WO2001077490A1

WO2001077490A1 - Underground mining sampler

Info

Publication number: WO2001077490A1
Application number: PCT/CA2001/000511
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hermann K. Bumueller
Original assignee: Dux Machinery Corporation
Priority date: 2000-04-10
Filing date: 2001-04-10
Publication date: 2001-10-18
Also published as: CA2305960A1; AU2001252064A1

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for obtaining dust samples from minerals in underground mines. The apparatus (10) is built on a motorized mobile carrier (14) and includes an onboard lab station (12). A power driven tool (68, 90), such as a rock saw (90) or a rock drill (68), is provided for obtaining samples from minerals. A collecting device (84) is provided for instantly collecting dust samples as the power driven tool (68, 90) is operated. The apparatus includes a personnel lift platform (38) with an integrated multi-position feed assembly (58) adapted to be selectively used in combination with the rock saw (90) or the rock drill (68).

Description

UNDERGROUND MINING SAMPLER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to underground mining equipment and, more particularly, to a sampler unit .

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Over the years various mining equipment have been developed for obtaining samples from minerals in underground mines. Typically, the collected samples are transported from the underground mine to a surface laboratory where they are analyzed. This is quite time consuming. Therefore, there is a need for a new underground mining sampler which will facilitate the collection of samples and which provides for on-site analysis of the collected samples. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an aim of the present invention to provide an underground mining sampler having a personnel basket equipped with a power driven tool for obtaining samples from minerals in difficult to reach places. It is an aim of the present invention to provide an underground mining sampler having interchangeable rock drilling and cutting tools;

It is also an aim of the present invention to provide an underground mining sampler adapted to instantly collect dust samples while cutting or drilling in a rock surface.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a rock saw which is adapted to be quickly pivotally mounted to a feed pedestal assembly of an underground mining sampler.

It is a still further aim of the present invention to provide an underground mining sampler having an onboard lab station. It is still a further aim of the present invention to provide a dual control for operating a drill feed and retract functions (adjustable as a remote control unit) . Therefore, in accordance with the present invention , there is provided an underground mining sampler for obtaining samples from minerals in an underground mine, comprising a carrier, a boom articulated to said carrier, a personnel basket mounted to said boom, and a power driven tool integrated to said personnel basket for obtaining samples from minerals.

In accordance with a further general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for sampling minerals from a rock surface, comprising the steps of: drilling or cutting into the rock surface, and drawing dust samples generated by the drilling or cutting operation into a container where the dust samples are stored for subsequent analysis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a motorized mobile sampler and analyzer unit suited for used in underground mines to take ore samples and subsequently analyze them. Fig. 2 is a schematic top plan view of the sampler and analyzer unit of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic side elevational view of a rear portion of the sampler and analyzer unit illustrating a feed pedestal assembly used in combination with a rock drill to bore a sample hole in a rock surface; Fig. 4 is a schematic side elevational view of the rear portion of the sampler and analyzer unit illustrating the feed pedestal assembly when used in combination with a rock cutting saw; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a self- leveling personnel lift basket of the sampler and analyzer unit of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the self-leveling personnel lift basket of Fig. 5 ; Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of the self -leveling personnel lift basket and the feed pedestal assembly, illustrating the rotational movement of the latter in a vertical plane;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the self- leveling personnel basket and the feed pedestal assembly, illustrating the rotational movement of the latter in a horizontal plane;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a twin blade circular rock saw mounting bracket mounted to a carrier plate forming part of a feed pedestal assembly of the unit illustrated in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of the twin blade circular rock saw mounting bracket while supporting a circular rock saw on a carrier plate mounted for movement along a chain feed shell forming part of the feed pedestal assembly; and

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of a circular twin blade rock saw adapted to be releasably mounted to the saw blade mounting bracket for pivotal movement with respect thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a motorized sampler and analyzer unit 10 suited for use in underground mines for collecting ore samples by selectively using different methods, such as drilling, cutting with motorized circular twin blade rock saw or, optionally core drilling with a core drill from the same motorized mobile unit.

The unit 10 is provided with an onboard lab station 12 for allowing instant on-site accurate analysis of the collected samples, thereby eliminating human errors in taking samples and transporting them to the surface laboratory for analyzing, which can take up to 24 hours before the underground mine captain drill master receives results required for marking the drill pattern for accurate production blast hole drilling and the prevention of loss of the ore vein.

More particularly, the sampler and analyzer unit 10 is built onto a standard articulated 4 -wheel drive underground carrier 14. The 4 -wheel drive underground carrier 14 is propelled by a Diesel engine 16. An optional auxiliary electric hydraulic power back source with powered electric cable reel

(not shown) can be installed on the carrier 14 so that while operating in a stationary working position, the Diesel engine 16 can be shut-off. This is required in mines where the ventilation of fresh air in some working areas is marginal and carbon monoxide gases could be a health hazard. The carrier 14 includes a front frame portion 18 and a rear frame portion 20 which are articulately connected to each other by means of an articulation/oscillation mechanism 22.

A telescopic boom 24 is articulated to the rear frame portion 20 for pivotal movement about two perpendicular axes. The telescopic boom 24 can swing laterally on opposed sides of the rear frame portion 20 (see Fig. 2) and pivot in upward and downward directions with respect thereto. The boom 24 includes a main tubular boom segment 26 and a secondary boom segment 28 telescopically received within the main boom segment 26. The main boom segment 26 is mounted for pivotal movement about two perpendicular axes to an upstanding support structure 30 secured to the rear frame portion 20. As seen in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, a first hydraulic cylinder 32 extends between the main boom segment 26 and the upstanding support structure 30 for pivoting the main boom segment 26 in a vertical plane. As best seen in Fig. 2, a second hydraulic cylinder 34 is provided between the main boom segment 26 and the upstanding support structure 30 to swing the main boom segment 26 laterally with respect to the rear frame portion 20. Finally, as seen in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, a third hydraulic cylinder 36 is provided for leveling a self-leveling personnel lift basket 38 and an extension cylinder (not shown) is provided inside the boom 24 for retracting and extending the secondary boom segment 28 relative to the main boom segment 26.

As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the self-leveling personnel lift basket 38 is pivotally mounted on the fork assembly 29 which is bolted on the secondary boom 28. A hydraulic cylinder 40 is provided between the fork assembly 29 and the personnel lift basket 38 for pivoting the latter about a pivot axis 42 in order to maintain the personnel lift basket 38 at level when the first hydraulic cylinder 32 is operated to pivot the main boom segment 26 in an upward or a downward direction.

It is noted that an aerial personnel lift such as scissor lift platform truck or fork lift truck, or a rigid chassis carrier could also be utilized as the prime mobile carrier with optional auxiliary electric hydraulic power back-up.

As seen in Fig. 5, the self-leveling personnel basket 38 includes a main platform section 44 and a pair of side by side forward platform sections 46 and 48. The forward platform section 48 is hinged to the fixed forward platform section 46 along adjoining edges thereof. This allows the forward platform section 48 to be selectively folded over on top of forward platform section 46. As seen in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 6, safety upstanding guards 50 are provided along the periphery of the main platform section 44 and the forward platform sections 46 and 48. Some of the safety guards 50 of the forward platform sections 46 and 48 are removable to allow platform section 48 to be folded over against platform section 46, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

Two pairs of telescopic stabilizing legs, one of which is shown at 52 in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, are respectively mounted on opposed lateral sides of the front and rear frame portions 18 and 20 to stabilize the same when the unit 10 is in a stationary working position.

As seen in Figs. 1, 3, 4, 7 and 8, the self-leveling personnel lift basket 38 is equipped with an all -position rotary actuator 54 which is mounted to a vertical pedestal mounting column 56 extending upwardly from a central front portion of the main platform section 44. As illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the rotary actuator 54 is adapted to rotate 360° about two perpendicular axes, namely about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. The rotary actuator 54 can consist of the SBH-15 boom head manufactured by Traxxon Equipment Ltd. , Burnaby, BC, Canada. Instead of the Traxxon SBH-15 rotary actuator head, a rotary actuator manufactured by Helac corporation, Enumclaw, WA 98022 USA or any other rotation head with swing and tilt features could be used as well.

As seen in Figs . 1 to 4 , 7 and 8 , a feed pedestal assembly 58 with a double acting hydraulic feed extension cylinder 60 is mounted onto the rotary actuator 54. As seen in Figs. 7 and 8, the rotary actuator 54 can be operated to swing the feed pedestal assembly 58 in a substantially horizontal plane and to rotate the same in a substantially vertical plane.

The feed pedestal assembly 58 includes an elongated chain feed shell 62 in which an endless chain (not shown) is mounted for slidably displacing a carrier plate 64 along an open top surface of the shell 62. The chain is driven by a reversible motor 66 mounted to a rear bottom surface of the elongated feed shell 62. A guided rock drill 68 is mounted on the carrier plate 64. The guided rock drill 68 includes a motor 70, a drill rod 72 and a drill bit 74. The drill rod 72 extends through a hydraulic operated centralizer 76 (see Fig. 3) which is mounted on front of feed shell 62 and through a sample dust pick-up hood housing 78. The centralizer 76 and the pick-up hood housing 78 can be linearly displaced towards and away from the front end of the shell 62 via operation of the extension cylinder 60. The pick up hood housing 78 is provided with a 2" diameter outlet 80 (see Fig. 3) adapted to be detachably connected to a suction hose 82, which is connected at an opposed end thereof to a dust sample collector 84 mounted on the rear frame portion 20 of the carrier 14 for instantly collecting ore samples as the rock drill 68 is operated. The collector 84 is provided with a hydraulic motor driven fan and automatic fine dust filter element cleaner which is achieved with compressed air supplied by an onboard hydraulic motor driven

(optionally electric motor drive) compressor 85. The onboard compressor 85 (see Fig. 2) supplies air for flushing of drill chips and dust out of the hole, whilst drilling with the rock drill 68 and for cleaning of the filter elements in the dust collector 84. When drilling with the rock drill 68, as shown in Fig. 3, the 4 -wheel drive carrier 14 is immobilized in a stationary working position at a sampling site and then the telescopic boom 24 and the rotary actuator 54 are actuated so as to properly position the feed pedestal assembly 58 with respect to the rock surface in which a hole has to be drilled in order to obtain ore samples. Then, the cylinder 60 is extended so as to position the pick up hood 78 against the rock surface. Thereafter, the feed chain is driven by the motor 66 so as to guide forward the drill rod 72 with the drill bit 74 through the hydraulic operated centralizer 76 and into the rock surface as the rock drill 70 is powered to drill a hole in the rock surface. While drilling the hole, the dust collector 84 is operated to collect samples via the suction hose 82.

The rock drill and feed functions are controlled either by manual hand levers of main hydraulic sectional valve bank or remote from 24 volt electric control box with umbilical cord or optional radio remote system. The remote control box can be carried with shoulder straps by the operator and operated from a safe position inside the personnel basket 38 or optionally, if holes are drilled close to the ground, from outside the personnel basket 38.

It is noted that the chain feed shell could also be a cable feed or screw feed shell.

As best seen in Fig. 10, the carrier plate 64 also includes two rock saw mounting points 86 for quick connect and disconnect of a rock saw mounting bracket 88 to which a hydraulic motor driven circular twin blade rock saw 90 can be releasably mounted for pivotal movement with respect thereto. With this arrangement, the operator can advantageously drill sample holes with extension drill rod(s) 72 and drill bit 74 or, alternatively, attach the hydraulic motor driven circular twin blade rock saw 90 with mounting arrangement onto the carrier plate 64 and quick connect two hydraulic hoses (not shown) of the rock saw 90 to an onboard hydraulic system (not shown) . By mounting the rock saw mounting bracket 88 on the carrier plate 64 the feed motor 66 can advantageously be used to control the feed speed and feed force of the rock saw 90.

As seen in Figs. 9 and 10, the rock saw mounting bracket 88 includes a first plate 92 to which a pair of tubular members 94 are secured for receiving corresponding pins 96 welded on one side of the carrier plate 64. Removable lock pins 98 are provided to prevent axial removal of the pins 96 from the tubular members 94. The rock saw mounting bracket 88 also includes a saw mounting plate 100 which is parallel to the first plate 92 and which is spaced therefrom by means of four elongated rigid structural members 102 extending between the first plate 92 and the saw mounting plate 100. The saw mounting plate

100 defines a bore 104 for receiving a pivot pin 106

(see Figs. 10 and 11) extending laterally from the body of the circular twin blade rock saw 90. A removable locking pin 108 is adapted to be transversally inserted at a free distal end of the pivot pin 106 to prevent axial removal thereof from the bore 104. This constitute a unique saw pivot arrangement which allows for the direct hydraulic motor driven (no belts, no pulleys) circular twin blade rock saw 90 to be readily attach or detach from the rock saw mounting bracket 88.

As seen in Figs. 10 and 11, the rock saw 90 includes a hydraulic motor 110 having a drive shaft (not shown) which is inserted into a bigger keyed diameter shaft 114. For extra safety, a sealed outboard bearing 116 located in a bolted outboard bearing holder 118 is installed on one side of the saw 90 opposite the motor 110 to support one end of the shaft 114.

Two super premium diamond cutting blades 120 are mounted on the shaft 114 for rotation therewith and are kept apart with a spacer (not shown) . A hand lever 122 is provided to allow manual pivotal movement of the rock saw 90 about its pivot pin 106. The radial pivotal movement of the saw 90 is achieved manually for accurate cutting depth control. The forward cutting speed and force is achieved with the hydraulic motor powered feed 66. The feed speed and feed force can be regulated depending on hardness of ore and rock to be cut . The two rock saw blades 120 are protected with a safety steel guard 124 which also acts as a sample dust pick up which has a 2" diameter dust outlet 126 adapted to be quickly connected and disconnected from the flexible suction hose 82.

The rock sample between the two saw blade cuts can be chipped out with a chisel hammer and kept for analyzing and record in the mine's laboratory.

The circular rock saw 90 is equipped with a deadman handle 128 which controls an on/off hydraulic motor control valve 130 which is built onto the circular rock saw 90, as seen in Fig. 11.

When it is desired to cut with the circular twin blade rock cutting saw 90, the following preparing steps have to be followed: removing drill rod(s) 72 and drill bit 74, attaching rock saw mounting bracket 88 onto the carrier plate 64 by connecting mounting points 86, securing the bracket 88 to the carrier plate 64 with the safety lock pins 98, inserting the pivot pin 106 of the rock saw 90 into the bore 104 defined in the saw mounting plate 100 of the rock saw mounting bracket 88, inserting the safety lock pin 108 transversally through the free distal end of the pivot pin 106 and connecting the suction hose 82, which is connected to the dust collector 84, to the outlet 126 and the rock saw 90 to a source of hydraulic direct drive power via quick couplings (not shown) . Once these preparing steps have been completed, the rock saw 90 can be operated, as seen in Fig. 4.

For instant analyzing of samples, dry cutting is preferred in most applications. For special applications, a dual function trigger can be installed for automatic wet cutting.

As an addition to rock drill 68 and circular rock twin blade rock saw 90, a time saving quick disconnect/connect sealed split type hydraulic bulkhead (not shown) can be installed in the personnel basket 38 in order to disconnect feed/rock drill without individually disconnecting all hydraulic hoses. A longer feed shell with core drill could also be installed.

Incorporated with the rock saw 90 is an air powered chip hammer located in a guided securing bracket with wing bolt (see Fig. 11) . The chisel is equipped with an air quick connector fitting to air hose c/w air operating control valve. In order to remove the rock segment from resultant rock cut, additional to the saw is an adjustable sample segment "catchment bin collector" fitted.

A storage compartment 132 is located next to the dust collector 84 for storage of sample dust bucket 134 which is normally placed below the dust discharge of the collector 84 whilst drilling or cutting, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4. In the top of the storage compartment 132, a funnel (not shown) is inserted and at the outlet of the funnel, a small plastic bag (not shown) can be attached with a rubber band (not shown) . As soon as the desired sample dust is collected in the bucket 134 below the collector discharge, the required amount of sample dust can be filled through the funnel into the small plastic bag (one man operation) which will be sealed. The location of drill hole or cut can be marked on the bag for identification. As mentioned hereinbefore, an onboard lab station 12 is located on the unit 10, opposite of the storage compartment 132. The Metorex model MET880 and Metorex model DOPS23 10 hand held X-ray analyzer or the like are located on a rubber covered work table 136 for minimum vibration. For insulation, underneath the rubber is a lead sheet forming a barrier to prevent X-ray rebound from the steel work table. The marked sample bags are immediately analyzed and results recorded and analyzed bags are stored in special separated numerically identified compartments in storage drawers (not shown) below the work table 136. The results of the recorded and analyzed ore content will be given to the mine captain or drill master (same can also be electronic computer transferred) who then will give the instructions for marking the face for accurate production drilling, thereby minimizing over-drilling and preventing loss of ore vein. A communication system, such as a radio frequency system, can also be provided to transfer the results to a control system provided outside of the mine .

An onboard hydraulic motor driven (could be electric motor driven) Landa high pressure (1500 psi) triplex ceramic plunger water pump 138 is installed and furnished with insulated trigger gun (not shown) with stainless steel spray nozzle. The water to the pump 138 is supplied from a 1000 liter onboard stainless steel water tank 140 with suction hose (not shown) which is installed on the inlet of the water pump 138. With the 3/8" diameter x 50 feet long water pressure hose with its quick disconnect trigger gun, the rock face and ribs can be washed from the ground and basket 38. This will instantly show the geologist the strata of existing ore and assist in where to take the samples with the rock drill 68, circular rock saw 90 or core drill.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. An underground mining sampler for obtaining samples from minerals in an underground mine, comprising a carrier, a boom articulated to said carrier, a personnel basket mounted to said boom, and a power driven tool integrated to said personnel basket for obtaining samples from minerals.

2. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim

1, wherein said power driven tool is mounted on a multi-position actuator provided in said personnel basket for orienting said power driven tool in various directions so as to provide for roof sampling, floor sampling, face sampling and sidewall sampling.

3. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim

2, wherein said actuator is adapted to rotate said power driven tool in two perpendicular planes.

4. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 1, wherein said power driven tool is a drill comprising a drilling bit and a sample dust pick-up hood disposed around said drilling bit to provide a confined area, a dust collector for instantly withdrawing samples of dust from said confined area as said power driven tool is operated, a container for receiving the collected dust samples, and an onboard lab station for allowing on- site analysis of the samples collected in the container.

5. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 4, wherein communication means are provided for allowing the results of the sampling analysis obtained from the -onboard lab station to be communicated to a control system remote from the sampling site.

6. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 1, further including an onboard lab station for allowing on-site analysis of the samples obtained by the power driven tool .

7. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 1, wherein said power driven tool is selected from a variety of different tools adapted to be interchangeably mounted on a same feed pedestal assembly mounted to said basket .

8. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 7, wherein said power driven tool is selected from a group consisting of: a rock saw, a rock drill and a core drill, said rock saw, said rock drill and said core drill being adapted to be selectively removably mounted on said feed pedestal assembly, and wherein said feed pedestal assembly is mounted on an all -position actuator operable to orient said power driven tool in a variety of directions.

9. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 8, wherein said all -position actuator is adapted to rotate about two perpendicular axes.

10. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 8, wherein said rock saw is provided with pivot means for allowing the same to be manually pivoted relative to said feed pedestal assembly.

11. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 8, wherein said feed pedestal assembly includes a carriage mounted for movement along an elongated guide, said carriage being connected to a power source, said rock saw being removably connectable to said carriage for movement therewith.

12. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 11, wherein said rock saw is mounted to said carriage via a saw mounting bracket adapted to be removably mounted to said carriage, and wherein said rock saw is adapted to be mounted to said saw mounting bracket for pivotal movement with respect thereto.

13. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 11, wherein said rock drill is adapted to be removably mounted on said carriage for movement therewith.

14. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 11, wherein said elongated guide is directly mounted on said all -position actuator.

15. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 14, wherein said all-position actuator is adapted to rotate said elongated guide in two perpendicular planes.

16. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 15, wherein said all-position actuator is mounted on a mounting column extending upwardly from a bottom wall of said personnel basket.

17. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 8, wherein said rock saw includes a pair of spaced-apart circular cutting blades.

18. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 17, wherein said cutting blades are mounted on a shaft keyed on a motor drive shaft .

19. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 18, wherein said shaft is journaled at one end thereof in an outboard sealed bearing located in an outward bearing holder.

20. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 8, wherein said rock saw is provided with a safety guard, said safety guard having a dust outlet adapted to be connected in flow communication to collecting means, thereby allowing said safety guard to act as a dust pick-up device.

21. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 1, wherein said carrier is a motorized mobile carrier.

22. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 1, wherein said personal basket is pivotally mounted to a distal end portion of said boom so as to be self-leveling .

23. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 1, wherein said boom is pivotally mounted to said carrier for pivotal movement about two perpendicular axes so as to allow the boom to be swung laterally and pivoted vertically relative to the carrier.

24. An underground mining sampler as defined in claim 23, wherein said boom is telescopic.

25. A method for sampling minerals from a rock surface, comprising the steps of: drilling or cutting into the rock surface, and drawing dust samples generated by the drilling or cutting operation into a container where the dust samples are stored for subsequent analysis.