Abstract:
Arrangement ( 10 ) for a rock grouting equipment for positioning at least one cartridge ( 11 ) is described. The arrangement incorporates at least one magazine ( 12 ), arranged around an axis ( 15 ). The magazine ( 12 ) incorporates at least one space ( 13 ), in which space ( 13 ) a plurality of said cartridges ( 11 ) is stored. The arrangement further incorporates at least one, radially extending, catching device ( 3, 14 ), arranged and formed such that it catches at least one cartridge ( 11 ) between itself and the inner surface ( 4 ) of the magazine body ( 12 ), when it performs a rotating movement around the axis ( 15 ). The invention also relates to a method.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for a rock grouting equipment for positioning of at least one cartridge. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    For rock reinforcement often two-component resin with hardener is used to fix rock bolts introduced as reinforcement in bored holes in the rock. The resin is supplied in the form of cartridges where the non-hardened resin is enclosed in an outer cover and where hardener in turn is enclosed in a separate part inside the cover. After a suitable number of resin cartridges have been introduced in a borehole a rock bolt is introduced during rotation whereby the cover of the cartridges is teared apart and the non-hardened resin is mixed with the hardener. The rotation of the rock bolt is proceeded until the two-component resin starts harden. The rock bolt will thereby be fixed in its position in the bore hole. 
         [0003]    Earlier known arrangements to load a borehole with this type of cartridges often comprises a grouting nozzle with a tube which is brought to abut the borehole to be loaded with cartridges. From this tube a flexible hose leads to a loading tube placed adjacent to a rock drilling equipment. One or several cartridges is placed in loading position in the loading arrangement. Thereafter a pressure medium is supplied to the loading tube and the one, or several, in loading position placed cartridge is fired by the pressure medium through the flexible hose via the grouting nozzle and into the borehole to be loaded. The cartridges are placed manually in firing position in the loading arrangement. 
         [0004]    Manual handling of this type of cartridges shall as far as possible be avoided since the two-component resin is very insanitary. Several proposed solutions for automatically feed and fire this type of cartridges have been proposed. This type of cartridges is however difficult to handle since their outer cover is relatively soft and they thereby have a kind of formless shape. Another problem with the soft cover is that the cartridges relatively easy may tear apart. A comprehensive cleaning of the feeding means from spilled both non-hardened and hardened resin is then necessary which generally causes a longer stop in operation. Further, variations in the size of the cartridges may occur which further causes problem. The surface of the cartridges is also of such nature that they may easy adhere to each other which also causes problem when automatically feeding. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,189 is an example of automatically feeding means for cartridges intended to be used with a rock drilling equipment. The known arrangement comprises a rotatable cartridge storehouse provided with a plurality of loading tubes arranged along with the periphery of the storehouse. The cartridge storehouse may be loaded in advance with a large number of cartridges. The storehouse is thereafter rotated stepwise whereby one in a loading tube placed cartridge is brought into firing position. By applying compressed air to the loading tubes, the cartridge is fired away from the loading tube via a connecting hose positioned in the firing direction and further into a bore hole. 
         [0006]    The known arrangement however shows a plurality of disadvantages. Many separate loading tubes makes the design large, heavy and clumsy, and expensive and complicated to manufacture. Further, it does not manage to handle cartridges of different dimensions. If a cartridge tears apart, the storehouse with its complex design is difficult to clean with long down time following. The design further causes that the cartridges must be handled one by one when loading the storehouse. 
         [0007]    Another example of automatically feeding means is shown in US 2008/0145152. The known arrangement comprises one or several containers comprising cartridges arranged horizontally laying on each other, and placed above a loading area being in connection with a firing area for the cartridges. Between each container and the loading area is a rotating distributor arranged to move the cartridges one by one. 
         [0008]    The V-shaped designed containers which uses gravity for feeding causes that a cartridge is exposed to large weight from above laying cartridges when the storehouse is loaded with many cartridges. During feeding the cartridge is at the same time exposed to friction against the sides of the design and to the above and below placed cartridges. This causes a risk that some of the cartridges tears apart with subsequent down time. The design is complex with both fixed and movable parts which makes it difficult to clean. 
         [0009]    A further known arrangement is shown in WO 99/64722. Also in this design cartridges is fed with help from gravity. The cartridges that is located far down are thus also in this feeding means exposed to large weight from above placed cartridges and to friction against the sides of the design and from above and below placed cartridges. The design is complex and comprises movable parts which makes it complicated to manufacture and difficult to clean. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    A purpose is to provide an arrangement that at least in part solves the problems mentioned above. This purpose is according to one aspect obtained by an arrangement for a rock grouting equipment for positioning at least one cartridge. The arrangement comprises at least one storehouse arranged around an axis and intended to comprise a plurality of said cartridges. The storehouse comprises at least one tray, in which tray a plurality of cartridges are placed. Thus a stack of cartridges may be placed in said at least one tray, and these cartridges may move freely in the tray since they are not placed in separate loading tubes. The arrangement further comprises at least one in relation to the axis in radial direction extending catching organ. The catching organ is arranged to perform a rotating movement around the axis. The catching organ is arranged to, during said rotating movement, catch at least one of said cartridges. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect a method in such arrangement is provided. The method comprises rotating said catching organ around the axis and catching at least one of said cartridges during said rotating movement. 
     
    
     
       BREIF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a view of one embodiment of the arrangement. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a view of an alternative embodiment of the arrangement. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows a further embodiment of the arrangement seen from the front. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the arrangement. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the arrangement. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart showing an exemplified method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Exemplified embodiments will now be described more in detail with reference to the attached figures. The same number in the figures refers throughout to the same element. Note that the figures not necessary are made to scale and that some details may have been exaggerated for clarity reasons. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of an arrangement  10  for a rock grouting equipment for positioning of at least one cartridge. The arrangement comprises a storehouse  12  arranged around an axis  15  and intended to comprise a plurality of cartridges  11 . The storehouse  12  is shown in the figure with a substantially cylindrical form but may as well have some other around the axis  15  arranged arbitrary form for example with hexagonal or polygonal cross section. The storehouse  12  comprises at least one tray  13  where a plurality of cartridges  11  is placed. The arrangement  10  comprises also at least one in relation to the axis  15  in radial direction extending catching organ, in the example shown in the figure formed like longitudinal ridges  3  formed in the inner surface of the storehouse. Respective ridge  3  may extend along the whole length of the storehouse  12 , or along a part of the length of the storehouse, or be divided in several separate parts. 
         [0020]    The catching organ comprises thus one or several in parallel with the axis extending ridges  3  arranged in the inner surface area  4  of the storehouse. The ridges  3  are arranged to perform a rotating movement around the axis  15  by that the storehouse  12  is brought into a rotating movement around the axis  15 . The in the storehouse  12  placed cartridges  11  will then slip along the inner surface area  4  of the storehouse and the catching the means. The ridges  3  are arranged to, during said rotating movement, catch at least one of said cartridges  11 . If a flowing medium, like water, is added to the storehouse  12  in order to decrease the friction between the cartridges  11  and between the cartridges  11  and the inner surface area  4  of the storehouse, the flow is facilitated if the ridge is divided in several parts. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  shows another embodiment of an arrangement  10  for feeding cartridges  11  seen from the front. The arrangement comprises a storehouse  12  intended to comprise a plurality of cartridges  11 . The storehouse  12  comprises a tray  13 , in which tray a plurality of cartridges is placed. A rotor  22  provided with one in relation to the axis  15  radially extending rotor blade  23  is arranged to be placed inside the storehouse  12 . Further, catching organ is comprised in form of that the rotor blade  23  has been provided with convey means  14 . The rotor blade  23  is arranged to perform, around an axis  15 , one in relation to the storehouse  12  rotating movement. The axis  15  may have any direction. In the example shown in the figure a substantially horizontally arranged axis  15  is shown. 
         [0022]    When the rotor blade  23  is brought into rotating movement around the axis  15  the cartridges  11  will slip on the inner surface area  4  of the storehouse  12 . The convey means  14  will then, during said rotating movement, catch at least one of the cartridges  11 . The catching organ, in the figure shown as convey means  14 , is arranged to place at least one cartridge  11  in a predetermined position, for example but not necessary at the periphery of the storehouse. The rotor blade  23  may be brought to stay in a specific position, and is preferably fixed in said specific position. From the predetermined position may the cartridge, or the cartridges, be moved to a loading position for firing, for example with help from a linear actuator that pushes the cartridge, or the cartridges, in a direction in parallel with the axis  15  in a firing arrangement, i.e. a firing hose (not shown in figure). Alternatively, the cartridge or the cartridges may be fired directly from said specific position. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a further embodiment of an arrangement  10  for feeding of cartridges  11  seen from the front. The arrangement comprises a storehouse  12  intended to comprise a plurality of cartridges  11  in several separated trays  13 . A rotor  22  with several rotor blades  23  is arranged in the storehouse  12 , wherein the rotor blades  23  form delimitations for the trays  13  where the cartridges  11  are placed. In respective tray  13  a plurality of cartridges  11  is placed. The rotor  22  is arranged to perform a rotating movement around the axis  15 . When the rotor  22  is brought into rotating movement around the axis  15  the cartridges  11  in the trays  13  will slip on the inner surface area  4  of the storehouse  12 . The rotor blades  23  are provided with convey means  14  that will, during said rotating movement, catch at least one of the cartridges  11 . The convey means  14  is arranged to place the cartridge, or the cartridges,  11  in a predetermined position. The rotating movement of the rotor  22  may be stopped and the rotor may be fixed and locked in at least one certain position. From the predetermined position may the cartridge, or the cartridges  11 , be moved to a loading position for firing, or be fired directly. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an arrangement  10  for feeding resin cartridges. A plurality of convey means  14  is arranged in the periphery part of the rotor blades  23 . The position of the convey means  14  in radial direction may be adjusted. Since the exact position of the convey means  14  may be adjusted individually, the horizontal position of the one or several caught cartridges may be tuned. In the figure is also an occlusive cover  43  shown. To decrease the friction between the individual cartridges  11  and between the cartridges  11  and the inner surface area of the storehouse  12 , the storehouse  12  may in part be filled with some friction reducing medium. This medium may be any that decreases the friction, for example may water or water mixed with soap be used. 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a detailed exploded view of an exemplified embodiment of an arrangement  10  for a rock grouting equipment intended for automatically feeding and positioning a large number of cartridges  11 , for example 50-100 cartridges. The arrangement comprises at least one substantially cylindrically shaped storehouse  12  intended to comprise a plurality of cartridges  11 . The storehouse is arranged rotatable symmetrical around one substantially horizontal axis  15  and is at least in part enclosed by a frame  41 . 
         [0026]    A rotor  22  is arranged to be placed inside the storehouse  12 . From the central axis of the rotor one or several rotor blade  23  extends. In the example shown in the figure the rotor  22  is provided with four rotor blades  23 . When the rotor  22  is placed inside the storehouse  12  the rotor blades  23  forms in radial direction extending delimitations whereby four of the by the rotor blades  23  separated trays  13  for placing of cartridges  11  is formed. The rotor  22  is arranged to perform, around the substantially horizontally arranged axis  15 , one in relation to the storehouse  12  rotating movement. The rotor  22  is driven by a driving engine  47  which transfers torque to the rotor  22  via a drive shaft  50  and a driving arrangement  51 . At the periphery edge of the rotor blade  23  is one or several convey means  14  arranged. In the example shown in the figure the rotor blades  23  are provided with three convey means  14 . 
         [0027]    The convey means  14  is arranged to, during said rotating movement, catch one or several of the cartridges  11 . When the rotor  22  is rotated the in the trays  13  placed cartridges  11  will slip on the surface area of the storehouse  12 . The inner surface area of the storehouse  12  is provided with a surface which provides a smooth surface with low friction against which surface the in the storehouse  12  placed cartridges  11  may easy slip. The smooth surface may for example be a polyurethane surface. The arrangement  10  may be provided with an occlusive lock  43 . To further decrease the friction between the cartridges  11  and the inner surface area of the storehouse  12  may the storehouse  12  in part be filled with some friction decreasing medium, for example water. 
         [0028]    This also decreases the friction between the cartridges  11  placed in the storehouse and the risk that the cartridges adhere to each other or to the inner surface of the storehouse decreases. Thus, the risk that some cartridge tears apart decreases. During the rotating movement the against the surface area of the storehouse slipping cartridges will be caught by the convey means  14 . The rotating movement of the rotor  22  proceeds until one in advance specific position where the position of the rotor  22  may be fixed with a locking arm  49 . The arrangement further comprises an indexing disc  48 . 
         [0029]    The convey means  14  is arranged in the periphery part of the rotor blades  23 . The position of the convey means  14  in radial direction may be adjusted. Since the exact position of the convey means  14  may be adjusted individually, the horizontal position of the one or several caught cartridges may be tuned. The arrangement  10  is provided with a connection  46  to one or several firing arrangements like one or several firing hoses (not shown in figure). The arrangement  10  further comprises an actuator  42  arranged to move the cartridge, or the cartridges,  11  from the predetermined position to an adjacent to the storehouse  12  arranged firing arrangement like a firing hose (not shown). The actuator  42  is arranged to act linear in a direction substantially in parallel with the axis  15 . 
         [0030]    When the cartridge, or the cartridges,  11  is positioned they are moved with help from the actuator  42  from the storehouse  12  to the firing hose. The linear actuator  42  is arranged to act in a direction along with the axis  14  and to slip in a cut groove  5  in the storehouse  12  with help from a driving mechanism  6 . The actuator  42  will thus push the one or several positioned cartridges  11  out from the storehouse  12  and into the firing hose. In this way one or several cartridges  11  may be placed in the firing hose. A sensor  44  may indicate that one or several cartridges have been placed in the firing hose. The sensor  44  may be any sensing sensor, for example a photocell, or a sensor that senses weight. The rotating movement and the steps above are repeated until a desired number of cartridges  11  are placed in the firing hose. The actuator  42  is arranged to seal the opening of the firing hose turned towards the storehouse  12 . For this purpose the actuator  42  may for example have a circular cross section and may be provided with a conical tapered form, or with a sealing membrane. When the end of the firing hose is sealed gas, for example compressed air, is applied to the firing hose via a connection  45  whereby the cartridges  11  are fired. 
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart showing an exemplified method. The method is performed in an arrangement  10  for a rock grouting equipment as described according to any of the examples above. The method comprises rotating  101  catching organ  3 ,  14  around an axis  15 . At least one cartridge  11  is caught  102  by the catching organ  3 ,  14  during the rotating movement. The method further comprises positioning  103  at least one caught cartridge  11  in a predetermined position. The catching organ  3 ,  14  may comprise one or several convey means  14  which position in radial direction may be adjusted. The positioning  103  of the one or several caught cartridges  11  may be adjusted by adjusting the position in radial direction of the one or several convey means. The method may further comprise moving  104  the cartridge, or the cartridges,  11  from the predetermined position to one, or several, adjacent to the storehouse  12  arranged firing hoses. Moving  104  may occur linear in a direction substantially in parallel with the axis  15 . The method may further comprise indicating  105  presence of one or several cartridges  11  in said firing hose by a sensor  44 . 
         [0032]    The above exemplified arrangements and the methods show a plurality of advantages. The robust design enables a compact and light weight arrangement. The design shows few parts which partially may be taken apart which facilitate cleaning. Refill of cartridges is simple and the arrangement has capacity to handle many cartridges. Further, cartridges with the same hardening time or the same dimensions may be placed in different trays if desired. The arrangement does not require the same advanced control equipment like earlier known designs. 
         [0033]    The skilled person within the field realizes that embodiments described above may be combined. Thus, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments. The invention is limited only by the patent claims defining the scope of protection.