Developing an automatic drilling system by controlling proportional valves based on pressure feedback

This study’s aim is to control the proportional valves for automated drilling to serve as a preliminary phase toward the fully automated control of drilling rigs. Drilling rigs are quintessential in civil engineering and resource exploration, used primarily to bore holes into the ground. With the burgeoning demand for precision and smart functionalities in their operations, this research adopts a targeted approach. Central to the methodology, this study crafted a control module focusing explicitly on the three pivotal mechanisms of the drilling rig: impact, feed, and rotation. The optimal pressures essential for each control variable were determined through an in-depth study of the drilling patterns showcased by expert operators. These evaluations showed that an excessive feed pressure might distort the guide shell and bit, resulting in pronounced deviations in the drilling angle and compromised accuracy. Further intricacies were observed at the onset of rotation and feed, where a transient pressure surge emerged, which was attributed to the initial movement of a rod from its resting position. With these nuances in the foreground, an automated drilling algorithm tailored to maintain these optimal pressure thresholds was engineered. These research endeavors will pivot toward predicting the rock properties to fine-tune the pressure distribution in drilling rig control. This progressive approach to automation promises enhanced precision in drilling and sets a foundation for advanced research in drilling rig automation.