Ram Accelerator Projectile Drilling Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional drilling and excavation methods are slow and costly due to the use of explosives, which incur additional safety and regulatory burdens, and are inefficient in material removal.
Innovation Solution
A projectile launching system using a ram accelerator system with combustible gases to propel spherical projectiles at high velocities, which fracture and pulverize geological material, allowing for efficient penetration and material removal without explosives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional drilling and blasting methods are used, then material removal is achieved, but the process is slow and incurs high operational costs due to safety and regulatory burdens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical drilling and blasting system with a projectile-based system that uses controlled combustion of gas mixtures to accelerate projectiles to high velocities. The projectiles are propelled through a barrel using deflagration or detonation of combustible gases, eliminating the need for traditional drills and explosives while achieving faster material removal through hypervelocity impact
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the drilling process by using hypervelocity projectiles (achieving velocities through controlled combustion) instead of traditional mechanical drilling. The combustion of gas mixtures creates extreme pressures and temperatures that accelerate projectiles to speeds significantly higher than conventional drilling methods, thereby increasing productivity and reducing time
2Productivity
If explosives are used for material removal, then excavation is achieved, but safety and regulatory burdens increase operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses disposable projectiles that are loaded into the barrel and consumed during each firing cycle. These projectiles are simple, inexpensive objects that replace complex explosive charges and the extensive safety infrastructure required for their handling, storage, and detonation, thereby reducing operational complexity and costs
3Ease of operation
If traditional drilling methods are used, then holes are formed in material, but the process is relative slow requiring many minutes to hours per linear foot
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic firing of projectiles at controlled intervals to progressively advance through the material. Each projectile impact creates fractures and removes material, and by repeating this process systematically, the system achieves continuous progress at much higher speeds than traditional drilling, reducing time per linear foot while maintaining operational control
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 system significantly reduces drilling time and costs, enables deeper resource extraction, and facilitates more efficient material processing by using high-velocity projectiles to weaken and break geological material, allowing for faster and more controlled drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
The projectiles may be propelled down the barrel using a deflagration or detonation of one or more combustible gases
Implementation Method 2
The projectiles may be propelled down the barrel using a deflagration or detonation of one or more combustible gases
Implementation Method 3
The projectiles are accelerated to a hypervelocity and ejected from the barrel to strike a working face
Data Source
AI summary
Spherical projectiles may be used to form one or more holes in geologic or other material. These holes may be used for drilling, tunnel boring, excavation, and so forth.