Ergonomics safety warning device and method to prevent clutch burning
AssigneeKey Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsFrederic M. Newman, Kevin Northcutt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention will therefore provide a tool to assist the rig operator in perfecting his/her rig operation skills. Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for minimizing slippage on the drum clutch of a well service rig. A detector senses the motion of the compound when the clutch is initially engaged. If the momentum is above an acceptable level, an alarm sounds, notifying the operator to be smoother with the clutch. A tracking mechanism is disclosed so that a rig supervisor or safety person can critique the operator on the smoothness of the rig operation.
Claims11
An apparatus for minimizing slippage on a drum clutch, comprising:
- a means for sensing the RPM of an engine and/or compound;
- a means for determining when the drum clutch is engaged;
- a means for determining when the drum is moving;
- and
- a logic circuit for comparing the output from the RPM sensing means to a predetermined value once the means for determining when the drum clutch is engaged determines that the drum clutch is actually engaged, and if the logic circuit determines that the output from the RPM sensing means is above the predetermined value, the logic circuit prevents a well service rig operator from engaging the clutch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.