Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Rock drilling unit, feed beam, and method for damping vibra-
tion
Background of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to a rock drilling unit that is connectable
to a rock drilling rig. The rock drilling unit contains a rock drilling
machine that
is supported to an elongated feed beam and can be moved on the feed beam
by means of a feed device. The feed beam is, in turn, connected to a drilling
boom of the rock drilling rig by means of a fastening member.
[0002] The invention further relates to a feed beam and method for
damping vibration in the rock drilling unit. The field of the invention is
described
in more detail in the preambles of the independent claims of the patent
applica-
tion.
[0003] Rock drilling rigs are used for drilling holes into rock being
excavated both in mines and at earth-moving sites. A rock drilling rig is typi-
cally equipped with a drilling boom with a rock drilling unit having at least
a
rock drilling machine, feed beam, and feed device. The rock drilling machine
provides impact pulses to a tool that breaks the rock and forms a borehole.
The operation of a rock drilling machine causes quite strong vibration that is
transmitted in the rock drilling unit from one component to another and also
on
to the drilling boom and rest of the structure of the rock drilling rig.
Vibration
causes sound projection off the surfaces of pieces, whereby an unpleasant
noise spreads into the surrounding area. In addition to noise, the vibration
propagating in the structures also causes movement between the components,
which may cause premature wear and other problems related to the durability
of the devices.
Brief description of the invention
[0004] It is an object of this invention to provide a novel and im-
proved rock drilling unit, feed beam, and method for damping vibration.
[0005] The rock drilling unit of the invention is characterised in that
the feed beam comprises at least two feed beam parts arranged on top of each
other, the first feed beam part being on the side of the rock drilling machine
and the second feed beam part being on the side of the fastening member;
and that between the first and second feed beam parts, there is at least one
damping element that separates the joint surfaces of the feed beam parts from
each other.
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[0006] The feed beam of the invention is characterised in that the
cross-section of the feed beam comprises at least one first feed beam part and
at least one second feed beam part that are of equal length with the feed beam
and that are fastened to each other one on top of the other; and that between
the first and second feed beam parts, there is at least one damping element
that is arranged to damp vibration in the feed beam or prevent the
transmission
of vibration between the feed beam parts.
[0007] The method of the invention is characterised by forming the
feed beam of at least two parts, and arranging at least one damping element
between their joint surfaces to prevent the transmission of vibration through
the
feed beam.
[0008] The idea of the invention is to damp the vibration caused by
the rock drilling machine in the rock drilling unit and to prevent its
transmission
on between the components belonging to the rock drilling unit. Joint surfaces,
which are usually of metal, between the components of a drilling unit can be
separated from each other by means of a damping element. The feed beam
comprises a first feed beam part and a second feed beam part having one or
more damping elements arranged between their joint surfaces.
[0009] An advantage of the invention is that vibration can be
damped close to the source of the vibration. Further, it is possible to
prevent
the propagation of vibration from the rock drilling unit to the drilling boom
and
elsewhere in the rock drilling rig in an efficient and simple manner. When
vibra-
tion is damped, it is also possible to reduce the noise caused by the
vibration.
Requirements related to noise control will become stricter in the near future.
The invention provides a relatively simple solution as part of noise control.
Fur-
ther, with the damping arrangements of the invention, it is possible to
lengthen
the service life of the rock drilling rig and to reduce the need for
maintenance,
when vibration that causes premature wear in the structures can be reduced.
[0010] The idea of an embodiment is that one or more damping
elements are arranged on the section between the rock drilling machine and
feed beam. It is then possible to prevent the transmission of vibration from
the
rock drilling machine to the feed beam. A feed beam often has quite large sur-
faces that may project noise as a result of vibration. With this embodiment,
it is
possible to prevent the transmission of structure-borne noise to the feed
beam.
[0011] The idea of an embodiment is that the structure of the feed
beam comprises one or more damping elements. This, then, reduces the
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transmission of vibration through the feed beam. Further, the damping element
in the feed beam may absorb vibration and, thus, damp vibration in the feed
beam.
[0012] The idea of an embodiment is that the feed beam comprises
a first feed beam part and a second feed beam part having essentially the
same length as the feed beam and having one or more damping elements ar-
ranged between their joint surfaces. The feed beam parts are fastened station-
ary to each other. The first feed beam part is equipped with first support sur-
faces, to which a carriage can be supported, and the second feed beam part is
equipped with second support surfaces, to which a cradle can be supported.
This embodiment prevents the transmission of vibration through the structure
of the feed beam. In addition, the damping element may damp the vibration of
the feed beam. Further, the wall surfaces of a two- or multi-part feed beam
are
smaller in size than those of a one-part feed beam, whereby the risk of noise
caused by the vibration of the wall surfaces is smaller.
[0013] The idea of an embodiment is that the feed beam comprises
a first feed beam part and a second feed beam part. The second feed beam
part is formed of two components that are connected to each other in the lat-
eral direction of the feed beam. There may be a form-lock fastening between
the first and second feed beam parts.
[0014] The idea of an embodiment is that the feed beam is con-
nected by a fastening member to the drilling boom or alternatively to some
other structure of the rock drilling rig. At the fastening member, there may
be
one or more damping elements that reduce the transmission of vibration from
the rock drilling unit onward. The fastening member may be a cradle that is
supported to an elongated guide surface on the side of the feed beam,
whereby the cradle and feed beam may be moved relative to each other. The
cradle may be equipped with one or more damping elements. The cradle may
also be formed of two or more parts, whereby the damping element may be
arranged on the joint surfaces between there parts.
[0015] The idea of an embodiment is that the rock drilling machine
is connected with a carriage to the feed beam. The carriage may comprise a
first carriage part and a second carriage part arranged on top of each other
and having one or more damping elements arranged between them. The first
carriage part is arranged against the rock drilling machine and the second car-
riage part is arranged on the side of the feed beam. During drilling, feed
forces
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are directed to the first carriage part on the drilling machine side, whereby
the
feed forces are transmitted rigidly to the drilling machine and not through
the
damping element.
[0016] The idea of an embodiment is that the rock drilling machine
is supported to the feed beam by means of one or more replaceable slide
blocks. Typically, several slide blocks are used. The rock drilling machine
may
be connected to the feed beam by means of a carriage and a slide block fas-
tened to the carriage. Alternatively, the drilling machine may be carriage-
less,
whereby the slide blocks can be fastened to the body of the drilling machine
to
support it to the feed beam. The damping element may be integrated to the
slide block. The slide block may comprise at least two differing materials,
namely slide bearing material and elastic damping material. The slide bearing
material is very wear-resistant and it is naturally intended to be arranged
against a guiding surface on the feed beam.
[0017] The idea of an embodiment is that the rock drilling unit com-
prises a protective casing that surrounds the feed beam either entirely or at
least partly. The rock drilling machine is also inside the protective casing,
whereby the protective casing prevents any noise projecting from the drilling
machine directly to the surrounding area. The protective casing may be formed
of vibration-damping material, and it may be arranged between components
belonging to the rock drilling unit so that it also prevents the transmission
of
vibration between the interconnected components. When vibration is damped
in the drilling unit, the vibration directed to the protective casing and the
noise
caused thereby is also damped. This also simplifies the implementation of the
structure and fastening of the protective casing.
[0018] The idea of an embodiment is that the feed beam comprises
a first part on the rock drilling machine-side and a second part on the cradle
side having a side wall of the protective casing arranged between them to act
as a damping element between the joint surfaces. Alternatively, some other
part of the protective casing, such as its fastening portion or the like may
be
arranged to act as the damping element.
[0019] The idea of an embodiment is that a coating arranged on a
component belonging to the drilling unit acts as the damping element. The
coating may reflect vibration back or it may absorb it.
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[0020] The idea of an embodiment is that the feed beam is at least
partly coated with material suitable for vibration prevention. In some cases,
the
feed beam or feed beam part is coated entirely with this type of material.
[0021] The idea of an embodiment is that the damping element is
made of one or more vibration-damping materials. The vibration-damping ma-
terial may be rubber, polymer, or some other elastic material that poorly
trans-
mits vibration.
[0022] The idea of an embodiment is that the damping element may
comprise a mechanical damping member, such as a spring member.
[0023] The idea of an embodiment is that the damping element
comprises a pressure medium chamber, in which the pressure medium is ar-
ranged to damp vibration and prevent its transmission onward.
Brief description of figures
[0024] Some embodiments of the invention will be described in
more detail in the attached drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a rock drilling rig,
Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a rock drilling unit,
Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a feed beam com-
prising two feed beam parts connected to each other with a damping element,
Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second feed beam
and the support of a drilling machine by means of a carriage and slide blocks,
Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a third feed beam,
where the feed beam part on the cradle side is formed of two pieces intercon-
nected in the lateral direction of the feed beam,
Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a feed beam formed
of two feed beam parts having a side wall of a protective casing between their
joint surfaces,
Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a feed beam that is
arranged inside a protective casing that acts as a vibration-damping member
between the fastening surfaces of the feed beam and cradle-side slide block,
Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a feed beam that is
fastened to a protective casing that connects the feed beam and cradle-side
slide block to each other and also acts as a vibration-damping element,
Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drilling unit having
a drill machine arranged on a carriage that is divided into two parts that are
separated from each other with a damping element against vibration,
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Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drilling unit hav-
ing a damping element between the drilling machine and carriage, and the drill-
ing machine comprises a feed face for transmitting feed forces directly to the
drilling machine,
Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drilling unit, in
which means for connecting to a cradle are arranged in a protective casing,
Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drilling unit, in
which the cross-section of the feed beam comprises two beam parts on top of
each other and a protective casing is fastened to the cradle-side beam part,
Figures 13 to 15 are schematic cross-sectional views of feed beams
that each comprise at least two feed beam parts that are arranged on top of
each other and stationary relative to each other,
Figures 16 to 18 are schematic cross-sectional views of feed beams
that each comprise a substantially U-shaped cross-section on their rock
drilling
machine-side portion, and
Figure 19 is a schematic and exploded view of a possible lead-
through element, and Figure 20 shows said lead-through element installed in
place in a protective casing.
[0025] In the figures, some embodiments of the invention are shown
simplified for the sake of clarity. Similar parts are marked with the same
refer-
ence numbers in the figures.
Detailed description of some embodiments of the invention
[0026] The rock drilling rig shown in Figure 1 comprises a movable
carrier 1 having one or more drilling boom 2 equipped with a rock drilling
unit 3
arranged thereto. The rock drilling unit 3 comprises a rock drilling machine 4
having a percussion device to provide impact pulses to a tool 5 connected to
the drilling machine and transmitting the impact pulses to the rock being
drilled.
The rock drilling machine 4 is moved on the feed beam 6 by means of a feed
device in direction A.
[0027] Figure 2 shows the structure of the rock drilling unit 3 in more
detail. The feed beam 6 is an elongated piece, to which the rock drilling ma-
chine 4 may be connected by a carriage 7, or alternatively the body of the
rock
drilling machine 4 may be supported to the feed beam without a carriage by
means of suitable sliding blocks, for instance. The feed device 8 may be con-
nected to act on the carriage 7 or, when the structure is without a carriage,
the
feed device 8 is arranged to act directly on the drilling machine. The feed
beam
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6 may be supported to the drilling boom 2 by means of a cradle 9 so that the
feed beam 6 may be moved in its longitudinal direction B relative to the end
of
the drilling boom 2. In some cases there may be some other fastening member
instead of the cradle between the feed beam 6 and drilling boom 2, if the feed
beam 2 need not be moved in direction B. Further, the drilling unit 3 may com-
prise a protective casing 10 or a corresponding protective structure that sur-
rounds either the entire drilling unit 3 or at least part of it. The purpose
of the
protective casing 10 is to damp the noise projected from the rock drilling ma-
chine 4 to the surrounding area and to protect the people at the drilling site
and
possibly to protect the drilling unit from external blows.
[0028] The operation of the rock drilling machine 4 causes vibration
that is transmitted to the structures of the drilling unit 3. The operation of
a per-
cussion device 11 in particular, but also that of a rotating device 12, may
cause
vibration that propagates from the rock drilling machine 4 to the carriage 7
and
on to the feed beam 6 and finally through the cradle 9 to the drilling boom 2,
from which it may propagate to other structures of the rock drilling rig.
Vibration
is transmitted from one component to another through joint surfaces between
the components. With the damping embodiments presented in the patent ap-
plication, it is possible to damp vibration in the components belonging to the
drilling unit and separate joint surfaces from each other and, thus, prevent
the
transmission of harmful vibration between the components belonging to the
drilling unit. The damping element may act as a separator between compo-
nents, it may cause the vibration to partially reflect backward, or it may act
as a
transmission damper, whereby it may absorb vibration and transform vibration
energy into heat. Depending on the case, the damping element may damp vi-
bration by using one or more above-mentioned principles.
[0029] Figure 3 shows the cross-section of a vibration-damping feed
beam 6. The feed beam 6 comprises a first feed beam part 6a on the rock drill-
ing machine-side, a second feed beam part 6b on the cradle side, and one or
more damping elements 13 arranged between the parts to separate the joint
surfaces of the feed beam parts 6a, 6b from each other. The damping element
13 may be made of elastic material that damps vibration and prevents its
transmission from the first feed beam part 6a to the second feed beam part 6b.
In addition to separating, the damping element 13 may also absorb vibration.
The first feed beam part 6a has first support surfaces 14, against which slide
blocks or corresponding slide surfaces in the carriage or directly in the
drilling
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machine may lean. Correspondingly, the second feed beam part 6b has sec-
ond support surfaces 15, against which the cradle or a corresponding fastening
member may lean. In some cases, it is possible that the feed beam 6 is formed
of even more feed beam parts, for instance in such a manner that between the
first feed beam part 6a and second feed beam part 6b shown in Figure 3, there
is a third, middle feed beam part that is separated by damping elements 13
from the upper and lower feed beam parts. It is also possible to use several
separate damping elements instead of one uniform damping element 13.
[0030] Figure 4 shows a feed beam 6 that also comprises two feed
beam parts 6a and 6b separated from each other and one on top of the other.
Differing from Figure 3, instead of a uniform damping element 13, several
separate damping elements 13a, 13b are arranged between the feed beam
parts 6a, 6b, and their damping ability may be based on their material, shape,
or mechanical functionality. Figure 4 further shows that between the support
surfaces 14 of the carriage 7 and first feed beam part 6a, there are slide
blocks
16 that may be formed of at least two different materials. The slide block 16
may comprise on the support surface 14 side material 16a having good slide
bearing properties and on the carriage 7 side material 16b having good vibra-
tion-isolating ability. Further, it may be possible to form the slide block 16
of
material having good bearing and damping properties. The slide blocks 16
then also participate in vibration-isolation. Slide blocks 16 of this type may
also
be utilized in other embodiments described in this patent application.
[0031] Figure 4 also shows that the feed beam 6 and feed beam
parts 6a, 6b, being hollow on the inside, may be entirely or partly filled
with a
filling agent 17. The filling agent 17 may be light, foam-like material, such
as
polyurethane, that damps the vibration of the feed beam walls and prevents
noise generation. A long feed beam often has quite large but at the same time
thin wall surfaces that easily begin to vibrate and generate noise. This em-
bodiment may be used to complement the actual vibration-damping, if neces-
sary.
[0032] Figure 5 shows a feed beam 6 that comprises a first feed
beam part 6a and a second feed beam part 6b arranged on top of each other.
The cradle-side second feed beam part 6b is divided into two elongated com-
ponents 18a and 18b that may be symmetrical in cross-section. The compo-
nents 18a and 18b are joined together in the lateral direction C of the feed
beam. Further, the bottom surface of the cross-sectional profile of the first
feed
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beam part 6a has a projecting section 19 that may be in the shape of a dove-
tail, for instance. The joined components 18a and 18b correspondingly form on
their rock drilling machine-side top surface a correspondingly shaped space 20
that may receive said projecting section 19. The projecting section 19 and
space 20 form a form lock between the feed beam parts 6a and 6b, whereby
the fastening of the feed beam parts is firm and the feed beam is made rigid.
Further, between the joint surfaces of the feed beam parts 6a and 6b, there is
one or more damping elements 13 that prevent vibration transmission in the
structure of the feed beam 6. The damping element 13 may also absorb vibra-
tion. The damping element 13 remains firmly in place between the shaped feed
beam parts 6a and 6b. The cross-sectional form of the damping element may
correspond to that of the joint surfaces. The damping element may be a shape-
cast or extruded profile, for instance. A screw fastening, for example, may be
used between the components 18a, 18b. Thanks to the form lock, the feed
beam parts 6a, 6b may remain fastened to each other even without any sepa-
rate fastening means. Differing from Figure 5, it is also possible that the
sec-
ond feed beam part 6b comprises a projecting part and the first feed beam part
6a comprises the space receiving the projecting part 19.
[0033] The damping element shown in Figures 3 and 5 may be a
separate piece, or alternatively it may be a coating or corresponding material
layer that is attached to one or both of the feed beam parts 6a, 6b.
[0034] In the solution shown in Figure 6, the first feed beam part 6a
is arranged inside a protective casing 10. The side surface 10a of the protec-
tive casing 10 may be arranged between the joint surfaces of the first feed
beam part 6a and the second feed beam part 6b, in which case the side sur-
face 10a separates the joint surfaces from each other. The protective casing
may be formed of material that is capable of isolating vibration transmis-
sion, whereby its side surface 10a may act as a damping element between the
joint surfaces. Naturally, it is possible to form just one side surface 10a of
the
protective casing of vibration-isolating material, whereby the remaining mate-
rial and structure of the protective structure may be freely chosen. It is
also
possible to arrange a coating made of vibration-isolating material on the side
surface 10a of the protective casing and use separate damping elements.
[0035] Figure 7 shows an embodiment, where the rock drilling ma-
chine 4 and feed beam 6 are arranged inside the protective casing 10. The
feed beam 6 has a cradle-side joint surface 22, to which a slide guide 23 at-
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tachable to the cradle is fastened. The slide guide 23 comprises slide
surfaces
15a that may be supported to the cradle. The side surface 1 Oa of the
protective
casing is arranged between the joint surface 22 of the feed beam and the slide
surface 24 of the slide guide, whereby it may act as a vibration-isolating ele-
ment. The material of the protective casing 10 may be made of material that
isolates and absorbs vibration. This solution does not cause changes to the
cross-sectional profile and structure of the conventional rigid feed beam 6.
[0036] Figure 7 also shows that the rock drilling machine 4 may be
carriage-less, in which case its body 25 is supported directly to the support
surfaces 14 of the feed beam by means of slide blocks 16. An isolating layer
may be integrated into the structure of the slide block 16. Further, there may
a
damping element between the body 25 and slide block.
[0037] Figure 7 further shows that the side surfaces of the feed
beam 6 may be equipped with damping strips 35, with which it is possible to
act on the vibration properties of the feed beam 6. The number, location, mate-
rial, and shape of the damping strips 35 may be selected separately for each
case.
[0038] In the solution shown in Figure 8, the feed beam 6 is fas-
tened to a protective casing 10 that, in turn, is fastened to a slide guide 23
on
the cradle side. The joint surface 22 of the feed beam 6 is not arranged at
the
joint surface 24 of the slide guide, but the fastening is provided through the
wall 10a structure of the protective casing. The protective casing 10 may be
made of elastic material, whereby the wall 1 Oa may act as a vibration-
isolating
fastener between the feed beam 6 and slide guide 23.
[0039] Figure 9 shows a possible embodiment, in which the carriage
7 is divided into a first carriage part 7a on the drilling machine 4 side and
a
second carriage part 7b on the feed beam side. One or more damping ele-
ments 13 are arranged between the carriage parts 7a, 7b, whereby the joint
surfaces between the carriage parts are separated from each other. The sec-
ond carriage part 7b comprises slide blocks 16, with which it is supported to
the feed beam. The rock drilling machine 4 may be rigidly fastened to the
first
carriage part 7a, whereby feed forces may be transmitted from the feed device
to the first carriage part 7a. The first carriage part 7a may be equipped with
a
projecting part 26 that is arranged through an opening 27 in the second car-
riage part 7b so that it may extend to a groove 28 on the top surface side of
the
feed beam 6. The feed device may be arranged into said groove. A connecting
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point 29 to which the feed device may be arranged to direct feed forces is
marked with a dashed line on the projecting part 26. When feed forces are di-
rected to the first carriage part 7a, no harmful loads are directed to the
damp-
ing element 13.
[0040] Figure 10 shows yet another embodiment, in which one or
more damping elements 13 are arranged between the body 25 of the rock drill-
ing machine 4 and carriage 7. In this case, the feed force may be directed di-
rectly to the body 25 of the rock drilling machine, whereby feed forces do not
transmit through the damping elements 13. Thus, the feed forces do not strain
the damping elements 13 and, on the other hand, the damping elements 13 do
not cause flexes and inaccuracies caused by them in the feed movements. On
the bottom surface side of the body 25, there may be a projection 30, and the
feed forces may be directed to a connecting point 29 in it. The feed device
may
be arranged into a groove 28 on the top surface of the feed beam 6. Alterna-
tively, the body 25 may have one or more connecting points 31, on the top sur-
face thereof, for example.
[0041] It should be mentioned that in the embodiments of Figures 9
and 10, the feed beam 6 may be one uniform structure as shown, or it may be
divided into two or more parts separated from each other with a damping ele-
ment, for instance as shown in Figures 3 to 8. Further, it is possible to
combine
different damping elements in these embodiments.
[0042] In general, it may further be noted that the joint surfaces of
the rock drilling unit components may be coated with vibration-damping mate-
rial. Alternatively, a separate vibration-damping elastic piece may be
arranged
between the joint surfaces. Further, it is possible to arrange a mechanical vi-
bration-damping structure to the joint surfaces between the components. The
mechanical structure may be based on a spring member, for example. The
operation of the damping element may also be based on the use of a pressure
medium, for instance.
[0043] Figure 10 also shows by a dashed line a coating 32 that is
arranged around the feed beam 6 and may be made of suitable elastic mate-
rial, such as plastic or rubber. The coating 32 may surround the feed beam
entirely, or the coating 32 may be arranged to cover all other portions of the
feed beam except the guiding surfaces. Correspondingly, it is possible to ar-
range coatings around the other components of the rock drilling unit 3. Thus,
for instance the carriage 7 and drilling machine 4 may be furnished with coat-
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ings 33, 34. The coatings may absorb vibration and cause it to reflect back.
Further, in some cases, the coating may act as a vibration-isolating layer be-
tween components.
[0044] In the embodiment shown in Figure 11, the rock drilling ma-
chine 4 and feed beam 6 and a possible carriage 7 are arranged inside a pro-
tective casing 10. One or more side surfaces of the protective casing 10 may
be equipped with means for attaching them to a cradle. The attachment means
may include guide beams 36 or the like with support surfaces 15. In this em-
bodiment, the protective casing 10 may be made fully closed, because there is
no need to arrange an opening for the movement between the cradle and feed
beam. The sound-proofing of the protective casing 10 may be improved by
making it as tight as possible. The feed beam 6 fastens to the cradle through
the protective casing 10 and guide beam 36. The material of the protective
casing 10 may be selected to isolate the transmission of vibration from the
feed beam 6 to the cradle. Naturally, it is possible to arrange damping ele-
ments of the type described above to the connecting point between the protec-
tive casing 10 and feed beam 6 as well as between the protective casing 6 and
guide beam 36.
[0045] Figure 12 shows a feed beam 6, the cross-section of which
comprises two beam parts 6a and 6b that are on top of each other and fas-
tened stationary to each other during use and together form a feed beam that
is sufficient in rigidity and other properties. The protective casing 10 may
be
fastened to the cradle-side beam part 6b. The fastening points of the
protective
casing 10 may be equipped with damping-elements 37 that may be of the type
described in this patent application. In this embodiment, the feed beam 6
forms
part of the protective casing 10, since the lower feed beam part 6b in the
figure
forms the bottom part of the protective casing 10.
[0046] Further, it is possible to apply the damping elements and
other arrangements described in this patent application not only to the rock
drilling unit but also to other mining units, where instead of the rock
drilling ma-
chine some other power tool causing harmful vibration, such as a bolting ma-
chine, is used as the mining tool.
[0047] Figures 13 to 18 show yet other feed beam solutions that
may differ from the embodiments described above.
[0048] Figure 13 shows the cross-section of a feed beam 6 that
comprises a first feed beam part 6a on the rock drilling machine-side and a
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second feed beam part 6b on the cradle side. The feed beam parts 6a and 6b
are fastened stationary to each other, and they form together a feed beam for
supporting a rock drilling machine. The feed beam parts 6a, 6b may be of sub-
stantially the same length as the feed beam 6. The feed beam 6 may be as
though split in the middle, or asymmetrically, into two longitudinally
overlapping
parts. In some cases the feed beam may comprise feed beam parts that are
shorter than the entire feed beam. For instance, the second feed beam part 6b
may comprise one, two or more shorter parts that are separately fastened to
the first feed beam part 6a. In this case, too, a cross-section of the feed
beam
6 comprises at least one first feed beam part 6a and at least one second feed
beam part 6b arranged on top of each other.
[0049] Figure 14 shows a feed beam 6 made up of several longitu-
dinal parts. The cross-section of the feed beam 6 may have a first feed beam
part 6a on the drilling machine side and a second feed beam part 6b on the
cradle side, and at least the latter may be divided into two or more
components
18a, 18b. Between the feed beam parts 6a and 6b, there may be suitable form-
lock members, such as a projecting portion 19 and a space 20 receiving it, as
described in connection with the embodiment of Figure 5. Corresponding prin-
ciples also apply to the embodiment of Figure 14. In some cases there may be
several feed beam parts on top of each other, and it is further possible that
the
first feed beam part 6a also consists of two or more components in the trans-
verse direction C.
[0050] In Figure 15, a side wall 10a of a protective casing 10 is ar-
ranged between the first and second feed beam parts 6a, 6b that are on top of
each other. The protective casing 10 may be made of a thin steel plate that
has been found to have good vibration transmission damping.
[0051] It should further be noted that the feed beam formed of feed
beam parts may be arranged to form part of the protective casing surrounding
the rock drilling machine. The protective casing may then be fastened to the
first or second feed beam part or arranged between their connecting surfaces.
Alternatively, the two-part feed beam is not part of the casing. The
protective
casing may then be arranged around the feed beam.
[0052] A common factor for each feed beam of a rock drilling rig
shown in Figures 13 to 15 is that the feed beam is an elongated piece and at
least part of its cross-section comprises at least one first feed beam part 6a
and at least one second feed beam part 6b arranged on top of each other and
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14
stationary relative to each other. In addition, the feed beam may comprise in
the first feed beam part 6a first support surfaces 14, to which the rock
drilling
machine 4 is movably supported, and in the second feed beam part 6b second
support surfaces 15, with which the feed beam 6 is fastened to the rock
drilling
rig.
[0053] Figures 16 to 18 show yet other rock drilling units whose
feed beams differ from the embodiments described above.
[0054] Figure 16 shows a feed beam 6 with a trough-shaped cross-
section having a bottom section 6c and two side sections 6d. The side sections
6d may extend equidistant from the bottom section 6c or, alternatively, their
heights may differ, as shown in Figures 17 and 18. The rock drilling machine 6
may be arranged in a carriage 7 in the manner shown in Figures 16 and 18.
The carriage 7 may be supported using suitable slide blocks 16 or the like to
the bottom section 6c and side sections 6d. The bottom section 6c may also
have guiding surfaces or the like, to which the carriage 7 may be supported.
In
Figure 17, the drilling machine 4 is supported directly to the feed beam 6
with-
out a carriage.
[0055] In Figures 16 to 18, the trough-shaped feed beam 6 or one
that has a U-shaped section acts as part of the casing surrounding the rock
drilling machine 4. The trough-shaped feed beam 6 may be closed with a lid 38
that may be connected with a hinge 39, for example, to the top part of the
side
section 6d, whereby the lid 38 can be opened and closed for maintenance and
drill rod change, for instance.
[0056] Possible coatings arranged on the feed beam 6 are marked
with dashed lines 32 in Figure 16. A coating 32 made of a vibration-damping or
isolating material may be arranged on the inside surfaces of the trough-shaped
section of the feed beam 6, on the outside surfaces of the feed beam or on
both the inside and outside surfaces.
[0057] In the embodiments of Figures 16 to 18, it is possible to ap-
ply the solutions disclosed in this patent application for damping vibration
and
preventing vibration transmission between components.
[0058] In the embodiment shown in Figure 18, the feed beam 6 is
formed of two feed beam parts 6a and 6b on top of each other. The cross-
section of the first feed beam part 6a is substantially U-shaped. The second
feed beam part 6b is equipped with means for attaching it to a cradle.
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[0059] A common factor for each feed beam of a rock drilling rig
shown in Figures 16 to 18 is that the feed beam 6 is an elongated piece,
whose rock drilling machine-side section comprises a trough-shaped cross-
section with a bottom section 6c and two side sections 6d at a distance from
each other. The rock drilling machine-side section may thus have a substan-
tially U-shaped cross-section. The rock drilling machine 4 is moved inside the
trough-shaped section. The trough-shaped feed beam forms together with the
openable lid 38 a protective casing around the rock drilling machine 4.
[0060] Figures 19 and 20 show a lead-through element 40 which
may be fastened to the protective casing 10 and with which the necessary
pressure medium connections, electric connections and other possible connec-
tions may be arranged between the outside and inside of the protective casing
10. It has been found that drilling noise can be significantly reduced, if the
seal-
ing of the protective casing can be improved. By means of the lead-through
element 40, different connections can be concentrated in one location and the
lead-through element 40 can also be fastened tightly to the protective casing
10.
[0061] As shown in Figure 19, the lead-through element 40 com-
prises a connecting plate 41 that may be fastened by a screw joint, for in-
stance, at a lead-through opening 42 in the body of the protective casing 10.
One or more damping elements 43 may be arranged between the connecting
plate 41 and protective casing 10 to prevent vibration transmission between
the inter-connected components. Further, there may be one or more sealings
44 between the connecting plate 41 and protective casing 10, whereby the
connecting plate 41 may be fastened tightly to the protective casing 10. The
connecting plate 41 has openings 45, to which necessary couplers 46 may be
fastened for connecting hydraulic hoses, pressurized air hoses, electric
cables
and the like. Thanks to the couplers 46, disconnecting and re-connecting con-
nections is fast and easy during maintenance, for instance.
[0062] The lead-through element shown in Figures 19 and 20 is
characterised in that the lead-through element 40 comprises a connecting
plate 41 that is equipped with couplers 46 for leading pressure medium chan-
nels through the connecting plate and, further, that there is at least one
sealing
44 at the connecting plate 41. A rock drilling rig protective casing of the
type
shown in Figures 19 and 20 is characterised in that all the pressure medium
channels required by the operation of the rock drilling machine are led
through
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at least one lead-through element 40 between the inside and outside of the
protective casing, and that the connecting plate 41 is fastened tightly to the
protective casing 10.
[0063] In some cases, the features described in this patent applica-
tion may be used as such, regardless of other features. On the other hand, the
features described in this patent application may also be combined to provide
various combinations as necessary.
[0064] The drawings and the related description are only intended
to illustrate the idea of the invention. The invention may vary in its details
within
the scope of the claims.
