Rotatory Hinge Joint for Angular Drill String Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current down-the-hole drilling technologies face challenges in achieving precise directional control of drill bits during drilling, particularly in three-dimensional spaces, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the inability to concentrate drilling efforts accurately within ore-bearing rock.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a rotatory hinge joint with a universal type coupling shaft and control and actuator means that utilize a partial flow of working fluid to adjust the angular conditions of the drill string, allowing for precise directional guidance of the drill bit through a combination of cardan joints and hydraulic systems, enabling movement along predetermined pathways in three-dimensional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional down-the-hole drilling technologies are used, then drilling operations can be performed, but precise directional control of drill bits in three-dimensional spaces cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The drill string is divided into multiple sections with adjustable angular relationships. Joint arrangements are placed at specific intervals along the drill string, allowing incremental angular adjustments rather than requiring complex control at every point. This segmentation enables precise directional control while distributing system complexity across multiple simple, modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint arrangements are designed to be dynamically adjustable during drilling operations. Actuator means enable real-time modification of angular conditions between drill string sections, allowing the drill bit to follow predetermined three-dimensional pathways. This dynamic adaptability transforms a static drilling system into one capable of precise directional control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If joint arrangements with control and actuator means are added to achieve angular setting, then directional guidance capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joint arrangements are designed as multi-functional components that combine angular adjustment, structural connection, and actuation capabilities in a single integrated assembly. This universal design eliminates the need for separate control mechanisms for each joint, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full directional guidance capability in three-dimensional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator means are designed to utilize energy already present in the drilling system, such as pressurized working fluid flowing through the drill string. By harnessing this existing energy source for angular adjustment, the system avoids adding separate power transmission mechanisms, thereby reducing complexity while enabling versatile directional control.
3Use of energy by moving object
If working fluid flow is used as energy source for directional guidance, then energy efficiency is improved, but control precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the angular position of joint arrangements and adjust actuator operation accordingly. This feedback loop ensures precise angular settings are achieved and maintained, compensating for any variability in energy delivery from the working fluid source and maintaining high control precision despite using fluid flow as the energy medium.
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for the angular setting of a drill string includes a first tubular member, a second tubular member, a plurality of control and actuator devices that can be shortened and lengthened in a longitudinal direction through the influence of a driving device, and remote controllers by which the control and actuator devices can be set selectively and independently of each other in a radially extended or radially withdrawn condition.