Method and device for controlling a rock drill rig

• US 8,464,808 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2007
• Issued: 06/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Epiroc Drilling Solutions LLC (Epiroc AB), Epiroc Rock Drills AB (Epiroc AB)
• Original Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB (Atlas Copco AB)
• Inventors: Le, Marcus, Olsson, Magnus, Sinnerstad, Jonas, Jiao, Deyi, Cheng, Eugene
• Primary Examiner(s): Neuder, William P
• Application Number:
  US12/452,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20100101862A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,184 Days
• Field of Search: 175/24, 175/25, 175/26, 175/27
• US Class Current: 175/24
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 44/02 Automatic control of the tool feed E21B44/005, E21B44/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/022 Control of the drilling operation; Hydraulic or pneumatic means for activation or operation control circuits for drilling masts E21B15/045
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/025 Rock drills, i.e. jumbo drills

Abstract

A method and a device for controlling a drill rig (1) which includes a carrier vehicle with at least one feed-beam (3), wherein a drill machine (2) is movable to-and-fro, wherein rig parameters are set by a control unit (6) and wherein each one of a plurality of operating modes (M1-M6) includes specified operating settings for different operating parameters of the rig. Each operating mode (M1-M6) is selectable such that operation of the rig is related to a particular type of rock, in which drilling is to be performed, and each operating mode (M1-M6) includes operating settings that are adapted to the prevailing type of rock. The invention also concerns a drill rig.

Claims

1. Method for controlling a drill rig which includes a carrier vehicle with at least one feed beam, whereon a drill machine is movable to-and-fro, wherein rig parameters are set by a control unit and wherein each one of a plurality of operating modes includes specified operating settings for different operating parameters of the rig,

wherein each operating mode is selectable such that operation of the rig is related to a particular type of rock, in which drilling is to be performed,

wherein each operating mode includes operating settings that are adapted to the prevailing type of rock,

wherein rock condition is selected, whereby one or more of the following parameters varies as a function of rock condition:

feed pressure, percussion pressure, damping pressure,

wherein bit size is selected, whereby one or more of the following parameters varies as a function of bit size;

flushing flow, rotation speed, feed pressure, percussion pressure, ratio feed force-rotation torque relation, starting point for initiating anti-jam function, and

wherein rod size is selected, whereby one or more of the following parameters varies as a function of rod size;

percussion pressure, feed motor pressure,

wherein activation of one operating mode also sets the parameter values for, activates or de-activates drilling control functions, being one or more from the group;

boost, hole flushing, pressure control of feed, flow control of feed, anti-jam function, damping control function, super rotation, feed speed control of percussion pressure.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said operating parameters are a plurality from the group:

feed motor pressure, rotation motor pressure, rotation speed, percussion pressure, percussion fluid flow, feed motor flow, rotation motor flow, flushing fluid flow, damping pressure control level.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein said operating modes are related to any from the group:

soft rock, medium hard rock, hard rock, loose rock, abrasive rock, ore containing rock.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein one or more parameters from the group:

bit size, rod size is selected.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein said method includes inputting adjustments of operating parameter settings by an authorized operator.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein adjustments are made within predetermined ranges.

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein indications of recommended settings within recommended parameter ranges are given to the operator.

8. Method according to claim 5, wherein indications of recommended settings within recommended parameter ranges are given to the operator.

9. Device for controlling a drill rig which includes a carrier vehicle with at least one feed-beam, whereon a drilling machine is movable to-and-fro, wherein a control unit is arranged for setting parameters for the rig, and wherein the device includes memory means for storing a plurality of operating modes, whereby each operating mode includes specified operating settings for different operating parameters of the rig,

wherein each operating mode is selectable such that operation of the rig is related to a particular type of rock, in which drilling is to be performed,

wherein each operating mode includes operating settings that are adapted to the prevailing type of rock,

wherein said device includes at least one input device for selecting rock condition, whereby one or more of the following parameters varies as a function of the rock condition:

feed pressure, percussion pressure, damping pressure,

wherein said device includes at least one input device for inputting data related to bit size, whereby one or more of the following parameters are arranged to vary as a function of bit size;

flushing flow, rotation speed, feed pressure, percussion pressure, ratio feed force-rotation torque relation, starting point for initiating anti-jam function, and

wherein said device includes at least one input device for inputting data related to rod size, whereby one or more of the following parameters are arranged to vary as a function of rod size;

percussion pressure, feed motor pressure,

wherein activation of one operating mode is arranged also to set the parameter values for, activate or de-activate different drilling control functions, being one or more from the following group;

boost, hole flushing, pressure control of feed, flow control of feed, anti-jam function, damping control function, super rotation, feed speed control of percussion pressure.

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein said operating parameters are a plurality from the group:

feed motor pressure, rotation motor pressure, rotation speed, percussion pressure, percussion fluid flow, feed motor flow, rotation motor flow, flushing fluid flow, damping pressure control level.

11. Device according to claim 9, wherein when activating an operating mode values for drilling control functions of the rigs are arranged to be set.

12. Device according to claim 9, wherein said device operating modes are related to any from the group:

soft rock, medium hard rock, hard rock, loose rock, abrasive rock, ore containing rock.

13. Device according to claim 9, wherein said device includes an input device for selecting any of the rock conditions from the group:

soft rock, medium hard rock, hard rock, loose rock, abrasive rock, ore containing rock.

14. Device according to claim 9, wherein said device includes at least one input device for inputting data related to any one parameter from the group:

bit size, rod size.

15. Device according to claim 9, wherein said device includes input means for inputting adjustments of operating parameter settings by an authorized operator.

16. Device according to claim 15, wherein said device includes means for recommending adjustments within predetermined ranges.

17. Device according to claim 15, wherein said device includes means for giving indications of recommended settings within recommended parameter ranges to the operator.

18. Device according to claim 16, wherein said device includes means for giving indications of recommended settings within recommended parameter ranges to the operator.

19. Drilling rig including a device according to claim 9.