ROCK DRILLING UNIT AND METHOD FOR CHARGING DRILLED HOLES

Abstract

A rock drilling unit and method for charging drilled holes. The rock drilling unit includes a feed system for feeding initiators and rock breaking material into the drilled holes. The rock drilling unit is also provided with one or more communicating devices for communicating with the wireless initiators.

Claims

1. A rock drilling unit of a rock drilling rig, comprising: a feed beam and a rock drilling machine supported movably on the feed beam for drilling holes; and an initiator feed system arranged for feeding initiators inside the drilled holes in order to activate rock breaking material also fed inside the drilled holes, wherein the initiator feed system of the drilling unit is provided with at least one communicating device for providing wireless communication with the initiators, the at least one communication device being in data connection with at least one control unit mounted onboard the rock drilling rig and arranged for controlling operation of the rock drilling machine and the initiator feed system, wherein the communication device is configured to determine identification of an initiator and provide identification data to link the initiator to at least one dedicated data element.

2. The rock drilling unit as claimed in claim 1, the at least one dedicated data element comprises includes at least data on a drilled hole inside which the initiator is configured to be fed.

3. The rock drilling unit as claimed in a claim 1, wherein the control unit is provided with at least one drill hole data element for storing position data of the drilled holes and each initiator fed to the drilled hole is linked to the drill hole data element by means of individual identification code of the initiator, whereby position of the fed initiators is known.

4. The rock drilling unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication device is provided with at least one optical sensor for remote reading visible markings or light patterns on outer surfaces of the initiators.

5. The rock drilling unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication device is provided with at least one data communication interface for wireless communication with the initiator by means of electromagnetic radiation.

6. The rock drilling unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication device is configured to monitor status of the initiator.

7. The rock drilling unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication device is configured to adjust properties of the initiator itself.

8. The rock drilling unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication device is configured to provide the initiator with at least one of the following input data: identification code (ID), location data, status data, delay for ignition, delay to be armed, key code to communicate with the initiator.

9. The rock drilling unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication device is provided with at least one wireless data communication device for generating one-way data transmission path from the initiator to the communication device or vice versa.

10. The rock drilling unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication device is provided with at least one wireless data communication device for generating a two-way data transmission path between the initiator and the communication device.

11. The rock drilling unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication device is mounted on the feed beam and in connection with a feed line of the feed system.

12. The rock drilling unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one magazine for storing the initiators, wherein the communication device is mounted in connection with the magazine.

13. The rock drilling unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising two magazines wherein a first magazine is arranged for storing the initiators and a second magazine is arranged for storing rock breaking material and wherein at least the first magazine is provided with the communicating device.

14. The rock drilling unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an assembly unit for connecting the initiator and a rock breaking cartridge to form an assembly the assembly unit being provided with the connecting device for communicating with the assembly.

15. A rock drilling rig comprising: a movable carrier; at least one drilling boom connected movably to the carrier and equipped with a rock drilling unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the rock drilling unit includes a rock drilling machine supported movably on the feed beam; and a control unit mounted onboard the movable carrier for controlling operation of the rock drilling machine and the initiator feed system of the rock drilling unit.

16. A method for charging drilled holes, wherein the method comprises: drilling drill holes to a rock surface by means of a rock drilling machine of a rock drilling unit of a rock drilling rig; a wireless initiator into the drill hole after the drilling is completed; and executing the feeding of the initiator by means of feeding means provided by the rock drilling unit; and providing the drilling unit with at least one communication device in data connection with at least one control unit mounted onboard the rock drilling rig and arranged for controlling operation of the rock drilling machine and the feeding means and communicating by means of the communication device with each initiator before being fed into the drilled hole.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising determining identification of each initiator and connecting the initiator to at least one data element in response to the detected identification.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0042] Some embodiments are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which

[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a rock drilling rig positioned at a mine chute and trying to break a boulder blocking the chute,

[0044] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the disclosed charging solution comprising a feeding system for feeding initiators and explosive material into drilled holes and also being capable to communicate with the fed initiators,

[0045] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another feeding system wherein all the required mechanical components are mounted on a rock drilling unit,

[0046] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing possible combinations of the fed rock breaking material,

[0047] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing steps of the disclosed charging solution,

[0048] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a front part of a rock drilling unit comprising magazines for the charged components and an assembly unit for connecting the components,

[0049] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a front part of a rock drilling unit comprising magazine and indexing means for moving the feed system on a drilling axis for the duration of the charging,

[0050] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of an assembly unit provided with an openable and closable barrier and a communication device for inspecting success of executed assembly,

[0051] FIG. 9 is a simplified diagram disclosing features of a communication device,

[0052] FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram showing possible use cases of a communication device, and

[0053] FIG. 11 is a simplified diagram showing possible mounting position for a communication device.

[0054] 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 OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a rock drilling rig 1 intended for drilling drill holes 2 and charging them after the drilling with rock breaking material. The rock drilling rig 1 comprises a movable carrier 3 and one or more drilling booms 4 connected to the carrier 3. At a distal end portion of the drilling boom 4 is a drilling unit 5 provided with a feed beam 6 and a rock drilling machine 7 supported on it. A drilling tool 8 is connectable to the drilling machine 7. The drilling unit 5 is further provided with a feed system 9 configured to feed initiators and rock breaking material into the drill holes 2. The feed system 9 may comprises devices or units 10-12 mounted on a feed beam 6 and one or more devices 13 mounted on the carriage 3. Between the carriage 3 and the drilling unit 5 may be a guide hose 14 for transferring rock breaking material from the carrier 3 to the drilling unit 5. The rock breaking material could be bulk or cartridges. The rock breaking material may be embedded in the initiator or inserted in a second phase in the process. The feed system on-board the rock drilling unit may be indexed on a drilled hole line after the drilling or alternatively it may be positioned by means of the drilling boom. However, the drilling unit is provided with the needed apparatuses for the drilling and charging.

[0056] Operation of the drilling unit 5 and the feed system 9 is controlled by means of a control unit CU mounted on-board the carrier. The same control unit may control apparatuses and systems of the entire rock drilling rig 1. The on-board control unit CU may communicate with one or more external control units CU. Data communication connections or paths DC are also shown in FIG. 1. The communication path may be based on wired communication, or alternatively wireless technologies may be applied.

[0057] In FIG. 1 the rock drilling rig 1 is positioned at a mine chute 15 which is blocked by a boulder 16. Drill holes 2 are drilled to the boulder where after rock breaking material is fed into the drilled holes. When a wireless initiator, which is also fed to the drilled hole, is triggered then the boulder will break and the chute 15 is unblocked. Number of the drilled holes 2 as well as their location, direction and length may vary. There may be blind holes 2a and through holes 2b, for example. When the boulder is provided with several charged drill holes, defined delays may be utilized between their initiation as well as different initiation patterns and sequences.

[0058] Further, the rock drilling rig 1 may be operated manually by means of an operator or it may be an unmanned device, which may be remote controlled via teleoperation or it may be a fully automated machine. In all cases there is a need for automated drilling sequences as well for automated charging process. The disclosed solution provides improvements for automating charging of wireless initiators and automated feeding of rock breaking material.

[0059] FIG. 2 discloses a feed system 9 comprising a feed tube 10 which may be positioned in alignment with a drilled hole 2 drilled on a rock surface RS. Initiators 17 may be stored in a first magazine M1 and may be moved by means of a pushing hose 18 away from the first magazine M1 towards the feed tube 10. The pushing hose 18 may be moved by means of a first feed device 19 and at a distal end of the pushing hose 18 may be plug 20. Further, the pushing hose 18 may serve as a feeding path for bulk-like rock breaking material such as explosive emulsion or powder. Thus, the opposite end of the pushing hose 18 may be connected to a rock material feed apparatus 21 or storage. The feed system 9 may further comprise a receiver device 22 which is connected by means of the guide hose 14 to a second magazine M2, which is configured to store several boosters 23 or corresponding small explosive cartridges. The second magazine M2 may be located on a carrier 3 of the rock drilling rig. The boosters 23 may be moved from the second magazine M2 via the guide hose 14 to the receiver device 22 by means of a bendable pushing cable 24 or hose. The pushing cable 24 may be moved by means of a second feed device 25 and there may be plug 26 at the end of the pushing cable 24. The pushing cable 24 may be wound on a cable drum 27. The receiver device 22 may receive the booster 23 and may move the booster 23 on a feed line.

[0060] At first the initiator 17 is pushed by means of the pushing hose 18 along the feed line to an assembly module 28 and when the initiator 17 is stopped at the assembly module 28, the pushing hose 18 is retracted. Thereafter the booster 23 is fed by means of the receiver device 22 on the feed line and again the pushing hose 18 is moved forwards so that the booster 23 is following the initiator 17 to the assembly unit 28. The initiator 17 and the booster 23 are connected to each other in the assembly module 23. When the connection is ready, the produced assembly is fed from the assembly unit 28 to the drilled hole 2 by means of the pushing hose 18. The assembly may be fed to the bottom of the drill hole or to a desired location inside the drill hole by means of the hose or cable 18. While the pushing hose 18 is retracted, bulk-like rock breaking material may be fed through it to the drill hole 2. In other words, the drill hole 2 may be filled partly or entirely by means of the rock breaking material, such as explosive emulsion. In some cases no bulk-like additional material is fed.

[0061] Further, it is possible to execute the feeding in a different way as described above. The booster 23 may be aligned on the feed line by means of the receiver device 22 and thereafter the hose 18 pushes the initiator 17 and the booster 23 together to the assembly unit 28. In this embodiment the booster 23 is located downstream relative to the initiator 17.

[0062] The rock drilling unit 5 may also comprise one or more communicating devices Cd1-Cd3 for providing wireless communication with the initiators 17 when they are still at the rock drilling unit 5. The first magazine M1 and the assembly unit 28 may be provided with the communicating devices Cd1 and Cd2. There may also be one communicating device Cd3 on the feed line after the assembly unit 28. Number and location of the communication devices may be selected according to need or technologies and the communication devices Cd may be in data connection with one or more control units CU external to the drilling unit 5. As it is disclosed above in this document the communication device Cd is configured to determine identification of the initiator 17 and may thereby provide identification data utilized for linking the initiator 17 to stored data elements.

[0063] The solution disclosed in FIG. 3 differs from the one shown in FIG. 2 in that the second magazine M2 for the boosters 23 is also located on the rock drilling unit 5. Furthermore, the cable drum 27 together with the pushing cable 24 and the feed device 25 are also mounted on the rock drilling unit 5. The cable drum may be a hose drum intended for feeding emulsion. No guide hose is need in this solution. The pushing cable 24 may or may not be capable of feeding bulk-like rock breaking material through it. When boosters 23 or corresponding small charges are enough for causing the desired rock breaking, then there is no even need for feeding any bulk-like explosives to the drill holes. As can be noted, there may be communication devices Cd1, Cd2 mounted close to the feed line 29 of the feed system 9.

[0064] The mentioned two magazines are preferably loaded in advance. The drilling rig can then move without explosive hazard to a dangerous zone to be blasted. Then manned operation in the dangerous zone is avoided. In a preferred solutions the two magazines have the same number of chambers and may be activated by the same actuator. The number of chambers is typically 3 to 10, but it could be easily extended.

[0065] FIG. 4 discloses some possible combinations of different rock breaking materials which may be handled and managed by means of the disclosed solution. Number of magazines, need for assembly unit and need for other devices disclosed above may be selected according to the used combination. The disclosed combinations have been explained already above in this document.

[0066] FIG. 5 discloses some features and steps relating to the disclosed charging method. The shown steps have been disclosed already above in this document.

[0067] It is to be noted that the steps of feeding and communicating could be all or partly exchanged, and further the feeding can be done two times.

[0068] FIG. 6 discloses a front end portion of a rock drilling unit 5. There may be an assembly unit 28, a first magazine M1 and a second magazine M2 arranged successively on a feed line. As it is shown, the magazines M1 and M2 may both be rotatable structures comprising spaces 30 for receiving initiators, boosters and possible other rock braking cartridges. Further, two communication devices Cd1 and Cd2 are also shown. Both communication devices could be implemented or could be considered as alternatives.

[0069] FIG. 7 discloses a front end portion of a rock drilling unit 5. A feed system 9 may be configured to be moved 31 from an idle position 32 to drilling axis 33 whereby it pushes or deviates a front end portion of a drilling tool 8 laterally away from the drilling axis 33. Since the drilling tool 8 is a long and thin object it bends relatively easily in sideward direction without any plastic deformation and reverses into its original shape when the bending force is removed. The feed system 9 may comprise an actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder or motor for tuning the feed system and the magazine M1 around a turning joint against the drilling tool 8 and to thereby cause the bending. An advantage of this solution is that there is no need for heavy and large sized separate indexing devices. And further, there is no need to move the boom between drilling and charging positions.

[0070] FIG. 8 discloses an assembly device 28 intended for connecting an initiator 17 and a booster 23 together. In this figure the initiator 17 is downstream relative to the booster 23, but it is also possible that their order is vice versa. Further, there may be several boosters. The booster 23 is pushed by means of a pushing cable 24 or hose or corresponding plunger towards the initiator 17 which is restrained by means of a stopping element 34. The stopping element 34 may be turned around a turning joint 35 by means of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 36, for example. As it disclosed already above the assembly unit 28 may be provided with a communicating device Cd1, which may communicate with the initiator 17 and if so desired, also with the booster 23. The initiator 17 and the booster 23 may be provided with tags 37, 38 for the communication. Further, a connection 39 between the initiator 17 and the booster 23 may comprise an electronic connection monitoring device 40, which may also communicate with the control device Cd1 and may send monitoring signals indicating success of the formed connection. The communication device Cd1 may send and receive data to a control unit CU. This control device CU may be located either on the drilling unit or may be external. The stopping element 34 may be provided with a force sensor for monitoring the force of the assembly between the at least one booster and the initiator. This sensor is to prevent executing too high pressing force and also for regulating the feeding system to manage correctly the assembly. The assembly module may also comprise an apparatus to allow the initiator to be properly orientated in case of optical reading or NFC communication. The proper orientation may be needed also in case of a specific assembly interface between booster and initiator.

[0071] FIG. 9 discloses some features relating to communication features of the disclosed communication device Cd. As can be seen there are various technologies that may be used for forming a wireless communication path with an initiator. The communication device is also provided with a data transmission system for communicating with a control unit CU. The control unit CU which is located in the drilling unit may communicate with personal computer PC, servers SE, cloud services CS and mobile smart devices MSD. Thereby, the sensed data may be shared wirelessly with desired electrical devices.

[0072] FIG. 10 discloses some features of a communication device. The figure is self-explanatory and the presented issues have already been disclosed above in this document.

[0073] FIG. 11 is a simple listing of possible locations of a communicating device.

[0074] The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. In its details, the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.