U.S. patent application number 12/518829 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-21 for drilling car for close spaces.
This patent application is currently assigned to STONEGO OY. Invention is credited to Seppo Kuosmanen.
Application Number | 20100012340 12/518829 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37623898 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100012340 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuosmanen; Seppo |
January 21, 2010 |
DRILLING CAR FOR CLOSE SPACES
Abstract
Drill carriage (1) for rock drilling, which is intended for
cramped spaces, comprising a crawler-tread chassis (2) of at least
two crawler treads (11), a superstructure (3) fitted to the
crawler-tread chassis (2), and a set of booms (8). At the end of
the set of booms (10) at least a drilling apparatus (19) can be
attached. A front part (4), to which the set of booms (8) is fitted
from the end opposite to the drilling apparatus (19), attached in
front of the carrier (1), in the direction of travel of the crawler
treads (11). The set of booms (8) is attached to a rotation ring
(9), with the aid of which a good reach is made possible for the
device.
Inventors: |
Kuosmanen; Seppo; (Tuusula,
FI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHERNOFF, VILHAUER, MCCLUNG & STENZEL, LLP
601 SW Second Avenue, Suite 1600
Portland
OR
97204
US
|
Assignee: |
STONEGO OY
Tuusula
FI
|
Family ID: |
37623898 |
Appl. No.: |
12/518829 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
December 18, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FI07/50701 |
371 Date: |
June 11, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
173/184 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 7/023 20130101;
E21B 7/024 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
173/184 |
International
Class: |
E21B 7/02 20060101
E21B007/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 19, 2006 |
FI |
U20060506 |
Claims
1. Drill carriage (1) for rock drilling in cramped spaces, which
drill carriage (1) comprises a crawler-tread chassis (2) comprising
at least two crawler treads (11), a superstructure (3) fitted to
the crawler-tread chassis (2), and a set of booms (8), to the first
end of which at least a drilling apparatus (19) can be attached,
characterized by a front part (4), to which the set of booms (8) is
fitted from the end opposite to the drilling apparatus (19),
attached in front of the carrier (1), in the direction of travel of
the crawler treads (11).
2. Drill carriage according to claim 1, characterized in that the
set of booms (8) is attached to the front part (4) through a
rotation ring (9).
3. Drill carriage according to claim 1, characterized in that the
front part (4) is attached to the carriage (1), in such a way that
is can be raised and lowered relative to the carriage (1), in order
to support the front part (4) on the travelling surface of the
drilling site.
4. Drill carriage according to claim 1, characterized in that the
set of booms (8) includes at least one telescopic arm (15).
5. Drill carriage according to claim 1, characterized in that the
width of the path of the set of crawler treads (2) can be
altered.
6. Drill carriage according to claim 1, characterized in that the
front part of the superstructure (5) of the carriage (1) is lower
that the rear part, in order to permit the movement of the set of
booms (8).
7. Drill carriage according to claim 1, characterized in that at
least two rotatable support legs (7) are arranged in the front part
(4).
8. Drill carriage according to claim 1, characterized in that the
set of booms (8) is arranged to move independently from the
superstructure.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a drill carriage for rock
drilling taking place in cramped spaces.
[0002] Devices of this kind are used in, among other places,
quarries, built-up areas, cramped cellars, and renovation sites for
bolting and particularly pre-split drilling in cramped spaces.
Drill carriages are available, which have a fixed track width and
an articulated boom structure that rotates in a relatively narrow
sector. The set of booms is typically attached to the main frame of
the machine by means of a pivoted joint and in the drilling
situation such drill carriages are supported on the ground with the
aid of separate supporting legs.
[0003] These drill carriages are not designed specially for
drilling carried out in cramped spaces. The devices have been so
large, that it has been difficult to bring them into cellars, for
example. Once inside, the problem has often been that it has been
impossible to move the machine into the position required for the
work. With many machines, the drilling of vertical holes in
particular can only take place in front of the machine. Even in
these cases, drilling right next to the wall has not always been
possible, because the drilling machine has been to the side of the
feed beam. The work has demanded space, due to both the external
dimensions of the machines and the space taken by the articulated
boom structure. Due to these problems, extensive demolition of
structures may have been required, or else drilling has been
performed using manual methods.
[0004] The present invention is intended to create a drill
carriage, which can be more flexibly used in cramped spaces.
[0005] Further, various embodiments of the invention are intended
to create a drill carriage, in which the available space can
provide sufficient support for drilling operations.
[0006] According to one embodiment, the invention is intended to
create a drill carriage, the width of which can be changed to
facilitate movement, and to create support for the drilling
operation.
[0007] Considerable advantages are gained with the aid of the
invention.
[0008] The drill carriage according to the invention will fit into
cramped spaces for working better than previous drill carriages of
a corresponding power class. In addition, the boom structure has a
good reach on the various sides of the machine, which reduces the
need to move the machine. As the drill carriage can carry out the
necessary drilling work easily, rock removal causes the least
possible vibration. This is important when operating in the
immediate vicinity of structures.
[0009] The advantages are greatest in cramped cellars, among other
places, in which it is desired, for example, to increase space by
removing bedrock, or to carry out other renovations requiring the
removal of rock. The device is particularly suitable for drilling a
pre-split tight against a wall, and for other drilling carried out
in cramped spaces. In addition, the low level of noise form the
machine facilitates work near dwellings.
[0010] The said problems are avoided by using the drill carriage
according to the invention, because the drill carriage is smaller
in size that previous drill carriages. The small size is achieved
in part by making the track width between the crawler treads
adjustable. When the device moves in cramped spaces, the track is
narrow while when drilling the track can be increased to achieve
the best possible support.
[0011] The smallest possible size and nevertheless good support are
also made possible by the front part of the carriage, where the
machine's support legs are located, being able to be raised and
lowered with the aid of a hydraulic cylinder (tilt function). When
working in cramped spaces, the entire front part can be lowered and
supported on the ground. If space is available, better support is
obtained by lowering the support legs separately, so that the
support points are farther apart.
[0012] Good reach is achieved by giving the set of booms a
telescopic construction, and by the attachment base at the end of
the booms being rotatable horizontally. The superstructure of the
machine does not rotate along with the boom, thus also assisting
operation in cramped spaces.
[0013] For its part, the front part of the drill carriage described
above, which can be raised and lowered, also improves the usability
of the device and increases its reach in cramped spaces, as the
boom is attached to the said tiltable front part. In turn, drilling
right next to a wall will be successful in different directions,
because the feed device of the drilling machine, and thus also the
drilling machine, is attached to the front of the feed beam.
[0014] The drill carriage according to the invention for cramped
spaces is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing
portion of the Claims.
[0015] The invention is described further with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows the drill carriage according to the invention
seen at an angle from in front.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the drill carriage, with the
variable track width in the narrowest position.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the drill carriage, with the
variable track width of the drill carriage in the widest
position.
[0019] FIG. 4 shows the drill carriage seen at an angle from in
front, with the set of booms rotated to the side of the drill
carriage, with the aid of the rotating ring.
[0020] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the drill carriage.
[0021] FIG. 1 shows the drill carriage 1, which is smaller in size
than other drill carriages of a corresponding weight class
(1000-4000 kg). The invention is not limited to this weight class,
but can also be applied to larger drill carriages, even up to the
6000-kg class and greater. In the drill carriage 1, there is
crawler-tread chassis 2. The crawler-tread chassis 2 is a
conventional drive unit comprising two driving treads, to which the
track-width adjustment function described later is connected. The
superstructure has been made fixed and the drilling apparatus is a
separate unit in front of the carriage. The treads 11 of the
crawler-tread chassis are attached at their centres to the chassis
structure rotatably by a pivot and can be both rotated
independently around the pivot by means of a hydraulic cylinder.
Thus, the treads 11 can be arranged to travel according to the
shape of the surface of the base of the operating site while the
treads can, if necessary, be used to raise the front or rear of the
carriage. As a power source inside the superstructure 3 there is a
diesel engine, or alternatively an electric motor, which is
operated with the aid of a separate current supply.
[0022] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the variable track width of the machine.
In FIG. 2, the track width is at its narrowest and in FIG. 3 at its
widest. The track width that can be narrowed permits the machine to
be moved along tight routes to the work site. Drilling too is
possible using a small track width, but if space is available, the
track width should be increased to achieve better support. To
change the track width, there is a set of telescoping beams 10 in
the crawler-tread chassis 2, the width of which can be altered, for
example, by hydraulic operation or electrically to adapt the
machine either to move in cramped spaces, in which case the treads
are set to their narrowest position, or, if the space permits, to
their maximum width to support the machine. Naturally, intermediate
positions can also be used.
[0023] Flexible operation of the machine in drilling is permitted
by the front part 4 of the carriage, which comprises a frame 12,
which is attached to the chassis of the machine by two pivoted arms
13 and a rotating pivot 14. One end of each pivot arm is attached
to a hydraulic cylinder 6, the opposite end of the hydraulic
cylinder 6 being attached to the chassis of the machine. It will
now be possible, with the aid of the hydraulic cylinders and the
pivot construction, to lower and raise the entire front part 4 of
the machine. During drilling, the front part 4 is lowered, so that
it is supported from its corners 5 on the chassis and permits
drilling. The machine can also be raised by the hydraulic cylinders
6, in which case additional weight will be obtained for the front
part. At the sides of the front part 4, there are also pivoted
support legs 7, which can be rotated using hydraulic cylinders. The
use of the support legs 7 gives better lateral support, due to the
wider support, while the height of the front end of the machine can
be further adjusted over a wider area together with the adjustment
of the position of the front part 4.
[0024] The set of booms shown in FIG. 4 is attached to a rotation
ring 9, thus making the set of booms rotatable horizontally from
the attachment base. The rotation ring is in turn attached to the
front part 4 of the drilling carriage, which can be raised and
lowered. In this way, the set of booms 8 can be rotated
independently around the rotation point of the rotation ring 9,
irrespective of the positions of the treads 2, superstructure 3, or
front part 4 of the drill carriage 1. FIG. 4 illustrates how the
attachment of the rotating base of the set of booms 8 to the front
part 4 allows the booms to be rotated almost to the rear side of
the machine and permits drilling over a large area, without moving
the machine. The superstructure 3 does not rotate along with the
boom and thus does not require space for rotation. In addition, the
front part of the superstructure 3 has been given a sloping shape,
so as to be as low as possible and not to obstruct the movement of
the boom part 8 in the direction of the slope of the
superstructure.
[0025] FIGS. 4 and 5 also show the two pivoted points of the boom
structure. The set of booms 8 is attached by a first pivot 18 to a
support structure secured in the rotation ring 9 in the front part
4 of the machine. The first boom arm, which is attached to the
second boom art by a second pivot 17, starts from the first pivot
18. The second boom arm 15 is a telescopically operating hollow
structure, which is used to give the machine a good reach, while,
on the other hand, the retracted set of booms 8 will fit into even
tight spaces. At the end of the telescoping boom 15 there is a
drilling apparatus, which is not described in greater detail here,
as it can be any drilling apparatus whatever that is suitable for
the purpose. Different kinds of device can be fitted as the
drilling apparatus, the actual drill boom 19 being attached to the
telescoping boom by means of a pivot 16, with the aid of which the
attitude of the drill boom can in turn be altered. In terms of good
reach and small size, one essential feature is the telescopic
property of the boom. In FIG. 5, the telescopic part 15 is in the
shortest position and in FIG. 4 in the most extended position.
[0026] In summary, it can be stated that a drill carriage according
to the invention used for rock drilling can include one or ore of
the following features. The operating range of the carriage is
preferably that of a drill carriage 1 of a size class 1000-4000 kg
for cramped spaces, though it can be slightly heavier. The carriage
1 can be equipped with crawler treads 2 with a variable track
width, to make it suitable for cramped conditions and to increase
stability during drilling. In the drilling situation, the carriage
1 is supported with the aid of the tilt function of front part 4 of
the carriage 1 that can be raised and lowered while the set of
booms 8 of the carriage 1 is attached to the tiltable front part 4
of the carriage 1. The set of booms 8, which can be rotated around
more or less the entire structure of the carriage is attached from
its base to a rotation ring 9, in such a way that the
superstructure 3 remains non-rotating. In the set of booms 8 of the
carriage 1 there is a telescopic part 15 for altering the length of
the set of booms 8 and for achieving a good reach.
* * * * *