WO1999002814A1

WO1999002814A1 - Self-contained underground drill rig

Info

Publication number: WO1999002814A1
Application number: PCT/AU1998/000535
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kevin Victor Mudge; Jeffrey William Branson
Original assignee: Brandrill Limited
Priority date: 1997-07-10
Filing date: 1998-07-10
Publication date: 1999-01-21
Also published as: AUPO782997A0; ZA986147B

Abstract

A self-contained underground drill rig (10). The rig (10) includes a vehicular drive system in the form of an endless belt tramming system (18) for locomotion of the drill rig (10) and a drilling drive system for driving a drilling machine (11). A hydraulic power system is provided by way of a hydraulic circuit (40) for supplying hydraulic power to operate the vehicular drive system and the drilling drive system. The hydraulic power system is provided to selectively control whether the hydraulic power system powers the vehicular drive system or the drilling drive system. A pair of discrete power sources are provided to independently source power to the hydraulic power system. One power source is an electric motor (24) and the other power source is a fuel powered engine (12). The electric motor (24) is connectable to the installed mine services to deliver power to the hydraulic power system and the engine (12) is self-contained within the drill rig (10) to deliver power to the hydraulic power system from within the confines of the drill rig itself. A fluid supply means including a liquid storage tank (36) and a gas supplying means in the form of a compressor (30) for supplying air under pressure are arranged to supply an air/liquid combination to the drilling machine (11) for flushing the drill thereof, independently of any mine services supplied to the rig.

Description

TITLE

Self-Contained Underground Drill Rig

The present invention relates to a self-contained underground drill rig.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

One technique used to extract ore from an underground mine is known as stoping. Stoping involves drilling a plurality of holes in a plane generally perpendicular to an underground mine shaft in a radially extending manner. The holes are then charged with bulk emulsion explosives or cartridge loaded explosives ready for blasting.

Underground drill rigs are typically used to drill the stoping holes. Existing underground drill rigs are typically provided with a diesel engine driving a first hydraulic power system which powers the wheels of the drill rig, and an electrically powered hydraulic pump driving a second hydraulic power system which powers the drilling machine.

Electrical power is supplied to these drill rigs via services installed in the mine shaft. Water to cool the drill is also supplied to the drill rig via services installed in the mine shaft. Air is also provided via services installed in the mine shaft to provide ventilation.

For safety reasons, the diesel engine is not operated when the drill rig is drilling holes to prevent damage to the drill string and/or the operator caused by accidental movement of the drill rig. Due to their dependency on electrical power most underground drill rigs can only be employed for drilling purposes when the services in the mine shaft supplying electricity and water are installed. The pipes and conduits supplying the services and the racks upon which they are mounted are typically removed from the mine

- 2 - shaft prior to blasting to prevent damage. In the event that any re-drilling of holes in the mine shaft is required after blasting, which is often times the case, the racks, pipes and conduits must be reinstalled since the drill rig is dependent upon electrical power and water supplied by the services to effect the re-drilling.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the need for reinstalling the racks, pipes and conduits for re-drilling purposes and/or to provide for drilling in areas of the mine shaft where the services of conventional drill rigs are not installed, by providing for a self contained underground drill rig.

In accordance with a first aspect of this invention, there is provided a self- contained underground drill rig comprising:

a vehicular drive system for locomotion of the drill rig;

a drilling drive system for driving a drilling machine;

a hydraulic power system for supplying hydraulic power to operate said vehicular drive system and said drilling drive system;

a pair of discrete power sources to independently source power to said hydraulic power system;

and control means to selectively control whether the hydraulic power system powers the vehicular drive system or the drilling drive system;

wherein one said power source is connectable to the installed mine services to deliver power to said hydraulic power system and the other said power source is self-contained within the drill rig to deliver power to said hydraulic power system from within the confines of the drill rig itself. - 3 -

Preferably, said one power source is an electric motor connectable to the electrical services of the mine and said other power source is a fuel powered engine.

Preferably, said hydraulic power system includes one set of hydraulic pumps connectable to said one power source and another set of hydraulic pumps separately connectable to said other power source to independently source power thereto from one or the other of said power sources.

Preferably, the control means comprises a switch means moveable between a first state at which the hydraulic power system powers the vehicle drive system, and a second state at which the hydraulic power system powers the drilling drive system.

In a preferred form, the switch means comprises a valve.

In a further preferred form, the control means further comprises at least one isolation valve arranged such that when the switch means is in the first state the drilling drive system is isolated from the hydraulic power system, and when the switch means is in the second state, the vehicle drive system is isolated from the hydraulic power system.

Preferably, the self-contained underground drill rig includes a fluid supply means arranged to supply fluid to said drilling machine for flushing a drill thereof.

Preferably, the fluid supply means includes a liquid storage tank arranged to supply liquid to the drilling machine.

Preferably, the fluid supply means includes gas supplying means for supplying a gas under pressure to the drilling machine, wherein a gas/liquid combination is used to flush the drill.

More preferably, the gas/liquid combination is predominantly gas by volume. - 4 -

Preferably, the gas supply means includes a compressor.

Preferably, the fluid supply means includes a liquid valve means connectable to said liquid storage tank and to the liquid services supply of the mine if available, said liquid storage tank or alternatively from said liquid services supply.

Preferably, the fluid supply means includes a gas valve means connectable to said compressor and to the gas services supply of the mine if available, said gas valve means being selectively operable to supply gas to said drilling machine either from said compressor or alternatively from said gas services supply.

In a preferred form, the liquid is water and the gas is air.

Preferably, the gas under pressure is also fed into the liquid storage tank to feed liquid therefrom under pressure.

Preferably, the drill rig includes a cooling unit having at least one heat exchanger, wherein the fluid supply means is connected to the heat exchanger to supply coolant fluid thereto.

The drill rig of the present invention provides a self contained drill rig which is capable of operating without mining services. In addition, where mining services are provided, the drill rig is capable of utilising such services.

In contrast to existing drill rigs, which provide two separate hydraulic power systems, one driven by an internal combustion engine and the other by an electric motor, the drill rig of the invention provides a single hydraulic power system which can be driven by either the engine or the electric motor. This provides flexibility by allowing the engine to power the hydraulic power system when electrical power is not available from the mining services.

The control means is provided to control whether the hydraulic power system powers the vehicular drive system for locomotion of the vehicle or the drilling drive - 5 - system. Thus, a diesel engine constituting the other power source is capable of powering the drilling drive system, providing power to operate the drilling machine in the absence of electrical power from mining services, as well as powering the vehicular drive system when necessary. Alternatively, when the electrical services of the mine are available, the electric motor constituting the one power source is capable of providing power to operate the drilling machine as well as powering the vehicular drive system when necessary.

Since most drilling machines require fluid to flush the drill, a water storage tank is provided to supply water to the drilling drive system. To reduce the amount of water used in flushing the drill, pressurised air is also supplied to the drilling drive system, and a pressurised air/water combination is used to flush the drill.

A self-contained drill rig provides several advantages over existing drill rigs, in that the drill rig can operate whilst the mining services are being re-installed after a blast. Additionally, where a limited amount of secondary drilling is required after a blast, the self-contained drill rig can be used to perform such drilling without requiring the mining services to be re-installed and then subsequently uninstalled.

The invention will now be described, with reference to one embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1A is a side elevation of a self contained underground drill rig, including the drilling machine attached thereto;

Figure 1B is an end view of Figure 1A;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a self-contained underground drill rig in accordance with the embodiment;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a first part of a hydraulic power circuit according to the embodiment; - 6 -

Figure 4 is a schematic circuit of a second part of the hydraulic power circuit according to the embodiment; and

Figure 5 is a schematic circuit of the air and water circuit of the embodiment.

The embodiment is directed toward a self-contained underground drill rig 10 comprising a drilling machine 11 , a water-cooled diesel engine 12, a cooling unit 14, and an operator's compartment 16 all mounted upon a chassis 17. The drill rig 10 is provided with an endless belt tramming system 18 driven by tram motors, for locomotion of the drill rig 10.

The diesel engine 12 has a radiator 18 provided at one end thereof, and a splitter gear box 20 attached to the drive shaft thereof. The cooling unit 14 and the radiator 18 are arranged at an end of the drill rig 10 remote from the operator's compartment 16. This arrangement minimises the extent to which the operator's compartment is heated by hot air being expelled from the radiator 18 and the cooling unit 14. A mounting 22 for the drilling machine 11 is provided at an end of the drill rig 10 remote from the diesel engine 12, such that the engine 12 acts as a counterbalance for the drilling machine.

The drill rig 10 further comprises an electric motor 24, constituting one power source (the diesel engine 12 constituting the other) which powers one set of hydraulic pumps 26, and a hydraulic oil tank 28.

An air compressor 30 and another set of hydraulic pumps 32 are connected to the splitter gearbox 20.

The drill rig 10 is further provided with an electrical distribution compartment 34, a water tank 36 and control valves 38. The control valves 38 are provided adjacent the operator's compartment 16.

The drill rig 10 further comprises a hydraulic power system in the form of a hydraulic circuit 40 powered by either of the one set or second set of hydraulic - 7 - pumps 26 and 32, respectively. The hydraulic circuit 40 includes a reservoir 42 of hydraulic fluid, a plurality of one way valves 44 and a plurality of filters 46.

Each of the sets of hydraulic pumps 26 and 32 comprise three discrete hydraulic pumps providing three fluid outputs. The largest hydraulic pumps 26a and 32a are joined at a manifold 48. The manifold 48 is connected to an impact and feed system of the drilling machine via the filter 46a, to the tram motors via control valves 50 and to a boom system of the drilling machine via a shuttle valve 52. Flow control valves 54 are provided in the hydraulic circuit 40 between the manifold 48 and the control valves 50 to ensure that equal pressure is provided to both of the tram motors.

The medium hydraulic pumps 26b and 32b are joined at a manifold 56, the output of which is connected to a rotation system of the drilling machine. A flow control valve 58 is provided at the output of the manifold 56. The rotation system, the impact and feed system and the boom system form a drilling drive system.

The small hydraulic pump 26c is split and fed to the boom system via the shuttle valve 52, and to a pilot system via a shuttle valve 60. The small hydraulic pump 32c also powers the pilot system via the shuttle valve 60 and is also connected to a cooling circuit 62.

The cooling circuit 62 comprises a pair of fan motors 64a and 64b which are used in conjunction with air-to-oil coolers 66a and 66b, respectively. The fan motors 64a and 64b are arranged in series and are powered by the small hydraulic pump 32c, such that the fan motor 64a provides air cooing of the air-to-oil cooler 66a, and the fan motor 64b provides air cooling of the air-to-oil cooler 66b.

In the present embodiment, the air-to-oil cooler 66a is a heat exchanger providing air cooling to hydraulic oil in the oil return path of the hydraulic circuit 40 and the air-to-oil cooler 66b is a heat exchanger providing air cooling to coolant of the engine 12. - 8 -

The cooling circuit 62 further comprises a water-to-oil cooler 68, which is a heat exchanger providing water cooling to hydraulic oil in the return path of the hydraulic circuit 40, in addition to the air-to-oil cooler 66a..

A pair of thermostatically controlled valves 70 are provided in parallel with the air- to-oil cooler 66a such that if the hydraulic oil passing through the thermostatically controlled valves 70 is above a predetermined temperature, the valves 70 will close, forcing the hydraulic oil through the air-to-oil cooler 66. A filter 71 is also provided in the cooling circuit 62 to filter oil returning to the reservoir 42.

The pilot system is essentially shown in Fig 3 and provides a means to selectively control whether the hydraulic power system powers the vehicular drive system or the drilling drive system. The pilot system comprises a pressure regulator 72 provided in the hydraulic circuit after the shuttle 60, a switch means in the form of a control valve 74, a pair of isolating valves 76 and 78, tram direction control valves 80, and a tram speed valve 82.

The control valve 74 is manually movable between a first position at which the hydraulic power system powers the tram motors at a low speed, a second position at which the hydraulic power circuit powers the tramming motors at a high speed and a third position at which the power circuit powers the drilling drive system.

The valves 74, 76, 78, 80, 82 and 50 each include ports "A", "B", "P", "T" and control ports "a" and "b". Each valve 74, 76, 78, 80, 82 and 50 includes a first flow diverter 84 in communication with control port "a". When fluid pressure is present at control port "a", the first flow diverter 84 is pushed into effect, connecting port "P" to port "B" and port "A" to port "T". Each valve 74, 76, 78, 80, 82 and 50 also includes a second flow diverter 86 in communication with control port "b". When fluid pressure is present at control port "b", the second flow diverter 86 is pushed into effect, connecting port "P" to port "A" and port "B" to port "T". When neither of the flow diverters 84 and 86 are in operation, port "P" is - 9 - terminated and ports "A" and "B" are connected to port "T". Port "T" of each of the valves 74, 76, 78, 80, 82 and 50 is connected to the return path to the reservoir 42.

The isolator valves 76 and 78 and the speed control valve 82 each have their control ports "b" biased such that in the absence of fluid pressure at control port "a", the second flow diverter 86 will be in effect.

Hydraulic fluid from the shuttle 60 passes through the pressure regulator 72 and is input to the control valve 74, the tram speed valve 82 and the tram isolator valve 76 at port "P" thereof.

Port "A" of the control valve 74 is connected to the control port "a" of the isolator valves 78 and 76. Port "B" of the control valve 74 is connected to the control port "a" of the speed control valve 82.

Port "A" of the isolator valve 76 is connected to port "P" of each of the tram direction control valves 80. Port "B" of the isolator valve 76 is terminated. In the absence of fluid pressure at control port "a" of the isolator valve 76, fluid pressure present at port "P" will pass through to port "A" and onto port "P" of the tram direction control valves 80.

Port "A" of isolator valve 78 is terminated. Port "B" of the isolator valve 78 passes through a pressure regulator 88 and thereafter to the boom system. In the absence of fluid pressure at control port "a" of the isolator valve 78, fluid pressure present at port "P" of the isolator valve 78 is isolated from the boom system by the first flow diverter 84.

Port "A" of each tram direction control valve 80 is connected to a corresponding control port "a" of a control valve 50. Similarly, the port "B" of each tram direction control valve 80 is connected to a corresponding control port "b" of a control valve

50. Each tram direction control valve 80 is manually movable between a first, a - 10 - second, and a third position, corresponding to forward, neutral and reverse directions respectively.

When a tram direction control valve 80 is in the first position, the first flow diverter 84 is in effect, and fluid pressure present at port "P" of the valve 80 is sent to port "B" and thereafter to control port "b" of the corresponding tram valve 50, so as to bring the second flow diverter 86 of the control valve 50 into effect, resulting in forward rotation of the corresponding tram motor.

When a tram direction control valve 80 is in the second position, neither of the flow diverters 84 or 86 are in effect, and any fluid pressure present at port "P" is not passed on to either of ports "a" or "b" of the control valve 80. Thus, neither of the control ports "a" or "b" of the tram control valve 50 are pressurised and consequently any fluid pressure at port "P" of the control valve 50 is not passed on to the tram motor, resulting in no movement of that tram motor.

When a tram direction control valve 80 is in the third position, the second flow diverter 86 is in effect, and fluid pressure present at port "P" of the tram direction control valve 80 is passed to port "A" thereof and thereafter to control port "a" of tram control valve 50. The pressure present at control port "a" of the control valve 50 results in the first flow diverter 84 of the control valve 50 being in effect, and any fluid pressure at port "P" of the control valve 50 will result in reverse rotation of the corresponding tram motor.

Whilst both tram direction control valves 80 are connected to the port "A" of the isolator valve 76, the tram direction control valves 80 are independently operable.

When the control valve 74 is in the first position, corresponding to low speed tramming, neither of the flow diverters 84 or 86 are in effect, and both of the ports "A " and "B" of the control valve 74 are connected to port "T" thereof. As a result, the control ports "a" of isolator valves 76 and 78 and speed control valve 82 are not pressurised. - 11 -

Consequently, fluid pressure present at port "P" of isolator valve 78 is isolated from the boom system.

Fluid present at port "P" of isolator valve 76 is passed to port "A" thereof and onto the tram direction control valves 80. The position of the tram direction control valves 80 will determine the direction of the motion of the tram motors.

Further, fluid pressure present at port "P" of tram speed control valve 82 is forwarded to port "A" and onto the servo cylinders of the tramming motors, thereby placing the motors in low speed mode.

When the control valve 74 is in the second position, corresponding to high speed tramming, the first flow diverter 84 is in effect and fluid pressure at port "P" is forwarded to port "B" of the control valve 74 and thereon to control valve "a" of the speed control valve 82. The pressure at control port "a" of the control valve 82 brings the first flow diverter 84 thereof into effect and isolates the fluid pressure present at port "P" of the tram speed control valve 82 from port "A" thereof. Consequently there is no fluid pressure at the servo cylinders of the tramming motors, and a spring within the motors switches the motors into high speed mode.

Whilst the first flow diverter 84 of the control valve 74 is in effect, the port "A" of the control valve 74 is connected to port "T". Consequently no fluid pressure is present at control ports "a" of isolator valves 76 and 78. The biasing at control port "b" of the isolator valves 76 and 78 bring the second flow diverter 84 into effect. Thus, the fluid pressure present at port "P" of isolator valve 78 is isolated from the boom system, which is attached to port "B". Further, fluid pressure present at port "P" of the isolator valve 76 is forwarded to the tram direction control valves 80. The position of the tram direction control valves 80 will determine the direction of the motion of the tram motors.

When the control valve 74 is in the third position, the second flow diverter 86 is in effect and fluid pressure present at port "P" of the control valve 74 is passed to - 12 - port "A" thereof and thereafter onto control port "a" of isolator valves 76 and 78. Fluid pressure at control port "a" of isolator valve 76 results in the first flow diverter 84 being brought into effect, which isolates fluid pressure present at port "P" of the isolator valve 76 from port "A" thereof. Consequently, fluid pressure present at port "P" is not forwarded to the tram control valves 80. When the tram control valves 80 are so isolated, irrespective of the position of the tram control valves 80, fluid pressure will not be present at either of the control ports "a" or "b" of the tram control valves 50, resulting in no movement of the tram motors.

Fluid pressure at control port "a" of isolator valve 78 results in fluid pressure at port "P" of the isolator valve 78 being forwarded to port "B" thereof and thereafter onto the boom system.

Thus, when the control valve 74 is in the first or the second position, the boom system is isolated from the hydraulic power system by the isolator valve 78 and the hydraulic power system powers the tram motors. When the control valve 74 is in the third position, corresponding to "drill mode", the hydraulic power system is isolated from the tram motors by means of the isolator valves 76 isolating the tram direction control valves 80 thereby resulting in the tram motors being isolated from the fluid pressure present at port "P" of the control valves 50.

The drill rig 10 further includes a fluid supply means in the form of an air-water supply system as shown in figure 5. The supply system comprises the compressor 30, the water tank 36, a plurality of one way valves 90, flow control valves 92 and pressure gauges 94. The supply system further comprises an air inlet 92 and a water inlet 94 arranged to receive air and water respectively from mine services pipes. The air inlet 92 is connected to an air filter 96. The air filter 96 and the air compressor 30 are connected together, with one way valves 90 arranged so as to prevent any reverse flow of air into the air compressor 30 or the air filter 96. The air filter 96 and the air compressor 30 are connected to a moisture trap 98. - 13 -

The moisture trap 98 is connected to a pressure regulator 100, a pressure gauge 94 and the water tank 36. A one way valve 90 is disposed between the water tank 36 and the moisture trap 98.

The water inlet 94 is connected to a water filter 102 which in turn is connected to the water-to-oil cooler 68. Water from the water-to-oil cooler 68 is forwarded to the water pressure gauge 94. Air and water at their respective pressure gauges 94 thereafter pass through respective control valves 92 and one way valves 90, are combined and forwarded to the drilling machine.

The water tank 36 is connected to a flow control valve 92 which in turn is connected to the pipe supplying the drilling machine with fluid. Thus, in the event that water is unavailable from a mine service, water from the water tank 36 is utilised. Further, in the event that pressurised air is unavailable from a mining service, the air compressor 30 is utilised to provide pressurised air to the drilling machine.

Pressurised air output from the pressure regulator 100 is fed into an oil reservoir (not shown) positioned beneath the electric motor 24, which supplies oil for the drill.

The control valve 74 and the tram directional control valves 80 comprise the control valves 38 adjacent the operator's compartment 16.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiment described above.

Claims

- 14 -The Claims defining the invention are as follows:-

1. A self-contained underground drill rig comprising:

a vehicular drive system for locomotion of the drill rig;

a drilling drive system for driving a drilling machine;

wherein one said power source is connectable to the installed mine services to deliver power to said hydraulic power system and the other said power source is self-contained within the drill rig to deliver power to said hydraulic power system from within the confines of the drill rig itself.

2. A drill rig as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said one power source is an electric motor connectable to the electrical services of the mine and said other power source is a fuel powered engine.

3. A drill rig as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said hydraulic power system includes one set of hydraulic pumps connectable to said one power source and another set of hydraulic pumps separately connectable to said other power source to independently source power thereto from one or the other of said power sources. - 15 -

4. A drill rig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control means comprises a switch means moveable between a first state at which said hydraulic power system powers said vehicle drive system, and a second state at which said hydraulic power system powers said drilling drive system.

5. A drill rig as claimed in claim 4, wherein said switch means comprises a valve.

6. A drill rig as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein said control means further comprises at least one isolation valve arranged such that when said switch means is in the first state, said drilling drive system is isolated from said hydraulic power system, and when said switch means is in the second state, said vehicle drive system is isolated from said hydraulic power system.

7. A drill rig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a fluid supply means arranged to supply fluid to said drilling machine for flushing a drill thereof.

8. A drill rig as claimed in claim 7, wherein said fluid supply means includes a liquid storage tank arranged to supply liquid to said drilling machine.

9. A drill rig as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein said fluid supply means includes gas supplying means for supplying a gas under pressure to said drilling machine, wherein a gas/liquid combination is used to flush the drill of said drilling machine.

10.A drill rig as claimed in claim 9, wherein said gas/liquid combination is predominantly gas by volume.

11. A drill rig as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein said gas supply means includes a compressor.

12.A drill rig as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11 , wherein said fluid supply means includes a liquid valve means connectable to said liquid storage tank - 16 - and to the liquid services supply of the mine if available, said liquid storage tank or alternatively from said liquid services supply.

13.A drill rig as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein said fluid supply means includes a gas valve means connectable to said compressor and to the gas services supply of the mine if available, said gas valve means being selectively operable to supply gas to said drilling machine either from said compressor or alternatively from said gas services supply.

14.A drill rig as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein said the liquid is water and said gas is air.

15.A drill rig as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein said the gas under pressure is also fed into said liquid storage tank to feed liquid therefrom under pressure.

16.A drill rig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a cooling unit having at least one heat exchanger, wherein said fluid supply means is connected to said heat exchanger to supply coolant fluid thereto.

17. A self-contained underground drill rig substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate.