Inflatable hole cleaning device for horizontal directional drilling machine and horizontal directional drilling machine

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of non-excavation equipment accessories, and provides an inflation hole cleaning device for a horizontal directional drilling machine and the horizontal directional drilling machine. The hole cleaning assembly comprises a sleeve, a fixing frame, an annular rubber ring and an inflation bag, the sleeve is arranged on the main shaft in a sleeving mode, the fixing frame is arranged on the outer side of the sleeve in a sleeving mode, the annular rubber ring is arranged on the outer side of the fixing frame in a sleeving mode, an annular space is defined by the annular rubber ring and the fixing frame, and the inflation bag is arranged in the annular space. Through cooperation of the main shaft and the hole cleaning assembly, mud in a hole is effectively stirred and silt is pushed to be discharged through inflation expansion of the inflation bag in the annular space, and the horizontal well hole cleaning device has the advantages that the horizontal well hole cleaning efficiency is improved, and silt residues are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of trenchless equipment accessories, in particular to an inflatable hole cleaner for a horizontal directional drilling rig and a horizontal directional drilling rig. Background Art

[0002] In the trenchless technology industry, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is a trenchless pipeline installation and construction method that uses a horizontal directional drill to drill guide holes and expand holes according to the designed trajectory, and then pulls the pipeline back through obstacles. It is used for laying or updating pipelines for oil, natural gas, tap water, sewage, gas, electricity, telecommunications, etc.

[0003] Currently, directional drilling mostly uses directional drilling rigs. The traditional method for removing sediment from vertical shafts is still used to remove sediment. However, due to the difference in the angles of the vertical and horizontal shafts, the same method is ineffective when drilling horizontal shafts. This is because during drilling and expanding, the sand and gravel removed from the wellbore tend to sink due to gravity. When drilling a vertical shaft, the drill bit and drill pipe continuously stir the bentonite-containing mud and sand at the very bottom of the wellbore. Furthermore, pumping water and mud into the wellbore removes most of the sand and gravel. The sand in the horizontal well hole also sinks to the bottom of the hole. When the reamer is pulled back, the reamer can only stir a small part of the mud in the hole, and most of the mud in the hole cannot be stirred. Moreover, the expanded hole is larger than the diameter of the reamer. Therefore, most of the mud and sand overflow from the gap between the reamer and the hole to the back of the reamer. A large amount of mud and sand still remains in the hole, making it difficult to lay pipelines later. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a horizontal directional drilling rig and an inflatable hole cleaner for the horizontal directional drilling rig, which has the advantages of improving the efficiency of horizontal well cleaning and reducing sediment residue. It can be used as a one-way valve to prevent sediment from flowing out to the rear.

[0005] The present application provides an inflatable hole cleaner for a horizontal directional drilling rig, and the technical solution is as follows: an inflatable hole cleaner for a horizontal directional drilling rig, comprising: a main shaft; a hole cleaning assembly, the hole cleaning assembly comprising a sleeve, a fixing frame, an annular rubber ring and an inflatable bag, the sleeve is sleeved on the main shaft, the fixing frame is sleeved on the outside of the sleeve, the annular rubber ring is sleeved on the outside of the fixing frame, and enclosed with the fixing frame to form an annular space, and the inflatable bag is arranged in the annular space.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inflatable bag is provided with an inflation nozzle, which passes through the fixed frame to extend out of the annular space. The inflatable hole cleaner for the horizontal directional drilling rig includes a high-pressure gas line, one end of the high-pressure gas line is connected to the inflation nozzle, and the other end is used to connect to the inflation equipment.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fixing frame includes a first annular bracket and a second annular bracket connected to each other, the first annular bracket and the second annular bracket are connected to form a positioning ring groove, and the annular rubber ring is arranged on the outside of the first annular bracket and the second annular bracket to cover the positioning ring groove and form an annular space.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first annular bracket and the second annular bracket are connected with bolts.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the hole cleaning assembly includes a circular steel plate, which is sleeved outside the sleeve and located on one side of the fixing frame.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the circular steel plate is smaller than the diameter of the annular rubber ring.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the circular steel plate is connected to the sleeve by welding.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pneumatic hole cleaner for a horizontal directional drilling rig includes a plurality of hole cleaning assemblies, and the plurality of hole cleaning assemblies are sequentially arranged along the axial direction of a main shaft.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pneumatic hole cleaner for a horizontal directional drilling rig includes an octagonal sleeve, an octagonal column section is provided at one end of a main shaft, and the octagonal sleeve is sleeved on the octagonal column section.

[0014] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the horizontal directional drilling rig includes: an equipment body; a drill rod, one end of which is connected to the equipment body; a reamer, one end of which is connected to the end of the drill rod away from the equipment body; and the above-mentioned pneumatic hole cleaner for the horizontal directional drilling rig, the main shaft of which is connected to the end of the reamer away from the drill rod.

[0015] The horizontal directional drilling rig according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned pneumatic hole cleaner for horizontal directional drilling rig, and thus has all the technical effects of the above-mentioned pneumatic hole cleaner for horizontal directional drilling rig, which will not be described in detail here.

[0016] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description which follows, or may be learned by practice of the present invention.

[0017] From the above, it can be seen that the horizontal directional drilling rig and the inflatable hole cleaner for the horizontal directional drilling rig provided in this application, through the cooperation of the main shaft and the hole cleaning component, use the inflatable bag to inflate in the annular space, effectively stir the mud in the hole and push the mud and sand out, which has the advantages of improving the efficiency of horizontal well cleaning and reducing mud and sand residue. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or related technologies, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or related technical descriptions. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0019] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a pneumatic hole cleaner for a horizontal directional drilling rig provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inflatable hole cleaner for a horizontal directional drilling rig provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Reference numerals: 1. Spindle; 2. Hole cleaning assembly; 21. Sleeve; 22. Fixing bracket; 221. First annular bracket; 222. Second annular bracket; 223. Annular space; 23. Annular rubber ring; 24. Inflatable bag; 241. Inflating nozzle; 3. High-pressure gas line; 4. Round steel plate; 5. Octagonal sleeve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following embodiments of the present invention are described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate the present invention but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0023] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0024] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "connected" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; mechanical connections, electrical connections; and direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediary. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0025] In the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "above," or "above" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," or "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a lower level than the second feature.

[0026] In the description of this specification, the reference terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiment of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine different embodiments or examples described in this specification and features of different embodiments or examples without contradiction.

[0027] In existing technology, during horizontal directional drilling (HDD) operations, sediment at the bottom of the hole continuously accumulates due to gravity. Traditional hole cleaning methods rely on the drill pipe driving the reamer to rotate and stir the mud. However, the diameter of a horizontal wellbore is typically larger than the outer diameter of the reamer, resulting in a large gap between the reamer and the hole wall. This prevents the sediment from being effectively stirred and discharged with the mud, leaving a large amount of residual sediment that hinders subsequent pipeline laying.

[0028] To address this issue, researchers are exploring ways to increase contact pressure on the hole wall through localized structural deformation, targeting the concentration of sediment deposits at the bottom of the hole. Research has shown that adding a radially expandable auxiliary device behind the reamer can create a dynamic agitation zone upon contact with the hole wall. Further consideration is being given to using pneumatic expansion to achieve controlled deformation, adjusting the air pressure to accommodate varying hole diameters.

[0029] Therefore, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The present application proposes a technical solution including a spindle 1 and a hole cleaning assembly 2. The hole cleaning assembly 2 includes a sleeve 21, a fixing frame 22, an annular rubber ring 23, and an inflatable bag 24. The sleeve 21 is sleeved on the spindle 1, the fixing frame 22 is sleeved on the outside of the sleeve 21, the annular rubber ring 23 is sleeved on the outside of the fixing frame 22 and encloses the fixing frame 22 to form an annular space 223. The inflatable bag 24 is arranged in the annular space 223.

[0030] Among them, the sleeve 21 refers to a cylindrical structure extending in the axial direction, which can be specifically realized by processing steel pipes and is used to establish a connection relationship between the hole cleaning component 2 and the main shaft 1. The fixing frame 22 refers to an annular support frame, which can be specifically realized by assembling a split annular bracket and is used to provide a rigid mounting base for the inflatable bag 24. The annular rubber ring 23 refers to an annular sealing body with elastic deformation ability, which can be specifically realized by injection molding of rubber material, and is used to wrap the fixing frame 22 and form an enclosed space. The inflatable bag 24 refers to an inflatable flexible container, which can be specifically realized by a rubber bag with a braided reinforcement layer, and is used to push the annular rubber ring 23 to expand radially after inflation.

[0031] Specifically, when the inflatable bladder 24 is uninflated, the hole cleaning assembly 2 maintains its minimum radial dimension to facilitate movement within the hole. When the inflatable device injects gas into the bladder 24 via the high-pressure gas line 3, the bladder 24 expands and squeezes the annular rubber ring 23, forcing the outer surface of the annular rubber ring 23 into close contact with the hole wall. This creates a forced shearing effect in the contact area between the annular rubber ring 23 and the hole wall, lifting sediment deposited at the hole bottom and mixing it into the mud flow. By controlling the inflation pressure, the expansion of the annular rubber ring 23 can be adjusted to ensure an effective agitation zone for various hole diameters.

[0032] Through the above technical solution, this application can effectively eliminate the sediment deposition layer at the bottom of the hole, significantly improve the mud and sand carrying efficiency, solve the sediment retention problem caused by structural gaps in traditional hole cleaning devices, and create a clean hole environment for subsequent pipeline laying.

[0033] The present application further proposes that the inflatable bag 24 is provided with an inflating nozzle 241, which penetrates the fixed frame 22 to extend out of the annular space 223. The inflatable hole cleaner for the horizontal directional drilling rig includes a high-pressure gas line 3, one end of the high-pressure gas line 3 is connected to the inflating nozzle 241, and the other end is used to connect to the inflatable equipment.

[0034] The inflation nozzle 241 is the gas input port mounted on the inflatable bag 24. Specifically, it can be implemented as a one-way valve structure made of metal or polymer materials. It penetrates the fixing frame 22 to form a sealed passage to prevent external mud and sand from intruding. The high-pressure gas line 3 is a flexible pipeline used to transmit high-pressure gas. Specifically, it can be implemented as a composite structure of multiple layers of rubber and steel wire braiding. Its ends are connected to the inflation nozzle 241 and the inflation device via quick connectors.

[0035] Specifically, the inflation nozzle 241 is configured to extend through the sidewall of the mounting bracket 22 to the outside of the annular space 223. The inflation device injects high-pressure gas into the inflatable bag 24 via the high-pressure gas line 3. The gas enters the annular space 223 unidirectionally through the inflation nozzle 241, causing the inflatable bag 24 to expand. The gap between the inflation nozzle 241 and the mounting bracket 22 is filled with a sealing ring or injection molding process to prevent mud and sand from entering the annular space 223 and causing inflation failure. The high-pressure gas line 3 is secured to the end of the inflation nozzle 241 with a snap or threaded joint, ensuring a secure connection during gas transmission.

[0036] With this technical solution, inflation can be performed directly outside the hole via high-pressure gas line 3, eliminating the reduced efficiency associated with frequent removal of the hole cleaner. The sealing structure between the inflation nozzle 241 and the mounting bracket 22 effectively prevents mud and sand from entering the annular space 223, preventing the inflation bag 24 from becoming stuck and causing inflation failure. The quick-connect design of the high-pressure gas line 3 shortens inflation preparation time and reduces the likelihood of manual error.

[0037] The present application further proposes that the fixing frame 22 includes a first annular bracket 221 and a second annular bracket 222 connected to each other, and the first annular bracket 221 and the second annular bracket 222 are connected to form a positioning ring groove, and the annular rubber ring 23 is sleeved on the outside of the first annular bracket 221 and the second annular bracket 222 to cover the positioning ring groove and form an annular space 223.

[0038] Among them, the first annular bracket 221 refers to a support structure with an annular geometric shape, which can be realized by processing a metal material into an annular frame, and is used to cooperate with the second annular bracket 222 to form a positioning reference. The second annular bracket 222 refers to an annular component symmetrically arranged with the first annular bracket 221, and can be connected to the first annular bracket 221 by bolts, and is used to jointly define the axial size of the positioning ring groove. The positioning ring groove refers to an annular groove formed by the docking of the first annular bracket 221 and the second annular bracket 222. The groove depth can be controlled by adjusting the distance between the two annular brackets, and is used to provide an installation positioning reference for the annular rubber ring 23. The annular rubber ring 23 refers to an annular seal with elastic deformation ability, and can be made into a closed annular structure using rubber material to cover the positioning ring groove and form a closed space.

[0039] Specifically, the first annular bracket 221 and the second annular bracket 222 are mechanically connected to form a combined structure. An annular gap is formed between the butt joints of the two annular brackets, and this gap is constructed as a positioning ring groove. The annular rubber ring 23 is stretched and sleeved on the outer circumference of the two annular brackets. Its inner wall forms a contact constraint with the side wall of the positioning ring groove, thereby covering the entire opening area of ​​the positioning ring groove. During assembly, the axial spacing between the two annular brackets is set to match the thickness of the annular rubber ring 23, so that the annular rubber ring 23 can fit tightly to the bracket surface in its natural state. When the inflatable bag 24 is placed in the space enclosed by the annular rubber ring 23 and the positioning ring groove, the elastic restoring force of the annular rubber ring 23 can maintain the radial position stability of the inflatable bag 24.

[0040] Through the above-mentioned technical solution, the present application solves the problem of unstable sealing structure between the fixing frame 22 and the annular rubber ring 23, and achieves reliable positioning of the inflatable bag 24 within the annular space 223. The double sleeve arrangement of the annular rubber ring 23 ensures the integrity of the sealing interface during the inflation process, effectively preventing mud from seeping into the annular space 223 during hole cleaning operations. At the same time, the split bracket structure reduces assembly difficulty and improves maintenance convenience.

[0041] The present application further proposes that the first annular bracket 221 and the second annular bracket 222 are bolted together.

[0042] Bolted connection refers to the mechanical connection between two annular brackets using threaded fasteners, specifically hexagonal bolts and nuts. The bolt diameter can range from 8mm to 12mm, and the length can range from 20mm to 50mm. Bolted connection can eliminate assembly gaps between brackets by applying a preload, forming a rigid constraint.

[0043] Specifically, the first annular bracket 221 and the second annular bracket 222 are axially fastened by bolts evenly spaced along their circumference. The bolts pass through pre-reserved through-holes in the end faces of the two brackets and then screw into nuts. Under high-pressure inflation conditions, the axial compressive force generated by the bolts tightly fits the end faces of the two brackets, preventing radial displacement or axial separation between the brackets, thereby maintaining the geometric accuracy of the positioning ring groove. The removable bolt connection allows the brackets to be separated and replaced simply by removing the bolts if the annular rubber ring 23 wears or the inflatable bladder 24 is damaged, without destroying the entire structure of the fixing bracket 22.

[0044] Through the above technical solution, the present application effectively solves the problem of sealing failure caused by structural deformation of the fixing frame 22 during high-pressure inflation. The rigid connection formed by the bolt preload force ensures that the annular rubber ring 23 is evenly compressed when the inflatable bag 24 expands, preventing local tearing of the rubber ring.

[0045] The present application further proposes that the hole cleaning assembly 2 includes a circular steel plate 4 , which is sleeved outside the sleeve 21 and located on one side of the fixing frame 22 .

[0046] The circular steel plate 4 refers to a rigid disc-shaped component with an annular profile, which can be specifically realized by cutting and forming a carbon steel plate. Its planar structure can be arranged perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve 21 to form a working surface. The outside of the sleeve 21 refers to the clearance fit between the inner hole of the steel plate and the outer wall of the sleeve 21. Specifically, it can be achieved by machining to ensure the assembly tolerance of the inner hole and the outer diameter of the sleeve 21. This fit can transmit the rotational power of the main shaft 1. The side of the fixed frame 22 refers to the steel plate arranged along the axial direction of the sleeve 21 and adjacent to the fixed frame 22. Specifically, axial positioning can be achieved by welding or bolting. This arrangement forms a directional flow channel between the edge of the steel plate and the hole wall.

[0047] Specifically, the annular gap between the circumferential edge of the circular steel plate 4 and the hole wall generates a high-speed fluid shear effect, forcing the sediment particles deposited at the bottom of the hole to break away from the hole wall. The planar structure of the steel plate pushes the mud to form an axial vortex, and the vortex disturbance causes the sediment to be re-suspended into the mud circulation system. The arrangement of the steel plate on the side of the fixed frame 22 enables it to directly act on the sediment layer accumulated behind the reamer, achieving directional secondary stirring through the superposition of edge shear and vortex. This structure directly transmits the power of the main shaft 1 through the sleeve 21, avoiding the need to set up an independent drive device.

[0048] Through the above-mentioned technical solution, this application can enhance the agitation intensity of deposited sediment during the hole expansion process, allowing the sediment at the bottom of the hole to be fully suspended in the mud circulation system under the action of fluid shear and vortex, effectively reducing the amount of sediment accumulated behind the hole expander and reducing the resistance to subsequent pipeline laying. Through the power integration and directional disturbance design of the sleeve 21, this structure simplifies the complexity of the device while improving hole cleaning efficiency.

[0049] The present application further proposes that the diameter of the circular steel plate 4 is smaller than the diameter of the annular rubber ring 23 .

[0050] The diameter of the circular steel plate 4 refers to its maximum radial dimension. Specifically, lathing can be used to achieve a smooth surface. Its diameter is designed to be smaller than the expanded outer diameter of the annular rubber ring 23 to avoid hindering radial deformation of the annular rubber ring 23. The diameter of the annular rubber ring 23 refers to its maximum radial outer contour when inflated. Its diameter is designed to fully contact the hole wall to form a closed space. Specifically, wear-resistant elastic material can be used to achieve deformation.

[0051] Specifically, when the inflatable bladder 24, driven by air pressure, expands the annular rubber ring 23 outward, it forms an annular sealing area with the hole wall. At this point, the circular steel plate 4 moves axially with the hole cleaner. Because its diameter is smaller than the expanded outer diameter of the annular rubber ring 23, it does not obstruct the radial expansion of the annular rubber ring 23 during movement. During this axial movement, a gap forms between the circular steel plate 4 and the hole wall, where the fluid velocity increases, forming a localized vortex. This vortex acts on the sediment layer deposited at the hole bottom, freeing it from its sedimentary state and allowing it to enter the fluid circulation system within the annular sealing area.

[0052] Through the above technical solution, the present application can achieve the synergistic effect of hole wall sealing and hole bottom sediment disturbance. The sealing area formed by the annular rubber ring 23 can prevent mud and sand from escaping to the rear of the reamer, and the eddy current generated by the circular steel plate 4 can destroy the stability of the mud and sand deposition layer. The combination of the two allows the mud and sand to be effectively entrained into the fluid circulation path, thereby reducing the amount of mud and sand residual in the hole.

[0053] The present application further proposes that the circular steel plate 4 is welded to the sleeve 21 .

[0054] The circular steel plate 4 is an annular metal component, specifically made of low-carbon steel. It is mounted on the outer surface of the sleeve 21 and fixed to one side of the fixing frame 22, assisting in stirring the slurry during hole cleaning operations. The sleeve 21 is welded to the outer surface of the sleeve 21 using a fusion welding process, specifically arc welding or gas shielded welding. The weld creates a continuous metallurgical bond interface, ensuring joint strength.

[0055] Through the above technical solution, the present application solves the problem of poor hole cleaning effect caused by unstable connection between the circular steel plate 4 and the sleeve 21, effectively prevents loosening or falling off due to vibration or force during the hole cleaning operation, ensures the stirring range and strength of the hole cleaning component 2 in the hole, improves the reliability of the hole cleaning operation, and at the same time enhances the overall rigidity of the structure and extends the service life.

[0056] The present application further proposes that the pneumatic hole cleaner for a horizontal directional drilling rig includes a plurality of hole cleaning components 2 , and the plurality of hole cleaning components 2 are sequentially arranged along the axial direction of the main shaft 1 .

[0057] The hole cleaning assembly 2 refers to a hole cleaning unit consisting of a sleeve 21, a fixing frame 22, an annular rubber ring 23, and an inflatable bag 24. The inflatable bag 24 expands to form a radially expanding structure. Specifically, it can be fixed to the outside of the sleeve 21 by welding or bolting, and is used to perform physical contact cleaning on the inner wall of the hole. The axial arrangement of the main shaft 1 refers to the layout of the hole cleaning assembly 2 forming a spaced distribution in the extension direction of the drill pipe. Specifically, it can be installed in an equidistant or non-equidistant manner, so that the operating area of ​​each hole cleaning assembly 2 forms a continuous coverage along the axis of the hole.

[0058] Specifically, multiple hole cleaning assemblies 2 are configured to form a multi-stage hole cleaning structure during hole expansion operations. The inflatable bladder 24 of each hole cleaning assembly 2 expands under the action of high-pressure gas and contacts the hole wall, generating a radial compression effect. The gaps formed between adjacent hole cleaning assemblies 2 allow the mud to carry sediment in a continuous flow, preventing localized sediment accumulation.

[0059] Through the above technical solution, this application solves the problem of low cleaning efficiency caused by gravity deposition of mud and sand at the bottom of the hole during horizontal well operations, so that the hole cleaning operation can cover the entire length of the hole formed by the hole expansion, the amount of residual mud and sand is reduced, and a clean hole environment is provided for subsequent pipeline laying.

[0060] The present application further proposes an inflatable hole cleaner for a horizontal directional drilling rig, comprising an octagonal sleeve 5 , an octagonal column section is provided at one end of the main shaft 1 , and the octagonal sleeve 5 is sleeved on the octagonal column section.

[0061] The octagonal prism segment refers to a columnar structure with eight straight edges formed at the end of the main shaft 1. Specifically, it can be machined by turning or milling to form a shaft segment with an octagonal cross-section. The eight edges are evenly distributed along the circumference, and the edges form linear contact with the inner wall of the octagonal sleeve 5. The octagonal sleeve 5 refers to a sleeve 21 component with an octagonal inner hole. Specifically, it can be manufactured by forging or casting a metal sleeve with an octagonal through-hole. The shape of the inner hole fully matches the cross-section of the octagonal prism segment. When sleeved, the eight inner wall planes achieve surface contact with the edges of the octagonal prism segment.

[0062] Through the above technical solution, the octagonal prism segment and the octagonal sleeve 5 of the present application cooperate in a manner that allows for assembly and disassembly by grasping the outer surface of the octagonal sleeve 5, which drives the main shaft 1 to rotate, facilitating grasping and rotating for rapid assembly and disassembly. For example, the outer surface of the octagonal sleeve 5 is provided with anti-slip grooves to increase friction when grasping.

[0063] The present application further proposes a technical solution comprising an equipment body, a drill rod, a reamer and an inflatable hole cleaner for a horizontal directional drilling rig, wherein the main shaft 1 is connected to an end of the reamer away from the drill rod.

[0064] The main body of the equipment refers to a mechanical power device that drives the drill pipe to rotate. Specifically, it can be implemented by a hydraulic motor in conjunction with a reducer to provide the rotational power required for the reaming operation. The drill pipe refers to a tubular component that transmits torque. Specifically, it can be implemented by an alloy steel pipe and is used to connect the main body of the equipment to the reamer. The reamer refers to a cutting tool used to expand the diameter of the borehole. Specifically, it can be implemented by a conical structure with a cutter head and reverse cutting teeth. It is used to form an aperture in the horizontal wellbore that meets the requirements for pipeline laying. The inflatable hole cleaner refers to a device with an annular rubber ring 23 and an inflatable bag 24. Specifically, it can be implemented by a modular component in which a sleeve 21 is nested in the main shaft 1. It is used to simultaneously remove deposited mud and sand during the reaming operation.

[0065] Specifically, the rotational torque output by the main body of the device is transmitted to the reamer through the drill pipe, enabling the reamer to perform reaming and cutting within the horizontal wellbore. The main shaft 1 of the pneumatic hole cleaner is directly fixed to the end of the hole cleaner and rotates synchronously with the hole cleaner. The annular rubber ring 23, under the action of the rotating centrifugal force, disturbs the sediment particles deposited at the bottom of the wellbore. The inflatable bladder 24 expands and squeezes the wellbore wall to form an annular seal, forcing the mud, carrying suspended sediment, to flow axially along the reamer and out of the wellbore. This structure, through a physical connection, ensures that the hole cleaning and reaming operations are in the same axial spatial position. The rotational trajectory of the hole cleaner assembly 2 covers the area of ​​loose sediment accumulation generated by the hole cleaner cutting.

[0066] Through the above technical solution, the present application effectively solves the problem of difficult removal of sediment deposits at the bottom of horizontal wellbores. By synchronous rotational disturbance and annular sealing, directional flow of mud is formed, so that the sediment generated during the hole expansion process is continuously brought out of the wellbore, providing a clean channel environment for subsequent pipeline laying.

[0067] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are intended to illustrate the present invention only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various combinations, modifications, or equivalent substitutions of the technical solutions of the present invention do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention and are intended to be encompassed by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pneumatic hole cleaner for horizontal directional drilling rig, characterized in that: include: spindle; The hole cleaning component includes a sleeve, a fixing frame, an annular rubber ring and an inflatable bag. The sleeve is sleeved on the main shaft, the fixing frame is sleeved on the outside of the sleeve, the annular rubber ring is sleeved on the outside of the fixing frame and enclosed with the fixing frame to form an annular space, and the inflatable bag is arranged in the annular space.

2. The pneumatic hole cleaner for horizontal directional drilling according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inflatable bag is provided with an inflating nozzle, which passes through the fixing frame to extend out of the annular space. The inflatable hole cleaner for horizontal directional drilling rig includes a high-pressure gas line, one end of which is connected to the inflating nozzle, and the other end is used to connect to the inflatable equipment.

3. The pneumatic hole cleaner for horizontal directional drilling according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing frame includes a first annular bracket and a second annular bracket connected to each other, the first annular bracket and the second annular bracket are connected to form a positioning ring groove, and the annular rubber ring is arranged on the outside of the first annular bracket and the second annular bracket to cover the positioning ring groove and form the annular space.

4. The pneumatic hole cleaner for horizontal directional drilling according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first annular bracket and the second annular bracket are connected by bolts.

5. The pneumatic hole cleaner for horizontal directional drilling according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hole cleaning component comprises a circular steel plate, which is sleeved outside the sleeve and located on one side of the fixing frame.

6. The pneumatic hole cleaner for horizontal directional drilling according to claim 5, characterized in that: The diameter of the circular steel plate is smaller than the diameter of the annular rubber ring.

7. The pneumatic hole cleaner for horizontal directional drilling according to claim 5, characterized in that: The circular steel plate is welded to the sleeve.

8. The pneumatic hole cleaner for horizontal directional drilling according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The pneumatic hole cleaner for a horizontal directional drilling rig comprises a plurality of hole cleaning components, and the plurality of hole cleaning components are sequentially arranged along the axial direction of the main shaft.

9. The pneumatic hole cleaner for horizontal directional drilling according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The pneumatic hole cleaner for a horizontal directional drilling rig comprises an octagonal sleeve, one end of the main shaft is provided with an octagonal column section, and the octagonal sleeve is sleeved on the octagonal column section.

10. A horizontal directional drilling rig, characterized in that: include: Equipment body; a drill rod, one end of which is connected to the equipment body; a reamer, one end of which is connected to an end of the drill pipe away from the device body; The pneumatic hole cleaner for a horizontal directional drilling rig according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the main shaft is connected to an end of the reamer away from the drill rod.

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