Auger Boring Machine Common Power Source Steering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing auger boring machines for trenchless installation of underground pipe require separate power sources for driving the pilot tube and rotating the auger, leading to increased costs and cumbersome handling due to the use of independent power sources for each process.
Innovation Solution
An auger boring machine with a common power source that powers both the pilot tube drive assembly and the drive motor for rotating the auger and cutting head, allowing for a single power source to drive the pilot tube and rotate the auger, thereby reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate power sources are used for driving the pilot tube and rotating the auger, then each process can be independently powered, but the cost increases and the assembly becomes more cumbersome to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate power sources into a single common power source that drives both the pilot tube drive assembly and the auger drive motor. This is achieved by coupling the pilot tube drive assembly to the auger drive motor shaft, allowing the motor to power both the auger rotation and the pilot tube advancement through mechanical connection, thereby reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The auger drive motor is designed to serve multiple functions: it simultaneously powers the auger rotation for cutting and drives the pilot tube advance mechanism for guiding the auger. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate power sources, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring both operations can be performed by a single motor
2Device complexity
If a common power source is used for both pilot tube drive and auger rotation, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but power distribution between the two functions must be carefully managed
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic power allocation where the single power source can be adjusted to provide varying power levels to different functions based on operational requirements. The pilot tube drive assembly and auger drive motor are mechanically coupled in a way that allows power distribution to be dynamically adjusted during operation, enabling flexible adaptation to different drilling conditions and stages
Data Source
AI summary
An auger boring machine includes a common power source for powering a drive motor which rotates an auger and a drive assembly which drives a pilot tube to form a pilot hole in the earth which is followed by the auger. The drive assembly is movable into and out of the operational position of the auger to allow the auger to be mounted on the drive motor. Preferably the drive assembly is removably mounted on the frame of the auger boring machine. An electric generator and hydraulic pump are powered by the common power source for operating various components of the drive assembly.