Pipe Storage Magazine With Proximity Sensors For HDD Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of adding or removing pipe sections from a drill string during horizontal directional drilling is labor-intensive and time-consuming, requiring efficient make-up and break-out of pipe sections to maintain operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A horizontal boring machine with a magazine system that includes a pipe handling assembly and proximity sensors to quickly and accurately manage pipe sections, allowing for secure storage and efficient transfer between the magazine and spindle, utilizing shuttle arms and a make-up and break-out assembly to facilitate rapid pipe section changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling of pipe sections is used, then labor flexibility is maintained, but time consumption and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses proximity sensors to automatically detect pipe section presence and triggers automated shuttle arms to transport pipes between magazine and spindle, enabling the system to service itself without manual intervention for each pipe operation
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical handling of pipe sections is replaced with an automated system combining proximity sensors for detection, control logic for decision-making, and shuttle arms for mechanical transport, substituting human labor with an integrated electromechanical system
2Productivity
If automated pipe handling system is implemented, then operational efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe storage system is divided into multiple magazine columns with individual proximity sensors for each column, allowing independent monitoring and management of pipe sections in different locations, which simplifies the control logic while maintaining comprehensive automation
Solution Approach 2:
The shuttle arm mechanism serves multiple functions: transporting pipe sections from magazine to spindle, returning empty pipe sections to the magazine, and positioning pipes for make-up operations, reducing the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each function
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe handling device and method for use with a horizontal directional drilling system. The pipe handling device stores sections of drill pipe in individual columns within a magazine. The magazine is constructed so that it can be mounted to a boring machine in a pin-up or pin-down orientation. A plurality of signal elements are attached to the magazine and each extend at least partially within a footprint of each column. The signal elements may move from a first position, indicating the column is full of pipe sections, to a second position, indicating the column is not full of pipe sections. A proximity sensor assembly detects movement of the individual signal elements and signals a processor accordingly. These signals indicate whether or not a given column is full of pipe sections.