A parametric study for the design of an optimized ultrasonic-percussive planetary drill tool

Li, X. , Harkness, P. , Worrall, K. , Timoney, R. and Lucas, M. (2017) A parametric study for the design of an optimized ultrasonic-percussive planetary drill tool. IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, 64(3), pp. 577-589. (doi: 10.1109/TUFFC.2016.2633319) (PMID:27913339)

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Abstract

Traditional rotary drilling for planetary rock sampling, in situ analysis, and sample return are challenging because the axial force and holding torque requirements are not necessarily compatible with lightweight spacecraft architectures in low-gravity environments. This paper seeks to optimize an ultrasonic percussive drill tool to achieve rock penetration with lower reacted force requirements, with a strategic view toward building an ultrasonic planetary core drill (UPCD) device. The UPCD is a descendant of the ultrasonic/sonic driller/corer technique. In these concepts, a transducer and horn (typically resonant at around 20 kHz) are used to excite a toroidal free mass that oscillates chaotically between the horn tip and drill base at lower frequencies (generally between 10 Hz and 1 kHz). This creates a series of stress pulses that is transferred through the drill bit to the rock surface, and while the stress at the drill-bit tip/rock interface exceeds the compressive strength of the rock, it causes fractures that result in fragmentation of the rock. This facilitates augering and downward progress. In order to ensure that the drill-bit tip delivers the greatest effective impulse (the time integral of the drill-bit tip/rock pressure curve exceeding the strength of the rock), parameters such as the spring rates and the mass of the free mass, the drill bit and transducer have been varied and compared in both computer simulation and practical experiment. The most interesting findings and those of particular relevance to deep drilling indicate that increasing the mass of the drill bit has a limited (or even positive) influence on the rate of effective impulse delivered.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Li, Dr Xuan and Timoney, Dr Ryan and Worrall, Dr Kevin and Lucas, Professor Margaret and Harkness, Professor Patrick
Authors: Li, X., Harkness, P., Worrall, K., Timoney, R., and Lucas, M.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control
Publisher:IEEE
ISSN:0885-3010
ISSN (Online):1525-8955
Published Online:29 November 2016
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 IEEE
First Published:First published in IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control 64(3): 577-589
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
615721Ultrasonic Planetary Core Drill (UPCD)Patrick HarknessEuropean Commission (EC)607015ENG - ENGINEERING SYSTEMS POWER & ENERGY