Actively Controllable Homogenizing Element for Drilling Cuttings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rock drilling rigs face challenges in evenly distributing drilling cuttings in the airflow, making it difficult to obtain representative samples for analyzing rock properties, as the particles do not distribute uniformly, leading to inconsistent sampling results.
Innovation Solution
An actively controllable inlet tube with a homogenizing section that introduces a physical point of discontinuity, using dynamically adjustable elements such as expandable or movable parts to alter the flow geometry, ensuring even distribution of drilling cuttings before the sampling point, which can be retrofitted into existing dust collecting systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a homogenizing element is introduced to improve particle distribution, then sampling representativeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically controllable homogenizing element that can be activated or deactivated based on sampling requirements. During normal operation, the element remains retracted to maintain simple flow geometry. When sampling is required, the element is deployed to create turbulence and homogenize particle distribution, then retracted afterward. This dynamic approach allows the system to achieve improved sampling representativeness only when needed, without permanently increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The homogenizing element is designed as a separate, removable component that can be extracted from the inlet tube when not in use. This extraction principle allows the complex homogenizing functionality to be isolated from the main flow path during normal operation, maintaining simple device geometry while providing advanced functionality when required for sampling operations.
2Measurement precision
If a homogenizing element is permanently installed to ensure even particle distribution, then sampling quality is improved, but flow area is reduced and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The homogenizing element is designed to be dynamically deployable and retractable rather than permanently installed. During normal flow operation, the element remains retracted, preserving the full cross-sectional flow area and eliminating continuous wear points. When sampling quality needs improvement, the element is temporarily deployed to create the necessary turbulence for particle homogenization, then retracted to restore the original tube geometry and durability characteristics.
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 enhances the quality and reliability of rock drilling samples by evenly spreading particles of different sizes, improving analysis accuracy and being simple, cost-effective, and durable, with the ability to adjust the homogenizing effect according to different flow conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the homogenizing element generates disturbances in the flow and can homogenize particle distribution of the drilling cuttings in the flow
Data Source
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AI summary
An inlet tube of a sampling device, a rock drilling rig, and a method for taking samples. The inlet tube (18) is mountable to a dust collecting system (10) of a rock drilling rig (1) and is provided with at least one actively controllable homogenizing element (24) forming a physical element for generating disturbance in flow and to thereby homogenize particle distribution of the drilling cuttings in the flow.