Drill Rod Safety System With Impact Reduction Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
The mining industry faces significant challenges with drill rod failure during drilling operations, leading to broken drill rod sections being lodged in bores, which pose a hazardous risk to personnel and equipment due to unpredictable rock strata loading and the potential for the broken rods to fall into excavated cavities, necessitating ineffective and time-consuming provisional safety measures.
Innovation Solution
A safety system comprising an anchor member fixed in the proximal end of the drilled bore and an impact reduction member to absorb the force of a falling drill rod section, utilizing a split tube for a friction fit and a tapered portion for gradual impact transfer, allowing for deployment with existing rock drilling equipment to prevent the drill rod from falling and causing harm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If provisional safety measures are used to cover the bore, then safety is provided, but the process becomes extremely time-consuming and delays mining progress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing a safety system (anchor member and impact reduction member) into the bore before mining operations continue. This pre-installation of protective structures eliminates the need for time-consuming provisional measures after drill rod failure, as the system is already in place to catch falling debris immediately when needed.
2Productivity
If broken drill rod sections are left lodged in the bore, then drilling operations can continue, but the hazard to personnel and equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful situation of broken drill rod sections into a beneficial safety system. The anchor member and impact reduction member transform the potential hazard of falling drill rod debris into a controlled scenario where the debris is caught and contained, protecting personnel and equipment while allowing drilling operations to continue.
3Device complexity
If existing rock drilling equipment is used to deploy the safety system, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to precisely install safety components may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the safety system to be deployed using existing rock drilling equipment, which serves dual purposes: both its original drilling function and the installation of safety components. The anchor member and impact reduction member are configured to be introduced through the drill rod using standard drilling machinery, eliminating the need for specialized installation equipment while maintaining adequate installation precision.
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 safety system effectively prevents broken drill rod sections from falling, reducing impact force and ensuring worker and equipment safety by utilizing existing drilling equipment, thus minimizing disruption and time loss, providing a reliable and efficient solution to the hazard of drill rod failure.
Implementation Method 1
an impact reduction member to absorb the force of a falling drill rod section
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a split tube for a friction fit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a safety system (1) for protecting against a hazard of a drill rod failure in a drilled rock bore (B) above horizontal, and especially a hazard posed by a broken drill rod section (S) lodged within the bore (B). The safety system (1) comprises: a plug member (2) for insertion into a proximal end region (E) of the bore (B) adjacent a rock-face (F), the plug member (2) being configured to be fixed within the proximal end region (E) of the bore (B); and an impact reduction member (5) for reducing an impact of the broken drill rod section (S) striking the plug member (2) within the proximal end region (E) of the bore (B). The impact reduction member (5) is configured to be located within the proximal end region (E) of the bore (B) and to extend within the bore (B) above the plug member (2).