Drill Rig Air Flow Monitoring via Intermediate Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air flow monitoring devices in drill rigs are costly, require high sensitivity and accuracy to detect small pressure changes in high-pressure environments, and cause a pressure drop that affects energy consumption and drilling efficiency due to plugged flushing holes in drill bits.
Innovation Solution
A rock drill rig with an air inlet valve and pressure regulator upstream of a displacement compressor, using a pressure sensor between the regulator and inlet valve to measure reduced system pressure and indirectly monitor air flow through the drill bit's flushing holes, allowing for high accuracy and lower component complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a venturi flow nozzle is used to monitor air flow, then air flow can be detected, but the device requires very high sensitivity and accuracy to detect small pressure changes in high-pressure environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary pressure measurement point between the compressor and the venturi flow nozzle. This intermediate pressure measurement allows the system to detect air flow changes without requiring the sensor to directly measure the full differential pressure range, thereby reducing the sensitivity requirements of the detection device while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Reliability
If a venturi flow nozzle is installed in the air flow path, then air flow monitoring is enabled, but it causes a pressure drop that negatively impacts air flow and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure measurement function from the main air flow path by introducing a separate pressure sensor that measures pressure at a specific point between the compressor and the venturi. This allows air flow monitoring without the sensor itself creating a pressure drop in the main flow path, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining monitoring reliability.
3Measurement precision
If high sensitivity detection devices are used to monitor small pressure changes, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the devices become very expensive with high maintenance cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter approach by measuring absolute pressure at an intermediate point rather than directly measuring small differential pressure changes. This parameter transformation allows the use of standard, less expensive pressure sensors instead of high-sensitivity differential pressure sensors, thereby reducing device cost and maintenance requirements while maintaining measurement precision.
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
This solution provides high measurement resolution and accuracy at a lower cost, reduces energy consumption by eliminating pressure drops in the air flow path, and enables reliable air flow monitoring with standard, inexpensive sensors.
Implementation Method 1
The detecting means comprises a pressure sensor arranged between the air regulator and the inlet valve and the sensor is adapted to measure the reduced system pressure
Implementation Method 2
a displacement compressor that is used for supplying an air flow to at least one flushing hole in the surface of a drill bit
Implementation Method 3
an air regulator arranged to regulate the system pressure in an air flow path downstream the compressor
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement in a rock drill rig 10 has an inlet valve 31 arranged upstream from a displacement compressor 32 that is used for supplying an air flow 34 to at least one flushing hole 23 in the surface of a drill bit 20. The rock drill rig 10 also has an air regulator 35 arranged to regulate the system pressure in the air flow path 34 downstream from the compressor and a detector for detecting air flow through the at least one flushing hole 23 in the surface of the drill bit. The detector has a pressure sensor 36, arranged between the air regulator 35 and the inlet valve 31, for measuring the reduced system pressure.