EP3444433B1 - Method for determining a wear for a system of rods of an earth boring device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an earth drilling device with a rod section. The invention further relates to use in an earth drilling device for determining wear of a rod of the earth drilling device.

Earth boring devices usually comprise a drive device and a linkage connected to it, to which a drilling head, which can be designed as a tool, can be attached. The drill head can be an expansion head or pipe pull-in adapter. The drive forces of the drive device are transmitted to the drill head via the linkage, as a result of which the drill head is driven forward in the ground. For drilling operation of the earth drilling device, compressive forces are generally applied to the drilling head, so that it is pushed through the soil in a pushing manner. However, the term “drilling an earth hole” by means of the earth drilling device also includes a transmission of tensile forces to the rod and the drill head. When tensile forces are transmitted to the drill head by means of the rod assembly, an existing bore is usually widened, an existing old pipe is burst and / or a new pipe is drawn into an existing bore or old pipe. The rod of an earth drilling device regularly consists of a plurality of interconnected rod sections that are successively connected to one another (in pushing operation) or detached from one another (in pulling operation) depending on the advance of the drill head in the ground. The linkage sections can be connected, for example, via screw connections or plug-in couplings. Mixed connections from screw connections and plug-in couplings are possible.

When driving forces are transferred to the drill head by means of the rod, almost exclusively linear drives are used, which drive or Drive movements are gradually transferred to the linkage, ie with a load stroke in which the linkage is connected to the linear drive and an idle stroke in which the connection between the linear drive and the linkage is released. Conventional linear drives for earth drilling devices work with hydraulic cylinders as the drive source, with which high forces can be applied with comparatively compact dimensions. Linear drives with rack and pinion drives are also known.

It is difficult to estimate the expected lifespan of all components of these devices, particularly the linkage, which are moved through the ground. This is due in particular to the fact that the service life of the components, in addition to the geometric dimensions and the material used, essentially depends on how they are loaded. This strikes DE 10 2008 052 510 B3 respectively. WO 2010/046099 A1 provide a measuring device for measuring the momentary load on the linkage, in which the operating forces of the drive device connected to the linkage are measured in order to determine the momentary load on the linkage.

DE 11 2013 007 353 T5 discloses a borehole optimization collar that has integrated fiber optic sensors.

It has been found that the known determination for determining the momentary load on the boom, with which a service life calculation can be carried out, sometimes provides a result that can deviate from the real service life.

Based on this prior art, the object of the invention was to increase the operational safety of an earth drilling device and / or to improve life cycle calculations of a rod of an earth drilling device.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the respective dependent claims and result from the following description of the invention.

The essence of the invention provides for the detection of bending loads on the linkage in order to improve a service life calculation and / or to increase the operational safety of an earth drilling device, the load not being able to be determined in particular on the drive device, but in the earth drilling itself, by a course of the earth drilling , in particular a curved area of the earth hole, can be detected.

A method for determining wear of a rod of an earth boring device is described, which provides that a bending load of the rod is detected in order to carry out a service life calculation.

It was recognized for the first time that a load is also determined essentially in addition to the drive device and a load in the earth borehole itself is determined. The load can be recorded within the borehole and taken into account for the service life calculation. The prevailing view that the boom sections are only exposed to the load from the drive device or that the load on the drive device alone is determined was supplemented according to the invention.

For the purposes of the description, the term “linkage” does not only include rigid linkages which have linkage sections which are connected directly or indirectly to one another, but in particular all force transmission elements which can be used in an earth boring device. In addition, the term "linkage" should not only be understood to mean the force transmission element which is arranged between the drive device of the earth drilling device and the drill head, but basically all components of a drill string, i.e. all components moving in the ground, such an earth drilling device, which are subjected to a load due to forces and / or moments applied by the drive device. The generic term "rods" can also be understood to mean the drill head as part of the drill string.

In the sense of the description, the term “drive device” encompasses a drive by means of which the drive forces or drive movements are transmitted to the linkage or the drill string. In a preferred embodiment, the drive device can be configured as a linear drive. The drive device can also be designed as a rack and pinion drive. The drive device can have hydraulic cylinders as the drive source.

The bending load on the linkage can be measured by means of a linkage section on which there is at least one strain sensor. It was recognized that a detection of the load is required independently of the drive device of the earth boring device, but this load does not necessarily have to be carried out by means of a measurement process on each rod section or a rod section, but instead on one or more rod sections which are in the drill string or Rods are arranged, and which can be assigned to the rod sections.

In addition to a bending load on the boom sections on the boom, machine data of the drive device can be used, from which at least one further piece of information can be derived from the following machine data in order to carry out the life cycle calculation: torsion, tensile load, shear load and speed. The torsional load, tensile / compressive load and / or speed of the individual rod sections can then be determined from the machine data of the drive device.

The bending load can be recorded using a strain gauge, a fiber Bragg grating sensor or the like. This makes it possible to use robust and proven sensors or detection elements that can also be used under the harsh conditions in the ground.

The service life calculation can be assigned to individual boom sections of the boom. This makes it possible that not only is it possible to make a general statement about the boom sections of the boom located in the ground, but that the load can be specified for each individual boom section. It can be taken into account how long and at what position the boom section is in the boom. With regard to the bending load, it can thus be taken into account which rod section has been subjected to a bending load or whether, for example, a rod section has not (yet) passed through a curved region of the earth hole. Depending on the position of the boom section in the boom, the bending load can be taken into account.

The method described is therefore particularly suitable for determining the wear of a linkage which comprises a plurality of linkage sections connected to one another. The individual loads on individual or all of the boom sections are preferably measured and individual service life calculations are carried out for this purpose. This in turn can significantly increase the accuracy of the service life calculations carried out. This is due in particular to the fact that in the event of a load, i.e. when carrying out a completed work project (for example an earth drilling, a bursting process or a pipe pull-in process), the individual boom sections differ depending on the point in time at which they are incorporated into the boom be burdened for a long time. The individual boom sections are also used in a large number of work processes, whereby it is usually not possible to keep track of which boom section is used for which work project and how long it has been used. This is now possible due to the preferred individual measurement or consideration of the load on the individual rod sections and a corresponding evaluation. For this purpose, the values for the individual boom sections preferably stored separately, this being particularly preferably possible in a storage element which is connected to the respective rod section itself. By providing individual or all boom sections with appropriate storage elements, it can be excluded that the individual measurements and service life calculations are interchanged. In addition, there is no need for complex data management if the various boom sections are mixed for different work projects and used on different construction sites.

The term “storage element” in the sense of the invention relates to any data storage or a storage medium, which can in particular be electronically written and / or read out. The storage element can store information on the basis of electronic semiconductor components or other components. The storage element can in particular be a non-volatile memory. A contactless reading and / or writing of data to the storage element is preferred. A memory element can preferably be an RFID chip, which usually has an antenna, an analog circuit and a digital circuit and a permanent memory. The RFID chip can be a passive, active or semi-active RFID chip.

However, it is also possible to store the values for the individual boom sections centrally and to provide each boom section with an identifiable code (for example serial number of the boom section, which is determined optically, for example), which is then assigned to the centrally stored values.

The transmission of the measured load or the individual service life calculations of a load case can preferably be carried out by the drive device (a device or device integrated in the drive device) or by a device adjacent to the drive device (an additional device which, for example, performs at least (partial) tasks of the service life calculation or can carry out steps to be carried out in this context (partial) tasks, for example as a module to be purchased, can be transferred to the individual storage elements. This can take place particularly preferably if the respective rod section is for integration into or for extraction from the rod assembly in the drive device. For this purpose, a transmission device can preferably be provided on the device side (integrated on or in the drive device or separately from this), which serves to transmit the measured loads and / or the results of the service life calculations to the storage elements of the boom sections. The transmission device is preferably on the Drive device arranged or integrated in or on this. The transmission device can also be added separately to the drive device; for example, the drive device can be supplemented or upgraded with the possibility of a service life calculation.

Particularly preferably, the transmission of the measured load or the individual life calculations of a load case with a rod loaded under tension, which comprises a plurality of interconnected rod sections, can take place if the rod is gradually pulled by the drive device through a hole in the ground, the individual boom sections are successively pulled out of the borehole and released from the rest of the boom by transferring the loads or the results of the life cycle calculations to the storage element of the boom section to be released shortly before, during the release of this boom section or shortly thereafter, in particular, as long as it is still in the area of the drive device.

In order to also be able to take into account the loads to which the individual rod sections were exposed in previous load cases when carrying out the service life calculation, it can further be provided that the loads stored on the storage elements of the individual rod sections or the results of the service life calculation first go to the drive device or one to transfer external device (module), then in the drive device or the external device (module) with the loads (for example the number of drive strokes with the respective force values and / or the bending load) or life cycle calculation of the last load case, and to update the updated ones Save values again on the storage elements. In this way, aging of the individual boom sections on the current construction site can be offset against that on the previous construction sites.

The invention provides an earth drilling device with a rod section. The rod section is designed for measuring bends and a data connection can be established between the rod section and a receiving device of the earth drilling device. A bending load that acts on the boom or the individual boom sections can be determined by means of the boom section. The boom section follows the course of the boom to create the earth hole and can thus indicate which bend the individual boom sections are subjected to as the movement progresses through the earth hole. The bending is actually measured by means of the linkage section arranged in the linkage. The rod section can preferably be located in the front region of the rod, behind the drill head, ie, directly after the drill head following to be arranged. However, intermediate sections can also be provided between the drill head and the rod section. An arrangement of the linkage section in the front area is desirable so that the linkage section can be used to determine how the earth hole runs, ie, soft bends are also present in the front area of the earth hole.

The rod section has a rod-shaped section, on which at least one strain sensor is arranged. The rod section also has a protective cover in which the rod-shaped section is arranged. With the protective cover, the harsh conditions in the ground can be taken into account. The rod-shaped section which absorbs the bending loads and which in particular can have a smaller cross section than the rest of the linkage can be protected. In particular, the protective cover can protect a strain sensor attached to the outside of the rod-shaped section from the ground. The strain sensor is not exposed in the ground due to the use of a protective cover. The protective sheath can essentially have a diameter similar to that in the drill string of adjacent rod sections. The protective cover can be made of metal or a plastic. The protective cover can be releasably fixed to the rod-shaped section by means of a releasable fixation, wherein by releasing the fixation it is possible, in particular, to shift the protective cover relative to the rod-shaped section, for example to replace the strain sensor, the protective cover and / or the rod-shaped section.

A strain sensor on the boom section may be sufficient. Multiple strain sensors, i.e., two, three, or an even greater number of strain sensors, can provide redundancy and / or increased accuracy. A plurality of strain sensors can be distributed on the rod section in the longitudinal direction and / or distributed in the circumferential direction. In particular, strain sensors can be provided on a region of the rod section which essentially corresponds to the central region of the rod section in relation to the longitudinal extension of the rod section. In this central area, the greatest bending loads can act on the rod section and the arrangement of the strain sensor in this area is therefore particularly sensitive.

The "receiving device" in the sense of the description is a device that can receive a signal for a bending or stretching from the rod section, which can be a measure of the bending load. The receiving device can be arranged on the rod section and / or in the region of the drive device. The signal can be transmitted to the receiving device as a raw signal or as an at least partially evaluated signal.

The rod section can be present as part of the rod or drill string. The linkage section can have connecting elements by means of which the linkage section can be connected to further sections of the linkage or drill string. The rod section can in particular be connected to the drill head, a sensor section that can be used for location and / or a rod section. Plug and screw connections are possible and adapted to the other sections. A detachable connection offers the advantage of a simple and quick exchange.

In addition to the linkage section for measuring bends and the receiving device of the earth boring device, a read / write device (transmission device) can be provided with which the data stored on the storage elements relating to previous loads or earlier results of the service life calculation can be read out. For this purpose, the read / write device can be designed to be active, i.e. it reads out the data stored in a passive memory element. Alternatively, the read / write device can also interact with active memory elements which send the desired values to the read / write device.

The read / write device can be part of the receiving device or vice versa. The read / write device and / or receiver device can be controlled by the controller of the earth boring device and can be functionally coupled to the controller. A read / write device which is separate from the earth drilling device and which, for example, upgrades the earth drilling device by carrying out the service life calculation, is possible.

The data connection between the linkage section and the receiving device can be wireless, for example by means of any data transmission technologies (for example radio and / or infrared data transmission, etc.). A wireless transmission includes any contactless transmission of data, signals and / or energy, at least in sections. The data connection can also be configured as a cable, which enables a simple configuration and can reduce the influence of interference.

In a preferred embodiment, the signal of the strain sensor can be transmitted to the receiving device as a measure of the bending load by means of the data connection.

A “strain sensor” in the sense of the description is an element that can in particular provide signals that correlate with a strain or bend are. A strain sensor can be a passive component that can generate signals, but possibly only by using an excitation or in response to a signal, energy, pulse, or the like supplied to the strain sensor. Strain sensors can be measuring devices with which stretching and compressing deformations can be detected. For example, these strain sensors, if designed as strain gauges, can change their electrical resistance in the event of small deformations. A strain sensor can in particular be connected with an adhesive, cement or similar substance, integrally with the rod section, in particular the rod-shaped section of the rod section, which can deform minimally under load. The deformation (elongation or compression) leads to a change in a signal, in particular the resistance of the elongation sensor. The term “strain sensor” can encompass different types of transducers, such as, for example, force transducers, pressure transducers or even torque transducers. A strain sensor can be designed as a strain gauge. The strain gauges can in turn exist as foil, wire and semiconductor strain gauges as well as multiple strain gauges in various arrangement forms, such as strain gauges with transverse strains, full-bridge strain gauges and rosette strain gauges. An embodiment as a fiber Bragg grating is also possible as an alternative or in addition. In this case, an optical waveguide can be used, in which an optical interference filter is written and in which an elongation due to a changing, coupled and reflected wavelength is detected.

The signal from a strain sensor is correlated with a compressive or stretching deformation. The signal size can provide an indication of the size of the deformation. The signal can be evaluated by an evaluation unit and a corresponding load can be calculated. The evaluation unit can be arranged before or after the receiving device in the signal flow. The evaluation unit can also be part of the receiving device and / or of a strain sensor. The evaluation unit can convert the signal detected by the strain sensor into a bending, strain and / or curvature load or calculate and / or indicate a value correlated with it.

The term "on" in the sense of the description relates to a spatial arrangement of a strain sensor on the rod section in such a way that the strain sensor or at least part of the strain sensor is connected to the rod section or is fastened to the rod section. The strain sensor or the strain sensors can be attached to the outside of the rod section. An attachment in recesses of the rod section outside is possible. An arrangement on the inside is also possible. Multiple strain sensors can be arranged in different ways on the rod section, for example at least one on the inside, at least one on the outside and / or at least one on a recess on the outside. The arrangement of a strain sensor in a recess offers the possibility of improved protection of the strain sensor, since it is not present directly on the surface, but is instead offset. The strain sensor can also be arranged on a sensitive section of the linkage section, which is, for example, structurally different from the rest of the linkage section or made of a different material; the strain sensor can, for example, be arranged on a thin-walled section of the rod section. The rod section on which the strain sensor is arranged can in particular be made of steel. The material or the linkage section, on which the at least one strain sensor is present, is particularly preferably made of an isotropically behaving material, in order not to allow any preferred direction for the bending load.

In a preferred embodiment, the rod-shaped section is of hollow design, as a result of which a particularly sensitive geometry that is particularly sensitive to bending loads can be created.

The invention also provides use in determining wear of a drill string of an earth boring device according to claim 4.

Comments regarding the different aspects regarding the method, the earth drilling device and the use are to be understood as complementary to one another, whereby comments regarding one aspect also apply to configurations of another of the three aspects and are therefore also disclosed for another of the aspects. Process steps described in particular with regard to the method can require physical training in the form of physical devices and / or devices and components for the execution.

Like the following description of exemplary embodiments, the above statements do not constitute a waiver of specific embodiments or features.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine Erdbohrvorrichtung in einer schematischen Darstellung;

Fig. 2

einen endseitigen Bereich des Gestänges der Erdbohrvorrichtung von Fig. 1; und

Fig. 3

eine Detailansicht eines Gestängeabschnitts aus Fig. 2.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1

an earth boring device in a schematic representation;

Fig. 2

an end region of the rod of the earth drilling device of Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 3

a detailed view of a rod section Fig. 2 .

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an earth drilling device. The earth boring device comprises a drive device 1 with two hydraulic cylinders 2 operated in parallel, the piston rods 3 of which transmit a linear movement to a rod 6 of the earth boring device via a pressure bridge 4 and a coupling element 5 connected thereto. The transmission takes place step by step, in that the hydraulic cylinders 2 of the drive device 1 cyclically carry out one working and one idle stroke.

With the drive device 1, the earth drilling device is suitable for both pushing and pulling operation. The linkage 6 has a plurality of linkage sections 8 connected to one another via couplings 7.

The earth boring device has a detection device for detecting an instantaneous load on the rod assembly, which comprises a pressure sensor 9 and that in FIGS 2 and 3 shown rod section 15, which in connection with the 2 and 3 is described in more detail.

Furthermore, the in Fig. 1 Earth boring device shown an evaluation device 13 for performing a life calculation for the linkage.

The hydraulic pressure can be measured in one or both of the hydraulic cylinders 2 by means of the pressure sensor 9. The hydraulic pressure is proportional to the compressive or tensile forces exerted on the linkage 6. The hydraulic pressure is transmitted to a computer unit of the evaluation device 13.

The earth boring device also includes a transmission device 16, which in the exemplary embodiment shown comprises a writing unit 10 and a reading unit 11. By means of the transmission device 16, data can be written wirelessly to memory elements 12, one of which is attached to each of the rod sections 8, or can be read from them. Both the writing unit 10 and the reading unit 11 are connected to the evaluation device 13.

The earth boring device enables the individual loads to which the individual rod sections 8 are exposed to be determined and individual service life calculations to be carried out therefrom. For this purpose, the Linkage sections 8, shortly before uncoupling, read out the data stored on the corresponding storage element 12 (for any previous use of this linkage section 8) by means of the reading unit 11. Based on the work process in which the boom section 8 was used, the evaluation device 13 determines the load exerted on the boom section 8, the data of the pressure sensor 9 and the data recorded on the boom section 15 being evaluated for the determination. Based on these concrete values, an individual service life calculation can be carried out for each of the linkage sections 8 of the linkage 6 in the evaluation unit 13. The result of this service life calculation, in addition to the current work process, all previous loads on the respective rod section 8 are also taken into account, is stored again by means of the writing unit 10 on the memory element 12 of the respective rod section 8, which is designed as an RFID chip, so that this data is used in a subsequent operation of the corresponding rod section 8 are again available and can be taken into account in a further update of the service life calculation. A corresponding service life calculation is carried out for each of the boom sections 8 of the boom 6. For all of the boom sections 8, depending on the position at which they were incorporated into the boom 6, different results may result. For example, the first rod section 8 of the rod 6, which is connected directly to the drill head, is loaded for the longest time, since it is coupled as the first rod section and is the last to be uncoupled (for example when a pilot hole is made and the rod is pulled back with an expanding head).

• Produktionsauftragsnummer,
• Durchschnittsdruck,
• Rissprüfung ja/nein,
• Lebensdauerverzehr,
• Hubzahl gesamt,
• Hubzahl je Lasthorizont (8 Mal),
• Gesamtschädigung bisher,
• meistschädigender Lasthorizont,
• zu erwartende Lebensdauer bei Volllast,
• zu erwartende Lebensdauer bei Durchschnittslast.

In one embodiment, the following data can be stored on the RFID chip:

• Production order number,
• Average pressure,
• Crack test yes / no,
• Lifetime consumption,
• Total number of strokes,
• Number of strokes per load horizon (8 times),
• Total damage so far,
• most damaging load horizon,
• expected service life at full load,
• expected service life at average load.

In the in Fig. 1 The illustrated embodiment of an earth boring device has a screen 14 on which the result of the service life calculation, as it is when uncoupling each rod section 8 is stored on the corresponding RFID chip, is displayed. This enables the operator of the earth drilling device to read the information shown there with regard to the expected service life for the respective rod section 8. As a result, rod sections 8, for example, whose expected service life is no longer long enough for subsequent use, can be sorted out directly. In addition, the individual rod sections 8 can be sorted according to their expected service life after uncoupling and stored accordingly. In this way it is possible, for example, to couple those boom sections 8 that only have a low life expectancy to the boom 6 late in subsequent work projects, in order to keep the additional loads on these boom sections 8 low or to use such a boom section 8 for the In the event that it is destroyed, it can be recovered quickly and easily. It is also possible to provide a portable handling device that has at least one corresponding reading unit and a display. With this portable handling device, the storage elements 12 of mounted boom sections 8 can also be read independently of the drive device 1 in order to be able to plan the future use of the individual boom sections 8 accordingly. The read values can be used, for example, for an inventory or to create rental lists, etc.

In Fig. 2 a front area of the drill string with rod sections 8 and a drill head 17 is shown schematically in a view obliquely from behind. Between the drill head 17 and the rod sections 8, a transmitter section 18 with a transmitter is arranged, to which the rod section 15 connects. The transmitter in the transmitter section 18 is used to locate the drill head 17 or locate the drill string. The drill head 17 with the subsequent transmitter section 18 and rod section 15 and the rod sections 8 follows the earth drilling which is made in the ground. With the rod section 15, the curvature of the course of the borehole can be detected. The linkage section 15 detects a bending load. The rod section 15 is in the Fig. 3 shown enlarged. The rod section 15 has a rod-shaped section 19, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the rod sections 8. The rod-shaped section 19 is surrounded by a protective cover 20 which essentially has an outer dimension which corresponds to the dimension of the drill head 17 and transmitter section 18. The protective cover 20 protects the rod-shaped section, which is hollow. In particular, the protective cover 20 protects strain sensors 21 which are arranged on the rod-shaped section 19 and are attached to the rod-shaped section 19 essentially centrally with respect to the longitudinal extent thereof.

In the in the 2 and 3 In the illustrated embodiment, a cable 22 is transmitted for connection to a receiving device 23, which transmits the data to a control of the earth drilling device or the evaluation device 13. Instead of one in the 2 and 3 shown cable 22, the values of the strain sensors 21 can be transmitted wirelessly to the receiving device 23. The receiving device 23 is connected to the evaluation device 13 in a wired or wireless manner. The receiving device 23 transmits the signals of the strain sensor 21 to the evaluation device 13 in an evaluated form and / or in a raw version, so that the evaluation device 13 can carry out a service life calculation for the linkage or the individual linkage section 8 using the data from the pressure sensor 9.

Claims (4)

1. Earth drilling device with a drill rod section, characterised in that the drill rod section (15) is designed for measuring bends and a data connection can be established between the drill rod section (15) and a receiver means (23), wherein the drill rod section (15) has a rod-shaped section (19) on which at least one expansion sensor (21) is arranged and the drill rod section (15) has a protective sleeve (20), in which the rod-shaped section (19) is arranged.
2. Earth drilling device according to claim 1, characterised in that the signal of the expansion sensor (21) can be transmitted to the controller by means of the data connection.
3. Earth drilling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the rod-shaped section (19) is designed hollow.
4. Use when determining the wear of a drill rod (6) of an earth drilling device, characterised in that a drill rod section (15) is designed for measuring a bend, which is used for recording a bending load of the drill rod (6), wherein the drill rod section (15) has a rod-shaped section (19), on which at least one expansion sensor (21) is arranged and the drill rod section (15) has a protective sleeve (20), in which the rod-shaped section (19) is arranged.

Images