Pipe Laying Ploughshare and Drill for Large-Diameter Bore Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for laying pipes with diameters larger than 630 mm are inefficient due to high soil displacement and increased friction, limiting pipe section length and requiring extensive excavation or complex drilling processes.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a ploughshare with a displacement element, a drill connected to the ploughshare, and a conveyor system that loosens and removes soil before drilling, preventing soil from trickling back onto the pipe and reducing the required tensile force, allowing for the laying of rigid and flexible pipes without wide working strips or reinforced pits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a torpedo method is used to create a tunnel for rigid pipes, then the pipe can be pulled through the ground, but the amount of soil displacement increases proportionally with the pipe diameter, causing substantial loosening of soil and increased friction
Solution Approach 1:
The ploughshare performs preliminary soil loosening and displacement before the drill creates the tunnel, preparing the soil in advance to reduce the drill's workload and minimize overall soil displacement. This preliminary action allows the drill to operate more efficiently with less soil disturbance.
Solution Approach 2:
The device divides the soil displacement function into two separate components: the ploughshare handles initial soil loosening and lateral displacement, while the drill focuses on creating the tunnel borehole. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, reducing total soil displacement compared to using only a drill.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the torpedo diameter is increased to accommodate larger pipes, then larger diameter pipes can be laid, but the soil loosening increases and displaced soil trickles back onto the pipe, increasing friction and required tensile force
Solution Approach 1:
The ploughshare performs preliminary soil displacement and loosening before the drill operates, creating a pre-prepared path that reduces soil collapse onto the pipe. This preliminary action stabilizes the surrounding soil, preventing it from trickling back onto the pipe during the laying process.
Solution Approach 2:
The ploughshare acts as an intermediary between the drill and the surrounding soil, performing the initial soil displacement and stabilization work. This intermediary action protects the pipe from direct contact with loose, displaced soil that would increase friction.
3Ease of operation
If conventional drilling methods are used for large diameter pipes, then pipes can be laid through the ground, but the drill must commute and remove all obstacles and soil, increasing device complexity and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the obstacle removal function from the drilling function. The ploughshare handles obstacle displacement and soil loosening, while the drill focuses solely on creating the borehole. This segmentation simplifies the drill system by removing the need for complex obstacle comminution and removal mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The ploughshare extracts the obstacle removal and soil loosening functions from the drill system. By taking out these functions and assigning them to the ploughshare, the drill system becomes simpler and more focused on its primary function of creating the tunnel borehole.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for laying pipes (1) in the ground, the device includinga ploughshare (2) with a ploughshare shoe (3), wherein the ploughshare shoe (3) has at least one displacement element (5) protruding in a laying direction (4),a drill (6), which drill (6) is connected to the ploughshare (2) and comprises at least one drill head (7) arranged in a drill head housing section (7a) of a drill housing and a conveyor device (8) arranged in a conveyor housing section (8a) of the drill housing for removing drilled material in the form of soil grasped by the drill head (7) to the earth surface, anda connection device (9) for connecting a pipe (1) to be laid to the drill (6), whereinthe ploughshare (2) is arranged behind the drill (6) when viewed in the laying direction (4).