Pendulum Chassis Hydraulic Safety Valves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pendulum carriages for drilling rigs face instability and safety risks due to sudden hydraulic line ruptures, leading to uncontrolled pendulum movements and potential overturning, especially on uneven terrain, which existing safety devices fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating remote-controlled shut-off valves on each hydraulic line of the pendulum cylinders, with a remote control device to quickly close the valves in case of a line break, and additional safety features like throttle devices and pressure-limiting valves to manage fluid flow and pressure, ensuring rapid stabilization and preventing chassis overturning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydraulic lines are used to connect pendulum cylinders for passive pendulum movement, then automatic pressure equalization and chassis stabilization occur, but line rupture can cause sudden cylinder emptying and uncontrolled tipping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechassis stabilizationVSAvoidline rupture risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic system is segmented into separate circuits for each pendulum cylinder. Each circuit has its own pump, control valve, and safety devices, preventing total system failure from a single line rupture while maintaining operational stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Safety devices including rupture detection sensors and emergency shut-off valves are pre-installed on hydraulic lines. The system continuously monitors for line integrity and automatically activates protective measures before uncontrolled movement can occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 3:

A control unit acts as an intermediary between the hydraulic system and safety devices. It receives signals from rupture detection sensors and coordinates the activation of shut-off valves and pump controls to prevent catastrophic failure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If active pendulum movement is implemented with oil supply to both chambers, then chassis can be lowered or raised for loading and ramp operations, but system complexity and potential failure points increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading and ramp capabilityVSAvoidhydraulic system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic system is designed with multi-functional capability. The same pump and hose assembly can perform both passive stabilization functions and active lifting/lowering operations by switching control valve positions, eliminating the need for separate hydraulic circuits for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions dynamically between passive and active modes of operation. Control valves can switch the hydraulic circuit configuration in real-time, allowing the chassis to move from automated stabilization mode to operator-controlled lifting mode as needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If remote-controlled shut-off valves are installed on hydraulic lines for safety, then line rupture protection is improved, but device complexity and potential failure points increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline rupture protectionVSAvoidsafety device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety system operates autonomously through self-service mechanisms. Rupture detection sensors automatically trigger shut-off valves without operator intervention, and the system self-diagnoses hydraulic line integrity continuously, reducing the need for complex manual control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual ball valves are replaced with remotely controllable shut-off valves that can be actuated electronically or pneumatically. This substitution allows for faster response times and more reliable closure in emergency situations while enabling remote operation from the operator cabin

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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 solution significantly enhances operational safety by enabling immediate shutdown of pendulum movement in case of a line rupture, reducing the risk of chassis overturning and ensuring reliable operation, even in critical situations, through rapid valve actuation and stable fluid management.

Implementation Method 1

hydraulic lines which are arranged on the oscillating cylinders for actuating the oscillating cylinders

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The two oscillating cylinders are usually interconnected in such a way that both the two piston head chambers and the two annular surface chambers of the two oscillating cylinders are each hydraulically connected to one another. If, with such an arrangement, different surface pressures occur on the carriages when moving on uneven terrain, then when the carriages move, automatic pressure equalization takes place in the cylinder chambers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPascal's law: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 3

each safety device has at least one remotely actuatable shut-off valve for shutting off the respective hydraulic line in the event of a line rupture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectValve closure: Valve

Implementation Method 4

at least one of the safety devices for overload protection of the respective pendulum cylinder has a pressure-limiting valve, which is arranged on an overload line that branches off from the respective hydraulic line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow restriction: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 5

at least one of the safety devices for overload protection of the respective pendulum cylinder has a pressure-limiting valve, which is arranged on an overload line that branches off from the respective hydraulic line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure relief: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP1964756B1Pendulum chassis, in particular for a drill
Publication Date: 2009.04.29 ING GUENTER KLEMM BOHRTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP1964756B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1964756B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1964756B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Two oscillating cylinders (1) pivot the undercarriage units (81) relative to the chassis (80), with one cylinder assigned to each undercarriage unit. Hydraulic lines are arranged on the cylinders to actuate the cylinders and are connected to one another to pivot the undercarriage units in opposite directions. One hydraulic line for each cylinder has a safety device having a remote-controlled stop valve that blocks the respective line in case of line breakage. A remote-control device opens the stop valves during normal operation. An independent claim is included for a construction machine.