Protective device, rock drilling unit, and method

Abstract

A protective device, rock drilling unit and method. The protective device (9) comprises a longitudinal protective casing (10) and a feed through panel (14) with a flow channel (15). There is a longitudinal feed through opening (17) and the feed through panel is arranged movably to the feed through opening. The protective device further comprises a first rail (18a) and second rail (18b) mounted to longitudinal edges of the feed through opening. The feed through panel is supported between the rails. There is a closing arrangement (19) for closing free areas of the feed through opening. The closing arrangement is configured to give way to the feed through panel in response to the movements of the feed through panel.

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a protective device arrangeable around a rock drilling unit of a rock drilling rig.

[0002] The invention further relates to a rock drilling unit provided with a protective device, and a method for providing protection in a rock drilling unit.

[0003] The field of the invention is defined more specifically in the preambles of the independent claims.

[0004] In mines, construction sites and at other work areas different type of rock drilling rigs are used for drilling holes for different purposes. The rock drilling rigs are provided with one or more booms and rock drilling units are arranged at distal ends of the booms for drilling the drill holes. During drilling rotating drilling tools are provided with impact pulses. There exist a need to use protective devices around the drilling units. This is the case particularly in surface drilling. However, the present protective devices have shown to contain some disadvantages regarding their feed through solutions for providing fluid flow paths inside the protective devices.Brief description of the invention

[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved protective device and method for a rock drilling unit. The invention further relates to a novel and improved rock drilling unit implementing the protective device.

[0006] The protective device according to the invention is characterized by the characterizing features of the first independent apparatus claim.

[0007] The rock drilling unit according to the invention is characterized by the characterizing features of the second independent apparatus claim.

[0008] The method according to the invention is characterized by the characterizing features of the independent method claim.

[0009] An idea of the disclosed solution is that protective casing comprises at least one feed through panel which is provided with one or more flow channels extending from outside to inside of the protective casing. The protective casing is also provided with a longitudinal feed through opening comprising two parallel longitudinal edges and two opposite end edges transverse to the longitudinal edges. The feed through panel is arranged movably to the feed through opening and is movable along the feed through opening when a rock drilling machine covered by the protective casing moves on a feed beam. The protective device further comprises a first rail and second rail mounted to the longitudinal edges of the feed through opening. The feed through panel is supported between the rails by means of support elements. The protective device further comprises a closing arrangement for closing areas of the feed through opening between a first end edge of the feed through opening and the feed through panel and between a second end edge of the feed through opening and the feed through panel. The closing arrangement is configured to give way to the feed through panel in response to the movement of the feed through panel.

[0010] In other words, the feed through panel moving in longitudinal direction of the feed through opening is configured to open and close the closing arrangement in proportion to the movement of the feed through panel.

[0011] An advantage of the disclosed solution is that the rails and the support elements, which support elements are moving along the rails, ensure controlled and secure movements for the feed through panel.

[0012] A further advantage is that the closing arrangement prevents effectively hazardous passage through the feed through opening to rotating machine parts of the rock drilling unit. Thereby safety is improved.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the protective casing comprises a body comprising the feed through opening on its one longitudinal side. The body may be a rigid metallic structure on which wire mesh elements are mounted for forming a physical shield preventing access to moving machine elements of the rock drilling unit. Then safety risk of catching on to the rotating machine parts can be effectively avoided. In other words, the protective casing forms a protection cage around the rock drilling unit.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the protective casing comprises a body comprising the feed through opening on its one longitudinal side. The body may be a rigid metallic structure which is provided with several noise absorbing elements. In other words, a noise reducing structure is formed to surround the rock drilling unit. The protective casing provided with the noise absorbing elements serves also as a physical shield preventing access to the movable machine elements of the rock drilling unit. Then safety risk of catching on to rotating machine parts can be effectively avoided.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the protective casing comprises a top part, which is openable. The feed through opening and the feed through panel are arranged to a non-openable part of the protective casing i.e. below the openable top part. Then the structure of the disclosed feed through arrangement can be made rigid and there is no need to uncouple the flow channels from the feed through panel when opening the top part. Further, the openable top part may be arranged to lock to the feed through arrangement.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the feed through panel is arranged to follow movements of the rock drilling machine on the feed beam. There is a mechanical connection, such as a connecting bar or structure between a carriage, on which the rock drilling machine is supported, and the feed through panel. The connecting structure can be connected directly to the rock drilling machine, or to a carriage on which the rock drilling machine is supported.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the support elements are rolls supported to the rails. Alternatively, the support elements may be slide elements supported to the rails.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the feed through panel is provided with cleaning elements for moving debris and dirt away from at least one of the rails. The cleaning elements may be for example wedge shaped elements mounted to the feed through panel, or they may be inseparable parts of the panel. The cleaning elements are provided on both moving directions of the feed through panel. Further, the rails may comprise openings through which the debris and dirt can be removed by means of the cleaning elements.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the mentioned flow channel passing through the feed through panel may be a hydraulic flow channel, a pneumatic flow channel, or a flushing or lubrication media flow channel. When the rock drilling machine is hydraulically operable, then operating energy is provided to an impact device and a rotating device of the rock drilling machine by means of the hydraulic flow channels. Flushing media, such as water, air or air mist is provided by means of the flushing media flow channel. In case the rock drilling machine is electrically operable, the electrical cables are arranged through the feed through panel. In the electrically operable rock drilling machine there is also at least one flushing media flow channel and possibly also a lubrication flow channel.

[0020] According to an embodiment, number of the flow channels passing the feed through panel may be 1 to 6 but can be selected case by case.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the at least one flow channel of the feed through panel comprises a hose coupling mounted to an opening of the feed through panel and comprising a first end portion for coupling a first fluid hose and an opposite second end portion for coupling a second fluid hose. In other words, the hose coupling is arranged to couple the first fluid hose outside the protective casing and to couple the second fluid hose inside the protective casing. This way, the hose coupling mounted to the feed through panel serves as a connecting element between two hoses.

[0022] The first fluid hose is connecting the rock drilling unit to a pressure source, or a tank located external to the rock drilling unit. The second fluid hose is connecting the first fluid hose to the rock drilling machine.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the feed through panel comprises at least one hose opening through which a fluid hose is arranged. In other words, the fluid hose passing through the hose opening serves as the mentioned flow channel of the feed through panel. In this embodiment there is no need for the connecting element.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the closing arrangement comprises a first closing element arranged between a first end edge of the feed through opening and the feed through panel, and a second closing element arranged between a second end edge of the feed through opening and the feed through panel. The first closing element and the second closing element are both fastened to the feed through panel. Dimensions of the first and second closing elements in longitudinal direction of the feed through opening are configured to be changed in response to movements of the feed through panel along the first and second rails, whereby the first and second closing elements are configured to give way to the feed through panel by means of their changing dimensions.

[0025] In other words, the first closing element is configured to close a first open area between the first end edge and the feed through panel, the second closing element is configured to close a second open area between the second end edge and the feed through panel. When the feed through panel moves in a first direction, the first closing element is shortened and the second closing element is lengthened, and correspondingly, when the feed through panel moves in a second direction, the second closing element is shortened, and the first closing element is lengthened.

[0026] An advantage of the disclosed solution is that the feed through opening is closed properly all the time.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the first and second closing elements are made of solid and air-tight material. Then the closing elements can prevent noise escaping from the protective casing. Alternatively, the closing elements comprise a plurality of apertures and may have a grid like configuration. Then the closing element may be light in weight and can prevent access into the protective casing.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the first and second closing elements both have foldable configuration. In other words, the first and second closing elements are kind of accordion door elements or folding door elements.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the foldable configurations comprise several slats connected to each other with sections allowing turning between the slats so that the structure can be folded into shorter dimensions and can be extended into longer dimensions. Between the slats may be hinges or bendable sections. The slats may be made of rigid material.

[0030] According to an embodiment, the foldable configurations are made of bendable material that can be folded into shorter dimensions and can be extended into longer dimensions. The bendable material may be rubber or polymer material, for example.

[0031] According to an embodiment, in connection with the rails there may be support and guide elements for facilitating the folding and extension of the foldable closing elements.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the first and second closing elements are of roller type both comprising spring loaded rollers around which protective reel materials of the closing elements are wound and from which the protective reel materials are unwound in response to movements of the feed through panel.

[0033] In other words, the first and second closing elements comprise protective reel materials being flexible material, such as rubber, fiber reinforced polyurethane, or other polymer material. Alternatively, the protective reel material may be made of rigid material and may comprise several joints for allowing the material to be wound on the roller. There may, or may not, be dedicated rails for guiding the joints.

[0034] Since the rollers are spring loaded, the mechanism can automatically wind in the protective reel material on the roller.

[0035] According to an embodiment, the protective device comprises guide elements arranged on longitudinal edges of the feed through opening in order to provide support for the protective reel materials.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the closing arrangement comprises several separate slats one after another and hanging by means of hinges from a side of the first rail towards the second rail. Each slat is provided with a spring element for keeping the slat under spring force in a default position against the second rail and allowing the slat to rotate against the spring force and in relation to the hinge from the default position to a transverse open position in response to movements of the feed through panel. The spring force of the spring is configured to return the slat from the open position back to the default position.

[0037] In other words, the feed through panel moving in the feed through opening is configured to open and close the hinged slats one by one. Thus, the closing arrangement can be considered to be a gradually opening and closing structure.

[0038] An advantage of the disclosed embodiment is that the structure is simple and durable. Furthermore, the feed through opening is closed properly all the time.

[0039] According to an embodiment, the slat may be made of metallic material, such as a steel plate.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the slat may alternatively be made of rigid materials other than metallic materials. Thus, the slat may be made of plastic material, for example.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the feed through panel is provided with wedge-shaped guiding surfaces which can direct opening forces to the slats for moving them towards the opening position.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the feed through panel comprises several flow channels arranged one after another in one row.

[0043] In other words, there are several flow channels, such as 2 - 6 flow channels, in the feed through panel and the flow channels are arranged only in one row whereby height of the panel can be low.

[0044] An advantage of this embodiment is that the feed through opening can be a relatively narrow gap which is beneficial for the protection features and for structural rigidity.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the feed through opening may be dimensioned so narrow that it can as such prevent access through it to the rotating machine parts and can thereby comply with the safety regulations. Further, the narrow feed through opening is beneficial also in respect to properties preventing noise from spreading to the surroundings.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the closing arrangement comprises a rigid chain provided with two adjacent and parallel chain members both having grip elements facing towards each other and configured to interlock the adjacent chain members together and configured to allow the chain members to disengage from each other in response to movement of the rock drilling machine in a drilling direction and in a reverse direction. The rigid chain can also be called as an interlocking chain, or as a zip chain.

[0047] According to an embodiment, each of the grip elements comprise a protrusion and a notch both having round shapes. The round shapes allow smooth turning movements between opposing grip elements when the basic chain elements move in relation to each other. The opposing grip elements are configured to interlock with each other so that the protrusions match with the opposing notches. The interlocking opens when the parallel chain members are directed away from each other so that the relative parallel orientation no longer exists.

[0048] The movements of the rock drilling machine in a drilling direction and in a reverse direction causes the rigid chain to disengage and to interlock with each other.

[0049] According to an embodiment, the closing arrangement comprises guide elements for guiding the chain members when the rock drilling machine moves. The guide elements may comprise curved chute-like structures having two side walls and connecting bottom part. As an alternative to the chute-like guide element, it is possible to use curved tubular parts or other curved guide surfaces.

[0050] The guide elements may have substantially U-shaped configurations comprising backwards curved parts. Thereby, the guide elements are configured to direct the disengaged and forward moving chain members into backward direction movement when the chain members are moving towards the guide elements. It can be considered that each chain member is forced to make U-turn. Then the disengaged chain members move parallel and on opposing sides of the protective casing when the rock drilling machine is moved on the feed beam.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the closing arrangement comprises two fringed elements provided with several fringes having crossing orientation in relation to each other and arranged to partly overlap each other. The fringed elements may be made of rubber material or rubber-like material, for example. The fringed elements together close a feed through opening. One of the fringed elements is arranged at an upper longitudinal edge portion of the feed through opening and one of the fringed elements is arranged at an opposite lower longitudinal edge portion. When a feed through panel moves in the feed through opening, the elastic fringes give way and allow the movement. The feed through panel may be provided with suitable guide structures or surfaces for opening and closing the fringed configuration. The slanted fringes are beneficial for durability of the structure and ripping at a base of the fringes may be avoided. Further, when the fringes are slanted, they lessen forces resisting feed forces of the rock drilling machine.

[0052] According to an embodiment, surfaces of longitudinal edges of the fringes are orientated at a sloping angle relative to plane surfaces of the fringes. In other words, the fringes may be cut to a base material by utilizing an oblique cutting angle. Desired cutting angle is easy to select when for example abrasive water jet cutting technology is implemented. An advantage of this embodiment is that improved properties for preventing escape of noise can be achieved when compared to fringes having edge surfaces being perpendicular to the plane surfaces. A further advantage of the sloping edge surface is that due to the slanted surfaces neighboring fringes can provide support for each other and thereby provide improve mechanical properties for the fringed element.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the fringed elements are arranged to angled orientation in relation to side surface of the protective casing and the feed through opening on that side surface. An advantage of this embodiment is that the angled elements can give way easier than elements being orientated perpendicularly in relation to direction of movement.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the disclosed solution relates also to a rock drilling unit comprising: a feed beam; a rock drilling machine supported on the feed beam; a feed device for moving the rock drilling machine in a drilling direction and a reverse direction; and a protective device comprising a protective casing surrounding the rock drilling unit. Further, the protective device is in accordance with the features and embodiments disclosed in this document.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the disclosed solution relates also to a method for providing protection for a rock drilling unit, wherein the method comprises: surrounding the rock drilling unit at least partly by means of a protective casing; providing a rock drilling machine of the rock drilling unit with at least fluid flow path via at least one feed through panel which is provided with at least one flow channel extending from outside to inside of the protective casing; providing a longitudinal feed through opening on the protective casing; mounting the feed through panel movably to the feed through opening; and transmitting movement of the rock drilling machine to the feed through panel and moving the feed through panel along the feed through opening in response to the movement of the rock drilling machine. The method further comprises: providing longitudinal edges of the feed through opening with rails and supporting the feed through panel between the rails; implementing a closing arrangement for closing areas of the feed through opening limited by edges of the feed through opening and the feed through panel; and keeping the feed through opening closed by means of the closing arrangement despite the movement of the feed through panel.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the method further comprises using a closing arrangement provided with a first closing element extending longitudinally from a first end of the feed through opening to the feed through panel and a second closing element extending longitudinally from a second end of the feed through opening to the feed through panel; and allowing longitudinal dimensions of the first and second closing element on opposite sides of the feed through panel to change in response to movements of the feed through panel.

[0057] According to an embodiment, the method further comprises using a closing arrangement provided with several separate slats and turning the slats open one by one by means of the moving feed through panel.

[0058] The above disclosed embodiments may be combined in order to form suitable solutions having those of the above features that are needed.Brief description of the figures

[0059] Some embodiments are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a rock drilling rig for surface drilling and being provided with a protective device; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of some features of a protective device; Figure 3 is a schematic view of a rock drilling unit wherein a protective device is arranged to provide protection; Figure 4 is a schematic view of a feed through panel and a closing arrangement both arranged to be moved together with a rock drilling machine in a feed through opening of a protective casing; Figures 5 - 8 are schematic views of a closing arrangement comprising several separate slats arranged one after each other and being rotatably mounted; Figure 9 is a schematic view of a closing arrangement being of a roller type and comprising protective reel materials; Figure 10 is a schematic view of a principle of closing arrangement being of a rigid chain type; Figures 11 and 12 are schematic views showing a rigid chain type closing arrangement on opposite sides of feed through panel; Figure 13 is a schematic and cross-sectional top view of a closing arrangement having foldable configuration; Figure 14 is a schematic side view showing two fringed elements having differently orientated fringes; Figure 15 is a schematic side view showing two fringed elements arranged to partly overlap; Figure 16 is a schematic view showing slanted cutting between neighbouring fringes; and Figure 17 is a schematic view seen in a longitudinal direction of a feed through opening and is showing that the fringed elements are mounted in angled orientation.

[0060] For the sake of clarity, the figures show some embodiments of the disclosed solution in a simplified manner. In the figures, like reference numerals identify like elements.Detailed description of some embodiments

[0061] Figure 1 discloses a rock drilling rig 1. The rock drilling rig 1 comprises a movable carrier 2 and at least one boom 3 connected to the carrier 2. At a distal end portion of the boom 3 is a drilling unit 4. The drilling unit 4 comprises a feed beam 5 and a rock drilling machine 6 movable by means of a feed device 7 on the feed beam 5. The rock drilling machine 6 may comprise a rotating device for rotating R a drilling tool 8. The rock drilling machine 6 may also comprise an impact device, which generates impact pulses for the drilling tool 8. The rock drilling machine 6 may be hydraulically operable whereby hydraulic fluid needs to be provided from a hydraulic system HS to the rock drilling machine 6 via suitable hoses and hydraulic channels, which are not shown for clarity reasons. A protective device 9 is arranged to surround the drilling unit 4 at least partly. The protective device 9 may provide physical protection by preventing access to the rotating drilling tool 8 and moving machine parts. Structure of the protective device may be such that it may also serve as a noise dampening structure for lowering noise pressure level caused by the rock drilling machine 6 during drilling operation. The protective device 9 is in accordance with the features and embodiments disclosed in this document.

[0062] In Figure 1 a surface rock drilling rig is disclosed. However, it is of course possible to implement the disclosed protective device also in other type of drilling rigs and drilling machines. Thereby, the disclosed solution may be implemented in rock drilling rigs intended for underground drilling and may also be used in rotary and DTH drilling as well as in exploration drilling.

[0063] Figure 2 discloses that a protective device 9 comprises a protective casing 10 which comprises a body 11. Structure of the body 11 may comprise a wire mesh 12, wire mesh panels, or corresponding panels serving as a physical shield providing safety by preventing possibility of an operator or anyone else working at a drilling work site from catching to the rotating drilling tool and from a moving rock drilling machine. The solution can also serve as a noise isolating structure when a basic structure is provided with sound absorbing and isolating elements 13. The protective device 9 further comprises a feed through panel 14 provided with at least one flow channel 15 extending from outside to inside of the protective casing 10 for providing the rock drilling machine with at least fluid flow path, such as flow paths for hydraulics, pneumatics, lubrication, and flushing fluids 16, as well as allowing electrical cables to be conveyed through it. The protective casing 10 is also provided with a longitudinal feed through opening 17 comprising two parallel longitudinal edges and two opposite end edges transverse to the longitudinal edges. The feed through panel 14 is arranged movably to the feed through opening 17 and is movable along the feed through opening 17 and relative to the protective casing 10 in response to movements of the rock drilling machine on a feed beam. First and second rails 18 are mounted to the longitudinal edges of the feed through opening 18 and the feed through panel 14 is supported between the rails 18 by means of suitable support elements. The protective device 9 further comprises a closing arrangement 19 for closing areas of the feed through opening 17 between a first end edge of the feed through opening 17 and the feed through panel 14 and between a second end edge of the feed through opening 17 and the feed through panel 14. The closing arrangement 19 is configured to give way to the feed through panel 14 in response to the movement of the feed through panel 14 caused by the movement of the rock drilling machine on the feed beam.

[0064] Figure 3 discloses a rock drilling unit 4 which is provided with a protective device 9 which is provided with a protective casing 10 which comprises a body 11. Structure of the body 11 may comprise for example a steel frame work to which panels of wire mesh 12 are mounted. For clarity reasons, only limited areas of the wire mesh 12 are shown. The protective casing 10 comprises a feed through panel 14 provided with several flow channels 15. The feed through panel 14 is arranged movably to a feed through opening 17 and is arranged to follow movements of a rock drilling machine 6 on a feed beam 5. There is a connecting bar 20 between a carriage 21, on which the rock drilling machine 6 is supported, and the feed through panel 14. The connecting structure can be connected directly to the rock drilling machine, or to a carriage on which the rock drilling machine is supported. The feed through panel 14 is guided by means of a first rail 18a and second rail 18b arranged on longitudinal edges of the feed through opening 17.

[0065] In Figure 4 a closing arrangement 19 for closing the feed through opening 17 is disclosed. The closing arrangement 19 comprises a first closing element 19a and second closing element 19b which both give way when the feed through panel 14 moves in response of movement of the rock drilling machine 6 moves on the feed beam 5. Figure 4 further shows that the feed through panel 14 comprises a hose coupling 22 mounted to an opening of the feed through panel 14 and comprising a first end portion for coupling a first fluid hose and an opposite second end portion for coupling a second fluid hose.

[0066] Figures 5 - 8 disclose a closing arrangement 19 comprising several slats 23 hanging by means of hinges 24 from a side of a first rail 18a towards a second rail 18b. Each slat 23 is provided with a spring element for keeping the slat 23 under spring force in a default position against the second rail 18b and allowing the slat 23 to rotate against the spring force and in relation to the hinge from the default position to a transverse open position in response to movements of the feed through panel. The feed through panel may be provided with, in both movement directions, guide surfaces 25 for moving the slats 23. The spring force returns the slat 23 from the open position back to the default position. The spring element is not visible in Figures 5 - 8 but it may be a helical spring arranged to surround a pivot pin of the hinge 24, or alternatively, the spring may be a plate spring arranged in connection with the hinge 24. One more possibility is to provide the spring forces by means of bendable and resilient elastic materials, for example. When the feed through panel 14 moves in a feed through opening, it simultaneously opens and closes the hinged slats 23 one by one. Thereby, the closing arrangement 19 is gradually opening and closing the feed through opening.

[0067] Figure 9 discloses a closing arrangement 19 wherein a first closing element 19a and a second closing element 19b are of roller type and they both comprise spring loaded rollers 26, with spring elements 27. Protective reel materials of the closing elements 19a, 19b are wound around the rollers 26 and from which rollers 26 the protective reel materials are unwound in response to movements of the feed through panel 14.

[0068] Figure 10 discloses in a simplified manner a basic principle of a rigid chain 28 serving as a closing arrangement 19. The rigid chain 28 is provided with two adjacent and parallel chain members 29, 30 both having grip elements 31 facing towards each other and configured to interlock the adjacent chain members 29, 30 together. When the rigid chain 28 is moved towards guide elements 32 shape locking of the grip elements 31 opens and thereby the chain members 29, 30 are disengaged from each other. When the rigid chain 28 is moved into an opposite direction, then guide elements 32 engage the grip elements 31 together. The guide elements 31 may be mounted immovably. Each grip element 31 comprises a protrusion 33 and a notch 34 both having round shapes. The opposing grip elements 31 are configured to interlock with each other so that the protrusions 33 match with the opposing notches 34. The grip elements 31 may be integrated to structures of chain members 29, 30 or they may be separate pieces. An exemplary mounting 35 of the grip elements 16 is also shown.

[0069] Figure 11 shows how the rigid chain 28 disclosed in Figure 10 can form a first closing element 19a and how the chain members 29, 30 disengage when the feed through panel 14 and first closing element 19a moves towards guide elements 31 in a direction A.

[0070] Figure 12 shows that a second closing element 19b is also formed of the rigid chain 28. When the feed through panel 14 is moved in the direction A, chain members 29, 30 are engaged by means of guide elements 31 and they form the second closing element 19b simultaneously.

[0071] Figure 13 discloses a closing arrangement 19 wherein first and second closing elements 19a, 19b are fastened to a feed through panel 14 and they both have foldable configuration. The feed through panel 14 may be supported by rolls 36 to rails. In Figure 13 only a second rail 18b is shown. When the feed through panel 14 moves, the closing elements 19a, 19b can fold in sideward directions so their dimensions can change. There may be folding points 37, such as hinges of bending areas for improving the folding.

[0072] Figures 14 - 17 disclose one more possible solution for providing a closing arrangement. In this embodiment there is at least one first fringed element 38 arrangeable on a first longitudinal edge of a feed through opening and a second fringed element 39 arrangeable on a second longitudinal edge of the feed through opening. The fringed elements 38, 39 are made of resilient material and comprise a large number of flexible fringes 40, 41. The first fringes 40 of the first fringed element 38 and second fringes 41 of the second fringed element 39 have different orientation in relation to each other.

[0073] Figure 15 shows that the first fringes 40 are arranged to partly overlap with the second fringes 41. Fastening parts 42 of the elements 38, 39 may comprise fastening holes 43.

[0074] Figure 16 shows that edge surfaces 44 of the fringes may be slanted in relation to a planar surface 45. Angle K may be for example 60°.

[0075] Figure 17 is a schematic view seen in a longitudinal direction of a feed through opening 17. As can be seen, the fringed elements 38, 39 are mounted by means of support elements 46 in angled orientation and they overlap partly. For clarity reasons, no feed through panel is shown but only the rails 18a, 18b for guiding and supporting it are shown at longitudinal edges of the feed through opening 17.

[0076] Arrows 46a and 46b show how the fringes can bend and give way.

[0077] The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. In its details, the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A protective device (9) for a rock drilling unit (4), wherein the device comprises: a longitudinal protective casing (10) mountable to surround the rock drilling unit (4) at least partly; at least one feed through panel (14) which is provided with at least one flow channel (15) extending from outside to inside of the protective casing (10) for providing a rock drilling machine (6) of the rock drilling unit (4) with at least fluid flow path; and wherein the protective casing (10) is provided with a longitudinal feed through opening (17) comprising two parallel longitudinal edges and two opposite end edges transverse to the longitudinal edges; and the feed through panel (14) is arranged movably to the feed through opening (17) and is movable along the feed through opening (17) and relative to the protective casing (10) in response to movements of the rock drilling machine (6) on a feed beam (5); characterized in that, the protective device (9) comprises a first rail (18a) and second rail (18b) mounted to the longitudinal edges of the feed through opening (17); the feed through panel (14) is supported between the rails (18a, 18b) by means of support elements; and the protective device (9) further comprises a closing arrangement (19) for closing areas of the feed through opening (17) between a first end edge of the feed through opening (17) and the feed through panel (14) and between a second end edge of the feed through opening (17) and the feed through panel (14); and wherein the closing arrangement (19) is configured to give way to the feed through panel (14) in response to the movement of the feed through panel (14).

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one flow channel (15) of the feed through panel (14) comprises a hose coupling (22) mounted to an opening of the feed through panel (14) and comprising a first end portion for coupling a first fluid hose and an opposite second end portion for coupling a second fluid hose.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the closing arrangement (19) comprises a first closing element (19a) arranged between a first end edge of the feed through opening (17) and the feed through panel (14), and a second closing element (19b) arranged between a second end edge of the feed through opening (17) and the feed through panel (14); the first closing element (19a) and the second closing element (19b) are both fastened to the feed through panel (14); and wherein dimensions of the first and second closing elements (19a, 19b) in longitudinal direction of the feed through opening (17) are configured to be changed in response to movements of the feed through panel (14) along the first and second rails (18a, 18b), whereby the first and second closing elements (19a, 19b) are configured to give way to the feed through panel (14) by means of their changing dimensions.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the first and second closing elements (19a, 19b) both have foldable configuration.

5. The device as claimed in claim 3, character-ized in that the first and second closing elements (19a, 19b) are of roller type both comprising spring loaded rollers (26) around which protective reel materials of the closing elements (19a, 19b) are wound and from which the protective reel materials are unwound in response to movements of the feed through panel (14).

6. The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closing arrangement (19) comprises several separate slats (23) one after another and hanging by means of hinges (24) from a side of the first rail (18a) towards the second rail (18b); and wherein each slat (23) is provided with a spring element for keeping the slat (23) under spring force in a default position against the second rail (18b) and allowing the slat (23) to rotate against the spring force and in relation to the hinge (24) from the default position to a transverse open position in response to movements of the feed through panel (14); and wherein the spring force of the spring is configured to return the slat (23) from the open position back to the default position.

7. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 - 6, characterized in that, the feed through panel (14) comprises several flow channels (15) arranged one after another in one row.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the closing arrangement (19) comprises a rigid chain (28) provided with two adjacent and parallel chain members (29, 30) both having grip elements (31) facing towards each other and configured to interlock the adjacent chain members (29, 30) together and configured to allow the chain members (29, 30) to disengage from each other in response to movement of the feed through panel (14).

9. The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the closing arrangement (19) comprises a first fringed element (38) arranged at a first longitudinal edge of the feed through opening (17) and a second fringed element (39) arranged at a second longitudinal edge of the feed through opening (17; and wherein both fringed elements (38, 39) are made of resilient material and comprise a large number of flexible fringes (40, 41); and wherein first fringes (40) of the first fringed element (38) and second fringes (41) of the second fringed element (39) have different orientation in relation to each other; and wherein the first fringes (40) are arranged to partly overlap with the second fringes (41).

10. A rock drilling unit (4) comprising: a feed beam (5); a rock drilling machine (6) supported on the feed beam (5); a feed device (7) for moving the rock drilling machine (6) in a drilling direction (A) and a reverse direction (B); and a protective device (9) comprising a protective casing (10) surrounding the rock drilling unit (4) at least partly; characterized in that the protective device (9) is in accordance with the device disclosed in the previous claims 1 - 9.

11. A method for providing protection for a rock drilling unit (4), wherein the method comprises: surrounding the rock drilling unit (4) at least partly by means of a protective casing (10); providing a rock drilling machine (6) of the rock drilling unit (4) with at least fluid flow path via at least one feed through panel (14) which is provided with at least one flow channel (15) extending from outside to inside of the protective casing (10); providing a longitudinal feed through opening (17) on the protective casing (10); mounting the feed through panel (14) movably to the feed through opening (17); and transmitting movement of the rock drilling machine (6) to the feed through panel (14) and moving the feed through panel (14) along the feed through opening (17) in response to the movement of the rock drilling machine (6); characterized by providing longitudinal edges of the feed through opening (17) with rails (18a, 18b) and supporting the feed through panel (14) between the rails (18a, 18b); implementing a closing arrangement (19) for closing areas of the feed through opening (17) limited by edges of the feed through opening (17) and the feed through panel (14) ; and keeping the feed through opening (17) closed by means of the closing arrangement (19) despite the movement of the feed through panel (14).

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, characterized by using a closing arrangement (19) provided with a first closing element (19a) extending longitudinally from a first end of the feed through opening (17) to the feed through panel (14) and a second closing element (19b) extending longitudinally from a second end of the feed through opening (17) to the feed through panel (14); and allowing longitudinal dimensions of the first and second closing elements (19a, 19b) on opposite sides of the feed through panel (14) to change in response to movements of the feed through panel (14).

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, characterized by using a closing arrangement (19) provided with several separate slats (23) and turning the slats (23) open one by one by means of the moving feed through panel (14).

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