Drill Head Rolling Feedback for Accurate Borehole Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ground drilling systems face inaccuracies in directing the drill string to a specific target, particularly in densely built-up areas, due to deviations in the planned and actual rotation of the drill head tip relative to the rod sections, leading to improper borehole alignment.

Innovation Solution

A rod section system with a controllable drill head and probe to determine the actual rolling of the drill head tip, allowing for precise alignment by adjusting the drill head tip's angle relative to the support, enabling two angular positions for straight drilling and course correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the drill head tip is freely rotatable relative to the rod sections to adjust rotation, then the adaptability of the drilling system is improved, but the manufacturing precision of the borehole deviates from the planned path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational adjustability of drill head tipVSAvoidborehole alignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs sensors to detect the actual rotational position of the drill head tip relative to the rod sections and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit compares the detected position with the planned rotation angle and generates corrective control signals to adjust the drill head tip's position, ensuring accurate borehole alignment while maintaining rotational adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If jacket friction is used to achieve relative rotation between drill head tip and rod, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of the rotation angle deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation mechanism simplicityVSAvoidrotation angle accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical jacket friction-based rotation detection with an electronic sensing system. Sensors (such as encoders or position sensors) are integrated into the drill head tip or rod sections to electronically detect and measure the rotational position and angle, providing precise measurement data to the control unit while maintaining the mechanical rotation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the drill head tip rotation is not precisely controlled, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of reaching the target position deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling operation simplicityVSAvoidtarget position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically adjusts the drill head tip's rotational position based on feedback from sensors and pre-stored planned path data. The system performs self-correction without requiring manual intervention, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable and accurate target position achievement through automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enhances drilling accuracy by ensuring the drill head tip aligns correctly with the planned direction, allowing for precise borehole creation along the desired path.

Implementation Method 1

There is a probe connected to the drill head tip, and the probe is designed to determine the rolling of the drill head tip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling detection:

Implementation Method 2

The drill head tip can have a bore angled to the longitudinal axis, which can be placed on a support, in particular designed as a receiving bolt. The drill head tip can be arranged on the support, which can also be at an angle with respect to its longitudinal axis. Drill head tip and support can be rotatable relative to each other. It can be provided that the angled components can compensate for each other in a first angular position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGeometric compensation: Geometry

Data Source

PatentUS12516575B2Rod section system

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 TRACTO TECHN

AI summary

The invention relates to a rod section system for forming an extendable drill string for a ground drilling device, wherein the rod section system has a controllable drill head and rod sections. The controllable drill head has a rotatable drill head tip, wherein a probe is present, which is connected to the drill head tip, and the probe is designed to determine the rolling of the drill head tip, wherein the rod sections are configured for determining a rolling of the rod sections.