Segmented Pulldown Cylinder for Drill Rig Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pulldown cylinder assemblies for drill machines are excessively long, making them difficult to ship and store, and pose challenges in material handling.
Innovation Solution
A pulldown apparatus comprising a main stage and a secondary stage, with a cylinder, main and secondary heads, glands, pistons, and rods, featuring fluid channels and passageways, allowing the cylinder to be slidable over the rods, facilitating efficient assembly and operation, and enabling the apparatus to be coupled to a rotary drill machine's deck frame and crown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pulldown cylinder assembly is made as a single long unit, then it can maintain structural integrity and functional reliability, but it becomes difficult to ship, store, and handle
Solution Approach 1:
The pulldown cylinder assembly is divided into two separate stages: a main stage and a secondary stage. Each stage can be handled independently, making shipping and storage much easier. The stages are connected through a coupling mechanism that allows them to be joined when needed, maintaining functional integrity while improving handling ease.
2Ease of operation
If the pulldown cylinder assembly is divided into multiple stages, then it becomes easier to ship and store, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary stage is designed to nest within or alongside the main stage when not in use. The secondary rod can be positioned within the cylinder or alongside the main rod, reducing the overall footprint during storage and transport. This nesting arrangement minimizes the space required while maintaining the two-stage structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism between stages is designed to be universal, allowing the same connection method to be used for both joining and separating the stages. The fluid coupling system serves multiple functions: transmitting hydraulic force during operation and providing a standardized interface for assembly and disassembly, thereby reducing the need for specialized components.
3Reliability
If the cylinder is made non-slidable over the rods, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the ease of assembly and operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cylinder is designed with sliding capability over the rods, transforming from a static to a dynamic connection. This allows the cylinder to move along the rods during assembly and operation, facilitating easier coupling of the two stages and simplifying maintenance procedures while maintaining structural integrity through proper sealing and guiding mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The pulldown apparatus may comprise a main stage and a secondary stage. The main stage may comprise a cylinder, a main head, a main gland, a piston and a main rod. The cylinder defines a chamber and includes a first end and a second end. The main gland and the piston is disposed in the chamber. The main rod is disposed in the chamber between the piston and the second end. The secondary stage includes a secondary head, a secondary gland, a secondary rod and a flange. The secondary gland is disposed in the chamber. The secondary rod is coupled to the flange. The flange is coupled to the main stage and disposed inside the cylinder between the piston and the secondary rod. The cylinder is slidable over the main rod, the piston and the secondary rod.