Drilling Rig Propulsion Gear Shifting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling rigs with two tracks face challenges in controlling propulsion, particularly when turning on wet, muddy, or sandy surfaces, leading to complex operation, non-desired changes in engine speed, and potential stalling due to increased load during direction changes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling the propulsion of drilling rigs with independent speed control for each track, utilizing a transmission with at least two gear states, allowing for automatic downshifting to a lower gear state during turns, reducing operator workload and improving safety by automating gear shifts based on speed differences between the tracks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual gear shifting is performed during turning operations, then the operator can control the transmission, but the operation becomes complex and the risk of stalling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system performs gear shifting automatically based on detected speed differences between tracks, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention. The system monitors the speed difference and autonomously selects appropriate gear states, allowing the transmission to serve itself rather than requiring continuous operator management
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors the speed difference between the two tracks and uses this feedback information to automatically determine when gear shifting is necessary. This closed-loop control enables the system to respond dynamically to changing operational conditions during turning maneuvers
2Reliability
If the operator focuses on safe propulsion and gear shifts, then safety is maintained, but the operational efficiency decreases due to multiple simultaneous tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system autonomously manages gear shifting operations, freeing the operator from this secondary task. The system independently monitors speed differences and executes gear changes without requiring operator attention, thereby improving operational efficiency while maintaining safety through automated control
3Reliability
If automatic downshifting is implemented during turns, then the risk of stalling is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses feedback from speed difference measurements to automatically determine when downshifting is necessary to prevent engine stalling. By continuously monitoring the operational parameters and responding with appropriate gear changes, the system prevents stalling events without requiring complex predictive modeling or operator intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs gear downshifting in advance of potential stalling conditions by detecting speed differences that indicate upcoming high-load situations. This preliminary action ensures the transmission is already in an appropriate gear state before the engine encounters conditions that would cause stalling
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention pertains to a method for controlling propulsion of a drilling rig (100), said drilling rig comprising right propulsion means (130b) and left propulsion means (130a) and mutually independent speed control and a transmission (235; 335) for driving said right propulsion means (130b) and left propulsion means (130a), said transmission providing at least two gear states of a gear box (235), comprising the steps of: - requesting propulsion speed for said right propulsion means and for said left propulsion means; - determining (s430) a difference (Diff) between a requested propulsion speed of said right propulsion means and said left propulsion means; - determining (s430) suitable gear state on the basis of the thus determined difference (Diff). The invention also relates to a computer program product comprising program code (P) for a computer (210; 220) for implementing a method according to the invention. The invention also relates to a system and a drilling rig (100) being equipped with said system.