Percussive Augmenter Bit for Rotary Drills
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drills are inadequate for rapid penetration of concrete walls with minimal tool weight, size, and power, and fail to enhance the capabilities of commercial rotary drills for high-speed drilling and large diameter operations.
Innovation Solution
A percussive augmenter of rotary drills (PARoD) that uses a piezoelectric actuated bit with two modalities, one with and one without a free-mass, to convert rotary drills into effective rotary-hammer drills, incorporating pneumatic and/or water cooling, and an electrical power transfer mechanism for enhanced drilling speed and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional rotary drills are used, then the tool can penetrate concrete walls, but the drilling speed is slow and requires large tool weight, size and power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ultrasonic vibration to the drill bit at frequencies between 20-100 kHz to create high-frequency percussive motion that dramatically increases drilling speed through concrete and rock while maintaining lightweight tool design. The vibratory motion creates micro-fractures in the material that accelerate penetration without requiring increased tool weight or power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing high-frequency vibration (20-100 kHz) to the drilling process, transforming conventional rotary drilling into ultrasonic-assisted drilling. This parameter change enables rapid penetration of hard materials while keeping the tool weight and power consumption low, directly resolving the contradiction between drilling speed and tool weight.
2Productivity
If conventional rotary drills are used, then the tool can drill through materials, but the drilling speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic vibration mechanism increases drilling productivity by creating high-frequency percussive action that accelerates material removal. The vibration frequency of 20-100 kHz produces rapid micro-fractures in concrete and rock, enabling the drill to penetrate materials 10 times faster than conventional rotary drills while consuming comparable or less power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic ultrasonic vibrations at frequencies of 20-100 kHz to continuously fracture the material ahead of the drill bit. This periodic action creates a cumulative effect where repeated micro-fractures rapidly progress through the material, dramatically increasing drilling efficiency without requiring proportional increases in power consumption.
3Speed
If conventional rotary drills are used, then the tool can operate, but it cannot rapidly penetrate concrete walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an ultrasonic vibration generator that attaches to the drill bit, creating high-frequency percussive motion at 20-100 kHz. This added component enables rapid penetration of concrete walls by creating micro-fractures through vibratory loading, achieving 10x faster drilling speeds while adding minimal structural complexity to the overall drill system.
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 PARoD significantly increases drilling speed by a factor of 10 times, enabling effective high-speed drilling with reduced weight and power consumption, suitable for both planetary missions and commercial applications.
Implementation Method 1
A percussive drill bit driven by an actuator (piezoelectric, electrostrictive, or magnetostrictive) and provides a rotation mechanism
Implementation Method 2
The bit employs an electrical power transfer mechanism (e.g., an electrical slip-ring) and mechanical slip-rings to transfer electric power as well as water
Implementation Method 3
A percussive drill bit driven by an actuator (piezoelectric, electrostrictive, or magnetostrictive)
Implementation Method 4
A percussive drill bit driven by an actuator (piezoelectric, electrostrictive, or magnetostrictive)
Data Source
AI summary
A percussive augmenter bit includes a connection shaft for mounting the bit onto a rotary drill. In a first modality, an actuator percussively drives the bit, and an electric slip-ring provides power to the actuator while being rotated by the drill. Hammering action from the actuator and rotation from the drill are applied directly to material being drilled. In a second modality, a percussive augmenter includes an actuator that operates as a hammering mechanism that drives a free mass into the bit creating stress pulses that fracture material that is in contact with the bit.