Drill Rig Relocation System Sealed Linear Bearings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drill rig relocation systems face challenges with environmental contamination, increased friction, and reduced performance due to exposed load-bearing elements, leading to maintenance issues and inefficient movement across natural terrain.
Innovation Solution
A drill rig relocation system utilizing linear sleeve bearings within a sealed housing, combined with a slew drive and torque arrest system, provides a contaminant-resistant, low-friction, and stable mechanism for horizontal movement, featuring a sealed lubricant reservoir and a low vertical profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional drill rig relocation systems use exposed load-bearing elements for horizontal movement, then the structure remains simple and accessible, but environmental contamination increases, friction increases, and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a housing cover that forms an enclosure over the load-bearing elements (linear slide bearings and cylindrical slides). This enclosure acts as a protective shell that isolates the bearings from environmental contaminants such as dust, debris, and moisture, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining structural integrity and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing cover serves as an intermediary barrier between the load-bearing elements and the external environment. By introducing this intermediate protective structure, the patent prevents direct contact between contaminants and the bearings, reducing friction and wear while maintaining reliable operation.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If load-bearing elements are exposed to the elements, then maintenance access is easy, but friction increases and wear accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing cover creates a protected environment around the linear slide bearings and cylindrical slides, shielding them from contaminants that would increase friction and wear. This enclosure extends the service life of the load-bearing elements by maintaining cleaner operating conditions.
3Reliability
If the bearing housing is sealed to protect from contaminants, then contamination resistance improves, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The housing cover provides a sealed enclosure over the bearing housing, creating a contaminant-resistant environment without requiring complex sealing mechanisms within the bearing assembly itself. This approach achieves protection while maintaining relatively simple structural design.
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 system ensures smooth, low-friction sliding, reduces maintenance needs, and maintains the integrity of the drill rig and relocation system by protecting components from environmental contaminants, while allowing precise and efficient positioning of the drill rig.
Implementation Method 1
The slide mechanism utilizes linear sleeve bearings engaged on cylindrical slide pairs
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a drill rig relocation system. Lift frames are provided as add-ons to existing drill rigs, or as integral openings within the length of the base boxes. A lift cylinder and bearing mat assembly is connected beneath the lift frame or base boxes. Each bearing mat assembly has a slew drive for controlled directional rotation. A torque arrest system allows vertical movement of the torque reaction point as the substructure is elevated to control the orientation and magnitude of forces. In one embodiment, the drill rig is supported on linear sleeve bearings slideably mounted in the bearing mat assemblies. Translation cylinders on the bearing mats expand to move the drill rig by translating the linear sleeve bearings along the shafts.