Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
  • E21B19/24—Guiding or centralising devices for drilling rods or pipes
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
  • E21B7/02—Drilling rigs characterised by means for land transport with their own drive, e.g. skid mounting or wheel mounting
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
  • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
  • E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
  • E21B19/14—Racks, ramps, troughs or bins, for holding the lengths of rod singly or connected; Handling between storage place and borehole

Definitions

• the invention relates to a method for manipulating rodlike pieces on a feed beam of a excavation apparatus.
• Drill rods, rock bolts and the like rodlike pieces used in excavation industry are introduced into the centre of a excavation unit and away therefrom by means of a changing device.
• rods locating in the centre are supported with one or more central izers arranged on the feed beam.
• the excavation apparatus and the centralizer are driven to a changing station, where the changing device may be turned in a direction transverse to the feed beam, whereby a closing element of the centralizer opens at the same time.
• the changing device is turned back to its normal position the closing element of the centralizer will close.
• the invention further relates to a centralizer and a rock drilling unit provided with the centralizer.
• Rock drilling employs a rock drilling unit, whose rock drilling machine and a tool coupled thereto produces a drill hole in material to be treated.
• the tool may comprise a drill rod and a drill bit connected to its distal end, or if drilling of long drill holes is concerned, there is a plurality of drill rods connected successively to form an extension drill rod arrangement.
• the drill rods are often relatively long, and therefore it is necessary to support them in the portion extending between the drill machine and the drill hole by means of a centralizer arranged on the feed beam.
• the centralizer comprises a central hole through which the rod is arranged. At the edge of the central hole there is a closing element that may be opened for the duration of the drill rod changes.
• Centralizers may also be employed in bolting devices, for instance.
• Publication Fl 74 778 sets forth that the closing element is held in a closed position by means of spring force. However, locking the closing element by means of a spring has been found insufficient.
• the object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved method for manipulating rods and further a novel and improved cen- tralizer and a rock drilling unit provided with the same.
• the method of the invention is characterized by locking the closing element of the centralizer in a shape-locked manner while in a closed position and preventing the opening of the closing element by the effect of forces exerted from the drill rod to the closing element.
• the centralizer of the invention is characterized in that the closing element is locked with shape-locked locking members while in a closed position, whereby the opening of the closing element by the effect of forces exerted from the drill rod to the closing element will be prevented.
• the rock drilling unit of the invention is characterized in that the closing element of the centralizer is shape-locked while in a closed position, whereby the opening of the closing element by the effect of forces exerted from the drill rod to the closing element will be prevented.
• the basic idea of the invention is that the closing element of the centralizer is locked in a shaped-locked manner, while in a closed position.
• the invention has an advantage that forces exerted from the drill rod or another excavation implement to the closing element are not capable of opening the shaped-locked locking during normal operation.
• the force produced by a force device only needs to keep the mutual position of the shape-locking members unchanged, and there is no need to design it such that it would be able to receive all the opening forces exerted from the drill rod to the closing element.
• the locking of the closing element being rigid, it is possible to make sure in all situations that the rod is retained in the centralizer. This is a clear advantage over the prior art solutions, in which the closing element is kept closed only be means of spring force.
• the basic idea of an embodiment is that the mutually shape- locking locking members affecting the closing element include at least two elongated transfer openings and a pivot pin locating therebetween and sliding along said transfer openings. [0014] The basic idea of an embodiment is to transmit a motion opening the shape locking to the locking members by means of a push rod that is arranged to move substantially only in its longitudinal direction.
• the frame of the centralizer comprises a first elongated transfer opening whose centre line is arranged in parallel with a guide member.
• the closing element comprises a second elongated transfer opening the centre line of which is curved and which is arranged transversely to the first transfer opening.
• Through said transfer openings there is arranged a transverse pivot pin which the guide member moves in a linear direction.
• the pivot pin and the transfer openings are arranged to form a mutual shape locking so as to retain the closing element in the closed position.
• the basic idea of an embodiment is that in the turning mechanism of a changing device there is coupled a separate push surface that is arranged to move with the changing device transversely to the feed beam.
• the push surface is arranged to push a push rod of the centralizer.
• the push surface may be arranged to move substantially only in a linear direction by means of an articulation mechanism.
• Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a excavation rig that is provided with two booms and with a drilling unit and a bolting device arranged thereon,
• Figure 2 is a schematic view of a rock drilling unit
• Figure 3 is a schematic view of the rock drilling unit, seen in the direction of the feed beam, in a situation where the centralizer is in a closed position,
• Figure 4 is a schematic view of the rock drilling unit of Figure 3 in a situation where the centralizer is driven to a changing station and a rod changing device is turned to the centre,
• Figures 5 and 6 show schematically and in perspective the operation of the centralizer and Figure 7 shows further schematically the shape locking of the closing element and forces exerted thereon.
• the excavation rig 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a mobile carrier 2, on which there is arranged one or more booms 3.
• the first boom 3a is a drill boom and it is provided with a rock drilling unit 4.
• the drilling unit 4 comprises a rock drilling machine 5 which may be moved on the feed beam 6 by means of a feed device 7.
• a tool 8 that may comprise a plurality of successive drill rods 9 which are interconnected with connecting means, such as threaded connections.
• connecting means such as threaded connections.
• a drill bit 10 whose drill buttons cut a drill hole 12 in the rock 11.
• the rock drilling machine 5 may comprise a percussion device which delivers impact pulses to the tool 8, which transmits them to the drill bit 10 and further to the rock 11 to be broken.
• the rock drilling machine 5 may also comprise a rotating device whereby the tool 8 may be rotated about its longitudinal axis during drilling.
• the drilling unit 4 may also be provided with a rod magazine 13 that is supported on the feed beam 6.
• the rod magazine 13 allows storage of extension rods 9 necessary for long hole drilling and other drilling tools.
• there is at least one changing device 14 wherewith drilling tools may be displaced between the rod magazine 13 and the drilling axis, i.e. the centre K.
• a retainer 15 In the portion at the distal end of the feed beam 6 there may be a retainer 15 whose jaws may grip the tool 8 and concentrate it to the centre K. Further, in the portion between the rock drilling machine 5 and the retainer 15 there may be one or more centralizers 16 arranged to move on the feed beam 6 together with the rock drilling machine 5.
• the second boom 3b of the excavation rig 1 of Figure 1 is provided with a second excavation unit 40, which comprises an excavation apparatus 17 for manipulating excavation implements 18, such as rock bolts, injection pipes or the like. It may be necessary to support also these implements with a centralizer 16. Consequently, in connection with a bolting device, for instance, there may be a changing device 14 and a magazine for storing the rodlike implements. Further, it may be provided with a centralizer 16 in accordance with the invention and with means for operating it.
• Figure 2 shows a rock drilling unit 4 whose feed beam 6 is provided with a rod magazine 13, wherein drill rods 9 or other rodlike implements necessary for drilling may be stored.
• a changing device 14 may be arranged in connection with the rod magazine 13.
• a centralizer 16 is supported to the feed beam 6 and it is arranged to move in accordance with the movements of the rock drilling machine 5. In a situation shown in Figure 2 the rock drilling machine 5 and the centralizer 16 are transferred in reverse direction B to a changing station V, where it is possible to introduce the drill rod 9 into the centre K from the rod magazine 13 or where the drill rod 9 may be removed from the centre K to be stored in the rod magazine.
• FIG. 3 shows a centralizer 16 in accordance with the invention and means for operating it.
• the centralizer 16 comprises a frame 19 by means of which it may be arranged movably on the feed beam 6. Further, the centralizer 16 is provided with a central opening 20, through which a rodlike implement, such as a drill rod, for instance, is arrangeable.
• the central opening 20 is arranged at the centre K of the rock drilling unit 4 or another excavation apparatus.
• a change opening 21 which may be closed partly or completely with a closing element 22 that may be a kind of a jaw piece, which may be connected to the frame 19 with a pivoted link 23.
• the closing element 22 may be opened such that the drill rod or the like may be arranged through the change opening 21 into the centre K or taken away from the centre K. When the closing element 22 is closed, the escape of the drill rod from the central opening 20 is prevented.
• the opening movement of the closing element 22 is arranged to be dependent on the operation of the changing device 14 at the changing station.
• the turning of the changing device 14 from the normal position shown in Figure 3 to a situation shown in Figure 4 is arranged to provide opening of the closing element 22 and release of the change opening 21.
• Figure 3 also shows a guide member 24, which is arranged to transmit a movement necessary for opening the closing element 22.
• the guide member 24 may be an elongated push rod 25 that may be supported to the frame 19 such that it may substantially move only in its longitudinal direction. In that case the push rod 25 only has a linear movement L to be transmit- ted to the operating mechanism of the closing element 22.
• Closing force which may be produced with one or more force members 26, such as a spring or the like, is arranged to affect the closing element 22.
• the force member 26 may be arranged to affect the push rod 25 and to transfer it to its normal position, when no external force is exerted on the push rod.
• the push rod 25 may comprise a roll or a like rolling means 27 at the end of the rod on the side of the changing device 14, which enables movement of the centralizer in relation to the changing device, when threaded connections are screwed open or closed and an axial movement is required.
• Figure 3 also shows that the changing device 14 and the rod magazine 13 integrated therein may be connected to a turning rod 28 which is parallel with the feed beam 6 and which may be turned about its longitudinal axis with a suitable turning device, whereby the feed station 29 of the changing device 14 may be applied to the centre K.
• the push rod 25 of the centralizer 16 is pushed in substantially linear direction by means of a push surface 30.
• the push surface 30 is arranged at an axial distance to the changing device 14 and it is connected by means of an articulation mechanism 31 to the turning rod 28 and to the feed beam 6. Turning of the turning rod 28 affects the movements of both the changing device 13 and the push surface 30.
• the articulation mechanism 31 is intended to keep the travel direction of the push surface 30 in the same direction with the push rod 25 so that the push rod would not be subjected to any unnecessary stresses.
• the articulation mechanism 31 may comprise at least one first arm 32 articulated to the feed beam 6 and at least one second arm 33 articulated to the turning rod 28.
• the turning rod 28 may comprise a crank 34 that may transmit the turning movement with the pin 35 or the like transmission member included therein to an elongated transfer opening 36 in the second arm 33.
• the transfer opening 36 it is possible to arrange a relatively short travel for the push surface 30 as compared with the travel required by the changing device 13. By changing the dimensions of the transfer opening 36 it is possible to adjust the travel to be obtained.
• the push rod 25 may be connected to a transverse pivot pin 37, which may be arranged to move guided by the first elongated transfer opening 38 provided in the frame of the centralizer 16.
• the centre line of the transfer opening 38 is arranged to be substantially in parallel with the linear movement of the push rod 25.
• the closing element 22 may further comprise a second transfer opening 39 whose centre line may be transverse to the first transfer opening 38.
• the centre line of the second transfer opening 39 may be curved.
• the first transfer opening 38 ensures the linear movement of the push rod 25, and on the other hand, together with the second transfer opening 39 and the pivot pin 37, it constitutes shape locking for the closing element 22. In a locking situation the force member 26 only needs to hold the shape-locking elements in predefined positions with respect to one another, whereby the rigid shape locking receives the forces exerted on the closing element 22, and locking is not dependent on the force generated by the force member 26.
• the second transfer opening 39 may comprise, in the outermost portion thereof, a locking notch (not shown) or the radius of curvature in the transfer opening 39 may change at the outermost portion thereof, whereby the shape locking between the pivot pin 37 and the transfer opening 39 is additionally ensured. Only after the push rod 25 has pushed the pivot pin 37 off the locking notch, the pivot pin 37 is able to slide along the transfer opening 39 and to turn the closing element 22 to the open position in relation to the articulation 23.
• Figures 5 and 6 further illustrate, in perspective view, cooperation between the centralizer 16 and the changing device 13.
• FIG. 7 shows the operation and shape locking of the closing element 22 and forces exerted thereon.
• transverse forces F2, F3 are exerted on the closing element 22, which forces tend to turn the closing element 22 towards the open position in relation to the pivoted link 23.
• a force FR is then exerted on the pivot pin 37, and the transfer opening 38 forms a counter force FT to the force FR.
• friction forces are generated in the central opening 20 between the drill rod 9 and the closing element 22. These produce a turning force F1 which also tends to open the closing element 22 in relation to its pivoted link 23.
• the force F1 produces in the pivot pin 37 a force FR, shown in the figure, to which the shape locking forms a counter force FT.
• the closing element 22 may not turn into the open position by the effect of any force transmitted through the drill rod. Only the linear movement L of the pivot pin 37 may open the shape locking in the direction guided by the transfer opening 38.
• the pivot pin 37 slides in the transfer opening towards its extreme position on the right, the pivot pin 37 pushes the closing element 22 simultaneously in relation to its pivoted link 23 towards the open position.
• the pivot pin 37 is located in the right-hand extreme positions, as can be seen in Figures 4 and 6.
• the rigid shape locking may also be implemented in other ways than those described in the above examples. For instance, it is possible that the shapes and mutual directions of the transfer openings are arranged in some other way. Even then a rigid locking is to be provided between the transfer openings and the pivot pin in relation to the directions of forces opening the closing element.
• Figures 3 to 7 concern a rock drilling unit, the solutions or operating principles presented therein may also be applied to a bolting device or any other excavation apparatus intended for manipulating rodlike pieces in an excavation.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Geology (AREA)
• Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Earth Drilling (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=40404637

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Cited By (3)

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Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2009
  • 2009-02-12 FI FI20095135A patent/FI121483B/fi active IP Right Grant
• 2010
  • 2010-02-11 WO PCT/FI2010/050089 patent/WO2010092236A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2010-02-11 CA CA2748173A patent/CA2748173C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2010-02-11 CN CN201080005175.1A patent/CN102292515B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2010-02-11 AU AU2010212735A patent/AU2010212735B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2010-02-11 EP EP10740971.6A patent/EP2396496B1/en active Active
  • 2010-02-11 JP JP2011549618A patent/JP5347036B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2011
  • 2011-08-29 ZA ZA2011/06320A patent/ZA201106320B/en unknown

Patent Citations (6)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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