Drill Rod Conductor Cathode Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing earth boring apparatuses face issues with maintenance-intensive battery-powered radio transmitters and the risk of electrical shorting and oxidation at non-insulated contact points of electrical conductors due to high ohmic resistance and electrolytic reactions in drill fluids, leading to potential interruptions in energy supply and signal transmission during long drilling operations.

Innovation Solution

The earth boring apparatus incorporates a drill rod with a hollow casing and an electrical conductor connected to a voltage source that prevents the conductor from acting as an anode by maintaining a voltage below the decomposition voltage of the drill fluid, or by configuring the conductor as a cathode, thereby avoiding anodic reactions and oxidation, and allows for the use of amplifiers to ensure consistent voltage supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If batteries are used as energy sources for radio transmitters in the drill head, then the radio transmitter can be powered, but maintenance is required due to regular battery replacement or charging needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy supply for radio transmitterVSAvoidmaintenance requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The energy source (battery) is extracted from the drill head and relocated to the surface. The electrical conductor within the drill rod serves as the energy transmission pathway, eliminating the need for battery replacement or charging operations at the drilling site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical conductor installed within the drill rod acts as an intermediary to transmit electrical energy from the surface power source to the radio transmitter in the drill head, enabling continuous operation without direct battery maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If strong radio signals are transmitted from the drill head, then the position can be accurately determined, but a powerful energy source is required which involves disproportionate economic effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidenergy source capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical conductor within the drill rod serves as an efficient energy transmission medium, allowing moderate power sources at the surface to deliver sufficient energy to the radio transmitter without requiring disproportionately large batteries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If electrical conductors are used to transmit energy and signals through the drill rod, then external power sources can be used, but oxidation at non-insulated contact points may occur due to electrolytic reactions in the drill fluid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal power supply capabilityVSAvoidelectrical connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the electrical conductor the anode (which would oxidize), the system is configured so the conductor acts as the cathode. This inversion prevents oxidation at the conductor contacts while still allowing electrical energy transmission through the electrolytic drill fluid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrolytic properties of the drill fluid, which initially pose a risk of oxidation and corrosion, are utilized beneficially by configuring the electrical system to use the drill fluid as the electrolyte in a controlled electrochemical cell, where the conductor serves as cathode and oxidation is prevented.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Productivity

If drill fluid is used to lubricate and flush the borehole, then boring propulsion is improved, but electrical shorting and oxidation may occur at conductor contact points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboring propulsion efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical conductor integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical polarity is inverted so the electrical conductor serves as the cathode rather than the anode. This configuration allows the drill fluid to maintain its lubricating and flushing functions while preventing oxidation and electrical shorting at the conductor contact points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 configuration reduces the risk of oxidation and electrical failures, simplifies the connection of drill rod sections, and eliminates the need for insulation at contact points, thereby reducing time and costs associated with maintaining the drilling operation.

Implementation Method 1

the drill fluid causes an electrically conductive connection between the rod casing and the conductor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 2

the conductor does not act as an anode... avoiding anodic reactions and oxidation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

the electrical conductivity and the charge transport are effected by the directional movement of ions. Consequently, the drill fluids are electrolytic.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction through electrolyte: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS8997891B2Earth boring apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.04.07 TRACTO TECHN

AI summary

An earth boring apparatus includes a drill rod, a source for a drill fluid, and a voltage source. The drill rod has a hollow rod casing provided for throughflow of the drill fluid, and a conductor located within the rod casing, with the voltage source being connected with the conductor and the rod casing. The voltage source is so connected as to prevent the electric conductor to act as anode in the event the drill fluid establishes an electrically conductive connection between the rod casing and the conductor.