Conical Support Plug for Blast Drill Hole Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support devices for blast drill holes in rock blasting operations often fail to effectively position explosive charges above the bottom of the drill hole, leading to inefficient energy distribution and potential misfiring due to water or mud accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A support device comprising a plastics plug with a cup-shaped material supporting portion and a hollow, conically configured shank that positions the explosive charge and stemming above the drill hole base, allowing for resilient engagement with the drill hole walls and water drainage, ensuring optimal energy direction and preventing misfiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing support devices are used to position explosive charges, then the explosive charge can be held in the drill hole, but the energy distribution becomes inefficient and misfiring risk increases due to water or mud accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful element (water and mud) from the explosive charge environment by providing dedicated drainage pathways through the support device structure. The conical shank with axial and radial drainage holes creates channels that actively remove water and mud away from the explosive charge, preventing misfiring while maintaining optimal energy distribution for blasting efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device acts as an intermediary between the explosive charge and the drill hole environment. It provides a structured interface that positions the explosive charge correctly while simultaneously managing water and mud through its drainage system. The cup-shaped material supporting portion and conical shank work together as a mediating structure that protects the explosive charge from harmful environmental factors.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the support device uses a conical shank configuration, then directional stability and resilient engagement with drill hole walls is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a conical shape for the shank portion, which is a curved geometric form that provides directional stability during insertion into the drill hole. The conical configuration naturally guides the device into the correct orientation and enables resilient engagement with the drill hole walls through its tapered geometry, while remaining a relatively simple continuous structure without complex mechanical components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If drainage holes are provided in the shank portion, then water drainage capability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements drainage functionality at specific local positions within the shank structure through axially spaced drainage holes. The first drainage hole is positioned in the axial direction and the second drainage hole is positioned radially, creating localized drainage pathways at different locations and orientations. This distributed local drainage approach effectively removes water from multiple zones without requiring extremely precise hole alignment, as each hole serves its specific local drainage function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances blasting efficiency by directing shock waves unimpeded through the rock and keeps the explosive charge dry, reducing the risk of misfiring and contamination, while allowing for easy insertion and directional stability.
Implementation Method 1
The explosive charge is initiated in the drill hole causing fragmentation and breaking down of the rock due to the resultant shock waves caused by the blast
Data Source
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AI summary
A support device (10) in the form of a plastics plug for supporting material comprising stemming (46) in the form of crushed stone and an explosive charge (48) in a blast drill hole (40) at a position wherein the material is spaced above a bottom wall (42) of the drill hole (40). The support device (10) comprises a cup-shaped material supporting portion (16) in which the material is supported and an elongate shank portion (18) which extends from the material supporting portion ( 16). The shank portion (18) has a tapering hollow conical configuration and is releasebly connected to the material supporting portion(16) in an arrangement permitting separation of the material supporting portion (16) from the shank portion (18) so that the material supporting portion (16) can be used separately in a mid-hole decking application.