Telescopic Explosive Support for Remote Boulder Hang-Up Blasting

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Solution Overview

Problem

In underground mining, large boulders can get stuck in rock funnels, causing 'hang-ups' that prevent ore flow, making it dangerous for personnel to rectify as they often require blasting or hydraulic breaking, which is challenging to access safely.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with telescopically extendable support members and a fluid aperture to position and support explosive devices between surfaces, allowing pressurized fluid to extend the members and place the device proximal to the obstruction, enabling safe placement and detonation without personnel danger.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If personnel manually place explosive devices near stuck boulders, then the placement can be done simply, but it becomes dangerous for personnel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of explosive device placementVSAvoiddanger to personnel
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a remotely operable positioning apparatus as an intermediary device between the operator and the explosive device placement location. The apparatus includes a support member with telescopic extension capability that can be controlled remotely, allowing the explosive device to be positioned near stuck boulders without personnel needing to physically access dangerous areas. This mediator transfers the placement function from direct human intervention to automated robotic operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical placement operations with an automated robotic system equipped with sensors, actuators, and control systems. The robotic apparatus uses telescopic support members actuated by motors or hydraulic systems rather than human strength, and employs sensors to detect and navigate to the target location. This substitution eliminates personnel exposure to danger while maintaining placement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Length of moving object

If telescopic support members are used to extend the apparatus, then the explosive device can be positioned closer to the obstruction, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextension distance of support membersVSAvoidcomplexity of telescopic mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a telescopic support member structure where multiple tubular segments are nested within each other, similar to nested dolls. The support member comprises an outer tube with an inner tube that can extend and retract within it, allowing compact storage when retracted and extended length when needed. This nesting arrangement achieves variable length capability while maintaining a compact form factor and relatively simple construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a dynamic telescopic mechanism that can adjust the length of the support member during operation. The telescopic sections are connected via joints or sliding interfaces that allow controlled extension and retraction, enabling the apparatus to adapt its reach to different operational requirements. This dynamic capability is achieved through actuated mechanisms that can extend the support member to the required length and then lock or hold the position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables the safe and efficient placement of explosive devices in hard-to-reach areas, facilitating the breaking of stuck boulders and resuming ore flow while minimizing risk to personnel.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid aperture to allow pressurised fluid into the base chamber to force the one or more support members towards an extended configuration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11401956B2Apparatus for supporting an explosive device
Publication Date: 2022.08.02 MGW ENG PTY LTD
  • US11401956B2 patent drawing
  • US11401956B2 patent drawing
  • US11401956B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus (1) for supporting an explosive device (13) including a base member (3), one or more support members (11) and a fluid aperture (19). The base member (3) includes a base member aperture (5) to provide a passage (7) to a base chamber (9) of the base member (3). The one or more support members (11) are telescopically receivable through the base member aperture (5) and into the base chamber (9), wherein the one or more support members (11) support the explosive device (13). The fluid aperture (19) allows pressurised fluid into the base chamber (9) to force the one or more support members (11) towards an extended configuration (23) such that at least part of the one or more support members (11) are telescopically extended out of the base chamber (9).