Swing Arm Handling Device for Drill String Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for handling drill string components in rock drill rigs are labor-intensive and risky, requiring manual alignment and threading, which can lead to injuries and thread damage due to the need for precise angular alignment and frequent disassembly for drill bit exchanges during deep core drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
A handling device with a swingable gripper unit and swing arm, supported by a guiding beam that forms mechanical stops, allowing for accurate alignment and handling of drill string components, enabling safe threading and disconnection of components without manual alignment, and facilitating the attachment and detachment of lifting plugs and flushing liquid swivels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual alignment and threading of drill string components is performed, then operational flexibility is maintained, but operator safety deteriorates due to high risk of lifting and clamping injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The handling device performs alignment and positioning functions automatically through the swing arm mechanism, eliminating the need for manual intervention in dangerous alignment operations. The system serves itself by using mechanical guidance rather than human operators for precise positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing arm acts as an intermediary between the drill string components and the handling system, providing a mechanical interface that enables safe transfer and alignment without direct manual handling of heavy components.
2Device complexity
If manual threading and alignment of drill string components is performed, then device complexity is minimized, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in achieving accurate angular alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The swing arm provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing the drill string component to be swung into precise alignment with the active drill string position. This mechanical movement enables accurate angular alignment that cannot be achieved through static positioning alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing mechanism introduces a rotational dimension to the positioning process, allowing alignment to be achieved through angular movement rather than solely through linear positioning. This adds a degree of freedom that improves alignment precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent drill bit exchanges are performed during deep core drilling, then drilling adaptability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming manual disassembly and reassembly of drill string components
Solution Approach 1:
The handling device prepares the drill string component for exchange by pre-positioning it using the swing arm mechanism before the actual threading operation begins. This preliminary alignment reduces the time required for the complete exchange process.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operations of alignment and positioning are replaced by the automated swing arm mechanism, which performs these functions more quickly and consistently than manual operations.
4Device complexity
If manual handling of drill string components is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to stressful working conditions and difficult threading operations
Solution Approach 1:
The swing arm mechanism automatically performs the alignment function that would otherwise require difficult manual operations. The system aligns components through controlled mechanical movement rather than requiring operators to manually position heavy components under stress.
Data Source
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AI summary
A handling device for handling drill string components (8, 8 ',8") in respect of a rock drill rig (1), which includes a rotator device (4) being supported moveably to and fro on a feed beam (2) and being arranged for rotation and driving of a drill string component, wherein the handling device includes a gripper unit (11) for gripping drill string components (8, 8 ',8") to be placed into or be removed from an active drill string position (A) of the drill rig. The gripper unit (11) is swingably supported around a first swing axis (Al) in the region of the feed beam between: a) a first position aligned with said active drill string position (A), and b) a second position aligned with a delivering position for drill string components to be placed into and removed from said active drill string position (A), wherein the handling device includes a swing arm (7), having support means (7') for supporting a drill string component and which is swingable around a second swing axis (A2) between a loading position for drill string components and said delivering position, wherein a guiding beam (19) is fastenable at its end regions in connection with the respective regions of the first and the second swing axis (A1;A2), and wherein the guiding beam (19) forms mechanical stops for the gripper unit (11) in said second position as well as for the swing arm (7) in the delivering position. The invention also concerns a rock drill rig and a method.