Abstract: An improved feed shell positioning mechanism for a rock drilling machine, having a boom, a feed shell support pivotably mounted with respect to the boom and supporting a feed shell having a feed shell axis, a roll actuator interposed between the boom and the feed shell support, and a rock drill having a rock drill axis. The rock drill axis and the feed shell axis are parallel and define a reference plane. The improvement resides in a swivel assembly for attaching the feed shell support to the roll actuator, allowing the feed shell support to swivel between a forward drilling orientation and a sideways drilling orientation. The swivel assembly has a roll actuator securing element, mounted to the roll actuator, and a feed shell support securing element, mounted to the feed shell support, which are pivotably mounted to each other about a swivel pivot axis which is inclined with respect to the reference plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bolt delivery system having a bolt magazine movably attached to a magazine base which in turn is affixed to a rock bolter having a bolt driver. The bolt magazine moves between a work position and a park position. In its work position, a linear incremental bolt advancing mechanism advances the bolts to where they are aligned with the bolt driver, and, in combination with a bolt-embracing arm, maintains the aligned bolt until it is engaged by the bolt driver. After the bolt driver has engaged the bolt and advanced it to engage a bolt centralizer provided to position the bolt in a pre-drilled hole in a rock surface, the bolt magazine is moved to its park position. At which time, the bolt driver is further advanced driving the bolt into the pre-drilled hole. The linear incremental bolt advancing mechanism preferably has a lower and an upper bolt advancing mechanism, and more preferably, provides the bolts a component of motion toward the rock surface.

Abstract: A tool base securing system for a rock bolter. One aspect of the invention provides a securing system for the tool base which is being advanced on a cradle along a feed shell. This system includes a forward latch which is pivotably attached to the forward section of the cradle base and has a tool base engaging lug. A mechanical linkage is provided to engage and disengage the front lug from the tool base as the cradle is advanced from and returned to a park position on the feed shell. In a preferred embodiment a rear latch is also provided which has a mechanical linkage for engaging and disengaging a rear lug. A second aspect of the invention provides a securing system which provides a mechanical interlock which immobilizes all tool bases which are off the cradle when the cradle is being advanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for setting rock bolts. The device employs a common element for affixing the end of a feed shell with respect to a rock surface, stabilizing the feed shell and providing a common centralizer for centering all subsequent bolt setting operations. The device also has a bolt delivery system which stores, advances and positions the bolts in line with a bolt driver. The bolt delivery system has a bolt magazine which, when in a work position, advances bolts along peripheral surfaces into a position where they are engaged by a bolt driver. The bolt so engaged is then advanced into the centralizer at which point the bolt magazine is rotated away from the engaged bolt to a park position where it will not interfere with the bolt driver as it continues to advance the bolt. The bolt magazine preferably also serves as a bolt plate magazine which accommodates bolt plates with which the bolts are engaged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for setting rock bolts. The device employs a common element for affixing the end of a feed shell with respect to a rock surface, stabilizing the feed shell and providing a common centralizer for centering all subsequent bolt setting operations. The device also has a bolt magazine which stores, advances and positions the bolts in line with a bolt driver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method which employs gas to position a resin sausage into a bolt hole drilled by a rock bolter. The system provides a controlled quantity of liquid into a resin sausage insertion chamber prior to supplying the gas to eject the sausage from the resin sausage insertion chamber. The liquid enhances the reliability and accuracy of the placement of the sausages in the bolt hole. Preferably, the system includes an expansion chamber through which the gas passes. The expansion chamber is provided so that the gas can be partially displaced by liquid and thereafter, liquid will be advanced into the resin sausage insertion chamber prior to the gas. The system can either have its own fluid supply or alternatively use a fluid supply of the rock bolter if one is provided for flushing the bolt holes.

Abstract: The present invention is for an improved feed shell for an air-flushing, rock-drilling system. The improvement extends the life of the feed shell and, in particular, the feed guide of a feed shell on which gibs for directing a rock drill ride. The system, as improved, provides a first nozzle which directs fluid onto a first guide surface of the feed guide and second nozzle which directs fluid onto a second guide surface of the feed guide. The nozzles can be mounted in either manifolds or, alternatively, in the gibs which support and guide the drill on the feed guide.

Abstract: A pneumatic rock drill which has a pneumatic percussion unit with a piston which slidably engages the cylinder in which it reciprocates. Preferably clearances of less than less than about 0.00125 inches per inch of piston diameter and greater than about 0.00075 inches where clearances are diameter are maintained to assure a fluid film between the piston and the cylinder wall. The clearances are based on diameters. The piston of the pneumatic drill has at least one stem section which slidably engages a distributor.The rock drill has a pneumatic motor connected to the percussion unit and engages a distributor of the percussion unit. A air motor gear in the pneumatic motor is rotatably mounted on the distributor.The exhaust is employed to lubricate the bearings and gearing which turn the striker bar.

Abstract: A pneumatic rock drill which has a pneumatic percussion unit with a piston which slidably engages the cylinder in which it reciprocates. Preferably clearances of less than less than about 0.00125 inches per inch of piston diameter and greater than about 0.00075 inches where clearances are diameter are maintained to assure a fluid film between the piston and the cylinder wall. The clearances are based on diameters. The piston of the pneumatic drill has at least one stem section which slidably engages a distributor. The rock drill has a pneumatic motor connected to the percussion unit and engages a distributor of the percussion unit. An air motor gear in the pneumatic motor is rotatably mounted on the distributor. The exhaust is employed to lubricate the bearings and gearing which turn the striker bar.