Drilling Tool Segmented Outlet Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drilling tools struggle to achieve a uniform and efficient mixing of drilling fluid with soil material during and after the drilling process, leading to suboptimal quality of the resulting soil mortar, which affects the strength and integrity of foundation elements.

Innovation Solution

A drilling tool with multiple outlet openings along the shaft, equipped with an actuating device to selectively control fluid introduction through these openings, allowing for targeted mixing of drilling fluid with soil material both during and after drilling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If fluid is introduced through a single outlet opening during drilling, then the mixing of drilling fluid with soil material occurs at the cutting unit, but during withdrawal the fluid introduction impairs the mixing result as the drill bit cannot mechanically stir the fluid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing qualityVSAvoidoperational flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single outlet opening is segmented into multiple outlet openings arranged at different axial positions along the drill shaft. This allows selective introduction of drilling fluid at different locations depending on the operational phase (drilling or withdrawal), resolving the contradiction between maintaining mixing quality and operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different outlet openings based on the operational phase. During drilling, lower outlet openings are activated for fluid introduction at the cutting unit. During withdrawal, upper outlet openings are activated to introduce fluid from above, allowing mechanical stirring by the rotating drill bit. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between mixing quality and operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple outlet openings are provided along the drill shaft, then fluid can be selectively introduced at different positions, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple outlets and control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid introduction flexibilityVSAvoidoutlet opening configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drill shaft is designed with multiple outlet openings that serve different functions during different operational phases. The same drill shaft structure performs both drilling and withdrawal operations with optimized fluid introduction patterns, reducing the need for separate systems and minimizing overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures a high-quality and uniform soil mortar production, enhancing the strength and reliability of foundation elements by ensuring thorough mixing of drilling fluid with soil material throughout the drilling process.

Implementation Method 1

Mixing elements on the drill shaft mix the slurry with the crushed soil material to produce a so-called soil mortar in situ

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical mixing: Stirring

Implementation Method 2

at least one actuating device is provided on the feed device with which the at least one first outlet opening and/or the at least one second outlet opening can be locked

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical blocking: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP4101987B1Drilling tool and method for creating a hole in the soil
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 BAUER SPEZIALTIEFBAU GMBH
  • EP4101987B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4101987B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a drilling tool (10) for creating a borehole in the ground, comprising a tubular drill shaft (12), at least one removal device (18, 21, 22) designed for removing soil material, a supply device (30) for supplying a fluid through the drill shaft via at least one outlet opening (35) for the fluid into the borehole, and at least one mixing element extending radially to the drill shaft, which is arranged on the drill shaft above the removal device (21) and is designed for mixing soil material with the fluid.At least one first outlet opening (35) in the area of ​​the removal device and at least one second outlet opening is arranged axially spaced from the at least one first outlet opening, wherein at least one actuating device (50) is provided on the feed device (30) with which the at least one first outlet opening (35) and/or the at least one second outlet opening can be blocked, wherein fluid can be selectively introduced into the bore via the at least one first outlet opening (35) and/or the at least one second outlet opening.