Svendborg BSFH 520 Braking System for Oil Rig Drawworks

January 18, 2016
Braking System and Oil Rig Drawworks

American Block, a Texas-based global leader in the manufacturing and development of oil drilling equipment, needed an API 7K certified braking solution for a new drawworks design with the capability of operating in temperatures as cold as -20 ̊C (-4 ̊F). The brakes were required to function in emergency stopping, standard parking, and controlled load transfer modes. The American Block AC drawworks features a 30.75 in. (781.05 mm) diameter drum, spooling a 1.25 in. (31.75 mm) diameter wire rope and a maximum hook load of 634,000 lb. (287,577 kg.) on 10 lines.

After reviewing several competitive options, American Block determined that Svendborg’s braking solution was the optimum choice. To meet the application specifications, Svendborg supplied a complete braking system consisting of two BSFH 520 SR2-20 ̊C spring-applied, hydraulically released caliper disc brakes operated by a custom single-channel, ATEX-certified hydraulic power unit.

Each caliper provides a clamping force of 44,962 lb. (200,000 N). Coupled to a 68 in. (1,727 mm) disc, the complete braking system provides up to 193,872 ft.lb. (262,856 Nm) of static brake torque holding capacity. BSFH 520 SR2-20 ̊C brakes, with an operating range between -20 ̊C to +55 ̊C (-4 ̊F to 131 ̊F), are built to perform in challenging drilling environments.

The American Block drawworks offers unique control features. In order for the braking system to interface with the drawworks control system, Svendborg and American Block engineers incorporated an add-on proportional valve with a special driver card in the HPU to allow full control of the brakes from 0 to 100% of maximum braking capacity.

Svendborg BSFH 520 Braking System