Automated Drilling Unit for Slope Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for stabilizing unstable terrain and preventing landslides require significant human and material resources, posing risks to operators and being costly, as they involve manual installation of drainage systems in hazardous areas.
Innovation Solution
An automated drilling unit is positioned within a microtunnel or vertical shaft, equipped with robotic devices and drainage pipes with microfiltration valves filled with water-soluble material, allowing for remote operation and fully automatic laying of drainage pipes in unstable terrain, using the pipes as both drainage and drilling tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual installation of drainage systems is used in hazardous areas, then the drainage system can be installed, but human operators are exposed to risks and significant human and material resources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage pipe serves dual functions: as a drilling tool and as a drainage component. The pipe with integrated microfiltration valves drills into the ground and simultaneously installs the drainage system, eliminating the need for separate drilling and installation operations. This self-service approach reduces human and material resources while maintaining operational safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage pipe is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a drilling rod, a drainage conduit, and a filter holder. By combining these functions into a single component, the system reduces the number of separate operations and resources needed, while allowing remote automated operation to ensure operator safety.
2Ease of operation
If traditional drainage pipe installation methods are used, then drainage pipes can be inserted into the ground, but the process requires significant human resources and poses risks to operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical installation with an automated drilling system. The drainage pipe with integrated microfiltration valves is drilled into the ground using a drilling machine, eliminating the need for manual installation. This substitution improves operational safety by removing operators from hazardous areas while maintaining efficient installation productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage pipe with water-soluble material acts as an intermediary that facilitates automated installation. The water-soluble material temporarily blocks the microfiltration valves during drilling, then dissolves after installation to enable water flow. This intermediary mechanism allows the pipe to be installed automatically without manual intervention, improving safety while maintaining productivity.
3Reliability
If drainage pipes with microfiltration valves are used, then water passage is ensured, but the holes may become obstructed during drilling
Solution Approach 1:
The microfiltration valves are preliminarily blocked with water-soluble material before drilling. This preliminary blocking prevents obstruction during the drilling process, ensuring that the drilling operation can proceed smoothly. After installation, the water-soluble material dissolves, restoring water passage functionality. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by protecting the valve functionality during the critical drilling phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble material changes its physical parameter from solid (blocking the valve during drilling) to dissolved state (allowing water flow after installation). This parameter change is triggered by contact with water after the pipe is installed. The parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing temporary protection during drilling while ensuring long-term water passage functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables the stabilization of slopes and terrain without risking human operators, reducing costs and enhancing operational safety by allowing fully automated and remote control of drainage pipe installation, effectively addressing the challenges of traditional drainage system installation methods.
Implementation Method 1
the passages being filled with a water-soluble material in order to prevent obstruction thereof; when the pipe has been laid, the water-soluble material dissolves, thus clearing said passages
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the stabilization of slopes and/or terrain which are unstable or subject to landslides, by inserting drainage devices. A vertical shaft with a concrete lining or a microtunnel (1) is constructed and an automatic drilling unit (8) is position therein. The drilling unit has at least one drilling head (6), a magazine of rods (11), and robotic devices able to pick up the rods (12) from the magazine and take them to the drilling head, the rods (12) being constituted by the drainage pipes (5); the head is controlled to perform drilling operations, with simultaneous laying of the drainage pipe. The drainage pipes are constituted by a tubular steel element, whose walls contain holes which house a microfiltration valve filled with water-soluble material to prevent the passages from becoming obstructed during drilling; when the pipe has been laid, the water-soluble material dissolves, thus cleaning the passages.