Drill Hole Scanning and Tool Alignment on Uneven Mining Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drill hole deviations lead to issues like build-ups, hang-ups, poor rock fragmentation, extra drilling, ore dilution, and delays in mining processes due to difficulties in determining the orientation and condition of drill holes, especially in uneven terrain.
Innovation Solution
An automated vehicle equipped with a control unit, scanning devices, and an arm to generate a point cloud of the drill hole's interior, allowing for accurate positioning of an end effector for operations such as explosive placement, using GPS, vision systems, and machine learning to improve accuracy and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual methods are used to determine drill hole location and orientation, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision and positioning accuracy deteriorate due to uneven terrain and broken ground surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with an automated optical scanning system. The scanning portion uses optical sensors to capture images of the drill hole interior and generate a point cloud model, eliminating the need for manual measurement tools and operators to physically access uneven terrain around drill holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (point cloud model) of the drill hole interior based on captured images. This virtual model allows for precise determination of drill hole location, orientation, and condition without requiring physical measurement equipment to be placed in difficult-to-reach areas, thereby improving measurement precision while avoiding the complexity of deploying multiple physical sensors.
2Productivity
If automated machinery is used to determine drill hole parameters, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to difficulty in determining orientation and centreline on broken ground surface
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical surveying methods with automated optical scanning and image processing. The scanning portion captures images from multiple angles, and the control unit processes these images to automatically determine drill hole parameters, improving both productivity and reliability by eliminating human error in terrain assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the captured images and generated point cloud to iteratively refine the determination of drill hole orientation and centreline. The control unit analyzes the point cloud data to identify the drill hole geometry, providing feedback that improves the accuracy of parameter determination even in challenging terrain conditions.
3Loss of time
If drill hole deviations are not detected early, then time is saved in the drilling process, but loss of substance increases due to ore dilution and ore loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning and assessment of drill hole parameters before blasting operations. By capturing images and generating point cloud models in advance, the system allows for early detection of drill hole deviations, enabling corrective actions to be taken before ore loss or dilution occurs, thus preventing substance loss without adding time to the drilling process.
4Measurement precision
If comprehensive scanning is performed to map drill hole interior, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases due to multiple scanning devices and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning portion is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing images of the drill hole interior, generating point cloud models, and determining drill hole parameters all with a single integrated system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate scanning devices and processing systems, thereby improving measurement precision while controlling energy consumption through consolidated hardware and software operations.
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
Enables rapid and accurate identification of drill hole locations and conditions, reducing adverse effects of deviations by ensuring precise placement of downhole tools, improving safety and efficiency in mining operations.
Implementation Method 1
a scanning portion (13) including a LIDAR laser scanning device (18) configured to scan an area of terrain
Data Source
AI summary
An automated vehicle comprising:a control unit configured to control movement of the automated vehicle to a location adjacent an estimated location of a drill hole;a scanning portion including one or more scanning devices configured to scan an area of terrain in the vicinity of the estimated location of the drill hole in order to determine an actual location of the drill hole, and to generate a point cloud representing at least a portion of the interior of the drill hole;at least one arm associated with the scanning portion, the at least one arm configured to move the scanning portion between a home position and one or more scanning positions; andan end effector associated with the at least one arm, the end effector being configured to perform one or more operations;wherein, upon generating the point cloud, the at least one arm is configured, based on the point cloud, to position the end effector in substantial alignment with the drill hole so that the end effector can perform the one or more operations.