Pivotable Anchor and Roller Carriage for Horizontal Directional Drills
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manual operation of adding and removing drill rods from a drill string in underground horizontal directional drills is tedious and challenging, especially on sloped surfaces, where conventional drills may operate in a tilted orientation or require shimming for stabilization.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a chassis with a pivotable anchor and stabilizer system that allows the drill to level on sloped surfaces without shimming, and supports for drill rods during connection and disconnection, along with a carriage frame with roller bearings for efficient rod handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operator lifting and placement is used for adding and removing drill rods, then the drill can handle smaller capacity rods, but the operation becomes tedious and challenging especially on sloped surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The drill rod handling system enables the operator to work from a stationary position at the drill string without requiring manual lifting and carrying. The rod box automatically positions rods, and the carriage system moves rods along the longitudinal axis, allowing the operator to simply guide and connect rods rather than manually handle their full weight.
2Reliability
If conventional stabilizers are used on sloped surfaces, then the drill can be anchored, but it operates in a tilted orientation requiring shims for true leveling
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor foot is designed to pivot about a pivot axis located at or near its transverse center, allowing it to dynamically adapt to sloped surfaces. This pivoting capability enables the anchor foot to maintain contact with the ground at varying angles, providing stable anchoring on slopes without requiring the drill body to be shimmed or leveled manually.
3Device complexity
If the drill operates on sloped surfaces without a pivotable anchor, then the anchor structure is simpler, but the drill cannot stabilize properly and requires shimming
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor foot is designed to pivot about a pivot axis located at or near its transverse center, allowing it to dynamically adapt to sloped surfaces. This pivoting capability enables the anchor foot to maintain contact with the ground at varying angles, providing stable anchoring on slopes without requiring the drill body to be shimmed or leveled manually.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to underground horizontal directional drills and, more particularly, to aspects of drill operation, ground anchoring, and operator assistance features. In some embodiments, a drill is provided that includes an anchor assembly and/or a rear stabilizer that may pivot relative to a carriage frame of the drill. In other embodiments, a roller bearing system that permits the carriage to translate along the carriage frame is provided. In still other embodiments, rests to support the drill rod during makeup and breakout are described.