Bolting head, bolting rig, and method

Abstract

SOLUTION: To provide a bolting head, a bolting rig, and a method for reinforcing a rock surface with rock bolts, wherein the bolting head (4) includes a frame (18), and at least one drilling unit (5) and at least one bolting unit (7) attached to the frame in a parallel orientation to each other.EFFECT: A drilling unit and a bolting unit can operate simultaneously without moving them relative to a frame, thereby achieving simultaneous drilling and bolting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bolting head for installing reinforcing rock bolts into rock surfaces.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a bolting rig and method.

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

[0004] In mining, construction sites, and other work areas, there is a need to reinforce rock surfaces, thereby ensuring their safety and fitness for their intended purpose. A common method for rock reinforcement is rock bolting. In such a reinforcement system, several rock bolts are inserted into drilled drill holes and tensioned. In this way, the rock layers are bonded together, reducing the risk of collapse. Typically, rock drilling is carried out by a bolting rig that includes a bolting head for drilling drill holes and feeding rock bolts inside the drill holes. However, this bolting head has been shown to have several drawbacks. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved bolting head, bolting rig, and method for reinforcing rock faces with rock bolts.

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

[0007] The bolting rig 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 and steps of the independent method claim.

[0009] The concept of the disclosed solution is that in the bolting head, at least one drilling unit and at least one bolting unit are mounted on the frame of the bolting unit in a parallel orientation relative to each other and are also arranged at a lateral distance from each other. Furthermore, the drilling unit and the bolting unit can operate simultaneously without moving the drilling unit and the bolting unit relative to the frame. This configuration enables simultaneous drilling and bolt feeding for the bolting head.

[0010] In other words, both the drilling unit and the bolting unit continuously face toward the rock surface during operation and are independently and simultaneously operable to perform drilling and bolt insertion. Therefore, the bolting head can perform bolting without a positioning movement between drilling and bolt installation. Therefore, the bolting head does not have an indexer or any other actuator to perform a positioning movement between the drilling unit and the bolting unit.

[0011] An advantage of the disclosed solution is that significant time savings can be achieved in the rock reinforcement process when the drilling and bolting units operate simultaneously. As rock bolting itself does not create value for the mine, it is important to perform the reinforcement process as quickly as possible so that mining operations that create real value can be carried out safely.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the bolting unit comprises a tensioning device for pretensioning the rock bolt after it has been inserted into the drilled hole. The tensioning device may comprise a turning device for screwing in a tension nut of the rock bolt.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the bolting head includes at least one bolt magazine for storing several locking bolts. The bolt magazine is arranged parallel to the drilling unit and the bolting unit. In one embodiment, the outer periphery of the bolt magazine includes several storage locations, and the bolt magazine is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. In another embodiment, the bolt magazine may be a linear magazine in which several locking bolts are arranged in a linear configuration. Additionally, other possible bolt magazine arrangements and configurations may be implemented with the bolting head embodiments disclosed herein.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the frame of the bolting head includes a rotation joint for attaching the bolting head to the boom, whereby the bolting head is rotatable relative to the boom.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the lateral distance between the drilling unit and the bolting unit is set depending on the bolting distance of the rock bolts to be installed, in other words according to a bolting plan which defines the bolting distance.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the relative positions of the frame, drilling unit, and bolting unit are fixed. In other words, the relative positions of the drilling unit and the bolting unit are set by the mechanical structure of the bolting head. The distance between the drilling unit and the bolting unit is already determined during the design and manufacture of the bolting head. This type of bolting head with a fixed configuration can be simple in structure, durable, and inexpensive.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the lateral distance between the drilling unit and the bolting unit is adjustable, whereby at least one of the drilling unit and the bolting unit is arranged to be laterally movable relative to the frame. The drilling unit and the bolting unit can be locked against lateral movement when the bolting head is operating. In other words, the bolting head has separate, non-simultaneously operable bolting and adjustment mechanisms.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the frame includes lateral guide surfaces along which the drilling unit, or the bolting unit, or both, can be moved laterally to adjust their relative lateral positions and distances, the adjusted positions being locked by one or more locks or fastening elements during bolting.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the adjustment is performed by a manual adjustment element such as a screw or pulley. The manual adjustment means can be implemented because the adjustment is not performed during the work cycle. Alternatively, there may be one or more adjustment actuators, such as hydraulic cylinders or motors, for performing the adjustment.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the frame of the bolting head is a cradle on which the drilling unit and the bolting unit are mounted, the cradle being an elongated object having a transverse orientation with respect to the longitudinal axes of the parallel drilling and bolting units. In other words, the cradle comprises at least one fastening surface on which both the drilling unit and the bolting unit are mounted side by side at a rear distance from each other.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the cradle includes a revolute joint at which the bolting head is rotatably attached to the boom.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the bolting head includes two drilling units and two bolting units, all of which can operate simultaneously. In other words, the bolting head has a total of four operating units that simultaneously perform the bolting functions. In this way, the bolting process can be further enhanced and accelerated. Furthermore, the large number of simultaneously operating units means that the bolting head requires fewer positioning movements.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the bolting head frame is a lateral cradle with two opposing sides. Two drilling units are arranged on the opposing sides and face away from each other. The same applies to the two bolting units, which are arranged on opposite sides and face away from each other. One end of the elongated cradle has a swivel joint or rotatable coupling element for rotatably attaching the bolting head to the boom.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the bolting head comprises an anchor element that can be supported against a rock surface, and the frame of the bolting head can be rotated relative to the anchor element, in other words the anchor element protrudes in the longitudinal direction of the bolting head, and there is a rotary joint and a rotary actuator for rotating the frame.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the anchor element, the drilling unit and the bolting unit are attached to the frame to form a triangular configuration.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the drilling unit and the bolting unit are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, and further, the distance between the drilling unit and the anchor element is equal to the distance between the bolting unit and the anchor element. The arrangement may be fixed, or the relative distance can be adjusted by performing an adjustment operation before starting the bolting work cycle.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the frame of the bolting head includes a first arm for connecting the drilling unit and the anchor element to each other, and a second arm is provided for connecting the bolting unit and the anchor element to each other.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the frame of the bolting head may alternatively be a cradle-like structure configured to connect the drilling unit, the anchor element, and the bolting unit to one another, the cradle-like structure being rotatable relative to the anchor element. Thus, the frame may not have the separate arm members disclosed in the previous embodiment. The cradle may, for example, be a curved or inclined elongated structure with the anchor element located in its middle portion and the drilling unit and bolting unit located at its opposite ends.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the disclosed solution also relates to a bolting rig including a movable carrier, at least one boom mounted on the carrier, a bolting head mounted on the boom, and a control unit for controlling operation of the bolting rig. The bolting head is in accordance with the features and embodiments disclosed herein. Further, the control unit is configured to provide control commands to at least one drilling unit and at least a bolting unit of the bolting head mounted on the boom to perform a bolting work cycle including simultaneous drilling and bolting.

[0030] In other words, the control unit can control the cycle of the bolting operation, in which the bolting means is executed simultaneously for two or more rock bolt positions. During the positioning phase, the control unit can provide control commands for actuators that move the boom and bolting head to position the bolting head toward the rock bolt positions, i.e., toward planned but not yet drilled holes, and toward already drilled holes at the planned locations. Thus, the bolting means is executed before several rock bolt positions, rather than before a single rock bolt position, thereby enabling more efficient and rapid bolting.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the control unit executes the bolting work cycle automatically or with the assistance of an operator of the bolting rig. The control unit is then provided with data regarding a bolting plan, which defines at least a bolting pattern, the bolting pattern including data regarding the relative distances of the rock bolts to be installed.

[0032] According to one embodiment, an operator of the bolting rig can alternatively control the bolting cycle, thereby implementing manual control. The operator can then provide the required control parameters and selections at a user interface to the control unit, which generates control commands for the associated actuators.

[0033] According to one embodiment, it is possible to operate the bolting rig without inputting a pre-planned bolting pattern into the control unit, which can then generate the bolting pattern in cooperation with input parameters such as the bolting rig operator and bolt distance.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the disclosed solution also relates to a method for reinforcing a rock surface with rock bolts, the method comprising: carrying out a reinforcing step by a bolting rig including a bolting head mounted on a boom; drilling drill holes in the rock surface to be reinforced by a drilling unit of the bolting head; and installing rock bolts in the drill holes by the bolting unit of the bolting head. The method further comprises a step carried out by a simultaneous drilling and bolting means of the bolting head, wherein rock bolts are installed in at least one previously drilled drill hole while at least one new drill hole is drilled.

[0035] In other words, the method includes simultaneously processing an undrilled drill hole and a previously drilled drill hole, and thus simultaneous drilling and bolting is performed including drilling a next drill hole at the same time as bolting is performed on a previously drilled drill hole.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises keeping the drilling unit and the bolting unit at a predetermined lateral distance from each other and keeping their parallel orientation unchanged during the drilling and bolting means, in other words the bolting head is always ready for simultaneous drilling and bolting without any indexing means or additional positioning.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises providing rock bolts at pre-planned rock bolt positions, covering at least two rock bolt positions at once and positioning the bolting head at the rock bolt positions at once. In other words, in the disclosed solution, positioning is performed by preceding a longer positioning step including several rock bolt positions, rather than performing positioning one by one as in known bolting methods.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of executing the reinforcing measures according to the bolting plan, with regular relative positions and distances between the rock bolt positions defined in the bolting plan.

[0039] In other words, the bolting plan involves rock bolt positions spaced at equal intervals from one another. The lateral distances between the drilling and bolting units are set to correspond to these regular intervals. Furthermore, the rock bolt positions can be arranged in a straight line, resulting in a geometrically simple bolting pattern, making the positioning movement of the bolting head quick and simple.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of carrying out reinforcement measures for the ceiling surface of the underground mine passage.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the disclosed reinforcing means is exposed to a planar or flat rock surface, or a substantially flat rock surface.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the disclosed reinforcement means receives the wall of an underground mine passageway.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of arranging the bolting heads in rows or columns along a linear movement path.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the method further includes using a bolting head provided with anchor elements that form a triangular configuration together with the drilling unit and the bolting unit; supporting the anchor elements at anchor positions relative to the rock surface; performing square bolting for a square-shaped rock bolt pattern defined by four rock bolt positions; and performing a positioning movement of the bolting head by simultaneously rotating the drilling unit and the bolting unit relative to the anchor elements to position the drilling unit and the bolting unit at the rock bolt positions of the rock bolt pattern.

[0045] The advantage of square bolting is that the fixing, i.e., positioning of the bolting head to the anchor point, only needs to be done once for each square pattern. In this way, the number of bolting head positioning means can be reduced, thereby speeding up the bolting process.

[0046] Alternatively, the square bolting patterns can be executed differently, for example two square patterns can be superimposed, thereby allowing the bolting head to be positioned in shorter positioning steps.

[0047] The above disclosed embodiments can be combined to form suitable solutions having the above characteristics required.

[0048] Some embodiments are explained in more detail in the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0049] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a bolting rig performing simultaneous drilling and bolting in a mine passage. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a bolting rig performing roof bolting. [Figure 3] 10 is a schematic view of the bolting head of the drilling unit and the bolting unit in the longitudinal direction, further showing the possibility of adjusting their relative lateral distance. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a schematic view of the bolting head of the drilling unit and the bolting unit in the longitudinal direction, further showing the possibility of adjusting their relative lateral distance. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the bolting head disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic top view illustrating the simultaneous drilling and bolting procedure performed by the bolting head disclosed in FIGS. 3 to 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a schematic top view illustrating the simultaneous drilling and bolting procedure performed by the bolting head disclosed in FIGS. 3-5. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a schematic top view illustrating the simultaneous drilling and bolting procedure performed by the bolting head disclosed in FIGS. 3-5. [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a schematic top view illustrating the simultaneous drilling and bolting procedure performed by the bolting head disclosed in FIGS. 3-5. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a bolting head including two drilling units and two bolting units. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a bolting head including two drilling units and two bolting units. [Figure 12] 11 is a schematic top view illustrating the simultaneous drilling and bolting procedure performed by the bolting head disclosed in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 13] 12 is a schematic top view illustrating the simultaneous drilling and bolting procedure performed by the bolting head disclosed in FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 14] 1 is a schematic view of a bolting head including an anchor element around which the drilling unit and the bolting unit are rotatable; FIG. [Figure 15] 1 is a schematic view of a bolting head including an anchor element around which the drilling unit and the bolting unit are rotatable; FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic top view illustrating the simultaneous drilling and bolting procedure performed by the bolting head disclosed in FIGS. 14 and 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 16 is a schematic top view illustrating the simultaneous drilling and bolting procedure performed by the bolting head disclosed in FIGS. 14 and 15. [Figure 18] FIG. 16 is a schematic top view illustrating the simultaneous drilling and bolting procedure performed by the bolting head disclosed in FIGS. 14 and 15. [Figure 19]FIG. 16 is a schematic top view illustrating the simultaneous drilling and bolting procedure performed by the bolting head disclosed in FIGS. 14 and 15. [Figure 20] FIG. 16 is a schematic top view illustrating the simultaneous drilling and bolting procedure performed by the bolting head disclosed in FIGS. 14 and 15. [Figure 21] FIG. 16 is a schematic top view illustrating the simultaneous drilling and bolting procedure performed by the bolting head disclosed in FIGS. 14 and 15. [Figure 22] FIG. 16 is a schematic top view illustrating the simultaneous drilling and bolting procedure performed by the bolting head disclosed in FIGS. 14 and 15. [Figure 23] FIG. 16 is a schematic top view illustrating the simultaneous drilling and bolting procedure performed by the bolting head disclosed in FIGS. 14 and 15. [Figure 24] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a solution for implementing a square bolting method with overlapping square patterns.

[0050] For clarity, the figures show some embodiments of the disclosed solution in a simplified manner. In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a bolting rig 1 including a movable carrier 2 and at least one boom 3 attached to the carrier 2. A bolting head 4 is attached to the boom 3. The bolting head 4 includes a drilling unit 5 for drilling a drill hole 6 and a bolting unit 7 for inserting a rock bolt 8 into the drill hole 6. The drilling unit 5 and the bolting unit 7 are arranged parallel to each other on the bolting head 4, and both are operable simultaneously. The drilling unit 5 can then drill a hole, while the bolting unit can simultaneously feed a rock bolt 8 into the previously drilled hole 6. Once the drilling and rock bolt feeding are complete, the bolting head 4 is positioned one more time so that the drilling unit 5 is at the next rock bolt position 9 and the bolting unit 7 is located at the previously drilled drill hole 6. Typically, the bolting head 4 can be positioned by the boom 3 to several subsequent positions to perform simultaneous drilling and bolting operations without moving the carrier 2.

[0052] The bolting rig 1 also includes a control unit CU for controlling the operation of the bolting rig 1. The control unit can provide control commands to the drilling unit 5 and the bolting unit 7 to perform a bolting work cycle including simultaneous drilling and bolting. The control unit CU can also provide control commands to actuators to move the boom 3 and the bolting head 4 relative to the boom 3, thereby performing a positioning movement of the bolting head 4. The control unit CU can provide automatic control or assist an operator of the bolting rig 1. Furthermore, the control unit CU can include a bolting pattern in which the amount of rock bolt positions and the distance between them are defined. When the disclosed solution is implemented, the distances between the rock bolt positions are equal and the bolting pattern has a regular form.

[0053] The bolting can be implemented in a roof bolting method in which the bolting is performed on the roof surface 10 of a mine passage 11 or underground passage. The disclosed bolting rig is particularly well suited for use in roof bolting of low-profile galleries. Mine execution chamber and pillar mining methods are examples of low-profile mine galleries in which the disclosed bolting rig can be implemented. In low-profile galleries, a large number of rock bolt locations are defined in the bolting plan and the roof surface is typically relatively flat. The disclosed solution can also be applied to other mines where the roof is flat and the bolts are installed vertically.

[0054] Although roof bolting is presented in Figures 1-23, the disclosed bolting head and operating principles can also be utilized to reinforce the wall surface of a mine pit or any other rock surface by providing multiple rock bolts in a parallel orientation.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows an example of a regularly shaped bolting pattern 12 including several rock bolt positions 9 arranged in rows 13 and columns 14. The rock bolt positions 9 are spaced at equal distances from one another, forming a kind of grid of rock bolt positions. The number of rows 13 and columns 14 depends, for example, on the size of the surface to be reinforced. In FIG. 2, the bolting pattern 12 includes rock bolt positions 9 that can be reached by a bolting unit 4 without moving the carrier 2 of the bolting rig 1. The bolting unit 4 is attached to a boom 3 and is rotatable relative to the boom 3 about a rotation joint 15. The boom 3 can move relative to the carrier 2 by one or more joints 16, and the length of the boom 3 is adjustable. This allows the boom 3 to provide versatile positioning of the bolting head. The bolting head 4 includes a drilling unit 5, a bolting unit 7, and a bolt magazine 17 mounted in a parallel configuration on a frame 18 of the bolting head 4. Once the bolting head 4 is positioned according to the bolting pattern 12 and the bolting head 7 is aligned with the already drilled drill holes, simultaneous drilling and bolting can begin. No positioning movement or indexing is required, but instead the two simultaneous action bolting means can be performed while the boom 3 and frame 18 are stationary. The bolting head 7 or bolt magazine 17 can include a manipulator, handling arm, or mechanism for transferring lock bolts from the bolt magazine 17 to the bolting unit 7.

[0056] FIG. 3 shows a bolting head 4 in which the drilling unit 5 and the bolting unit 7 are mounted on the frame 18 of the bolting unit 4 in a parallel orientation relative to each other and at a predetermined lateral distance D from each other. The distance D is set to correspond to the distance between adjacent lockbolt positions in the bolting pattern. FIG. 4 shows that the distance D can be adjusted if a different bolting pattern with a different lockbolt distance is to be performed. During the actual bolting procedure, the relative lateral positions of the drilling unit 5 and the bolting unit 7 are locked, and no adjustment action is performed. While FIGS. 3 and 4 show the bolting unit 7 being adjusted laterally, alternatively, the drilling unit 5 or both could be adjusted. A further possibility is to eliminate the adjustment mechanism and instead fix the relative positions between the drilling unit 5 and the bolting unit 7.

[0057] 3 and 4 further disclose that the frame 18 may be a cradle 19 including a fastening surface 27 on which the drilling unit 5 and the bolting unit 7 are mounted side by side at a lateral distance D from each other. The cradle 19 is an elongated object having a lateral orientation relative to the longitudinal axes of the parallel drilling unit 5 and bolting unit 7. The cradle 19 is connected to a revolute joint 15 which allows the bolting head 4 to rotate relative to the boom of the bolting rig.

[0058] FIG. 5 is an axonometric view of the bolting head 4 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The drilling unit 5 includes a drilling feed beam 20 and a rock drill 21 movably disposed thereon. The rock drill 21 typically includes an impact device for delivering impact pulses to the drilling tool 22 and a rotation device for rotating the drilling tool 22 about the drilling axis. The bolting unit 7 includes a bolting feed beam 23, and a bolt feed device 24 movably disposed on the bolting feed beam 23. The bolt feed device 24 can insert a rock bolt 8 into a drilled hole and may include a tensioning device for pretensioning the rock bolt after it is inserted into the drilled hole. The tensioning device may include a rotation device for screwing a tension nut 25 of the rock bolt 8.

[0059] 6 to 9 disclose the operation of the bolting head 4 shown in FIGS.

[0060] In FIG. 6, the bolting head 4 is positioned so that it can drill a first drill hole in the rock bolt position located in the first row 13a and first column 14a of the bolting pattern 12. The bolting head 4 can be rotated relative to the rotary joint 15 to avoid collisions with other potential wall structures. In the illustrated position, the drilling unit 5 drills the first drill hole while the bolting unit 7 is not yet operating. Once drilling is complete, the bolting head 4 is repositioned to its next operating position, shown in FIG. 7, by moving the boom 3 and rotary joint 15. In this position, the drilling unit 5 can drill a second drill hole in the first row 13a, and the bolting unit 7 is aligned with the first drilled hole to insert and pretension the first rock bolt. Simultaneous operation of the drilling unit 5 and bolting unit 7 is implemented to improve the bolting cycle. It can also be considered that the bolting units 4 are aligned with the first row 13a, and that the drilling units 5 and bolting units 7 are arranged in different columns 14a, 14b.

[0061] Once the bolting means is completed in the position shown in Figure 7, the bolting head 4 can be moved further to the next operating position. The positioning can be relatively simple since it occurs in alignment with the first row 13a. The control unit of the bolting rig can control the execution of such positioning operations. Once ready for positioning, the drilling unit 5 can again drill a new drill hole, and the bolting unit 7 will execute the rock bolt feeding means for the previously drilled drill hole.

[0062] Figure 8 shows how the same procedure continues along the first row 13a. Once the first row 13a is completed, the second row 13b can be operated in a similar manner.

[0063] However, the disclosed bolting head 4 can be implemented in an alternative manner to advance bolting along columns 14 instead of rows 13. As it moves along columns 14, the bolting head 4 can be rotated about rotary joint 15 so that the drilling unit 5 and bolting unit 7 are aligned with the columns 14. The bolting head 4 is then positioned incrementally along one column, and once the column is completed, the bolting head is positioned in the adjacent column, again performing the bolting procedure at each lock bolt location. The column-type bolting principle is shown in simplified form in Figure 9 by arrows 26a-26g.

[0064] FIG. 10 shows a bolting head 4 including two drilling units 5a, 5b and two bolting units 7a, 7b. The bolting head 4 thus has a total of four operating units for simultaneously performing bolting operations. The basic structure of the bolting head 4, drilling units 5a, 5b, and bolting units 7a, 7b corresponds to the bolting head solutions disclosed in the previous figures. However, the structure disclosed in FIG. 10 differs in that the cradle 19, which serves as the frame 18 of the bolting head 4, now has two opposing sides that serve as fastening surfaces 27a, 27b to which the drilling units 5a, 5b and bolting units 7a, 7b are attached. The two drilling units 5a, 5b are located on opposite sides of the cradle 19, facing away from each other. The same applies to the two bolting units 7a, 7b, which are located on opposite sides of the cradle 19 and facing away from each other. Additionally, in this alternative configuration, the rotary joint 15 is located at one end of the elongated cradle 19 so that the bolting head 4 can be rotated T to a desired orientation relative to the boom. There may also be bolt magazines 17a, 17b mounted on opposing fastening sides 27a, 27b. The distance D between the drilling unit and the bolting unit may be fixed or adjustable depending on the distance between the lock bolt positions.

[0065] Figure 11 is an axonometric view of the bolting head 4 shown in Figure 10. It should be noted that the drilling units 5a, 5b and the bolting units 7a, 7b are substantially similar to the solution disclosed in Figure 5. Therefore, their structure does not need to be disclosed in detail.

[0066] Figures 12 and 13 show that the bolting head 4 disclosed in Figures 10 and 11 above can operate four rock bolt positions 9 at a time. Figures 12 and 13 show a situation in which the rock bolt positions on the first row 13a have already been drilled by the two drilling units 5a, 5b. The bolting head 4 is then positioned in the operating position shown in Figure 12 to drill two more holes in the second row 13b while simultaneously inserting rock bolts into the already drilled holes in the first row 13a. Once the drilling and bolt insertion are complete, the bolting head 4 is again positioned in a new operating position shown in Figure 13. In this new operating position, the bolting head 4 again covers the two already drilled holes in the first row 13a and the two rock bolt positions in the second row 13b that have not yet been drilled. In Figures 12 and 13, the bolting head 4 is positioned in the row direction RD, but it can also be moved in the column direction CD. FIG. 13 further illustrates that the four lock bolt positions of the bolting pattern 12 can be considered to form squares 28 , and each such square 28 can represent an operational position of the bolting head 4 .

[0067] FIG. 14 discloses a bolting head 4 including an anchor element 29 that can be supported against a rock surface. The frame 18 of the bolting head 4 can be rotated relative to the anchor element 29. The anchor element 29 may protrude longitudinally of the bolting head 4 so as to first contact the rock surface when positioning the bolting head at the anchor point. A rotary joint 30 is located between the anchor element 29 and the frame 18. A rotary actuator (not shown) for rotating the frame 18, a drilling unit 5, and a bolting unit 7 attached to the frame at the anchor point are provided. The anchor element 29, the drilling unit 5, and the bolting unit 7 are arranged to form a triangular configuration, indicated by triangle 31. The drilling unit 5 and the bolting unit 7 are positioned at a predetermined distance from each other. Furthermore, the distance between the drilling unit 5 and the anchor element 29 is equal to the distance between the bolting unit 7 and the anchor element 29. In Figure 14 the angle between the drilling unit 5 and the bolting unit 7 is fixed, but alternatively the distance between the drilling unit 5 and the bolting unit 7 may be adjustable to be shorter or longer thereby allowing the implementation of the same bolting head to handle bolting patterns with different rock bolt distances.

[0068] Between the drilling unit 5 and the bolting unit 7 there is a bolt magazine 17 of any type.

[0069] Figure 15 is an axonometric view of the bolting head 4 shown in Figure 14. It can be seen that the drilling unit 5 and the bolting unit 7 can be substantially similar to the solutions described above, and therefore their construction does not need to be disclosed in detail.

[0070] 16 to 23 disclose the operation of the bolting head 4 disclosed in FIGS.

[0071] In Figure 16, the bolting procedure is initiated by positioning the bolting head 4 at the first auxiliary point 32a and using the drilling unit 5 to drill the first drill hole in the first row 13a. The anchor element 29 therefore secures the bolting head 4 to the first auxiliary point 32a while the initial drill hole is being drilled. During this preparatory stage, the bolting unit 7 is not operated.

[0072] In Figure 17, the bolting head 4 is positioned so that the anchor element 29 is at a first anchor point 33a located at the intersection of a diagonal 34 of a first square pattern 35a defined by the four rock bolt locations 9. The drilling unit 5 drills a first drill hole in the second row 13b, and the bolting unit 7 inserts a rock bolt into the initially drilled drill hole in the first row 13a.

[0073] In Figure 18, the bolting head 4 is rotated around the anchor element 29, a second drill hole is drilled in the second row 13b, and a lock bolt is inserted into the first already drilled hole in the second row 13b.

[0074] In Figure 19, the bolting head 4 is further rotated clockwise, which allows a second drill hole to be drilled in the first row 13a and bolting to be performed in a second drill hole in the second row 13b.

[0075] 20, the anchor element 29 of the bolting head 4 is positioned at the second auxiliary point 32b so that the bolting head 7 can insert a rock bolt into the last drill hole of the first square pattern 35a. In that position, the drilling unit 5 can drill the first drill hole for the second square pattern 35b.

[0076] In FIG. 21, the bolting unit 4 is positioned at the second anchor point 33b, located at the intersection of the diagonal lines of the second square pattern 35b. A rock bolt can then be inserted into the first drill hole of the second pattern 35b, and subsequent drill holes can be drilled up to the third rock bolt position on the second row 13b. As seen in FIGS. 22 and 23, the bolting process for the second square pattern 35b continues in the same manner as for the first square pattern 35a. After completing the drilling of new drill holes and inserting bolts into previously drilled holes, the bolting head rotates around the anchor element 29, and all rock bolt positions 9 in the second square pattern 35b are processed. In FIG. 23, it is shown that a third auxiliary anchor point 32c is required to bolt the last drill hole of the second square pattern 35b and drill the first drill hole for the subsequent third square pattern 35c. A third anchor point 33c is implemented to position the bolting head 4 so that it can process the drill hole locations 9 in a third square pattern.

[0077] The movement of the bolting head from one hole to the other at the anchor point 33 can be automated. Because this movement is a rotational movement around the anchor point 33, it is easy to achieve high accuracy in the position of the bolting head. This makes it easy to align the rock bolt with the drilled hole previously drilled from the bolting unit. Alternatively, if the movement is not automated, auxiliary components can be added to help the operator position the bolting head in the correct position, especially to help position the bolting unit in front of the drilled hole previously made by the drilling unit. These components can be lasers, cameras, probes, or any other components.

[0078] FIG. 24 shows a further possibility for implementing the bolting head disclosed above with anchor elements and a square pattern covering four lockbolt positions 9. The solution shown in FIG. 24 implements overlapping square patterns 35 and 36. Then, in addition to anchor point 37 of square pattern 36, there is an additional anchor point 33 of square pattern 36. Another way to think about this is that the bolting head 4 is further positioned in a shorter step compared to the positioning steps presented in the previous FIGS. 16-23. In this case, only the first auxiliary point 32 is needed at the start of the bolting process.

[0079] The drawings and the associated description are intended only to illustrate the concept of the invention, in details which may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A bolting head (4) for installing a reinforcing rock bolt (8) into a rock surface, comprising: a frame (18) supporting said bolting head (4) and attachable to the boom (3) of the bolting rig (1); At least one drilling unit (5) for drilling a drill hole (6), the at least one drilling unit (5) comprising a drilling feed beam (20) and a rock drill (21) movable on said drilling feed beam (20); a bolting head (4) including at least one bolting unit (7) including a bolting feed beam (23) and a bolt feed device (24) that inserts the lock bolt (8) into the drilled hole (6) and is movable on the bolting feed beam (23); the drilling unit (5) and the bolting unit (7) are mounted on the frame (18) in a parallel orientation relative to each other and at a predetermined lateral distance (D) from each other; the drilling unit (5) and the bolting unit (7) are operable simultaneously without moving the drilling unit (5) and the bolting unit (7) relative to the frame (18), thereby enabling simultaneous drilling and bolt feeding for the bolting head (4); A bolting head comprising:

2. the lateral distance (D) between the drilling unit (5) and the bolting unit (7) is set according to the bolt distance of the rock bolt to be installed; 2. The bolting head of claim 1.

3. the relative positions between the frame (18), the drilling unit (5) and the bolting unit (7) are fixed; 2. The bolting head of claim 1.

4. characterised in that the frame (18) of the bolting head (4) is a cradle (19) on which the drilling unit (5) and the bolting unit (7) are mounted, the cradle (19) being an elongated body having a transverse orientation with respect to the longitudinal axes of the parallel drilling unit (5) and the bolting unit (7), 2. The bolting head of claim 1.

5. characterised in that the bolting head (4) comprises two drilling units (5a, 5b) and two bolting units (7a, 7b), all of which are operable simultaneously; 2. The bolting head of claim 1.

6. the bolting head (4) comprises an anchor element (29) that can be supported against the rock surface, and the frame (18) is configured to be rotatable (T) relative to the anchor element (29), 2. The bolting head of claim 1.

7. A bolting rig (1), comprising: a movable carrier (2); At least one boom (3) attached to the carrier (2); a bolting head (4) attached to the boom (3); a control unit (CU) for controlling the operation of said bolting rig (1), The bolting head (4) is as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, the control unit (CU) is configured to provide control commands to at least one drilling unit (5) and at least one bolting unit (7) of the bolting head (4) mounted on one boom (3) to perform a bolting work cycle including simultaneous drilling and bolting; Bolting rig.

8. 1. A method for reinforcing a rock surface with rock bolts, comprising: Implementing the reinforcement means by a bolting rig (1) comprising a bolting head (4) attached to a boom (3); Drilling drill holes (6) in the rock surface to be reinforced by the drilling units (5) of the bolting head (4); and installing the rock bolt (8) in the drilled hole (6) by means of a bolting unit (7) of the bolting head (4), performing a simultaneous drilling and bolt installation procedure with the bolting head (4), wherein the rock bolt (8) is installed in the at least one previously drilled drill hole (6) and at the same time at least one new drill hole (6) is drilled; The method characterized by:

9. characterized by maintaining said drilling unit (5) and said bolting unit (7) at a predetermined lateral distance (D) from each other and maintaining their parallel orientation unchanged during said drilling and bolting means; The method of claim 8.

10. providing said rock bolts (8) at pre-planned rock bolt positions (9); Covering at least two lockbolt positions (9) at a time and positioning said bolting heads (4) at said lockbolt positions (9) at a time; 10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by:

11. Implementing said reinforcement measures according to a bolting plan (12) at fixed relative positions and distances (D) between several rock bolt positions (9) defined in said bolting plan (12). The method of claim 9, characterized by:

12. 10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that said reinforcement measures are carried out on the ceiling surface (10) of the underground mine passage (11).

13. 10. The method according to claim 9, characterized by positioning the bolting head (4) along a linear movement path in a row (13) or a column (14).

14. - using a bolting head (4) provided with anchor elements (29) which form a triangular configuration together with said drilling unit (5) and said bolting unit (7); supporting said anchor element (29) at an anchor position (33) against said rock surface; performing square bolting for a square (35) shaped rock bolt pattern defined by four rock bolt locations (9); performing a positioning movement of the bolting head (4) by simultaneously rotating the drilling unit (5) and the bolting unit (7) relative to the anchor element (29) to position the drilling unit (5) and the bolting unit (7) at the lock bolt position (9) of the square pattern (35); The method of claim 9, characterized by:

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