Drill Rig Scanner Cover Control for Dust-Protected Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drill rigs face challenges in efficiently protecting scanning devices from debris and dust during drilling operations while maintaining the ability to gather environmental data for navigation and safety.
Innovation Solution
A system is implemented to automatically control the position of a protective cover for scanning devices based on the drill rig's operational state, switching between closed and open positions to safeguard the devices during drilling and enable scanning during movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the protective cover is kept closed during drilling operations, then the scanning device is protected from debris and dust, but the scanning device cannot gather environmental data for navigation and safety
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is designed to be dynamically adjustable between closed and open positions based on the operational state of the drill rig. During drilling operations, the cover remains closed to protect the scanning device. During movement and navigation phases, the cover opens to allow environmental scanning. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the protection level variable rather than fixed.
2Loss of information
If the protective cover is kept open to enable scanning, then environmental data can be gathered, but the scanning device is exposed to debris and dust
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the protective cover position according to the drill rig's operational phase. The control system monitors whether the rig is drilling or moving, and automatically positions the cover accordingly - closed during drilling to prevent debris ingress, open during movement to enable environmental scanning for navigation.
3Ease of operation
If the protective cover is manually controlled, then the operator can decide when to open/close, but this increases operational complexity and may lead to delays
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover system is equipped with automated control that monitors the drill rig's operational state and automatically adjusts the cover position without requiring manual intervention. The system self-determines when to open or close the cover based on whether the rig is drilling or moving, eliminating the need for operator decision-making and reducing operational complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine a state of the drill rig (100), wherein the state is one of a plurality of states of a drilling cycle of the drill rig; and control based on the state of the drill rig, a position of a protective cover (116) of a scanning device (114) of the drill rig.