Geotechnical Drilling Machine with Pivotable Carousel Barrel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Geotechnical drilling machines using concentric tubes are often bulky due to the need for powerful motors and complex handling mechanisms to manage and rotate multiple tubes, which complicates deep drilling operations.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a rotary barrel with coaxial, pivotable carousels allows independent rotation of inner and outer tubes, enabling the use of weaker motors and facilitating radial extraction and introduction of tubes, thereby reducing the machine's size and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single rotating barrel stores both inner and outer tubes, then tube storage is achieved, but the machine becomes bulky and requires powerful motors to rotate all tubes simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetube storage capabilityVSAvoidmachine size and motor power requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single rotating barrel into two separate carousels: an inner carousel for storing inner tubes and an outer carousel for storing outer tubes. Each carousel can rotate independently, allowing selective rotation of only the required tube series. This segmentation eliminates the need to rotate all tubes simultaneously, reducing motor power requirements and simplifying the handling mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a radial dimension for tube extraction and introduction. Tubes can be extracted or introduced radially from the carousels, adding a new dimension to the loading/unloading process. This radial access mechanism simplifies the handling system compared to vertical extraction, reducing the overall machine size and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a handling device moves vertically to extract tubes from the barrel, then tube extraction is achieved, but the machine requires extensive vertical space and guiding mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetube extraction capabilityVSAvoidvertical space requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the extraction direction from vertical to radial. The handling device now moves radially outward from the carousels to extract tubes, rather than moving vertically. This dimensional change eliminates the need for extensive vertical guiding mechanisms and reduces the overall vertical space requirement of the machine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If all tubes rotate simultaneously when selecting one tube, then tube selection is achieved, but unnecessary tubes are rotated requiring powerful motors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetube selection capabilityVSAvoidmotor power requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tube rotation function by creating two independent carousels. When a tube needs to be selected, only the corresponding carousel (inner or outer) rotates to bring the desired tube into position. The other carousel remains stationary. This selective rotation dramatically reduces the power requirement compared to rotating all tubes simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2851503B1Drilling machine having a barrel provided with several carousels
Publication Date: 2016.05.18 SOLETANCHE FREYSSINET SAS
  • EP2851503B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2851503B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2851503B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The invention relates to a geotechnical drilling machine (12) comprising: a drill head (24); means for moving the drill head longitudinally along a drilling axis; a drum (30) rotating about a second axis, said drum comprising a plurality of first housings for receiving first tubes (14) and a plurality of second housings for receiving second tubes, connection means for connecting the drill head at least with one of the second tubes contained in the drum; The invention is characterized in that the drum (30) comprises a first carousel and at least one second carousel, the first and second carousels being coaxial and arranged to pivot relative to each other about the second axis.