Hydraulic Gear Transmission for Variable Torque Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transmission devices for rotary earth drilling and screw piling face challenges in balancing torque and speed, with single speed transmissions requiring maximum torque for difficult drilling stages, leading to inefficiencies in lower torque/higher speed operations and being limited by hydraulic pressure and system characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A transmission device with a gear assembly and actuator system that adjusts output rate through hydraulic pressure, utilizing an inner gear, intermediate gears, and an outer gear, with an actuator moving between positions to change gear ratios, and a control system that senses hydraulic pressure to automatically adjust gear changes for optimal torque and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a single speed transmission is geared for maximum torque to overcome the most difficult stages of drilling, then torque requirement is improved, but drilling speed is reduced leading to wasted operator time
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission device employs a variable speed mechanism with multiple gear ratios that can be dynamically selected during drilling operations. The system transitions from a fixed single-speed configuration to a dynamic multi-speed system, allowing the operator to select appropriate gear ratios based on real-time drilling conditions, thereby optimizing both torque and speed across different drilling stages
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the transmission ratio parameter by providing multiple discrete gear ratios (e.g., 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1, 12:1, 13:1, 14:1, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1, 19:1, 20:1, 21:1, 22:1, 23:1, 24:1, 25:1, 26:1, 27:1, 28:1, 29:1, 30:1, 31:1, 32:1, 33:1, 34:1, 35:1, 36:1, 37:1, 38:1, 39:1, 40:1, 41:1, 42:1, 43:1, 44:1, 45:1, 46:1, 47:1, 48:1, 49:1, 50:1, 51:1, 52:1, 53:1, 54:1, 55:1, 56:1, 57:1, 58:1, 59:1, 60:1, 61:1, 62:1, 63:1, 64:1, 65:1, 66:1, 67:1, 68:1, 69:1, 70:1, 71:1, 72:1, 73:1, 74:1, 75:1, 76:1, 77:1, 78:1, 79:1, 80:1, 81:1, 82:1, 83:1, 84:1, 85:1, 86:1, 87:1, 88:1, 89:1, 90:1, 91:1, 92:1, 93:1, 94:1, 95:1, 96:1, 97:1, 98:1, 99:1, 100:1). This allows the system to adapt transmission characteristics to match varying drilling requirements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high torque for difficult stages and achieving high speed for easier stages
2Speed
If variable speed hydraulic pump motors are used to provide different speeds and torque, then speed and torque variability is improved, but the system is limited by hydraulic pressure and fails to take advantage of mechanical transmission variations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines hydraulic pump motors with a mechanical variable speed transmission system. Rather than relying solely on hydraulic pressure variations, the system merges hydraulic power delivery with mechanical gear ratio changes, allowing the full range of transmission ratios to be utilized while maintaining hydraulic drive benefits. This combination overcomes the limitations of pure hydraulic systems by providing discrete mechanical speed steps alongside continuous hydraulic control
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex transmissions are used to achieve multiple speeds and torque levels, then torque and speed adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system is segmented into modular components including a hydraulic pump motor assembly and a separate mechanical gear train with multiple selectable ratios. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture compared to integrated complex transmissions. The modular design reduces complexity while maintaining full adaptability across the required torque and speed range
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 transmission device provides efficient adjustments in torque and speed, reducing operator time and system lag, and allows for higher gear reductions than traditional transmissions, improving drilling efficiency and adaptability to varying drilling conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator movable between a first position at which the gear assembly can move to its first position and a second position at which the gear assembly can move to its second position, said actuator being movable under the influence of hydraulic pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission device including a body, an input member extending along the body, and having a rotational axis, a gear assembly connected to the input member, having an inner gear, one or more intermediate gears engaged with the inner gear; and an outer gear engaged with one or more intermediate gears, wherein in a first position the gear assembly is configured to rotate at substantially the same rate as the input member and axial movement of at least one component to a second position, in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, allows the gear assembly to provide to an output member a different output rate relative to the input member, and an actuator movable between a first position at which the gear assembly moves to its first position and a second position at which the gear assembly moves to its second position, the actuator moves under hydraulic pressure.