Drone-Mounted Wireless Probe for Drill Head Location

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Solution Overview

Problem

Locating a drill head in an earth drilling device is complex and time-consuming, especially when dealing with difficult terrain or obstacles, as existing methods require manual operation and are dependent on ground conditions.

Innovation Solution

A cordless probe is mounted on a flying object, such as a drone, to quickly and independently locate the drill head by flying over the area in a predetermined pattern, allowing for systematic scanning and real-time monitoring of the drill head's position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a cordless probe is mounted on a flying object, then the speed of locating the drill head is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocating speedVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A flying object (drone) is introduced as an intermediary carrier to mount and transport the cordless probe. This mediator enables the probe to quickly reach measurement positions above difficult terrain without manual intervention, significantly improving locating speed while the complexity is managed through the use of autonomous flying technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical system of transporting and positioning the probe by hand is replaced with an automated flying object system. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to physically navigate difficult terrain, thereby increasing locating speed and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If multiple receivers are used to locate the drill head, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flying object serves multiple functions: it carries the cordless probe for signal reception, provides autonomous navigation capabilities, and enables rapid repositioning. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve precise drill head location without requiring multiple separate receiver units, thereby maintaining measurement precision while controlling device complexity.

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

3Ease of operation

If a walk-over receiver is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity decreases due to ground condition dependencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational easeVSAvoidlocating efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static ground-based walk-over receiver to a dynamic aerial platform. The flying object can dynamically adjust its position, altitude, and speed independently of ground conditions, maintaining ease of operation while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating terrain-related delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If the probe is moved quickly over difficult terrain, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability of location data may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocating speedVSAvoiddetection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flying object creates a virtual measurement path by rapidly moving above the terrain without physical contact. This copying approach allows the probe to collect location data along the entire survey path at high speed, maintaining reliability through consistent aerial positioning while achieving superior productivity compared to ground-based methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

This approach significantly speeds up the drill head location process, enabling efficient detection even in challenging subsoil conditions and allowing for autonomous correction of borehole deviations, thereby improving the drilling process's accuracy and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the transmitter can emit electromagnetic waves that can be detected by one or more receivers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3559410B1Locating a drill head of a ground drilling device
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 TRACTO TECHN
  • EP3559410B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3559410B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for locating a drill head of a ground drilling device, comprising a wireless probe, the probe being arranged on or in a flying object.