U.S. patent application number 12/667764 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-12 for rock drill apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy. Invention is credited to Juha Piipponen.
Application Number | 20100200294 12/667764 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38331613 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100200294 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Piipponen; Juha |
August 12, 2010 |
ROCK DRILL APPARATUS
Abstract
The invention relates to a rock drill apparatus comprising a
feed beam (1) and a rock drill machine moving to-and-fro
therealong, a pressure fluid driven feed cylinder (4) which, by
means of a flexible transfer element, is connected so as to
transfer the rock drill machine in the longitudinal direction of
the cylinder, the feed beam (1) being provided with a space in its
longitudinal direction wherein the feed cylinder (4) is installed.
The rock drill apparatus comprises a measuring device comprising a
measuring wheel (7a) for a measuring line (9), the measuring wheel
(7a) being connected to rotate a measuring sensor of the measuring
device. The measuring line (9) is routed from the measuring wheel
(7a) to travel into a space of the feed cylinder (4) in the feed
beam and therein in the longitudinal direction of the feed beam
(1), that the measuring line (9) is by its end connected to a part
of the feed cylinder (4) moving relative to the feed beam (1)
immovably such that when this part moves in a feed direction of the
rock drill machine, the measuring line (9) moves therealong.
Inventors: |
Piipponen; Juha; (Tampere,
FI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH (DC)
1500 K STREET, N.W., SUITE 1100
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-1209
US
|
Assignee: |
Sandvik Mining and Construction
Oy
Tampere
FI
|
Family ID: |
38331613 |
Appl. No.: |
12/667764 |
Filed: |
July 4, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
July 4, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FI2008/050412 |
371 Date: |
January 5, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
175/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 47/04 20130101;
E21B 19/084 20130101; E21B 7/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/40 |
International
Class: |
E21B 47/00 20060101
E21B047/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 6, 2007 |
FI |
20075525 |
Claims
1. A rock drill apparatus comprising a feed beam and a rock drill
machine moving to-and-fro therealong, a pressure fluid driven feed
cylinder which, by means of a flexible transfer element, is
connected so as to transfer the rock drill machine in the
longitudinal direction of the cylinder, the feed beam being
provided with a space in its longitudinal direction wherein the
feed cylinder is installed such that its one part, a cylinder tube
or a piston rod, is installed relative to the feed beam immovably
in the longitudinal direction thereof, while similarly, another
part, a piston rod or a cylinder tube, moves relative to the feed
beam in the longitudinal direction thereof, wherein the rock drill
comprises a measuring device provided with a measuring wheel,
rotatably installed around a transverse axis in relation to the
feed beam, for a measuring line, the measuring wheel being
connected to rotate a measuring sensor of the measuring device,
that the measuring line is routed from the measuring wheel to
travel into a space of the feed cylinder in the feed beam and
therein in the longitudinal direction of the feed beam, that the
measuring line is by its end connected to a part of the feed
cylinder moving relative to the feed beam immovably such that when
this part moves in a feed direction of the rock drill machine, the
measuring line moves therealong, the measuring sensor of the
measuring wheel rotating correspondingly, and means for rotating
the measuring wheel such that the measuring line is allowed to
unwind from the measuring wheel when an attachment point of the
measuring line in the moving part of the feed cylinder moves away
from the measuring device, and, similarly, winds up onto the
measuring wheel when the attachment point of the measuring line in
the moving part of the feed cylinder moves towards the measuring
device, whereby a wall of the feed beam is provided with an opening
via which the measuring line is routed into the space of the feed
beam, and that the opening is provided with an idler wheel along
whose surface the measuring line turns so as to be parallel with
the feed beam.
2. A rock drill apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
measuring device is installed in a rear part of the feed beam.
3. A rock drill apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
measuring device is installed in a front part of the feed beam.
4. A rock drill apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein space in
the feed beam in which the feed cylinder is installed is a groove
provided therein and facing towards the rock drill machine.
5. A rock drill apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means
for rotating the measuring wheel comprise, in the measuring device,
a counter spring which, when the measuring line is being pulled and
the measuring wheel is rotating, tightens and, correspondingly,
during movement of the feed cylinder in an opposite direction when
the measuring line loosens, rotates the measuring wheel, keeping
the measuring line tight.
6. A rock drill apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means
for rotating the measuring wheel comprise, in the measuring device,
a counter spring which, when the measuring line is being pulled and
the measuring wheel is rotating, tightens and, correspondingly,
during movement of the feed cylinder in an opposite direction when
the measuring line loosens, rotates the measuring wheel, keeping
the measuring line tight.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a rock drill apparatus comprising a
feed beam and a rock drill machine moving to-and-fro therealong, a
pressure fluid driven feed cylinder which, by means of a flexible
transfer element, is connected so as to transfer the rock drill
machine in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder, the feed
beam being provided with a space in its longitudinal direction
wherein the feed cylinder is installed such that its one part, a
cylinder tube or a piston rod, is installed relative to the feed
beam immovably in the longitudinal direction thereof, while
similarly another part, a piston rod or a cylinder tube, moves
relative to the feed beam in the longitudinal direction
thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is necessary in rock drilling to be able to measure
displacement of a rock drill machine in order to find out the
length of a drilled hole and, on the other hand, the position of
the rock drill machine on a feed beam.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,544 discloses a solution wherein a line
attached by its ends to both ends of a feed cylinder is routed over
a sheave of a measuring device, rotating a sensor therethrough.
Depending on the direction of movement of the feed cylinder, the
sensor indicates a reading proportional to the displacement of the
rock drilling machine, as well as a direction of movement.
[0004] A problem with the aforementioned solution is that the
structure resides in rather an open space, wherein it is easily
subject to damage during use. A further problem is that the
measuring member may slip relative to the wheel of the sensor,
resulting in measurement error.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a
measurement apparatus which enables as reliable a measurement
result as possible to be achieved and wherein a measuring member is
protected better than what is known.
[0006] The measurement apparatus according to the invention is
characterized in that it comprises a measuring device provided with
a measuring wheel, rotatably installed around a transverse axis in
relation to the feed beam, for a measuring line, the measuring
wheel being connected to rotate a measuring sensor of the measuring
device, that the measuring line is routed from the measuring wheel
to travel into a space of the feed cylinder in the feed beam and
therein in the longitudinal direction of the feed beam, that the
measuring line is by its end connected to a part of the feed
cylinder moving relative to the feed beam immovably such that when
this part moves in a feed direction of the rock drill machine, the
measuring line moves therealong, the measuring sensor of the
measuring wheel rotating correspondingly, and that it comprises
means for rotating the measuring wheel such that the measuring line
is allowed to unwind from the measuring wheel when an attachment
point of the measuring line in the moving part of the feed cylinder
moves away from the measuring device, and, similarly, winds up onto
the measuring wheel when the attachment point of the measuring line
in the moving part of the feed cylinder moves towards the measuring
device.
[0007] An idea underlying the invention is that as the measuring
member, a measuring device is used wherein the measuring member,
such as a measuring line, is arranged around a measuring wheel such
that by pulling the measuring member the measuring wheel and a
measuring sensor along with it rotate. Further, an essential idea
underlying the invention is that a spring is correspondingly
connected with the measuring wheel, trying to rotate the measuring
wheel in the opposite direction and thus to wind the measuring line
onto the measuring wheel. Still another essential idea underlying
the invention is that the measuring device is installed outside the
feed beam, in the immediate vicinity thereof, and the measuring
line is routed via an opening provided in a side of the feed beam
so as to travel inside the feed beam preferably between the feed
cylinder and the bottom of a groovelike space in the feed beam,
whereby it is well protected during use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] The invention will be described in closer detail in the
accompanying drawings, in which
[0009] FIG. 1 is a partly sectioned schematic side view of a feed
beam of a rock drill machine.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a part of the feed beam
provided with a measuring device, and
[0011] FIG. 3 schematically shows a cross-section of the feed beam
taken along line A-A in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0012] FIG. 1 is a partly sectioned schematic side view of a feed
beam of a rock drill machine. It comprises an actual feed beam 1 on
which a rock drill machine 2 is movably installed in a longitudinal
direction of the feed beam 1. The rock drill machine 2 may be
installed movably relative to the feed beam either resting on a
separate slide 3 provided between the feed beam and the rock drill
machine, or it may be installed directly onto the feed beam 1
movably with respect thereto.
[0013] The cross-section of the feed beam 1 is such that its upper
part is provided with a U-shaped groove which opens towards the
rock drill machine. The feed beam 1 may also be tubular, in which
case instead of a groove, the feed beam 1 is provided with a
channel-like space inside a tube.
[0014] In the groove of the feed beam 1 or in the tubular space of
the tubular feed beam thereinside, a feed cylinder 4 is provided
which, in a manner known per se, by means of a flexible transfer
member, such as a cable or a chain 5, as well as idler wheels 6, is
connected so as to transfer the rock drill machine when pressure
fluid is fed into either of its pressure fluid spaces. One part of
the feed cylinder 4, usually its piston rod 4a, is at its one end
connected relative to the feed beam 1 immovably in its longitudinal
direction. Alternatively, a cylinder tube may be attached relative
to the feed beam 1 immovably in its longitudinal direction, in
which case the piston rod 4a is movable. In such a feed apparatus,
if the idler wheels are connected to move along with the moving
part, such as the feed cylinder 4, the rock drill machine 2 moves
in a manner known per se at a double speed as compared to the
movement of the feed cylinder, so that by measuring the movement of
the feed cylinder it is possible to determine the movement, i.e.
the displacement, of the rock drill machine and, if desired, also
the speed thereof. Such a feed mechanism is known per se to one
skilled in the art and commonly completely known, so it is not
necessary to explain it in more detail herein.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top view of a part of the feed beam 1 including
its measuring device. When a pressure medium is fed in a manner
commonly known per se into either of the pressure fluid spaces of
the feed cylinder 4, a cylinder tube 4b moves relative to the feed
beam 1 in either direction in its longitudinal direction. FIG. 2
further shows a measuring device 7 attached close to the feed beam
1 onto a side thereof. The measuring device 7 is protected against
external impacts e.g. by a protective plate 8.
[0016] The measuring device 7 comprises a measuring wheel onto
which a measuring member, such as a measuring line, is wound. The
measuring wheel is preferably a grooved wheel, so as to prevent the
measuring line from slipping off the edges thereof. 7a A
measurement member 9, a measuring line by way of example, is routed
from the measuring device 7 such that it passes via an opening
formed in the side of the feed beam 1 into the feed beam 1. An
idler wheel 10, which is provided with a groove for the measuring
line 9, is installed in the opening provided in the feed beam.
Thus, the measuring line is allowed to turn smoothly so as to be in
parallel with the feed beam 1. An end of the measuring line 9 is
connected immovably relative to the feed cylinder 6 e.g. to a
separate lug 11 or by another method known per se.
[0017] Inside the structure of the measuring device 7 a sensor is
provided which, while rotating, generates measuring pulses
proportionately to the amount of rotation. The pulses are measured
by an electric measuring technique known per se, which makes them
easy to communicate to a rock drilling control apparatus, either to
be shown or to be used as such as control parameters. When the feed
cylinder 4 moves relative to the feed beam 1 in the direction of
arrow A in FIG. 2, the feed cylinder pulls the measuring line 9
therealong such that the measuring line unwinds from the measuring
wheel 7a of the measuring device 7 proportionately to the movement
of the cylinder tube 4b. This rotates the measuring wheel 7a of the
measuring device and, therethrough, the sensor known per se which
is provided inside the measuring device, thus generating a
measuring signal proportionate to the displacement, such as a
number of pulses proportionate to a travelling length. When the
cylinder tube 4a of the feed cylinder returns in a direction
opposite to that indicated by arrow A, the measuring line 9 is
correspondingly allowed to rewind onto the measuring wheel of the
measuring device 7. As a member for rewinding the measuring line,
the measuring device 7 is e.g. provided with a counter spring,
typically a spiral spring, arranged therein in a manner known per
se, which, when the line is being drawn out, tightens and tries to
resist the line being pulled and which, correspondingly, when the
line loosens, rewinds the measuring line 9 into the measuring
device 7 and rotates the sensor arranged inside the measuring
device in a direction opposite to the pull-out. Thus, the
displacement during the return motion may correspondingly be
expressed as an electric signal, such as pulses.
[0018] FIG. 3 schematically shows a cross-section of the feed beam
1 taken along line B-B in FIG. 2. It shows how the measuring line 9
is routed from the measuring device 7 via the idler wheel 10 into
the groove 1a provided inside the feed beam 1. The measuring line 9
is by its end attached to the lug 11 shown in connection with FIG.
2 and located in the groove 1a of the feed beam 1, between the feed
cylinder 4 and the bottom 1b of the groove 1a in the vertical
direction thereof. The measuring line 9 is thus well protected
against external contact. FIG. 3 further shows how a side of the
feed beam 1 is provided with an opening 1c in which the idler wheel
10 is installed rotationally around a vertical axis.
[0019] The invention has been disclosed above in the descriptions
and the drawings only by way of example, and it is by no means
restricted thereto. The point is that as the measuring device, a
solution is used wherein the measuring line is wound around the
measuring wheel and it is provided with means, such as a spring or
the like, for rotating the measuring wheel such that the measuring
line unwinds from the measuring wheel when the attachment point of
the measuring line in the cylinder tube moves away from the
measuring device and, correspondingly, winds onto the measuring
wheel when the attachment point of the measuring line in the
cylinder tube moves towards the measuring device. Preferably, a
structure equipped with a counter spring is used wherein the
counter spring tries to pull the measuring line around the idler
wheel of the sensor of the measuring device, simultaneously trying
to rotate the sensor, but return means of other kind, such as a
pressure fluid driven rotating mechanism or the like, are also
possible. Another important point is that the measuring line is
routed from the measuring device into the groove provided inside
the feed beam, the groove protecting the measuring line against
external contact. The measuring line or another flexible measuring
member may be routed into the groove through a wall of the feed
beam or via a rear end of the feed beam directly into the groove.
In the latter case, of course, the measuring device advantageously
resides close to the rear end of the feed beam. The position of the
measuring device relative to the feed beam may vary, as long as the
direction of travel of the measuring member, such as a measuring
line, is substantially perpendicular relative to the axis of the
measuring wheel and parallel with the tangent of the measuring
wheel. The location of the measuring device may also vary according
to the application. Consequently, it may be located at a front part
of the feed beam, even at the very front part thereof, or,
correspondingly, at a rear part, even at the very rear part,
thereof.
* * * * *