Rack and Pinion Drill Feed System for Angle Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drill feed systems require high maintenance due to chain and cable components and suffer from frictional losses and inability to drill at angles due to eccentric cylinder loading and buckling.
Innovation Solution
A rack and pinion based feed system utilizing tandem cylinders and gear assemblies to drive hoist tubes along a mast, minimizing friction and allowing angle drilling by ensuring cylinders push in the same plane as the drilling load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chain or rope drive systems are used to move machinery along the mast, then the feed system can be implemented, but high maintenance requirements result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes chain and rope components from the feed system, replacing them with a rack and pinion gear system. This extraction of problematic components eliminates the high maintenance requirements associated with chains and cables while maintaining the core function of moving drilling equipment along the mast.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chain/rope mechanical drive system with a rack and pinion gear system. This substitution provides a more reliable mechanism with fewer maintenance requirements, as gears and racks are more durable and require less frequent servicing compared to flexible cable systems.
2Productivity
If a single cylinder pulls at a distance offset from the center of drilling, then the feed system can be implemented, but frictional losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a symmetric dual-cylinder configuration positioned on opposite sides of the mast, both pulling at the centerline. This symmetric arrangement eliminates the asymmetric offset pulling that causes frictional losses, allowing both cylinders to work efficiently without energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-cylinder system performs multiple functions: both cylinders work together to pull the drilling load centrally while also providing balanced support for the mast structure. This multi-functional arrangement maximizes productivity while minimizing energy losses.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single cylinder pulls offset from the center of drilling, then the feed system can be implemented, but the ability to drill at an angle is lost due to excessive cylinder buckling loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a symmetric dual-cylinder configuration that pulls centrally, creating balanced loading conditions. This symmetry distributes forces evenly, preventing excessive buckling loads on individual cylinders and enabling the system to handle angled drilling operations that require lateral force components.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-cylinder arrangement provides counterbalancing forces that offset lateral loads during angled drilling. When one cylinder experiences increased load due to angle drilling, the other cylinder provides compensating force, preventing excessive buckling and maintaining structural integrity.
4Ease of operation
If cylinders are configured to pull at an offset position, then the feed system can be implemented, but frictional losses increase and drilling at angle becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a symmetric dual-cylinder configuration positioned equidistantly from the mast centerline, both pulling at the center. This symmetric arrangement eliminates frictional losses associated with offset pulling while maintaining operational flexibility for various drilling operations including angled drilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The centrally-positioned dual-cylinder system provides universal functionality for multiple drilling operations. The symmetric configuration allows the system to handle both vertical and angled drilling efficiently without suffering from frictional losses, making it adaptable to various operational requirements.
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 reduces maintenance requirements, increases reliability and safety, and allows for efficient angle drilling by minimizing frictional losses and buckling risks.
Implementation Method 1
A rack and pinion based feed system utilizing tandem cylinders and gear assemblies to drive hoist tubes along a mast
Implementation Method 2
a pair of cylinders drive gears along a rack fixed to the mast
Data Source
AI summary
A gear feed system includes a carrier and a mast mounted on the carrier. The mast includes a pair of panels forming opposing sides of the mast along a central axis of the mast. Each of the pair of panels includes a fixed rack attached to an interior surface of the each of the panels. A gear carrier pair includes a gear, a movable rack assembly, and a cylinder. Each of the gear is coupled to one of the panels and each of the gear couples one of the fixed racks to one of the movable rack assemblies (hoist tubes). The cylinder and the movable rack assembly are coupled via the gear wherein an axial movement of the cylinders causes a corresponding axial displacement of the movable rack assemblies.