AU2018372529B2

AU2018372529B2 - Autonomous drilling machine for the construction of service shafts and open shafts

Info

Publication number: AU2018372529B2
Application number: AU2018372529A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Marc Anthony BLATTNER
Original assignee: Tumi Contratistas Mineros Sac
Current assignee: Tumi Contratistas Mineros Sac
Priority date: 2017-11-21
Filing date: 2018-01-05
Publication date: 2023-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2038-01-05
Also published as: CA3083110A1; CA3083110C; PE20190884A1; CL2020001276A1; WO2019103630A1; AU2018372529A1; MX2020005000A

Abstract

The invention relates to an autonomous drilling machine for the construction of service shafts and open shafts, also known as slots, especially designed to improve efficiency in mining and civil engineering, as well as significantly reducing interaction between people and machines, thereby preventing the necessary risks in underground drilling and operations associated with conventional shaft construction methods.

Description

AUTONOMOUS DRILLING MACHINE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SERVICE SHAFTS AND OPEN SHAFTS

Technical field

The invention refers to an autonomous drill rig for the construction of service raise and open face also known as "slot", specially designed to improve efficiency in the process of mining production and civil projects, as well as considerably reducing man-machine interaction, avoiding risks required for operations and underground drilling related to conventional methods of raise construction.

Background

The dimensions of the slot raise, or free face, which are normally built in the different mining units vary from 1.2 m to 2.1 m diameter and are preferably executed of 2.1 meters with lengths of 20 m to 200 m, with tilt angles varying around 90° to 45° taking the horizontal plane as a reference.

A drill rig of service raise and open face is originally designed for drilling mine ventilation raises, among other applications, being capable of drilling holes, preferably 2.1 meters in diameter and between 20 and 200 meters in length, and where the process of building the raise requires about 4 to 8 weeks. The drilling of service raise and free face "slot" provides a very stable and smooth finish reducing considerably the post-drilling works. To perform the pre-drilling process, traditionally it is required to build a typical concrete slab for the machine of about 3 m x 4m x 0.4 meters high, where the machine needs to be fixed with anchor bolts, preferably 22.2 mm in diameter by 1.2 meters. Likewise, a structural base composed of high strength structural beams and steel is required to support the machine once the drilling is completed. This type of machine consists of a power unit, an electrical cabinet and a separate control console, which implies the connection of hoses and electrical cables at a distance of approximately 5 to 7 meters in length depending on the work area, with difficulty at the time of moving the machine with all its units to the different work chambers since it will be transported by a front-end loader leading to a loss of more than 15% of the reaming time inside the mine.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.

Summary

To aim to improve the reaming process times and increase productivity in the drilling of service raise

and/or free face in the different mining units, a new design, and manufacturing of an autonomous

machine was carried out, with its own drill rig motion system, which is preferably but not limited to a

crawler tractor propelled by an internal combustion engine, optionally located on the rear, controlled

by fixed commands located on the rear of the crawler preferably. Once in place, the machine is

completely leveled for the raise to be drilled, considering that the axial axis of the raise must coincide

with the central axial axis of the mechanical transmission gearbox, which provides a variable speed of

rotation and constant torque which suit the condition of the ground to be drilled. This machine has

two levels of angle and fixed control of leveling and anchoring, first, the crawler tractor is leveled by

leveling cylinders, then the drilling angle is adjusted by using tilt cylinders; finally, the machine is

anchored both by floor as well as gallery ceiling with lower anchor cylinders on the floor and upper

anchor cylinders on the station ceiling without use of anchor bolts or concrete slab. The drill rig of

service raise and open face of this subject matter has a power unit and electrical cabinet

incorporated into the motion system of the drill rig which is preferably a crawler tractor, so there is

no need to connect or disconnect hydraulic hoses or electrical cables between the machine

components during the workstation installation and removal, consequently, it may reduce

considerably transport time and work installation, reduce these downtimes, obtain drilling from 20 m

to 200 meters in 3 to 4 weeks, and/or achieve 85% efficiency per hole; and, thus, the existing risks in

the process of transfer and reaming and the environmental contamination produced by the spillage

of hydraulic oil due to leakage of hoses when connecting and disconnecting may be reduced.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an autonomous low-profile drilling rig for

boring service shafts and free faces, which can be drilled at different angles to either the longitudinal

or transverse axis of the machine wherein the system of movement of the rig is a crawler tractor, and

wherein a structural base is connected to the crawler tractor by a pivot system that enables the

machine to adopt a desired drilling angle; the machine comprising two sets of lateral hydraulic

cylinders consisting of two cylinders 12.7 cm in diameter and one cylinder of 17.8 cm, designed to

work at a pressure of at least 34.5 MPa while raising and lowering a drilling head on guide columns

during pilot hole drilling and reaming; the machine further comprising anchor jacks to secure the rig

to the working position, wherein, once positioned, the jacks extend up to a roof and down to a floor

of a gallery, creating greater stability during reaming and reducing the vibration of the machine, the

jacks extending 50.8 to 152.4 cm according to the size of the gallery and inclination of the drilling rig,

and are fitted with devices to ensure better grip on rock; the machine further comprising lower and

exterior jacks which stabilise and offset a longitudinal gradient of irregular terrain; the machine further comprising other cylinders to control the inclination of the machine in a longitudinal plane between 900 and 45 to a transverse plane of the rig; the machine further comprising a pivot system enabling the rig to be inclined in a frontal plane between 90 and 45° to the transverse plane either to left or right.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or

"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group

of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group

of elements, integers or steps.

Description of the invention

The following subject matter is described referring to drawings and appendixes, which illustrate the

relation of this i subject matter.

Picture 1 is a right side view of the machine in transport mode.

Picture 2 is a left side view in operating mode.

Picture 3 is a front view in operating mode.

The drill rig of this subject matter has its own means of mine transportation, which is autonomous

since it has a drill rig's motion system being preferably but not limited to a crawler tractor powered

by an internal combustion engine, which fixed transport controls are preferably located at the left

rear of the crawler and completely direct and level the machine for the raise to be drilled,

considering that the axial axis of the raise must coincide with the central axial axis of the mechanical

transmission gearbox, which provides a variable rotation speed and constant torque to suit the

ground conditions. For this purpose, the machine is equipped with angle levels and fixed leveling and

anchoring controls. First, the crawler tractor is leveled by leveling cylinders, then the drilling angle is

regulated by tilt cylinders; finally, the machine is anchored to the ground as in the gallery ceiling with

lower and upper anchor cylinders on the workstation roof without using bolts and concrete slabs.

The drill rig of service raise and free face of this subject matter is capable of drilling holes of 2. 1

meter in diameter and about 200 meters in length which are usually requested by the different

mining units, with angles of preferably between 90 to 45 inclination regarding the longitudinal

center of the machine, and 900 to 45 to the transversal of the machine in both directions (left and

right) employing a pivoting system which allows inclination and fixing of the machine. This function

allows drilling in reduced spaces by losing maneuverability of the machine in different galleries. In

the raise construction process, using the autonomous drill rig of this subject matter, approximately 4

days are required to drill holes of 2.1 meters in diameter by 20 meters in length, obtaining finishes, very stable and homogeneous raises throughout the diameter. One of the main advantages of using an autonomous machine for drilling of service raise and free face is a significant reduction of the man-machine interaction, by using a remote control to operate both the positioning arm of pipes, the electro-hydraulic key for the increase of pipes and its removal. From the economic concept, productivity is increased compared to the previous design.

Picture 1 shows the raise drill rig and slot in the transport position. It is shown on the crawler tractor

01, the internal combustion engine 02, fixed controls 03, and the transport remote control 35, with

which the machine is moved. The component 06 correlates with the fixed controls driving the

leveling cylinders 07 of the crawler tractor. The machine anchor is executed by lower anchor

cylinders 09 which are fixed to the floor and the upper anchor cylinders are fixed to the ceiling of the

working chamber. The electrical cabinet 11 and the power unit 20, which provide the hydraulic

power required to operate the machine, are located at the rear of the machine. The positioning arm

of pipes 15 allows the addition and removal of drill pipes. The thrust sets 18 are located on the sides

of the machine and transmit the vertical force required for the reaming and piloting process. The

hydraulic tank 22 stores the oil required to drive the crawler tractor 01 and the hydraulic tank 23

stores the oil to drive the power unit 20.

Picture 2 shows the drill rig in working position on the profile plane, which has an inclination of

approximately 45 regarding the transverse axis of the machine with the lower anchor cylinders

extended to the chamber floor and the angle value is controlled at level 05 located on one side of the

"gear case". The mechanical transmission gearbox 04 which transmits the torque supplied by the

hydrostatic motor 25 which is in its upper position allows the installation of a drill pipe 16 using a

positioning arm 15.

Picture 3 shows a machine front view in operating mode, noticing that the machine has a turn of

approximately 45° to the left side concerning the cross axis of the machine. Said turn may be given to

both sides, once the machine is located in its working position the lower cylinders 07 and outer

cylinders 29 are extended to be positioned on the floor of the chamber and on top of it to stabilize

the machine at the time of

To operate this machine, a removable control console 12 and an operating remote control 34 are

available and will be hung around the operator's neck. The drilling method consists of 2 stages, a

pilot hole, and a reaming hole. The first is executed downwards using 11 inches (279.4 mm) diameter

and a series of drill pipes of 10 inches (254 mm) diameter by 1.5 m long 16 in proportion to the

length of the raise. Drillings may also be made at different angles either on the longitudinal or

transverse axis to the machine, which varies preferably from approximately 90° to 45° angle according to the requirements or ground conditions. The mine requirements for the machine are 440 volts of three-phase alternating current at 60 Hertz, with a 350-kilovolt amperes power, and an average of 8 to 10 gallons per minute and clean water for the extraction ofdetritus, which enters into the machine through the rotating water inlet coupling 14. The machine has a positioning arm of pipes 15 electro-hydraulically driven to load each pipe 16 and position it in the machine drill head 32 effectively and safely. For adjusting the torque of the DI-22 threaded connections of the mechanical transmission as well as the drill pipe, the machine has an electro-hydraulic key 17 located at its base.

The mechanical transmission has several gear reduction stages and a hydrostatic motor 25, which

together provide a constant torque and the possibility of adjusting the drill string rotation speed

according to the ground conditions.

The drill rig of this subject matter, weighing less than 16 metric tons with an installed power of less

than 150 kW, has been designed to work in galleries of determining height, preferably less than 3.8

m, which is why it is called "low profile", and its transport measures are less than 2.5 m high by 2.3 m

wide, allowing it to enter a shipping container. For this purpose, its packages of push cylinders 18

work in tandem, allowing raising the gearbox 04 enough to couple a pipe in the middle and to retract

completely at the end of the raise to achieve the transport height. These cylinders include internal

safety valves, one on each side of the machine, which lowers the gearbox very slowly in the event of

an oil leakage incident.

The hydraulic thrust force and the torque with which the drill column rotates allow to communicate

the level where the machine is located with the lower target level in both stages of this drilling

method. Once the pilot drilling is completed, the second stage of upward reaming drilling begins. For

this, the drill bit is uncoupled and the next drill pipe 16 in the lower level of the mine to attach the

reamer. The machine uses this cutting device to expand the diameter of the raise as it upwards drills,

removing the components of the drill column, mainly made up of pipes 16. Fordecoupling each

component of the drilling column, the lower key located at the machine base 17, and the upper key

19 located at the drill head 32 are used. Both keys are electro-actuated hydraulically avoiding human

contact with the machine.

Claims

Claims:

1. An autonomous low-profile drilling rig for boring service shafts and free faces, which can be drilled at different angles to either the longitudinal or transverse axis of the machine wherein the system of movement of the rig is a crawler tractor, and wherein a structural base is connected to the crawler tractor by a pivot system that enables the machine to adopt a desired drilling angle; the machine comprising two sets of lateral hydraulic cylinders consisting of two cylinders 12.7 cm in diameter and one cylinder of 17.8 cm, designed to work at a pressure of at least 34.5 MPa while raising and lowering a drilling head on guide columns during pilot hole drilling and reaming; the machine further comprising anchor jacks to secure the rig to the working position, wherein, once positioned, the jacks extend up to a roof and down to a floor of a gallery, creating greater stability during reaming and reducing the vibration of the machine, the jacks extending 50.8 to 152.4 cm according to the size of the gallery and inclination of the drilling rig, and are fitted with devices to ensure better grip on rock; the machine further comprising lower and exterior jacks which stabilise and offset a longitudinal gradient of irregular terrain; the machine further comprising other cylinders to control the inclination of the machine in a longitudinal plane between 90 and 450 to a transverse plane of the rig; the machine further comprising a pivot system enabling the rig to be inclined in a frontal plane between 900 and 45 to the transverse plane either to left or right.

2. A drilling rig as claimed in claim 1 wherein use of a remote control system permits better visibility during transfer and operation inside a mine, and wherein the machine further comprises a mechanical reduction gearbox with the drilling head to which the drill pipe sections are attached by the handling arm and clamps.

3. A drilling rig as claimed in claim 1 wherein the other cylinders that control the drilling angle in the longitudinal plane: are connected to the machine by the pivot system to control the drilling angle in the frontal plane, are secured to the two support columns, and consist of the anchor jacks.

4. A drilling rig as claimed in claim 1, wherein six hydraulic cylinders 12.7 cm and 17.8 cm in diameter provide the thrust necessary (34.5 MPa) for the reaming process and are divided into two sets of 3 cylinders, each consisting of twin cylinders 12.7 cm in diameter on each side of an inverted cylinder 17.8cm in diameter.

5. A drilling rig as claimed in claim 4, wherein each set of hydraulic cylinders is secured by pins to the structural base and the inverted cylinder transmits hydraulic power to a reduction gearbox through a thrust device, thus generating the reaming force necessary.

6. A drilling rig as claimed in claim 1, having a low profile, where each set of hydraulic cylinders work in tandem to lift a reduction gearbox in order to insert a drill pipe section and to remove all pipe string sections.

7. A drilling rig as described in claim 1, wherein a safety valve is incorporated into each set of hydraulic cylinders, which is normally closed and is fitted between a pressure line and a tank; the purpose of the safety valve being to limit the pressure to a given value, above which hydraulic oil from a pump is diverted to the tank.

8. A drilling rig as claimed in claim 1, wherein the machine has two guide columns that control the direction of the shaft being drilled throughout its length, and carries a reduction gearbox, and wherein bottom and top ends of these guide columns are fixed to the structural base and an upper structure, respectively.

9. A drilling rig as claimed in claim 1, wherein a drill pipe handling arm is operated electro hydraulically, to load each pipe section and position it in the machine's drilling head.

10. A drilling rig as claimed in claim 1, wherein the machine has two electro-hydraulic clamps, one on the base and one on the drilling head to tighten and release the threaded joints DI-22 between each drill pipe section and the drilling head.

11. A drilling rig as claimed in claim 10, wherein two hydraulic cylinders open and close a drilling head clamp in order to decouple the drill string sections, thus reducing contact between man and machine, reducing the time taken to uncouple the drill pipes and therefore reducing the reaming process.

12. A drilling rig as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mechanical reduction gearbox and/or transmission system provides two speeds, high (50 to 70 RPM) and low (12 to 14 RPM), and wherein a hydrostatic motor enables the reaming speed to be increased or reduced; an improvement that ensures greater stability during the reaming process.

13. A drilling rig as claimed in claim 1, wherein two lower anchor jacks are bolted to the structural base of the machine and secure it to the floor of the gallery.

14. A drilling rig as claimed in claim 1, wherein one jack is provided at both ends of each support column.

15. A drilling rig as claimed in claim 1, wherein a crawler tractor is used to transport the machine and all its components, in which the crawler tractor is the means of adjusting the drilling angle.

16. A drilling rig as claimed in claim 15, wherein four levelling cylinders are fitted to the crawler tractor.

17. A drilling rig as claimed in claim 1, wherein hydraulic cylinders control the inclination.

18. A drilling rig as claimed in claim 15, wherein a power unit and electrical control unit are incorporated into the crawler tractor.

19. A drilling rig as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein remote operating and transport controls are used.

WO 2019/103630

1/3

Figure 1 PCT/PE2018/000001

Right side view of the machine in transport mode

WO 2019/103630

2/3

Figure 2

Left side view in operational mode PCT/PE2018/000001

WO 2019/103630

3/3

Figure 3 PCT/PE2018/000001

Front view in operational mode