Raise boring tool with digital identification tag

Abstract

A cone cutter for a raise boring tool, comprising: a journal; a tool housing positioned radially about the journal; wherein the journal includes an outer surface from which the journal end protrudes; a seal holder positioned between the journal and the cone cutter; the cone cutter is characterized in that at least one digital identification tag is positioned on the cone cutter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a roller cutter for a raise drilling tool, which comprises a digital identification tag. Background Art

[0002] The raise boring tool has a drill bit that is used to drill a raise boring by reaming the pilot hole to the desired final diameter. The drill bit is usually composed of a plurality of roller cutters arranged in a circular pattern on the reamer body and rotates while the reamer is fed upward, thereby breaking up the rock around the pilot hole. During drilling, the drill pipe is located in the pilot hole that has been pre-drilled.

[0003] Raise boring tools are often identified by stamping or engraving a serial number, part number and / or model number on the tool. However, the problem is that raise boring tools and especially roller cutters are exposed to harsh environments including high temperatures and wear from dirt and dust, so the stamped or engraved markings tend to wear away; and even if they remain intact and are read after drilling, the tool needs to be cleaned. Another problem is that this form of identification is inefficient and does not store data relevant to the drilling operation.

[0004] Therefore, the problem to be solved is how to provide reliable storage of product information and operation information. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide reliable storage of information about a raise boring tool and to be able to store operational information. This object is achieved by providing a roller cutter for a raise boring tool, the roller cutter comprising: a journal; a tool housing radially positioned around the journal; wherein the journal comprises an outer surface from which an end of the journal protrudes; a seal holder positioned between the journal and the roller cutter; characterized in that at least one digital identification tag is located on the roller cutter. Advantageously, the inclusion of a digital identification tag on the roller cutter provides a means of digital information storage, which is a more efficient method for identifying and locating components. It enables easier inventory control and location of parts and enables information acquisition and identification of the drilling tool when the drilling tool is used multiple times. The information can be read or stored in a simple manner. In addition, information related to the drilling operation can also be stored on the identification tag. In addition, the life cycle of the product can be tracked.

[0006] In one embodiment, the digital identification tag is a radio frequency identification tag (RFID). Advantageously, RFID tags are able to remain intact even in harsh environments. Furthermore, if the digital identification tag is in the form of an RFID tag, the data can be read without first cleaning the drill tool, thereby achieving a more efficient method.

[0007] In one embodiment, the digital identification tag is encoded with a one-dimensional or two-dimensional optical machine-readable code. Advantageously, this enables the identification tag to be positioned below the metal surface without affecting its readability, thereby enabling the identification tag to be located in a position less exposed to wear.

[0008] In one embodiment, the digital identification tag is a Quick Response (QR) code, a high capacity color two-dimensional code, a European product number code, a DataMatrix code, or a MaxiCode. Advantageously, if a Data Matrix code is used, more information can be stored in a smaller area. In addition, only a portion of the Data Matrix code needs to remain intact in order to read the information, so even if the Data Matrix code is slightly damaged, the information can still be read. It may be preferred that the ID tag used has an industry standard associated with it.

[0009] In one embodiment, the identification tag is etched, engraved, inscribed, stamped or painted. Advantageously, by etching, engraving, inscribed, stamped or painted the identification mark onto the first coupling part, no special marking holding unit is required, which would require a special design of the machining tool body to make room for such a marking holding unit. Another benefit of not requiring a special marker holding unit is that the risk of imbalance in the machining tool body can be reduced. Preferably, the identification mark is laser engraved onto the base of the recess. Advantageously, the desired position can be most easily reached using a laser.

[0010] In one embodiment, the second identification tag is positioned on a surface that is not exposed to the external environment when the raise boring tool is in operation. Advantageously, this provides a combination of an external identification that is easily accessible to read data without having to disassemble the rotary cutter head, and an internally positioned identification tag that will not be exposed to wear, thereby providing a backup in the event that the externally positioned identification tag becomes worn.

[0011] In one embodiment, the second identification tag is encoded in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional optical machine-readable code, such as a DataMatrix code.

[0012] In one embodiment, the identification tag is located on the journal. Advantageously, this location is less exposed to wear because it does not come into contact with the rock during drilling operations. Depending on the exact positioning, the identification tag can be positioned to be more easily accessible or less exposed to wear, depending on which feature is most important in a particular application.

[0013] In one embodiment, the identification tag is located on the outer surface of the journal in the section between the seal holder and the journal end. Advantageously, this location is easily accessible for reading the data stored on the identification tag and is less exposed to wear.

[0014] In one embodiment, the identification tag is located on the axially most end surface of the journal end. Advantageously, this location is easily accessible to facilitate reading of the data stored on the identification tag without being subject to high wear.

[0015] In one embodiment, the identification tag is located on the radial side surface of the journal end. Advantageously, this location is easily accessible to facilitate reading of the data stored on the identification tag without being subject to high wear.

[0016] In one embodiment, when the cutter housing is mounted on the saddle, the identification tag is located on the journal at a location within the cutter housing that is advantageously less exposed to wear because it is not in contact with rock during drilling operations.

[0017] In one embodiment, the identification tag is located on a removable component that is inserted into the roller cutter. Advantageously, this means that the identification tag is less affected by heat and is therefore more likely to survive. In addition, the identification tag can be easily accessed and replacement / addition to an existing product is simple.

[0018] In one embodiment, the identification tag is located on the seal holder. Advantageously, this location is both easily accessible and well protected from wear. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the raise drilling tool.

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a roller cutter with a digital identification tag.

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a roller cutter having a digital identification tag located on the axially extreme surface of the journal end.

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a roller cutter having a digital identification tag located on a radial side surface of a journal end.

[0024] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a roller cutter having a removable component provided with a digital identification tag.

[0025] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a roller cutter having a digital identification tag located on the seal retainer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figure 1 A pilot hole 11 is shown which is pre-drilled between an upper layer and a lower layer (not shown) in a known manner. A drill bit 10 (also called a reaming head) is connected to a drive drill rod 12, and the drill bit 10 is then rotated and pressed against an annular surface 13 surrounding the pilot hole 11. The drill bit 10 includes a body 16 and a plurality of roller cutters 14 which are rotatably mounted on the body 16 using saddles 15 (also called fasteners). The drive drill rod 12 is connected to the body 16. The body 16 has a mounting surface 17 on which the saddles are carried.

[0027] Figure 2 Each roller cutter 14 is shown having a longitudinal axis 28, the roller cutter 14 including a cutter housing 19 (otherwise known as a casing) equipped with a plurality of cutting bits 20 (otherwise known as blades or balls) and a journal 21 (otherwise known as a bearing shaft) about which the cutter housing 19 rotates. The cutting bits 20 are typically made of hard metal or other highly wear-resistant material. The cutter housing 19 rotates about the journal 21. A seal retainer 26 is positioned between the journal 21 and the cutter housing 19 to prevent contaminants from entering the roller cutter 14 and to prevent grease from escaping from the roller cutter 14. A digital identification tag 18 is located on at least one of the roller cutters 14. The journal 21 includes a journal end 23 that protrudes outwardly from an exterior surface 22.

[0028] The digital identification tag 18 herein refers to any form of identification tag that can be read using electronic technology.

[0029] In one embodiment, the digital identification tag 18 is a radio frequency identification tag (RFID).

[0030] In one embodiment, the digital identification tag 18 is in the form of an RFID tag. The RFID tag can be press-fitted into a drilled hole (not shown). The RFID tag can be stored in an already recessed area or a newly created hole. Advantageously, this makes it easy to install the RFID tag on the roller cutter 14.

[0031] In another embodiment, the digital identification tag 18 is encoded with a one-dimensional or two-dimensional optical machine-readable code. The digital identification tag 18 may be in the form of a Quick Response (QR) code, a high-capacity color two-dimensional code, a European article number code, a DataMatrix code, or a MaxiCode, for example.

[0032] In one embodiment, the digital identification label 18 is etched, engraved, inscribed, embossed or painted.

[0033] In one embodiment, the roller cutter 14 further includes a second digital identification tag 18, which is positioned on a surface that is not exposed to the external environment when the raise boring tool 2 is in operation. Preferably, the second digital identification tag 18 is encoded with a one-dimensional or two-dimensional optical machine-readable code (such as a DataMatrix code), but it can also be any other suitable form of digital identification tag 18.

[0034] In one embodiment, the digital identification tag 18 is located on a surface of at least one of the roller cutters 14 that is stationary when the drill 2 is drilling. Advantageously, such a surface is less exposed to wear.

[0035] In one embodiment, the digital identification tag 18 is visible when the drilling tool 2 is assembled.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the digital identification tag 18 is located on the journal 21. For example, Figure 2 As shown, the digital identification tag 18 is located on the outer surface 22 of the journal 21 in the section between the seal retainer 26 and the journal end 23 .

[0037] Figure 3 Another embodiment is shown in which the digital identification tag 18 is located on the axially endmost surface 24 of the journal end 23. The journal end 23 has a generally square shape, but may be any other suitable shape.

[0038] Figure 4 Another embodiment is shown in which the identification tag 18 is located on a side surface 25 of the journal end 23. The side surface 25 of the journal end 23 extends radially from the longitudinal axis 28.

[0039] In another embodiment, the identification tag 18 is located within the tool housing 19 on the journal 21 when the tool housing 19 is mounted on the saddle 15 .

[0040] Figure 5An alternative embodiment is shown in which the identification tag 18 is located on a removable component 27 that is inserted into the roller cutter 14. The removable component 27 may be in the form of a plug, for example, but may be any other suitable component that can be inserted into the drill and removed from the drill as required. The removable component 27 may be made of any material, for example, the removable component 27 may be made of plastic, however it may be made of any other suitable material. Preferably, the removable component 27 is inserted into a cavity in the journal 21, even more preferably, the removable component 27 is inserted into a cavity in the journal end 23, even more preferably, the removable component 27 is located in the axial endmost surface 24 of the journal end 23, but it may also be inserted into a cavity in any other suitable location on the roller cutter 14.

[0041] Figure 6 Another embodiment is shown in which the numerical identification 18 is located on the seal retainer 26 .

Claims

1. A roller cutter (14) for a raise drilling tool (2), comprising: Journal (21); A tool housing (19) radially positioned around the journal (21); The journal (21) comprises an outer surface (22), and the journal end (23) protrudes from the outer surface (22); a seal retainer (26) positioned between the journal (21) and the roller cutter (14); a longitudinal axis (28); Features: At least one digital identification tag (18) is located on the roller cutter (14).

2. The raise drilling tool (2) according to claim 1, wherein: The digital identification tag (18) is a radio frequency identification tag (RFID).

3. The raise drilling tool (2) according to claim 1, wherein: The digital identification tag (18) is encoded with a one-dimensional or two-dimensional optical machine-readable code.

4. The raise drilling tool (2) according to claim 3, wherein: The digital identification label (18) is a Quick Response (QR) code, a high-capacity color two-dimensional code, a European article number code, a DataMatrix code or a MaxiCode.

5. The raise drilling tool (2) according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein: The identification label (18) is etched, engraved, inscribed, embossed or painted.

6. The raise boring tool (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second identification tag (18) positioned on a surface not exposed to the external environment when the raise boring tool (2) is in operation.

7. The raise drilling tool (2) according to claim 6, wherein: The second identification tag (18) is encoded with a one-dimensional or two-dimensional optical machine-readable code, such as a DataMatrix code.

8. The raise boring tool (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification tag (18) is located on the journal (21).

9. The raise drilling tool (2) according to claim 8, wherein: The identification label (18) is located on the outer surface (22) of the journal in a section between the seal holder (26) and the journal end (23).

10. The raise drilling tool (2) according to claim 8, wherein: The identification label (18) is located on the axially endmost surface (24) of the journal end (23).

11. The raise drilling tool (2) according to claim 8, wherein: The identification label (18) is located on a radial side surface (25) of the journal end (23).

12. The raise drilling tool (2) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein: When the tool housing (19) is installed in the saddle (15), the identification tag (18) is located on the journal (21) at a position within the tool housing (19).

13. The raise drilling tool (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The identification tag (18) is located on a removable component (27) that is inserted into the roller cutter (14).

14. The raise drilling tool (2) according to claims 1 to 7, wherein: The identification tag (18) is located on the seal holder (26).

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