WO2020056434A1

WO2020056434A1 - Rock drill adapted nozzle

Info

Publication number: WO2020056434A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2019/050051
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Charles Tyrer; Greig KNOX
Original assignee: Epiroc Holdings South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Priority date: 2018-09-13
Filing date: 2019-08-23
Publication date: 2020-03-19
Also published as: PE20211433A1; ZA201905567B; MX2021002799A; CL2021000583A1

Abstract

The rock drill adapted filler apparatus which includes, a nozzle component having a body which includes a passage with has an inlet end and an outlet end, with the outlet end adapted to receive a filler valve connector of a hydraulically inflatable device, a reciprocating element having a forward portion which sealingly engages with the passage form the inlet end, a back portion which projects from the passage, which has an actuating formation and which is adapted to engage a fluid input hose, and a bore through the element, a valve member in the passage or the bore, a clamping element pivotally connected to the nozzle body, which is biased to a release position, in which the element does not engage the connector, which is actuatable to pivot from the release position to a clamped position, in which the element engages the connector to hold the end against the outlet end of the passage, and which engages the actuating formation and an elevating component which is adapted at one end to engage a chuck of the rock drill and to which, at an opposed end, the nozzle body is pivotally engaged, wherein the reciprocating element has a forward position in which the actuating formation does not cause the clamping element to pivot to the damping position and wherein, with an increase in fluid pressure in the passage, the reciprocating formation moves from the forward position to a back position and the actuating formation causes the clamping element to pivot to the clamping position.

Description

ROCK DRILL. ADAPTED NOZZLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The Invention relates to a pressure vessel filler apparatus which is adapted for use with a rock drill. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Rock bolts are used to support the integrity of a mine excavation surface wall and to prevent the wall from disintegration or collapse.

[0003] Often use is made of a hydraulically inflatable rock bolt. This rock bolt has a hydraulically inflatable body which is inflated to circumferentially expand to load supportive contact with the wails of a rock hole in which it is inserted.

[0004] Inflation of the bolt takes place after insertion into the rock hole. The difficulty in inflating the bolt is that often the bolt is installed in a hole in a hanging wall which is out of reach of a mine worker. The mine worker cannot easily attach a filler nozzle end of a hydraulic fluid supply line to a filler valve at a protruding end of the bolt. [0005] The invention at least partially addresses the aforementioned problem.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] The invention provides a rock drill adapted filler apparatus which makes use of the supportive function of a rock drill associated with an air leg or a similar mounting device, such as that described in the specification to ZA2009/07888, as a means to inflate a pressure vessel, such as a rock bolt. [SOOT] The rock drill adapted filler apparatus which includes: a nozzie component having: a body which includes a passage with has an inlet end and an outlet end, with the outlet end adapted to receive a filler valve connector of a hydraulically inflatable device; a reciprocating element having a forward portion which sealingly engages with the passage form the inlet end, a back portion which projects from the passage, which has an actuating formation and which is adapted to engage a fluid input hose, and a bore through the element; a valve member in the passage or the bore; a clamping element pivotally connected to the nozzle body, which is biased to a release position, in which the element does not engage the connector, which is actuatable to pivot from the release position to a damped position, in which the element engages the connector to hold the end against the outlet end of the passage, and which engages the actuating formation; and an elevating component which is adapted at one end to engage a chuck of the rock drill and to which, at an opposed end, the nozzle body is pivotally engaged; wherein the reciprocating element has a forward position in which the actuating formation does not cause the clamping element to pivot to the clamping position; and wherein, with an increase in fluid pressure in the passage, the reciprocating formation moves from the forward position to a back position and the actuating formation causes the clamping element to pivot to the clamping position

[0008] The clamping element may be a pair of jaws, each pivotally connected on opposed sides of the nozzle body

[0009] The actuating formation may have a first sloping surface,

[0010] Each jaw may have a clawed forward end which, in the damped position, is adapted to engage a flange of the valve connector.

[0011] Each jaw may have bulged back end which has a second sloping surface which is complementary to the first tapered surface and over which the second tapered surface rides, when the reciprocating element moves from the forward to the back position, to push each jaw against bias and pivotally to the clamped position

[0012] The nozzle component may have a pair of springs, each spring located between the nozzle body and the respective jaw to bias the jaw in the release position,

[0013] The valve member may engage a valve seat in the passage or the bore to close the passage or bore to fluid outflow from the hydraulically inflatable device. Preferably, the valve member is located in the bore and the valve seat is in the passage such that, when the reciprocating element is in the forward position, the valve member seaiingiy engages the valve seat. [0014] The elevating component may include a shaft, which is adapted at one end to engage the rock drill chuck, and a yoke between the arms of which the nozzle body is pivotally engaged,

£0015] The invention further provides a nozzle for a rock drill adapted filler apparatus which includes; a body which includes a passage with has an iniet end and an outlet end, with the outlet end adapted to receive a filler valve connector of a hydraulically inflatable device; a reciprocating element having a forward portion which sealingly engages with the passage form the inlet end, a back portion which projects from the passage, which has an actuating formation and which is adapted to engage a fluid input hose, and a bore through the element; a valve member in the passage or the bore; a damping element pivotally connected to the nozzle body, which is biased to a release position, in which the element does not engage the connector, which is actuatab!e to pivot from the re!ease position to a clamped position, in which the element engages the connector to hoid the end against the outlet end of the passage, and which engages the actuating formation; wherein the reciprocating element has a forward position in which the actuating formation does not cause the clamping element to pivot to the clamping position; and wherein, with an increase in fluid pressure in the passage, the reciprocating formation moves from the forward position to a back position and the actuating formation causes the clamping element to pivot to the clamping position

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] The invention is described with reference to the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a rock drill adapted filler apparatus in accordance with the invention:

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of a nozzle component of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a view in section of the nozzle component, showing one configuration of the parts of the component; and

Figure 4 is a view in section of the nozzle component, showing another configuration of the parts of the component

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Figure 1 illustrates a rock drill adapted filler apparatus 10 in accordance with the invention.

[0018] The apparatus 10 includes a nozzle component 12 and an elevating component 14 to which the nozzle component is engaged. It is on the elevating component that the nozzle component can be elevated, when the elevating component is engaged with a rock drill associated with an air leg (both of which are not illustrated), towards a hydraulically inflatable rock bolt 15 (a trailing end of which is illustrated in Figure 4) inserted in a hanging wall. [0019] The elevating component 14 includes a shaft 16, with a first end 18 and a second end 20, and a yoke 22. The shaft has a coliar 24 which separates a first end section 26 from a second end section 28 of the shaft. The first end section 26 has a smaller radius to the second end. It is this first end section that is insertable into a chuck of a rock drill, with a clip of the drill locating over the collar. The cylindrical shape of the shaft prevents the drill from rotating the elevating component.

[0020] The yoke 22 is fixed to the second end 20 of the shaft 16. The yoke has a pair of parallel mounting arms, respectively designated 3GA and 30B, between which the nozzle component 12 is pivotally engaged. [0021] The nozzle component 12 includes a body 32. A bolt 34 passes through the arms 30 and the body in pivotal engagement, allowing for at least a 60° range of movement in a plane. This movement is necessary' to optimally position the nozzle body co-axialiy with the hydraulically inflatable rock bolt.

[0022] The body 32 of the nozzle component includes a fluid passage 36 which is extends axially through the body, opening at a back end 38 and an opposed outlet end 40. The outlet end opens into a recessed port 42 which is recessed into a front surface 44 of the body.

[0023] The passage 36 is divided, by a partitioning wall 46, into a leading chamber 48 and a cylindrical trailing chamber 50. These chambers are in fluid communication via a hole 52 in the partitioning wall. [0024] Within the leading chamber, there is a nozzle seal 54 which is biased towards the outlet end 40 by a first valve spring 58 which abuts against the partitioning wall 46.

[0025] The nozzle component further includes a reciprocating plunger 60 and a clamping member 64.

[0026] The reciprocating plunger 60 has a cylindrical body which has a bore 66 extending through the body, between an inlet end 68 and an opposed inside end 70. The inside end is partially closed with an inwardly projecting retaining tabs 72.

[0027] Within the bore, the plunger has a poppet valve member 74 which is biased against the retaining rim 72 by a second valve spring 76. The spring is interposed between this valve member and an annular ridge.

[0028] On an exterior, the plunger 80 has an annular abutment formation 78. The formation exteriorly divides the plunger into a forward portion 80 and a back portion

82. [0029] The annular abutment formation 78 has an outer facing sloping leveraging surface 84.

|0030] The forward portion 80 is formed with annular rebates in which respective Co ring seals 88 seat. The forward portion, being cylindrical complementary, sealingly engages the cylindrical trailing chamber 50. The back portion 82 is adapted to engage a fluid input hose (not shown). [0031] Reciprocal movement of the plunger is allowed, relatively to the chamber, between a forward position, illustrated in Figure 3, and a back position illustrated in Figure 4.

[0032] In the forward position, a leading end of the valve member 74 comes into sealing contact with the partitioning wall 46 to close the hole 52.

[0033] The clamping member 64 includes a pair of jaws, respectively designated 90A and 90B Each jaw extends between a clawed front end 92 and a bulged back end 94, The bulged back end has an inward facing sloping surface 96

[0034] Each jaw element is engaged to the nozzle body 32 on an opposed side, between a respective pair of mounting plates 98. This relative positioning is shown in

Figure 2 Each jaw can pivot between the plates, about a respective pivot axis provided by an attaching rivet 100, between released position shown in Figure 3 and a damped position shown in Figure 4.

[0035] A biasing spring 102 is associated with each jaw element 90. Each spring is fitted, within respective recesses 104, between the respective jaw and the nozzle body 32 to bias the jaw in the released position

[0038] In use, the nozzle component is elevated, on the elevating component 14 by actuating the airleg, into a position adjacent the rock bolt 15. The nozzle body 32 is pivoted so as to present the recessed port 44 to the filler nozzle 106 on the projecting end of the bolt. At his point the nozzle body can be pushed onto the button, with the button entering the recessed port, abutting the nozzle rings 54 and the forward end of the nozzle seal 56. [0O37| The jaws, at this point, are in the open or released position, Figure 3 illustrates this.

[0038] A pressurised stream of water is now introduced to the nozzle component 12 for directed input to the inflatable rock bolt to inflate the rock bolt. The stream enters the nozzle body 32 through the inlet end 68 of the plunger 60 The increased pressure within the bore 66 of the plunger and the trailing chamber 50 of the passage 36 causes the plunger to move from the forward position, lifting the valve member 74 from over the hole 52 to allow the flow of the fluid into the rock bolt through the filler nozzle 106 [0039] At the same time, with the movement of the plunger towards the back position, the abutment formation 78 moves against bulged back end 94 of each of the jaws 90 In so doing, the sloping surface 96 of the jaws 90 rides up the sloping surface 84 of the abutment formation, causing each of the jaws to pivot about the respective pivot axis, defined by the respective rivet 100, against the bias of the springs 102, tilting the clawed front end 92 of each jaw inwardly to the damped position. In this clamped position, the clawed end of each jaw engages a connector flange of the filler nozzle 106

[0040] in this manner, the filler nozzle button 106 is clamped between jaws' clawed front end 92 and the biased nozzle seal 56. The nozzle sea! 54 seals the engagement of the nozzle 106 against the outlet end 40

[0041] The opposed action of the jaws 90 and the nozzle seal 56 on the nozzle button 106 holds the nozzle component 12 onto the rock bolt to allow complete inflation of the rock bolt in the elevated position without a worker having to hold the apparatus 10 in place. When inflation is complete, and the pressurised water supply to the nozzle component 12 is stopped, the pressure within the nozzle body 32 drops and the jaws return to the biased released position, pulling the plunger 80 back to the forward position in which the hole 52 is once again sealed by the popper valve member 74.

Claims

1. A hydraulic fluid filler apparatus which includes a nozzle component having a body which includes a passage with has an inlet end and an outlet end, with the outlet end adapted to receive a filler valve connector of a hydraulically inflatable device, a reciprocating element having a forward portion which sealingly engages with the passage from the inlet end, a back portion which projects from the passage, which has an actuating formation and which is adapted to engage a fluid input hose, and a bore through the element, a valve member in the passage or the bore, a clamping element pivotally connected to the body of the nozzle component, which is biased to a release position in which the element does not engage the connector, which is actuatable to pivot from the release position to a clamped position, in which the element engages the connector to hold the end against the outlet end of the passage, and which engages the actuating formation, and an elevating component which is adapted at one end to engage a chuck of the rock drill and to which, at an opposed end, the nozzle body, is pivotally engaged, wherein the reciprocating element has a forward position in which the actuating formation does not cause the clamping element to pivot to the clamping position, and wherein, with an increase in fluid pressure in the passage, the reciprocating formation moves from the forward position to a back position and the actuating formation causes the clamping element to pivot to the clamping position.

2. A hydraulic fluid filter apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the clamping element includes a pair of jaws, each pivotaliy connected on opposed sides of the nozz!e body.

3. A hydraulic fluid filler apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein each jaw has a forward end which, in the clamped position, is adapted to engage a flange of the valve connector.

4. A hydraulic fluid filler apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the actuating formation has a first sloping surface.

5. A hydraulic fluid filler apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each jaw has a back end which includes a second sloping surface which is complementary to the first sloping surface and over which the second sloping surface rides, when the reciprocating element moves from the forward to the back position, to push each jaw against bias and pivotally to the clamped position.

8. A hydraulic fluid filler apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the nozzle component has a pair of springs, each spring located between the nozzle body and the respective jaw to bias the jaw in the release position.

7. A hydraulic fluid filler apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the valve member is adapted to engage a valve seat in the passage or the bore to close the passage or bore to fluid outflow from the hydraulically inflatable device

8. A hydraulic fluid filler apparatus according to claims 1 to 7 wherein the elevating component includes a shaft, which is adapted at one end to engage the rock drill chuck, and a yoke between the arms of which the nozzle body is pivotally engaged.

9. A nozzle for a hydraulic fluid filler apparatus which includes a body which includes a passage with has an inlet end and an outlet end, with the outlet end adapted to receive a filler valve connector of a hydraulically inflatable device, a reciprocating element having a forward portion which sealing ly engages with the passage from the inlet end, a back portion which projects from the passage, which has an actuating formation and which is adapted to engage a fluid input hose, and a bore through the element, a valve member in the passage or the bore, a clamping element pivotally connected to the nozzle body, which is biased to a release position, in which the element does not engage the connector, which is actuatab!e to pivot from the release position to a clamped position, in which the element engages the connector to hold the end against the outlet end of the passage, and which engages the actuating formation, wherein the reciprocating element has a forward position in which the actuating formation does not cause the clamping element to pivot to the clamping position, and wherein, with an increase in fluid pressure in the passage, the reciprocating formation moves from the forward position to a back position and the actuating formation causes the damping element to pivot to the clamping position.