WO2011100966A2

WO2011100966A2 - Method and device for direction-controlled drilling

Info

Publication number: WO2011100966A2
Application number: PCT/DE2011/075021
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rüdiger KÖGLER
Original assignee: Plum, Heinz
Priority date: 2010-02-22
Filing date: 2011-02-11
Publication date: 2011-08-25
Also published as: DE102010008823A1; DE102010008823B4; EP2539531A2; WO2011100966A3

Abstract

In a method for direction-controlled drilling, wherein a drill head (1, 26) is driven through soil or rock together with a following drill string (23), length changes of various sections of the drill head wall and/or of the drill string wall produced by a curvature of the drill head (1, 26) and/or of the drill string (23) are determined. The determined length changes allow a directional control of the drill head (1, 26). The length change can be measured by means of at least two measuring tapes (33), which originate from the drill head (1, 26) and are guided along on the drill string (23), for example, in protective sleeves (31, 32, 37, 38, 39) arranged on drill strings (25), to a measuring point in the area of a drilling starting point, in particular a starting construction pit (22).

Description

Method and device for directional drilling

The invention relates to a method for directional drilling in which a drill head with subsequent drill string is driven through soil or rock, and a device for directional drilling in soil or rock, comprising a controllable drill head.

The knowledge and monitoring of the drilling axis of a drill head is of great importance for various reasons, e.g. to reach a certain destination in the underground. There are a variety of drilling methods today and, accordingly, a large number of different surveying systems. One of these

Surveying systems, which should be supplemented or improved primarily by the present invention, is known in the deep drilling technology or the near-surface horizontal drilling under the term "MGS" (Magnetic Steering System) known measuring method.

This system uses the length drilled at the time of measurement, the direction (azimuth) and inclination (inclination) to determine the position of the drill bit in the ground. With the help of this information, in principle, a three-dimensional traverse can be calculated and displayed from the starting point to the current measuring point, with the azimuth values for the horizontal position and the

Inclusion values for the vertical position are needed. The necessary

Mathematical calculation methods for converting the measured values into a spatial position are known from the literature and the practice and are generally also used in the context of the present invention.

In the past, errors and inaccuracies have often set in the described measuring method when a hole in the area with

magnetic interference was carried out (eg in the area of sheet piling, magnetic soil layers or the Bohrgarnitur itself). This is due to the way in which the azimuth is determined. This takes place at the MGS in that as a reference axis the magnetic field lines of the earth are used, while the bottom line of gravity is used to determine the angle of inclination.

The major disadvantage of the described azimuth measurement consists in the fact that the magnetic field lines are distorted in interference fields and the magnetometers thereby often give incorrect or inaccurate values. In contrast, the inclinometers are completely unaffected by magnetic influences, which is why the accuracy of the vertical position determination is usually much higher than that of the horizontal position.

A method and a device of the type mentioned are from the

DE 10 1005 01 1 968 B4, in which a device for the production of

Holes in the soil is disclosed, in which the drilling direction is controlled by means of an optical measurement. For this purpose, an optical lane is formed, which is the entire drill string of a usually in a starting pit

Driving machine passes through into the drill head into it. The measurement technology is complex and also expands the field due to the optical lane.

As an alternative to the optical lane, gyro compasses are used to determine the

horizontal position and a Schlauchwasserwaage used to determine the vertical position. An arranged in the drill gyro compass is again expansive. In addition, a gyro compass may be used for certain drilling procedures, e.g. when using a rotary hammer, be too sensitive.

From DE 689 09 355 T2 a device and a method for controlling the position of a self-propelled drilling tool are known in which a rotating magnet is provided on the drill head. The time-varying magnetic field is detected on the earth's surface by means of a detector device. By means of the detected signals, the height position and the lateral position of the drill head can be determined. The position information can be used to control the drill head. A position determination of a drill head by means of magnetic fields is technically complex and also prone to magnetic interference fields. With this known device, the HDD method (Horizontal Directional Drilling) can be performed.

From DE 10 213 769 A1 another HDD method is known, in which the drill head by means of waves emitted from the earth's surface, in particular

Radar waves, is located.

From DE 10 2008 026 456 A1 another HDD method is known, which also works with radar for locating the drill head, but the radar transmitter in the

Drill head is arranged.

In the described HDD method, the location of the drill head is effected by means of a receiver located on the earth's surface. This causes an increasing inaccuracy with increasing depth of the bore.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a device of the type mentioned at the outset, which

trouble-free and high-precision measuring technology cost-effectively enables a reliable direction-controlled drilling.

In a method of the type mentioned, the object is achieved by the

characterizing features of claim 1 solved. In a device of the type mentioned, the object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 9. Exemplary embodiments of the invention

Method and apparatus of the invention will be apparent from the

Dependent claims.

By determining changes in length of different areas of the

Bohrstrangwandung, for example, from right and left fighters and / or the vertex and bottom of the drill string, a curvature of the drill string and from it the spatial position of the drill head can be determined. From this, specifications for the control of the drill head can be determined. The position and spatial position and thus the current direction of advance of the drill head can by means of the aforementioned measuring methods, eg iteratively, with high accuracy. The measurement is also completely independent of interference fields of all kinds, especially of magnetic interference fields.

A boring head suitable for the inventive method as well as for the inventive device is known from EP 1 621 722 A2, in which an outer steering tube, e.g. can be brought by means of bellows body with respect to an inner guide tube in angular position. For the inventive method and the inventive device, however, other drill head constructions may be suitable.

The determination of the length changes can advantageously be effected by means of at least two tape measures, which are guided along the drill string in different areas of its wall and substantially parallel to its central longitudinal axis. In this case, absolute lengths of the wall of a particular

Starting point on the drill head to a defined point of the bore, z. In the

Starting shaft, determined. These measurements allow to determine if the

measured wall areas subject to different changes in length, the drill string is thus curved. Such changes in length come z. B. by compression, elastic strains or inserted tubes through

Angling done.

By way of example, the measuring tapes can be guided along the fighters of a drill string driven into the earth or the rock. The fighters are the ones in

Propulsion direction right and left walls of the tube, while the top wall vertices and the bottom wall are referred to as the sole. If the drill string curves to the right or left, the lengths of the fighters change differently. The length of the inner fighter shortens, z. B. due to a compression of the material, while the length of the outer fighter, z. B. by elastic stretching of the material or angulation of the tubes is increased. From the difference of the lengths and the known diameter of the drill string can be the curvature and thus determine the current direction of the drill head and calculate from this the position of the drill head in the plane of the fighters. In a corresponding manner, a curvature in the plane perpendicular to the fighters can be determined by means of two measuring tapes, which are guided over vertex and sole of the drill string. Due to the reading accuracy in the mm range, a correspondingly high accuracy in the determination of the position of the drill head can be achieved.

By using at least three measuring tapes, which are suitably distributed around the circumference of the drill string, curvatures can be determined in all directions.

The method according to the invention can be used for any bore directions from horizontal to vertical and for a wide variety of bore types. In particular, the method is also suitable for the trenchless laying of pipes, e.g. of supply or sewer pipes.

Since apart from the measuring tape no measuring devices or parts of measuring devices in or on the drill head are needed, the inventive method is very insensitive and is particularly suitable for drilling using a Imlochhammers whose percussion piston generates considerable shocks. Since no measurement technique has to be used within the entire drill string, the entire space can there be otherwise, e.g. in the drill string, in particular for ground transportation, e.g. by means of a screw, and be used in the tunneling machine for the machine technology. In addition, curved holes can be made with this measurement technique other than when using the optical path.

The values obtained by the measuring tape can be stored in a control unit for the

Drilling head automatically read or entered by a person. By an experienced person, the control unit can also directly on the basis of

determined and communicated differences in length of the tape measures are controlled.

A drill string is usually composed of several drill string shots, for example pipe shots. The drill string shots and the drill head can be used to protect and also accurately guide the tape measure with a tape sleeve be provided. The reading of the measuring tapes can also be automated by persons or with suitable reading devices, z. B. digital, done.

The inventive method can also be carried out with alternative measuring systems, in particular can be provided for the

inventive method at least one inclinometer, i. use a tilt sensor, or an alternative sensor and the length changes by means of suitable band-shaped transmission means on the inclinometer or the

Transmit sensor. The following are examples of ropes as

Transmission means shown. It is also possible to limit the measurement of curvature to the drill head or to a section comprising the drill head and a front part of the drill string.

For example, in the range of the fighters and / or in the range of vertex and sole of the

Drill head sleeves can be attached to the tubular body of the drill head, in which the ropes are arranged and guided as possible with little friction. The sleeves are guided at one end of the pipe in at least one arc into the tube interior, wherein a small area remains free between the two sleeves in the middle.

The ropes in the sleeves are connected in the free area between the two sleeves with a rocker mounted on the drill head, on which in turn at least one inclinometer is mounted. If the drill head is now e.g. subjected to a horizontal curvature, the rocker is changed in its inclination by the movement of the cables, depending on the orientation of the curvature to the left or right. The mounted on the rocker inclinometer is thereby also inclined, and the change in the angle of inclination can be converted into the corresponding change in length of the fighters. Hereby can be calculated on the known lateral distance (= diameter of the tubular body) and the original length of the fighters, the curvature of the pipe section.

A corresponding device can be mounted for the analog determination of vertical curvatures in the vertical direction. Together with the drilled length can now with the known calculation method, the spatial position of the drill head in the ground to be determined.

A possible in practice rolling of the drill head can over another

Inclinometer be established, which is firmly connected to the pipe wall and thus directly measures the torsions of the pipe. With also known,

From the two measurements described above, the proportion of horizontal and vertical curvature can then be determined from the two above-described calculation methods and then the absolutely resulting horizontal and vertical position of the drill head can be calculated.

Alternatively, the change in length of the two fighters (i.e., the movement of the ropes in the sleeves) may also be made directly via available displacement transducers in the industry (e.g., linear transducers or pull-tab transducers). The determination of the roll is carried out in this case continue at least one attached to the drill head

Inclinometer.

It is possible to combine different measuring techniques for determining the position of the drill head, e.g. the use of Maßbändern with other measurement techniques for the determination of the vertical position, e.g. a tilt sensor.

Exemplary embodiments of the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention are illustrated below with reference to figures.

It shows

1 shows schematically the essential areas of a straight boring head, FIG. 2 shows schematically the essential areas of a curved boring head,

3 a rocker,

4 a set screw, 5 shows schematically the method according to the invention as well as devices which can be used in the case of a one-dimensional curvature of a drill head,

Fig. 6 shows schematically the use of displacement sensors.

7 shows a side view of a drill string emanating from a starting pit,

8 shows a curved drill string section,

9 shows in cross section a tube shot with two protective sleeves for tape measures,

10 shows a tube section with three protective sleeves for tape measures and in cross section

Fig. 1 1: in an oblique side view of a pipe end with tape measure.

FIGS. 1 to 6 show a first exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows a straight drill head 1 in side view, top view and in section, in which the relevant areas for the present invention vertex 2, fighters 3 and 4 sole

are shown. Also shown is a drill bit 5 of the drill head. 1 The length L ₀ denotes the length of the tubular body of the drill head 1 in the axial direction, the diameter D the Außendurchmeser of the drill head. 1

FIG. 2 shows, by way of example, a drill head 1 curved in a plane in a side view, top view and section, in which the areas apex 2, fighter 3 and sole 4 relevant for the present invention have again been designated. The length L ₀ again denotes the length of the tubular body in the axial direction (which corresponds to that of the straight tubular body). In Fig. 2 it can be seen that by the

Bending radius Ro and the elastic behavior of the pipe material, the fighter lengths L _L and L _{R are} now different than in Fig. 1 are different. In Fig. 3, two rockers 10 are shown in detail, one for the horizontal plane and one for the vertical plane. Shown are each sleeves 12 with therein ropes 13. The fixedly attached to the drill head 1 sleeves 12 are connected to each other via a rocker bearing 8. At this rocker bearing 8 each rocker arm 9 is rotatably mounted in the pivot point 1 1. On the rocker bearing 8 there is an inclinometer 7 (or 17) responsible for measuring the roll, while an inclinometer 6 (or 16) fastened on the rocker arm 9 measures the horizontal (or vertical) angle change. The ropes 13 are connected by means of a cable attachment 14 with each other and with the rocker arm 9.

In Fig. 4 a possible embodiment for a screw 18 for adjusting the position of the rocker arm 9 is shown by way of example. The sleeves 12 are provided at one end with a thread 19 in which an adjusting screw 18 can be moved, to which in turn the rope in question 13 is attached. By screwing in or unscrewing the screw 18, the cable 13 can be moved axially in the sleeve 12. Thereby, the cable attachment 14 is moved to the rocker arm 9 and accordingly deflected the rocker arm on the pivot point 1 1 and thus in turn can the inclinometer 6 (or 16) are adjusted.

In Fig. 5, the usable devices in a straight drill head 1 and in a one-dimensional (in the example horizontally) curved drill head 1 are shown.

Shown are the sleeves 12 and (simplified) the rocker 10 (for the horizontal plane).

Depending on the direction of the one-dimensional curvature (left / right), the affected ropes 13 are moved accordingly in the sleeves 12. These

Movement is transmitted to the rocker 10 and the inclinometer 6 located thereon. The signals of the inclinometer 6, as in other measuring methods over at least one power and data cable 20 led to surface.

FIG. 6 shows the principle use of displacement transducers 15 instead of inclinometers 6 and 7 for determining the changes in length of vertex 2, fighter 3 and sole 4. For each cable 13 is a transducer 15 for determining the Length change of vertex 2, fighter 3 and sole 4 is provided. The connection of the cables 13 with the displacement sensors 15 can in turn be carried out by a respective cable attachment 14. The adjustment of the displacement transducer 15 can be carried out analogously to that in the use of inclinometers 6 and 7 via screws 18. The signals of the displacement transducer 15, as in other measuring methods over at least one

Power and data cable 20 led to overground.

In the case of use, a calibration of the two inclinometers 6 and 16 is carried out before the start of drilling by initially aligning the straight drill head 1 exactly in the drilling direction and exactly (similar to the calibration procedure in the case of the MGS). Then the drill head 1 is rotated about its axis so far that the intended vertex. 2

actually shows exactly upwards (this process also takes place accordingly at the MGS). Subsequently, the two rockers 10 of the inclinometers 6 and 16 are adjusted by the set screws 18 and the threads 19 at the beginning of the sleeves 12 so that both inclinometers 6 and 16 indicate a suitable starting value (for example 0 ° and 90 °). The value then read at the inclinometers 7 and 17 is the starting value for

Monitoring the rolling of the drill head 1 during the drilling process.

The bending radii R ₀ move in practice eg steel pipes with a

Pipe diameter D of 500 mm in a range of about 250 m to about 1, 000 m.

Assuming that the considered drill head 1 has a length L ₀ of 3,000 mm and is to be subjected to a bending radius Ro of 300 m by way of example, the left fighter would be subject to a radius RL of 300.25 m (= R ₀ + D / 2 ) and the right fighter has a radius of R _R = 299.75 m.

The length of the left-hand fighter L _L in this example is 3002.5 mm and that of the right-hand fighter L _{R is} 2997.5 mm. Thus, the rocker 10 would be deflected by the amount of 2.5 mm. Assuming that the partial lengths of the rocker arm 9 on both sides of the fulcrum 1 1 are each 25 mm long, this curvature would thus trigger an angular change of the inclinometer 6 of about 5.7 °. With a sensitivity of the commercially available inclinometer of ± 0.1 ° this is a very strong signal. With a radius of curvature Ro = 1 .000 m, the length of the left fighter L _{L would} extend to 3000.75 mm and that of the right fighter L _R to 2999.25 mm. Thus, the rocker 10 would be deflected in this example by the amount of 0.75 mm. Again, assuming that the partial lengths of the rocker arm 9 are on both sides of the fulcrum 1 1 each 25 mm long, this curvature would thus trigger an angular change of the inclinometer 6 of about 1, 7 °.

With a commercially available resolution of the inclinometer of ± 0.1 ° and a rocker arm of 25 mm, the maximum possible bending radius Ro still recognizable by such a device is approximately 17,189 m. By symmetrical or asymmetrical extension or shortening of the partial lengths of the rocker arm 9 can be set for almost every practice optimum measurement conditions.

The accuracy of commercial odometer is approximately in the range of 0.1 mm and thus allows these devices similar applications as the inclinometers.

As a variant of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the drill head can also have a measurement space delimited by a double wall, in which the inclinometers or displacement meters are arranged in a suitable manner and into which the cables are guided. Through a separate measuring room, the remaining

Interior of the drill head are used elsewhere, for. B. for a screw to transport soil.

FIGS. 7 to 11 now show a further exemplary embodiment of the invention

inventive method and apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 7 schematically shows, in a lateral view, a tunneling machine 21 in a starting pit 22, from where a controllable boring head 26 with a drill string 23 is driven horizontally into soil 24. The drill string 23 consists of several pipe sections 25. Fig. 8 shows in plan view the drill head 26 and partly the subsequent

Pipe sections 25 each with a curvature, as they could result during the propulsion, for example, within a horizontal plane. The curvature is exaggeratedly shown in FIG. On the assumption that this is a horizontal curvature, the curvature is particularly pronounced in the area of the fighters of the pipe sections. The right fighter 29 seen in the forward drive direction forms the outer fighter of the bend and the left fighter 30 the inner fighter. By the curvature, the outer fighter 29 is stretched while the inner fighter 30 is compressed. These changes in length are determined by measuring tapes, not shown in FIG. 8. The tape measures run along the fighters 29 and 30 in mounted on the pipe sections 25 protective sleeves 31 and 32nd

Fig. 9 shows a pipe section 25 with protective sleeves 31 and 32 in cross section.

In Fig. 1 1 is a pipe section 25 with protective sleeve 31 and inserted tape measure 33 can be seen. At the end of the pipe is a coupling piece 34, over which a subsequent pipe section 25 is pushed. The tape measure 33 is in the

Protective sleeve 31 of this subsequent pipe section 25 threaded and pulled through. The measuring tape 33 can then be read, for example, in the starting pit 22. The reading takes place on both sides of the pipe string on both sides and precisely in a plane perpendicular to the desired direction of advance. This measurement level can

For example, at the beginning of the drilling process at a predetermined and the desired Vortriebrichtung corresponding pre-pressing determined by measuring and by means of suitable, not shown here aids, e.g. Solders, to be displayed. The values read at the reading points of the two opposite ones

Tape measures are entered automatically or through operating personnel into a control unit 28 (Figure 7). If necessary, the direction of further advancement via the control unit 28 is automatically corrected.

FIG. 10 shows in cross-section a tube weft 36 with three protective sleeves 37, 38 and 39 distributed over the circumference of the tube section 36. With three in these Protective sleeves 37 to 39 extending Maßbändern (not shown here) can be determined any arbitrary direction of curvature and the curvature can be quantified.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 drill head 33 tape measure

2 vertices 34 coupling piece

3 fighters 36 tube shot

4 sole 37 protection sleeve

5 drill bit 38 protective sleeve

6 Inclinometer (horizontal, curvature) 39 Protective sleeve

7 inclinometer (horizontal, roll-up)

8 rocker bearings

9 rocker arm

10 seesaw

1 1 pivot

12 sleeve

13 rope

14 rope attachment

15 transducers

16 inclinometer (vertical, curvature)

17 inclinometer (vertical, roll-up)

18 set screw

19 threads

20 energy and data cables

21 propulsion machine

22 start pit

23 drill string

24 soil

25 tube shot

26 boring head

28 control unit

29 right fighter

30 left fighter

31 protective sleeve

32 protective sleeve

Claims

Method and device for directional drilling Patent claims

1 . Directional boring method in which a boring head (1, 26) followed by a drill string (23) is driven through soil or rock,

characterized in that

determined by a curvature of the drill head (1, 26) and / or the drill string (23) length changes of different areas of Bohrkopfwandung and / or the Bohrstrangwandung be determined.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a

Directional control based on the detected changes in length

is carried out

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the changes in length are determined by means of at least two tape measures (33), which go out from the drill head (1, 26) and the drill string (23) along to one in the region of a drilling starting point, in particular a starting pit (22), located measuring point are performed.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that exactly two on the drill string (23) opposing tape measures (33) are used.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that at least three tape measures (33) are used.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a roll of the drill head (1, 26) is determined.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the changes in length by means of inclinometer (6, 16, 7, 17) or transducers are detected.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the roll is detected by means of at least one inclinometer (6, 16, 7, 17).

9. Device for directional drilling in soil or rock, comprising a controllable drill head (1, 26), characterized in that the device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 8 is set up.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that in

Bohrkopfinneren no measurement technology for determining the horizontal position of the advancing direction is present.

1 1. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that at least two on the drill head (26) attachable tape measures for measuring the

Curvature of the drill string (23) are provided.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 or 1 1, characterized in that the controllable drill head (1, 26) means for determining the vertical position of

Propelling direction has.

13. Device according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that Bohrstrangschüsse (25) on its outer side with means for guiding at least two tape measures (33) are provided.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the

Drill string shots (25) for protecting each tape measure (33) have sleeves (31, 32, 37, 38, 39).

15. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one pair of band-shaped transmission means, preferably at least one pair of cables (13), guided along the drill head (1) in the Bohrkopfinnere and a Wegaufnehmer or a rocking mechanism to an inclinometer (6, 7 , 16, 17), wherein an output signal of the displacement transducer or the inclination of the inclinometer (6, 7, 16, 17) on the curvature of the drill head (1, 26) is dependent.

16. Device according to one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that a control unit (28) for controlling the drill head (1, 26) is arranged to automatically generate control commands from detected differences in length.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that means for automatically reading out Maßbändern (33) and for automatically passing the read values to the control unit (28) are provided.