Sensor-Guided Drilling Rig for Real-Time Soil Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling rigs rely on operator experience for setting operating parameters, leading to suboptimal borehole quality, time, energy consumption, and rig wear, with ground analyses being time-consuming and costly, and lacking objectivity.
Innovation Solution
A drilling rig equipped with a sensor unit to detect multiple drilling parameters, a subsoil detection unit for evaluation, and a control module to automatically adjust operating conditions based on measured data, enabling semi-automatic or automatic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual parameter setting by operator is used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but borehole quality becomes suboptimal and fluctuates greatly due to subjective factors
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling rig automatically adjusts its own operating parameters based on real-time sensor data and stored reference values, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention. The control system self-regulates drilling speed, emulsion supply, and other parameters to maintain optimal borehole quality without operator subjectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors drilling parameters using sensors and compares real-time data against stored reference values for different subsoil types. This closed-loop feedback mechanism automatically adjusts operating parameters to maintain optimal borehole quality based on actual subsurface conditions
2Loss of information
If ground analyses are conducted to improve borehole quality, then information accuracy increases, but time consumption and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical ground analysis methods (physical sampling and laboratory testing) with electronic sensor-based detection. Sensors mounted on the drill rod continuously measure subsurface properties during drilling, providing real-time information without stopping work or requiring separate analysis campaigns
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system operates continuously throughout the drilling process, collecting subsoil information in real-time rather than through discrete, time-consuming ground analysis campaigns. This continuous data collection provides comprehensive subsurface information without interrupting drilling operations
3Productivity
If drilling emulsion is used to improve cutting effect and reduce friction, then drilling efficiency increases, but emulsion consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the drilling emulsion supply rate based on real-time detection of subsoil type and drilling conditions. The control system varies emulsion flow to match actual cutting requirements, preventing both over-application (waste) and under-application (reduced efficiency)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the concentration and flow rate parameters of drilling emulsion based on detected subsoil properties. Different subsoil types trigger different emulsion formulations and application rates, optimizing cutting performance while minimizing emulsion consumption for each specific ground condition
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a drilling rig (1) comprising a drilling mechanics unit (2), a sensor unit (3), and a soil detection unit (4), wherein the drilling mechanics unit (2) comprises a drive assembly (5), a drilling assembly (6), and a drilling emulsion unit (7), wherein the sensor unit (3) comprises several sensors (8) and is configured to detect several parameters of a drilling process using the sensors (8) from the group consisting of: - thrust/traction force - torque - rotational speed - advance rate - bore path - bore inclination - drilling emulsion quantity - drilling emulsion pressure, and is configured to transmit the detected parameters, wherein the soil detection unit (4) is connected to the sensor unit (3) and comprises an evaluation unit (9) configured to evaluate the detected parameters, provide an evaluation result, and assign the evaluation result to a definable soil type.and wherein the evaluation unit (9) has a data output unit (10) which is configured to output the assigned soil type as a determined soil type.