Service loop for top drive equipment having an embedded lay line

Abstract

A top drive service loop cable assembly including a plurality of cabled internal cable components a jacket covering the internal cable components, and a flange connected to the jacket and supporting sat internal cable components. The jacket has an embedded lay line embossed into the cable, aligned with internal cable components.

Claims

1. A top drive service loop cable assembly comprising: a plurality of cabled internal cable components; a jacket covering said internal cable components; a flange connected to said jacket and supporting said internal cable components, wherein said jacket has a recessed embedded lay line embossed into said cable and aligned with internal cable components, wherein said recessed embedded lay line is impressed into uncured rubber of said jacket with a nylon tape coated with a release agent which is impressed into said uncured rubber via a mold extruder, during extrusion, and wherein said jacket is vulcanized and then said nylon tape is removed, leaving said embossed and recessed embedded lay line in said jacket.

2. The top drive service loop cable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said embedded lay line is a recessed embossed area.

3. The top drive service loop cable assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said embedded lay line is a recessed embossed area that is 0.019 deep and 0.375 wide.

4. The top drive service loop cable assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said jacket is made from either one of Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) or Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawing, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a prior art image of a top dive service loop cable assembly installed on a drilling rig;

(3) FIG. 2 is a prior art example of a top drive service loop cable assembly in a potted hose;

(4) FIG. 3 is a prior art example of a top drive service loop cable assembly in a jacket with flange;

(5) FIG. 4 is a side cross section of a top drive service loop cable assembly in accordance with one embodiment;

(6) FIG. 5 is a axial cross section of a top drive service loop cable assembly in accordance with one embodiment;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a top drive service loop cable assembly having an embedded lay line in accordance with one embodiment;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a top drive service loop cable assembly with a connected flange, having an embedded lay line with connected flange in accordance with one embodiment; and

(9) FIG. 8 shows a top drive service loop cable assembly with a connected flange, having an embedded lay line with connected flange in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) In one embodiment FIGS. 4 and 5 show an exemplary top drive service loop cable assembly 10 in cut away view. This cable assembly includes a plurality of internal cables 12, a mounting flange 14 and a jacket 16. For the purposes of illustration, the present example is in the form of jacketed assembly but the below described features can be used in the potted hose variation as well.

(11) As noted above, the plurality of internal cable components 12 are cabled together in a helical or S-Z stranded arrangement. These cable components 12 are twisted at a given rate depending on the cable design (lay length). This initial basic twist is considered to be the minimum stress arrangement. It is inherent that such cabling of components 12 would impart some stress to the cables that will affect assembly 10 during dynamic application, but this basic cabling twist is required for basic cable construction to allow bending of the cable at all. However, if one side of assembly 10, after jacketing, is held in place and the other side is further twisted then this would put a cast or extra strain on components 12.

(12) To prevent this extra stress or cast, a lay line 20 is added to cable jacket 16. As noted above lay line 20 shows the least stress alignment of the cabled internal cable components. If the lay line is straight during and after installation then it is known that the internal components are likewise in a straight (or straightest) arrangement, and have the least possible pre-tensioned alignment.

(13) Unlike the prior art printed lay-lines, this lay line 20 is embedded within cable jacket 16 as shown in FIG. 6 as a recessed embossed line.

(14) Jacket 16 of assembly 10 is typically made from Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE), but it can also be Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or other such materials suitable for top drive heavy equipment applications.

(15) In one arrangement lay line 20 may simply be a recessed cavity or embossed line, offset and impressed into from the full jacket diameter and/or it may include pressed text taking the place of the printed text of the prior art (e.g. AMERCABLE GEXOL-125 (YEAR) 777-3/C 2 KV POWER SERVICE LOOP).

(16) To form lay line 20, a marker tape (not shown) is produced by using alphanumeric dies to imprint a blank nylon tape (e.g. 0.0190.375) with the appropriate information. This imprinted nylon tape is then fed through a release agent and pulled into the back of a mold extruder which presses it into the uncured rubber of cable jacket 16 during extrusion. The molded assembly 10 and jacket 16 is then subject to vulcanization (to cure the jacket) after which the mold and nylon tape are stripped away leaving the lay line 20 and markings permanently imbedded into cable jacket 16 as shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, lay line 20 is about 0.019 deep (the thickness of the nylon tape) and 0.375 wide (the width of the nylon tape). It is noted that lay line 20 is shown on one side of assembly 10 but may be put on one side of cable assembly 10 or it can be included on two opposing sides for convenience of viewing.

(17) As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, cable assembly 10 is shown with full jacket 16, lay line 20, flange 14 (with cable components 12 exposed on the other side of flange 14). FIG. 8 shows a longer view assembly 10. As seen in the figures, lay line 20 is consistent and non-twisted over the length of assembly. Thus, when coupling flange 14 on one side of an oil derrick platform and the other flange 14 to the drive equipment, the installer can ensure that lay line 20 remains straight as best shown in FIG. 8 so that there is no additional cast or torsional strain on internal cables 12 of assembly 10. Moreover, as lay line 20 is embedded and permanent during continued dynamic application cycles lay line 20 will remain, and not rub-off. As a result if the cable is detached, e.g. for maintenance, movement, re-use and the like, when re-attached, it will remain available for the installer/technicalities to properly install a second time and so on.

(18) While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated, and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that this application is intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention.