Drilling Cuttings Removal Device with Segmented Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for conveying drill cuttings during borehole creation face issues with blockages due to large cuttings and deposits, leading to inefficient removal and potential clogging of openings.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates mechanically adjustable receiving elements with openings designed for the maximum grain size, allowing cuttings to be picked up mechanically and then hydraulically removed, along with a buoyancy feature to reduce ballast and pressure, and a bypass system for efficient cutting removal and adaptation to varying borehole sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If openings are made larger to allow larger drill cuttings to pass through, then the clogging problem is reduced, but the pump's ability to handle the cuttings is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the cuttings reception and removal process into two distinct stages: (1) mechanical reception through openings of specific size that filter and classify cuttings, and (2) hydraulic removal through a separate suction opening. This segmentation allows the openings to be optimized for size classification while the hydraulic system handles the actual removal, resolving the contradiction between preventing clogging and maintaining pump compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving chamber acts as an intermediary between the openings and the pump suction opening. It temporarily stores the mechanically received cuttings and allows hydraulic fluid to pick them up and transport them away. This intermediary space prevents direct interaction between large cuttings and the pump, eliminating clogging risks while maintaining effective cuttings removal.
2Productivity
If suction force is increased to improve cuttings removal efficiency, then hydraulic conveying performance is improved, but deposits form on opening walls and large cuttings are sucked in
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the cuttings intake function (through openings) from the cuttings removal function (through suction opening). The openings are designed for mechanical reception at low flow velocity, while the suction opening handles high-velocity hydraulic removal. This segmentation prevents deposits from forming on opening walls and avoids suction of excessively large cuttings, as the openings are not subjected to high suction forces.
3Reliability
If a roller with protrusions is used to clear openings, then opening cleaning is improved, but the precision and reliability of opening clearance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the clearing function from a complex mechanical roller mechanism and replaces it with a simple hydraulic flushing system. High-velocity drilling fluid is directed through the openings to automatically clear any blockages. This extraction of the clearing function simplifies the device while improving reliability, as the hydraulic system is already present for cuttings removal and can be used for clearing without additional complex mechanisms.
4Measurement precision
If the receiving body diameter is increased to improve centering of the drilling tool, then centering accuracy is improved, but ballast and pressure on the ground increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving body incorporates a buoyancy element that provides upward buoyant force to counteract the weight of the receiving body and drilling tool assembly. This allows the outer diameter of the receiving body to be increased for improved centering accuracy without proportionally increasing the ballast and ground pressure, as the buoyancy element offsets the additional weight.
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 solution ensures reliable and efficient hydraulic transportation of drill cuttings, reduces clogging, and allows for better centering of the drilling tool, minimizing sinking and torque, while enabling easy adaptation to different borehole sizes and soil conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A liquid jet pump, driven by drilling fluid flowing in the drill string, is provided to remove the soil loosened by the reamer. The vacuum created at the pump's suction end draws in the drill cuttings downstream of the reamer and transports them away through the pipeline.
Implementation Method 2
the receiving body is a buoyancy body with at least one air-filled section. This reduces the ballast acting on the drill string, thus minimizing sinking.
Implementation Method 3
The size of the openings corresponds to the maximum particle size that the pump can handle. This allows for simple classification of the drill cuttings.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for conveying away drillings removed by a drilling tool (113) during the creation of a drill hole (101, 102) for laying a pipeline, said device having at least one pump (12) for pumping away a drilling liquid mixed with the drillings and at least one receiving body (11) with at least one receiving chamber (17), which is connected via openings (14) to a drillings region (117) behind the drilling tool (113). The problem addressed by the invention is therefore to create a device for conveying away drillings, with which it is possible reliably to transport away the drillings via a pressure conveying system. According to the solution of the invention, a receiving element (13) for mechanically receiving the drillings is provided on the receiving body (11), on which receiving element at least some of the openings (14) are arranged, via which the drillings reach the receiving chamber (17).