Drilling Rig Boom Positioning for Rock Bolt Documentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual documentation of rock bolt installations in tunnels and mines is time-consuming and unreliable, making it difficult to ensure accurate and comprehensive recording of reinforcement positions, which is critical for meeting stringent certification standards.

Innovation Solution

A method and arrangement using a drilling rig with articulated booms and a control unit to determine the precise position of rock reinforcing bolts by measuring the position and angle of the boom and feeder, allowing for automatic storage and mapping of bolt positions, enabling accurate and efficient documentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual documentation methods are used to record rock bolt positions, then flexibility in installation is maintained, but documentation accuracy and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocumentation reliabilityVSAvoiddocumentation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drilling rig automatically documents its own operational parameters including position, boom angles, and bolt installation data through integrated sensors and control systems, eliminating the need for separate manual documentation processes and external measurement equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The documentation function is merged with the drilling rig operation itself, combining the installation process and recording process into a single integrated system that captures data automatically during normal operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If manual documentation is used for rock bolt positions, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocumentation speedVSAvoidtime for position determination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensors continuously capture position and operational data throughout the drilling and installation process, eliminating interruptions for manual measurement and documentation, thereby maintaining continuous productive action without time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Manual measurement and documentation activities are replaced by automated electronic sensing and data recording systems that continuously capture position information without requiring separate measurement operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If external measurement devices are used to determine bolt positions, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebolt position precisionVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Sensors mounted on the drilling rig serve as intermediaries that directly measure the position and operational parameters during installation, providing accurate data without requiring separate external measurement devices or post-installation surveying

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Position data is captured in advance during the installation process itself rather than requiring subsequent measurement operations, recording the exact location where each bolt is placed before the rig moves to the next position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2041395B1Arrangement and method for determining the position of a rock reinforcing bolt
Publication Date: 2017.04.19 ATLAS COPCO ROCK DRILLS AB
  • EP2041395B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for determining the position of at least one rock reinforcing bolt in a tunnel or a mine, with the bolt installation being arranged to be carried out by means of a drilling rig, with the said drilling rig comprising at least one boom with a first end and a second end, with the said first end being attached to a carrier via at least one articulated connection, and with the said boom being arranged to carry an installation tool. The method comprises the steps of determining a position of the said carrier using means arranged on the drilling rig, determining at least one angle of rotation for the said boom in relation to the carrier by determination of an angle of rotation for the said articulated connection, and determining the position of the rock reinforcing bolt in the tunnel or mine on the basis of the said position of the carrier and the said determined angle of rotation. The invention also relates to an arrangement.