Optimum parameter matching obtained by experiments for coring drilling into lunar simulant

Abstract

This paper performs a series of ground experiments (on the Earth) to obtain optimum parameter matching for a future core drill on the Moon. Three common stages, I, II, III, are recognized with respect to the cut per revolution (CPR), which is defined as the ratio between the feeding speed and the rotating speed. The optimum matching between the feeding speed and the rotating speed for drills locates at the boundary position between Stage II and Stage III, where the coring rate saturates and the weight on the bit and the driving torque are still low. Further data analysis of the ground experiments reveals that the optimum matching signifies a proportional relation between the maximum conveying rate (MCR) by the groove of the auger and its rotating speed. The kinetic analysis in an ideal condition without gravity, the friction from the auger groove and the pressure at the bit confirm a similar proportion. The correlation between the proportions needs further study to determine whether the optimum matching obtained on the ground can be directly applied to future drills on the Moon.