Percussion Tool Impact Energy Control via Seismic Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of hydraulic rock breakers near sensitive structures is challenging due to the variability in seismic wave transmission, leading to potential damage and increased costs, as existing methods rely on human intervention and often result in exceeding seismic velocity thresholds.

Innovation Solution

A method and assembly that automatically adjust the impact energy of a striking piston in a percussion device using a control unit and device, which measures seismic data near protected structures, compares it to predetermined thresholds, and corrects the impact energy to prevent exceeding seismic velocity limits, thereby optimizing operation and protecting sensitive structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a rock breaker with high impact energy is used to increase work speed, then productivity improves, but seismic waves may damage sensitive structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework speedVSAvoidseismic wave damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the impact energy of the rock breaker adjustable and variable during operation. The control system dynamically modifies the striking piston's energy output based on real-time seismic monitoring, allowing the breaker to operate at high energy levels when safe and reduce energy when approaching sensitive structures, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and seismic damage prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control through a closed-loop system where geophones continuously monitor seismic waves, the control unit processes this data, and the control device automatically adjusts the striking piston's energy accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain high productivity while automatically preventing seismic damage to sensitive structures by reducing impact energy when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a rock breaker with low impact energy is used to protect sensitive structures, then seismic damage is prevented, but work speed becomes slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseismic wave damageVSAvoidwork speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts impact energy based on real-time conditions rather than operating at fixed low energy levels. When the breaker operates away from sensitive structures, it delivers high impact energy for fast work. When approaching sensitive structures detected by geophones, the system automatically reduces energy, thus preventing both excessive seismic damage and unnecessary reduction in productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the energy parameter of the striking piston dynamically based on seismic monitoring data. By modifying this key parameter in response to real-time conditions, the system optimizes the balance between work speed and seismic protection, avoiding the need to consistently operate at low energy levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If manual monitoring and adjustment of seismic levels is used, then some control is achieved, but human error causes maximum seismic levels to be exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual control capabilityVSAvoidseismic threshold compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring seismic levels through geophones, processing the data through a control unit, and adjusting its own operating parameters without human intervention. The rock breaker autonomously maintains compliance with seismic thresholds, eliminating human error while preserving operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The automated feedback control system continuously monitors seismic waves and automatically adjusts the breaker's impact energy to maintain compliance with maximum seismic levels. This eliminates the reliability issues associated with manual monitoring while keeping the system easy to operate through automatic control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If automated control of impact energy is implemented, then seismic threshold compliance is ensured, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseismic threshold complianceVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary control system that sits between the striking piston and the power source. This control device receives seismic data, processes it through a control unit, and automatically adjusts the piston's energy output. The intermediary nature of this control system ensures reliable seismic compliance while keeping the complexity managed through modular design and automated operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enables precise control of impact energy, reducing the risk of seismic damage to sensitive structures and optimizing work efficiency while minimizing costs by automatically adjusting the impact energy based on real-time seismic data.

Implementation Method 1

a striking piston arranged to cyclically strike a tool so as to produce impact energy on the material to be demolished

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

a striking piston of a percussion device moved by an incompressible fluid under pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

one or more geophones and a recorder arranged to verify the seismic speed levels measured by the geophone(s)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSeismic wave detection: Vibration

Implementation Method 4

provide a control device arranged to adjust the impact energy of the striking piston

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic control: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3007866B1Method for controlling the impact energy of an impulse piston of a percussion tool
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 MONTABERT SA
  • EP3007866B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3007866B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3007866B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This control method involves the steps consisting in providing a control device (16) designed to regulate the impact energy of the impulse piston (4) of a percussion tool (2), providing a control unit (17) designed to apply a control setpoint to the control device (16), setting the percussion tool (2) in operation, measuring at least one seismic data item near a structure (13) that is to be protected, transmitting the at least one seismic data item measured to the control unit (17), comparing the at least one seismic data item received by the control unit (17) with a predetermined threshold value, correcting the control setpoint for the control device (16) as a function of the at least one seismic data item received, and using the control unit (17) to apply said corrected control setpoint to the control device (16).