Compact Straddle-Seat Pit Launch Drill for Horizontal Boring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pit launch models for horizontal directional drilling are cumbersome, difficult to operate, and require significant excavation space, lacking in ease of transport, installation, and maintenance, while also being heavy and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A straddle seat pit launch device with a compact design allowing an operator to sit within the chassis frame, reducing the excavation footprint and featuring a carriage component with dimensions suitable for easy manipulation, including a hydraulic drive mechanism and rotational torque, enabling efficient drilling and pipe handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a traditional pit launch device is used, then drilling capability is provided, but the device is heavy and cumbersome requiring significant excavation space
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a stationary chassis frame providing structural support, and a moveable carriage component containing the hydraulic drive mechanism. This segmentation allows the heavy drilling components to be separated from the operator's working position, reducing the weight burden on the operator while maintaining drilling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The operator transitions from a standing position to a seated position on the carriage component, utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce excavation footprint requirements. The straddle seat configuration allows the operator to manipulate controls from a lowered position, effectively using space in a different dimension to solve the excavation space problem.
2Area of stationary object
If a traditional pit launch device is used, then drilling function is provided, but the excavation footprint is large
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage component is designed to move vertically along the chassis frame rather than requiring extensive horizontal space. The hydraulic drive mechanism propels the carriage up and down the frame, allowing the operator to access controls from a seated position and reducing the excavation footprint while maintaining drilling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage component serves multiple functions: it provides the operator's working platform, houses the hydraulic drive mechanism, and acts as the interface for manipulating the drill string. This multi-functionality consolidates operations into a compact space, reducing excavation requirements while maintaining productivity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the device is made compact, then ease of transport is improved, but maneuverability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of the chassis frame and carriage component allows the device to be disassembled into manageable sections for transport, then reassembled at the work site. The carriage can be moved along the frame during operation, providing maneuverability while maintaining a compact overall profile that is easy to transport and install.
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 device provides a lightweight, compact, and easy-to-operate solution with reduced excavation requirements, enhanced operator comfort, and improved drilling capabilities, suitable for trenchless installations of pipes and cables.
Implementation Method 1
a moveable component, typically comprising a hydraulic drive mechanism
Implementation Method 2
provides a straddle seat allowing an operator to sit within the chassis frame
Implementation Method 3
carriage component with dimensions suitable for easy manipulation, including a hydraulic drive mechanism and rotational torque
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are small model pit launch horizontal direction drills suitable for drilling a substantially horizontal bore hole and laying pipe underground from within a surface dug pit. The devices comprise a stationary frame and a carriage component competent to move forward and back along the frame and drill and retrieve an attached drill stem through an aperture in the frame. The carriage components are configured to allow an operator to straddle the carriage and operate the device from a seated position within the frame component interior.