Vibratory Roadway Drill for Microtrenching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for installing optical fiber networks in roadways are time-consuming and costly, and existing methods for opening access holes to buried utilities are slow and risk damaging the utilities.
Innovation Solution
A roadway access hole drill using a down-the-hole jack-hammer drill with a rotating and vibrating drill bit, combined with a debris containment collar to quickly and safely expose buried utilities, allowing for faster installation of optical fibers and microducts without damaging the utilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods (core saws, concrete saws, core drills, jack hammers) are used to open access holes in the roadway, then the buried utility can be exposed, but the process takes 25-30 minutes or more and risks damaging the utility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration through a vibratory drill bit that oscillates at high frequency during drilling. The vibration reduces friction between the drill bit and roadway material, enables faster material removal, and allows the drill to pass through the roadway above buried utilities without excessive force that could damage the utilities. This resolves the contradiction by enabling rapid access hole creation (improving time) while maintaining utility integrity through gentle vibratory rather than impact drilling (maintaining reliability).
2Productivity
If faster drilling methods are used to reduce installation time, then productivity increases, but the risk of damaging buried utilities increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibratory drill bit enables rapid drilling through the roadway by reducing friction and facilitating quick material removal. The high-frequency vibration allows the drill to advance quickly without requiring high impact forces, thus maintaining buried utility integrity while significantly improving drilling speed and overall installation productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of the vibratory drilling mechanism and debris containment collar that mediates between the drilling operation and the buried utility. The vibratory drilling acts as a gentle intermediary force compared to traditional impact drilling, and the debris containment collar prevents drilling debris from contaminating the utility area, thereby protecting the utility while enabling fast drilling.
3Ease of operation
If traditional roadway cutting methods are used, then access holes can be opened, but debris flies away during drilling and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The debris containment collar serves as an intermediary device that captures and contains drilling debris at the drill site. The collar prevents debris from flying away and scattering across the work area, eliminating the need for time-consuming cleanup operations. This simple additive component significantly improves ease of operation by containing debris in one location while maintaining the efficiency of the vibratory drilling process.
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 enables access hole creation in under 5 minutes, significantly reducing installation time and minimizing damage to buried utilities, while allowing for efficient laying and protection of optical fibers and microducts.
Implementation Method 1
a jack-hammer that vibrates the drill bit
Implementation Method 2
drilling an access hole in the roadway by lowering the rotating and vibrating drill bit into the roadway
Data Source
AI summary
A method of cutting a microtrench in which the buried utility is exposed by opening an access hole in a roadway above the buried utility using a roadway access hole drill that rotates and vibrates the drill bit. A roadway access hole drill having a down-the-hole jack-hammer drill bit and a motor to rotate the down-the-hole jack-hammer drill.