Compact Tapping Machine Nested Drill Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling or tapping machines for pressurized mains are not adaptable to various sizes and materials, require extensive excavations, and often compromise the integrity of the pipeline during the tapping process.
Innovation Solution
A compact drilling or tapping machine with an elongated housing, a drill shaft supported by a spline shaft and a support tube, and driven by hydraulic or electric motors, allowing for rotation and axial movement of the drill shaft through composite dry sliding bearings, which can be easily engaged with pipelines of different sizes and materials while minimizing leakage and maintaining pipeline integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional drilling or tapping machine is used for hot tapping into pressurized mains, then the tapping operation can be performed, but the machine requires extensive excavation and has a large length, increasing overall cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The drill shaft is positioned inside the support tube, with the drill tube nested within the drill shaft. This nested configuration allows multiple functional components to occupy the same spatial envelope, dramatically reducing the overall machine length while maintaining all necessary drilling and support functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional lateral or overhead drilling approach to a vertical drilling configuration where the drill shaft moves axially through the pipeline in the vertical dimension. This dimensional change enables compact machine design with minimal excavation requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If a drilling machine is designed to accommodate various pipeline sizes and materials, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support tube serves multiple functions: it supports the drill shaft during rotation, provides a seal against the pipeline, and acts as a guide for the drilling operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility across different pipeline configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The machine employs adjustable parameters including drill shaft diameter, drill bit type, and support tube dimensions that can be modified to accommodate different pipeline sizes and materials. This parameter-based adaptability allows a single machine design to handle various pipeline specifications without requiring complete redesign
3Object-generated harmful factors
If drilling is performed into a pressurized main through a valve, then fluid leakage is minimized, but the complexity of attachment and positioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support tube automatically seals against the pipeline surface through the pressure differential and geometric configuration during the drilling operation. The system uses the existing pipeline pressure and the drilling force itself to maintain the seal, eliminating the need for separate sealing mechanisms or complex attachment procedures
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 machine efficiently taps into pipelines of various sizes and materials with minimal excavation, maintaining pipeline integrity and reducing operational costs by being lightweight and easy to use, with the ability to seal fluid pressure and prevent leakage.
Implementation Method 1
the second drive means includes a pair of threaded shafts extending substantially parallel with the spline shaft, the threaded shafts each carrying a nut connected to the moving plate
Implementation Method 2
supported by a spline shaft and a support tube, and driven by hydraulic or electric motors, allowing for rotation and axial movement of the drill shaft through composite dry sliding bearings
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling or tapping machine includes a housing having a front end through which a drill mounting stub projects; a drill shaft having an inner drill tube carrying a splined bush at a rear thereof and carrying the drill mounting stub at a front thereof, a support tube coaxial with the drill tube, having front and rear bearing nuts mounting the support tube on the drill tube for relative rotation; a spline shaft extending from rear to front through the drill tube, and slidably engaged within the splined bush whereby rotation thereof rotates the drill tube; a moving plate fixed to the rear bearing nut and moveable axially relative to the spline shaft, the moving plate engaging the drill tube to axially move the drill tube relative to the housing; a first drive rotating the spline shaft; and a second drive causing the moving plate to move axially.