Drill Head Sliding Contact for Positioning and Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drill heads face challenges in determining the position and location of the drill head when the probe cannot be easily located from above, particularly at great depths or under interference, and battery life limitations restrict drilling duration.
Innovation Solution
A drill head design that routes energy, data, and signals through inner rods via a sliding contact arrangement, allowing the probe to be connected directly to a control unit and eliminating the need for vertical location from above, with a detachable sliding contact arrangement for flexible use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a battery-operated locatable probe is used in the drill head, then the position of the drill head can be determined from the earth's surface, but the battery life limits the drilling duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the battery-operated electromagnetic probe system with a cable-connected measurement system. The probe is electrically connected to the surface control unit through a cable that runs through the inner rod, eliminating the need for battery power while maintaining position determination capability. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing unlimited operation duration through continuous cable connection while preserving accurate position measurement.
2Measurement precision
If the locating device is positioned directly above the probe, then the probe position can be precisely located, but this is not feasible at great depths or under interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cable as an intermediary medium to transmit position signals from the probe to the surface control unit. This cable-based communication system allows position data to be transmitted through the inner rod regardless of depth or environmental interference, eliminating the requirement for the locating device to be positioned directly above the probe and enabling operation in previously inaccessible conditions.
3Reliability
If the sliding contact arrangement is permanently installed, then continuous signal transmission is ensured, but the drill head cannot be adapted for different drilling conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically adjustable sliding contact arrangement that can be installed or removed based on drilling requirements. The arrangement includes contact elements on the inner rod and corresponding contacts on the outer rod housing, allowing electrical connection when needed for continuous signal transmission, and can be detached when alternative drilling methods are required, providing both reliability and adaptability.
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
Enables continuous drilling without battery limitations, allows signal transmission directly to the surface, and facilitates drilling in challenging environments like under water or busy roads, ensuring reliable position determination and resource-efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
A cable routed in the inner rod can be connected via a sliding contact arrangement to the outer rod, so that energy, data and/or signals can be transmitted via the sliding contact arrangement from the inner rod to the outer rod
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drill head (10, 100) and a device for producing a borehole in the ground, wherein the drill head (10, 100) has a first unit (24, 76) that can be coupled to an inner section of a double-tube drill string and a second unit (22) that can be coupled to an outer section of the double-tube drill string. The first unit (24, 76) is rotatable about a pivot axis (20) relative to the second unit (22), which can be driven by the outer section, by means of the inner section. The drill head (10, 100) has a sliding contact arrangement (60, 110) for establishing an electrical connection between the first unit (24, 76) and the second unit (22).