Ground Support for Mobile Drilling Rig Feed Beam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile rock drilling rigs face challenges in maintaining adequate ground support for the feed beam during drilling, leading to increased wear and potential misalignment of holes due to inadequate or lost ground support, which requires manual operator intervention for detection.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a ground support mechanism attached to the carrier of the drilling rig, with a ground pin that measures and compares force information to predetermined thresholds to determine the ground contact state, enabling automatic detection and adjustment of the feed beam's support, using sensors and control units to ensure stable drilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operator intervention is used to detect ground support status, then operational simplicity is maintained, but productivity decreases due to frequent manual checks and intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors ground support status by measuring forces on the ground pin and comparing them to threshold values, enabling the drilling rig to self-diagnose ground support adequacy without manual intervention. The control unit continuously evaluates sensor data and triggers alerts when support becomes inadequate, allowing the system to serve itself in detecting and reporting ground support issues.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual visual inspection and physical checking of ground support status is replaced by an automated sensor-based measurement system. Force sensors measure the actual ground support forces, and electronic control units process this data to determine support adequacy, substituting mechanical/manual detection methods with automated electromechanical systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If ground support force is increased to maintain feed beam stability, then drilling precision improves, but the risk of ground pin failure or excessive force application increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously measures ground support forces and compares them against predetermined threshold values to provide feedback on support adequacy. When the measured force indicates inadequate support (below threshold), the system generates an alert to increase support. When force exceeds safe limits, alerts are generated to prevent ground pin failure, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains forces within optimal ranges for both precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters based on measured ground support conditions. By monitoring force parameters and comparing them to threshold values, the system can trigger adjustments in drilling parameters or ground support configuration to maintain optimal performance while preventing excessive forces that could damage equipment.
3Reliability
If ground support is continuously monitored with multiple sensors, then reliability of ground contact detection improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The force measurement system serves multiple functions: it detects ground contact status, determines support adequacy, monitors for excessive forces, and provides data for both operational control and diagnostic purposes. A single sensor system performs what would otherwise require multiple specialized sensors, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
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
This solution allows for automated detection of adequate ground support, reducing manual intervention and maintaining drilling accuracy and reducing tool wear by ensuring consistent ground contact, thereby improving the precision and efficiency of the drilling process.
Implementation Method 1
receiving ground support force information indicative of force applied by the ground support to the ground
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling rig includes a carrier, a ground support attached to the carrier for supporting the carrier on the ground, a drilling boom attached at a first end to the carrier, a feed beam attached to a second end of the drilling boom, a drilling unit attached movably along the feed beam, a ground pin attached to the feed beam for supporting the feed beam onto the ground, and control means configured for performing the steps of at least: receiving ground support force information indicative of force applied by the ground support to the ground, and detecting ground contact state of the ground pin on the basis of the received ground support force information.