Patent Application
20240102363
The present invention relates to the field of bore hole drilling, particularly although not exclusively in blasting operations for mining and quarrying.
Above ground, open cut mining methods can involve blasting with explosives to dislodge bulk quantities of ore for excavation and recovery. Bench blasting is a process that involves drilling holes into rock to depths of up to 50 metres or more and filing the holes with explosive material to form a column charge that fractures the rock in a controlled manner. The blasting holes can have diameters as large as 270 to 311 or even up to 350 millimetres.
Blast holes are typically drilled using percussive drilling techniques. Percussion energy is generated by a reciprocating piston wherein each piston impact causes tungsten carbide buttons in the drill bit penetrate the rock. The drill string is rotated after each impact to turn the drill bit to a new position so that the buttons strike fresh rock surfaces. Top hammer percussive drilling is where percussion energy is applied by a piston to an upper end of the drill string. Down-the-hole percussive (DTH) drilling is where percussive energy is applied by a piston to a lower portion of the drill string, just above the bit. Top hammer drilling is generally used for drilling relatively smaller diameter holes whereas DTH drilling is generally used for drilling larger diameter holes.
Rotary drilling is another technique for drilling blast holes. Rotary drilling does not use percussion. Instead, rotary drilling applies a feed force and a rotation torque. The torque causes the bit to rotate, while the feed force holds the bit firmly against the rock surface. The combination of rotary torque and feed force enables the bit to penetrate the rock by cutting into the rock surface.
Most of the rock that is fractured after a blasting operation is removed by excavators for further processing. However, significant quantities of loose rock fragments, or “preconditioned” material, from the sub-drilled region after achieving the Reduced Level (RL) can remain on the bench in the location where blast holes for a subsequent blasting operation are drilled. A preconditioned layer depth of up to 4 metres or more can improve the efficiency of the comminution process by maximising the volume of fine fragmentation that results from the subsequent blasting operation.
Loose rock fragments from the preconditioned layer surrounding the blast hole, commonly referred to as the “collar” region of the blast hole, can collapse into the blast hole after drilling. Applicant's patent application WO2019014716 discloses a collar support apparatus for preventing surrounding loose rock fragments from falling or collapsing into a blast hole. The apparatus includes a normally flat flexible sheet that is formed into a curved form to define a longitudinal passage and is then inserted into the open end of a blast hole. The curved sheet closely faces an internal surface of the blast hole and forms a barrier preventing surrounding loose rock fragments from falling or collapsing into the open end of the blast hole.
However, even during drilling or immediately after drilling, and before the collar support apparatus can be located in position, surrounding loose rock fragments can collapse into the bore hole. Accordingly, there exists a need for a drilling system that minimises any chance for loose rock fragments from the preconditioned layer to collapse into the bore hole.
Also the process of manually manipulating a preformed collar support apparatus and inserting the collar support apparatus into the bore hole can be laborious and time consuming. Accordingly, there exists a need for a drilling system whereby a collar support apparatus can be positioned within a bore hole that is less laborious and time consuming.
Any discussion of background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that any of the documents or other material referred to was published, known or forms part of the common general knowledge.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides a bore hole sleeve apparatus for a bore hole drill, the sleeve apparatus including a tube member adapted to be coupled to a mast of a mobile bore hole drill and to be positioned within the collar region of a bore hole, the tube member including a longitudinal internal passage for receiving a drill string therethrough and an external surface for facing outwardly against a wall of the bore hole.
Preferably, the tube member and the mast include a coupling for securing the tube member to the mast.
Preferably, the coupling is adapted for releasably securing the tube member to the mast.
Preferably, the coupling is adapted for permitting movement of the tube member relative to the mast between a position in which the tube member is aligned with an axis of the drill string and another position in which the tube member is offset from the axis of the drill string while the tube member and the mast remain coupled together.
Preferably, the coupling includes a slot mount coupling.
Preferably, the coupling includes an adapter secured to the mast that includes a slot for receiving a flange at an end of the tube member.
Preferably, the slot is defined between a pair of opposing plates that, in use, are oriented substantially parallel with the bench surface.
Preferably, the flange is adapted to enter and exit the slot with horizontal movement of the adapter relative to the tube member.
Preferably, the flange is adapted to move within the slot between a position in which the tube member is aligned with an axis of the drill string and another position in which the tube member is offset from the axis of the drill string.
Preferably, the flange is a substantially planar member fixed at the end of the tube member. Preferably, the flange has a polygonal shape. Preferably the flange has opposite tapering edges providing a narrower width at one end of the flange for guiding the flange into the slot.
Preferably, the pair of plates each include an opening, preferably located centrally, for receiving the drill string therethrough and for alignment with the longitudinal internal passage of the tube member.
Preferably, the opening through a lower one of the plates is open to one side of the plate for receiving the tube member therewithin.
Preferably, one or more protrusions extend from the flange for engaging the bench surface and for maintaining a gap between the flange and the bench surface. Preferably, the protrusions extending from the flange are adapted for engaging the bench surface and for supporting the mast thereon. Preferably, the protrusions are adapted to maintain the flange proud of the bench surface to allow one of the plates of the adapter to locate between the flange and the bench surface.
Preferably, the tube member is adapted to be self-supporting within the collar of the bore hole for receiving a collar support apparatus within the longitudinal internal passage.
Preferably, the tube member includes a rigid, cylindrically shaped body portion with openings at opposite ends and the longitudinal internal passage extending therebetween.
In a preferred embodiment, the tube member is self-supporting with an end of the longitudinal internal passage at the level of the bench surface.
In another aspect, the invention provides a drilling apparatus, including
In embodiments, the tube member is movable while remaining coupled to the mast between a position in which the tube member is aligned with an axis of the drill string and another position in which the tube member is offset from the axis of the drill string. These embodiments are particularly although not exclusively suited for smaller surface drilling platforms that are typically used for drilling bore holes of between about 89 to 165 millimetres in diameter, commonly referred to as “crawler drilling rigs”.
In embodiments, the tube member is movable axially while remaining coupled to the mast for lowering the tube member into the bore hole and for raising the tube member out of the bore hole. Preferably, the bore hole sleeve apparatus includes a hydraulic actuator to axially translate, for example to lift and lower, the tube member relative to the bore hole. These embodiments are particularly although not exclusively suited for larger surface drilling platforms that are typically used for drilling bore holes of between about 165 to 351 millimetres in diameter, commonly referred to as “platform drilling rigs”.
In embodiments, the drilling apparatus further includes a sheet deployment apparatus for deploying a flexible sheet into the open end of the tube member located in the bore hole.
In embodiments, the sheet deployment apparatus includes a sheet former adapted to form a flat flexible sheet into a curved form and to feed the curved sheet into the open end of the tube member located in the bore hole.
Preferably, the forming apparatus includes a wide mouth inlet and tapers to a narrower round outlet to define a path for a flexible sheet and a feeding mechanism for feeding the flexible sheet through the inlet and the round outlet and into the tube member.
Preferably, the drilling apparatus includes a store of a plurality of the flexible sheets and a picker is adapted to pick the sheets one at a time. The flexible sheets can be flat and arranged in a stack or the flexible sheet can be pre-rolled sheet and including a tie that holds each of the pre-rolled sheets in the rolled form. In embodiments, the deployment device is adapted to pick one of the pre-rolled sheets and feed the pre-rolled sheet into the bore hole through the tube member.
Preferably, the drilling apparatus further includes a shroud adapted to be substantially sealed with the longitudinal internal passage of the tube member for directing cuttings and/or bailings that emerge from the bore hole during drilling.
Preferably, the shroud includes an axial passageway for receiving the drilling string therethrough and an outlet opening that is oriented transversely to the axial passageway.
Preferably, the outlet opening is adapted to be coupled to a flexible conduit of a vacuum apparatus.
Preferably, the shroud is mounted to the mast and an actuator is adapted to translate the shroud upwards and downwards in a linear range of motion.
Preferably, the drilling apparatus further includes an outlet located next to or underneath the mobile platform for directing cuttings and/or bailings that emerge from the bore hole during drilling to a pile adjacent to or beneath the mobile platform.
Embodiments of the drilling apparatus include various types of mobile drilling apparatus comprising a mobile, tracked platform comprising a drill mast supporting a drill string and accompanying percussion rotary air blast drilling apparatus. In some embodiments, such mobile drilling apparatus include smaller surface drilling platforms that are typically used for drilling bore holes of between about 89 to 165 millimetres in diameter, commonly referred to as “crawler drilling rigs” and produced by manufacturers such as Sandvik, Epiroc, Komatsu and Caterpillar. In other embodiments, such mobile drilling apparatus include larger surface drilling platforms that are typically used for drilling bore holes of between about 165 to 351 millimetres in diameter, commonly referred to as “platform drilling rigs” produced by manufacturers such as Sandvik, Epiroc, Komatsu and Caterpillar.
Embodiments of the drilling apparatus comprising the shroud for directing cuttings and/or bailings that emerge from the bore hole during drilling are advantageous when implemented in classes of larger mobile drilling platforms, such as those typically for drilling larger diameter bore holes of 165 to 351 millimetres. Such existing drilling platforms can comprise cuttings and/or bailings management systems comprising simply surrounding the bore hole with flexible curtains attached to and draping down from beneath the platform. Embodiments of the invention can replace or complement such existing systems.
In embodiments, the drilling apparatus includes a system for injecting a composition between the external surface of the tube member and the surrounding wall of the bore hole.
Preferably, the system for injecting a composition includes a store of the composition and coupled to a network of conduits and openings formed in the tube member. Thus, when the tube member is located within the bore hole the composition comes out of the openings and enters the space between the tube member and the bore hole or penetrates the surrounding loose rock fragments or both.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of drilling a bore hole including:
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of providing a collar support apparatus into a bore hole, the method including:
Preferably, providing a support in the bore hole includes inserting a collar support apparatus comprised of a flexible sheet of material into the longitudinal internal passage of the tube member and; wherein removing the tube member from the bore hole leaving behind the collar support apparatus within the bore hole.
Preferably, moving the mast relative to the tube member includes moving the mast between a position in which the tube member is aligned with an axis of the drill string and another position in which the tube member is offset from the axis of the drill string while the tube member and the mast remain coupled together.
Preferably, removing the tube member from the bore hole includes manoeuvring the mast to raise the tube member out of the bore hole.
Preferably, coupling the tube member to the mast includes horizontally translating the mast relative to the tube member. In an embodiment, uncoupling the tube member and the mast also includes horizontally translating the mast relative to the tube member.
Preferably, an adapter secured to the mast includes a slot and an end of the tube member includes a flange, whereby the horizontal movement of the mast relative to the tube member causes the flange to move into or out of the slot.
In embodiments, providing a support in the bore hole for stabilising the collar region of the bore hole includes injecting a composition between the external surface of the tube member and the surrounding wall of the bore hole.
In embodiments, the injected composition cures or otherwise hardens or solidifies to become self-supporting or binds the loose rock fragments to form a composite collar support.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a sheet forming device adapted to form a flat flexible sheet into a curved form and to feed the curved sheet into a tube member located within the collar region of a bore hole, the device including:
Preferably, the forming apparatus includes a wide mouth inlet and tapers to a narrower round outlet to define a path for the flexible sheet wherein the feeding mechanism feeds the flexible sheet through the inlet and the outlet of the forming apparatus and into the tube member.
Preferably, a plurality of the flexible sheets are arranged in a stack from which the feed mechanism is configured to pick the sheets one at a time.
Preferably, the sheet forming device is configured for attachment to a mast of a bore hole drilling apparatus.
The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures, wherein:
The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the Figures.
Blast-hole drilling is a technique that is used in the extraction of minerals and rock products from surface mines and quarries. A bore-hole drill produces bore holes according to a predetermined pattern and depth. The holes are then charged with explosive and the minerals and rocks are blasted and fragmented for subsequent removal by excavators for further processing. Significant quantities of loose rock fragments, or “preconditioned” material, can remain on the bench from the sub-drilled region after achieving the Reduced Level (RL). A preconditioned layer depth of up to 4 metres or more can improve the efficiency of the comminution process by maximising the volume of fine fragmentation that results from the subsequent blasting operation.
Referring to
The sleeve apparatus 100, in particular the tube member 110, is adapted to support the collar of the bore hole 2 during drilling and immediately after drilling and before a collar support apparatus can be located in position within the collar of the bore hole 2. In some embodiments, the sleeve apparatus 100, and in particular the tube member 110, is adapted to receive a collar support apparatus therewithin. The tube member 110 can thereby assist in the steps of forming the normally flat collar support apparatus into a curved form and inserting the collar support apparatus into the bore hole.
The drilling rig 10 comprises a self-propelled vehicle 12 including a hydraulic arm 14 that supports a mast 20. The mast 20 itself is adapted to support a drill string 30 comprised of a plurality of drill rods 35 and a bit 37 at the end of the drill string 30. The drill rods 35 are coupled together by threaded connections therebetween.
In one aspect, the invention is directed to a bore hole sleeve apparatus 100 adapted to be coupled to the mast 20 in a manner that will be described in more detail below. In another aspect, the invention is directed to the combination of the mobile drilling rig 10 and the bore hole sleeve apparatus 100.
The mast 20 carries a drilling head 25 including a reciprocating piston or hammer assembly and a rotary assembly which together are adapted to apply percussive force and rotational torque to the drill string 30. The drilling head 25 can be raised and lowered by a hydraulically driven up-down feed system 29 to enable pipes or rods to be removed from, or added to, the drill string.
The mast 20 contains a store 27 of a plurality of the drill rods 35. During a drilling operation, when the top of the uppermost drill rod 35 reaches the bottom of the mast 20 a subsequent drill rod 35 is swung into position by the drill rod feed system 29 and into axial alignment with the uppermost drill rod 35 of the drill string 37. The drilling head 25 engages and rotates the subsequent drill rod 35 to threadably couple with the top of the drill rod 35 below. The drilling head 20 then resumes drilling by applying percussive force and rotational torque to the drill string 30.
As illustrated in
The external surface 125 of the tube member 110 is adapted for facing outwardly against a wall of the bore hole 2. The diameter of the external surface 125 of the tube member 110 is ideally slightly greater, or slightly less or about the same as the diameter of the drill bit 37. The diameter of the external surface 125 of the tube member 110 is ideally slightly greater, or slightly less or about the same as the diameter of the bore hole 2 to be formed thereby. Accordingly, different diameter tube members 110 may be provided for use with different diameter drill bits 37 and/or different diameter bore holes 2.
In some bore hole drilling operations, a preconditioned layer depth of up to 4 metres or more can be employed. The section of the bore hole 2 in the preconditioned layer is sometimes referred to as the “collar”. The preconditioned layer is comprised of fragmented rock which can consist of a wide range of particle sizes including fine, medium, and coarse with ranges of 1 mm to 100 mm or more. The bore hole sleeve apparatus 100 is adapted to provide temporary support for the wall of the bore hole 2 in the collar region, both during the drilling operation and after the bore hole has been drilled to the desired depth.
In another aspect, the invention is directed to a coupling between the mast 20 of the drilling rig 10 and the tube member 110 for securing the tube member 110 to the mast 20. As will be apparent from the foregoing description, in embodiments disclosed herein, the coupling is adapted for permitting movement of the tube member 110 relative to the mast 20 between a position in which the tube member 110 is aligned with an axis of the drill string 30 and another position in which the tube member 110 is offset from the axis of the drill string 30 while the tube member 110 and the mast 20 remain coupled together.
Referring to
Referring to
The adapter 150 also includes a horizontally oriented slot 160 defined between horizontally oriented upper and lower plates 164, 174. The slot 160 is closed at laterally opposite sides 161, 163 and is open to one end 162. In an embodiment not illustrated, the lower plate 174 flares outwardly, however both the upper and lower plates 164, 174 can flare outwardly at the open end 162 of the slot 160 or neither can be flared outwardly. The upper and lower plates 164, 174 are located horizontally adjacent to the foot pad 155.
The riser 157 is formed with a vertical upright section 156 and a pair of opposite gusset sections 158, 159 extending between the upright section and the upper and lower plates 164, 174. The gusset sections 158, 159 provide structural support and rigidity for the connection between the vertical upright section 156 and the upper and lower plates 164, 174.
The upper and lower plates 164, 174 each include a central opening 165, 175 that, when coupled to the mast 20, are both axially aligned with the drill string 30. The gusset sections 158, 159 are arranged opposite each other and are spaced apart by a distance at least equal to or greater than a diameter of the central opening 165 in the upper plate 164. The central opening 175 of the lower plate 174 opens to the side 162 so that the flange 115 can be received into the slot 160 through the opening on the side 162 and be positioned between the upper and lower plates 164, 174 with the tube member 110 extending downwardly through the central opening 175 in the lower plate 174 as illustrated in
As the adapter 150 translates horizontally relative to the tube member 110 the lower plate 174 of the adapter 150 is received in the space between the flange 115 and the surface of the bench maintained by the protrusions 116. Thus, the protrusions 116 elevate the flange 115 above the surface of the bench to allow flange 115 to locate below and engage the bottom surface of the flange 115.
The tube member 110 and the adapter 150 are configured so that the tube member 110 is movable between a position in which the tube member 110 is aligned with an axis of the drill string 30 and another position in which the tube member 110 is offset from the axis of the drill string 30. This can be achieved through different means. However, in the embodiment illustrated in the figures this is achieved by the relative movement of the flange 115 relative to the horizontally oriented slot 160. During the movement of the tube member 110 and the adapter, the flange 115 is located within the slot 160 between the upper and lower plates 164, 174 of the adapter 150.
The height of the protrusions 116 extending from the flange 115 of the tube member 110 is greater than the combined height of the lower plate 174 and the foot pad 155, and any protrusions associated with the foot pad. The protrusions 116 elevate the flange 115 above the surface of the bench by a height sufficient to allow the lower plate 174 and any protrusions associated with the foot pad 155, if any, to locate under the flange 115 and still be clear of the surface of the bench. Accordingly, the protrusions 116 of the tube member 110 have a height sufficient so that when resting on the bench surface the adapter 150 can be clear of the bench surface and can move horizontally relative to the tube member 110 while the flange 115 is located within the slot 160.
In use, the drill string 30 passes through central openings 165, 167 of the upper and lower plates 164, 174 and, in turn, through the longitudinal internal passage 120 within the tube member 110 as illustrated in
In another embodiment, the adapter 150 may be configured to fit with the proprietary foot assembly. In such an embodiment, the adapter 150 may not include the foot pad 155 or the riser 157 and instead may be largely comprised only of the horizontally oriented upper and lower plates 164, 174.
In
An operator of the drill rig 10 causes the hydraulic arm 14 to manoeuvre the mast 20 with the adapter 150 secured thereto. The tube member 110 is preferably supported upright, such as on a vehicle or some other support structure, with the flange 115 at the top. The mast 20 is manoeuvred so that the slot 160 is oriented in alignment with the flange 115. The mast 20 is then manoeuvred relative to the tube member 110 so that the flange 115 is received into the slot 160 whereby the tube member 110 and the adapter 150, and the mast 20 connected thereto, are coupled together.
The width dimension of the slot 160 between the closed laterally opposite sides 161, 163 is greater than the width dimension between the parallel edge sections 117a, 118a of the flange 115. The tapering edge sections 117b, 118b provide a narrower width dimension at one end 119 of the flange 115 to assist in guiding the flange 115 into the slot 160.
The drilling rig 10 is moved into position adjacent to the location at which a bore hole 2 is to be drilled. As illustrated in
Drilling continues until the desired hole depth is reached. The drill string 30 is then withdrawn from the bore hole 2 as illustrated in
In an embodiment, not illustrated in the figures the mast 20 is manoeuvred horizontally so that the flange 115 moves out of the slot 160 whereby the tube member 110 and the adapter 150, and the mast 20 connected thereto, are uncoupled. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the mast 20 is manoeuvred horizontally so that the flange 115 moves relative to the slot 160 but still remains within the slot 160 between the upper and lower plates 164, 174 of the adapter 150. Embodiments in which the flange 115 remains within the slot 160 are advantageous in that they do not require the operator to reposition the lower plate 174 of the adapter 150 in the relatively small space between the flange 115 and to surface of the bench.
The bore hole sleeve apparatus 100 is adapted for use with a collar support apparatus 200 for preventing loose rock fragments in the preconditioned layer from falling or collapsing into the bore hole, such as the apparatus 200 illustrated in
The collar support apparatus 200 includes a flexible sheet 210 including a pair of opposite surfaces 211, 212 and a pair of spaced apart longitudinally extending side edges 214, 216 and a pair of spaced apart laterally extending end edges 215, 217. The normally flat sheet 210 being adapted, in use, to be formed into a curved, substantially cylindrical shape to define a longitudinal passage 218 extending between openings at longitudinally opposite ends 211, 219.
The flexible sheet 210 is preferably comprised of a resilient material, such as a resiliently flexible polymeric material which may be reinforced with nylon or some other flexible reinforcement. The sheet 210 is preferably rectangular in shape such that the side edges 214, 216 are parallel and the end edges 215, 217 are also parallel. The side edges 214, 216 are tapered at one end. The sheet 20 includes a series of apertures 213 that are arranged in laterally spaced apart and longitudinally aligned pairs for use as hand holds and for hanging the collar support apparatus 200 when not in use.
As illustrated in
One of the surfaces 211, 212 of the sheet 210 faces outwardly against the inwardly facing surface of the bore hole 2 and forms a barrier preventing surrounding loose rock fragments from falling or collapsing into the bore hole 2. Because the material from which the sheet 210 is formed is resilient the sheet 210 tends towards assuming its flat form and this property causes the surface 211, 212 of the sheet 210 facing outwardly to apply pressure against the inwardly facing surface of the bore hole 2. At least part of the collar support apparatus 200 may also protrude above the bench surface to provide additional protection against surrounding loose rock fragments on the bench surface from falling or collapsing into the bore hole 2.
The longitudinal dimension of the sheet 210 between the longitudinally opposite end edges 215, 217 may be 1 metre, 1.5 metres, 2, metres, 2.5 metres, 3 metres, 3.5 metres, 4 metres or more in length or any length in between. When positioned within the blast hole 2 the sheet 210 provides support for the internal surface of the bore hole 2 through a substantial portion of the wall of the bore hole 2 in the collar region.
The width of the sheet 210 between the pair of parallel side edges 214, 216 is preferably, though not necessarily, slightly more than the circumference of the bore hole 2. When the sheet 210 assumes the substantially cylindrical form within the bore hole 2 the side edges 214, 216 of the sheet 210 slightly overlap. However, in another embodiment, the side edges 214, 216 of the sheet do not overlap and are slightly spaced apart.
The drilling rig 10 is moved into position adjacent to the location at which the next bore hole 2 is to be drilled and the above described process is repeated. The collar support apparatus 200 remains in position within the blast hole 30 during a subsequent step of depositing explosives and other consumables into the bore hole 2. After the bore hole is charged and primed the collar support apparatus 200 can be removed from the bore hole 2 or partially withdrawn and formed into a funnel shape prior to depositing of stemming material into the bore hole 2.
The deployment device 350 includes a plurality of the sheets 210 arranged in a stack 315. The stack 315 of the sheets 210 is supported on a frame 209. The device 350 includes a sheet picker and feeder 355 that is operable to pick an individual sheet 210 from the stack 315 and feed the sheet 210 into a vertical forming apparatus 330. In the embodiment illustrated in
The forming apparatus 330 is operable to form the sheet 210 into the curved substantially cylindrical shape defining a longitudinal passage 218 extending between openings at longitudinally opposite ends 211, 219. The forming apparatus 330 includes a wide mouth 331 and tapers to a narrower round outlet 333 to define a path 335 for a flexible sheet. A feeding mechanism feeds the flexible sheet 210 through the inlet 331 and the round outlet 333 and into the tube member 110.
The illustrated embodiment of the forming apparatus 330 includes a funnel shaped portion 332 defining the wide mouth 331 and transitioning into a cylindrically shaped portion 336 defining the narrower round outlet 333. The funnel shaped portion 332 and the cylindrically shaped portion 336 are defined by a side wall 338 preferably formed out of sheet metal or the like. Instead of the funnel shaped portion 332 the forming apparatus could comprise an elongated and substantially planar opening similar to the shape of the flat sheet 210 and gradually transitioning into the round shape of the cylindrically shaped portion 336. However, other mechanical arrangements adapted to be mounted to the mast 20 of the drilling rig 10 for picking a single sheet 210 from the stack 315 and forming the sheet 210 into a curved form and inserting the sheet into the tube member 110 are within the scope of the disclosure contained herein.
Referring to
The tube member 110 may then be withdrawn from the bore hole 2 in the same manner described above with reference to the process illustrated in embodiment of
The deployment device 350 may be mounted to the mast 20 of the drilling rig 310 or in another embodiment may be mounted to a separate vehicle (not shown) or a trailer (not shown) coupled to a vehicle or any other mobile apparatus adapted to be manoeuvred around a site. The vehicle or other mobile apparatus may be a truck that is operable manually by a driver or in an embodiment is configured to operate autonomously or semi-autonomously. The vehicle or other mobile apparatus may comprise a control module that includes a GPS location device and is adapted for controlling a drive means and steering means of the vehicle. The control module is adapted to receive or be programmed with the coordinates of the location of one or more of a plurality of blast holes and to autonomously manoeuvre the deployment device 350.
In use, the moveable shroud adapter 420 is adapted to lower the shroud 400 down towards the adapter 150 so that the boot 407 contacts with the upper plate 164. The boot 407 of the adapter thereby provides a seal around the central opening 165 of the upper plate 164 of the adapter 150. The shroud 400 is aligned with the longitudinal passage 120 of the tube member 110 so that the drill string 30 may pass therethrough to permit drilling to commence. The shroud 400, including the boot 407, are sized and configured to be positionable between the gusset sections 158, 159 of the adapter 150.
During drilling, as illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
The opening at the top of the body 410 of the shroud 400 includes a seal between the opening and the drill rods 35 comprising the drill string 30. The seal between the opening at the top of the body 410 of the shroud 400 and the drill rods 35 prevent cuttings and/or bailings that enter the shroud 400 from emerging from the opening at the top of the body 410 of the shroud 400. The seal may be comprised of a circular ring made of metal or of a durable polymer or rubber material. The seal is sized to within a relatively small tolerance around the external circumference of the drill rods 35.
The drilling rig 510 comprises a self-propelled tracked platform 512 including a hydraulic arm that supports a mast 520. The mast 520 itself is adapted to support a drill string 530 comprised of one or a plurality of drill rods 535 and a bit 537 at the end of the drill string 530. The drill rods 535 are coupled together by threaded connections therebetween.
The mast 520 carries a drilling head including a reciprocating piston or hammer assembly and a rotary assembly which together are adapted to apply percussive force and/or rotational torque to the drill string 530. The drilling head 525 can be raised and lowered by a hydraulically driven up-down feed system to enable pipes or rods to be removed from, or added to, the drill string.
A bore hole sleeve apparatus 600 is adapted to be coupled to the mast 520 in a manner that will be described in more detail below. The sleeve apparatus 600 is similar to the sleeve apparatus embodiment 100 described above and so like reference numerals will be used in relation to like features.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The shroud adapter 420 and the moveable shroud 400 are coupled to the platform 512 to enable the shroud to be moved up and down in a linear range of motion. The shroud adapter 420 includes a linear actuator, such as a hydraulic actuator, is coupled to the shroud 400 to translate axially and thereby raise and lower the shroud 400. As illustrated in
During drilling, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
When the desired bore hole 2 depth is reached, the drill string 530 is withdrawn and the shroud 400 is lifted. The deployment device 350 is mounted to the platform 512 and is adapted to pick one sheet 20 from a stack 315 and to form and feed the sheet 20 as a roll into the bore hole 2 through the tube member 110. The deployment device 350 includes an inclined chute 352 to direct the rolled-up sheet 20 into the tube member 110 and clear of the raised shroud 400.
In another embodiment, as illustrated in
The platform 512 can then move to the location of the next bore hole 2 to be drilled and the aforementioned process is repeated.
The composition, which can be a fluid, is injected down a line 610 that is coupled to a network of conduits and openings 612 formed in the tube member 110. Thus, when the tube member 110 is located within the bore hole 2 the injected fluid comes out of the openings 612 and enters the space between the tube member 110 and the bore hole 2 or penetrates the surrounding loose rock fragments or both. The tube member 110 remains in the bore hole 2 for a period of time sufficient for the composition to harden, cure, solidify to become self-supporting or otherwise bind together the surrounding fine and coarse aggregate material to form the composite collar support 613.
In the time taken for the drilling operation to be completed, the composition will have cured and the bore hole sleeve apparatus 100 can then be withdrawn from the bore hole 2. A small rotation movement may be applied to the bore hole sleeve apparatus 100 to crack adhesion with the surrounding composite collar support 613.
The composition may be comprised of material, such as a polymer or resin, injected as a liquid and that subsequently hardens to for a structural, self-supporting sleeve between the tube member 110 and the bore hole 2. Alternatively, the composition may be comprised of material, such as a polymer or resin, injected as a liquid and that penetrates into the surrounding fine and coarse aggregate material (i.e. preconditioned material) to form the composite collar support 613.
The composition may include a polyurethane resin, a cross-linked polymer or resin, epoxy, polyester or phenolic resin or it may comprise a mineral binder such as Portland cement.
Although the disclosure has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the disclosure may be embodied in many other forms, in keeping with the broad principles and the spirit of the disclosure described herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019904101 | Oct 2019 | AU | national |
| 2020901360 | Apr 2020 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2020/051176 | 10/29/2020 | WO |
