Vibration considerations in the design of an ultrasonic driller/corer for planetary rock sampling

Harkness, P. , Cardoni, A. and Lucas, M. (2008) Vibration considerations in the design of an ultrasonic driller/corer for planetary rock sampling. In: Sas, P. and Bergen, B. (eds.) Proceedings Of ISMA 2008: International Conference On Noise And Vibration Engineering. ISMA: Leuven, Belgium, pp. 3477-3486. ISBN 9789073802865

Abstract

Ultrasonic drills superimpose a longitudinal vibration at a low ultrasonic frequency on the rotational motion of a drill bit. In this paper, the preliminary design aspects of a novel non-rotating, low power, dry cutting ultrasonic driller for exobiological prospecting are outlined, focussing on the development of a horn operating with a composite longitudinal-torsional mode at a frequency of approximately 20 kHz. Horn geometries to develop this composite mode using forced longitudinal vibration provided by an attached Langevin transducer are extensively modelled using finite element analysis. Two drilling units, one tuned to a longitudinal-torsional mode and the other to a pure longitudinal mode, are manufactured so that their drilling characteristics can be compared. Drilling tests are carried out in Sherwood sandstone. The tests clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the longitudinal-torsional mode in drilling soft to medium rock, offering a design for an ultrasonic drill that removes the need for rotational drilling.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Additional Information: International Conference on Noise and Vibration Engineering Leuven, BELGIUM, SEP 15-17, 2008
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cardoni, Dr Andrea and Lucas, Professor Margaret and Harkness, Professor Patrick
• Authors: Harkness, P., Cardoni, A., and Lucas, M.
• Subjects: T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Publisher: ISMA
• ISBN: 9789073802865