Top plate and drilling machine comprising same

Abstract

A roof and a drilling machine including the roof. A roof apparatus for a drilling apparatus includes: a support plate having an opening therethrough; and a guide device supported by the support plate for guiding consumables, the guide device comprising at least one guide member configured to be movable between a parking position and a working position, the at least one guide member, or the at least one guide member, together with an inner edge of the support plate surrounding the opening, defines a substantially closed bore within the opening, the top plate apparatus further comprising a gripping device supported by the support plate for gripping the consumable item, the clamping device is configured to move between a parking position and a working position, and in the working position, the clamping device is configured to exert a clamping force on the consumables so as to limit relative movement of the consumables relative to the clamping device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a roof and a drilling rig or bolting rig including the roof for installing rock bolts and cable bolts and for various drilling applications in the mining industry. Background Technology

[0002] In underground mining, civil engineering, and construction projects, drilling and bolting operations are essential for stabilizing rock formations and structures. These operations involve using drilling rigs equipped with drill bits and bolting systems to create boreholes and install supporting bolts, ensuring the integrity and safety of the working environment. The efficiency, accuracy, and safety of these operations are highly dependent on the design and functionality of the drilling and bolting machine components.

[0003] A key component of these drilling rigs is the roof plate. The roof plate is mounted on top of the drilling rig or rock bolting rig and is set to the rock surface by the operator. The roof plate is used to secure the drilling rig or top-mounted rock bolting rig against the formation and to guide or clamp drill rods or anchors. The main functions of the roof plate include guiding drill rods or anchors to precise locations or providing stable clamping on the rock or material being worked on. Existing roof plates often lack the expected versatility, frequently facing challenges related to clamping and guiding functions. Existing roof plates are only capable of clamping or guiding drill rods or anchors. For example, current roof plates cannot provide clamping and / or guiding functions at the expected time. These problems can lead to reduced operational efficiency and safety risks.

[0004] Furthermore, known designs often face the challenge of efficiently guiding drill pipes or anchor bolts. Some types of roof control use anchor bolt washer plates to guide drill pipes or anchor bolts, but this is not feasible for all types of drill pipes and anchor bolts. Some types of roof control use their clamping jaws to guide drill pipes, but because this must be done manually, it is difficult to close the clamping jaws just enough, resulting in the drill pipe being guided but not clamped.

[0005] US6116118 uses a hydraulic function to clamp the pipe, making it impossible to guide the drill rod during the drilling process using the device.

[0006] In view of these challenges, there is a need for an improved top plate design that enhances guidance and clamping capabilities, reduces wear and tear, and can be easily integrated into existing drilling rigs and bolting rigs. Summary of the Invention

[0007] When longer anchor bolts or cable anchor bolts are required, such as in long-hole drilling, the drill bit needs to be extended to achieve the desired hole depth. During the extension drilling, the drill rig uses drill rods to drill a hole. Once the hole is created and the drill rod is fully inserted, a clamping pin in the top plate is used to clamp and hold the drill rod in place before attaching the next drill rod to it. When the next drill rod is attached to the one already in the hole, the drilling process continues until the new drill rod is also fully inserted into the hole. This process is then repeated until the desired hole depth is achieved.

[0008] The object of this invention is to introduce a novel clamping and guiding top plate that improves the overall performance of drilling and bolting operations. The top plate of this application is designed to provide excellent stability, accuracy, and adaptability, thereby ensuring safer and more efficient operations in a variety of mining applications.

[0009] According to the solution of this application, a pair of guide jaws are used to guide the drill pipe during drilling, and when clamping is required, an additional pin is pushed against the drill pipe and holds it in place. Using this solution, the drill pipe can now be guided and / or clamped as needed during the drilling process with the aid of two separate hydraulic mechanisms.

[0010] The solution proposed in this application allows for precise and efficient operation of roof control equipment. By eliminating and replacing manual operation, it enables automatic or semi-automatic control of roof control equipment and can automatically control drilling rigs or bolt drilling rigs.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a top plate device for drilling equipment is provided, the top plate device comprising: (a) A support plate, the support plate including an opening therethrough; and (b) A guiding device, supported by the support plate, for guiding consumables. The guiding device includes at least one guiding member configured to move between a parking position and a working position, wherein in the working position of the guiding device, the at least one guiding member, together with the inner edge of the support plate surrounding the opening, defines and forms a substantially closed borehole within the opening, the borehole being configured to receive the consumable and allow the consumable to move relative to the guiding device in the axial longitudinal direction of the borehole, while preventing the consumable from leaving the borehole laterally; and (c) A clamping device, supported by the support plate, for clamping the consumable. The clamping device is configured to move between a parking position and a working position, wherein in the working position of the clamping device, the clamping device is configured to apply a clamping force on the consumable to limit or prevent relative movement of the consumable relative to the clamping device.

[0012] The longitudinal direction of the borehole is defined as the direction extending from the center of the borehole, such as... Figure 1A and Figure 1C As shown, and denoted as the z-axis. The guiding device (also called a guiding mechanism) can take the form of a jaw or similar structure. It can consist of a jaw and another jaw that works in cooperation with and is its partner. Consumables can be rod-shaped, such as drill pipes or anchor bolts.

[0013] The term "operating position" for a guide member refers to the position in which the guide member is configured to guide the consumable. The term "parking position" for a guide member refers to the position in which the guide member is moved out of the operating position so that it does not obstruct the movement of the consumable, such as when the actuating cylinder is fully retracted.

[0014] Similarly, the term "operating position" for a gripping device refers to the position in which the gripping device is configured to hold a consumable, that is, to firmly hold and hold the consumable, keeping it stable or stationary. The term "parking position" for a gripping device refers to the position in which the gripping device is moved out of the operating position so that it does not obstruct the movement of the consumable, for example, when the actuating cylinder is fully retracted.

[0015] The term “guide” is understood to mean that the consumable is able to rotate and / or move up and down (i.e., along axis z) when positioned inside the borehole.

[0016] The term “clamping” is understood to mean that a clamping device applies a clamping force to the surface of a consumable to prevent it from rotating and from moving up or down (due to the friction between the clamping device and the consumable).

[0017] The support plate may include recesses or slots configured to accommodate guide devices and / or clamping devices, for example, the guide devices and / or clamping devices being embedded in the support plate. The guide devices and / or clamping devices may slide within the recesses or slots between their parking positions and their working positions, respectively.

[0018] Preferably, the guiding device and the clamping device are circumferentially spaced around the opening and substantially in the same plane in the axial longitudinal direction of the borehole. The top plate device must be as thin as possible because it limits the possible drilling stroke of the drill rig. The claimed solutions promote new top plate devices with minimal or reduced thickness, thereby maximizing the drilling stroke.

[0019] Alternatively, the guiding device includes a pair of guiding members arranged opposite to each other, which can move relative to each other in opposite directions. For example, the guiding device includes a pair of grippers arranged opposite to each other.

[0020] Preferably, each guide member includes a circumferentially spaced curved surface around an opening in the support plate (e.g., when the guide member is in its parked position), which defines a borehole in the working position of the guide device. The surface may be curved, such as a segment of a polygon. In other words, each guide member of the guide device is configured to be concave at its front (i.e., the portion near the opening) in the plane of the support plate defined by axes x and y to partially define the borehole.

[0021] The pair of guide members can be symmetrical about the centerline of the top plate device or about the center of the borehole. Alternatively, they can be asymmetrical, and their lateral extensions (in the direction of the x-axis) are complementary to each other and form-fitting.

[0022] Preferably, the borehole has a circular shape. Each guide member includes a semi-circular edge on its front, such that, in the working position of the guide member, the semi-circular edge cooperates with the opposing semi-circular edge of another guide member to define a circular borehole. Alternatively, the inner edge of the support plate surrounding the opening may have opposing semi-circular edges that cooperate with the semi-circular edges of the guide members to define a circular borehole.

[0023] Preferably, each guide member of the guiding device includes a recess on its front portion (i.e., the portion near the opening), such that the guide member is configured to provide a passage or channel in its working position to allow at least a portion of the clamping device to pass through, thereby reaching the borehole interior and clamping consumables. In other words, the passage serves as a guide channel for sliding movement of the clamping device, which can slide through the channel and enter the borehole when the guide member is in its working position. Preferably, the recess is located on the foremost portion or tip (the portion near the opening) of the guide member so as not to impede movement of the guide member along the x-axis when the clamping device is in its working position.

[0024] Preferably, the clamping device is a pin actuated by an actuator. In one embodiment, the clamping device is configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the guide device ( Figure 1B The direction of the axis x in the middle ( Figure 1B The clamping device moves along the axis y). The longitudinal direction of the clamping device can be aligned with the axis y. In another embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the clamping device can be arranged at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the guide device. The clamping device can be actuated by a separate actuator from the actuator that drives the guide device.

[0025] Preferably, the support plate includes multiple hydraulic channels as fluid passages. These fluid passages form a hydraulic circuit for supplying fluid to the actuator. The top plate device may include at least one valve that controls or regulates the hydraulic circuit and thus controls or regulates the hydraulic actuator. In one embodiment, the top plate device may include a hydraulic and / or electrical control unit that can be connected to distance and / or pressure sensors to regulate said at least one valve and / or hydraulic circuit. This facilitates automated operation and a compact top plate device without requiring additional hoses and fittings.

[0026] Preferably, the top plate device further includes an actuator, preferably embedded in a support plate, for driving the guiding device and / or clamping device. Preferably, the actuator is a hydraulic device, such as a cylinder. The actuator can also be an electric actuator. This contributes to achieving a compact and thin top plate device, which also facilitates accurate operation of the guiding device and / or clamping device.

[0027] Preferably, the support plate includes two side plates defining an opening therebetween. The two side plates may be arranged symmetrically about the center line of the opening. Alternatively, the support plate includes a base plate and a single support plate or two side plates attached to the base plate.

[0028] Preferably, the opening is a slot that allows consumables to enter laterally (i.e., along axis y).

[0029] Preferably, the clamping device is a wedge-shaped element attached to a support plate and arranged around the borehole, configured to be actuated by an actuator to move upward or downward and / or laterally. The wedge-shaped element may be guided by, for example, an inclined surface of the support plate. For example, during upward movement of the wedge-shaped element, the wedge-shaped element moves away from the center of the borehole, thereby releasing the consumable.

[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, a drilling rig or anchor bolt drilling rig is provided for drilling into a rock surface and / or installing anchor bolts into a rock surface, the drilling rig or anchor bolt drilling rig comprising: Base frame; and Support jacks, which are movably connected to the base frame; and The feed module is movably connected to the base frame; and A drive unit, coupled to the feed module and configured to receive and rotate consumables; and The roof plate device according to any of the embodiments described above is connected to the support jack.

[0031] The support jack can extend out of the base frame. Once the support jack extends, the feed module can move from the base frame to the support jack.

[0032] In this application, the terms "top plate" and "top plate equipment" are used interchangeably. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] Figure 1A This is a perspective view of a top plate device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 1B This is a plan view of a top plate device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cover plate is removed;

[0036] Figure 1C Indicator axis;

[0037] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A Side view of the top plate equipment;

[0038] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of section AA as indicated in the diagram;

[0039] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of section BB as indicated in the middle, in which both the guide jaw and the clamping pin are in the parking position;

[0040] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of section CC as indicated in the diagram;

[0041] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view is shown, indicating that both the guide jaws and the clamping pins are in the working position;

[0042] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of a drilling rig according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 8 Depicting a fully retracted state Figure 7 The drilling rig;

[0044] Figure 9 Depicting a state of full extension Figure 7 The drilling rig. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Figure 1A This is a perspective view of a top plate device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the top plate device including a cover plate 106. Figure 1BThis is a plan view of the top plate device, with the cover plate 106 removed. The top plate device includes a base plate 105 and a support plate 101 disposed on the base plate 105. The support plate 101 is designed to receive and support a pair of guide grippers 103 arranged opposite to each other. The pair of guide grippers 103 are positioned within the space between the support plate 101 and the cover plate 106, and... Figure 1A and Figure 1B In the middle, the guide gripper 103 is in the parking position. For example... Figure 1B As shown, the left and right guide jaws are asymmetrical. The upper part of the left guide jaw protrudes and the lower part narrows. Conversely, the upper part of the right guide jaw narrows and the lower part protrudes. Their lateral extensions (in the direction of axis x) are complementary and form-fitting.

[0046] The top plate device also includes a clamping pin 104 disposed between the side plates 101. This pin is positioned between the two side plates and between the upper and lower cover plates. The support plate 101 may include a pair of symmetrical side plates arranged parallel to and adjacent to each other, the pair of plates being configured to define an opening 102 therebetween. Alternatively, the support plate 101 may include a single member having a transverse opening 102. The minimum width d of the opening 102 is designed to be greater than the diameter of the drill pipe or anchor bolt. The opening 102 opens toward axis y, away from the connection 107 with the support jack 704. Axes x, y, and z are as follows: Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C As indicated.

[0047] Figure 2 Depicting Figure 1A Side view of the top plate equipment. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of section AA as indicated in the diagram. Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of section BB is shown in the middle, where both the guide jaws and the pin are in the parking position.

[0048] The pair of guide grippers 103 attached to the support plate 101 are movable relative to the support plate 101 along the axis x, and each guide gripper is actuated by a cylinder 301 to be in a parking position (e.g., Figure 4 (as shown) and work location (e.g.) Figure 6 The pair of guide jaws 103 move between (as shown) and, in the working position, define a closed space 601 for receiving the drill rod (or anchor rod) and for guiding the drill rod (or anchor rod) when it is driven to move along the axis z. Figure 1B and Figure 4 As shown in the parking position, the guide jaws 103 retract and disengage from each other, thereby allowing the drill pipe to move freely along the axis y into or out of the opening 102.

[0049] The top plate device includes a clamping pin 104 having a friction surface at its tip, and also includes a hydraulic cylinder 402 or an electric actuator for driving the clamping pin 104 to move and extend in the direction y to apply a clamping force to the drill rod (or anchor rod) in the direction y.

[0050] See Figure 4 and Figure 5 On the side closer to the borehole 601, each guide jaw 103 may include a recess 401 or passage such that when both guide jaws are in the working position, the recess cooperates and forms a sliding channel for receiving a clamping pin 104, which allows the pin 104 to move therein and extends in the y-direction into the borehole 601. In the working position, the clamping pin 104 is configured to apply a clamping force to the drill rod to prevent any relative movement (including rotation or sliding) of the drill rod relative to the support plate, the force being predetermined to be sufficient to keep the drill rod from rotating. Fluid passages 404 are embedded within the base plate and support plate 101, connecting to the cylinder chambers 403 of the respective cylinders 402 and 301, and forming a hydraulic circuit for supplying fluid to the cylinders.

[0051] Figure 6 The diagram shows both the guide jaws and the clamping pin in the working position, with the cylinder extending to move the guide jaws and the pin toward the borehole.

[0052] Figure 7 A drilling rig is shown, comprising: a base frame 701; and a support jack 704 slidably connected to the base frame 701, the support jack extending out of the base frame 701 via hydraulic cylinders and a guide rod 705 terminating at an uppermost top plate device 100; a feed module 702 slidably connected to the base frame 701, the feed module being movable relative to the frame via a plurality of hydraulic cylinders and a telescopic mechanism; and a drill head 703 connected to the feed module 702 and configured to receive and rotate drill rods (not shown), the drill head being driven by cylinders and a chain drive to move bidirectionally along the feed module 702 between an upper plate 706 and a lower plate 707. The drilling rig includes the top plate device 100 as described above, which is attached to the support jack 704.

[0053] Figure 8 The image depicts a drilling rig in a fully retracted state, with the support jack 704 fully retracted within the base frame 701. Figure 9 The image depicts a drilling rig in its fully extended state, with the support jack 704 fully extended from the base frame 701, the feed module 702 moved upward to the top position, and the drill bit 703 moved upward to the top position.

[0054] It should be understood that the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be considered as presently preferred embodiments. Various changes can be made to the shape, size, and arrangement of the components.

Claims

1. A top plate apparatus (100) for a drilling apparatus, the top plate apparatus (100) comprising: a support plate (101) comprising an opening (102) therethrough; and a guide device (103) supported by the support plate (101) for guiding a consumable, the guide device (103) comprising at least one guide member configured to move between a parked position and a working position, wherein in the working position of the guide device (103) the at least one guide member or the at least one guide member together with an inner edge of the support plate surrounding the opening (102) defines a substantially closed bore (601) within the opening (102) configured to receive the consumable and allow the consumable to move in an axial longitudinal direction (z) of the bore relative to the guide device while preventing the consumable from exiting the bore laterally; and a clamping device (104) supported by the support plate (101) for clamping the consumable, the clamping device (104) being configured to move between a parked position and a working position, wherein in the working position of the clamping device (104) the clamping device (104) is configured to exert a clamping force on the consumable to limit relative movement of the consumable relative to the clamping device.

2. The roof apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The guide device (103) and the clamping device (104) are circumferentially spaced apart around the opening (102) and substantially lie in the same plane in the axial longitudinal direction (z) of the bore.

3. The top plate apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising at least one actuator (301, 402), preferably embedded in the support plate, for moving the guide device and / or the clamping device, preferably the actuator is a hydraulic device.

4. The ceiling apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The guide device (103) comprises a pair of guide members, each guide member comprising a curved surface circumferentially spaced apart around the opening (102) in the support plate, the curved surfaces defining the bore (601) in the working position of the guide device.

5. The ceiling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The clamping device (104) comprises a pin actuated by the actuator (402).

6. The ceiling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The support plate comprises a plurality of hydraulic channels (404) as fluid passages.

7. The ceiling apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein, The guide device (103) and / or the clamping device (104) are embedded in the support plate (101).

8. The ceiling apparatus of any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The support plate (101) comprises two side plates defining the opening (102) therebetween.

9. The ceiling apparatus of any one of claims 1-8, wherein, The opening (102) is a slot allowing lateral entry of the consumable.

10. The ceiling apparatus of any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The clamping device (104) is a wedge-shaped element configured to move upwardly or downwardly and / or laterally by actuation by the actuator.

11. The ceiling apparatus of any one of claims 1-10, wherein, The guide device (103) comprises a pair of jaws.

12. The ceiling apparatus of any one of claims 1-11, wherein, Each guide member of the guide arrangement (103) comprises a recess (401) on a front portion thereof, such that the guide member is configured to provide a passage at a working position of the guide member for allowing at least a portion of the clamping arrangement to pass through to reach inside the bore (601) and clamp the consumable.

13. A drill rig or rock bolting drill rig for drilling into and / or installing an anchor rod into a rock surface, the drill rig or rock bolting drill rig comprising: a base frame (701); and a support jack (704) movably coupled to the base frame; and a feed module (702) movably coupled to the base frame; and a drive unit (703) coupled to the feed module and configured to receive and rotate a consumable; and a top plate arrangement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, the top plate arrangement (100) being coupled to the support jack. ​

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