Abstract: Ore analysis system including first and second sensing annular coils (12, 14; 212, 214), and an exciting annular coil (16, 216). Rock cutting samples (56) fall through the coils and create a signal depending on their magnetic properties. Data obtained from the magnetic properties measurement are used to control a mining machine.

Abstract: A fuel tank for a fuel-operated down-the-hole drill including a drill bit, is provided. A largest rotation diameter of the fuel tank is provided at or in connection with drilling equipment and is sufficiently small in order to be able to insert the fuel tank into a drill hole.

Abstract: A pneumatic down-the-hole (DTH) drill having a frame, and a pneumatic percussion piston that moves in a reciprocating manner as pressurized air is fed into the DTH-drill and strikes a tool in the front end of the frame is mounted movably in the longitudinal direction of the frame. A feed channel for feeding compressed air to the DTH-drill shoulders in the frame and in the percussion piston for controlling compressed air to provide an impact movement. In the rear end of the frame the DTH drill has a combustion chamber and an acceleration piston that is arranged to push the percussion piston during the impact movement for a portion of the percussion piston travel, and means for feeding combustion air and fuel into the combustion chamber, whereby the percussion piston is arranged to push the acceleration piston after the impact into the combustion chamber and to compress the air in the combustion chamber prior to feeding the fuel into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An electronic blasting capsule which includes a housing which contains a propellant, a fuse, a sensor for detecting the position of the housing in a capsule delivery path, an energy arrangement for obtaining energy from an external energy source, and a controller, responsive to the sensor and the energy arrangement, for firing the fuse to initiate the propellant.

Abstract: A method of breaking rock which includes the steps of drilling a hole in the rock using a drill rod; leaving the drill rod in the hole; using water flow to direct a propellant charge into the hole through a passage in the drill rod; and at a leading end of the drill rod, firing the propellant charge with, at least, the drill rod and water in the hole and passage providing a stemming function.

Abstract: An electronic blasting capsule which includes a housing which contains a propellant, a fuse, a sensor for detecting the position of the housing in a capsule delivery path, an energy arrangement for obtaining energy from an external energy source, and a controller, responsive to the sensor and the energy arrangement, for firing the fuse to initiate the propellant.

Abstract: A method of breaking rock which includes the steps of drilling a hole in the rock using a drill rod; leaving the drill rod in the hole; using water flow to direct a propellant charge into the hole through a passage in the drill rod; and at a leading end of the drill rod, firing the propellant charge with, at least, the drill rod and water in the hole and passage providing a stemming function.

Abstract: A blast-hole drilling rig includes a carriage, a mast disposed on the carriage, and a rotary head mounted on the mast for up-and-down movement. The rotary head includes: a housing forming an internal chamber, a hydraulically driven motor, and a rotation transmission mechanism disposed in the chamber. The rotation transmission mechanism includes a gear system having a high-speed power input section operably connected to the motor, and a low-speed power output section adapted for connection to a drill pipe. The rotation transmission mechanism includes an anti-vibrational inertial body forming part of the high-speed power input section for storing rotational energy to even-out rotary speed variations and resist the generation of vibrations during operation. The inertial body includes a downwardly open recess in which the motor casing extends, wherein the motor projects downwardly past a bottom wall of the housing.

Abstract: A mobile drilling rig includes a platform mounted on drivable ground supports. Drilling equipment is disposed on the platform and is operated by a power system that includes hydraulic pumps, a screw type air compressor, and a motor for driving the pumps and the compressor. A gearbox is common to the hydraulic pumps and the air compressor and includes an intermeshing gear arrangement for transmitting an inputted power from the motor to the pumps and the compressor. Compressed air from the compressor travels to an air reservoir in which compressor oil is separated from the air. The compressor oil is conducted to an oil inlet of the gearbox and is circulated through the gearbox to an oil outlet of the gearbox which communicates with an air inlet of the compressor.

Abstract: A blast-hole drilling rig includes a carriage, a mast disposed on the carriage, and a rotary head mounted on the mast for up-and-down movement. The rotary head includes: a housing forming an internal chamber, a hydraulically driven motor, and a rotation transmission mechanism disposed in the chamber. The rotation transmission mechanism includes a gear system having a high-speed power input section operably connected to the motor, and a low-speed power output section adapted for connection to a drill pipe. The rotation transmission mechanism includes an anti-vibrational inertial body forming part of the high-speed power input section for storing rotational energy to even-out rotary speed variations and resist the generation of vibrations during operation. The inertial body includes a downwardly open recess in which the motor casing extends, wherein the motor projects downwardly past a bottom wall of the housing.

Abstract: A screw compressor is connected to a motor to be driven by the motor even during periods of low compressed air consumption. During such periods, the screw compressor is at least partially unloaded to make it easier and less costly to drive the compressor. The unloading is performed by removing air from the compressor. Preferably, that is done by communicating the air inlet of a small capacity vacuum device with the air outlet of the screw compressor. Suction from the vacuum device is transmitted to the air outlet of the screw compressor to suck air out of the screw compressor to reduce the engine horsepower needed to rotate the screw compressor. The vacuum device can also be used to boost the air volume and/or the air pressure. The system can be used in a drilling rig which drills holes in the ground. The screw compressor can be unloaded during start up of the motor by briefly driving the vacuum device by pressurized liquid from a pre-pressurized hydraulic accumulator.

Abstract: A power system includes a power unit, a screw compressor, a hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic control system. The screw compressor is connected to the power unit to be driven thereby for compressing air. The screw compressor has an air intake opening and an adjustable air intake valve mechanism for opening and closing the air intake opening. The hydraulic pump pressurizes hydraulic fluid, and the hydraulic control system is operably connected to the pump and to the air intake valve mechanism for utilizing the pressurized hydraulic fluid to adjust the air intake valve mechanism. The compressed air is delivered to an air reservoir which returns lubrication oil back to the compressor in quantities commensurate with the degree of openness of the air intake opening.

Abstract: A mobile drilling rig includes a platform mounted on drivable ground supports. Drilling equipment is disposed on the platform and is operated by a power system that includes hydraulic pumps, a screw type air compressor, and a motor for driving the pumps and the compressor. A gearbox is common to the hydraulic pumps and the air compressor and includes an intermeshing gear arrangement for transmitting an inputted power from the motor to the pumps and the compressor. Compressed air from the compressor travels to an air reservoir in which compressor oil is separated from the air. The compressor oil is conducted to an oil inlet of the gearbox and is circulated through the gearbox to an oil outlet of the gearbox which communicates with an air inlet of the compressor.

Abstract: A screw compressor is connected to a motor to be driven by the motor even during periods of low compressed air consumption. During such periods, the screw compressor is at least partially unloaded to make it easier and less costly to drive the compressor. The unloading is performed by removing air from the compressor. Preferably, that is done by communicating the air inlet of a small capacity vacuum device with the air outlet of the screw compressor. Suction from the vacuum device is transmitted to the air outlet of the screw compressor to suck air out of the screw compressor to reduce the engine horsepower needed to rotate the screw compressor. The vacuum device can also be used to boost the air volume and/or the air pressure. The system can be used in a drilling rig which drills holes in the ground. The screw compressor can be unloaded during start up of the motor by briefly driving the vacuum device by pressurized liquid from a pre-pressurized hydraulic accumulator.

Abstract: A device for storing wire in a wire bolting arrangement, which device comprises a reel which supports a ring-shaped wire coil, and a supporter on which the reel is mounted for rotation. In order to prevent unintentional unwinding of the coil, and in order to simplify the replacement of the device, the reel is formed as an essentially closed housing which encloses the wire coil and which is provided with a central opening for drawing out a wire. The housing and the supporter are preferably formed as a separate, replaceable cassette fastened on the carrier of the bolting means.

Abstract: A method of feeding concrete into a drill hole in the concrete bolting of a rock, in which method a feeding hose is pushed into the hole and concrete is pumped into the hole through the feeding hose at the same time as the hose is drawn outwards within the hole. In order to ensure that the hole is filled properly, the amount of concrete pumped into the feeding hose for the distance the feeding hose is withdrawn, is greater than the concrete amount theoretically sufficient for filling an unbroken hole with concrete when the hose is withdrawn that distance. A device designed for the realization of the method comprises a primary pump which pumps concrete into a piston-type metering pump which in turn pumps the metered amount of concrete into the feeding hose in proportion as the feeding hose is withdrawn.

Abstract: A method of and a device for guiding a wire in the wire bolting of a rock, wherein the wire is passed by means of a feeding mechanism from a wire magazine into a guide head supported by a feeding beam of the drilling equipment therethrough into a hole drilled in the rock. In order to protect the feeding mechanism against damage and dirt and in order to lighten the feeding beam, the wire is pushed into the guide head through a flexible guide pipe in such a manner that the feeding mechanism can be mounted on a carrier.

Abstract: A method for carrying out wire bolting for bolting a rock, in which method drill holes are drilled in the rock through an ore body, and a wire is pushed into the holes. In order that the wires would not hamper the emptying of the ore body, the wire is weakened before it is passed into the hole at least at one point in such a manner that the wire breaks at the weakened point when the ore is blasted.

Abstract: An opening device for drill rods for an extension rod drilling equipment, which device comprises a drilling machine (2) displaceable along a feeding beam (1), a stationary drill rod retaining centralizer (3) positioned on the drilling axis (A) for the drill rod, and a drill rod gripping centralizer (4) positioned between the retaining centralizer and the drilling machine. In order to speed up the disconnection of the drill rods, and in order to simplify the structure, the retaining centralizer is provided with a rotating mechanism (15) for the rotation thereof and the gripping centralizer is connected to an actuating device (22) for the displacement thereof in the direction of a drilling axis (A).

Abstract: An opening device for an extension rod drilling equipment, comprising a supporting sleeve (3) rotatably mounted in a frame (1), and gripping jaws (6) displaceably mounted in the sleeve for gripping a drill rod. In order to allow the device to both grip the drill rod and rotate it, the supporting sleeve is connected to a rotating mechanism (14) and provided with cylindrical guideways (4, 5) positioned eccentrically with respect to the axis (A) of the sleeve in such a manner that a rotating movement of the sleeve with respect to the gripping jaws causes a displacement of the gripping jaws towards an aligned rod releasing position and away from the aligned position respectively, depending on the direction of rotation of the supporting sleeve.