Blind-Hole Pipe Sealing for Drainage Below Groundwater

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for laying drainage pipes below the water table are unstable and costly due to soil instability and hydrostatic pressure issues, making it difficult to achieve the desired pipe length.

Innovation Solution

A drilling device equipped with a down-the-hole hammer and power transmission shaft, which allows for the formation of a stable blind hole by arranging the pipe during drilling and using a detachable drill head and screw conveyor to remove drilling material, along with a sealing material that solidifies on contact with water to prevent liquid ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a blind hole is drilled to receive a drainage pipe, then the pipe can be laid below ground level, but the drilled space becomes unstable and cannot maintain the desired pipe length

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe lengthVSAvoidblind hole stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by forming a closure at the end of the blind hole before laying the drainage pipe. This closure prevents soil collapse and maintains the blind hole's structural integrity, enabling stable pipe installation at the required length below ground level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Length of moving object

If the blind hole is drilled below the water table, then the pipe can be installed at the desired depth, but liquid and soil ingress becomes a problem

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe depthVSAvoidliquid and soil ingress
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by creating a closure at the blind hole end that actively prevents liquid and soil from entering the pipe during installation. This closure acts as a barrier against harmful factors before the pipe is laid, enabling installation below the water table without contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Productivity

If drilling material accumulates in the blind hole, then the drilling process can proceed, but the pipe interior becomes blocked and cannot be freed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling speedVSAvoiddrilling material blockage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by removing drilling material from the blind hole through the pipe interior using a screw conveyor. This extraction system prevents blockage accumulation, maintains drilling productivity, and ensures the pipe interior remains clear for proper pipe installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If a traditional drilling method is used, then the equipment is simple, but the process is expensive and time-consuming for pipe laying below groundwater level

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling device complexityVSAvoidpipe laying efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining multiple functions into a single integrated drilling device: the down-the-hole hammer for drilling, the power transmission shaft for delivering energy, the screw conveyor for material removal, and the closure formation capability. This integrated system improves pipe laying efficiency and productivity while managing the complexity through functional consolidation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution stabilizes the blind hole, allows for efficient pipe laying below the groundwater level, and ensures a sealed pipe by preventing soil and liquid ingress, thus simplifying and cost-reducing the process.

Implementation Method 1

The drilling device comprises a down-the-hole hammer, which is driven by an operating device arranged in the shaft via a power transmission device in the form of a shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

along with a sealing material that solidifies on contact with water to prevent liquid ingress

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP3663504B1Earthworks method, earthworks device and earthworks installation
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 GWD SYST GMBH
  • EP3663504B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3663504B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3663504B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an earthworks method in which a blind hole (3) for receiving a pipe (1, 8), in particular a drainage pipe, is formed in the ground by means of a drilling device (2). According to the invention, the blind hole (3) is sealed at least at the end face (4) of its closed end (5) to prevent the ingress of solids and liquid from the ground. Advantageously, the pipe (1) is positioned in the formed blind hole (3), preferably during the formation of the blind hole (3) by means of the drilling device (2). In one embodiment of the invention, a sealing material (6) is introduced into the ground to seal the end (5) of the blind hole, wherein the sealing material (6) is moved in a liquid state to the end (5) of the blind hole and solidifies on and/or in the ground, forming a sealing effect. The invention further relates to an earthworks device and an earthworks installation.