Borehole Grout Delivery System with Sealed Plugs and One-Way Valve
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering grout or lost circulation materials in mining and civil engineering are inefficient, leading to substantial wastage and contamination, as well as excessive in-hole torque issues due to the inability to maintain a flowable state and the narrow annulus in hard rock mineral and civil drilling industries.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a body with moveable plugs and a pressure-activated one-way valve that allows for controlled dispensing of flowable substances through a conduit, maintaining a sealed region until the substance is needed, and then allowing it to flow out, while preventing backflow and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If grout is delivered by pouring down an open borehole or pumping through a drill string, then delivery to remote location is achieved, but substantial wastage and contamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into distinct functional components: a sealed containment chamber for grout storage, movable plugs for controlled release, and a valve mechanism for precise dispensing. This segmentation allows the grout to be delivered only where needed without contamination or wastage throughout the entire drill string.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides local quality control by enabling grout to be delivered specifically to the target location within the borehole rather than throughout the entire drill string. The movable plugs and valve mechanism ensure grout is released only at the desired depth and in controlled amounts, preventing wastage in areas that do not require grouting.
2Reliability
If large volumes of grout are injected to fill the annulus, then the annular volume is filled and controlled, but excessive in-hole torque problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by delivering only the necessary amount of grout to stabilize the borehole wall at the target location, rather than filling the entire annular volume. This controlled, limited injection prevents excessive grout placement that would cause torque problems and reduce penetration rates.
Solution Approach 2:
Grout is delivered with local quality precision to specific zones requiring stabilization rather than uniformly filling the entire annulus. This targeted approach provides sufficient annular control where needed while minimizing overall grout volume, thereby avoiding excessive torque and maintaining productivity.
3Reliability
If grout is injected to stabilize fractured ground, then ground stabilization is achieved, but in-hole torque increases and penetration rates reduce
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides local quality stabilization by injecting grout only into specific fractured zones that require support, rather than treating the entire borehole length. This targeted stabilization achieves the necessary ground reliability while minimizing the volume of grout injected, thereby avoiding excessive torque and maintaining penetration rates.
Solution Approach 2:
Partial action is applied by injecting grout only to the extent necessary for ground stabilization at the target location. The controlled dispensing mechanism ensures sufficient grout is delivered to stabilize fractured ground without over-injection that would cause torque problems and reduce productivity.
4Ease of operation
If grout is delivered manually or by traditional methods, then delivery to site is achieved, but time is lost and grout hardens before application
Solution Approach 1:
Preliminary action is implemented by pre-positioning the grout within the delivery system at the correct location before it is needed. The grout is loaded into the sealed containment chamber and positioned with the movable plugs ready for immediate dispensing, eliminating delays associated with manual delivery or traditional pumping methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous useful action by maintaining grout in a ready-to-dispense state within the sealed containment chamber during transport. The movable plugs and valve mechanism allow immediate controlled release when needed, ensuring the grout remains in a flowable state throughout the delivery process without hardening delays.
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 system effectively delivers flowable substances to remote locations within boreholes, reducing wastage and torque issues by maintaining the substance in a flowable state and forming a stable, self-lubricating barrier that enhances drilling efficiency and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure activated one-way valve inside the body and downstream of the at least one port
Implementation Method 2
a body having first and second portions and at least two plugs both being moveable in an axial direction within the body, the plugs being associated with the body wherein: in a first configuration of the plugs, a first plug and a second plug are spaced apart in the first portion of the body and together with an inner surface of the first portion form a sealed region for holding a volume of a flowable substance
Implementation Method 3
a pressure activated one-way valve inside the body and downstream of the at least one port
Data Source
AI summary
A system (10) delivers of a flowable substance S to a remote location through a conduit (144). The system (10) has a body 12 with first and second portions (14,16) and at least two plugs (P1, P2) associated with the body (12) so that in a first configuration the plugs (P1, P2) are spaced apart and form a sealed region (20) for holding a volume of the substance S, and, in a second configuration at least the second plug (P2) is disposed in the second portion wherein the substance S can flow in a downstream direction past or through the second plug and out of the body (12). A first valve (66) is coupled with the body (12) and has: (a) and opened state where the substance S is able to flow out of the body (12) and (b) a closed state where the first valve (66) prevents flow of the substance S out of the body (12) and prevents flow of a further fluid into or out of the body (12) while allowing a bypass flow of the further fluid in an upstream direction through a bypass flow path (110) of the first valve (66) to facilitate travel of the system (10) through a column of the further fluid in the conduit (144).