Multilayer Composite Feed Beam for Rock Drilling Rig
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern feed beams in rock drilling units are either too heavy or lack the necessary rigidity and durability for harsh drilling conditions, and they do not allow for versatile design or accurate positioning due to their material limitations.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer feed beam structure comprising a basic profile element with superimposed layers of different composite materials, including reinforcing fibers and matrix materials, providing a stiff and lightweight design that protects internal structures and allows for additional auxiliary devices, with an outer layer offering protection against wear and environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional single-material feed beams are used, then manufacturing is simple, but rigidity and durability are insufficient for harsh drilling conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The feed beam employs a multilayer composite structure with an inner layer made of light and rigid material (such as aluminum or composite) and an outer layer made of wear-resistant material (such as steel or ceramic-coated material). This composite construction provides both the rigidity needed for positioning accuracy and the durability required for harsh drilling environments, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different layers of the feed beam are assigned different material properties tailored to specific functional requirements: the inner layer prioritizes rigidity and light weight for structural stability, while the outer layer prioritizes wear resistance for contact surfaces. This local differentiation of material quality allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without compromising overall structural integrity.
2Strength
If heavier materials are used to increase rigidity, then durability improves, but weight increases reducing mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The feed beam uses a composite structure where the inner layer is made of light but rigid material (such as aluminum alloy or fiber-reinforced composite) providing high strength-to-weight ratio, while the outer wear-resistant layer is applied only where needed for protection. This allows achieving the required rigidity and durability without the excessive weight that would result from using solid heavy materials throughout the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Heavy wear-resistant material is applied only in the outer layer where contact and wear occur, while the inner structural layers use lighter materials optimized for rigidity and weight reduction. This localized application of heavy materials minimizes overall weight while maintaining necessary durability at critical surfaces.
3Reliability
If the feed beam structure is made more complex to enhance durability, then service life extends, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The feed beam is constructed as a multilayer composite structure where each layer serves a specific function: the inner layer provides structural rigidity and the outer layer provides wear resistance. This modular composite approach extends service life by protecting against wear and structural failure, while the layered construction allows for relatively straightforward manufacturing through sequential application or assembly of different material layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed beam is divided into distinct functional layers (inner structural layer and outer protective layer) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled or bonded together. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized and manufactured using appropriate processes for that specific material and function, then combined to create the complete durable structure, balancing enhanced reliability with manageable manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a feed beam, a rock drilling unit and to a method of manufacturing a feed beam. The feed beam (5) comprises a basic profile element (11), which has two or more superimposed material layers (12, 13). At least one of the material layers may be made of composite material.