Homogenizer, Rock Drill, and Method of Sample Extraction

Abstract

To provide a homogenizer intended to be mounted on a dust collecting system of a rock drilling rig, and to homogenize particle distribution of drilling cuttings in a flow.SOLUTION: The invention provides a homogenizer for homogenizing a flow, a rock drilling rig, and a method for taking samples. The homogenizer (18) is mountable on a dust collecting system of the rock drilling rig, and is to act on the flow, which contains air and drilling cuttings. The homogenizer includes a channel part (23) through which the flow is directed, and at least one air jet (24) for directing air blows to the flow for generating turbulence in the flow to thereby homogenize particle distribution of the drilling cuttings in the flow.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a homogenizer intended to be attached to a dust collection system of a rock drilling rig. This homogenizer is designed to affect the characteristics of the flow within the dust collection system.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a rock drilling rig and a method for collecting samples of drilled and crushed fragments.

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

Background Art

[0004] In mines and other work sites, different types of rock drilling rigs are used to drill excavation holes into the rock surface. During the excavation process, the excavated and crushed fragments flow out of the excavation hole and are carried out from the excavation hole opening by a dust collection system. To analyze the particles and characteristics of the rock surface being excavated, it is necessary to collect samples from the flow containing air and solid particles of the excavated and crushed fragments. It has been noted that it is difficult to collect good samples because the solid particles are not uniformly distributed in the dust collection system. Therefore, various flow homogenizers have been designed to solve this problem. However, the known solutions still exhibit some drawbacks.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved homogenizer, a rock drilling rig, and a method for collecting samples.

[0006] The homogenizer according to the present invention is characterized by the features that characterize the first independent claim regarding the device.

[0007] The rock drilling rig according to the present invention is characterized by the features that characterize the second independent claim regarding the device.

[0008] The method according to the invention is characterized by the features that characterize the independent claims relating to the method.

[0009] The concept of the solution of the present disclosure is that a homogenizer can be provided in the dust collection system of the rock drilling rig to homogenize the flow containing air and drilling debris. This homogenizer comprises a channel section through which the flow is guided and one or more air injectors arranged on the inner surface of the channel section for guiding the air injection into the flow. The purpose of the air injection is to generate turbulence in the flow, thereby homogenizing the particle distribution of the drilling debris in the flow. In other words, the flow inside the flow path or channel section is disturbed by the air pressure by guiding the pressurized air in the transverse direction of the flow so that the drilling debris particles of different sizes are more uniformly diffused.

[0010] The advantage of the solution of the present disclosure is that a representative sample of the drilling debris can be taken after the homogenizer when particles of different sizes are more uniformly diffused in the inlet tube. In this way, the quality of the sample can be improved and more accurate and reliable analysis results can be obtained. A further advantage is that the solution of the present disclosure is relatively simple and inexpensive. This solution has no moving elements or complex mechanisms, so it is durable and highly reliable. There is no physical object subjected to wear of the drilling debris particles in the homogenizer. The homogenizer of the present disclosure can also be easily retrofitted to the existing dust collection systems of various rock drilling rigs.

[0011] A further advantage is that the solution of the present disclosure does not physically narrow the air channel nor constrict the flow. In this way, undesirable flow resistance in the channel can be avoided.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the number of air injectors is one. In some cases, just one air injector may be sufficient to produce the necessary particle diffusion in the flow.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the homogenizer may have a plurality of air injectors. When a plurality of air injectors are implemented, the homogenizer can be controlled for multiple purposes and can be adapted to various flow situations.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the orientation and scale of the air blowing introduced into the flow can be designed according to individual cases. To determine the characteristics of the pneumatic diffusion control system of the present disclosure, programs for flow control simulation and modeling can be utilized.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the air injector includes a nozzle element provided with an injection port and can be connected to a pneumatic channel. This nozzle element further includes a mounting element for mounting the air injector to the channel portion.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the air injector includes a nozzle element provided with a plurality of injection ports.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the channel portion includes a bent portion, and at least one air injector is positioned at this bent portion. In other words, the air blowing is introduced into the flow at the bent portion. It has been recognized in multiple experiments that the effect of the impact by pneumatic control increases when the impact occurs at the bent portion. The use of the bent portion is also beneficial because it is typically necessary to direct the dust collection tubes and hoses to angular positions, particularly in areas near separators and other devices. In the bent portion, particles often move in the flow towards the outer curved side of the bent portion, and thus this undesirable phenomenon caused by the inertia of the particles can be compensated by performing air blowing.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the bent portion may be 90° or approximately 90°. The bent portion may also be any bent portion between 45° and 135°.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the channel portion or channel section may, in some cases, have no bend at all, whereby the homogenizing section and the homogenizing element are positioned in a straight section.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the channel portion includes a bent portion having an inner curved portion and an outer curved portion, and at least one air injector is provided at the outer curved portion of the bent portion. In other words, the air blowing is positioned at the outer curved portion of the bent portion, which is the most important point where solid particles tend to concentrate in the flow. It has been found effective to direct the air blowing to the outer curved portion side.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the air injector is positioned only on the outer curved portion side of the bent portion.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the homogenizer includes a plurality of air injectors in the cross-section of the channel portion, whereby the plurality of air injectors are oriented in different radial directions with respect to each other. In other words, in order to increase the desired diffusion effect, the combined effect of a plurality of pneumatically induced flows can be directed to the solid particles in the flow.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the homogenizer includes a plurality of air injectors positioned at a distance from each other when viewed in the flow direction. In other words, two, three, or more air injectors may exist continuously.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the scale of the air blowing of the plurality of air injectors can be controlled under the control of a control unit. For this reason, the scales of the plurality of air blowings may be equal to each other or different.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the homogenizer may include a nozzle device provided with a plurality of nozzles and injection ports. There may be various pre-assembled homogenizers with different nozzle settings, whereby the installation of the homogenizer and possible replacement are quick and easy if desired.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the plurality of air injectors may be oriented at an angular interval of 10 to 45° with respect to each other when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the channel portion, for example. The magnitude of the angular interval between the air injectors may be the same, or different inclinations may be implemented.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the scale of the air blowing of at least one air injector is controllable under the control of the control unit. In other words, the control unit can synchronize the air blowing and the sample collection procedure. It is possible to start the execution of the air blowing before the start of the sample extraction procedure. There is an advantage that the control unit can adjust the timing and cooperation between the diffusion and the sample extraction.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the scale of the air blowing of at least one air injector can be controlled by controlling the pressure, or the flow rate, or both.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the scale of the pressure used for the air injector may be, for example, 3 to 10 bar.

[0030] According to one embodiment, when the homogenizer includes a plurality of air injectors, each of the air injectors can be controlled separately. Therefore, in addition to the timing of the air blowing, the scale of the air blowing can be controlled by the control unit.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the control unit can completely automatically control the diffusion and the sample extraction procedure during rock drilling.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the solution of the present disclosure includes a mobile carrier, at least one drilling boom attached to the mobile carrier and provided with a rock drill, and a dust collection system for removing drilled rock fragments from the opening of the drilled hole, the dust collection system being provided with a suction unit, dust collection tubing, and at least one separator for separating solid particles from a flow containing air and drilled rock fragments, and at least one sample extraction point for collecting a sample of the flow. Further, the sample extraction point is positioned in front of the separator such that the flow is not always separated at the sample extraction point, and a homogenizer is present in the dust collection system in front of the sample extraction point. The homogenizer conforms to the features and embodiments disclosed herein. In other words, the sample extraction point is positioned before any separation treatment on the flow is carried out. This advantage is that nothing is removed from the flow taken from the sample, so this flow contains all possible particles.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the solution of the present disclosure can be implemented for various types of drilling techniques and purposes, including, for example, production drilling and exploration drilling. This solution is suitable for use, for example, with top hammer drilling, down-the-hole (DTH) drilling, and rotary drilling.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the dust collection system includes a first separator for separating solid coarse particles from the flow and a second separator for separating solid fine particles from the flow. The first separator may be positioned on the drilling boom, while the second separator may be positioned on the carrier. The first separator may be a centrifuge. The homogenizer and the sample extraction point are positioned immediately in front of the first separator.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the rock drilling rig includes at least one compressor for generating pneumatic pressure in a pneumatic system, the homogenizer is connected to the pneumatic system, and is controllable by at least one control valve.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the solution of the present disclosure also relates to a method for sample extraction in a rock drilling rig. This method includes drilling a borehole in the rock surface, collecting the drilled fragmentation generated from the opening of the borehole during drilling by a dust collection system, and collecting a sample of the flow containing air and drilled fragmentation at the sample extraction point of the dust collection system during drilling. The method further includes providing a homogenizer in the dust collection system upstream of the sample extraction point, introducing cross-directional air blowing into the flow, thereby diffusing the drilled fragmentation particles in the flow to make the particle distribution of the flow uniform, and collecting the sample downstream of the diffusion of the aforementioned particles. In other words, the method includes sending one or more control gas flows in the cross direction of the flow of drilled fragmentation particles and air in order to act on the solid particles of the flow. Thus, the solid particles can be introduced into the flow without contact with the help of air blowing.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the method includes controlling the diffusion of solid particles in the flow by directing a plurality of air blowings in different cross directions towards the flow. In other words, the diffusion and distribution of solid particles can be increased by performing a plurality of air blowings with different orientations.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the method includes sending a continuous air flow to at least one air injector during a selectively controlled diffusion treatment of solid particles. In other words, a continuous air flow through at least one air injector nozzle occurs during the sample extraction process.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the method includes introducing a pulse or shock of pressurized air into the flow when performing the diffusion of solid particles. In other words, the pulse or shock of air may be beneficial for the diffusion of solid particles in some cases. The air pulse may, for example, generate the desired turbulent flow in the flow.

[0040] According to one embodiment, when there are multiple air injectors, each of the air injectors can be arranged to introduce the same or different air pulses into the flow.

[0041] The embodiments disclosed above may be combined to create a suitable solution having embodiments of the above-described required features.

[0042] Some embodiments are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0043]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0044] The drawings show, for clarity, some embodiments of the solutions of the present disclosure in a simplified manner. In the drawings, like reference numerals denote like elements.

[0045] Figure 1 discloses a rock drilling rig 1 comprising a mobile transporter 2 and a drilling boom 3 attached to the mobile transporter 2. The drilling boom 3 is provided with a rock drilling unit 4 for drilling a drilling hole 5 in a rock surface. The rock drilling unit 4 comprises a rock drill 6 which can be movably arranged on a feed beam 7. The rock drill 6 may comprise an impact device and a rotary device, or alternatively, the rock drill is a rotary drill and may not comprise any impact device. A drilling tool 8 is connected to the rock drill 6, and the drilling tool 8 may comprise one or more drill tubes and a drill bit 9 at its free end. During drilling, the rock material is broken, and drilling crushed pieces are generated in the drilling hole 5. The drilling crushed pieces need to flow out of the drilling hole 5. Typically, pressurized air is generated by a compressor CO, and this pressurized air is guided to the bottom of the drilling hole 5 by the drilling tool 8, whereby the drilling crushed pieces are caused to flow out. The drilling crushed pieces can be collected by a dust collection system 10 comprising a suction unit 11 for generating a negative pressure so that the drilling crushed pieces can be sucked from the drilling hole opening 12 by a dust collection tube 13. There may be a suction basket 14 which can be attached to the drilling hole opening 12 and is connected to the dust collection tube 13. The main purpose of the dust collection system 10 is to transfer the drilling crushed pieces from the drilling hole opening 12 so that the visibility of the object being drilled is good and the large amount of material removed from the drilling hole 5 does not cause difficulties in the drilling process. However, the dust collection system 5 may further comprise one or more separators for processing the collected material. There may be a first separator 15 for separating coarse particles and a second separator 16 for separating fine particles. The first separator 15 may be attached to the drilling boom 3, for example, and may comprise a centrifugal separator. The second separator 16 may be connected to the suction unit 11 and attached to the transporter 2, for example.

[0046] The sample extraction device 17 for collecting samples from the cuttings and air flow in the system is arranged in front of the first separator 15 and is thus positioned before any separation stage. Further, a homogenizer 18 is arranged in front of the sample extraction device 17 in order to reliably concentrate the flow directed to the sample extraction device 17. The homogenizer 18 diffuses the cuttings in the flow so that a suitable sample can be taken from the flow. The homogenizer 18 is operated by pressurized air, and for this purpose the pressurized air is conveyed from the output port 19 of the compressor CO to the pressure supply line 20 of the homogenizer 18.

[0047] The rock drilling rig 1 may comprise one or more control units CU for controlling the operation and the actuators. The control unit CU may control, for example, the sample extraction device 17 and the homogenizer 18. Some control situations and principles are disclosed above in this specification. The control unit may comprise a processor for executing an input computer program product or algorithm and may be provided with sensed data and input control parameters.

[0048] Figure 2 discloses a dust collection system 10 for sucking cuttings from the drilling hole opening 12. The dust collection system 10 comprises a dust collection tube 13 for transferring the collected flow to the sample extraction device 17 by means of the homogenizer 18 and then only to the separator 15. For this purpose, the sample extraction point SP is positioned between the homogenizer 18 and the separator 15. The sample SA is taken from the flow according to a planned sample extraction schedule or procedure. The sample SA can be analyzed either online 21 or later in the laboratory 22.

[0049] The sample extraction device 17 may comprise a tube or a sample extraction pipe that can be partially inserted inside the flow channel and is provided with an opening through which the material to be collected passes during sample extraction. The collected sample can be stored, for example, in a receptacle or a bag.

[0050] Figure 3 discloses that the homogenizer 18 includes a channel portion 23 for conveying by passing through the flow of air and drilling debris. One or more air injectors 24 are provided in the channel portion 23 to direct the air blowing 25 in the direction of the flow, thereby generating a desirable turbulent flow 26 in the flow.

[0051] Figure 4 discloses a homogenizer 18 in which one air injector 24 is arranged on the wall portion of the channel portion 23. The supply of pressurized air from the compressor CO can be controlled by a valve V that can be controlled by a control unit CU. Figure 4 shows that since the solid particles P in the flow are not uniformly distributed, it is necessary to improve the particle distribution by guiding the air blowing in the transverse direction into the flow. After controlling the particle separation by air pressure in this way, easier and more reliable sample extraction becomes possible.

[0052] Figure 5 discloses the same principle of pneumatic control as disclosed in Figure 4, but a plurality of air injectors are used instead of one air injector.

[0053] Both Figure 6 and Figure 7 disclose that the channel portion 23 of the homogenizer 18 includes a bent portion 27 provided with an inner curved portion 28 and an outer curved portion 29. One or more air injectors 24 are attached to the outer curved portion 29 of the bent portion 27. In Figure 6, the cross-section of the channel portion 23 may include one air injector 24 or a plurality of air injectors arranged at different radial angles. In Figure 7, there are a plurality of air injectors 24 arranged continuously in the longitudinal direction of the bent portion 27.

[0054] Figure 8 discloses that the air injector 24 may include a nozzle element 30 having a frame 31 or a main body and a mounting element 32 for attaching the frame or the main body to the channel portion. Further, there are one or more injection ports 33 through which the air blowing is directed. The nozzle element 30 is provided with a supply port or a connection portion 34 for connecting the nozzle element to an air pressure channel to supply pressurized air.

[0055] In one example, the attachment of the nozzle element 30 includes drilling a hole in the wall portion of the channel portion, inserting the nozzle element 30 into the drilled hole, and fastening the nozzle element 30 in place with a screw member. Finally, the nozzle element is connected to the pneumatic channel.

[0056] The drawings, and the related description, are intended only to illustrate the concept of the present invention. The present invention may vary in its details within the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claim 1: A rock drilling rig (1), comprising: a mobile transporter (2); at least one drilling boom (3) attached to the mobile transporter (2) and provided with a rock drill (6); a dust collection system (10) for removing drilled and crushed pieces from the opening (12) of the drilled hole, the dust collection system (10) being provided with a suction unit (11), dust collection tubing (13), and at least one separator (15) for separating solid particles from a flow containing air and the drilled and crushed pieces; at least one sample extraction point (SP) for collecting a sample (SA) of the flow; and the sample extraction point (SP) is positioned in front of the separator (15) such that the flow is not yet separated at the sample extraction point (SP); in the dust collection system (10), there is a homogenizer (18) for homogenizing a flow containing air and drilled and crushed pieces before the sample extraction point (SP), and the homogenizer (18) is attachable to the dust collection system (10) of the rock drilling rig (1); the homogenizer (18) comprises a channel portion (23) through which the flow is guided, and at least one air injector (24) arranged on the inner surface of the channel portion (23) for guiding an air jet (25) into the flow to generate a turbulent flow (26) in the flow, thereby homogenizing the particle distribution of the drilled and crushed pieces in the flow; characterized in that the rock drilling rig (1). Claim 2: The channel portion (23) includes a bent portion (27), and the at least one air injector (24) is positioned at the bent portion (27). The rock drilling rig (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that. Claim 3: The channel portion (23) includes a bent portion (27) having an inner curved portion (28) and an outer curved portion (29), and the at least one air injector (24) is provided at the outer curved portion (29) of the bent portion (27). The rock drilling rig (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that. Claim 4: The homogenizer (18) comprises a plurality of air injectors (24) in the cross-section of the channel portion (23), whereby the plurality of air injectors (24) are oriented in different radial directions relative to each other. The rock drilling rig (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that. Claim 5: The scale of the air blowing (25) of the at least one air injector (24) is controllable under the control of a control unit (CU). The rock drilling rig (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that.

6. The rock drilling rig (1) comprises at least one compressor (CO) for generating pneumatic pressure in a pneumatic system, the homogenizer (18) is connected to the pneumatic system, and is controllable by at least one control valve (V). The rock drilling rig according to claim 1, characterized in that.

7. A method for sample extraction in a rock drilling rig (1), comprising: Drilling a borehole (5) in a rock surface; Collecting the drilling debris generated from the opening (12) of the borehole during the drilling by a dust collection system (10); and Collecting a sample of the flow containing air and the drilling debris at a sample extraction point (SP) of the dust collection system (10) during the drilling. Including Providing a homogenizer (18) in the dust collection system (10) upstream of the sample extraction point (SP); Directing a transverse air blow (25) to the flow, thereby diffusing the drilling debris particles in the flow to make the particle distribution of the flow uniform; and Collecting the sample downstream of the diffusion of the drilling debris particles. A method, characterized in that.

8. Controlling the diffusion of the drilling debris particles in the flow by directing a plurality of the air blows (25) in different transverse directions to the flow. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that.

9. Sending a continuous air flow to at least one air injector (24) during the selectively controlled diffusion treatment of the drilling debris particles. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that.

10. Directing a pulse or shock of pressurized air to the flow when performing the diffusion of the drilling debris particles. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that.

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