Becor Western Inc.

Richard A Jasinski

Donald M Mains

A programmed automatic drill control for optimizing the drilling of subterranean holes by large drilling machinery such as blast hole drills. Sensing means are provided to sense a first set of drilling parameter limits to effect maximum r.p.m. of the motor to rotate the pipe drilling bit and to sense a second set of drilling parameter limits to effect a maximum rate for the motor to drive the hoist pull-down mechanism. These conditions will prevail until a sensed limit is reached or the drilling conditions require operation along a torque or force limit set value. When a limit is reached, the control will regulate at a value of r.p.m. or rate which is consistent with maintaining operation at the limit value. In a preferred embodiment, the sensing of a first set of drilling parameters include a sensing of head position of the pipe drilling bit, the force on the drilling bit as well as vertical and horizontal vibration of a drilling pipe and the sensing of a second set of drilling parameters include sensing head position of the pipe drilling bit, the horizontal and vertical vibration of the drilling pipe, the rotary amps and speed of the motor to drive the drill pipe and the air pressure in the drill pipe.

Programmed automatic drill control

A dual automatic leveling system for a blast hole drill during raising and lowering which includes 'fine' level sensors to detect an attitude within a fine level range and 'coarse' level sensors to detect an attitude outside a coarse level range which is greater than that of the first. A controller is connected to the sensors as well as to appropriate valving with a pressurized fluid source so as to operate hydraulic jacks. The jacks are activated in a first mode in conjunction with the 'fine' sensors and in a second mode in conjunction with the 'coarse' sensors. In a preferred manner, the 'fine' and 'coarse' level sensors are positioned as front, rear, and end level sensors mounted on the main frame of the blast hole drill. The 'fine' level sensors in conjunction with a programmable logic control will initially level the drilling platform within a .+-.0.5.degree. (both transverse and longitudinally). If during the raising or lowering process the platform becomes out of level by 2.degree. or more, the 'coarse' level sensors in conjunction with the programmable logic control will cause the raising or lowering process to stop and a re-leveling to .+-.0.5.degree. is effected before a raising or lowering is continued.

Growing community of inventors

Oak Creek, WI, United States of America

Richard A Jasinski