Drill Rig Lift and Slide Mechanism for Contaminant Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drill rig relocation systems face challenges with environmental contamination, increased friction, and maintenance issues due to exposed load-bearing elements, leading to reduced performance and efficiency in moving heavy equipment across natural terrain.
Innovation Solution
A lift and slide mechanism utilizing linear sleeve bearings within a primary containment housing filled with lubricant, providing a sealed environment that reduces frictional forces and protects the sliding surfaces from contaminants, ensuring smooth and stable movement of the drill rig.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional exposed rails and rollers are used for drill rig relocation, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but environmental contamination increases friction and wear, reducing system reliability and performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a sealed housing enclosing the linear slide bearings and lubricant, creating a protective barrier that isolates the sliding surfaces from environmental contaminants. This sealed containment prevents dirt, debris, and other external factors from entering the bearing interface, thereby maintaining reliable operation despite exposure to harsh outdoor conditions during drill rig relocation.
2Productivity
If exposed load-bearing elements are used, then device complexity is reduced, but friction increases due to contamination, requiring more energy and reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a controlled, contaminant-free environment within the sealed housing by filling it with lubricant. This inert-like environment isolates the sliding surfaces from harmful external factors, ensuring consistent low-friction operation throughout the relocation process. The sealed containment maintains this protective atmosphere, preventing contamination that would otherwise increase friction and energy consumption during drill rig movement.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional roller assemblies are used, then the mechanism is simple, but maintenance requirements increase due to contaminant accumulation and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed housing acts as a protective shell that encapsulates the linear slide bearings and lubricant, preventing contaminant ingress during operation. This isolation eliminates the wear and degradation that would otherwise necessitate frequent maintenance and repair. The simple sealed structure maintains manufacturing ease while dramatically reducing maintenance requirements compared to conventional exposed roller assemblies.
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
The solution significantly reduces frictional resistance, maintains a contaminant-free environment, and enhances the durability and reliability of the drill rig relocation system, allowing for efficient and low-energy movement of heavy equipment across uneven terrain.
Implementation Method 1
The bearings are located in a primary containment housing that provides a contaminant free environment. The housing can be filled with a lubricant. The result of the design is a significant reduction in the frictional forces resisting the slide movement of the heavy equipment, providing a smoother translation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a drill rig relocation system. Lift frames are provided at opposite ends of a base box of a drill rig substructure. A lift cylinder and bearing mat assembly are rotatably connected beneath the lift frame. The bearing mat assemblies may be rotated to the desired direction for moving the drill rig. The lift cylinders are then expanded, placing the bearing mat assemblies onto the ground and lifting the base boxes and drill rig off the ground. The drill rig is supported on linear sleeve bearings slideably mounted in the bearing mat assemblies. Translation cylinders on the bearing mats expanded to move the rig by translating the linear sleeve bearings along the shafts. After the lift cylinder expands to place the bearing mat on the ground, the translation cylinders are retracted, providing the linear bearing with the full length of the shaft for the next movement.