Drilling Machine Alignment Using Fiber Optic Gyroscopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for aligning drilling machines, such as compass-based and GPS survey instruments, face inaccuracies and limitations in underground or heavily wooded areas, leading to significant errors in azimuth and pitch measurements, which affect the accuracy of drill hole placement.
Innovation Solution
An aligning apparatus comprising mutually orthogonal fibre optic gyroscope (FOG), accelerometers, and true north-seeking micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) devices, capable of determining true north and relative movement, with control electronics for signal noise reduction, and a display device for real-time alignment feedback, allowing for accurate and rapid alignment of drilling collar rods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS survey instruments are used for alignment, then azimuth measurement can be obtained, but the measurement is inaccurate or unavailable in underground or heavily wooded areas due to satellite visibility requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces GPS satellite-based electromagnetic positioning with a mechanical inertial navigation system using fiber optic gyroscopes and accelerometers. This substitution eliminates dependency on satellite visibility, enabling accurate azimuth and pitch measurements in underground or heavily wooded areas where GPS signals are blocked.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fiber optic gyroscopes and accelerometers as intermediary devices that measure rotational and linear acceleration directly at the drilling collar location. These intermediaries provide local inertial reference measurements without requiring external satellite signals, resolving the environment adaptability issue.
2Ease of operation
If compass-based methods are used for azimuth determination, then alignment can be obtained, but measurements are affected by magnetic interference from ore bodies and steel vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces magnetic compass-based azimuth determination with a mechanical inertial navigation system using fiber optic gyroscopes. This substitution eliminates susceptibility to magnetic interference from ore bodies and steel vehicles while maintaining ease of operation through automated sensor measurements.
3Measurement precision
If surveyors perform manual alignment measurements, then azimuth and pitch can be determined, but the process is laborious and time-consuming due to multiple measurements and calculations required in limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the drilling rig itself to perform alignment measurements through integrated fiber optic gyroscopes and accelerometers mounted on the drilling collar. The system automatically determines azimuth and pitch without requiring external surveyors to take multiple measurements and perform calculations, significantly reducing alignment time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent accelerates the alignment process by using high-performance fiber optic gyroscope technology that provides rapid, real-time azimuth and pitch measurements. This eliminates the time-consuming iterative measurement and calculation process required by manual surveying methods.
4Measurement precision
If GPS survey instruments are used, then azimuth can be calculated, but the drill rig may block satellite vision and reduce measurement accuracy or require up to 10 minutes for determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces satellite-based GPS azimuth calculation with a self-contained inertial navigation system using fiber optic gyroscopes. This substitution eliminates satellite visibility requirements entirely, providing immediate azimuth determination without the 10-minute delay or accuracy degradation caused by drill rig blocking of satellite signals.
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 apparatus significantly increases the accuracy of drilling collar placement to within 0.2 degrees in azimuth and pitch, improving overall drilling operations by enabling precise and rapid alignment, even in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
Arranged with in the casing 12 is at least one mutually orthogonal fibre optic gyroscope (FOG)... capable of determining true north and relative movement
Implementation Method 2
The aligning apparatus 10 preferably further comprises at least one set of mutually orthogonal accelerometers
Implementation Method 3
the sensing means may comprise a plurality of true north seeking micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) devices. The plurality of MEMS devices being chosen for their ability to determine true north, the relative rotation of the earth about its axis
Data Source
AI summary
An alignment apparatus for aligning drilling machines, the alignment apparatus comprising a casing and mounting means. The mounting means allowing, in use, for a true north seeking sensing means to be aligned with the drilling machinery to be aligned. The alignment apparatus being capable of displaying azimuth and pitch information to a user, so that the drilling machinery can be aligned as required.