Electronic Control for Automated Earth Drilling Rig
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Solution Overview
Problem
Earth drilling operations require skilled operators to manage drilling speed, downfeed force, and pneumatic hammer air pressure, making them prone to inefficiencies and potential bit breakage due to 'crowding' and unexpected underground conditions like voids and formations.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulically operated drill rig with a programmed electronic control system that adjusts drill string weight, rotation speed, and pneumatic hammer air pressure to maintain optimal drilling conditions, including automated weight measurement, air pressure monitoring, and torque regulation, allowing for automated operation and reduced operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If operator skill and experience are used to manage drilling operations, then drilling performance can be adjusted for unexpected conditions, but the operation becomes complex and requires high skill level
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling rig system performs self-regulation of drilling parameters through automated sensors and control mechanisms. The system automatically adjusts downfeed force, rotation speed, and air pressure to optimal levels based on real-time monitoring, eliminating the need for continuous operator intervention and skill-based judgment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor drilling conditions and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment of drilling parameters in response to changing conditions, replacing operator skill with automated closed-loop control.
2Productivity
If downfeed force is increased to improve drilling efficiency, then drilling speed increases, but the risk of bit breakage due to crowding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the downfeed force applied to the drill bit based on real-time monitoring of air pressure and drilling conditions. Rather than applying constant maximum force, the system modulates the force to maintain optimal drilling speed while preventing excessive force that could cause bit breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system monitors air pressure as an indicator of hammer operation status and uses this parameter to automatically adjust the downfeed force. When air pressure indicates the hammer is not operating correctly, the system reduces downfeed force to prevent bit damage while maintaining efficient drilling when conditions are optimal.
3Ease of operation
If automated control system is implemented to reduce operator skill requirements, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical control mechanisms with electronic sensors and control circuits. Rather than using elaborate mechanical linkages and manual control devices, the invention uses electronic monitoring and automated control logic to manage drilling parameters, reducing mechanical complexity while improving ease of operation.
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
The system ensures consistent drilling performance by maintaining a predetermined weight and rotation speed, reducing the risk of bit breakage and improving efficiency by automatically adjusting for underground conditions, thereby enhancing drilling precision and reducing operator skill requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic pump mechanism for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure for driving the drill head and hoist
Implementation Method 2
an air compressor, connected to the drill head, for causing compressed air to flow through the drill string for operation of the pneumatic hammer
Implementation Method 3
a drill head position sensor
Implementation Method 4
a sensor for sensing the pressure of the hydraulic fluid operating the hoist and a sensor for sensing the pressure of the hydraulic fluid driving the drill head
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic control, for automated earth drilling using a pneumatic hammer-operated bit, preliminarily weighs a drill string, and, during drilling, automatically maintains a desired weight on the bit, and also maintains a constant rate of drilling progress by regulating drill string rotation speed. The weight on the bit is automatically maintained at a fraction of the pre-established desired weight as the air pressure in the supply to the pneumatic hammer builds up to an operating level. The control detects voids and broken formations by monitoring air pressure and torque respectively, and responds by reducing the weight on the bit. The control automatically raises the drill bit though a short distance as the drill head reaches the lower limit of its travel, pauses until the air pressure drops, and then raises the drill string to a position for insertion of a new length of pipe.