Self-Drilling Anchoring Sleeve with Interference Fit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rock bolt anchoring devices require multiple operations and the introduction of grout or resin, making them complex and inefficient, especially in subsea environments.

Innovation Solution

A self-drilling anchoring device with an elastically deformable anchoring sleeve and a drilling head that drills a hole smaller than the sleeve, allowing the sleeve to engage the strata in an interference fit, utilizing resilient biasing means like barbs and a spring washer for securement, reducing the number of installation steps and eliminating the need for grout or resin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional rock bolt anchoring devices are used, then securement to strata is achieved, but multiple operations and grout or resin introduction are required, increasing device complexity and installation time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurement to strataVSAvoidmultiple operations and grout introduction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the drilling function and anchoring function into a single integrated device. The self-drilling rock bolt performs both drilling and anchoring operations simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate drilling and anchoring steps, as well as eliminating the need for grout or resin introduction. This merging of functions directly reduces device complexity and installation time while maintaining securement reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The self-drilling rock bolt is designed to create its own installation hole and secure itself to the strata without requiring external grout or resin. The device drills its own hole and uses its expanding mechanism to anchor itself, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional materials and operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If self-drilling rock bolts with multiple operations are used, then anchoring is achieved, but installation time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveanchoringVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous useful action by performing drilling and anchoring in a single continuous operation. The self-drilling rock bolt drills the hole and anchors itself without interruption, eliminating the time required for separate drilling, grout introduction, and curing operations. This continuous action significantly reduces installation time while ensuring reliable anchoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The self-drilling rock bolt performs the drilling action preliminarily before anchoring, creating its own installation path. This preliminary drilling action eliminates the need for separate drilling operations and prepares the hole for immediate anchoring, reducing overall installation time and operational steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If drilling head outer dimension is smaller than anchoring sleeve outer dimension, then interference fit is achieved, but drilling force requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference fit engagementVSAvoiddrilling force requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic expanding mechanism that allows the anchoring sleeve to transition from a compact drilling configuration to an expanded anchoring configuration. During drilling, the sleeve remains compact to reduce drilling resistance. After drilling, the sleeve expands to create the interference fit for anchoring. This dynamic transformation resolves the force requirement contradiction by providing the small dimension during drilling and the large dimension during anchoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring sleeve is divided into functional segments that can expand and contract. The sleeve includes expanding elements that allow it to change dimension dynamically - remaining compact during drilling to reduce force requirements, then expanding after drilling to create the interference fit for reliable engagement with the strata.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 simplifies the installation process, enhances securement by engaging the strata during drilling, and reduces installation time and costs, while maintaining strength for tethering subsea pipelines or maintaining rock integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The resilient biasing means may comprise or be provided by one or more characteristics of one of the aforementioned components, for example the material and/or shape or configuration of the anchoring sleeve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The anchoring sleeve may be formed of a material that is elastically deformable, e.g. so as to bias, in use, resiliently the anchoring sleeve against the surrounding strata

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The gripping means may comprise one or more, e.g. two or more such as a plurality of, barbs, hooks or ridges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3329098B1Anchoring device and method
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 IHC IQIP UK LTD
  • EP3329098B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3329098B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3329098B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An anchoring device and method of securing an anchoring device to strata are disclosed. The anchoring device (1) includes a drilling rod (2) and an anchoring sleeve (3) at least partially surrounding the drilling rod (2), the drilling rod (2) comprising a driving end (31) for coupling to a drilling apparatus and a drilling end (32) with a drilling head (26) for drilling a hole in strata, wherein the device is configured to be coupled with and driven by a drilling apparatus to cause the drilling head (26) to drill a hole into strata and to force, as the hole is drilled, the anchoring sleeve (3) into the hole to an inserted position in which the anchoring sleeve (3) engages the surrounding strata.