Automatic coiled tubing injector chain management system

Abstract

The present application pertains to a method and system for coiled tubing injector chain management on a coiled tubing unit. Advances in tubing technology combined with lack of operator training have been detrimental to injector longevity. Optimizing chain and equipment life requires operating parameter control. This method utilizes feedback from loads on the injector chassis to adjust chain traction and tension to optimal levels to extend equipment life.

1 . An injector chain control system for a coiled tubing unit comprised of:
 one or more sensors to monitor the force on a coiled tubing injector drive system and transmit real time data to a processor;   a chain system to control injector drive system operating parameters wherein the amount of a hydraulic, an electric, or a pneumatic pressure allocated to the chain system is determined by calculations of the processor;   wherein the chain system is configured to employ operating limits based on the force sensed on the coiled tubing injector drive system by the one or more sensors.   
     
     
         1 . The injector chain control system of claim  1  wherein a pressure change on the chain system is triggered based on the force sensed on the coiled tubing injector drive system by the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         2 . The injector chain control system of  claim 1  wherein a traction pressure on the chain system, a tension pressure on the chain system, or both is based on processor calculations employing the force sensed on the coiled tubing injector drive system by the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         3 . The injector chain control system of  claim 1  wherein data from the one or more sensors is provided to the processor in a form comprising hydraulic data, electric data, pneumatic data, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The injector chain control system of  claim 1  wherein the system is configured such that a the monitored force from the one or more sensors is used by the processor to calculate a traction pressure and tension pressure used on the chain system. 
     
     
         6 . A process for adjusting an injector chain control system of a coiled tubing unit comprising:
 monitoring the force on a coiled tubing injector drive system by one or more sensors and transmitting real time monitored force data to a processor;   employing the processor to calculate operating parameters to allocate to a chain system injector drive system based on the force transmitted to the processor; and   adjusting operating parameters to the calculated operating parameters.