Acoustics – Sound-modifying means – Housing or enclosure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-29
2001-03-13
Nappi, Robert E. (Department: 2837)
Acoustics
Sound-modifying means
Housing or enclosure
C181S210000, C181S196000, C181S290000, C175S078000, C175S203000, C175S113000, C173S219000, C173SDIG002
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199656
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a rock drilling rig and especially to a noise abatement structure therefor.
PRIOR ART
Typically, a rock drilling rig for drilling into rock comprises a movable carrier equipped with a boom that is movable in various ways. The free end of the boom has the equipment necessary for actual drilling, including a rock drill as well as accessories and auxiliary equipment used for drilling into rock. The boom may be carrying, for instance, rock bolting devices for reinforcing rock, and charging equipment. Known solutions also include a cradle at the end of the boom, and a feed beam carrying the drilling equipment can be moved in relation to the cradle in -its longitudinal direction using suitable transferring mechanisms.
Most currently used solutions have no noise attenuation whatsoever for the rock drilling equipment, and the noise generated during drilling is free to spread to the surroundings of the drilling site. This causes problems especially when drilling is carried out near residential or business buildings. In such areas, the working hours are limited to certain times of the day, which, of course, considerably slows down the progress of work. For instance, drilling at night or on Sundays is out of the question in residential areas. In some cases, movable noise barriers around the drilling site have been necessary to prevent drilling noise from spreading to the surroundings. Drilling noise also causes inconvenience to those working at the site. The cabins of rock drilling rigs are usually soundproofed, but there is work at drilling sites that must be done outside the cabin. In addition, there are other persons moving or working at the site, and they may become subjected to the noise.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,571 presents an arrangement for dampening the noise caused by drilling. The arrangement consists of several nested casings arranged around the rock drill, with the smallest, i.e. the innermost casing, mounted to the feed beam and the successive casings fastened to the previous one with different kinds of rubber dampeners and other corresponding devices. A rail is mounted to the side of the outermost casing so that the assembly can be moved in relation to the boom end. The problem with this solution is, however, that the drilling equipment and the feed beam are connected to the boom through the flexible support elements only. This structure does not provide the required accuracy for the drilling; nor does it provide other necessary support for drilling. A casing construction of the described type is also expensive to build, and maintenance of drilling equipment becomes difficult.
Japanese Publications No. 05-079271 and No. 05-295978 present casings used in conjunction with rock drills. In both solutions, the casing is mounted to the feed beam so that it covers the rock drill over its travel length only. As most of the feed beam is left outside the casing, the problem is that drilling noise is able to escape to the surroundings through the uncovered section of the feed beam.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The objects of this invention are to provide a casing and an application for use with rock drilling rigs that avoid the disadvantages of the known solutions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a casing for noise attenuation in a rock drilling rig. The rock drilling rig comprises a carrier and a movable boom attached to it. At the free end of the boom, a cradle and a feed beam are attached, the feed beam being movable in relation to the cradle. A casing encompasses both the feed beam and the drilling equipment carried by the feed beam, in order to attenuate the noise generated during drilling. The casing includes devices for fastening it to the feed beam so as to be movable together with the feed beam in relation to the cradle. An opening at the end of the casing facing the surface to be drilled enables the drill rod to be extended therethrough.
Characteristic for the casing according to the present invention is that (a) the casing virtually completely encloses the whole drilling equipment and the feed beam, (b) the inner surface of the casing is intended to be at a distance from the feed beam and the drilling equipment, and (c) casing is provided with an opening that enables the movement of the casing and the cradle in relation to one another.
The basic idea behind the present invention is that around the drilling equipment mounted to the free end of the rock drilling rig's boom there is provided a casing structure that prevents the noise generated during drilling from spreading to the surroundings of the drilling site. The casing is arranged to cover both the drilling equipment and the feed beam substantially completely. The lower end of the casing is provided with an opening that allows the drill rod to be extended therethrough. Essential in the present invention is also that the fastening of the casing is arranged so that the casing is mounted and supported to the feed beam, and the feed beam is movable in relation to the cradle attached to the free end of the boom. An essential point is also that the casing is intended to be mounted so that there is free space between the casing and the drilling equipment as well as between the casing and the feed beam, whereby the vibrations and noise generated during drilling cannot be so easily transferred to the casing. The basic idea of a first aspect of the present invention is that also the cradle is enclosed by the casing. The basic idea of a second aspect of the present invention is that the opening that enables the movement between the casing and the cradle, or between the casing and the boom end, is provided with a noise curtain that seals the opening but allows casing movements. Further, the basic idea of a third aspect of the present invention is that the noise curtain is made of flexible bristles or strips. The basic idea of a fourth aspect of the present invention is that the casing is, at desired points, provided with hatches that can be opened and closed by remote control for observing and controlling drilling or the operation of the drilling equipment. Further, the basic idea of a fifth aspect of the present invention is that the casing comprises two nested shells with insulating material between them. Still further, the basic idea of a sixth aspect of the present invention is that the lower and of the casing, i.e. the end that faces the surface to be drilled, is provided with a flexible section that during drilling seals the gap between the lower end of the casing and the surface to be drilled.
The advantage of encapsulating is that the noise generated during rock drilling can be conveniently insulated and abated, whereby the noise no longer causes problems in the surroundings. This makes it possible to carry out drilling operations more freely even in residential areas, not restricted by the time of day or day of the week. Therefore, the degree of utilization of drilling equipment can be raised and work projects completed in less time. Noise protection pursuant to the present invention also improves working conditions, as unpleasant noise no longer exists. Noise attenuation also increases safety at work, as those working in the area are better able to hear the various warning signals and approaching vehicles. A further advantage of encapsulating is that it not only offers protection against noise but also serves as mechanical protection for the drilling equipment. The casing provides protection against dirt and dust both during operation and while in storage, which diminishes faults occurring in the equipment. The casing makes it easier to keep the drilling equipment clean while the casing itself is simple to keep clean. In addition, maintenance and repairs are easier to carry out as the drilling equipment inside the casing is cleaner. Encapsulation also protects the drilling equipment against other external influences, such as humidity and vandalism. A further advantage of the casing is that it protects the surroundings and prevents severe ha
Julkunen Pasi
Lintu Veikko
Peltola Seppo
Saarinen Kari
Sormunen Tapani
Burns Doane Swecker & Mathis L.L.P.
Martin Edgardo San
Nappi Robert E.
Sandvik AB
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