APPARATUS FOR DRIVING AN UPWARDLY DIRECTED SHAFT IN ROCK

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for driving an upwardly directed shaft (6) in rock, and includes a platform that can be regulated in height. The platform (1) carries a drilling unit (20) having means enabling fixation of the drilling unit (20) relative the wall (7) of the shaft (6). The drilling unit (20) and platform (1) can be separated a given distance such as to form an air gap (60) for preventing the transfer of vibrations from the drilling unit (20) to the platform (1) when a drilling machine (30) pertaining to the drilling unit is in operation. The apparatus has means (40-42) for limiting the separation distance between the drilling unit and platform. The platform (1) carries a work station (54) for a drilling machine operator.

Description: APPARATUS FOR DRIVING AN UPWARDLY DIRECTED SHAFT IN ROCK The present invention relates to an apparatus for driving an upwardly directed shaft in rock, and includes a platform that can be regulated in height. An elevator is normally used in driving an upwardly directed shaft, e.g. a mine raise, and extra sections are added to this elevator so that its reach increases' as the length of the raise increases. This kind of elev¬ ator has a work platform for carrying an operator and a drilling machine utilised for driving the raise. The vibrations from the drilling mach- ine are transferred to the platform, and thus the operator is also sub¬ jected to them. The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that does not have the mentioned disadvantage, and this object is achieved by the apparatus being given the distinguishing features disclosed in the claims. The invention accordingly affords a vibrationless working environment for the drilling machine operator. An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where Figure 1 is a side view of the inven¬ tive apparatus; Figure 2 is a view from above showing a portion of the drilling unit of the apparatus; and Figure 3 is a view from above show- ing the platform of the apparatus, the former carrying the operator's work station and being regulatable in height. The inventive apparatus includes a platform 1 that can be regulated in height, and which is pi otably connected at a pivot point 2 to an elev- ator means 3. The slope of the platform may be varied by means of a hyd¬ raulic cylinder 4, acting between the means 3 and platform 1. The elevator means 3 is disposed such that it climbs up along a guide rail 5 anchored to the wall 7 of the shaft 6. The guide rail is extend- ed with new sections as the shaft 6 continues to be driven, so that the reach of the elevator continues to increase in step with driving the shaft. The means 3 is provided with a plurality of toothed wheels or SUBSTITUTE SHEET pinions driven by a hydraulic motor for enabling it to climb along the guide rail 5 in a manner known per se, the means 3 also being guided relative the guide rail, on which are arranged teeth for the pinions. A hydraulic oil source 9, including an electric motor, pump and oil tank, is in communication with the elevator means 3. A personnel trans¬ port cage 10 is connected to the platform 1 and elevator means 3, and it is intended to accommodate operators in connection with elevator movements. A ladder 11 is arranged between the hydraulic oil source 9 and the cage 10. The points where the source 9, cage 10 and ladder 11 join on to their surroundings are articulated such as to enable adjust¬ ing the slope of the platform 1 in relation to the elevator means 3. According to the invention, the platform carries a drilling unit 20 with legs that are telescopable, this function being provided with the aid of such as a hydraulically operated telescoping means. At their free ends the legs 21 have tips 22 intended for engagement against the shaft wall 7. The legs depart from a central portion 23 of the drilling unit 20. The central portion 23 carries a toothed swivelling ring 24, which is driven for rotation by a hydraulic motor via a pinion 25. The ring 24 carries a base structure 26, which in turn carries the drilling machine 30 of the drilling unit 20. Via an arm 31 the drilling machine 30 is pivotably connected to the base structure 26. A hydraulic cylinder 33 acts between the base structure 26 and arm 31 for changing the posi- tion of the arm so that the drilling machine 30 can assume a desired position. The drilling machine position can also be adjusted by a hyd¬ raulic cylinder 34 and by rotating the swivelling ring 24. The drilling machine has a feeder bar 35 and a drill rod 36 for working the rock. Two brackets 40,41 depend from the central portion 23, and pass through respective holes 50 and 3 in the platform 1. Under the platform the brackets are connected to a transverse member 42, the function of which will be explained later in more detail. The platform 1 carries at its centre a rotatably mounted shaft 52, ex¬ tending through an opening 28 in the central portion 23 and swivelling ring 24 of the drilling unit 20. The shaft 52 carries a protective cage 53 and seat 54 for the operator above the central portion 23 and SUBSTΪTU Ε SHEET swivelling ring 24. The purpose of the cage is of course to protect the operator from falling rock. The platform 1 is further provided with four stubs 55, which are intend- ed for engagement with cavities 27 at the tips 22 of the legs 21. The platform 1 has a hatch 56 for enabling an operator to move between the transport cage 10 and a work station on the platform. The inventive apparatus is used and functions in the following manner. In conjunction with moving the elevator means 3 to the desired position, the drilling unit 20 is fixed to the platform 1 by the unit being posi¬ tioned such that the stubs 55 on the platform engage with the cavities 27 associated with the legs 21. In addition, the drilling machine 30 is positioned in a suitable inactive positon, which can be achieved by rotation via the swivelling ring 24 and operation of the hydraulic cyl¬ inders 33 and 34. The seat 54 and protective cage 53 should be similar¬ ly swung into an inactive position allowing operation of the elevator means without any problems. During the actual elevator movement the op¬ erator is in the transport cage 10. When the elevator means has been moved to its end position the operator leaves the transport cage, and moves to the platform 1 via the hatch 56. The legs 21 are then telescop¬ ed outwards so that their tips 22 engage against the shaft wall 7, and the stubs 55 come out of engagement with the cavities 27. By now lower¬ ing the elevator means 3 a short distance, an air gap 60 can be obtain¬ ed between the drilling unit 20 and platform 1. The transverse member 42 is intended to ensure that the separation of the drilling unit and platform 1 will not be too great. From his seat 54, the operator can now perform his tasks in connection with driving the shaft. Vibration occur¬ ring in the drilling unit when the drill rod 36 is working will not be transferred to the platform 1, and thus not to the operator's work sta¬ tion. It should be mentioned that the holes 50,51 in the platform as well as the opening 28 in the drilling unit 20 have dimensions such that vibrations are not transferred from the drilling unit 20 to plat¬ form 1 in these areas. It should also be mentioned that the slope of the platform is of course adjusted before the tips 22 of the drilling unit 20 are urged against the shaft wall 7. SUBSTITUTE SHEET When the operator has completed his tasks, the elevator means is moved upwards to eliminate the gap 60, and the legs 21 are then telescoped in¬ wards to bring the stubs 55 into secure engagement with the cavities 27. The elevator means can now be moved to a new position in height, and the operator can now be in the transport cage 10. It will be understood fron the above that according to the invention the platform 1 and drilling unit 20 can be separated a given distance so that there is an air gap 60 between them for preventing the transfer of vibrations from the drilling unit to the platform when the former is in operation. On the other hand, the drilling unit rests against the platform in conjunction with movement of the elevator means, when there is no air gap and no engagement of the legs 21 against the shaft wall 7. Electric and hydraulic lines have been excluded form the figures for the sake of clarity, but it will be understood that the hydraulic oil source 9 can be used for operating all hydraulic components. At the same time, it should be understood that the invention is not de- pendent on the mentioned hydraulic operation, and other operational pow¬ er alternatives can be used. The implementation of the elevator means 3 and drilling machine 30 can of course be varied within the scope of the invention. This also applies to the implementation of the operator's work station on the platform 1. The invention is thus not restricted to what has been illustrated and described, and alterations and modifications thereof are conceivable within the scope of the accompanying claims. SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Claims: CLAIMS 1. .. Apparatus for driving an upwardly directed shaft (6) in rock, said apparatus including a platform (1) that can be regulated in height, characterised in that the platform (1) carries a drilling unit (20) hav¬ ing means enabling fixation of the drilling unit (20) relative the wall (7) of the shaft (6), and in that the drilling unit (20) and platform (1) can be separated a given distance such as to form an air gap (60) for preventing the transfer of vibrations from the drilling unit (20) to the platform (1) when a drilling machine pertaining to the drilling unit is in operation. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the platform (1) carries a work station (54) for the person operating the drilling unit (20). 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the apparatus has means (40-42) for limiting the separation distance between the drilling unit (20) and platform (1). 4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, characterised in that said fixation means comprise extendable support legs (21). 5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2-4, characterised in that a protective cage (53) is arranged in association with the work station (54), and in that the cage (53) and work station (54) are swiπg- ably arranged in relation to the platform (1). SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Inventors: ANDERSSON LARS-ERIK, NIEMI INGEMAR, ANDERSSON, LARS-ERIK, NIEMI, INGEMAR
Applicants: GRUVPRODUKTER I GAELLIVARE AB
Application year: 1988
Main classification: E21D3
IPC codes: E21D3