Rock Drilling Change Detection Using Impact Frequency Deviation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rock drilling systems lack real-time, automated detection of defects and rock quality changes, leading to unnecessary service breaks and requiring separate tools for post-drilling geological analysis, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method using a drilling parameter model to monitor and analyze impact frequency and flushing fluid pressure, enabling real-time detection of short-term and long-term changes in rock drilling, including fractures, cavities, and drill bit wear, without requiring additional tools or modifying the drilling machine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual inspections and service programs are used to monitor rock drilling arrangements, then defects can be detected, but defects are only identified at an advanced stage causing unnecessary service breaks and work stoppages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect detection capabilityVSAvoidservice break duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of defects by continuously monitoring drilling parameters (impact frequency, flushing fluid pressure, power consumption) before defects develop into critical failures. This allows advance warning and scheduling of maintenance during planned stoppages rather than unexpected breakdowns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of drilling parameters and compares them against baseline values to detect deviations indicating defects. This real-time feedback enables early defect identification and automated alerts to operators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If separate camera arrangements are used for post-drilling geological analysis, then rock quality information can be obtained, but the process is time-consuming and requires additional tools and equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverock quality informationVSAvoidgeological analysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges geological analysis functionality with the existing rock drilling operation by using the drill itself as the analysis tool. Drilling parameter variations provide real-time information about rock quality, eliminating the need for separate post-drilling camera inspections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drilling arrangement performs self-analysis by monitoring its own operational parameters. The drill bit and monitoring system together provide geological information during the drilling process itself, without requiring external analysis tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4663895A1An arrangement for recognizing a change in rock drilling
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 SANDVIK MINING & CONSTR OY
  • EP4663895A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4663895A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4663895A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An arrangement for recognizing changes in rock drilling is disclosed. Recognized changes can be short-term changes that include cavities, fractures and faults while drilling, or long-term changes, that include wearing of the drill bit. In the arrangement the impact frequency is compared with estimated impact frequency with a give flushing fluid pressure. The difference between the actual impact frequency and the estimated impact frequency can be used in recognizing a change in drilling.