Multi-agent system for the automated design of sucker rod threaded connections
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31471/1993-9965-2025-2(59)-101-114Keywords:
threaded connection, automated design, multi-agent system, optimizationAbstract
Threaded connections of sucker rods are used in oil production with rod pumping units and are designed to connect individual rods into a single string. During the operation of sucker rod threaded connections, numerous problems arise due to cyclic loads and high stress concentration in the thread region, leading to fatigue cracks, failures, and string breakage. The strength of these connections is influenced by many design factors, which can be investigated using the finite element method. This paper outlines the principles for developing and utilizing a multi-agent system for the automated design of sucker rod threaded connections. To create modules for automating the construction of geometric and axisymmetric finite element models of the threaded connection, open-source software CalculiX, Gmsh, and Python packages CadQuery and PyCalculiX were used. These packages significantly simplify the creation of parametric finite element models suitable for fully automated design optimization based on stress and strain criteria. Using these modules and an actor-based model for parallel computing (based on the Python package Ray), a multi-agent system was enhanced for the parametric optimization of the threaded connection design according to the criterion of minimum equivalent stress. The system incorporates agents with opposing optimization rules (implementing grid and stochastic search methods), enabling efficient search for minima in multi-dimensional spaces. There is also the possibility of easily creating agents with other rules and finding their effective combinations. Using this system, the stress-strain state of the ShN19 threaded connection was investigated under emergency conditions of missing preload, which occurs in case of connection self-loosening. The influence of the thread runout groove radius and the coupling outer diameter on equivalent stresses was also studied. The code of the developed automated design system is published on GitHub under the free GPL-3.0 license.
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