MINE BOLTER

Abstract

A machine (23) that is operable to drill passages in a surrounding rock layer and insert bolts therein. The machine (23) is operated by an operator (24) that stands on a platform (25) that is preferably secured to a rail upon which the machine (23) moves.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to machines that form passages in a rock layer and insert a bolt therein, and more particularly but not exclusively to machines that form passages in a rock layer surrounding a mine tunnel and inserting a bolt therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a mining operation a shearer is moved along a mine face, such as a coal face. A tunnel is formed in the direction of movement of the shearer. As the tunnel is formed, passages are drilled in the mined roof and bolts inserted. Frequently the bolts also secure in position mesh that lines the roof.

Extending longitudinally of the tunnel is a conveyor that removes the mined material.

Adjacent the conveyor the passages are drilled and bolts inserted. Hydraulically operated “chocks” aid in retaining the rock structure of the roof in position until the bolts are inserted. The chocks include a ground engaging base and a roof support, with a hydraulic ram extending between the base and roof support. The ram pushes the roof support against the upper rock layer to support the mine roof while the bolts are inserted.

A disadvantage of the above described method of drilling and inserting the bolts is that frequently the operator of the machinery is not protected, and the machinery is difficult to move and relocate.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is disclosed herein a machine to drill a passage in a rock layer and insert a bolt therein, the machine including:

a frame, the frame including spaced support portions upon which the frame rests;

a device mounted on the frame, the device being configured to receive a drill bit to form a passage in the rock layer, and to insert a bolt in the passage;

a pivot attaching the device to the frame for pivoting movement about a generally horizontal axis so that the device can move through an angle of at least 90°, with said angle including the device being generally upright;

a motor extending between the device and the frame to cause angular movement of the device about said axis; and wherein

said machine is configurable so as to have a centre of gravity located so that the machine remains supported by the support positions irrespective of the angular position of said device about said axis.

Preferably, said support portions include a plurality of wheels to support the frame for movement in a direction parallel to said axis.

Preferably, said frame is adapted to receive a weight so that the centre of gravity is displaced laterally of said axis in a direction towards said control.

Preferably, said frame includes a cradle, and said weight is located in said cradle.

Preferably, said weight includes a container and water located in said container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic end elevation of a mine tunnel, a chock extending between the tunnel floor and tunnel roof, a conveyor and a machine to drill passages in the rock layer adjacent the tunnel and insert bolts therein;

FIG. 2 is a schematic end elevation of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 with the machine in an angularly displaced position;

FIG. 3 is a schematic isometric view of the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of a frame employed in the machine of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side elevation of the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic top plan view of the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a mine tunnel 10 that is formed by a shearer (not illustrated). The shearer would travel in a direction normal to the plane of the drawing of FIG. 1.

The tunnel 10 has a floor 11 and a roof 12, with a chock 13 aiding in supporting the roof 12. The chock 13 includes a base 14 that rests on the floor 11 and a roof support 15 that engages the roof 12 to aid in supporting the roof 12 until bolts are inserted and mesh installed if required. Extending between the base 14 and roof support 15 is a hydraulic ram 16 that is extended in the direction 17 to support the roof 12 on the floor 11.

Also supported on the floor 11 is a conveyor assembly 18 that includes a pair of longitudinally extending rails 19 between which there extends a tray 20. A chain conveyor moves across the tray 20 to convey coal deposited thereon by the shearer.

Fixed to one of the rails 19 is a shield 21 that inhibits coal moving transversely beyond the tray 20 toward the operator 24.

Typically a shearer is mounted on the rails 19 so as to move therealong during a cutting operation. Preferably, one of the rails 19 is provided with a rack gear 22 that is engaged by a pinion on the shearer, with the pinion being rotated to cause movement of the shearer longitudinally of the rails 19.

Mounted on the rails 19 is a machine 23 that is operable to drill passages in the surrounding rock layer and insert bolts therein. The bolts aid in reinforcing the rock layer about the passage 10, in particular the roof 12. Typically the bolts would engage mesh that would aid in retaining the rock structure in position.

The machine 23 is operated by an operator 24. The operator 24 stands on a platform 25 that is preferably secured to one of the rails 19.

The machine 23 includes a frame 35 that receives a roof bolter 36. The roof bolter 36 is adapted to receive a drill bit to form passages in the surrounding rock layer, and then insert a bolt therein.

The frame 35 includes a base sub-frame 26 that includes a pivot 27. The pivot 27 supports a further sub-frame 28 to which the bolter 36 is secured. The pivot 27 provides for angular movement of the sub-frame 28 about an axis 29. The axis 29 extends generally parallel to the rails 19 as well as generally parallel to the movement of the shearer across the coal face.

A motor 30 extends between the sub-frame 26 and the sub-frame 28 to cause angular movement of the sub-frame 28 about the axis 29. Preferably, the sub-frame 28 is angularly moveable through an angle greater than 90°. Through this range of movement the sub-frame 28 extends upwardly and away from the operator 24 (as shown in FIG. 2) and a position extending upwardly and toward the operator 24 (as shown in FIG. 1). The position shown in FIG. 1 aids the operator 24 to install a drill bit or bolt while being protected by the chock 13.

The sub-frame 26 includes a pair of cradles 31 that receive weights 32. Preferably, the weights 32 are containers that can be filled with a liquid such as water.

The motor 30 of this embodiment is a hydraulic ram. However other means of causing pivoting movement of the sub-frame 28 may be provided.

Mounted on the sub-frame 28 is a motor 33 that rotates a pinion gear 34, the pinion gear 34 is meshingly engaged with the rack gear 22 so that upon operation of the motor 33 the machine 23 is caused to move longitudinally of the rails 19.

The frame 35 is configured to position the weights 32 so that irrespective of the angular position of the bolter 36, the centre of gravity of the machine 23 is positioned between the wheels 37 and 38.

The sub-frame 26 includes the first pair of wheels 37 that engage the rail 19 spaced from the operator 24, and the second pair of wheels 38 that engage the rail 19 adjacent the weights 32. Irrespective of the position of the bolter 36, the centre of gravity of the machine 23 is located between the pairs of wheels 37 and 38 so that the machine 23 is stable and supported on the rails 19.

The above described preferred embodiment has a number of advantages, in particular the advantage that the device 25 can be positioned to facilitate loading of a drill bit and bolts with the operator 24 positioned beneath the roof support 15. Further advantages include easy relocation of the machine 23 along the rails 19 by operation of the motor 33.

Preferably, the machine 23 is dismantable to facilitate transportation.

A further advantage is the location of the weights 32 above the rack 22. The weights 32 by being so positioned aid to maintain the pinion gear 34 engaged with the rack 22.

Claims

1. A machine to drill a passage in a rock layer and insert a bolt therein, the machine including: a frame, the frame including spaced support portions upon which the frame rests;a device mounted on the frame, the device being configured to receive a drill bit to form a passage in the rock layer, and to insert a bolt in the passage;a pivot attaching the device to the frame for pivoting movement about a generally horizontal axis so that the device can move through an angle of at least 90°, with said angle including the device being generally upright;a motor extending between the device and the frame to cause angular movement of the device about said axis; and whereinsaid machine is configurable so as to have a centre of gravity located so that the machine remains supported by the support positions irrespective of the angular position of said device about said axis.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein said support portions include a plurality of wheels to support the frame for movement in a direction parallel to said axis.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein said frame is adapted to receive a weight so that the centre of gravity is displaced laterally of said axis in a direction towards said control.

4. The machine of claim 1, wherein said frame includes a cradle, and said weight is located in said cradle.

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein said weight includes a container and water located in said container.

6. The machine of claim 1 further including a drive assembly to cause movement of the machine relative to the rock layer.

7. In combination, the machine of claim 6 and a pair of generally parallel transversely spaced rails upon which the machine is mounted for movement relative to the rock layer.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein the drive assembly includes a rotatably driven gear, and one of the rails includes a rack gear engaged by the rotatably driven gear with engagement of the gears causing movement of the machine longitudinally of the rails relative to the rock layer.

9. In combination, a main chock and the combination of claim 8, with the chock is fixed to the rail having the gear.

10. The machine of claim 2, wherein said frame is adapted to receive a weight so that the centre of gravity is displaced laterally of said axis in a direction towards said control.

11. The machine of claim 2, wherein said frame includes a cradle, and said weight is located in said cradle.

12. The machine of claim 11, wherein said weight includes a container and water located in said container.

13. The machine of claim 2, further including a drive assembly to cause movement of the machine relative to the rock layer.

14. In combination, the machine of claim 13 and a pair of generally parallel transversely spaced rails upon which the machine is mounted for movement relative to the rock layer.

15. The combination of claim 14, wherein the drive assembly includes a rotatably driven gear, and one of the rails includes a rack gear engaged by the rotatably driven gear with engagement of the gears causing movement of the machine longitudinally of the rails relative to the rock layer.

16. In combination, a main chock and the combination of claim 15, with the chock fixed to the rail having the gear.

17. The machine of claim 3, wherein said frame includes a cradle, said weight is located in said cradle; and said weight includes a container and water located in said container, and said machine further includes a drive assembly to cause movement of the machine relative to the rock layer.

18. In combination, the machine of claim 17 and a pair of generally parallel transversely spaced rails upon which the machine is mounted for movement relative to the rock layer.

19. The machine of claim 18, wherein the drive assembly includes a rotatably driven gear, and one of the rails includes a rack gear engaged by the rotatably driven gear with engagement of the gears causing movement of the machine longitudinally of the rails relative to the rock layer.

20. In combination, a main chock and the combination of claim 19, with the chock fixed to the rail having the gear.