SCRAPER, ROCK DRILLING UNIT AND METHOD

Abstract

A scraper, rock drilling unit, and a method of cleaning a feed beam of a rock drilling unit is provided. The scraper includes a scraper element and a bracket mountable to the feed beam. The bracket provides the scraper element with a floating support. There is at least one force element provided for generating a force for moving the scraper element in relation to the bracket.

Claims

1. A scraper for a feed beam of a rock drilling unit, the scraper comprising: a scraper element; a bracket mountable to the feed beam and configured to provide the scraper element with floating support; and at least one force element for generating force for moving the scraper element in relation to the bracket.

2. The scraper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scraper element is a scraper blade having a plate-like configuration.

3. The scraper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scraper element is made of a polymer material.

4. The scraper as claimed in claim 1, wherein a free end of the scraper element is configured to face towards the feed beam and has a V-shaped profile.

5. The scraper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the force element is a spring element.

6. The scraper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the force element is an actuator.

7. The scraper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the force element includes at least one resilient compressible element.

8. The scraper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scraper element includes a free space surrounding the bracket, whereby the scraper element is movable along at least two movement axes relative to the bracket.

9. The scraper as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a cover plate mounted on the bracket and covering the free space.

10. A rock drilling unit of a rock drilling rig, the rock drilling unit comprising: an elongated feed beam; a carriage mounted slidably on the feed beam; a rock drilling machine mounted on the carriage; a feed device arranged for moving the carriage together with the rock drilling machine on the feed beam; and a plurality of slide elements disposed between the carriage and the feed beam for supporting the carriage, wherein the feed beam is configured to be cleaned by at least one scraper mounted to the carrier and having a scraper element being forced against an outer surface of the feed beam and on a same side of the feed beam where there is at least one of the plurality of slide elements, and wherein the scraper is in accordance with claim 1.

11. A method of cleaning a feed beam of a rock drilling unit, wherein the rock drilling unit includes a carrier supported movably on the feed beam by a plurality of slide elements, and a rock drilling machine mounted on the carrier, the method comprising: cleaning an outer surface of the feed beam by at least one scraper having a scraper element; keeping the scraper element against the feed beam by at least one force element thereby preventing formation of a gap between the scraper element and the feed beam; sweeping away drilling cuttings; and providing the scraper element with a floating mounting, whereby the scraper element is movable along at least two movement axes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a rock drilling unit.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing some features of a scraper.

[0035] FIGS. 3-5 are schematic side views of structures of scrapers according to different embodiments.

[0036] For the sake of clarity, the figures show some embodiments of the disclosed solution in a simplified manner. In the figures, like reference numerals identify like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] FIG. 1 discloses a rock drilling unit 1 mounted to a drilling boom 2 of a rock drilling rig. The rock drilling unit 1 includes a feed beam 3 and a rock drilling machine 4 supported thereon. A drilling tool 5 is connectable to the drilling machine 4.

[0038] The rock drilling machine 4 may include an impact device 6 and a rotating device 7. The rock drilling machine 4 may be moved in drilling direction A and in return direction B on the feed beam 3 by means of a feed device 8. The rock drilling machine 4 and the feed device 8 may be hydraulically operable and may be connected to a hydraulic system HS.

[0039] Between the feed beam 3 and the rock drilling machine 4 may be a carriage 9, i.e., the rock drilling machine 4 may be mounted on the carriage 9. Then, the feed device 8 is arranged to move the carriage 8 together with the rock drilling machine 4 on the feed beam 3. There may be several slide elements 10 provided between the carriage 9 and the feed beam 3 for supporting the carriage 9.

[0040] The feed beam 3 can be cleaned by means of one or more scrapers 11 mounted to the carrier 9 on the same side of the feed beam 3, where there is at least one of the mentioned slide elements 10. Thus, on both lateral sides of the feed beam 3 there may be two scrapers 11, one on both ends of the carriage 9. The number of the scrapers 11 may be selected on a case-by-case basis, as well as by their mounting principles. The scraper 11 may be in accordance with the features and embodiments disclosed.

[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates scraper 11 including a scraper element 12 by means of which a feed beam can be wiped of drilling cuttings and other material harmful for the slide elements and surfaces of the moving system of a rock drilling unit.

[0042] The scraper 11 further includes a bracket 13, which may be mounted to the feed beam, and which can provide the scraper element 12 with floating support in at least to movement directions.

[0043] A force element 14 is arranged to generate forces for moving the scraper element 12 in relation to the bracket 13. This way the scraper element 12 is kept in contact with the feed beam and the wear of the scraper element is also compensated. In addition, a gap between the scraper element 12 and the feed beam is closed so that that drilling cuttings and alike cannot enter between the slide elements and the feed beam. The force element 14 may be a spring element 15, an actuator 16 or a resilient element 17.

[0044] FIG. 3 discloses a scraper 11 having scraper element 12 with a V-shaped contact surface 18 facing towards feed beam 3. The shape of the contact surface 18 can be designed in accordance with an outer profile 19 of the feed beam 3. The scraper element 12 has a plate-like configuration and includes a free space 20 surrounding a bracket 13. Thus, the scraper element 12 can move in two movement axes, Y and Z, relative to the bracket 13, which is mounted immovably by means of fastening screws 21. Spring element 15 serves as a force element 14 and pushes the scraper element 12 towards the feed beam 3. A pin 22 provides the spring element 15 with needed support. A cover plate 23 may be mounted on the bracket 13 so that the free space 20 is covered. The cover plate 23 may be arranged to protect the mechanism of the scraper from impurities, moisture and external forces.

[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates that there may be flushing or lubricating channels 24 for conveying flushing or lubricating fluid flows between the surfaces 18, 19.

[0046] FIG. 4 discloses a scraper 11 wherein a bracket 13 is an arm, which can be turned in direction T in relation to a fulcrum 24 by means of a force element 14. A scraper element 12 is mounted at a free and of the elongated bracket 13 and it has a floating mounting.

[0047] FIG. 5 discloses a scraper 11 wherein bracket 13 has two arms 13a, 13b, which can be turned in direction T1 in relation to a fulcrum 24 and turn in direction T2 relative to each other around a joint 25 by means of force element 14. A scraper element 12 is mounted at a free and of the arm 13b and it has a floating mounting.

[0048] Although the present embodiment(s) has been described in relation to particular aspects thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred therefore, that the present embodiment(s) be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.