Rock Drilling Air Mist Flushing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rock drilling technologies face challenges in effectively controlling air mist flushing, leading to clogging and dusting issues due to inadequate moisture levels, which can be exacerbated by varying rock characteristics and penetration rates, affecting drilling efficiency and site cleanliness.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that utilize a control unit to adjust the liquid content in air mist based on real-time penetration rate data, maintaining a consistent moisture level in drilling cuttings by automatically adjusting the feeding of the liquid component, preventing clogging and dusting while optimizing energy use and flushing media efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the liquid content in air mist is increased to prevent dusting, then dust suppression is improved, but clogging of drilling cuttings occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedustingVSAvoidclogging

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the liquid component feed rate based on real-time penetration rate data. As penetration rate changes during drilling, the control unit automatically modifies the amount of liquid added to the air mist, ensuring optimal moisture content that prevents both dusting and clogging without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit receives feedback from penetration rate sensors and uses this information to adjust the liquid feed rate. This closed-loop control ensures that the moisture content of drilling cuttings remains within the optimal range, preventing harmful effects of both excessive dryness (dusting) and excessive moisture (clogging).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of flushing parameters is used, then flexibility is maintained, but drilling efficiency decreases due to operator intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoiddrilling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The flushing system performs self-adjustment through automated control. The control unit independently monitors penetration rate and adjusts liquid feed rate without operator intervention, enabling the system to adapt to changing drilling conditions while maintaining continuous drilling operations and maximizing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated control system that uses electronic sensors and control units. This substitution eliminates the need for operator intervention while maintaining or improving adaptability to varying drilling conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If high moisture content is used in air mist, then dusting is prevented, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedustingVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously applying maximum liquid feed rate, the system applies only the necessary amount of liquid component based on actual penetration rate and dusting conditions. This partial action approach prevents dusting when needed while avoiding excessive liquid application that would waste energy and flushing media.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Adaptability or versatility

If penetration rate varies during drilling, then rock characteristics are accommodated, but moisture content consistency becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverock characteristic adaptationVSAvoidmoisture content consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static to dynamic control by continuously monitoring penetration rate and adjusting liquid feed rate in real-time. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain consistent moisture content in drilling cuttings despite variations in rock characteristics and penetration rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit uses feedback from penetration rate measurements to continuously adjust the liquid component feed rate. This closed-loop control ensures that moisture content remains consistent even when penetration rate varies due to different rock characteristics, as the system automatically compensates for these changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12158047B2Apparatus and method for controlling flushing in rock drilling

Publication Date: 2024.12.03 SANDVIK MINING & CONSTR OY

AI summary

An apparatus, method and computer program product for controlling flushing in rock drilling, and a rock drilling rig. The apparatus includes a control unit and a computer program for controlling feeding of a liquid component in an air mist flushing system in response to detected penetration rate of executed drilling. An operator may set a desired moisture target value for drilling cuttings removed from a drill hole and the control system automatically adjusts the flushing system to control the feeding of the liquid component.