A rock drill hole plug, a drainage system for guiding water from a drill hole, a method for controlling a drainage system, a computer program and a computer-readable medium

Abstract

NOT VISIBLE DUE TO STATUS OF PATENT

Description

[0001] A rock drill hole plug, a drainage system for guiding water from a drill hole, a method for controlling a drainage system, a computer program and a computer-readable medium.

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a rock drill hole plug, a drainage system for guiding water from a drill hole arranged in a roof of a tunnel, a method performed by a control device for controlling a drainage system, a computer program stored on a computer-readable medium and a computer-readable medium having stored thereon the computer program as defined in the introductory parts of the independent claims.

[0004] Background art

[0005] Traditional mining methods use tunnels to access the required ore. Inside the tunnel, holes are drilled for installing explosive charges. Typically, the drill holes range from horizontal to upward going drill holes. The drilling may occur under a long period of time in advance of the installation of the explosive charges. These drill holes may give access to ground water that exits through the drill hole and ends up on the floor or road in the tunnel.

[0006] Metal plates are arranged in the roof that transport the water that exits from the drill holes to the sides of the tunnel where the water can be collected in ditches and then pumped out of the mine. Further, funnels arranged at the opening of the drill hole may be used to transport the water from the drill hole. The funnels are attached to the rock by fasteners, such as bolts or screws.

[0007] Summary

[0008] A problem with today's solution is that the metal plates are heavy and hard to install in the tunnel roof. A further problem is that the metal plates can fall down on tunnel workers and cause injuries. Thus, there is a need for a safer way to direct the water from the drill holes to the sides of the tunnel.

[0009] Another problem is that the water and loose rocks / stones / gravel that exits the drill hole may hit tunnel workers resulting in bad working environment. It is therefore necessary to block these drill holes to prevent the water from entering the mine and destroying the floor roads and causing a bad working environment. It is an object of the present disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art and solve at least one of the above mentioned problems.

[0010] This object is achieved with the above-mentioned rock drill hole plug, the drainage system for guiding water from a drill hole arranged in a roof of a tunnel, the method performed by a control device for controlling a drainage system, the computer program stored on a computer-readable medium and the computer-readable medium having stored thereon the computer program according to the appended claims.

[0011] According to a first aspect there is provided a rock drill hole plug. The plug comprises at least one annular outwardly extending element, which is arranged on an external circumference of an elongated body of the plug. The elongated body may have a substantially cylindrical or conical shape. The at least one extending element is configured to create a watertight seal when inserted into a drill hole, and wherein the at least one annular outwardly extending element has a larger diameter than the elongated body for attaching the plug in the drill hole. The elongated body of the plug further comprises a through bore extending through the elongated body in a longitudinal direction of the plug.

[0012] It is advantageous to use outwardly extending elements on a drill hole plug since the extending element both creates a watertight seal and facilitates the attaching of the plug in the drill hole. Depending on the diameter of the drill hole, varied sizes and diameters of the plug may be considered.

[0013] When the plug is inserted in the drill hole, the outwardly extending elements are in contact with the walls of the drill hole. The diameter of the outwardly extending elements may be larger than the diameter of the drill hole, the plug is then retained in the drill hole by a press-fit connection between the plug and the drill hole. Since the outwardly extending elements and the drill hole have similar circular cross sections, the entire external circumference of the outwardly extending elements is in contact with the inner wall of the drill hole, thereby creating a watertight seal.

[0014] The through bore may be configured to receive a drainage element. By inserting a drainage element in the through bore the water can be diverted to a desired location, such as a ditch where the water then can be pumped to other locations.

[0015] The elongated body and the at least one outwardly extending element may be radially flexible, which is suitable and beneficial to use in different diameters of drill holes, since such a plug allows for relaxed manufacturing tolerances and requires a reduced amount of material and an easier manufacturing process. The flexible configuration of the outwardly extending element may result in that the outwardly extending element also may be compressible in the radially direction. The flexible and compressible characteristics of the outwardly extending element may result in that the plug may be properly attached in the drill hole.

[0016] The plug may be removable locked in the drill hole. Since the plug is removable, it can be used several times in another drill holes and thereby minimizes the use of equipment needed.

[0017] The at least one annular outwardly extending element may project outwardly at an angle of less than 90° relative to the longitudinal direction of the plug. The angle which the extending elements project outwardly may be varied in order to optimize the sealing while at the same time optimize the attachment of plug in the drill hole.

[0018] The at least one annular outwardly extending element may have the same thickness in the longitudinal direction of the plug from the external circumference of the elongated body to an outer peripheral of the outwardly extending element making the plug easy to manufacture.

[0019] The at least one annular outwardly extending element may have a larger thickness, in the longitudinal direction of the plug, at the external circumference of the elongated body, than the thickness, in the longitudinal direction of the plug, at an outer peripheral of the outwardly extending element. The outwardly extending element may thus have a tapered shape in the direction from the elongated body of the plug to the outer peripheral of the outwardly extending element. Such configuration of the outwardly extending element may result in a more secure connection in the drill hole.

[0020] The elongated body may be configured with at least three annular outwardly extending elements disposed about the longitudinal direction of the elongated body, wherein the annular outwardly extending element closest to one end having a smaller diameter than the following two least one annular outwardly extending means.

[0021] By providing the plug with an extending element that has a smaller diameter than the following extending elements facilitates the mounting of the plug in the drill hole. The diameter of the smallest extending element is preferably smaller than the diameter of the drill hole which the plug is intended for, thereby facilitates the insertion of the plug in the drill hole. Each of the annular outwardly extending elements may be inclined in the same direction for facilitating the inserting in the drill hole.

[0022] The plug may comprise a first fastening element for fastening the drainage element to the plug to ensure that the drainage element is securely attached to the plug. The first fastening element can be for example protrusions in the wall of the through bore. The drainage element is then retained in the through bore by a press-fit connection between the through bore and the protrusions. Other fastening elements can be for example, screw, nut, anchor, or other types of fasteners.

[0023] The diameter of the drainage element may be very slightly larger than the diameter of the through bore. When the drainage element is inserted into the through bore, the drainage element is pressed against the wall of the though bore. The drainage element is then retained in the through bore by a press-fit connection between the through bore and the drainage element.

[0024] The through bore may be tapered, in other words, the through bore has a smaller diameter in one end than the other end in order. When the drainage element is inserted into the tapered through bore, the drainage element is pressed against the wall of the through bore. The drainage element is then retained in the through bore by a press-fit connection between the through bore and the drainage element.

[0025] The drainage element may comprise a second fastening element for fastening the drainage element to the plug. If the drainage element is fitted with a second fastening element, a simpler design of the plug can thereby be used.

[0026] The drainage element may be any suitable element for transporting water, such as a hose or a pipe. For example, the hose can be any type of flexible hose that can be cut to a suitable length.

[0027] The plug may further comprise an engagement element for removing the plug from the drill hole. The engagement element may be located on the side of the plug that is intended to face the opening when inserted in the drill hole, so that the plug can easily be removed from the drill hole. The engagement element can have other suitable locations such as on the side facing away from the drill hole opening or inside the through bore. The engagement element may be an integrated part of the plug. The engagement element may be ring-shaped in order to receive a tool, such as a hook, or one or several fingers. The engagement element may be a strip, having a rectangular, uniform, shape. The engagement may be adapted with a textured surface to prevent slipping. The engagement element allows for a quick and easy detachment of the plug from the drill hole without requiring excessive force or need for special tools.

[0028] The plug may further comprise a plugging element, configured to be inserted in the through bore for preventing liquids or small rocks from passing though the through bore. For example, when there is no water exiting the drill hole, small rocks can still exit the drill hole and hit a tunnel worker, causing damage. To prevent this from happening, the through bore of the plug can be sealed with the plugging element, thereby preventing small rocks from exiting the drill hole.

[0029] The plug may comprise a sensor for detecting physical properties. The sensor may be arranged on the external circumference of the elongated body or on the wall of the through bore. The detected signal of the sensor is received by a control device. For example, a flow sensor can detect if water has stopped exiting the drill hole. A further example is light sensor which may be used to detect if the plug has fallen out of the drill hole.

[0030] The sensor can be a flow sensor, temp sensor, accelerometer, light sensor, or any other suitable sensor. By detecting different physical properties of the drill hole, properties of the rock in the mountain can be calculated. Another advantage is, for example, it can be detected if the plug has fallen out of the drill hole or if water has stopped exiting the drill hole.

[0031] The plug may be releasably attached in the drill hole so that it can be reused in other drill holes. Since the plug is releasably attached, it can be used several times in another drill holes and thereby minimizing the use of equipment needed.

[0032] According to a second aspect there is provided a drainage system for guiding water from a drill hole arranged in a roof of a tunnel, wherein the drainage system comprising the plug according to the first aspect and a drainage element for drainage of water from the drill hole to a side of the tunnel.

[0033] The drainage element may be a hose having a length configured to lead water from the plug to a side of the tunnel where a ditch or a trench may be located.

[0034] The drainage element may also be a pipe. The pipe may be adapted to receive a hose. The hose may be attached to the end of the pipe exiting the drill hole. The hose may have a length configured to lead water from the plug to the side of the tunnel where the ditch or a trench may be located. The water in the ditch may be transported out from the tunnel using, for example, pumps. The pipe may be provided with the second fastening element for fastening the pipe to the plug and prevent the pipe from exiting the through bore. For example, the pipe is first inserted in the through bore, so that an end part of the pipe protrudes through the through bore. At the protrusion of the end part of the pipe, the second fastening element can be fitted to the pipe so that the pipe is securely attached to the plug. The second fastening element can be for example a screw and a nut, a nail, a clamp or any other suitable element. A further fastening element may be arranged to the pipe at the position where the pipe protrudes out of the opposite opening of the through bore. By arranging the further fastening element at this position on the pipe, the plug may be pushed into the drill hole of the rock by grabbing the pipe and exerting a push force on the pipe in the axial direction of the drill hole.

[0035] According to a third aspect there is provided a method performed by a control device for controlling the drainage system according to the second aspect for determining physical property of a drill hole. The method comprises the steps of: determining the physical properties of the drill hole based on information from the sensor; collecting the information of the physical properties of the drill hole.

[0036] The step of determining the physical properties of the drill hole based on information from the sensor may comprise determining a water flow, water temperature, vibrations, or light intensity.

[0037] The present disclosure also relates to a computer program stored on a computer- readable medium and comprising instructions, which when the program is executed by a data processing unit of a control device of a drainage system, cause the control device to carry out the method according to the second aspect. The disclosure further relates to a computer- readable medium having stored thereon the computer program. The method may be comprised in pre-programmed software, which may be implemented into a production unit suitable for utilizing the method. The pre-programmed software may be stored in the control device. Alternatively, or in combination, the software may be stored in a memory or in a computer at a distance from the control device.

[0038] The present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure. Brief of the

[0039] The above objects, as well as additional objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0040] Figure 1 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the plug according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 2 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the plug according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 3 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the plug according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the drainage system according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 5 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the drainage system according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example.

[0046] Figure 7 schematically illustrates a control device according to an example.

[0047] Detailed

[0048] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred example embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to the skilled person.

[0049] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the plug 1 according to an example. The plug comprises at least one annular outwardly extending element 5, which is arranged on an external circumference 15 of an elongated body 10 of the plug 1. The elongated body 10 having a substantially cylindrical shape. The at least one extending element 5 is configured to create a watertight seal when inserted into a drill hole 30. The at least one annular outwardly extending element 5 has a larger diameter than the elongated body 10 for attaching the plug 1 in the drill hole 30. The elongated body 10 of the plug 1 further comprises a through bore 20 extending through the elongated body 10 in a longitudinal direction of the plug 1. In one example, the at least one annular outwardly extending element 5 having the same thickness T in the longitudinal direction of the plug 1 from the external circumference 15 of the elongated body 10 to an outer peripheral 40 of the outwardly extending element 5 and that each of the annular outwardly extending elements 5 are inclined in the same direction. The elongated body 10 and at least one outwardly extending element 5 is radially flexible. The elongated body 10 and the at least one outwardly extending element 5 is made of a material having elastic properties such as rubber or plastic.

[0050] Since the elongated body 10 and the at least one outwardly extending element 5 is made of a material having elastic properties makes the plug 1 removable lockable in the drill hole 30.

[0051] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the plug 1 according to an example. The at least one annular outwardly extending element 5 having a larger thickness, in the longitudinal direction of the plug 1, at the external circumference 15 of the elongated body 10, than the thickness, in the longitudinal direction of the plug 1, at an outer peripheral 40 of the outwardly extending element 5. Figure 2 further shows that the through bore 20 has a smaller diameter in one end than the other end. The end having the smaller diameter, is the end that is intended to first be inserted in the drill hole. Resulting in that the end with the bigger diameter is the one that faces the opening of the drill hole. In this example, all extending elements 5 have different diameters.

[0052] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the plug 1 according to an example. The elongated body 10 is configured with at least three annular outwardly extending elements 5 disposed about the longitudinal direction of the elongated body 10, wherein the annular outwardly extending element 5 closest to one end having a smaller diameter than the following two at least one annular outwardly extending means 5. The end with the extending element 5 having the smallest diameter is intended to first be inserted in the drill hole.

[0053] Figure 3 further shows that the plug 1 further may comprise an engagement element 12 for removing the plug 1 from the drill hole 30 in an easy manner. The engagement element 12 can be a ring, strip, or any other suitable shape to facilitate removal of the plug 1 from the drill hole 30. The engagement element 12 may preferably be located on the side of the plug 1 that is intended to face the opening of the drill hole 30, but the engagement element 12 can have other suitable locations. To remove the plug 1 from the drill hole 30, a worker can grab the engagement element 12 with a tool or his fingers and pull the plug 1 out of the drill hole

[0054] 30.

[0055] Figure 3 further shows that the plug 1 further may comprise a sensor 50 for detecting different physical properties of the drill hole 30. The sensor 50 may be a flow sensor, temp sensor, accelerometer, light sensor, or other suitable sensor for measuring physical properties. A control device 200 is connected to the sensor 50 for receiving signals from the sensor 50 and for determining the physical properties of the drill hole 30 based on information from the sensor 50. The control device 200 may be connected to the sensor 50 by a wire or be wireless connected.

[0056] Figure 3 further shows that the plug 1 further can comprise a plugging element 14, configured to be inserted in the through bore 20 for preventing liquids or small rocks from passing though the through bore 20.

[0057] Figure 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the drainage system according to an embodiment and an example of the plug 1. In one example, the through bore 20 may be configured to receive a drainage element 25. By inserting a drainage element 25 in the through bore 20, water that pours out of cracks in the drill hole 30 can be diverted to a desired location with help of the drainage element 25. The drainage element 25 may be any suitable element for transporting water, such as a hose or a pipe. In one example, the drainage element 25 is inserted in the through bore 20 before the plug 1 is inserted in the drill hole 30. In another example, the drainage element 25 is inserted in the through bore 20 after the plug 1 is inserted in the drill hole 30.

[0058] To prevent the drainage element 25 from exiting the through bore 20, the plug may be configured with a first fastening element 16. The fastening elements 16 may be located on the wall of the through bore 20 so that the drainage element 25 is fastened in the through bore 20 by a press-fit / friction connection between the first fastening element 16 and the drainage element 25. In an example, not shown, the diameter of the drainage element 25 is very slightly larger than the diameter of the through bore 20. When the drainage element 25 is pushed into the through bore 20, the drainage element 25 is pressed against the wall of the through bore 20. The drainage element 25 is then retained in the through bore 20 by a press- fit connection between the through bore 20 and the drainage element 25.

[0059] Another example to prevent the drainage element 25 from exiting the through bore 20 is to fit the drainage element 25 with a second fastening element 18 for fastening the drainage element 25 to the plug 1. For example, the drainage element 25 if first inserted in the through bore 20, when a part of the drainage element 25 protrudes through the through bore 20, a second fastening element 18 can be fitted to the drainage element 25 so that the drainage element 25 is securely attached to the plug 1. The second fastening element 18 can be for example a screw and a nut, a nail, a hose clamp or any other suitable element.

[0060] Figure 4 further shows an example of the plug 1 where the at least one annular outwardly extending element 5 project outwardly at an angle a of less than 90° relative to the longitudinal direction of the plug 1. The angled extending element 5 facilitates the insertion of the plug in the drill hole 30.

[0061] Figure 5 shows a second aspect of the invention. In this illustration the proportions of the drill hole and the tunnel are exaggerated and / or understated for the purpose of understanding. Figure 5 shows a drainage system 100 for guiding water from a drill hole 30 arranged in a roof of a tunnel 60, wherein the drainage system 100 comprising the plug 1 according to the first aspect and the drainage element 25 for drainage of water from the drill hole 30. In this example, the drainage element 25 is a hose attached to the tunnel roof and tunnel side with a suitable fastening means, having a length configured to lead water from the plug 1 to a side of the tunnel 60 where the water is collected for transportation out from the tunnel 60. The length of the drainage element 25 can be decided both before and after the plug 1 is inserted in the drill hole 30.

[0062] Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example. The method relates to the drainage system 100 disclosed in figure 5. The method is performed by a control device 200 for controlling a drainage system 100 for determining physical properties of a drill hole 30. The method comprises the steps of: determine slOl the physical properties of the drill hole 30 based on information from the sensor 50; collecting sl02 the information of the physical properties of the drill hole 30.

[0063] The step of determining slOl the physical properties of the drill hole 30 based on information from the sensor may comprise determining a water flow, water temperature, vibrations or light intensity.

[0064] Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a control device 200 of a drainage system 100 according to an example. The control device 200 comprises at least one data processing unit 201 and a computer-readable medium 202. The control device 200 may be configured to perform the method as described in fig. 6 upon execution of a computer program P by the at least one data processing unit 201. The computer program P comprises computer-readable instructions that may be stored in the computer-readable medium 202, such as a non-transitory hardware memory device of the control device 200.

[0065] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A rock drill hole plug (1) comprising: at least one annular outwardly extending element (5), which is arranged on an external circumference (15) of an elongated body (10) of the plug (1), wherein the at least one extending element (5) is configured to create a water tight seal when inserted into a drill hole (30), and wherein the at least one annular outwardly extending element (5) has a larger diameter than the elongated body (10) for attaching the plug (1) in the drill hole (30), characterized in that the elongated body (10) of the plug (1) further comprises a through bore (20) extending through the elongated body (10) in a longitudinal direction of the plug (1).

2. The plug (1) according to claim 1, wherein the through bore (20) is configured to receive a drainage element (25).

3. The plug (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said elongated body (10) and at least one outwardly extending element (5) is radially flexible.

4. The plug (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one annular outwardly extending element (5) projects outwardly at an angle (a) of less than 90° relative to the longitudinal direction of the plug (1).

5. The plug (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one annular outwardly extending element (5) has same thickness (T) in the longitudinal direction of the plug (1) from the external circumference (15) of the elongated body (10) to an outer peripheral (40) of the outwardly extending element (5).

6. The plug (1) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the at least one annular outwardly extending element (5) has larger thickness (T), in the longitudinal direction of the plug (1), at the external circumference (15) of the elongated body (10), than the thickness, in the longitudinal direction of the plug (1), at an outer peripheral (40) of the outwardly extending element (5).

7. The plug (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated body (10) is configured with at least three annular outwardly extending elements (5) disposed about the longitudinal direction of the elongated body (10), wherein the annular outwardly extending element (5) closest to one end has smaller diameter than the following two least one annular outwardly extending means (5).

8. The plug (1) according to claim 7, wherein each of the annular outwardly extending elements (5) are inclined in the same direction.

9. The plug (1) according to claim 2, wherein the plug (1) comprises a first fastening element (16) for fastening the drainage element (25) to the plug (1).

10. The plug (1) according to claim 2, wherein the drainage element (25) is fastened in the through bore (20) by a press-fit / friction connection between the through bore (20) and the drainage element (25).

11. The plug (1) according to claim 10, wherein the through bore (20) has a smaller diameter in one end than the other end.

12. The plug (1) according to claim 2, wherein the drainage element (25) comprises a second fastening element (18) for fastening the drainage element (25) to the plug (1).

13. The plug (1) according to claim 2 or any of claims 9-12, wherein the drainage element (25) is a hose.

14. The plug (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plug (1) further comprises an engagement element (12) for removing the plug (1) from the drill hole (30).

15. The plug (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plug (1) further comprises a plugging element (14), configured to be inserted in the through bore (20) for preventing liquids from passing though the through bore (20).

16. The plug (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plug (1) comprises a sensor (50) for detecting physical properties.

17. The plug (1) according to claim 16, wherein the sensor (50) is a flow sensor, temp sensor, accelerometer or light sensor.

18. The plug (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plug (1) is releasably attached in the drill hole (30).

19. A drainage system (100) for guiding water from a drill hole (30) arranged in a roof of a tunnel (60), wherein the drainage system (100) comprising the plug (1) according to any one of claims 1-18 a control device (200) and a drainage element (25) for drainage of water from the drill hole (30).

20. The drainage system (100) according to claim 19, wherein the drainage element (25) is a hose having a length configured to lead water from the plug (1) to a side of the tunnel (60).

21. The drainage system (100) according to claim 19, wherein the drainage element (25) is a pipe adapted to receive a hose having a length configured to lead water from the plug (1) to a side of the tunnel (60).

22. A method performed by a control device (200) for controlling a drainage system (100) according to any one of claims 19-21 for determine physical property of a drill hole (30), the method comprising the steps of: determine (slOl) the physical properties of the drill hole (30) based on information from a sensor (50); collecting (sl02) the information of the physical properties of the drill hole (30).

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the step of determine (slOl) the physical properties of the drill hole (30) based on information from the sensor (50) comprises determining a water flow, water temperature, vibrations or light intensity.

24. A computer program (P) stored on a computer-readable medium (202) and comprising instructions, which when the program (P) is executed by a data processing unit (201) of a drainage system (100), cause the drainage system (100) to carry out the method according to any one of claims 22 and 23.

25. A computer-readable medium (202) having stored thereon the computer program (P) of claim 24.