Multi-Axis Drill Apparatus for Confined Mining Spaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling apparatuses in underground mining lack the necessary range of motion and compact design to efficiently drill and bolt in tight spaces, leading to increased time and risk of injury due to the need for multiple drill steels and passes.
Innovation Solution
A drilling apparatus with independent first and second rotary actuators allowing for 180° to 270° rotation about vertical and horizontal axes, combined with a hydraulic cylinder for longitudinal movement of the mast, and a gear and chain system for independent drill movement, enabling greater access and positioning within confined areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional drilling apparatus with limited range of motion is used, then the device complexity remains low, but the productivity decreases due to the need for multiple drill steels and passes in tight spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling apparatus employs a dynamic positioning system with a rotary actuator that allows the drill mast to rotate about a vertical axis and another actuator that allows rotation about a horizontal axis. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the drill to reach various positions and angles, eliminating the need for multiple drill steels and passes, thereby improving drilling efficiency while maintaining manageable device complexity through systematic actuation mechanisms.
2Loss of time
If the drill is positioned optimally for full utilization of drill steel length, then the loss of time is reduced, but the ease of operation becomes difficult to achieve in tight quarters
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic positioning with rotary actuators that enable the drill mast to rotate about vertical and horizontal axes, allowing optimal positioning for full drill steel utilization. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the drill to reach various positions and angles in tight spaces without requiring multiple passes, reducing drilling time while maintaining ease of operation through systematic actuation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill positioning system extends into multiple dimensional spaces by allowing rotation about both vertical and horizontal axes. This multi-dimensional movement capability enables the drill to access positions that would be unreachable with single-axis rotation, optimizing drill steel utilization and reducing drilling time while maintaining operational ease in confined areas.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact drill design is used to operate in tight quarters, then the volume of the apparatus is reduced, but the range of motion of the drill is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The compact drilling apparatus achieves extended range of motion through dynamic positioning mechanisms. A rotary actuator enables the drill mast to rotate about a vertical axis, and another actuator enables rotation about a horizontal axis. This multi-axis rotational capability allows the compact drill to access various positions and angles in tight spaces, maintaining both small apparatus volume and high adaptability to different drilling configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill system compensates for compact volume by utilizing multiple rotational dimensions. The ability to rotate about both vertical and horizontal axes creates a multi-dimensional working space that exceeds what would be available from a single-axis system of the same size, thereby maintaining both compactness and extensive range of motion in tight mining quarters.
4Device complexity
If multiple drill steels are used to complete a drilling task, then the range of motion requirement is reduced, but the loss of time increases due to additional handling and positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic positioning system with multi-axis rotation capability allows the drill to reach positions that would otherwise require multiple drill steels. By enabling the drill mast to rotate about vertical and horizontal axes, the system maximizes the effective length and utility of each drill steel, eliminating the need for frequent steel changes and associated handling time, thereby reducing overall drilling time while maintaining manageable system complexity.
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
Enhances the range of motion and efficiency of drilling and bolting operations, reducing the need for multiple passes and improving safety by allowing single-pass installation and operation in tight quarters.
Implementation Method 1
The means for moving the mast may comprise a hydraulic cylinder for moving the mast with respect to the bracket.
Implementation Method 2
The means for moving the drill may comprise a gear and chain actuated by a motor.
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling apparatus including a drill is disclosed for use with a mine roof bolter. The apparatus includes a support adapted to rotate the drill about two different axes. The first axis may be a vertical axis and the second axis may be a horizontal axis. The drilling apparatus includes a mast for supporting the drill and allowing relative movement of the drill with respect to the mast. The drilling apparatus additionally includes an element for longitudinally moving the mast with respect to the support. The drilling apparatus may further include a mesh aligner for aligning the mesh with respect to the drill. A drill guide with a small footprint may also be included which is capable retracting within a housing to avoid interference with a face of the mine when positioning the drilling apparatus.