Drilling Machine Angle Adjustment and Stabilization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drilling machines lack the capability to efficiently drill at a wide range of angles relative to the ground surface, and they often struggle with securely threading drill rods and stabilizing the machine during operations, particularly in horizontal and geothermal drilling applications.

Innovation Solution

The development of a drilling machine equipped with a drill angle adjustment assembly for varying drilling angles, a stabilization assembly for stability during drilling, a control system for secure threading and rotational speed optimization, and hold-down assemblies to manage drill rods, enabling efficient drilling across multiple orientations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the drilling machine is designed for traditional horizontal drilling only, then the machine structure is simple and stable, but the drilling angle range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling angle rangeVSAvoidmachine structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drilling machine incorporates a drill angle adjustment assembly that enables dynamic reconfiguration of the drill rod driving assembly from a horizontal orientation to various angled positions (including geothermal drilling angles). This dynamic adaptability allows the machine to transition between different drilling configurations without requiring multiple specialized machines, thereby expanding the drilling angle range while managing structural complexity through a unified adjustable platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If drill rods are manually threaded together, then the operation is simple, but the connection reliability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrill rod connectionVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system incorporates sensors that detect when drill rods are properly threaded and connected to the drill string. This feedback mechanism automatically verifies the connection status and provides real-time information to the operator, ensuring reliable connections while reducing the need for complex manual inspection procedures. The system can detect improper threading and alert operators before drilling begins, enhancing connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If the machine operates without stabilization assembly, then the device complexity is low, but the machine stability during drilling is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine stabilityVSAvoidstabilization assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilization assembly functions as a counterbalancing system that compensates for the destabilizing forces generated during angled drilling operations. When the drill rod driving assembly is positioned at angles other than horizontal, the stabilization assembly activates to provide opposing forces that maintain machine equilibrium. This counterweight mechanism ensures machine stability during drilling operations without requiring permanent structural modifications, thereby managing the trade-off between stability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

4Productivity

If rotational speed is not optimized, then the control system is simple, but the drilling efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the rotational speed parameter of the drill rod driving assembly based on drilling conditions, depth, and angle. By optimizing this parameter in real-time, the system maximizes drilling efficiency and productivity. The control system can modify rotational speed to match optimal drilling parameters for different rock types and drilling depths, thereby enhancing productivity while managing control system complexity through automated parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2824273B1Drilling machine and method
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 VERMEER MFG CO
  • EP2824273B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2824273B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2824273B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a machine (10) capable of drilling into the ground at a wide range of angles relative to the ground surface. The present disclosure also provides novel drilling methods.