CA3083110C

CA3083110C - Autonomous drilling machine for the construction of service shafts and open shafts

Info

Publication number: CA3083110C
Application number: CA3083110A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Marc Anthony BLATTNER
Original assignee: Tumi Contratistas Mineros Sac
Current assignee: Tumi Contratistas Mineros Sac
Priority date: 2017-11-21
Filing date: 2018-01-05
Publication date: 2023-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2038-01-05
Also published as: WO2019103630A1; PE20190884A1; AU2018372529A1; AU2018372529B2; CL2020001276A1; MX2020005000A; CA3083110A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an autonomous drilling machine for the construction of service shafts and open shafts, also known as slots, especially designed to improve efficiency in mining and civil engineering, as well as significantly reducing interaction between people and machines, thereby preventing the necessary risks in underground drilling and operations associated with conventional shaft construction methods.

Description

AUTONOMOUS DRILLING MACHINE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
SERVICE SHAFTS AND OPEN SHAFTS
Purpose of the Invention The invention is an autonomous drilling machine for the construction of service shafts and free face, also known as "slots", which is specially designed to improve the efficiency of mine production and civil engineering projects, it also considerably reduces the interaction between men and machines, thus reducing the risks inherent in underground drilling and other operations compared with conventional shaft construction methods.
Background of the Invention The dimensions of the slot shafts or free face normally used in mines vary from 1,2 m to 2,1 m in diameter, more usually 2,1 m and from 20 m to 20 m long at inclinations of around 900 to 45 from the horizontal.
The shaft and free face drilling machine was originally designed to drill mine ventilation shafts, among other applications, and can drill holes 2,1 m in diameter and between 20 and 200 m long; the construction process takes around 4 to 8 weeks.
Drilling service and free face "slots" produces a very stable and smooth surface, thus reducing post-drilling work considerably. Traditionally, the drilling process required the construction of a concrete bearing slab for the machine about 3mx4mx 0,4 m thick, to which the machine was secured by anchor bolts, usually 0,222 m diameter by 1,2 m. It also requires a structural base of beams and high-strength structural steel to support the machine when the drilling has been completed; machines of this type consist of a power unit, electrical control unit and separate control console, which implies connecting hoses and electric cables 5 to 7 m long, depending on the working area, making it difficult to move the machine and all of its components to the different working faces; moving requires the use of a loading shovel and leads to the loss of more than 15% of reaming time in the mine.
In order to optimise drilling time and increase productivity in the drilling of service Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-21

2 shafts and free face in different mines, an autonomous machine has been designed and built, in which the drilling rig has its own propulsion system, preferably but not necessarily a crawler tractor powered by an internal combustion engine, which should preferably be located at the rear, controlled by fixed control points located preferably at the rear of the tracked unit. Once on site the machine is fully self-aligning with respect to the shaft to be drilled, taking into account that the axis of the shaft should coincide with the central shaft of the reduction gearbox in the mechanical transmission, which provides variable rotation speed and constant torque adjusted to suit the material to be drilled. This machines has two angle levels and fixed control of alignment and anchoring; firstly the crawler tractor is levelled using hydraulic jacks and then the drilling angle is controlled using the two inclination cylinders (08) and the machine is connected by two support columns (29);
finally, the machine is anchored to both the ground, using the lower hydraulic jacks, and the roof of the gallery using the upper jacks; in this way neither anchor bolts nor a concrete slab are needed. The service and free face shaft drilling rig has its power unit and electrical control cabinet incorporated into the rig propulsion system, which is preferably a crawler tractor and therefore it is not necessary to connect or disconnect hydraulic hoses or electric cables between the machine's component parts during installation and withdrawal from the site. Consequently, transport and erection times are considerably reduced, eliminating much dead time and enabling 20 m to 200 m to be drilled in 3 to 4 weeks, thus achieving 85% efficiency per shaft. The risks inherent in the transport and drilling process are also reduced, as is environmental pollution caused by hydraulic oil spillages during connecting and disconnecting the hoses.
Previous descriptions cover inventions in the same field as this one, thus US
document 4.147.215 describes a land-based drilling rig with a mast, a mobile carriage mounted on the mast and moving generally up and down the length of the mast; a rotary table mounted on the carriage to turn the drill string, an improved method of joining and detaching the drill pipe sections including: clamps to hold the first section of drill pipe;
sliding grips mounted on the machine to hold the second section of drill pipe and support the drill string. The clamps are power operated to break the connection between the first and second sections of the drill string the clamps hold the first section of drill pipe and the Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-21

3 rotary table turns to tighten or release the joint between the drill pipe sections. The drilling derrick is also provided with means for removing the drill pipe from the well.
Document WO 2014133445 describes the raise-boring method of drilling shafts using a machine with a pivot system enabling the drill head to operate at a transverse angle to the machine.
The document TUMI RAISE BORING:"SBM 400 SR, SLOT RAISE", describes a service shaft and free face drilling rig consisting of: a mechanical reduction gearbox to which the drill pipes are attached by a positioning arm and decoupling clamps;
two sets of cylinders to move the drill head on the guide columns during the drilling operation;
hydraulic jacks to secure the machine on site, before the start of drilling operations at the different angles of which the machine is capable; outer and lower support jacks.
Summary of the Invention The drilling machine in this invention is self-propelled within the mine, propulsion consisting preferably but not exclusively of a crawler tractor driven by an internal combustion engine with controls located preferably at the left rear side of the crawler unit, which positions and levels the machine with respect to the shaft to be drilled, and two guide columns (26) to maintain the direction of the shaft being drilled throughout its length and upon which slides the reduction gearbox (04); the ends of these guide columns (26) are fixed to the base of the structure (27) and an upper structure (31) respectively, taking into account that the axis of the shaft must coincide with the central shaft of the reduction gearbox (04) and/or transmission system that provides two alternative speeds:
high (50 to 70 RPM) and low (12 to 14 RPM) using a mechanical geared transmission (04) and a hydrostatic motor to increase and reduce reaming speed. This improvement provides better stability during reaming and provides variable rotation speed but constant torque according to the conditions of the terrain. For this the machine enables variable angles with fixed levelling and anchoring. The crawler tractor is levelled first using the hydraulic jacks and then the drilling angle is set using the gradient cylinders (08), finally the machine is Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-21

4 anchored to the floor and roof of the gallery using the lower and upper jacks, without the need for bolts or a concrete slab.
Autonomous low-profile drilling rig for the construction of service shafts and free face, enabling drilling at different angles, either longitudinal or transversal, relative to the machine, in which the drilling rig is propelled by a crawler tractor and the structural base (27) is connected to the crawler tractor (28) by a system that enables the machine to pivot to the desired drilling angle. Two lateral hydraulic cylinders (18), 1,27 m (5") in diameter and one cylinder 1,78 m (7") in diameter, designed to work at a pressure of at least 34.473.8 kPa (5000 PSI) in service, enabling the drilling head (32) to move along the guide columns (26) during drilling of the pilot hole and reaming. The hydraulic jacks (09) and (10) secure the machine in the working position to the floor and roof of the gallery, creating greater stability during reaming and reducing vibration; these jacks extend from 5,08 to 15,24 m (20 to 60") depending on the size of the gallery and the angle of the machine and are fitted with a device that improves their grip on the ground. The lower (07) and exterior (29) jacks stabilise and offset the longitudinal gradient of irregular terrain; the tilting cylinder (08) enables the machine to incline at different angles using devises secured to the guide columns, to give the required working angle.
This drilling rig for service shafts and free faces can drill holes 2,1 m in diameter and around 200 m long that are commonly required in different types of mines, at angles from 90 to 45 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine and from 90 to 45 with respect to the transverse axis in both directions (left and right) by means of a pivot system that enables the machine to incline and secures it, thus allowing drilling in small spaces where manoeuvrability is restricted. The construction of a shaft using the autonomous drilling rig described here requires approximately 4 days to drill a 20 m hole 2,1 m in diameter, and the result is a very stable and homogeneous shaft with a good finish.
One of the main advantages of using an autonomous machine for drilling service shafts and free faces is a significant reduction in interaction between man and machine by using remote control for the drill pipe handling aim and the electro-hydraulic mechanism for Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-21

5 connecting and disconnecting the drill rod sections. From an economic point of view there is an increase in productivity in comparison with the previous design.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a right-hand side view of the machine in transport mode.
Figure 2 is a left-hand side view of the machine in operating mode.
Figure 3 is a front view in operating mode.
Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 shows the shaft and slot drilling rig in the transport position. The crawler tractor (01), internal combustion engine (02), fixed controls (03), remote operating controls (34) controls for transport (35) when the rig is being moved, are all shown.
Component

(06) is the fixed control unit that operates the four levelling jacks (07) on the crawler tractor (01). The rig is anchored by two lower hydraulic jacks (09) on both ends of each support column (29) and on the front of the rig, the bases of which are bolted to the structural base (27) of the rig, as well as upper hydraulic jacks (10) secured to the roof of the gallery.
The electrical control panel (11) and power unit (20) are also integrated into the crawler tractor (01) and provide the hydraulic power necessary to operate the machine, and are located at the rear of the rig. The drill rod handling arm (15) adds and removes the drill rod sections. Two sets of lateral hydraulic cylinders (18) are fitted to the sides of the rig and transmit the vertical load generated by the pilot bore and reaming process; each set of cylinders (18) is secured by pins to the structural base and the inverted cylinder (27) transmits the hydraulic power to the reduction gearbox (04) through a thrust device (30), thus generating the reaming force necessary. The sets of cylinder (18) possess six cylinders of 1,27 m (5") and 1,78 m (7") in diameter respectively, providing the necessary 34.473.8 KPa (5000 PSI) of force for the reaming process, divided into two sets of three (18), each consisting of two cylinders 1,27 m (5") on either side of an inverted cylinder of 1,78 m (7"), positioned at the sides of the machine to transmit the vertical force necessary for pilot hole drilling and reaming. The hydraulic oil tank (22) contains the oil necessary to operate Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-21 the crawler tractor (01) while hydraulic oil tank (23) contains oil for the power unit (20).
Figure 2 shows a profile view of the drilling rig in the operating position at an inclination of approximately 45 to the transverse axis of the machine, with the lower anchors extended tot he ground; the angle is adjusted by the control (05) on one side of the gear case. The mechanical reduction gearbox (04), which transmits torque from the hydrostatic motor (25) is in the upper position, enabling installation of a section of drill rod (16) by the handling arm (15).
Figure 3 shows a front view of the machine in operating mode, showing it slewed approximately 45 to the left with respect to its transverse axis; it can slew to either side once the machine is in the operating position; the lower and outer jacks are extended to the ground in order to stabilise the machine during operation.
In a preferred use of the invenmtion, to operate the machines there is a removable control console (12) and remote control unit (34) hung around the operator's neck. The drilling method consists basically of 2 stages, pilot hole drilling and reaming. The pilot hole is drilled downwards using a 2,79 m (11") diameter pilot bit and a series of drill pipes 2,54 m (10") in diameter by 1,50 m long (16), depending on the depth of the shaft. Drilling can also be carried out at different angles to either the longitudinal or transverse axis of the machine, normally between 90 and 45 , depending on the requirements of condition of the rock. The mine must provide a 3-phase, 60 Hz, AC electricity supply at 440 volts producing 350 kVA, and an average of 30,3 to 37,91/min (8 to 10 gals/min) of clean water for removing the detritus, connected to the machine by a rotating coupling (14). The machine includes a drill rod handling arm (15) operated electro-hydraulically to load each drill rod section in the rig's drill head (32) in a safe and efficient manner.
The machine includes an electro-hydraulic clamp (17) to tighten the DI-22 threaded connections of the mechanical transmission and drill string, located on its base. The mechanical transmission consists of various reduction gears and a hydrostatic motor (25) that provide constant torque and the ability to adjust the rotation speed of the drill string according to the conditions of the rock.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-21

7 The drilling rig described here weighs less than 16 metric tonnes and has a power output of less than 150 kW; it is designed to operate in galleries that are preferably less than 3,8 m high, for which reason it is referred to as a low-profile machine;
for transport purposes its dimensions are less than 2,5 m in height by 2,3 m wide, meaning that it will enter a standard shipping container. For that reason its hydraulic cylinders (18) work in tandem, so that the reduction gearbox (04) can be lifted sufficiently to install a drill pipe section (16) and completely withdraw all the cylinder sets on completion of the reaming operation to achieve its transport height. Each set of cylinders (18) include an internal check valve, one on each side of the machine, allowing the reduction gearbox to be lowered very slowly in the event of a hydraulic oil leak; this valve is normally closed and placed between the high-pressure line and the tank and its purpose is to limit the pressure to a given value and divert all the oil flow from the pump to the tank.
The hydraulic force and torque to turn the drill string enable the machine to reach the lower target level in both stages of this method of boring. When the pilot hole has been drilled the second or raise boring stage begins. The bit and adjacent section of drill rod (16) is uncoupled in the mine in order to attach the reamer. The machine uses the reamer to increase the diameter of the shaft by raise boring, during which the drill pipes (16) are withdrawn. Both the lower clamp on the base of the machine (17) and the upper clamp (19) on the drilling head (32) are used to uncouple each section of the drill string. The hydraulic clamp on the drilling head (32) is operated by two hydraulic cylinders (33) which open and close the clamp, enabling the drill pipe sections to be uncoupled, thus reducing man-machine interaction and the time taken to uncouple the drill pipes. Both clamps are operated electro-hydraulically, thus eliminating human contact with the machine.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-21

Claims

8

1. An autonomous low-profile drilling rig for boring service shafts and free faces that is capable of drilling at different angles to either the longitudinal or transverse axis of the drilling rig, the drilling rig comprising:
a crawler tractor driving movement of the drilling rig, wherein the crawler tractor is connected to a structural base by a pivot system that tilts the drilling rig to a desired drilling angle, said pivot system being connected to tilting cylinders that control an inclination of the drilling rig in a longitudinal plane between 90 and 45 to transverse plane of the drilling rig and enabling the drilling rig to be inclined in a frontal plane between 900 and 45 to the transverse plane either to the left or right when the drilling rig is at 90 in a longitudinal plane;
two sets of lateral hydraulic cylinders working at a pressure of at least 34.5 kPa that raise or lower a drilling head of the drilling rig on two guide columns during pilot hole drilling and reaming, wherein each set of the two sets of lateral hydraulic cylinders comprise two upright cylinders 12.7 cm in diameter and one inverted cylinder 17.8 cm in diameter;
anchor jacks securing the drilling rig in a working position, wherein the anchor jacks extend up to a roof and down to a floor of a gallery for greater stability and lower vibration of the drilling rig, and wherein the anchor jacks extend from 50.8 cm to 152.4 cm according to gallery size and inclination of the drilling rig, and wherein the anchor jacks are fitted with devices to ensure better grip on a rock; and interior and exterior jacks stabilising the drilling rig and offsetting longitudinal gradient of irregular terrain.

2. The drilling rig as described in claim 1, further comprising a remote control system that permits better visibility during tramming and operation inside a mine.

3. The drilling rig as described in claim 1, wherein the drilling head is attached to a mechanical reduction gearbox, wherein drill pipes are attached by using a handling arm and clamps.

4. The drilling rig as described in claim 3, wherein the two sets of lateral hydraulic cylinders transmit hydraulic power to the mechanical reduction gearbox through a thrust device, thus generating reaming force, and the one inverted cylinder of each of the two sets of lateral hydraulic cylinders is secured by pin to the structural base.

5. The drilling rig as described in claim 1, wherein each of the two sets oflateral hydraulic cylinders works in tandem to lift a mechanical reduction gearbox in order to insert a drill pipe section and to remove all pipe string sections.

6. The drilling rig as described in claim 1, further comprising a safety valve incorporated into each the two sets of lateral hydraulic cylinders for limiting pressure to a given value, above which hydraulic oil from a pump is diverted to a tank.

7. The drilling rig as described in claim 1, wherein the two guide columns control direction of the service shafts being drilled throughout their length, and carrying a mechanical reduction gearbox, the bottom and top ends of the two guide columns being fixed to the structural base and an upper structure, respectively.

8. The drilling rig as described in claim 1, further comprising a drill pipe handling arm operated electro-hydraulically, to load each pipe section and position it in the drilling head.

9. The drilling rig as described in claim 1, further comprising two electro-hydraulic wrenches, one on the structural base and one on the drilling head to tighten and release threaded joints between each drill pipe section and the drilling head.

10. The drilling rig as described in claim 1, wherein two hydraulic cylinders open and close an electro-hydraulic wrench attached to the drilling head in order to decouple drill string sections, thus reducing man-machine interaction and time taken to uncouple each drill pipe section, reducing reaming process.

11. The drilling rig as described in claim 1, further comprising at least one of a mechanical reduction gearbox and a transmission system providing a high speed of 50 to 70 RPM and a low speed of 12 to 14 RPM, and a hydrostatic motor enabling reaming speed to be increased or reduced to ensure greater stability during a reaming process.

12. The drilling rig as described in claim 1, wherein the anchor jacks are bolted to the structural base of the drilling rig, securing the drilling rig to the floor of the gallery.

13. The drilling rig as described in claim 1, wherein the anchor jacks comprise lower jacks and upper jacks fixed to the structural base and an upper structure, respectively.

14. The drilling rig as described in claim 1, wherein the crawler tractor transports all components of the drilling rig.

15. The drilling rig as described in claim 1, wherein the interior and exterior jacks comprise four levelling cylinders fitted to the crawler tractor.

16. The drilling rig as described in claim 14, further comprising a power unit and an electrical control panel incorporated into the crawler tractor.

17. The drilling rig as described in any one of claims 3 to 16, further comprising remote operating and transport controls.