Rod Handler Apparatus for Core Drilling Tube Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly and disassembly of elongated rods in core drilling, which involve outer and inner tubes, are labor-intensive due to the need for constant manipulation and alignment, especially when the rods are several thousand feet long.
Innovation Solution
A rod handler apparatus with a manipulator arm, alignment jaw assembly, high-speed jaw assembly, and low-speed jaw assembly that enables translation, rotation, and coaxial alignment of tubes, allowing for efficient assembly and disassembly of outer and inner tubes with the elongated rod, utilizing actuators and rollers for precise and high-speed operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual manipulation is used to assemble and disassemble elongated rods, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but labor intensity increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rod handler apparatus enables self-service operation by automatically performing alignment, clamping, and threading operations without continuous manual intervention. The system uses sensors to detect tube positions and automatically activates actuators to complete assembly/disassembly cycles
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical manipulation is replaced with an automated mechanical system featuring electric actuators, motorized rollers, and computer-controlled jaw assemblies that perform all alignment and assembly operations automatically
2Manufacturing precision
If constant manipulation and alignment are performed to ensure coaxial alignment, then assembly precision is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment jaw assembly performs preliminary alignment actions by positioning tubes in coaxial alignment before the threading operation begins. The system pre-positions outer and inner tubes using guided movement mechanisms to ensure proper alignment is established in advance
Solution Approach 2:
Manual alignment operations are replaced with automated alignment mechanisms including guided jaw assemblies and motorized positioning systems that automatically achieve and maintain coaxial alignment without manual intervention
3Productivity
If high-speed translation is used to move tubes, then productivity increases, but control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts translation speed based on operational requirements. High-speed jaw assemblies operate at high speeds for bulk movement, while low-speed jaw assemblies provide precise control during alignment and threading operations. The system seamlessly transitions between speed regimes
Solution Approach 2:
The translation function is segmented into high-speed and low-speed jaw assemblies that operate in different phases of the assembly process. High-speed assemblies handle rapid positioning, while low-speed assemblies handle precision operations, allowing the system to optimize speed for each specific task
Data Source
AI summary
A rod handler apparatus for outer tubes and inner tubes, the rod handler apparatus has a manipulator arm adapted to be aligned with an elongated rod. An alignment jaw assembly is at a first end of the manipulator arm, the alignment jaw assembly translationally supports an inner tube and/or an outer tube in coaxial alignment with the elongated rod. A high-speed jaw assembly is at a second end of the manipulator arm, the high-speed jaw assembly adapted to support at least the inner tube, the high-speed jaw assembly operable to cause a translation of the inner tube in or out of the elongated rod. A low-speed jaw assembly is between the alignment jaw assembly and the high-speed jaw assembly, the low-speed jaw assembly adapted to support the outer tube, the low-speed jaw assembly operable to cause concurrent translation and rotation of the outer tube for screwing engagement with the elongated rod.