Displacement measuring device used for being installed in rock hole

Abstract

The invention provides a displacement measuring device comprising an elongate rigid body extending between a proximal end and a distal end and adapted to be inserted into a rock bore, the body comprising a first component and a second component; a proximal anchor engaged with the first component and positioned and adapted to engage a rock bore at a proximal location; a distal anchor engaged with the second component and positioned and adapted to engage a rock bore at a distal location; and a displacement sensor wherein the first component is adapted to move axially relative to the second component when the proximal location is moved away from the distal location due to the displacement, and wherein the displacement sensor is responsive to the movement of the first component relative to the second component and is adapted to generate a first output indicative of a degree of displacement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device that measures the displacement of a rock mass around a rock hole, or measures the displacement of the rock mass and the location of the deformation, and the device is installed in the rock hole. Background Art

[0002] To enhance mine safety, it is crucial to evaluate the structural integrity of the rock wall support system, including the installation of rock bolt reinforcements.

[0003] The passive and dynamic forces exerted by the surrounding rock mass strain the rock bolts, and failure can occur when the strain exceeds the capacity of the bolts. Advantageously, monitoring the deformation within the rock mass around the rock bolt equipment as an indicator of strain provides an early warning when the strain approaches the critical threshold. Measuring the deformation or strain in the rock mass is an important safety measure in mining applications.

[0004] Several underground devices can be used to measure rock mass deformation and record data for analysis by mine operators. Typically, these devices require a separate installation process (such as ground support installation) different from the daily mining operations. This separation is caused by the lack of robustness and compatibility of the instruments with the standard mining equipment installation. In addition, the installation of some devices requires professional technicians such as geotechnical engineers.

[0005] Therefore, these devices are often installed as a secondary process after the standard operations are completed. This requires separate planning and allocation of resources (personnel, equipment, and consumables) for their installation, diverts resources from the regular mining activities, and causes interruptions in the mining cycle, ultimately resulting in production and revenue losses.

[0006] The present invention at least partially solves the previously mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, a change in the position of a proximal location relative to a distal location is referred to as displacement.

[0008] In the context of the present invention, displacement occurs when a section of the rock hole engaged by a first anchoring member moves relative to a section of the rock hole engaged by a second anchoring member.

[0009] Hereinafter, a "sensor" refers to a device that responds to a physical stimulus (such as heat, light, sound, pressure, magnetic force, or special movement) and transmits a resulting signal (regarding a measuring or operating control device).

[0010] The present invention provides a displacement measuring device, which includes an elongated rigid body that extends between a proximal end and a distal end and is adapted to be inserted into a rock hole. The body includes a first component and a second component; a proximal anchor that engages with the first component and is positioned and adapted to engage the rock hole at a proximal location; a distal anchor that engages with the second component and is positioned and adapted to engage the rock hole at a distal location; and a displacement sensor. The first component is adapted to move axially away from the second component when the proximal location moves away from the distal location due to displacement, and the displacement sensor responds to the movement of the first component relative to the second component and is adapted to generate a first output indicating the degree of displacement.

[0011] The first component can be directly engaged with the second component.

[0012] The first component and the second component can be telescopically engaged with each other.

[0013] The first component or alternatively, the second component can include a cylinder with an opening.

[0014] The second component or alternatively, the first component can include a shaft that engages with the opening.

[0015] Alternatively, the first component and the second component are not directly engaged.

[0016] In this alternative, the device can include at least one sleeve that connects the first component and the second component.

[0017] The sleeve can at least partially accommodate the first component and the second component.

[0018] The sleeve can be a cylindrical sleeve including a plurality of longitudinally spaced slots.

[0019] In this alternative, the first component can include a guide rod, and the proximal anchor engages with the guide rod.

[0020] The device includes a plurality of spaced intermediate anchoring elements mounted on the guide rod. Each anchoring element is positioned to penetrate the sleeve through a corresponding slot to engage the rock hole in use, and each anchoring element is adapted to move relative to the guide rod within its slot.

[0021] In addition, the device can include at least one position sensor that is fixedly engaged with the guide rod to move relative to the anchoring element.

[0022] At least one position sensor can respond to the relative distance between it and the adjacent anchoring element.

[0023] At least one position sensor can be adapted to generate a second output indicating the location of the displacement.

[0024] In this alternative, the first component is adapted to move axially away from the second component when there is rock separation between the proximal and distal locations.

[0025] In yet another alternative, the device may include a first sleeve and a second sleeve, where the first sleeve at least partially houses the first component, and where the second sleeve at least partially houses the second component.

[0026] In this alternative, the sleeves do not have slots and are adapted to hold the proximal anchor and the distal anchor in non-active receiving positions, respectively.

[0027] The first sleeve and the second sleeve may be movable relative to their respective first and second components such that the first anchor and the second anchor can be reconfigured from the receiving position to the expanded position.

[0028] A sensor (displacement sensor or position sensor) may be a device that detects displacement between a sensing element and a target by measuring a change in a parameter as a measure of distance or location.

[0029] The sensor may be, for example, a resistive or capacitive potentiometer, a linear encoder, a wire potentiometer, an optical or infrared sensor, a time-of-flight sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a hybrid sensor, such as a spring that extends against a pressure element or a magnetoresistive potentiometer displacement sensor.

[0030] Preferably, the displacement sensor and the position sensor are optical sensors.

[0031] The optical sensor may be located on the first component or the second component, where the reference or the target is correspondingly located on the second component or the first component.

[0032] The distal anchor may be positioned at or near the distal end, while the proximal anchor may be positioned closer to the proximal end.

[0033] The proximal anchor and the distal anchor may be respectively adapted to secure the first component or the second component at the proximal and distal locations.

[0034] The proximal anchor and the distal anchor may be static or actively mechanically actuable anchors.

[0035] The anchoring element may be a static anchor.

[0036] The displacement measuring device may include a processing module that communicates with the displacement sensor and receives a first output to calculate the extent of the displacement.

[0037] In addition, the processing module may communicate with the position sensor to receive a second output to determine the location of the displacement.

[0038] The first component may include a housing. Preferably, the housing includes a proximal end.

[0039] The processing module and the battery may be accommodated in the housing.

[0040] The displacement measuring device may include an indicator that communicates with the processing module and emits a signal in response to the displacement exceeding a predetermined limit.

[0041] The indicator may be located at the proximal end.

[0042] The displacement measuring device may include an actuating mechanism that causes the sensor to start responding to the displacement.

[0043] The actuating mechanism may include a first movable part that includes a reference element that engages the housing; and a switch that is housed in the housing and communicates with the processing module.

[0044] Preferably, the reference element is a magnet and the switch is a magnetic switch.

[0045] The first movable part may be adapted to accommodate the reference element, resiliently engage the housing, and slide out of the housing due to displacement.

[0046] The first movable part may be a circular or semi-circular shell.

[0047] For mechanical installation, the proximal end may be adapted to engage or connect with a drilling rig rock drill or other special bolt equipment.

[0048] The present invention provides a displacement measurement and displacement positioning device, which comprises: an elongate rigid body that extends between a proximal end and a distal end and is adapted to be inserted into a rock hole, the body comprising: a cylindrical sleeve having a first pair of slots and a second pair of slots longitudinally spaced from the first pair of slots; a guide rod that is within the sleeve and connected to the sleeve and has a proximal anchor positioned to engage the rock hole at a proximal location and a distal positioning element having a distal anchor positioned to engage the rock hole at a distal location; a first sliding member and a second sliding member mounted on the guide rod, which are within the sleeve and adapted to reciprocate along the guide rod therein; a first intermediate anchor and a second intermediate anchor that engage a first sliding guide and a second sliding guide respectively, and penetrate the sleeve through the first pair of slots and the second pair of slots respectively to engage the rock hole at a first intermediate location and a second intermediate location; and a first sensor and a second sensor on the guide rod, which are respectively between the end of the guide rod and the first sliding member and between the first sliding member and the second sliding member, wherein the guide rod and the sleeve are configured to move axially away from the distal positioning element when there is rock separation (displacement) between the proximal location and the distal location, wherein the first sensor responds to the movement of the guide rod relative to the distal positioning element and is adapted to generate a first output indicating the degree of displacement, and wherein the second sensor responds to the relative distance between it and the first sliding member and the second sliding member and is adapted to generate a second output indicating the location of the displacement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The present invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevation view of a displacement measurement device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1.1 is a cross-sectional view through Figure 1 line x-x on; Figure 1A diagrammatically shows Figure 1 a section of the device of, where the focus is on the position of the sensor and its target relative to the body of the device; Figure 1B diagrammatically shows Figure 1 a section of a first variant of the device of, where the focus is on the position of the sensor and its target relative to the body of the device; Figure 1C diagrammatically shows Figure 1 a section of a third variant of the device of, where the focus is on the position of the sensor and its target relative to the body of the device; Figure 1D diagrammatically shows Figure 1 a section of a fourth variant of the device of, where the focus is on the position of a second type of sensor and its target relative to the body of the device; Figures 2 to 8 Successively shown is Figure 1 the installation of the device into the rock hole; Figure 9 is an elevation view of the device partially and diagrammatically shown in Figure 1C ; Figure 10 is an elevation view of the displacement measuring device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Figures 11 to 16 Successively shown is Figure 10 the installation of the device into the rock hole; Figure 17 and Figure 18 is an elevation view of the displacement measuring device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention in the pre-displacement configuration; Figure 19 and Figure 20 is an elevation view of the device rotated 90° Figure 17 or Figure 18 ; Figure 21 and Figure 22 is an elevation view of the device Figure 17 or Figure 18 in the post-displacement configuration; Figure 23 and Figure 24 is an elevation view of the device rotated 90° Figure 21 or Figure 22 ; Figures 25 to 28 is Figure 21 or Figure 22 a longitudinal sectional view of the device, which shows the structural differences of the device when displacements of the rock mass around the rock hole occur at different locations, the device being deployed in the rock hole; and Figures 29 to 32 Diagrammatically highlights Figures 25 to 28 the corresponding structural differences shown in DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Figure 1 、 1A and Figures 2 to 8 show a displacement measuring device 10A according to the first embodiment. The device is suitable for measuring displacements or deformations of the rock mass around a rock hole, and the device is installed in the rock hole.

[0051] With particular reference to Figure 1 , the device 10A includes a rigid elongated body 12 extending between a proximal end 14 and a distal end 15.

[0052] The distal end 15 is shaped and configured to engage a drill rig rock drill or other specialized bolt equipment for insertion into the rock hole 19.

[0053] The body 12 includes a first component 16 and a second component 17.

[0054] In this embodiment, the first component 16 includes a shaft 18, an indicator 20 (and / or transmitter) at the proximal end 14, and a housing 22 interposed between the shaft and the indicator.

[0055] The housing 22 houses a processing module and a battery pack 23. The processing module is in electronic communication with the indicator.

[0056] The shaft 18 has a resistive elastically deformable static anchor 24 located on the collar portion 26 of the shaft. At the free end, the shaft has a docking pin 28 to keep the first component attached to the second component during transportation, handling, and installation.

[0057] A sensor 29 (an optical sensor in this instance) is engaged with the first component. Hereinafter, the sensor, the processing module / battery 23, and the indicator 20 are collectively referred to as the sensor system.

[0058] A magnetic actuation ring 30 circumscribes the housing 22 in the actuated position. The actuation ring contains a trigger magnet 31 that can trigger a magnetic switch 33 from "off" to "on".

[0059] The second component 17 includes a tubular section 32 that has an opening 34 (see Figure 1.1 ), into which the shaft penetrates. The opening has a blind end 36. Before actuation, the docking pin 28 at the free end of the shaft engages a complementary-shaped blind end.

[0060] At the distal end 15, a second resistive elastically deformable static anchor 38 is located on the second component.

[0061] Figure 2 The device 10A shown engaged with an installation tool 40. The installation tool has an aperture 42 that is complementary to the proximal end of the body 12 of the device and enables a rock drill 44 of a mechanized installation machine (such as a drilling rig (not shown)) to be adapted to connect with the device.

[0062] Once the device 10A is engaged, the rock drill 44 positions the device at the mouth of the rock hole 19 and applies an axially directed force to push the device 10A into the rock hole. Figure 3 and Figure 4 This action is shown in

[0063] In Figure 5 , the device 10A is inserted to the installation depth. During this action, the actuation ring 30 is pushed away from the underlying switch 30, triggering the switch to energize the sensor system and thereby actuating the sensor system. In this mode, the sensor system is ready to respond to an axial displacement of the first component 16 relative to the second component 17.

[0064] Once fully inserted, the first anchor 24 and the second anchor 38 engage the rock borehole 18 at the proximal anchor point 46 and the distal anchor point 48, respectively.

[0065] When rock separation occurs between the proximal and distal locations, as Figure 6 , 7 and stepwise shown in 8, when the first component 16 moves axially away from the second component 17, the docking pin 28 disengages from the blind end 36. However, the anchors maintain the respective components (16, 17) anchored to the respective proximal anchor point (46) and distal anchor point (48).

[0066] This movement is proportional to the displacement within the rock borehole, and the first component 16 responds to this movement. Utilizing this movement, the separation of the sensor 29 mounted on the first component 16 from the target 49 on the second component 17 will occur.

[0067] Figure 1B and Figure 1C show changes in the construction of the first and second components, and thus changes in the positioning of the sensor 29 and the target 49. In Figure 1B , the second component of the device 10B includes a shaft 18, and the first component includes a tubular section 33. In Figure 1C , the device 10C has additional tubular sections 53 and 55 concentric with the tubular section 32, which extend axially from the distal anchor 38 and the proximal anchor 24, respectively. Each of these tubular sections (53, 55) has an outward-facing lip (57) and an inward-facing lip (59). As will be further explained with reference to Figure 9 , these lips interlock to define the maximum extension limit of the body 12. Figure 1D The device 10D shown in shows an alternative to the optical sensor. Here, the sensor 29 is a magnetic sensor fitted within the opening 34 of the cylindrical section 32. The reference magnet 61 is positioned adjacent to the outward-facing lip 57 of the tubular section 53, and as the first component (16) and the second component (17) are pulled away from each other due to rock mass displacement, the reference magnet gives a position as it wipes along the sensor.

[0068] Accordingly, the sensor generates a signal (displacement output), which is transmitted to the processing module 23 to calculate a measure of the displacement. If this measure exceeds a predetermined maximum value, a visual or audible indicator 20 and / or a transmitter (not shown) issues a visual / audible warning.

[0069] It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the transmitter may continuously or intermittently transmit this warning and measure to a remote location.

[0070] In Figure 9Device 10C is shown. As mentioned, the outward-facing lip (57) and the inward-facing lip (59) interlock to define the maximum extension limit of the body 12, at which point the sensor system can be configured to report this. Further displacement beyond the maximum extension can further pull the first component 16 into the hole. This will ensure the pulling out of the actuating collar 30 (if still attached at this stage). Both the entry of the device into the hole and the pulling out of the collar can serve as very obvious visual indicators of excessive displacement.

[0071] Figures 10 to 16 Another embodiment of the present invention, displacement measuring device 10E, is shown. In describing this embodiment, like features are given like reference numerals. In addition, for ease of illustration and description, only the features that are different from the previous embodiment are described in detail.

[0072] The essential difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment 10A is that each of the anchors (24, 38) is a mechanically radially expandable anchor.

[0073] To hold each of these anchors in a closed configuration prior to deployment, device 10E includes a cap 50 that constrains the second anchor 38 and a constraining mechanism 52 that constrains the first anchor 24. Device 10B also includes a tubular sleeve 54.

[0074] A portion of the housing 22, the first anchor 24, and the proximal portion of the shaft 18 are received within the sleeve. The sleeve has an opening (slot) 56 through which the first anchor can expand radially.

[0075] Figure 11 Device 10E is shown engaged with the installation tool 40 and about to be pushed into the rock hole 19. As the device enters the rock hole, the cap 50 blocks at the entrance of the hole and falls off (see Figure 12 ). This allows the second anchor 38 to be actuated into radial expansion. However, since the spring cams or fingers 58 of the anchor bias inwardly, allowing axial advancement of the device into the hole, the inward movement of the device is not affected by this radial expansion.

[0076] As Figure 13 shown, device 10E is inserted into the rock hole until the collar 60 of the sleeve 54 engages with the mouth of the rock hole. In the case where the sleeve is blocked by this engagement, further inward movement will cause the first component 24 to move relative to the sleeve, where the housing moves against the one-way serrations 62 on the inner wall of the sleeve. This action triggers the sensor system to start responding to the axial displacement of the first component relative to the second component 17.

[0077] The first anchor 24 is attached in a manner that permits its movement along axis 18 to facilitate relative movement. Thus, when forward movement occurs, the restraint mechanism 52 shifts its position, creating a distance between itself and the first anchor 24 such that the anchor can be radially deployed through the opening 56 located at the proximal site 46.

[0078] The mounting spring 64 disposed between the housing 22 and the first anchor is compressed when the first member 24 moves forward (see Figure 13 ), preloading the device 10E and ensuring that the first anchor 24 does not retract. Meanwhile, the second anchor 38 secures the device 10E at the distal site. Figure 13 This is all shown.

[0079] As in the earlier embodiments, when rock separation occurs, as Figures 14 to 16 progressively shown, the first member 16 moves axially relative to the second member 17 while the anchors hold the respective members (16, 17) anchored to the proximal site (46) and the distal site (48) respectively. As described with respect to device 10A, this relative axial movement is detected, measured, and transmitted.

[0080] Figures 17 to 28 Fig. shows a displacement measurement and displacement positioning device 10F according to another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in that the device is not only suitable for measuring the rock separation displacement or deformation of the rock mass around the rock hole, but also suitable for identifying the location along the rock hole where the displacement occurs, and the device is installed in the rock hole.

[0081] When describing this embodiment, similar features carry similar reference numerals.

[0082] The device 10F includes a rigid elongated body 12 that extends between a proximal end 14 and a distal end 15 and is adapted to be inserted into the rock hole 19 by suitable mechanical means (see Figures 25 to 28 ).

[0083] The body 12 includes a first member 16 and a second member 17. These members are at least partially surrounded by a cylindrical sleeve 70 that extends between a tail end 72 and a front end 74. The second member 17 is hereinafter referred to as the distal positioning element.

[0084] The first member 16 includes a guide rod 76 that is coaxially positioned within the sleeve and extends between a first end 78 and a second end 80.

[0085] The electronic component housing 22 engages the proximal end 72 of the sleeve and the first end 78 of the rod.

[0086] The device 10F includes a first cylindrical sliding member 82 and a second cylindrical sliding member 84 that are within a sleeve and mounted on a guide rod 28 and are positioned between a first component and the second end 80 of the rod. Each of these components is cylindrical in form and is capable of moving along the guide rod within the sleeve.

[0087] The device 10F has two optical sensors fixedly mounted on the guide rod for sensing the location of displacement and the magnitude of the displacement: a first sensor 86 located between the sliding members (82, 84), and a second sensor 87 mounted adjacent to the second end 80 of the guide rod.

[0088] The device 10F has four static (resistive and elastically deformable) anchors: a proximal anchor 24 fixedly mounted on the guide rod 76 toward its first end 30, a distal anchor 38 on the distal positioning element 17, a first intermediate anchor 88 engaged with the first sliding member 82, and a second intermediate anchor 90 engaged with the second sliding member 84.

[0089] In order for the proximal anchor 24 and the intermediate anchors (88, 90) to engage the wall of the rock hole 19 during deployment, a pair of diametrically opposed fin sets (92.1, 92.2) of each anchor penetrate corresponding slots (respectively labeled 94.1, 94.2, 94.3) that form a plurality of slot pairs passing through the sleeve. Figure 20 and Figure 24 The slots are best shown in

[0090] In order to accommodate relative movement of the intermediate anchors (84, 88) relative to the sleeve, the slots (94.2 and 94.3) are elongated.

[0091] The distal positioning element 17 includes a shank 94 that projects from the element in a direction coaxial with the guide rod 76. When the device 10F is in the pre-displacement configuration, the end 96 of the shank is positioned opposite the second end 80 of the guide rod, with a relatively small gap between these ends. Figure 25 This configuration is shown in

[0092] In this pre-displacement configuration, the distal positioning element 17 engages the front end 74 of the sleeve 70.

[0093] The housing 22 houses a processing module, a power supply, and optionally, an indicator (not shown in the corresponding figure). The two sensors (86, 87) are in electronic communication with the processing module.

[0094] An installation adapter 100 is attached to the protruding end of the housing, and by a rock drill that is complementarily configured to engage an installation platform, the installation adapter 100 adapts the device 10F for mechanized installation.

[0095] Figure 25Shows the displacement measurement displacement positioning device 10F fully inserted in the rock hole 19 in the pre-displacement configuration. When not deployed, each of the anchors (24, 38, 88, and 90) engages the wall of the rock hole at the proximal location 46, the distal location 48, the first intermediate location 102, and the second intermediate location 104, respectively, and anchors the device to the wall of the rock hole (see Figure 30 ).

[0096] The movement of the separated rock mass causing displacement moves the rock face 106 outward, pulling on the housing 22 and the attached sleeve 70 and guide rod 76. As shown in Figure 26 , 27 and 28, when the distal positioning element 17 is anchored in place at the distal location 48 by the distal anchor 38, the pulling apart of the sleeve separates the sleeve from the distal positioning element.

[0097] However, when the first sliding member (82) and the second sliding member (84) are fixed in place at the first intermediate location (102) and the second intermediate location (104) by the first intermediate anchor (88) and the second intermediate anchor (90), the sleeve and the guide rod will move outward relative to these members. In doing so, the second sensor 87 moves away from the sensor target 98.

[0098] This relative movement is facilitated by the movement of the fin sets (92.1, 92.2) of the respective anchors within the respective slots (94.2, 94.3) from the rear end portions 106 of each slot to the front end portions 108 of each slot. This is shown in Figure 26 .

[0099] The structural movement within the device 10F is proportional to the displacement within the rock hole, and the second optical sensor 87, which is target-offset from the sensor target 98, will sense this movement and generate a signal that will be transmitted to the processing module for conversion into a measure of the magnitude of the displacement. This measure can be transmitted to a visual or auditory indicator (if the measure exceeds a predetermined maximum value) and / or a transmitter (to transmit the measure continuously or intermittently).

[0100] The second sensor 87 helps to calculate the total displacement (in this example 8, as shown in Figure 26 , 27 and 28, all displacements have the same magnitude), while the first sensor 86 helps to determine the location along the rock hole 19 where the displacement occurs. The first sensor accomplishes this by sensing the movement of the first sliding member (82) and the second sliding member (84) relative to it.

[0101] In Figure 26In [the figure], rock separation is exemplified by what occurs between the distal location 46 and the first intermediate location 102 (hereinafter, "the first quarter"). In this example, with the first sensor 86 fixed to the guide rod 28 and the components (82, 84) anchored to the rock hole wall at the first intermediate location (102) and the second intermediate location (104), the first sensor 86 will move away from the component 104 (to open the spacing from a to A) and towards the component 82 (to close the spacing from B to b). Figure 30 The relative movement is shown diagrammatically in [the figure].

[0102] In Figure 27 [the figure], rock separation is exemplified by what occurs between the first intermediate location 102 and the second intermediate anchor 104 (hereinafter, "the second quarter"). In this example, the second component will remain anchored to the second intermediate location 104. However, the first intermediate location 102, being part of the rock mass on the rock face side of the separation zone, will move away from the second intermediate location together with the rock mass. The first component 82 anchored to the first intermediate location will not move relative to the sleeve and the guide rod. Thus, the first sensor 86 will move away from the component 82 (to open the spacing from a to A), but the original mounting spacing (designated as B) between the sensor and the component 82 remains the same. See Figure 31 [the figure], which shows the relative movement diagrammatically.

[0103] In Figure 28 [the figure], rock separation is exemplified by what occurs between the distal location 48 and the second intermediate location 104 (hereinafter, "the third quarter"). In this example, with the rock mass containing both the first intermediate location (102) and the second intermediate location (104) on the rock face side of the separation zone, both the first component (82) and the second component (84) (anchored when they reach the first and second intermediate locations) will not move relative to the sleeve and the guide rod. Thus, the original spacing between the first sensor 86 and the component 84 (marked as a) and the component 82 (marked as B) remains the same.

[0104] Therefore, when the processing module receives a signal (output) from the first sensor 86, it indicates the following: · An increase in the distance from "a" to "A" and a decrease in the distance from "B" to "b" will indicate that displacement occurs in the first quarter; · An increase in the distance from "a" to "A" while maintaining the distance at "B" will indicate that displacement occurs in the second quarter; · When both the distances "a" and "B" remain constant, the module will indicate that displacement occurs in the third quarter.

Claims

1. A displacement measurement device, comprising an elongate rigid body extending between a proximal end and a distal end and adapted to be inserted into a rock hole, the body including a first component and a second component; a proximal anchor engaging with the first component and adapted to engage the rock hole at a proximal location; a distal anchor engaging with the second component and adapted to engage the rock hole at a distal location; and a displacement sensor, wherein the first component is adapted to move axially relative to the second component when the first component moves away from the distal location due to displacement at the proximal location, and wherein the displacement sensor responds to the movement of the first component relative to the second component and is adapted to generate a first output indicative of the extent of the displacement.

2. The displacement measurement device according to claim 1, wherein, The first component is directly joined to the second component.

3. The displacement measurement device according to claim 2, wherein, The first component and the second component are telescopically joined to each other.

4. The displacement measurement device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein, The first component or the second component includes a cylinder with an opening.

5. The displacement measurement device according to claim 4, wherein, The second component or the first component includes a shaft that engages with the opening.

6. The displacement measurement device according to claim 1, wherein, The first component and the second component are not directly joined.

7. The displacement measurement device according to claim 6, the displacement measurement device including at least one sleeve connecting the first component and the second component.

8. The displacement measurement device according to claim 7, wherein, The at least one sleeve at least partially houses the first component and the second component.

9. The displacement measurement device according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein, The sleeve is a cylindrical sleeve including a plurality of grooves longitudinally spaced from each other.

10. The displacement measurement device according to claim 9, wherein, The first component includes a guide rod, and the proximal anchor engages with the guide rod.

11. The displacement measurement device according to claim 10, the displacement measurement device including a plurality of spaced intermediate anchoring elements mounted on the guide rod, each anchoring element positioned to penetrate the sleeve through a respective slot, and each anchoring element adapted to move relative to the guide rod within its slot.

12. The displacement measurement device according to claim 11, wherein, The anchoring element is a static anchor, and the proximal anchor and the distal anchor are static or active anchors.

13. The displacement measurement device according to claim 12, the displacement measurement device including at least one position sensor engaging with the guide rod to move relative to the anchoring element and adapted to generate a second output indicative of the location of the displacement.

14. The displacement measuring device according to claim 13, wherein, The at least one position sensor responds to the relative distance between it and the adjacent anchoring element.

15. The displacement measuring device according to claim 6, the displacement measuring device comprising a first sleeve and a second sleeve, wherein the first sleeve at least partially houses the first component, and wherein the second sleeve at least partially houses the second component.

16. The displacement measuring device according to claim 15, wherein, The first sleeve and the second sleeve are adapted to hold the proximal anchor and the second anchor respectively in an inactive receiving position.

17. The displacement measuring device according to claim 16, wherein, The first sleeve and the second sleeve move relative to the respective first component and second component such that the first anchor and the second anchor can be reconfigured from the receiving position to an expanded position.

18. The displacement measuring device according to claim 1 or claim 13, wherein, The displacement sensor or the position sensor is a resistive or capacitive potentiometer, a linear encoder, a wire potentiometer, an optical or infrared sensor, a time-of-flight sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a hybrid sensor, such as a spring that stretches against a pressure element or a magnetoresistive potentiometer displacement sensor.

19. The displacement measuring device according to claim 18, wherein, The displacement sensor and the position sensor are optical sensors.

20. The displacement measuring device according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein, The displacement sensor is located on the first component or the second component, and the reference object is correspondingly located on the second component or the first component.

21. The displacement measuring device according to any one of claims 18 to 20, the displacement measuring device comprising a processing module, which communicates with the displacement sensor to receive the first output to calculate the extent of the displacement, and communicates with the position sensor to receive the second output to determine the location of the displacement.

22. The displacement measuring device according to claim 21, the displacement measuring device comprising an actuating mechanism, which causes the displacement sensor to start responding to the displacement.

23. The displacement measuring device according to claim 22, wherein, The first component includes a housing that houses the processing module.

24. The displacement measuring device according to claim 23, wherein, The actuating mechanism includes a first movable part that includes a reference element that engages with the housing; and a switch that is housed by the housing and communicates with the processing module.

25. The displacement measuring device according to claim 24, wherein, The first movable part is adapted to house the reference element, and is adapted to resiliently engage with the housing, and is adapted to slide out of the housing due to the displacement.

26. The displacement measuring device according to claim 24, wherein, The reference element is a magnet, and the switch is a magnetic switch.

27. The displacement measuring device according to claim 21, wherein, The processing module communicates with the position sensor to receive the second output to determine the location of the displacement.

28. The displacement measuring device according to any one of claims 21 to 27, the displacement measuring device comprising an indicator, which communicates with the processing module and emits a signal in response to the displacement exceeding a predetermined limit.

29. The displacement measuring device according to claim 28, wherein, The indicator is located at the proximal end.

30. The displacement measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein, The proximal end is adapted to engage or connect with a drilling rig rock drill or other dedicated anchor equipment.

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