EP3696369B1 - Earth boring device for cable-guided drilling, method for cable-guided earth boring and use in cable-guided earth boring - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an earth drilling device for cable-guided drilling with a drive for connecting and / or moving pipe sections of a drill pipe along a drill pipe axis and a method for cable-guided earth drilling, in which a pipe section is part of a drill pipe drilled in the ground and in which a cable is present, is connected to another rod section.

In order to be able to precisely control an earth drilling, it is necessary to record the position of the drill head in the ground as precisely as possible. There are essentially two different methods available for this.

The position of the drill head can be determined by a transmitter in the drill head using an electromagnetic field through the ground; a method known as the walk-over method is used for this purpose. The walk-over method allows for quick location and is easy to handle. The drill head is located above the ground using a reception strength measuring device (receiver). The maximum signal strength of the transmitter signal from the transmitter in the drill head is determined depending on the position of the reception strength measuring device above the ground. The signal strength depends on the depth of the transmitter in the ground, which also makes it possible to determine the depth. However, as drilling depths increase, the deviation tolerance increases.

For great depths, greater accuracy at shallower depths and/or under shielding or completely inaccessible obstacles, cable-guided drilling is used to locate the drill head. For this purpose, each section of the drill pipe, in particular each pipe section, is provided with an internal cable, which is connected to the adjacent sections of the drill pipe, in particular other pipe sections. At the end, after each rod section is added, the cable is led outwards and connected to a slip ring from which data from a probe on the drill head or a position adjacent to the drill head can be picked up. The data can be displayed to an operator, in particular in an operating cabin. To change the drill pipe, it is necessary that the cable is connected to the cable of the neighboring pipe section that has already been drilled, or to another section of the drill pipe, whereby the connection is manually protected with electrical insulation and, on the other hand, the free end of the cable must be connected The new pipe section to be added must be guided outwards through the drill pipe and connected to the slip ring. The process and devices used so far are time-consuming and cost-intensive.

US 2005/0167121 A1 discloses a device and a method for inserting a pipe consisting of several pipe sections. A drive is provided at the end of the pipe for inserting it ("top drive"), to which a cable module is firmly connected.

US 2002/0104661 A1 , US 5,105,878 A and EP 0 900 317 B1 also disclose that a cable is designed within the drill pipe or connected to the drive.

The object of the present invention is therefore to create an earth drilling device, a method and a use with which the effort in terms of time and / or costs can be reduced.

The task is solved by the subjects of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the respective subclaims and the following description.

The core idea of the invention is to provide a cable supply with a length of at least the length of two rod sections, in which one end of the cable supply is in as constant as possible contact with a contact device for electrically contacting the end of the cable in order to at least one of the electrical contacts adding a boom section or changing a boom not having to disconnect and reconnect again and again. The inventors have broken with the idea that when a new section of the drill pipe is to be added, ie in particular a pipe section, a cable section must be used which, for each new pipe section to be added, is connected at one end to the end of the cable in the drill pipe that has already been drilled must be connected as well as on the other end must be connected to the sliding contact provided on the earth drilling device for picking up the signals of the cable. When adding a pipe section or changing the pipe, the drive is detached from the drill pipe that has already been drilled and a drill pipe is inserted into the drill pipe axis and connected to the drive. The pipe section connected to the drive is then connected to the drill pipe that has already been drilled into the ground, so that, according to previous considerations, the newly added pipe section also has to be contacted again with its two ends. This consideration has so far been transferred to the new cable to be added. It is to the credit of the inventors that they recognized that this idea had been broken.

The inventors have thus broken away from the idea that the cable must be inserted into the drill pipe in the same way as the connection of the newly inserted pipe section into the drill pipe requires.

Although only one connection of the cable of the cable supply is made to the cable of the drill pipe that has already been drilled, there is the constant possibility, after making only this one connection, of signals to the end of the cable supply along the drill pipe axis to the other end of the cable in the front area of the drill pipe to send or receive from it.

The invention provides an earth drilling device according to claim 1. The earth drilling device is designed for cable-guided drilling with a drive for connecting and / or moving pipe sections of a drill pipe along a drill pipe axis. A cable supply is provided for holding a cable with a length of at least two rod sections and a contact device for electrically contacting one end of the cable of the cable supply. This creates the possibility of only providing a connection to the cable already in the drilled drill pipe when extending the drill pipe that has already been drilled into the ground by a further pipe section in which a cable has to be arranged in order to connect this to the cable of the cable supply and electrically insulated.

For the purposes of the description, an “earth drilling device” is any device which, in particular, has a drill pipe with pipe sections in an existing one or the channel to be created is moved in the ground in order to create a borehole, in particular a horizontal borehole (HD), or to expand it or to pull pipes or other long bodies into the ground. The earth drilling device can in particular be an HD device. An earth drilling device can therefore be a device that drives a drill pipe, which works to displace soil and introduces the drill pipe into the soil in a translational and/or rotational manner in the longitudinal axial direction of the drill pipe. A hole can be drilled into the ground by applying tension or pressure to the drill pipe. In the sense of the description, the term “rod section” does not exclusively include rigid, individual force transmission elements that can be connected to one another indirectly or directly and which can be used in an earth drilling device.

The term “HD” (horizontal drilling) in the sense of the present description includes in particular an at least partially horizontally arranged bore or a horizontally arranged channel or pipeline.

The drill pipe can have a drill head and an optionally present drill head tip at one end, in particular at the front end. The drill string may have a front drilling tool.

The term “drive” in the sense of the description includes a drive means that can be moved back and forth, which can be designed in particular for a connection to one end of a new rod section to be drilled. The drive means can be connected to one end of the pipe section, while the other end of the pipe section can be connected to the already drilled drill pipe. The drill pipe can be extended by adding a pipe section or changing the pipe. The connection between the drive means and the linkage section can be non-positive and/or positive. The drive means can, for example, be moved back and forth by means of a carriage on a drill carriage in order to impose a tensile force or a compressive force on the drill pipe connected to the drive means.

The term “drill pipe axis” includes in particular the axis that can be formed by the longitudinal axes of the individual pipe sections of the drill pipe, whereby for the purposes of the description the longitudinal axes of the pipe sections are considered, which are present in the drill pipe in the closer area of the earth drilling device. In particular, the pipe section that was drilled last or the pipe section that is drilled or connected to the drill pipe next can be considered. The drill pipe axis is in particular the axis with which the drive accommodates the pipe section to be newly drilled and can therefore correspond to the longitudinal axis of the pipe section to be newly drilled. The drill pipe axis can essentially coincide with the longitudinal axis of the drive means of the earth drilling device.

The term “cable” in the sense of the description includes a single- or multi-core network of cables coated with an insulating material, which is used in particular to transmit energy and/or information. Electrical signals can be transmitted via a cable. If the cable has several lines or cores, parallel or simultaneous transmission of several signals is possible. Cables can be connected by stripping one end of a cable with another stripped end of a cable by clamping the cables together or otherwise connecting them mechanically and/or materially. To protect the connection, the connection point can be insulated, in particular with a shrink tube.

The term “contact device” in the sense of the description includes a contact element with which one end of the cable of the cable supply is in electrically conductive contact. The contact device therefore has an electrically conductive contact element. The contact element can be in constant contact with a display and/or a data processing unit, which can be designed as an arithmetic unit and has a controller or similar. The signals can be displayed on the display, in particular in an operator's cabin, particularly preferably after processing using the controller.

If it is described that the cable supply has a length of at least twice the length of a pipe section, this is a preferred embodiment which ensures that a further pipe section is first connected to the drill pipe that has already been drilled and a cable is arranged in the newly added pipe section can be. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cable supply has a cable with a length which corresponds to at least the length of three, four or more rod sections. The cable supply can have a cable with a length of at least 50 m, preferably at least 60 m, preferably at least 70 m, preferably at least 80 m, preferably at least 90 m, preferably at least 100 m. Depending on the length of the hole to be drilled, cable lengths of more than 100 m are also possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the cable supply has a reel which is arranged on the earth drilling device. This brings the cable supply into a manageable, compact form and prevents the cable from becoming tangled or knotted. It is also possible to determine the length when winding the cable onto the reel and/or to record the portion of the cable used when unwinding the cable.

In a preferred embodiment, the reel is arranged around the drill pipe axis. This makes it possible to create a particularly simple structure and a particularly simple arrangement that is easier to handle.

For the purposes of the description, the term “arranged around the drill pipe axis” is to be understood in such a way that the central axis of the reel of the cable supply is aligned concentrically to the central axis of the connection, which coincides with the drill pipe axis. The axis of rotation of the reel, i.e. the central axis, coincides with the drill pipe axis. A simple design with a simple construction is possible. In particular, the cable supply or the reel can be arranged on the outside and surround the drill pipe axis. Such an external feed can be preferred and enables a simple construction with little effort when replacing or refilling the reel with a cable supply, since external access makes handling easier. A space-saving structure is therefore possible. Few components are required, which can simplify construction and reduce costs. The mass of the parts/elements moving when feeding the cable can be kept low. A complex hydraulic rotary union is not necessarily required.

In a preferred embodiment, the cable feed has at least one guide roller, which can be designed as a deflection roller, which serves to feed the cable in an orderly manner. This enables a feed in which the cable supply can be arranged independently of the drill pipe axis and/or in which a flexible arrangement of the cable supply is possible.

The cable feed has a rotary feedthrough for axial feed into the drill pipe axis. For this purpose, there can be several guide rollers that deflect the cable into the desired orientation and/or position. While in the previous earth drilling device for cable-guided drilling a sliding contact is provided directly on the drive or the drive means, the cable supply or the cable feed can also be present outside an axial axis, whereby in particular an opening on the drive means for manually passing a cable through can be dispensed with . Flexibility in the arrangement of the cable supply and/or the position of the contact device is possible.

In a preferred embodiment, a seal is provided on the cable feed for sealing against flushing fluid that can be fed to the drill pipe. In particular, a seal can be used which essentially constantly closes a feed opening for the cable from the cable supply. In particular, the opening can be an opening arranged in a rotary feedthrough, which act coaxially to the pipe section to be newly drilled, which is connected to the drive means. There is the possibility of further simplifying handling steps by not having to repeatedly form the seal manually. Flushing liquid can be supplied to the drive means - even under pressure - and does not escape from the drive means.

A rotary union is used that aligns the cable axially with the drill pipe axis. In particular, the cable can be guided through the rotary feedthrough in a substantially centered manner, in particular substantially aligned with the central axis of the drill pipe. The rotary feedthrough has an opening at one end for the cable coming from the cable supply. On the other hand, the rotary feedthrough has a connection that is to be connected to a pipe section of the drill pipe or a new pipe section that is to be connected to the drill pipe that has already been drilled. In particular, the connection can rotate with the drill pipe when a rotational movement is imposed on the drill pipe. The connection can be connected directly or indirectly to the drill pipe. For example, the connection can be connected to a drive means, in particular in the form of a hollow shaft, which can be rotatably moved from the outside by a drive; and the drive means can be connected to the drill pipe on the other side. The drill pipe can in particular be the inner pipe of a double pipe pipe. The drill pipe can be a "simple" pipe in which there is no internal pipe. The connection on the rotary feedthrough can be designed in particular to form a positive connection with the drill pipe or the drive means or an adapter.

The cable supply is arranged at the end on a rotary feedthrough at a distance from the connection that comes into connection with a rod section, indirectly or directly. The cable of the cable supply passes through the rotary feedthrough or the connection from behind or extends at least partially or completely through the rotary feedthrough. The inventors are pursuing a previously counterintuitive approach that allows the cable to extend completely through a rotary feedthrough, even though the cable can be accessed at all times. Access can be reduced, in particular to access only in the area of the end of the newly added or to be added rod section that is spaced from the drill head. For example, the cable can extend, starting from the supply, through the rotary feedthrough and a drive means in the form of a hollow shaft, which is rotationally driven by a drive, without the need for separation or dissolution of the connection in and through the areas mentioned.

In a preferred embodiment, a traction means is present, which can be designed in particular in the form of a hydraulic motor. In an alternative or additional embodiment, the traction means can be designed as a hydraulic cylinder, electric motor, electric cylinder, compressed air-operated motor or cylinder. In an alternative or additional embodiment, the traction means can be designed as a spring or spring means or have a spring or a spring means by means of which a spring preload is exerted on the cable in order to keep the cable under tension. The traction device is functionally connected to the cable supply and designed to keep the cable under tension. This can largely prevent the cable from being crushed when connecting the rod sections. Through a possible essentially concentric feed of the cable, the cable can be kept outside the area that is relevant for the mechanical connection of the pipe sections or the sections of the drill pipe. A concentric feed of the cable through the drive means with a tensile load on the cable of the cable supply, in particular combined with a substantially concentric arrangement of the cable in the drill pipe that has already been drilled, can be advantageously used to keep the cable outside of the elements provided for connecting the pipe sections; Cable breakage and/or cable tearing can be avoided.

The invention also provides a method according to claim 7. A method for cable-guided earth drilling is described, the method having the step that a pipe section, which is part of a drill pipe drilled in the ground and in which a cable is present, is connected to a further pipe section is connected. A cable with a length of at least two rod sections is provided. Further, a permanent electrical contact of an end of the cable with a length of at least twice the length of a rod section is established during the connection of rod sections. This means that when connecting a new cable for a pipe section to be added or when changing the pipe, the previous cable is separated and only one connection of the cable from the cable supply is necessary to further advance the drill pipe.

A use in cable-guided earth drilling is also described in which rod sections are used in which a cable is arranged, with cables of adjacent pipe sections being connected to one another. A cable stock for receiving a cable with a length of at least twice the length of a rod section and a contact device for permanently electrically contacting one end of the cable of the cable stock are used.

The invention has been described based on three aspects relating to the earth drilling device, a method and a use. The comments on each one Aspects of the invention complement each other here. Statements for one of the aspects apply equally to the other two aspects.

The above statements, like the following description of an exemplary embodiment, do not constitute a waiver of certain embodiments or features.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment shown in the figures.

Fig.1

zeigt in isometrischer Darstellung von einer Seite einen Abschnitt im Bereich eines Antriebs einer Erdbohrvorrichtung mit einer Haspel und einer Kabelzuführung und

Fig. 2

die Darstellung der Fig. 1 von einer anderen Seite.

In the drawings shows:

Fig.1

shows an isometric view from one side of a section in the area of a drive of an earth drilling device with a reel and a cable feed and

Fig. 2

the representation of the Fig. 1 from another side.

Figures 1 and 2 show an isometric view from two sides of a section in the area of a rotary feedthrough 1 for drilling fluid of an earth drilling device. The rotary feedthrough 1 has a rotating connection 2, which can be connected to a new rod section to be drilled. The connection 2 can be connected to a rear end of a pipe section to be newly drilled and connect the pipe section to the drill pipe that has already been drilled. The connection 2 defines a drill pipe axis L, which is indicated by a dashed line in the Figure 1 is shown.

A cable 3 used for cable-guided drilling is available as a cable supply 4. A contact device 5 is provided on the cable supply 4 and has an electrical contact which is electrically connected to one end of the cable 3 of the cable supply 4. The contact device 5 is further connected to an electrical connection, which forms a connection to a display or a unit that processes a signal that is present on the cable 3. The cable supply 4 is designed as a reel 6, which can hold a cable 3 with a length of at least two rod sections. One end of the cable 3 of the cable supply 4 is guided into the axis L of the connection 2 via a cable feed 7.

The cable feed 7 has guide rollers 8 designed as deflection rollers, by means of which the cable 3 can be fed to the connection 2 from behind. For this purpose, the reel 6 is arranged at the end on the rotary feedthrough 1 or the connection 2. The central axis of the reel 6 is concentric to the central axis of the connection 2, which coincides with the drill pipe axis L. The cable 3 is thus guided through the connection 2 and can protrude from the other end of the connection 2 in order to be connected to a cable of an already drilled drill pipe.

In the area of the guide roller 8, which essentially aligns the cable in the longitudinal axial direction of the connection 2, there is a seal 9 which can close an opening 10. For this purpose, a cylinder 15 connected to the seal 9 can be pressurized.

A traction means 11 is provided, with which the cable supply 4 is functionally connected by means of two meshing gears 12, 13. The traction means 11 is functionally connected to the cable supply in such a way that it can keep the cable 3 of the cable supply 4 under tension. The traction means 11 is designed as a hydraulic motor.

To supply rinsing liquid, in particular bentonite, a rinsing liquid supply 14 is provided on the rotary feedthrough 1.

Claims (7)

1. Ground drilling device for cable-guided drilling with a drive unit for connecting and/or moving pipe segments of a drill pipe along a drill pipe axis (L) and a cable magazine (4) for intake of a cable (3) with a length of at least two pipe segments and a contact device (5) for electrical contact with one end of the cable (3) of the cable magazine (4), characterised in that the cable feed (7) has a rotary union (1), which arranges the cable (3) axially on the drill pipe axis and which has at one end an opening for the cable (3) coming from the cable magazine (4) and on the other side has a connector (2), which is to connect with the pipe segment of the drill pipe or a new pipe segment, which is to connect with the already bored drill pipe, wherein the cable magazine (4) is arranged endways to the rotary union (1) spaced apart from the connector (2) which comes in contact with a pipe segment, wherein the cable (3) from the cable magazine (4) passes through the rotary union (1) and the connector (2) from the rear.
2. Ground drilling device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the cable magazine (4) has a cable drum (6).
3. Ground drilling device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the cable drum (6) is arranged around the drill pipe axis (L).
4. Ground drilling device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the cable feed (7) has at least one guide roller (8).
5. Ground drilling device according to Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the cable feed (7) is arranged to feed axially on the drill pipe axis (L).
6. Ground drilling device according to Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a pulling mechanism (11), in particular in the form of a hydraulic motor, is present, which is connected functionally to the cable magazine (4) and arranged to hold the cable (3) under tension.
7. Method for cable-guided ground drilling, having the step: Connecting of a pipe segment, which is part of a drill pipe bored in the ground and in which a cable (3) is present, to a further pipe segment, comprising the steps: Provision of a cable (3) with a length of at least two pipe segments and production of a permanent electrical contact of one end of the cable (3) with a length of at least two pipe segments during the connection of pipe segments, wherein the cable (3) is fed by means of a cable feed (7) having a rotary union (1), which arranges the cable (3) axially on the drill pipe axis and which has at one end an opening for the cable (3) coming from the cable magazine (4) and on the other side has a connector (2), which is to connect with the pipe segment of the drill pipe or a new pipe segment, which is to connect with the already bored drill pipe, wherein the cable magazine (4) is arranged endways to the rotary union (1) spaced apart from the connector (2) in contact with a pipe segment (2), wherein the cable (3) from the cable magazine (4) passes the rotary union (1) and the connector (2) from the rear.

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