Extendable Drill Head Structure With Separated Motion and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drill head devices face challenges in operational safety and complexity, particularly regarding operating temperatures and the provision of supply media like hydraulic oil, which affect reliability and longevity.
Innovation Solution
An extendable apparatus for a drill head comprising a base section and a drive section, with an extension section and a functional section, where the sections are rotationally rigidly coupled and moveable along a longitudinal axis, allowing for lower operating temperatures and simplified sealing arrangements, eliminating the need for high-pressure rotational seals and reducing wear on components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If high-pressure rotational seals are used to supply hydraulic fluid to rotating sections, then the drill head can maintain rotational movement, but operating temperatures increase and component lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drill head is divided into a stationary base section and a rotating extension section. The base section containing the hydraulic fluid supply remains stationary, while only the extension section rotates. This segmentation eliminates the need for high-pressure rotational seals, as hydraulic fluid is supplied through the stationary base section to the functional elements, thereby reducing operating temperatures and seal degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-pressure rotational sealing function is extracted from the system entirely. Instead of using rotational seals to supply hydraulic fluid to rotating parts, the patent supplies hydraulic fluid through the stationary base section to extendable functional elements (such as drill bits or anchors) that rotate with the extension section. This removes the harmful high-pressure rotational seal from the system, reducing temperature and improving reliability.
2Ease of operation
If complex sealing arrangements are used to handle both rotational and translational movements, then all movements can be accommodated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drill head structure is segmented into a stationary base section and a rotating extension section. The base section handles only translational movement (extension and retraction) of functional elements, while the extension section handles rotation. This segmentation allows each section to have simplified sealing arrangements tailored to its specific movement type, rather than requiring a single complex seal to handle both movements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex dual-function sealing arrangement is extracted and replaced by separate, simpler sealing systems. The base section uses simple translational seals for extending and retracting functional elements, while the extension section uses standard rotational seals or bearing seals for rotation. This separation eliminates the need for complex rotary unions or multi-directional seals, reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an extendable apparatus, such as an extendable apparatus for a drill head, a drill head including an extendable apparatus, and a method of operating a drill head. The extendable apparatus includes a base section, a drive section, an extension section, and a functional section. The base section and the drive section are moveable with respect to the extension section and the functional section along a longitudinal axis. The drive section and the functional section are rotationally rigidly coupled to each other. The base section and the extension section are rotationally rigid coupled to each other, and the drive section and the functional section are rotationally moveably coupled to the extension section.