Patent Application
20240401417
The present invention relates to the field of blast hole drilling, particularly although not exclusively in blasting operations for mining and quarrying.
Bench blasting is a process that involves drilling holes into rock to depths of up to 50 metres or more. Blast holes are typically drilled using rotary or percussive drilling equipment and techniques. The holes are then charged with an 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.
Drilling platforms used for drilling blast holes come in different forms and are adapted for different purposes. Smaller surface drilling platforms that are typically used for drilling bore holes of between about 89 to 165 millimetres in diameter, are commonly referred to as “crawler drilling rigs”. Crawler drilling rigs are characterised by including a tracked platform with a hydraulic arm and a drilling mast attached to the end of the arm. The arm is adapted to tilt, lift and lower the mast and to locate a supporting foot of the mast on the bench surface at a location at which a bore hole is to be drilled.
Larger surface drilling platforms that are typically used for drilling bore holes of between about 165 to 351 millimetres in diameter, are commonly referred to as “platform drilling rigs”. Platform drilling rigs are characterised by including a tracked platform with a drilling mast located in a fixed, vertical position relative to the platform. Locating the mast on the bench surface at a location at which a bore hole is to be drilled requires repositioning the entire platform via operation of driven tracks.
Drilling bore holes through a preconditioned layer presents a problem of loose rock fragments in the preconditioned layer falling or collapsing into the bore hole during drilling or 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.
Drilling platforms can or may have guard cages or other physical barriers provided around the bottom of the mast as a safety measure. Accordingly, in order to access the bore hole to insert a collar support apparatus, such as the flexible sheet of Applicant's patent application WO2019014716, the mast or the entire drilling platform may have to be cleared from the open end of the blast hole to enable a worker to insert such an apparatus into the bore hole.
After the bore hole is drilled before the mast or drilling platform is cleared from the blast hole and the flexible sheet apparatus is inserted, a substantial amount of surrounding loose rock fragments in the preconditioned layer may have fallen or collapsed into the blast hole. Accordingly, a need exists for a drilling system that minimises any chance for loose rock fragments from the preconditioned layer to collapse into the bore hole during and after drilling and until the mast or the drilling platform is cleared and a collar support apparatus is deployed such as the flexible sheet apparatus described above.
Also, there exists a need for a drilling system that supports the internal surface of the blast hole in the collar region through the preconditioned layer during the drilling operation and that is practical and efficient to use with mobile drilling platforms on a blasting bench.
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 drilling system including: a mobile bore hole drilling platform including a mast disposed on the platform including a support for a drill string; a tube member for locating within the collar region of a bore hole and including an internal longitudinal passage for receiving a drill string therethrough and an external surface for facing outwardly against a wall of the bore hole; a coupling mechanism that is configured to couple and decouple the tube member and the drilling platform when the tube member is located coaxially within the collar region of the bore hole and substantially axially aligned with the drill string and/or the mast; wherein the coupling mechanism includes a support body movably connected to the drilling platform and coupling elements associated with the support body and the tube member, wherein the support body is movable vertically relative to the drilling platform and/or the mast for positioning the coupling elements of the support body and the tube member relative to each other for engagement to thereby couple the support body and the tube member.
Embodiments of the invention are advantageous in that they provide a bore hole drilling system that supports the internal surface of a blast hole in the collar region through a preconditioned layer during the drilling operation. Embodiments of the invention are advantageous in that they provide a bore hole drilling system that allows for coupling and decoupling the tube member and the drilling platform when the tube member is located coaxially within the collar region of the bore hole and substantially axially aligned with the drill string and/or the mast. Once decoupled, it is possible to access the opening at the top of the tube member in the bore hole to insert a collar support apparatus, such as the flexible sheet of Applicant's patent application WO2019014716. Some embodiments of the invention are advantageous in that they provide a bore hole drilling system that allows guard cages or other physical barriers provided around the bottom of the mast to be cleared from the open end of the blast hole to enable a worker to insert a collar support apparatus into the bore hole.
Embodiments of the drilling platform include various types of mobile drilling platforms comprising a mobile, tracked platform comprising a drill mast supporting a drill string and accompanying rotary and/or percussion air blast drilling apparatus. In some embodiments, such mobile drilling platforms 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 platforms 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.
In another aspect, the invention includes a coupling mechanism that is configured to couple and decouple a tube member and a drilling platform when the tube member is axially aligned with the drill string, the coupling mechanism including a support body for connection to the drilling platform and coupling elements associated with the support body and the tube member, wherein the support body is movable vertically relative to the drilling platform for positioning the coupling elements of the support body and the tube member relative to each other for engagement to thereby couple the support body and the tube member.
In embodiments, the coupling mechanism is configured to couple and decouple the tube member and the drilling platform when the tube member is substantially axially aligned with the drill string and/or the mast.
In embodiments, decoupling occurs when the tube member is axially aligned with the drill string and/or the mast whereby the opening in the top of the tube member can be cleared for insertion of a collar support apparatus into the longitudinal internal passage of the tube member.
Advantageously, after decoupling the drilling platform can be translated horizontally relative to the bore hole to allow any guard cages or other physical barriers provided around the bottom of the mast to be cleared from the open end of the guide tube to enable an operator to insert a collar support apparatus therein.
In embodiments the support body is movable vertically relative to the drilling platform and/or the mast for positioning the coupling elements of the support body and the tube member relative to each other for engagement to thereby couple the support body and the tube member located within the collar region of the bore hole.
In embodiments the vertical movement of the support body relative to the drilling platform or the mast, at least in part, moves the coupling elements of the support body and the tube member into and out of engagement to thereby couple and decouple the support body and the tube member located within the collar region of the bore hole.
Preferably, the coupling elements of the support body are configured to engage the coupling elements of the tube member with, at least in part, downwards axial movement of the support body relative to the tube member and to disengage, at least in part, with upwards axial movement of the support body relative to the tube member located within the collar region of the bore hole.
In embodiments the support body includes a male or a female coupling zone and the tube member includes the other one of a male or a female coupling zone, wherein the male coupling zone is adapted to be received within the female coupling zone.
In embodiments the coupling elements include a movable latch member and a static member.
Preferably, the coupling elements include one or more movable latch members that are movably connected to the support body or the elongated tube and a static member that is fixed to the other one of the support body and the elongated tube.
In embodiments, the movable latch members are movably connected to the support body or the elongated tube and the static member is fixed to the other one of the support body and the elongated tube.
In embodiments, the movable latch member and the static member are adapted to come into and out of engagement, at least in part, upon relative inwards and outwards movement, or radial movement, of the latch member and the static member.
Preferably, a plurality of the latch members are disposed radially about a longitudinal axis of the support body.
In embodiments, the latch members each include a radially movable and axially facing abutment portion and the static member includes an axially facing ledge, wherein the abutment portion is adapted for face to face contact with the ledge upon relative radial movement of the latch member and the static member.
Preferably, each one of the latch members includes an elongated portion that is pivotally connected at one end to the support body and that is connected at an opposite end to the axially facing abutment portion, wherein the latch members are pivotable towards and away from each other for engagement and disengagement with the axially facing ledge.
In embodiments, the axially facing ledge of the static member is disposed circumferentially on the outside of the elongated tube.
Preferably, linear actuators are operable cause the latch members to pivot in opposite directions relative to the support body to cause the axially facing abutment surfaces to move radially inwardly and outwardly relative to each other.
Preferably, a linear actuator is connected between the mast and the support body and is operable for moving the support body in opposite directions aligned with a longitudinal axis of the drill string and/or the mast.
In another aspect, the invention provides a bore hole drilling system including: a mobile bore hole drilling platform including a mast disposed on the platform including a support for a drill string; a tube member for locating within the collar region of a bore hole and including an internal longitudinal passage for receiving a drill string therethrough and an external surface for facing outwardly against a wall of the bore hole; and a coupling mechanism that is configured to couple and decouple the tube member and the drilling platform when the tube member is located coaxially within the collar region of the bore hole.
In embodiments the coupling mechanism includes a support body connected to the mast of the drilling platform, the support body and the tube member including coupling elements adapted to couple and decouple the support body and the tube member.
Preferably, movement of the support body horizontally relative to the tube member located within the collar region of the bore hole positions the coupling elements of the support body and the tube member for engagement to thereby couple and decouple the support body and the tube member.
In embodiments the coupling elements of the support body are configured to engage the coupling elements of the tube member located within the collar region of the bore hole with horizontal movement of the support body in one direction relative to the elongated tube and to disengage with horizontal movement of the support body relative to the elongated tube in the opposite direction.
In embodiments the support body and the tube member include first and second horizontally spaced apart co-operable pairs of coupling elements adapted to releasably couple together the support body and the tube member located within the collar region of the bore hole.
Preferably, the first pair of coupling elements includes a recess formed in the support body, wherein the recess is defined on laterally opposite sides by a pair of upwardly facing shoulders and an opening at one end defining a female coupling zone, and an annular downwardly facing ledge disposed on a radially outwardly facing surface of the tube member defining a male coupling zone.
In embodiments, the male coupling zone is reversibly received within the female coupling zone upon horizontal movement of the support body relative to the elongated tube located within the collar region of the bore hole.
Preferably, the second pair of coupling elements includes an upwards facing abutment surface formed in the support body and horizontally spaced apart from the recess, and a transverse member extending laterally from an upper end of the tube member and including a downwards facing abutment surface, wherein the upwards and downwards facing abutment surfaces are reversibly brought into face to face relation with each other with horizontal movement of the support body relative to the elongated tube located within the collar region of the bore hole.
In embodiments, the support body includes a transverse outlet opening for cuttings and/or bailings to exit the tube member, wherein the outlet opening is coupled to a flexible hose that in turn is coupled to a vacuum pump system to be directed to a desired location on the bench surface.
Preferably, the outlet opening is connected to a flow diverter for directing dry cuttings and/or bailings into one outlet and wet cuttings and/or bailings into another outlet.
Preferably, the flow diverter is configured to direct a sample of the bailings and/or cuttings to a sampling zone for holding a stationary sample for analysis by an analyser.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of drilling a bore hole including:
Preferably, the method includes the ability to decouple the tube member and the drilling platform when the tube member is substantially axially aligned with the drill string.
Preferably, in the event of decoupling, the tube member and the drilling platform, the drilling platform is translated horizontally relative to the bore hole to clear the opening in the top of the collar support apparatus and the collar support apparatus is inserted therein.
In embodiments of the method, after the collar support apparatus is inserted in the tube member the drilling platform is translated horizontally relative to the bore hole to substantially axially align the drill string with the guide tube and the tube member and the drilling platform are coupled before removing the tube member from the bore hole to thereby leave behind the collar support apparatus within the bore hole.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of providing a collar support apparatus into a bore hole, the method including:
The tube member and the drilling platform optionally become decoupled when the tube member is located coaxially within the collar region of the bore hole and the tube member is substantially axially aligned with the drill string.
Preferably, in the event of decoupling, the tube member and the drilling platform, the drilling platform is translated horizontally relative to the bore hole to clear the opening in the top of the collar support apparatus for the collar support apparatus to be inserted therein.
In embodiments, after the collar support apparatus is inserted in the tube member the drilling platform is translated horizontally relative to the bore hole to substantially axially align the drill string with the guide tube and the tube member and the drilling platform are coupled before removing the tube member from the bore hole to thereby leave behind the collar support apparatus within the bore hole.
In still yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of drilling a bore hole including:
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 embodiment of the mobile drilling platform 20 illustrated in the figures is a class of surface drilling platform that is typically used for drilling bore holes of between about 89 to 165 millimetres in diameter, commonly referred to as “crawler drilling rigs”. However, it is to be appreciated that embodiments of aspects of the invention are applicable to classes of 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”. Platforms of the smaller and larger classes are known to originate from various manufacturers such as Sandvik, Epiroc, Komatsu and Caterpillar to name but a few.
The drilling platform 20 comprises a self-propelled vehicle 22 including a hydraulic arm 24 that supports the mast 30. The mast 30 itself is adapted to support the drill string 40 comprised of a plurality of drill rods 45 and a bit 47 at the end of the drill string 40. The drill rods 45 are coupled together by threaded connections therebetween.
In one aspect, the invention is directed to a tube member 110 adapted to be coupled to the mast 30 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 platform 20 and the tube member 110.
The mast 30 carries a drilling head 35 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 40. The drilling head 35 can be raised and lowered by a hydraulically driven up-down feed system 39 to enable pipes or rods to be removed from, or added to, the drill string 40.
The mast 30 contains a store of a plurality of the drill rods 45. During a drilling operation, when the top of the uppermost drill rod 45 reaches the bottom of the mast 30 a subsequent drill rod 45 is swung into position by the drill rod feed system and into axial alignment with the uppermost drill rod 45 of the drill string 40. The drilling head 35 engages and rotates the subsequent drill rod 45 to threadedly couple with the top of the drill rod 45 below. The drilling head 30 then resumes drilling by applying percussive force and rotational torque to the drill string 40.
As illustrated in
The external surface 125 of the tube member 110 is adapted for facing outwardly against the wall 3 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 47. 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 47 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 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 tube member 110 is adapted to provide temporary support for the wall 3 of the bore hole 2 in the collar region, both during the drilling operation and after the bore hole 2 has been drilled to the desired depth.
In embodiments, the tube member 110 is adapted to receive a collar support apparatus 200 therewithin and the tube member 110 is adapted to be removed to leave behind the collar support apparatus 200 within the bore hole 2. The remaining collar support apparatus 200 is left in place to prevent loose rock fragments in the preconditioned layer from falling or collapsing into the bore hole 2. The drilling platforms 20 can then move to the location at which the next bore hole 2 is to be drilled.
The collar support apparatus 200 includes a flexible sheet including a pair of opposite surfaces and a pair of spaced apart longitudinally extending side edges and a pair of spaced apart laterally extending end edges. The normally flat sheet being adapted, in use, to be formed into a curved, substantially cylindrical shape to define a longitudinal passage extending between openings at longitudinally opposite ends.
Referring to
Near one of the ends 111 the tube member 110 includes an annular rib 117 on the external surface 125 located a distance away from the end 111 of about 100 mm, or about 200 mm, or about 300 mm, or about 400 mm or any increment therebetween. As described in further detail below, the rib 117 comprises a coupling element and is operable for facilitating connection between the tube member 110 and the support body 150.
The tube member 110 also includes a flange 115 extending radially outwardly from the external surface 125. The flange 115 is located further from the end 111 of the tube member 110 than the rib 117. The flange 115 is comprised of a plate which may be welded or otherwise fixed or formed integral with the external surface 125 of the tube member 110. The flange 115 illustrated in the Figures is a substantially planar, annular member fixed, such as by welding, to the external surface 125 of the tube member 110.
The flange 115 has a preferably round, oval or a polygonal shape with opposite top 116 and bottom surfaces 118. The bottom surface 118, in use, is adapted to engage the surface of the bench 6 surrounding the open end 5 of the bore hole 2. The flange 115 is adapted to support the tube member 110 in the collar region of the bore hole 2.
Referring to
The support body 150 is connected to the mast 30 by a mechanism that permits vertical movement of the support body 150 (i.e. up and down movement) relative to the mast 30. A linear actuator (not shown) is connected between the mast 30 and the support body 150 and is operable for actuating the support body 150 in opposite directions (i.e. up and down) substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the drill string 40 and/or the mast 30.
As described above, the rib 117 on the external surface 125 of the tube member 110 comprises a coupling element and is operable for facilitating connection between the tube member 110 and the support body 150. The rib 117 is fixed and does not move and therefore comprises a static member. The rib 117 includes a bottom surface that defines a downwardly facing annular ledge 119.
The support body 150 also includes coupling elements comprised of movable latching members 164, 167. The movable latching members 164, 167 are comprised of elongated members or legs 164a, 167a that are pivotally coupled at one end to the support body 150. The other end of each of the elongated members 164a, 167a include axially facing abutment surfaces 165, 168. The movable latch members 164, 167 are pivoted, such as by a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator, to open and close in a manner resembling opening and closing jaws. Referring to
When the latch members 164, 167 are open they define a recess 151 for receiving the end 111 of the tube member 110. Closing the latch members 164, 167 brings the axially facing abutment surfaces 165, 168 into face to face contact with the ledge 119 of the rib 117 on the tube member 110 to thereby retain the support body 150 and the tube member 110 together. When closed, the latch members 164, 167 engage the rib 117 radially about the circumference of the tube member 110.
In another configuration the movable latch members 164, 167 coupled to the support body 150 can engage the static member or the rib 117 on the tube member 110 upon radially inwards movement towards the tube member 110. Alternatively, the movable latch member may be associated with or mounted on the tube member 110 that with radially outwards movement engages a static member associated with or mounted on the support body 150.
Referring to
During drilling cuttings and/or bailings that emerge from the bore hole 2 travel up through the longitudinal passage 120 of the tube member 110 and emerge out of the opening 112. The cuttings and/or bailings that emerge out of the opening 112 of the tube member 110 are directed up into the axial opening or passage 155 within the support body 150. The support body 150 includes a transverse outlet opening 156 for the cuttings and/or bailings to exit the axial opening or passage 155 within the support body 150. The outlet opening 156 can be coupled to a flexible hose that in turn is coupled to a vacuum pump system or may be otherwise directed to a location at which they are deposited on the bench surface.
The recess 151 defined by the latch members 164, 167 mounted to the support body 150 comprises a female coupling zone for receiving a male coupling zone comprised of the end 111 of the tube member 110.
The recess 151 defined by the latch members 164, 167 is open downwardly and axially and is configured to receive the end 111 of the tube member 110 upon axial movement of the support body 150 relative to the tube member 110. When the end 111 of the tube member 110 is received within the recess 151 the latch members 164, 167 are positioned relative to the annular rib 117 on the external surface 125 of the tube member 110 so that actuation of the latch member 164, 167 to close them together brings them into engagement with the rib 117 in the manner described above. Conversely, actuation of the latch member 164, 167 to open them apart disengages them from the rib 117 and subsequently the support body 150 moves axially upwardly to clear the end 111 of the tube member 110.
Accordingly, the vertical movement of the support body 150 relative to the drilling platform 20 and/or the mast 30, at least in part, moves the coupling elements, including the latch members 164, 167, of the support body 150 and the tube member 110 into and out of engagement to thereby couple and decouple the support body 150 and the tube member 110 located within the collar region of the bore hole 2.
The coupling elements, including the latch members 164, 167 of the support body 150 are configured to engage the coupling elements of the tube member 110, namely the rib 117, with, at least in part, downwards axial movement of the support body 150 relative to the tube member 110 and to disengage, at least in part, with upwards axial movement of the support body relative to the elongated tube located within the collar region of the bore hole.
The tube member 110 and the support body 150 are configured so that the tube member 110 can be positioned within the collar region of the blast hole 2 and the support body 150 can be raised to clear to the end 111 of the tube member 110. The collar support apparatus 200 can then be inserted into the internal passage 120 of the tube member 110. The tube member 110 and the support body 150 can then be reengaged and lifted out of the bore hole 2 to leave behind the collar support apparatus 200 in the bore hole 2.
In an embodiment, the platform 20 or the support body 150 includes a means for ensuring that the support body 150 and the tube member 110 are aligned before the support body 150 is lowered into engagement with the tube member 110. A camera, a GPS, a laser or combination thereof is coupled to the support body 150 or the platform 20 for determining the position of the platform 20 and the support body 150 coupled thereto relative to the tube member 120 to ensure that when the support body 150 is lowered the end 111 of the tube member 110 is received within the recess 151 of the support body 150.
The means for determining the position of the platform 20 and the support body 150 coupled thereto relative to the tube member 110 in the bore hole 2 enables the platform 20 to be translated relative to the tube member 110 to completely clear the end 111 of the tube member 110 and to be repositioned once again to engage the tube member 110. Accordingly, the guard cage or other physical barriers provided around the bottom of the mast 30 can clear the tube member 110 to enable the insertion of the collar support apparatus 200 into the internal passage 120 of the tube member 110, manually or otherwise, and the platform 20 can be translated back to be repositioned to reengage and remove the tube member 110 from the bore hole 2.
The means for determining the position of the platform 20 and the support body 150 coupled thereto relative to the tube member 110 is configured to determine when the tube member 110 is aligned with the support body 150 which is also aligned with the axis of the drill string 30.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In another embodiment illustrated in
In
The support body 250 includes a recess 260 formed in the support body 250, wherein the recess 260 is defined on laterally opposite sides by a pair of upwardly facing shoulders 262, 264 and an opening 263 at one end defining a female coupling zone. The tube member 210 includes an annular rib 217 on the external surface 225 located a distance away from an end 211 of the tube 210 of about 100 mm, or about 200 mm, or about 300 mm, or about 400 mm or any increment therebetween. As described in further detail below, the rib 217 includes a ledge 219 for face to face abutment with the upwardly facing shoulders 262, 264 when the tube member 210 is within the recess 260 of the support body 250.
The tube member 110 also includes a flange 215 extending from the external surface 225. The flange 215 is located further from the end 211 of the tube member 210 than the rib 217. The flange 215 is comprised of a plate which may be welded or otherwise fixed or formed integral with the external surface 225 of the tube member 210. The flange 215 illustrated in the Figures is a substantially planar, elongated member extending transversely from the external surface 225 of the tube member 210. A plurality of protrusions 218 project downwardly from the bottom surface of the flange 215.
An annular downwardly facing ledge disposed on a radially outwardly facing surface of the tube member defining a male coupling zone, wherein the male coupling zone is reversibly received within the female coupling zone with horizontal movement of the support body relative to the elongated tube located within the collar region of the bore hole.
The first pair of coupling elements are comprised of the tube member 210 and the recess 260 formed in the support body 250. In use, the tube member 210 is receivable within the recess 260 from a lateral direction. The second pair of coupling elements includes an upwards facing abutment surface 266 formed in the support body 250 that is horizontally spaced apart from the recess 260, and by a downwards facing abutment surface 216 coupled to, and vertically spaced apart from, the flange 215. The upwards and downwards facing abutment surfaces 266, 216 are reversibly brought into face to face relation with each other with lateral movement of the support body 250 relative to the tube member 210 located within the collar region of the bore hole 2.
In
As illustrated in
In
In the embodiment of
The support body 150 includes a transverse outlet opening 156 for the cuttings and/or bailings to exit the axial opening or passage 155 within the support body 150 during drilling. The outlet opening 156 is coupled to a flexible hose 157 that in turn is coupled to a vacuum pump system 158. The vacuum pump system 158 includes an outlet hose (not shown) that directs the cuttings and/or bailings to a desired located on the bench surface.
The flow diverter 300 includes a channelling vane 340 that is adapted to direct the cuttings and/or bailings to a respective one of the two outlet passages 320, 330 depending on whether the cuttings and/or bailings are wet or dry. The channelling vane 340 is actuated to selectively close either one of the outlet passages 320, 330 and thereby direct the cuttings an/or bailings into the other one of the outlet passages 320, 330. In embodiments, the flow diverter 300 includes an automated sensor for detecting moisture and automatically controlling the channelling vane 340 to direct dry bailings and/or cuttings to the first one of the outlet passages 320 that directs the cuttings and/or bailings to the vacuum pump system 158, and to direct wet bailings and/or cuttings to the other one of the outlet passages 330. The outlet passage 330 directs the wet bailings and/or cuttings onto the bench surface.
In an embodiment, the flow diverter 300 incorporates an X-ray fluorescence analyser (not shown) for analysing the elemental chemistry of the bailings and/or cuttings that emerge from the bore hole 2 via the outlet opening 156. The analyser determines sample groups of elements simultaneously in order to rapidly determine those elements present in the sample and their relative concentrations. In an embodiment, the analyser is configured to analyse the bailings and/or cuttings as they pass through the outlet passage 320 for the dry bailings and/or cuttings. In another embodiment, the flow diverter 300 includes another sampling outlet (not shown) that is configured to direct a sample of the bailings and/or cuttings to a sampling zone (not shown) that is adapted to hold a stationary sample for analysis by the analyser.
In an embodiment, the sample may be obtained by pausing the drilling head 35 when the drilling string 40 is at a desired depth and allowing a blower (not shown) configured to blow pressurised air through the drilling string 40 into the bore hole 2 to evacuate and purge any bailings or cuttings. The drilling head 35 is then restarted and the flow diverter 300 is configured to divert any bailings and/or cuttings that emerge through the sampling outlet to the sampling zone where they can be analysed.
Obtaining and analysing samples of the rock at certain depths within the bore hole is advantageous as it provides composition data that can be fed into blasting and excavation models to enhance the accuracy of the operation and to minimise dilution and avoid undesirable lower of the ore grade associated with the mixing of waste material.
Referring to
The coupling mechanism 1140 includes a support body 1150 that is adapted to be movably connected to the drilling platform 20. The support body 1150 includes a housing 1152 and coupling elements comprised of movable latch members 1164, 1167. The movable latch members 1164, 1167 are comprised of elongated members or legs 1164a, 1167a. The elongated members 1164a, 1167a are attached by a pivotal coupling 1161, 1163 to the support body 1150. The pivotal coupling 1161, 1163 is at one end of the elongated members 1164a, 1167a. The recess 1151 defined between the latch members 1164, 1167 has a central longitudinal axis that is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the drill string.
At the other end of each of the elongated members 1164a, 1167a there is a transversely extending part 1165a, 1168a that extends radially inwards towards the central longitudinal axis of the recess 1151. The transversely extending parts 1165a, 1168a define the axially facing abutment surfaces 1165, 1168.
The annular rib 1117 on the external surface 1125 of the tube member 1110 has a bottom surface that defines a downwardly facing annular ledge 1119 and an upper surface 1118 that slopes downwardly and away from the external surface 1125 of the tube member 1110. The upper surface 1118 and the annular ledge 1119 meet at a radially outermost edge of the annular ledge 1119.
Linear hydraulic or pneumatic actuators 170, 172 are connected to the elongated members 1164a, 1167a at a location between the ends thereof. The linear hydraulic or pneumatic actuators 1170, 1172 are connected at one end 1171, 1173 to each of the elongated members 1164a, 1167a and at an opposite end 1175, 1177 to a top plate 1178 of the support body 1150.
As illustrated in
The support body 1150 includes a plurality of guide members disposed radially about the recess 1151. The guide members are comprised of guide plates 1153, 1154 that are affixed to and extend downwardly from the housing 1152. The guide plates 1153, 1154 are located radially about the axial opening or passage 1155 within the housing 1152. The guide plates 1153, 1154 respectively include a tapered surface 1153a, 1154a. The tapered surfaces 1153a, 1154a defines an opening therebetween that tapers from a wider diameter at a lowermost level and to a narrower diameter at an uppermost level immediately adjacent to the axial opening 1155 within the housing 1152.
The tapering opening defined between the tapered surfaces 1153a, 1154a of the guide plates 1153, 1154 is adapted to guide the end 1111 of the tube member 1110 into the recess 1151 defined between the latch members 1164, 1167. Accordingly, in use, the operator need only achieve an approximate alignment of the tube member 1110 with the recess 1151 and upon lowering the support body 1150 down on the tube member 1110 the guide plates 1153, 1154 serve to guide the tube member 1110 into alignment with the axial opening 1155 within the housing 1152.
As illustrated in
The sloping upper surface 1118 of the rib 1117 of the tube member 1110 abuts against the tapered surfaces 1153a, 1154a of the guide plates 1153, 1154 to limit the extent of insertion of the end 1111 of the tube member 1110 into the housing 1152 of the support body 1150.
As illustrated in
Referring to
The housing 1152 of the support body 1150 includes a transverse outlet opening 1156 that is in fluid communication with the axial opening or passage 1155 within the support body 1150. The outlet opening 1156 includes an outlet pipe section 1157 that is integrated into the housing 1152. The pipe section 1157 is oriented outwards and slightly downwardly and can be connected to a conduit or the flexible hose 157 and vacuum pump system 158 of
In use, the cuttings and/or bailings are directed upwards and emerge from the bore hole 2 via the end 111 of the tube member 1110. As the internal passage 1120 of the tube member 1110 is sealed against the internal surface 159 within housing 1152 the cuttings and/or bailings that emerge from the bore hole 2 are directed up through the axial passage 1155 and are deflected by the deflector plate 1160 towards the outlet opening 1156.
As illustrated in
Referring to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021903123 | Sep 2021 | AU | national |
| 2021904057 | Dec 2021 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2022/051166 | 9/29/2022 | WO |
