Drill Drive Axial Bearing Force Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current drill drives for oil and gas drilling face challenges in accurately determining the load on the drill head due to inaccuracies in force measurement, particularly caused by prestressing forces in bearing arrangements and the complexity of transmitting measured values from the drill head to the drillmaster.
Innovation Solution
A drill drive system with force measuring devices integrated into the bearing arrangement, specifically a first axial bearing and a second axial bearing, to determine the actual forces acting on the drive shaft, and a computer unit to compensate for prestressing forces, along with temperature sensors to account for temperature-dependent changes, ensuring precise load measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are installed on the drill head to measure pressure, then load measurement is enabled, but transmission complexity and measurement errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the measurement function from the drill head and relocates it to the drive shaft bearing arrangement. Force measuring devices are installed in the axial bearings of the drive shaft, eliminating the need for sensors on the drill head and their associated transmission lines. This transfers the measurement point closer to the drive source, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing arrangement serves as an intermediary element that naturally supports both the mechanical load transmission and the force measurement functions. By integrating force measuring devices into the axial bearings, the system uses the existing load path through the bearings as a mediator to capture drill head load information without requiring separate measurement systems.
2Device complexity
If a load measuring cell is installed below the rotary drive, then load measurement is simplified, but prestressing forces in bearings cause measurement inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism where force measuring devices in the axial bearings directly measure the forces acting on the drive shaft. The computer unit processes these measurements and compensates for prestressing forces by calculating the difference between forces measured above and below the bearing arrangement, thereby eliminating the measurement errors caused by bearing prestress.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is segmented into multiple measurement points: force measuring devices are installed in both the first axial bearing (above the bearing arrangement) and the second axial bearing (below the bearing arrangement). This segmentation allows the computer unit to compare measurements and isolate the actual drill head load from the prestressing forces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple bearings are used to support the drive shaft, then shaft stability is improved, but prestressing forces complicate load measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The axial bearings in the bearing arrangement serve dual functions: they provide mechanical support and stabilization for the drive shaft while simultaneously housing force measuring devices for load measurement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement systems and integrates measurement capabilities into the existing structural components.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a drill drive for a drilling rig with a motor, by which a drive shaft is rotationally driven which is supported in a rotatable manner in a housing with a bearing arrangement having at least a radial bearing, a first axial bearing and a second axial bearing, wherein on the first axial bearing a first force measuring device is arranged for determining a first axial force on the first axial bearing and on the second axial bearing a second force measuring device is arranged for determining a second axial force on the second axial bearing. Furthermore, the invention relates to a drilling rig, in particular for oil or gas drilling, with a drill mast, along which a drill string with a drilling tool is arranged, wherein on the drill mast a drill drive according to the invention is supported in a displaceable manner for rotationally driving the drill string.