the brake band (1) through pin (14), the boomerang shaped links (5) is hinged at elbow with the brake band fixing structure (12) through the pin (7).

11. The brake band test facility structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydraulic jack (4) applies test load on one end of the brake band (1) through the boomerang shaped link (5),
upon application of test load, the hydraulic jack (4) pushes one end the boomerang shaped links (5) in upward direction and other end of the boomerang shaped links (5) pulls the brake band (1) in downward direction.

12. The brake band test facility structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brake band test facility structure (200) is made of steel.
, Description:DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF BRAKE BAND LOAD TEST FACILITY FOR TESTING BRAKE BANDS OF VARIOUS DRAW WORKS MODELS
FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to oil field equipment, and, in particular, to structure of test facility for load testing of brake band used in main brake, i.e., stationary brake of draw works. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to a brake band test facility structure which tests the brake band as per API 7K specification before assembly in main brake.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] Drawworks is a oil field equipment used in oil rig, which is the main source of power for hoisting and rotating equipment. The drawworks is one of the most important equipment in drilling rig. The drawworks supplies the hoisting power and spools the drilling line as pipe is run into and pulled out from the well. The drilling line spools out under gravity and is reeled in by electrical motor coupled to the drum. Main systems in drawworks are main drum, catheads, main brake, i.e., stationary brake, auxiliary brake.
[003] The main drum is to reel and reel out the wire rope. It is preferable to have the drum diameter as large as possible to reduce the number of wraps and the bending of the cable. Main drum is having two flanges on either side of the drum, where the brake bands are arranged peripherally to stop the drum whenever the brake is applied by driller. Cat heads are pneumatic winches used to make up and break-out of drilling pipe connections.
[004] The main brake 100 which also called stationary brake is used to stop the Main drum along with auxiliary braking system. The main braking force is generated by friction between drum flange and lining pads of brake band. As shown in figure 1, the main brake has following parts brake handle 102, left band 101, right band 101, and balance bar 103. The braking action is activated by pushing the brake handle 102 down towards the floor. Through a strength multiplier system 104 (mechanical linkages), the braking force is transmitted on to the balance bar 103 (Equalizer), then to the both brake bands 101, and finally to the drum flanges arranged on either side of the main drum. Heat produced by braking action is dissipated through the circulating water cooling system around the drum flanges.
[005] The function of auxiliary brake is to assist the main braking system 100 during rapid descent of the travelling blocks with heavy string weights. The auxiliary brake prevents the preheating and premature wear of main brakes.
[006] Further, a validation of design of brake bands is required as per API 7K specification before assembly of the brake band onto the main brake. As per API 7K specification brake band is to be load tested to its rated capacity before assembly in the main brake. In order to test the brake band as per API 7K specification, several load tests are performed by applying heavy dead loads to the required capacity on the brake band. These tests are very costly. Therefore, a test facility is required on which brake band can be tested easily and at a fast rate with completion of all API 7K specifications. Therefore, the present invention provides a test facility to test the brake band as per API 7k specification standards.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[007] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a brake band test facility structure for load testing of brake bands of various drawworks.
[008] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a simple structure for testing the brake bands.
[009] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a brake band test facility which is cost effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0010] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a brake band test facility structure to test brake band of drawworks. The brake band test facility has a base structure which is made of steel and a circular mounting flange is mounted on the base structure to receive a circular brake flange. Further, a hydraulic jack housing structure is mounted on the base structure to house a hydraulic jack and a brake band fixing structure is mounted on the base structure in front of the hydraulic jack housing structure to fix a brake band. The brake band is fixed from one end with the band fixing structure and other end is connected with hydraulic jack via boomerang shaped link. The hydraulic jack applies test load on the one end of the brake band to test the brake band.
[0011] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0013] Fig. 1 illustrates arrangement of main brake system on drawworks;
[0014] Fig. 2 illustrates structure of brake band test facility with brake band mounted for testing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject;
[0015] Fig. 3 illustrates structure of the brake band test facility, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject; and
[0016] Fig. 4 illustrates pictures of developed brake band test facility structures, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject.
[0017] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0018] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a brake band test facility structure to test brake band of drawworks. The brake band test facility has a base structure which is made of steel and a circular mounting flange is mounted on the base structure to receive a circular brake flange. Further, a hydraulic jack housing structure is mounted on the base structure to house a hydraulic jack and a brake band fixing structure is mounted on the base structure in front of the hydraulic jack housing structure to fix a brake band. The brake band is fixed from one end with the band fixing structure and other end is connected with hydraulic jack via boomerang shaped link. The hydraulic jack applies test load on the one end of the brake band to test the brake band.
[0019] Further, present load test facility is a self-straining type structure, where all the loads are contained within the structure. This type of structure is unique in nature. Generally, load test is carried out by applying heavy dead loads to the required capacity. In the present subject matter, the free body diagram is such that all the loads and reactions are kept within the structure. For example, a 250 tonnes hydraulic jack is used to get the desired test load.
[0020] Furthermore, a brake band is mounted on the brake flange and one end of the band is fixed and other end applied with rated load through the hydraulic jack. Pre-calibrated pressure gauge mounted on hydraulic power jack is used to monitor the desired test load applied on brake band through the jack. The present brake band test facility structure can be used for testing of any rated brake band, for example, E1400, E2000.
[0021] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0022] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0023] Figure 2 illustrates structure of the brake band test facility with brake band mounted on it for testing, in accordance with the present subject matter. The brake band test facility structure 200 has a base structure 8, a circular mounting flange 9, a hydraulic jack housing structure 15, and a brake band fixing structure 12.
[0024] Figure 4 illustrates the structure of the brake band test facility. Before explaining the testing of brake band on the brake band test facility structure, the structure of brake band test facility is explained with reference to figure 4. As show in figure 4, the base structure 8 is made of a plurality of I beams 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e. In the base structure 8, two I beams 8a, 8d are placed in parallel horizontal direction at a distance from each other. The parallel horizontal direction I beams 8a, 8d are joined with each other through three I beams 8b, 8c, and 8e. The I beams 8c and 8e is provided at the ends of the parallel I beams. Therefore, one of I beams 8b, 8c, and 8e are connected with I beam 8a and other end is connected with I beam 8d. The I beam 8b is provided in between the I beams 8c and 8e. Further, the location and dimensions of the I beams can be optimized as per the requirement. The combination of the plurality of I beams 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e provides a rectangular base structure which is rigid and light in weight.
[0025] As shown in figure 4, the circular mounting flange 9 is mounted on the base structure 8. The complete perimeter of the circular mounting flange 9 is welded on the rectangular structure of the base structure 8, in particularly, the circular mounting flange 9 is welded on the plurality of I beams 8a, 8b, 8d, 8e. Further, the circular mounting flange 9 has a plurality of screw mounting holes to receive the brake flange 3 (as shown in fig 2 & 3). The brake flange 3 is mounted on the circular mounting flange 9 through a plurality of mounting screw holes 17.
[0026] As shown in figure 4, the hydraulic jack housing structure 15 is mounted on the vertical I beam 8c of the base structure 8. The mounting process is weld mounting. The hydraulic jack housing structure 15 has three plates 15a, 15b, 15c which are combined with each other to form a housing structure like U shape which is open at one end to allow operations of the hydraulic jack 4 (as shown in figure 2 & 3). In the hydraulic jack housing structure 15 plates 15a and 15b makes side walls and plate 15c makes the back wall and supports the side walls 15a and 15b. The hydraulic jack housing structure 15 is supported by two triangular plate structures 16 from back side to provide strength and rigidity to the structure. The hydraulic jack housing structure 15 is welded on the vertical I beam 8c of the base structure 8 along with triangular plates 16.
[0027] Further, the brake band fixing structure 12 has a vertical plate 12c which is supported by two triangular plates 12a and 12b from back side to provide strength and rigidity. The brake band fixing structure 12 has a plurality of triangular lugs 13 on front side of the vertical plate 12c for connecting the hydraulic jack 4 and the brake band 1. The plurality of triangular lugs 13 has centralized holes for receiving a pin 7 (as shown in figure 2 & 3). The brake band fixing structure 12 is welded on the horizontal I beam 8d. Further, the brake band fixing structure 12 is welded just after the cross section of I beam 8c and I beam 8d. The brake band fixing structure 12 and the hydraulic jack housing structure 15 are welded opposite to each other.
[0028] Mounting and testing of brake band 1 is illustrated in figure 2 and 3. As shown in figure 2, a brake flange 3 is mounted on the circular mounting flange 9 with screws and bolts in the plurality of screw holes 17. Further, a brake band 1 is provided over the brake flange 3. A plurality of friction blocks 2 are provided between the brake band 1 and the brake flange 3. The brake band 1 is connected with the brake band fixing structure 12 via links 6 (there are two links which are same in structure and working, therefore one link is explain in detailed to avoid confusion) at one end. Where one end of the link 6 is connected with the one end of the brake band 1 via pin 11 and other end of the link 6 is connected with lugs 13 of the brake band fixing structure 12 via pin 7. The other end of the brake band 1 is connected with the hydraulic jack 4 via links 5. The hydraulic jack 4 can be of capacity 2500 tonne. The link 5 is a boomerang shaped link. The leading edge or one end of the boomerang shaped link 5 is connected with the hydraulic jack 4 via pin 10, and on the other side, trailing edge or other end of the boomerang shaped link 5 is connected with the brake band 1 via pin 14. The boomerang shaped link 5 is hinged with the lugs 13 of the brake band fixing structure 12 via pin 7 at elbow. The boomerang shaped link 5 rotates around the pin 7 in the brake band fixing structure 12.
[0029] When the hydraulic jack 4 applies the test load on the boomerang shaped link 5 at one end, the boomerang shaped link 5 rotates about the pin 7 and transfers the test load on the brake band 1 via pin 14. The hydraulic jack 4 pushes one end of the boomerang shaped link 5 is upward direction which results pull of brake band 1 in downward direction with same test load by rotation of the boomerang shaped link 5 about the pin 7. Further, the test load on the brake band is monitored through a pressure gauge mounted on the power pack. Furthermore, the applied load and reactions are within the structure therefore no foundation is required for the present structure.
[0030] The present load test facility is a self-straining type structure, where all the loads are contained within the structure. In the present structure, the free body diagram is such that all the loads and reactions are kept within the structure. For example, a 250 tonnes hydraulic jack is used to get the desired test load. Furthermore, a brake band is mounted on the brake flange and one end of the band is fixed and other end applied with rated load through the hydraulic jack. Pre-calibrated pressure gauge mounted on hydraulic power jack is used to monitor the desired test load applied on brake band through the jack. The present brake band test facility structure can be used for testing of any rated brake band, for example, E1400, E2000.
[0031] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/component of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.