Automated Drill Bit Changing via Mast Angle Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated drill bit changing systems for drilling rigs require complex mechanical movements and structures, leading to increased manufacturing costs and potential mechanical failures, and often necessitate human intervention for efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A drilling rig system featuring a magazine with angled drill bit pockets and a mast that tilts to align with each pocket, allowing for automated drill bit changes without rotating carousels, using a controller to manage the drill string's interaction with the magazine, enabling efficient and safe bit replacement without direct human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If complex mechanical movements and structures are used for automated drill bit changing, then automation capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine is divided into multiple independently angled pockets, each oriented at a specific angle corresponding to a drill bit position. This segmentation allows the system to use simple angular positioning of the mast rather than complex mechanical movements to select different drill bits, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the angular parameter of the mast to align with different drill bit pockets. By varying the mast angle parameter rather than using complex mechanical movements, the system achieves automated drill bit selection with simpler mechanics, resolving the contradiction between automation and device complexity.
2Extent of automation
If complex mechanical structures are used for automated drill bit changing, then automation capability is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine is divided into multiple independently angled pockets, each oriented at a specific angle corresponding to a drill bit position. This segmentation allows the system to use simple angular positioning of the mast rather than complex mechanical movements to select different drill bits, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the angular parameter of the mast to align with different drill bit pockets. By varying the mast angle parameter rather than using complex mechanical movements, the system achieves automated drill bit selection with simpler mechanics, resolving the contradiction between automation and device complexity.
3Extent of automation
If complex mechanical movements are used for drill bit changing, then automation capability is improved, but operational efficiency decreases due to human intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automated drill bit changing by using the existing mast angle range to automatically select and position the appropriate drill bit. The controller automatically manages the drill string interaction with the magazine, eliminating the need for human intervention during bit changes and improving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The mast angle mechanism serves multiple functions: it positions the drill for drilling operations and simultaneously selects the appropriate drill bit from the magazine. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate complex mechanical bit selection mechanisms and human intervention, thereby improving productivity while maintaining automation.
Data Source
AI summary
During drilling operations by a drilling rig, drill bits may need to be changed, which can lead to inefficiency. Thus, a process is disclosed for automatically changing drill bits. The process utilizes the existing ability of the drill to tilt. In particular, a magazine may be provided that comprise a plurality of drill-bit pockets arranged in at least one column. Each of the drill-bit pockets within one column holds a drill bit at a different angle within the range of angles at which the drill is able to tilt. The process may control the angle of the drill to align with the angle of any one of the drill-bit pockets, and operate a drill string to release a drill bit into, or engage a drill bit within, that drill-bit pocket. Also, the magazine may comprise two or more columns, in which case, the magazine may be configured to slide laterally.