Drilling Boom Shaft Support With Anti-Rotation Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling and bolting rigs require complex fluid power systems and conduits, which can be cumbersome and prone to damage from torsional stress and rotational movement, limiting their efficiency and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A boom system for supporting a drilling and bolting tool with a guide member and torsion member to inhibit rotation and torque, featuring a hydraulic actuator for translational movement, and a flexible cable guide to manage cable bending, reducing complexity and enhancing precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If fluid power systems and conduits are used to actuate drilling and bolting rig components, then the rig can achieve sufficient actuation force and power transmission, but the system becomes complicated and conduits are prone to damage from torsional stress and rotational movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotational movement function from the fluid power system by introducing a separate mechanical rotation mechanism (winch or reel) that handles cable spooling independently. This separates the actuation function (handled by fluid power cylinders) from the rotation function, eliminating the need for complex rotating fluid conduits while maintaining both power transmission and rotational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: fluid power cylinders for linear actuation, a winch/reel mechanism for cable spooling and rotation control, and a boom structure for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the winch handling rotation and fluid cylinders handling force application, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Power
If conduits are connected to the drilling and bolting rig for fluid power transmission, then sufficient hydraulic power can be delivered to actuate components, but the conduits are prone to damage from torsional stress and rotational movement
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational stress is extracted from the fluid power conduits by introducing a dedicated mechanical rotation system (winch/reel) that handles all rotational movements. The conduits are confined to linear motion only, connecting fixed hydraulic power sources to actuating cylinders without experiencing torsional stress, thereby improving their durability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The winch or reel acts as an intermediary mechanism between the hydraulic system and the drilling/bolting tool. It receives rotational power from a separate motor, spools the cable, and transmits only tensile/compressive forces through the cable to the tool, preventing torsional stresses from being transmitted to the fluid power conduits.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the boom allows rotational movement to position the drilling tool, then operational flexibility is improved, but torsional stress damages the fluid power conduits and reduces system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational positioning function is extracted from the fluid power system and assigned to a dedicated mechanical positioning mechanism (boom with winch-controlled cable). The boom can rotate and position the tool flexibly, while the fluid power conduits remain stationary or undergo only minimal linear movement, preserving their integrity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a flexible cable instead of rigid fluid power conduits for the portion that must accommodate rotational movement. The cable can bend and rotate with the boom while the fluid power conduits remain in fixed, protected positions, allowing operational flexibility without compromising conduit integrity.
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 simplifies fluid power distribution, minimizes damage from torsional stress, and improves the accuracy and efficiency of drilling and bolting operations by stabilizing the boom's movement and cable management.
Implementation Method 1
the guide member includes a spherical bearing for engaging the guide track
Implementation Method 2
the actuator includes a hydraulic cylinder, an end of the hydraulic cylinder coupled to the guide member, wherein actuation of the hydraulic cylinder is operable to cause translational movement of the second portion relative to the first portion in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 3
a torsion member extending between the proximal end and the distal end and transmitting torque between the proximal end and the distal end, the torsion member reducing a torque exerted on the passages
Data Source
AI summary
A boom for supporting a drilling and bolting tool includes a first portion, a second portion, an actuator for moving the second portion relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The second portion includes an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end supported by a shaft support for movement relative to the first portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the distal end configured to support the drilling and bolting tool.