Thread: Major engineering challenge

I work for a company that's in the mining industry exploration. Last time I was in the office, the owner came in and presented us with a major challenge that would be on the leading edge of technology.
The task:
1) Thread 2000' of wire through a horizontal (no help from gravity) hole ranging from 2" to 4" in width
2) No access to the end-side of the hole
A competitor has managed to do about 700' and even replicating that would be a major success, but my coleague and I would like to go for gold (both figuratively and literally )
I will be chiming in with some fine tuning details, but this is the basic challenge. If you gentlemen could offer some tips tricks and pointers (like techniques and materials), they'd be much appreciated.
Pulling this off would get me away from the computer and number-crunching and put me into the mines all over the globe.

1) Are the walls of the hole smooth?

2) Are the changes in hole diameter abrupt?

3) As you proceed into the hole, does the diameter reduce?

4) Are there any turns, or is it a straight shot?

5) If you seal off the end, is the hole airtight?

-whatever

-Lou

1) Nope, it's water-drilled into the groud
2) Chances are that they are not. I'm guessing it's a gradual reduction but there could be some erosion
3) It could even be expanding as water streams have a tendency to.
4) There's a gradual curvature but no zig-zags or abrupt turns
5) It's a possibility worth speculating on a solution for.

...and, the most important question of all....



6) How big is the pot of gold at the end of the tunnel?

=whatever

-Lou

6) Moderate if it's a 700' tunnel. At the end of the 2000' tunnel, we'd be the only company in the industry offering this service, so you go figure

send me a PM

-Lou

Ooo yay! I have to hear how this one turns out.

Some further questions;

1. What is the weight of the wire per foot, and can strong light guide wire be used in lieu of the wire. This would of course be followed up by using the guide line to draw the wire though.
2. Can the wire being pulled provide power to something that is pulling it?

I've attached a simple sketch of one idea I had. Also, are these holes habitable? i.e. are they safe and do they have enough oxygen? Trained ferrets have long been used by telephone and utility crews to do long pulls. They use very light fishing line and treats for the ferrets at the other end. If not, I think you could build a draft of what I've sketched for <$500 parts and a couple days work, assuming you can machine, or have some done. The scissors part of the design will provide a good way to retain pull, even when the line drag becomes more considerable.

Good luck,
John

PS If you want 'professional' help on this, you can PM me.

- John

How about using a remote-controlled car? Not radio contolled, but remote controlled. Pay out the control cable with the vehicle. Utilize a high-output motor to pull the target wire down the shaft. Use a treaded vehicle, like a tank.

Originally Posted by Namdnas

.... Trained ferrets have long been used by telephone and utility crews to do long pulls. .......

- John

ferretts?.....o-o-o-o-o-o-o, I lLIKE that idea....only.....

...instead of using ferretts, how about really small badgers?....



....that way, when you're done, you could.....well.....

-whatever

(...think 'multiple-use'....)

-Lou