Elastomeric Centralizer Base for Rock Drilling Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rock drilling systems employ rigid metal centralizer assemblies that transmit unwanted vibrations, leading to wear and loosening of components, and increase the weight and energy consumption of the drilling equipment.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of elastomeric centralizer bases and assemblies that attenuate vibrations and reduce weight by replacing rigid metallic components with elastomeric materials, such as urethane, in the stinger-mounted and travelling cradle centralizer assemblies, which are designed to support and guide the drill steel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid metal centralizer assemblies are used, then structural strength and stability are improved, but vibrations are transmitted causing wear and loosening of components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidcomponent reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The centralizer base is constructed as a composite structure combining rigid metal components (for structural strength) with elastomeric material (for vibration damping). This composite approach allows the assembly to maintain structural integrity while absorbing harmful vibrations, thereby resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid metal centralizer assemblies are used, then structural stability is improved, but weight of the assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The composite centralizer base combines lightweight elastomeric material with strategic metal reinforcement, achieving structural stability without the full weight penalty of traditional all-metal assemblies. The elastomeric portion provides stability while being lighter than equivalent metal structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the entire centralizer assembly from heavy metal, the invention applies metal only in specific locations where structural strength is critical (such as mounting surfaces and load-bearing points), while the remainder is constructed from lighter elastomeric material. This local differentiation maintains stability while reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If rigid metal centralizer assemblies are used, then structural strength is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The composite construction reduces the overall mass of the centralizer assembly compared to all-metal designs. This weight reduction decreases the energy required to accelerate and move the drilling equipment, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural strength and reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If rigid metal centralizer assemblies are used, then structural integrity is improved, but vibrations are transmitted causing wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidvibration transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric material in the composite base acts as a vibration damper, absorbing and dissipating vibrational energy generated during drilling operations. This prevents the transmission of harmful vibrations to other components while the metal portions maintain structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric material serves as an intermediary between the metal structural components and the drilling environment, absorbing vibrations and preventing their transmission through the assembly. This intermediary layer protects other components from vibration-induced wear and loosening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution reduces wear on the drill feed assembly, decreases energy consumption by reducing the weight of the assembly, and minimizes vibrations, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the rock drilling process.

Implementation Method 1

elastomeric centralizer bases that minimize vibration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration attenuation: Damping

Implementation Method 2

centralizer base made of an elastomeric material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10400526B2Elastomeric centralizer base for rock drilling system

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 1311854 ONTARIO

AI summary

A rock drilling system comprising a rock drill adapted to hold a drill steel to which a drill bit is connected, a drill feed rail for slidably supporting a drill feed that displaces the rock drill along the drill feed rail, a stinger-supported centralizer assembly for centralizing the drill steel, wherein the stinger-supported centralizer assembly has a centralizer base made of an elastomeric material, and a travelling cradle centralizer assembly slidable over the drill feed rail for centralizing the drill steel, wherein the travelling cradle centralizer assembly has a cradle made of an elastomeric material.