Sonic Drill Control via Phase Angle Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sonic drilling technologies require highly skilled operators to maintain optimal performance due to complex relationships between drill string resonance, frequency, and drilling conditions, limiting drilling depths and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An automated control system that measures phase angles between input and response waveforms to adjust push-pull forces and optimize penetration rates, utilizing sensors and a programmable logic controller to maintain resonance and maximize efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automated control is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors drilling parameters including drill string vibration amplitude and frequency, phase angle between input force and response waveform, penetration rate, and power consumption. This feedback is used to automatically adjust operating parameters to maintain optimal resonance conditions, eliminating the need for highly skilled operators while managing system complexity through intelligent control algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual operator control with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators. The system substitutes human expertise with electronic measurement and control mechanisms, including phase angle measurement between input and response waveforms, to manage the complex relationships between drilling parameters
2Productivity
If drilling depth is increased, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to loss of resonance
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts operating parameters including vibration frequency, amplitude, and phase angle in real-time as drilling depth increases. This allows the system to adapt to changing geological conditions and maintain resonance throughout the entire drilling process, enabling greater depths while preserving reliable operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors drill string vibration characteristics and penetration rate, using this feedback to automatically adjust operating parameters and maintain optimal resonance conditions even as drilling depth increases and geological conditions change
3Device complexity
If manual control by skilled operators is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to inability to optimize performance
Solution Approach 1:
The control system autonomously optimizes drilling performance by automatically measuring phase angles, calculating optimal operating parameters, and adjusting control signals without human intervention. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring its own performance and making real-time adjustments to maintain peak efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback from sensors measuring drill string vibration, penetration rate, and power consumption to automatically adjust operating parameters, enabling the system to optimize its own performance without requiring skilled human operators
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
Enables faster penetration, prevents equipment damage, and allows for greater drilling depths by automatically managing the complex interactions within the sonic drilling process.
Implementation Method 1
Efficient application of sonic drilling is realized by sustaining the drill string at resonance throughout the entire drilling process
Implementation Method 2
measuring a response of the oscillatory penetration apparatus; wherein said measuring a response step comprises measuring at least a phase angle between the oscillatory input force waveform and the oscillatory response waveform
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling an oscillatory penetration apparatus. An embodiment is a system and method for controlling a sonic drill having a displacement and an operating range and operating at a phase difference, said sonic drill comprising a push-pull piston and eccentrics, said method comprising: operating the push-pull piston at an initial push-pull force while the eccentrics are operated at a plurality of different operating frequencies within the operating range of the sonic drill and measuring the displacement at each operating frequency; determining an efficient operating frequency for the material being drilled and operating the eccentrics at said efficient operating frequency; determining the phase difference at which the sonic drill is operating; and if the phase difference is not substantially equal to minus ninety degrees, operating the push-pull piston at another push-pull force.