Modular Hydraulic Actuator Assembly for Drilling Machine Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic actuators in drilling machines have large, monolithic constructions that are difficult to transport, handle, assemble/disassemble, and service due to their complex and integrated designs.
Innovation Solution
The hydraulic actuator is designed with a tube assembly and a rod assembly that are separable into multiple parts, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, facilitating handling, transportation, and servicing, while controlling the feed of the drill head assembly through the influx and efflux of pressurized fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the hydraulic actuator uses a large, monolithic construction, then the structural strength and rigidity are improved, but the ease of transport, handling, assembly/disassembly, and servicing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic actuator is divided into multiple separable components including a tube assembly, rod assembly, piston assembly, and end structures. These segments can be transported and handled independently, then assembled together to form the complete actuator, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and ease of transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod assembly is received within the tube assembly, and the piston assembly is received within the rod assembly, creating a nested configuration. This nesting allows the components to be compact during transport while maintaining full functionality when assembled, addressing both transport ease and structural integrity requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the hydraulic actuator uses a large, monolithic construction, then the structural integrity is improved, but the ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is segmented into standardized components with defined interfaces (tube assembly, rod assembly, piston assembly, end structures). These segments are designed to be easily connected and disconnected through simple assembly operations, maintaining structural integrity while improving ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The end structures are designed to be interchangeable and can be selectively coupled to different assemblies (tube assembly or rod assembly). This universal design allows flexible configuration and simplifies assembly procedures, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and ease of assembly.
3Force
If the hydraulic actuator uses a large, monolithic construction, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the ease of servicing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic actuator is segmented into functional assemblies (tube assembly, rod assembly, piston assembly) that can be independently serviced. If a fault occurs in one assembly, only that specific assembly needs to be removed and replaced, not the entire actuator, thereby maintaining load-bearing capacity while significantly improving ease of servicing.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston assembly is extracted as a separate, removable component that can be independently serviced or replaced. This extraction allows maintenance personnel to access and service the piston assembly without disassembling the entire actuator, resolving the contradiction between load-bearing capacity and ease of repair.
4Ease of operation
If the hydraulic actuator uses a separable design with multiple parts, then the ease of transport, handling, and servicing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While segmentation into multiple parts does increase the number of components, each segment is designed as a complete, functional assembly with integrated components (e.g., the piston assembly includes piston, seals, and connections). This modular segmentation reduces overall system complexity by allowing independent design, manufacturing, and assembly of standardized modules.
Solution Approach 2:
Related components are merged into integrated assemblies (tube assembly, rod assembly, piston assembly, end structures) that function as unified units. This merging reduces the number of separate parts that need to be managed, thereby reducing perceived complexity while maintaining the benefits of separability for transport and servicing.
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 design enables efficient handling, transportation, and servicing of the hydraulic actuator, reducing the risk of damage during installation and removal, and enhancing operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
The tube assembly and rod assembly are displaceable with respect to one another to facilitate the movement of the drill string assembly along the mast frame
Implementation Method 2
upon an influx and an efflux of a pressurized fluid with respect to the bore
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic actuator, for controlling an operation of a drilling machine, includes a rod assembly and a tube assembly. The tube assembly defines a bore to receive the rod assembly therethrough and is moveable with respect to the rod assembly upon an influx and an efflux of a pressurized fluid with respect to the bore to control a feed of a drill head assembly of the drilling machine. The rod assembly is formed from a plurality of parts separable from one another to facilitate assembly or disassembly of the rod assembly with respect to the tube assembly.