Underwater Drilling Assembly With Hollow Drill String
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater drilling methods are complex and time-consuming due to the need to intermittently retrieve drill cores, which complicates the process of creating boreholes for offshore structures like wind turbines and oil facilities.
Innovation Solution
An underwater drilling arrangement that uses a hollow drill string to convey drill cuttings upwards with a conveying fluid, which is then discharged underwater above the drill drive, allowing continuous borehole creation with the cuttings sedimenting on the seafloor, reducing the need for surface disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If detached drill cores are retrieved discontinuously from the borehole, then the drilling process can be performed with simple equipment, but the drilling process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The drill string is designed as a hollow structure with an internal conveying channel, allowing the conveying fluid and drill cuttings to be transported through the interior of the drill string itself. This nested configuration eliminates the need for separate retrieval equipment while enabling continuous cuttings removal, thereby increasing drilling speed without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A conveying fluid is introduced through the hollow drill string to transport drill cuttings continuously from the borehole bottom to the surface. This hydraulic conveying system replaces discontinuous mechanical core retrieval, significantly improving drilling productivity by enabling continuous operation without the need to stop for core sampling
2Productivity
If drill cuttings are discharged to the surface, then the borehole can be kept clear, but the discharge process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying fluid flows continuously through the hollow drill string, continuously transporting drill cuttings from the borehole bottom to the discharge opening. This continuous hydraulic action eliminates interruptions for manual core retrieval and disposal, maintaining constant drilling progress and significantly reducing the time lost to cuttings management operations
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
This method enables a more economical and efficient creation of underwater boreholes by continuously removing and depositing drill cuttings at the seafloor, simplifying the process and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a conveying fluid together with the removed drill cuttings can be conveyed upwards
Implementation Method 2
the conveying fluid together with the removed drill cuttings can be conveyed upwards through a conveying channel in the drill string
Implementation Method 3
allowing continuous borehole creation with the cuttings sedimenting on the seafloor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The drilling arrangement (10) has service platform (20) which is lowered for placing on bed of water body. A drill drive (50) is mounted such that it is axially displaced on service platform. A drill rod has drill head (80) which is rotatably driven via drill drive. A conveying channel is formed in drill rod, for allowing conveyance of conveying fluid in upward direction with excavated drill cuttings. A discharge opening is provided for discharge of conveying fluid underwater together with excavated drill cuttings above the drill drive. An independent claim is included for method for making bore in bed of water body.