Drilling Rig Route Selection for Forward-Backward Approach Planning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drilling rig navigation systems lack the ability to efficiently determine optimal routes to a target position, particularly in complex environments with obstacles and varying operational conditions, such as driving forward or backward, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential damage from sharp turns.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method for a drilling rig that calculates multiple route options based on different approach types (forward or backward driving) using status information, including position, heading, and environmental data, and selects the best route based on criteria like shortest distance, fastest time, or least turns, while avoiding previously drilled holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single route is calculated without considering multiple approach types, then the navigation system is simple, but the drilling rig efficiency decreases and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling rig efficiencyVSAvoidnavigation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation system segments the route calculation by dividing it into multiple approach types (first approach type and second approach type). Each approach type represents a different driving pattern or route characteristic, allowing the system to evaluate multiple segmented options rather than a single monolithic route, thereby improving drilling rig efficiency through better route selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of time

If multiple routes are calculated and selected based on criteria, then the route optimization improves, but the calculation time and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute selection timeVSAvoidnavigation processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates multiple routes using different approach types and selects the best route based on predefined criteria such as shortest distance, fastest time, or least turns. This partial action approach evaluates only the most relevant routes rather than all possible paths, optimizing route selection time while maintaining navigation processing efficiency through criterion-based filtering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If the drilling rig makes sharp turns to reach target position, then the positioning accuracy improves, but the risk of damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget position accuracyVSAvoiddamage risk from sharp turns
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the routing parameters by calculating routes based on different approach types that consider turning constraints. Instead of prioritizing only the shortest distance, the system adjusts route parameters to include minimum turn radius constraints and approach angle limitations, thereby reducing damage risk from sharp turns while still achieving acceptable target position accuracy through optimized path planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3910158B1Selecting a route
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 SANDVIK MINING & CONSTR OY
  • EP3910158B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3910158B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3910158B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An apparatus, method and computer program product for: receiving information on a target position of a drilling rig, receiving status information relating to the drilling rig, calculating, based on the status information, at least a first route according to a first approach type and a second route according to a second approach type to the target position, and selecting, based on at least one criterion, the calculated first route or the calculated second route.