Tracker system for a rock drilling machine and a drill RIG comprising such a tracker system

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a drill rig (1), rock drilling machine and a tracker system for a rock drilling machine (3) on a drill rig (1) comprising at least one feed beam (10), the rock drilling machine (3) being arranged to operate in an axial direction (A1) between two end positions on the feed beam (10), the tracker system comprising: a wireless communication tag (2) arranged on the rock drilling machine (3), the wireless communication tag (2) with a data memory configured to store operational data of the rock drilling machine (3) on which it as arranged, a communication unit (7) arranged on or close to the feed beam (10) in a position that enables it to at least intermittently communicate with the wireless communication tag (2) arranged on the rock drilling machine (3), and a central control unit (20) configured to collect operational data during operation of the rock drilling machine (3), the central control unit (20) being arranged on the drill rig (1) but not on the rock drilling machine (3), wherein the communication unit (7) is arranged to at least intermittently transmit the operational data collected by the central control unit (20) to the wireless communication tag (2) and update the operational data of the rock drilling machine (3) in the data memory therein.

Description

[0001] TRACKER SYSTEM FOR A ROCK DRILLING MACHINE AND A DRILL RIG

[0002] COMPRISING SUCH A TRACKER SYSTEM

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a tracker system for a rock drilling machine on a drill rig. Specifically, the disclosure relates to a tracker system for logging the operation of a rock drilling machine. The disclosure also relates to a rock drilling machine to be tracked in such a tracker system and a drill rig comprising such a tracker system.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] In the technical field of rock drilling, a rock drilling machine may be arranged on a feed beam typically held by a feed beam holder at an outer end of a boom that extends from a drill rig.

[0007] Often, a drill rig comprises at least two separate feed beams arranged on separate booms, each feed beam carrying an individual rock drilling machine.

[0008] Rock drilling machines operate under very harsh conditions, and it is therefore crucial to service the rock drilling machine and associated parts regularly to guarantee a safe and trouble-free operation thereof. As for most machines the lifetime of a rock drilling machine is strongly dependent on its running time and the type of operation it is exposed to.

[0009] Therefore, there is an interest in monitoring the operation of each rock drilling machine arranged on a drill rig to be able to foresee the need of maintenance and / or replacement of the rock drilling machine or parts thereof.

[0010] A problem related to such monitoring is that even if it is possible to log the overall operation of a drill rig it may be difficult to retrieve information regarding the operation of the individual rock drilling machines. It is not conceivable to position a monitoring system on rock drilling machine because of the harsh operating conditions.

[0011] Therefore, service personnel will be dependent on receiving information relating to the operation of rock drilling machine from a central system such as Rig Control System (RCS) of the drill rig on which the rock drilling machine was last installed. This information may not always be accessible to the service personnel, and it may not be fully reliable, e.g., because it may not be evident from the RCS which rock drilling machine has performed which operation on a drill rig provided with more than one rock drilling machine. It would be advantageous to find a reliable solution to the problem of monitoring the operation of one or more individual rock drilling machines of a drill rig.

[0012] SUMMARY

[0013] It is an object of the disclosure to provide a solution to the problem of monitoring the operation of one or more individual rock drilling machines of a drill rig.

[0014] The above and further objects are solved by the subject matter of the appended independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

[0015] According to a first aspect, the disclosure relates to a tracker system for a rock drilling machine on a drill rig comprising at least one feed beam. The rock drilling machine being arranged to operate in an axial direction between two end positions on the feed beam. The tracker system comprising: a wireless communication tag arranged on the rock drilling machine, the wireless communication tag with a data memory configured to store operational data of the rock drilling machine on which it as arranged, a communication unit arranged on or close to the feed beam in a position that enables it to at least intermittently communicate with the wireless communication tag arranged on the rock drilling machine, and a central control unit configured to collect operational data during operation of the rock drilling machine, the central control unit being arranged on the drill rig but not on the rock drilling machine, wherein the communication unit is arranged to at least intermittently transmit the operational data collected by the central control unit to the wireless communication tag and update the operational data of the rock drilling machine in the data memory therein.

[0016] The disclosure provides a flexible possibility of monitoring the operation of the drilling and also provides easy access to operational data of the rock drilling machine for operators or service personnel. By arranging the data memory on the rock drilling machine, the operational data needed for service personnel will always be readily available in a convenient manner, e.g., when maintenance is performed. In embodiments of the tracker system the wireless communication tag is a passive unit which has no internal power source and is dependent on wireless power from the communication unit to communicate therewith.

[0017] It is an advantage to keep the units arranged on the rock drilling machine as simple as possible, in view of that the conditions are very harsh on the rock drilling machine, wherein sensitive devices are liable to breaking when exposed to these conditions.

[0018] For the same reason, the data memory of the wireless communication tag may be a nonvolatile memory, not in need of powering.

[0019] In embodiments of the tracker system the central control unit is configured to receive input from at least one sensor arranged to monitor at least one a parameter of the performed drilling operation.

[0020] For instance, a sensor may be arranged to monitor the operation of the drilling machine and distinguish between normal operation and operation with low feed force on the drilling machine. Namely, operation with low feed force will often be rougher to the rock drilling machine, implying that a scheduled maintenance of the rock drilling machine may need to be held earlier.

[0021] In embodiments of the tracker system the central control unit is part of or is connectable to a rig assigned control system configured to control the operation of the drill rig and monitor drilling parameters during operation of the rock drilling machine, the rig assigned control system including monitoring units and / or sensors arranged to monitor a set of overall operational data of the drill rig, and wherein the central control unit is configured to, from said set of overall operational data, obtain operational data relating to a performed operation of the rock drilling machine and to transmit said operational data to the wireless communication tag and update the data memory therein with said operational data.

[0022] The drilling machine is not a good place to arrange sensitive equipment in view of the heavy vibrations thereon during operation. By connecting the tracker system to the rig control system, it will be possible to store necessary operational data of performed operation to the specific drilling machine on the wireless communication tag on the rock drilling machine.

[0023] In embodiments of the tracker system the data memory is arranged to store information concerning one or more of the following: a unique identity of the rock drilling machine, a date of installation of the drilling machine, time of last operation performed by the drilling machine, total time of operation of the drilling machine, total time of operation with low feed force of the drilling machine, last date of service of the drilling machine, and type of service already performed on the rock drilling machine.

[0024] This is information that may be interesting to service personnel when performing service on the rock drilling machine or to an operator, or operating personnel inter alia to schedule service of the rock drilling machine.

[0025] Parts of this information will be sufficient to keep a service log for the rock drilling machine, to not only schedule a replacement of the rock drilling machine but also to foresee when a specific service will be needed.

[0026] In embodiments of the tracker system the communication unit is arranged at or between the end positions of the feed beam and configured to update the data memory of the wireless communication tag when the rock drilling machine is positioned in vicinity of where the communication unit is arranged.

[0027] In this way it will be natural to update the data memory at regular intervals.

[0028] In embodiments of the tracker system the communication unit is arranged at a back end of the feed beam with respect to the drilling direction of the rock drilling machine and configured to update the data memory of the wireless communication tag when the rock drilling machine is positioned at said back end position.

[0029] This allows the tracker system to update the data memory each time a section has been drilled and it is time to add another drill pipe to the drill string, or after a full drilling sequence has been performed. Specifically, the communication unit could be arranged to communicate with the wireless communication tag when the rock drilling machine is in position to be provided with another drill pipe to the drill string.

[0030] In embodiments of the tracker system the drilling machine comprises a main body and a front part, wherein the wireless communication tag is arranged on the main body of the drilling machine. In embodiments of the tracker system an auxiliary wireless communication tag is arranged on the front part of the rock drilling machine.

[0031] Namely, the front part usually needs to be replaced and / or serviced more often than the main body of the drilling machine, and by providing an auxiliary identification tag on the front part it will be possible to separately monitor and log the operation of the front part, thereby making it possible to foresee the need for maintenance and / or replacement of the front part.

[0032] In embodiments of the tracker system the wireless communication tag includes a unique identity, and wherein the communication unit is arranged to obtain said unique identity and in response send updated operational data, if any, concerning the drilling machine corresponding to said unique identity of said wireless communication tag.

[0033] This is advantageous if the communication unit is arranged to communicate with a plurality communication tags, one for each rock drilling machine on drill rig comprising more than one rock drilling machines, to separate the rock drilling machines from each other and make sure that the correct data is provided to the wireless communication tag corresponding to correct specific rock drilling machine.

[0034] Further, the identification may make it possible to retrieve additional information about the rock drilling machine, said information being saved centrally, e.g., in the rig assigned control system or an overlying system of an assembly of several drill rigs. Advantageously though, all information needed to operators or service personnel may retrieved from the data memory in the wireless communication tag.

[0035] In embodiments of the tracker system the communication unit is a Near Field Communication, NFC, reader that is connected to the central control unit.

[0036] In embodiments of the tracker system the drill rig comprises at least two feed beams, each with an individual rock drilling machine provided with an individual wireless communication tag with a data memory configured to log operational data of the rock drilling machine on which it is arranged, wherein a communication unit is arranged on or close to each feed beam to at least intermittently communicate with the wireless communication tag arranged on the rock drilling machine on the corresponding feed beam each communication unit being arranged to at least intermittently transmit operational data collected by the central control unit to the wireless communication tag and update the data memory therein with respect to the operational data of the rock drilling machine on which it is arranged.

[0037] The tracker system is particularly advantageous for arrangements including more than one rock drilling machine in that it assures that correct information is dedicated and stored on the specific rock drilling machine.

[0038] According to a second aspect the disclosure relates to a rock drilling machine comprising a wireless communication tag, said wireless communication tag being part of a tracker system as defined above and being configured to be updated via a communication unit as defined above.

[0039] According to a third aspect the disclosure relates to a drill rig comprising a rock drilling machine as defined above and a tracker system as defined above.

[0040] In embodiments of the drill rig it comprises at least two feed beams, each with an individual rock drilling machine. Each rock drilling machine is provided with an individual wireless communication tag with a data memory configured to log operational data of the rock drilling machine on which it is arranged. The drill rig comprises a communication unit on or close to each feed beam to at least intermittently communicate with the wireless communication tag arranged on the rock drilling machine on the respective feed beam, each communication unit being arranged to at least intermittently transmit operational data collected by the central control unit to the wireless communication tag and update the operational data of the rock drilling machine stored on the data memory.

[0041] Other embodiments of the disclosure according to the three aspects and advantages thereof will be apparent from the detailed description and the appended drawings.

[0042] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Below, specific embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the appended drawings, of which:

[0044] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a drill rig with three booms with individual rock drilling machines,

[0045] Fig. 2 shows a rock drilling machine on a telescopic feed beam, slidable with respect to a feed beam holder, and

[0046] Fig. 3 is a side view of a rock drilling machine in a back position on an extended telescopic feed beam. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOWN EMBODIMENTS

[0047] In Fig. 1 a drill rig 1 with three booms 5A-5C with individual rock drilling machines 3A-3C arranged on separate feed beams 10A-10C is schematically shown. In Fig. 1 it is illustrated how the three rock drilling machines 3A-3C may operate by drilling individual drill strings 6A-6C into a rock face 8. As the rock drilling machines 3A-3C operate their way into the rock face 8 they advance from a back end 11A-11C to a front end 12A-12C of the feed beams 10A-10C.

[0048] The drill rig 1 comprises a tracker system arranged to log the individual operation of each rock drilling machine. To this end a central control unit 20 is arranged on the rock drilling machine 1. The central control unit 20 may be a part of or may be connectable to a rig assigned control system (RCS) configured to control the operation of the drill rig 1 and monitor drilling parameters during operation of the rock drilling machines 3A-C.

[0049] Much of the operation on a drill rig 1 is automatic or semi-automatic and the operator of the drill rig has a lot of available information to help him control the operation of the rock drilling machines 3A-C.

[0050] The rig assigned control system (RCS) typically includes monitoring units and sensors arranged to monitor a set of overall operational data of the drill rig 1 . The rig assigned control system is hence surveying every operation of the individual rock drilling machines 3A-3C.

[0051] On the drill rig 1 shown in Fig. 1 each rock drilling machine 3A, 3B, 3C is provided with an individual wireless communication tag 2A, 2B, 2C with a data memory configured to log operational data of the rock drilling machine 3A, 3B, 3C on which it is arranged.

[0052] In accordance with the invention the central control unit 20 is configured to, from the set of overall operational data monitored and handled by the RCS, obtain operational data relating to a performed operation of a specific rock drilling machine 3A, 3B or 3C and to transmit said operational data to the wireless communication tag 2A, 2B or 2C on said specific rock drilling machine 3A, 3B or 3C and to update the data memory therein with said operational data.

[0053] Further, the drill rig 1 comprises a communication unit 7A, 7B, 7C on or close to each feed beam 10A, 10B, 10C to enable communication with the wireless communication tag 2A, 2B, 2C arranged on the rock drilling machine 3A, 3B, 3C on the corresponding feed beam 10A, 10B, 10C. The communication units 7A, 7B, 7C are arranged to at least intermittently transmit operational data collected by the central control unit 20 to the wireless communication tag 2A, 2B, 2C and update the operational data of the rock drilling machine 3A, 3B, 3C stored on the data memory within the wireless communication tag 2A, 2B, 2C.

[0054] Figs. 2-3 illustrates an individual rock drilling machine 3 in two different positions along a feed beam 10 having a front end 12 and a rear end 13.

[0055] In Fig. 2 the rock drilling machine 3 is positioned in an intermediate position and in Fig. 3 the rock drilling machine 3 is positioned in a most retracted position at the rear end 13 of the feed beam 10.

[0056] A drill support 11 is arranged at the front end block 12 to support the drill string 6 that extends from the rock drilling machine 3 during operation.

[0057] The rock drilling machine 3 is movably arranged with respect to the feed beam 10 along a first direction A1. In the shown embodiment the feed beam 10 is an extensible feed beam 10 comprising a first beam part 18 and a second beam part 19, both extending in the first, longitudinal direction A1.

[0058] The tracker system comprises a wireless communication tag 2 arranged on the rock drilling machine 3, the wireless communication tag 2 comprising a data memory configured to store operational data of the rock drilling machine 3 on which it as arranged.

[0059] A communication unit 7 is arranged on or close to the feed beam 10 in a position that enables it to communicate with the wireless communication tag 2 arranged on the rock drilling machine 3. Specifically, it should be close enough to the drilling machine 3 to enable communication at least in one position of the rock drilling machine 3 along the feed beam 10.

[0060] The central control unit 20 is configured to collect operational data during operation of the rock drilling machine 3, the central control unit 20 being arranged on the drill rig 1 but not on the rock drilling machine 3.

[0061] The communication unit 7 is arranged to at least intermittently transmit the operational data collected by the central control unit 20 to the wireless communication tag 2 and update the operational data of the rock drilling machine 3 in the data memory therein. Also, on a drill rig 1 as the one illustrated in Fig. 1 , which comprises more than one rock drilling machines 3A-C, the communication unit 7 should preferably be positioned to only be in reach of the wireless communication tag 2 on the dedicated rock drilling machine 3.

[0062] As an alternative, however, the communication unit 7 could be arranged to communicate with a plurality communication tags 2A-C, one for each rock drilling machine 3A-C.

[0063] Namely, the wireless communication tags 2A-C may include a unique identity to identify the drilling machine on which it is arranged, wherein the communication unit 7 is arranged to obtain said unique identity and in response thereto send updated operational data, if any, concerning the drilling machine 3A-C corresponding to said unique identity of said wireless communication tag 2A-C.

[0064] The wireless communication tag 2 is typically a passive unit without an internal power source and is dependent on wireless power from the communication unit 7 to communicate therewith. For instance, the wireless communication tag 2 may be an RFID tag. The communication unit 7 for example may be an NFC reader that is configured to communicate with the wireless communication tag 2 and that is connected to the central control unit 20.

[0065] In view of the lack of internal power source the data memory of the wireless communication tag 2 is preferably a non-volatile memory.

[0066] Typically, the wireless communication tag 2 may be identified by means of a mobile phone, for example by using a dedicated app and the information in the wireless communication tag 2 may be retrieved via the same app. Communication to the wireless communication tag 2 may also be accomplished by a wire, or a wireless connection to any processing unit containing device, such as a mobile phone or a computer.

[0067] In addition to the possible connection to a rig assigned control system the central control unit 20 may be configured to receive input from at least one sensor arranged to monitor at least one a parameter of the performed drilling operation.

[0068] For instance, a sensor may be arranged to monitor the operation of the drilling machine and distinguish between normal operation and operation with low feed force on the drilling machine. Namely, operation with low feed force will often be rougher to the rock drilling machine 3, implying that a scheduled maintenance of the rock drilling machine 3 may need to be held earlier. Specifically, the data memory may be arranged to store information concerning a unique identity of the rock drilling machine 3, the date of installation of the drilling machine 3, the time / date of the last operation performed by the drilling machine 3, the total time of operation the drilling machine 3, the total time of operation with low feed force of the drilling machine 3, the last date of service of the drilling machine 3, and / or the type of service already performed on the rock drilling machine 3.

[0069] As is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 the communication unit 7 is arranged at or between the end positions 12, 13 of the feed beam 10, and it may be configured to update the data memory of the wireless communication tag 2 when the rock drilling machine 3 is positioned in vicinity of where the communication unit 7 is arranged. In this way it will be natural to update the data memory at regular intervals.

[0070] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 the communication unit 7 is arranged on the feed beam holder 14.

[0071] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 the communication unit 7 is arranged at the back end 13 of the feed beam 10 with respect to the drilling direction A1 of the rock drilling machine 3. The communication unit 7 is hence configured to update the data memory of the wireless communication tag 2 when the rock drilling machine 3 is positioned at said back end position 13.

[0072] The rock drilling machine 3 comprises a main body 16 and a front part 17, and the wireless communication tag 2 is typically arranged on the main body 16 of the drilling machine 3.

[0073] Further, an auxiliary wireless communication tag 2’ is arranged on the front part 17 of the rock drilling machine 3.

[0074] Above, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments. The disclosure is however not limited to these embodiments. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tracker system for a rock drilling machine (3) on a drill rig (1) comprising at least one feed beam (10), the rock drilling machine (3) being arranged to operate in an axial direction (A1) between two end positions on the feed beam (10), the tracker system comprising: a wireless communication tag (2) arranged on the rock drilling machine (3), the wireless communication tag (2) with a data memory configured to store operational data of the rock drilling machine (3) on which it as arranged, a communication unit (7) arranged on or close to the feed beam (10) in a position that enables it to at least intermittently communicate with the wireless communication tag (2) arranged on the rock drilling machine (3), and a central control unit (20) configured to collect operational data during operation of the rock drilling machine (3), the central control unit (20) being arranged on the drill rig (1) but not on the rock drilling machine (3), wherein the communication unit (7) is arranged to at least intermittently transmit the operational data collected by the central control unit (20) to the wireless communication tag (2) and update the operational data of the rock drilling machine (3) in the data memory therein.

2. The tracker system according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication tag (2) is a passive unit which has no internal power source and is dependent on wireless power from the communication unit (7) to communicate therewith.

3. The tracker system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data memory of the wireless communication tag (2) is a non-volatile memory.

4. The tracker system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the central control unit (20) is configured to receive input from at least one sensor arranged to monitor at least one a parameter of the performed drilling operation.

5. The tracker system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central control unit (20) is part of or is connectable to a rig assigned control system (RCS) configured to control the operation of the drill rig (1) and monitor drilling parameters during operation of the rock drilling machine (3), the rig assigned control system (RCS) including monitoring units and / or sensors arranged to monitor a set of overall operational data of the drill rig (1), and wherein the central control unit (20) is configured to, from said set of overalloperational data, obtain operational data relating to a performed operation of the rock drilling machine (3) and to transmit said operational data to the wireless communication tag (2) and update the data memory therein with said operational data.

6. The tracker system according to any one of the preceding claims, data memory is arranged to store information concerning one or more of the following: a unique identity of the rock drilling machine (3), a date of installation of the drilling machine (3), time of last operation performed by the drilling machine (3), total time of operation the drilling machine (3), total time of operation with low feed force of the drilling machine (3), last date of service of the drilling machine (3), and type of service already performed on the rock drilling machine (3).

7. The tracker system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication unit (7) is arranged at or between the end positions (12, 13) of the feed beam (10) and configured to update the data memory of the wireless communication tag (2) when the rock drilling machine (3) is positioned in vicinity of where the communication unit (7) is arranged.

8. The tracker system according to claim 7, wherein the communication unit (7) is arranged at a back end (13) of the feed beam (10) with respect to the drilling direction of the rock drilling machine (3) and configured to update the data memory of the wireless communication tag (2) when the rock drilling machine (3) is positioned at said back end position (13).

9. The tracker system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drilling machine (3) comprises a main body (16) and a front part (17), and wherein the wireless communication tag (2) is arranged on the main body (16) of the drilling machine (3).

10. The tracker system according to claim 9, wherein an auxiliary wireless communication tag (2’) is arranged on the front part (17) of the rock drilling machine (3).

11. The tracker system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wireless communication tag (2, 2’) includes a unique identity, and wherein the communication unit (7) is arranged to obtain said unique identity and in response sendupdated operational data, if any, concerning the drilling machine (3) corresponding to said unique identity of said wireless communication tag (2, 2’).

12. The tracker system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication unit (7) is an NFC reader that is connected to the central control unit (20).

13. The tracker system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drill rig (1) comprises at least two feed beams (10a, 10b 10c), each with an individual rock drilling machine (3A, 3B, 3C) provided with an individual wireless communication tag (2A, 2B, 2C) with a data memory configured to log operational data of the rock drilling machine (3A, 3B, 3C) on which it is arranged, wherein a communication unit (7A, 7B, 7C) is arranged on or close to each feed beam (10A, 10B, 10C) to at least intermittently communicate with the wireless communication tag (2A, 2B, 2C) arranged on the rock drilling machine (3A, 3B, 3C) on the corresponding feed beam (10A, 10B, 10C), each communication unit (7A, 7B, 7C) being arranged to at least intermittently transmit operational data collected by the central control unit (20) to the wireless communication tag (2A, 2B, 2C) and update the data memory therein with respect to the operational data of the rock drilling machine (3A, 3B, 3C) on which it is arranged.

14. A rock drilling machine (3) comprising a wireless communication tag (2, 2’) as defined in the previous claims, said wireless communication tag (2, 2’) being part of a tracker system according to anyone of the preceding claims and being configured to be updated via a communication unit (7) as defined in the previous claims.

15. A drill rig (1) comprising at least at least one feed beam (10) with a rock drilling machine (3) according to claim 14 and a tracker system according to anyone of the claims 1-13.

16. The drill rig (1) according to claim 15, comprising at least two feed beams (10a, 10b 10c), each with an individual rock drilling machine (3A, 3B, 3C) provided with an individual wireless communication tag (2A, 2B, 2C) with a data memory configured to log operational data of the rock drilling machine (3A, 3B, 3C) on which it is arranged, the drill rig (1) comprising a communication unit (7A, 7B, 7C) on or close to each feed beam (10A, 10B, 10C) to at least intermittently communicate with the wireless communication tag (2A, 2B, 2C) arranged on the rock drilling machine (3A, 3B, 3C) on the corresponding feed beamSUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26)(10A, 10B, 10C), each communication unit (7A, 7B, 7C) being arranged to at least intermittently transmit operational data collected by the central control unit (20) to the wireless communication tag (2A, 2B, 2C) and update the operational data of the rock drilling machine (3A, 3B, 3C) stored on the data memory.SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26)

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