Drilling Mast Control via Coordinated Power and Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling machines face complex and hazardous maneuvers during mast lifting and lowering, requiring multiple manual controls and causing tension issues with winches, which limits drilling depth and increases operational risks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automates the control of mast movement using a coordinated power delivery system, including a movement supply circuit and an actuating supply circuit, with locking mechanisms to prevent axial movement between the mast and drilling assembly, allowing continuous, synchronized, and safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control methods are used for mast lifting and lowering, then the operator can directly control the movement, but the operation becomes complex and hazardous requiring multiple manual controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manual control functions into a single automated control system. The control unit integrates the coordination of winch motor, hydraulic cylinder, and locking mechanism operations, eliminating the need for multiple separate manual controls and reducing operational complexity while maintaining full control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated control where the control unit autonomously coordinates all movement and locking operations without continuous manual intervention. The automated coordination of multiple components (winch, hydraulic system, locking mechanisms) performs the complex control tasks itself, reducing the burden on the operator
2Reliability
If manual control methods are used for mast lifting and lowering, then the operator can directly control the movement, but the operation becomes hazardous with increased operational risks
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control unit autonomously manages the coordination of all system components during mast movement, eliminating human error in complex manual operations. The system self-regulates the winch motor, hydraulic cylinder, and locking mechanisms to ensure safe and reliable operation without requiring operator intervention in critical coordination tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the positions and states of the mast, winch, hydraulic cylinder, and locking mechanisms, automatically adjusting operations to maintain safe operating conditions. This closed-loop control ensures reliable operation by detecting and responding to system states in real-time
3Length of moving object
If the drilling assembly is made longer to increase drilling depth, then the drilling depth increases, but the axial movement between mast and drilling assembly causes tension issues with winches
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanisms are engaged in advance before axial movement between the mast and drilling assembly occurs. By pre-locking the drilling assembly to the mast at the beginning of lifting/lowering operations, the system prevents unwanted axial displacement that would cause winch tension issues, enabling longer drilling assemblies to be used safely
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system is divided into multiple locking mechanisms positioned at different locations along the mast-drilling assembly interface. This segmentation provides distributed axial constraint, preventing movement at any single point and ensuring uniform tension distribution across the winch system when using extended drilling assemblies
Data Source
AI summary
The method comprises the following operations: delivering a moving power to at least one linear actuator (1, 7) arranged to move a mast (5) mounted so as to swing with respect to a self-propelled structure (3) among a plurality of moving operating configurations; delivering an actuating power to a winch (8) which is supported by said self-propelled structure (3) and adapted to allow the winding or unwinding of a respective traction element which is constrained to a drilling assembly, in particular a bank of telescopic or kelly bars (12) to which a drilling tool can be associated; at least temporarily preventing a relative axial movement between said drilling assembly (12) and said mast (5) during the passage between at least two consecutive operating configurations; and automatically controlling the delivery of said moving power in a coordinated manner with the delivery of said actuating power when said axial movement is hindered.