Drill Rig Handling Device With Angled Swing Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual handling of drill string components during core drilling is labor-intensive, poses safety risks, and reduces drilling efficiency due to the weight and accessibility issues, leading to potential damage and prolonged equipment standstills.
Innovation Solution
A device with a rotational actuator and swing unit, featuring a swing joint that allows for angled movement of the grip unit relative to the drill rig, enabling safer and more efficient handling of drill string components by allowing parallel rotation with the drill string, and incorporating a resilient portion for adaptive movement during threading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual handling of drill string components is used, then operator flexibility and simplicity of device structure are maintained, but operator strain and safety risks increase due to substantial weight and difficult accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The handling device is designed to autonomously grasp, move, and position drill string components without requiring manual intervention. The robotic arm with gripper automatically performs all handling operations, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating operator exposure to heavy components and difficult access areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical handling by operators is replaced with an automated robotic mechanical system. The robotic arm with controlled joints and actuators substitutes human physical effort, providing precise and safe manipulation of heavy drill string components while reducing operator strain and safety risks.
2Device complexity
If manual handling of drill string components is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but handling speed decreases leading to prolonged equipment standstills and reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The automated handling device enables continuous operation without the interruptions inherent in manual handling. The robotic system can continuously grasp, transport, and position drill string components without breaks, maximizing utilization time and minimizing equipment standstills, thereby maintaining high productivity with enhanced operational continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs handling operations autonomously without requiring operator intervention for each component. This self-service capability eliminates the time-consuming nature of manual handling and enables rapid, continuous processing of drill string components, significantly improving handling speed and reducing equipment downtime.
3Ease of operation
If manual handling of drill string components is used, then simplicity of operation is maintained, but risk of damaged components increases due to intentional or unintentional careless handling
Solution Approach 1:
Manual handling operations are replaced with automated robotic manipulation. The robotic gripper and controlled movement systems provide precise, consistent, and careful handling of drill string components, eliminating human error and intentional or unintentional careless handling that could damage components, thereby ensuring reliable component integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system handles components with programmed precision and care, consistently applying appropriate gripping forces and movement speeds. This self-service handling eliminates variability in human操作 and ensures that components are always handled with the same level of care, preventing damage and maintaining high reliability.
4Productivity
If a handling device with rotational actuator and swing unit is implemented, then handling efficiency and safety are improved, but device complexity increases compared to manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The handling device is divided into modular functional segments including a robotic arm with multiple joints, a specialized gripper unit, and a control system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while enabling independent optimization and maintenance of individual modules, managing overall system complexity through modularity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic elements such as rotational actuators with variable speed control, swing units with adjustable ranges of motion, and force-controlled grippers. These dynamic capabilities allow the system to adapt its movement and handling characteristics to different component weights and positions, improving handling efficiency while managing complexity through intelligent control algorithms.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
A device (1) for handling drill string components (28) for a drill rig (13) includes a slide (3) which is arranged displaceable on a longitudinal guide (2), a grip unit (7) being swingable between a first position for receiving and delivering of drill string components beside the drill rig (13) and a second position for assembling and disassembling of drill string components in the drill rig (13), wherein said grip unit includes rotator means (26,27,29,30) for rotation of a gripped drill string component (28). A rotational actuator (8) being supported by the slide (3) has a rotational axis forming an angle with the length guide (2). A swing unit (4) includes a first link portion (11) which is connected to said rotational axis, a second link portion (12), which is connected to the grip unit (7) and a swing joint portion (10).