Patents by Inventor Erkki Ahola

Erkki Ahola has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7322425
    Abstract: A method of generating a stress pulse, and an impact device. In the method, pressure fluid is fed as pressure pulses to a working chamber residing between the frame of the impact device and a tool such that the resulting force presses the tool towards the material to be processed. The impact device comprises a working chamber and device for conveying pressure fluid as pressure pulses thereto such that a force is produced between the frame of the impact device and a tool to press the tool towards the material to be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Mäki, Mauri Esko, Erkki Ahola, Aimo Helin, Timo Muuttonen
  • Publication number: 20080000666
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for breaking rock to be drilled in rock drilling, in which method the rock to be drilled is subjected to successive stress pulses via a tool. The method comprises stress pulses being exerted on the rock at a high frequency, and the load proportion calculated on the basis of the values of the frequency and the length (tp) of the stress wave being at least 0.075.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Maki, Erkki Ahola, Mauri Esko, Aimo Helin
  • Patent number: 7290622
    Abstract: An impact device includes a frame to which a tool is connectible, and a stress element that is supported on the frame and disposed between the frame and the tool. A hydraulic control system leads pressurized hydraulic fluid into and out of a hydraulic fluid space such that the stress element causes a stress pulse in the tool. The hydraulic control system includes a rotatingly installed control valve that has control openings for intermittently leading the hydraulic fluid out from the hydraulic fluid space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Maki, Mauri Esko, Erkki Ahola
  • Publication number: 20070246236
    Abstract: A percussion device for a rock drilling machine or the like, which comprises means for providing an impact, i.e. a stress pulse, to a tool connected to the percussion device. The means for proving the stress pulse include a stress element (4) of liquid, which is supported to a body (2) of the percussion device and means for subjecting the stress element to pressure and correspondingly for releasing the stress element (4) abruptly, whereby the stress energy is discharged as a stress pulse to the tool in direct or indirect contact with the stress element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Erkki Ahola, Ari Kotala
  • Publication number: 20070199725
    Abstract: The invention relates to a A pressure-fluid-operated percussion device comprising a frame (2) allowing a tool (13) to be arranged therein movably in its longitudinal direction, means for feeding pressure liquid to the percussion device (1) and for returning pressure liquid to a pressure liquid tank, and means for producing a stress pulse in the tool by utilizing pressure of the pressure liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Maki, Mauri Esko, Erkki Ahola, Aimo Helin
  • Patent number: 7252154
    Abstract: A percussion device for a rock drilling machine or the like, which comprises means for providing an impact, i.e. a stress pulse, to a tool connected to the percussion device. The means for proving the stress pulse include a stress element (4) of liquid, which is supported to a body (2) of the percussion device and means for subjecting the stress element to pressure and correspondingly for releasing the stress element (4) abruptly, whereby the stress energy is discharged as a stress pulse to the tool in direct or indirect contact with the stress element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Erkki Ahola, Ari Kotala
  • Patent number: 7178447
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control valve, a percussion device and a method of controlling a working cycle of a percussion device. A percussion device (1) for breaking rock includes an impact element (8) controlled by a control valve (2). The control valve includes a control element (5) arranged to control channels (7b) leading to a working pressure surface (9) of the impact element (8). The control element, during a working cycle of the control valve, is arranged to open and close pressure channels at several connecting moments so that during one working cycle of the valve, several impact pulses are arranged to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sandvik Tamrock Oy
    Inventors: Antti Koskimäki, Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Mäki, Mauri Esko, Erkki Ahola, Aimo Helin
  • Patent number: 7174824
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control valve, a percussion device and a method of controlling a working cycle of a percussion device. The percussion device (1) used for breaking rock comprises an impact element (8), which is controlled by a control valve (2). The control valve comprises a control element (5), which is arranged to control channels (7b) leading to a working pressure surface (9) of the impact element (8). The movement of the control element to its extreme position is arranged to form a closed pressure space, where pressure medium compresses and converts kinetic energy of the control element into pressure energy. The pressure energy is re-converted into kinetic energy and utilized when the control element changes its direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sahdvik Tamrock Oy
    Inventors: Antti Koskimäki, Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Mäki, Erkki Ahola
  • Publication number: 20060185864
    Abstract: A method of generating a stress pulse, and an impact device. In the method, pressure fluid is fed as pressure pulses to a working chamber residing between the frame of the impact device and a tool such that the resulting force presses the tool towards the material to be processed. The impact device comprises a working chamber and means for conveying pressure fluid as pressure pulses thereto such that a force is produced between the frame of the impact device and a tool to press the tool towards the material to be processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Maki, Mauri Esko, Erkki Ahola, Aimo Helin, Timo Muuttonen
  • Publication number: 20060175091
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control valve, a percussion device and a method of controlling a working cycle of a percussion device. The percussion device (1) used for breaking rock comprises an impact element (8), which is controlled by a control valve (2). The control valve comprises a control element (5), which is arranged to control channels (7b) leading to a working pressure surface (9) of the impact element (8). The movement of the control element to its extreme position is arranged to form a closed pressure space, where pressure medium compresses and converts kinetic energy of the control element into pressure energy. The pressure energy is re-converted into kinetic energy and utilized when the control element changes its direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Antti Koskimaki, Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Maki, Erkki Ahola
  • Publication number: 20060169468
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control valve, a percussion device and a method of controlling a working cycle of a percussion device. A percussion device (1) for breaking rock includes an impact element (8) controlled by a control valve (2). The control valve includes a control element (5) arranged to control channels (7b) leading to a working pressure surface (9) of the impact element (8). The control element, during a working cycle of the control valve, is arranged to open and close pressure channels at several connecting moments so that during one working cycle of the valve, several impact pulses are arranged to be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Antti Koskimaki, Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Maki, Mauri Esko, Erkki Ahola, Aimo Helin
  • Publication number: 20060157259
    Abstract: A pressure fluid operated impact device comprising a frame (2) whereto a tool (3) is mountable movably in its longitudinal direction, and control means (7) for controlling pressure fluid feed to the impact device (1), as well as a method of generating a stress pulse in a pressure fluid operated impact device. The impact device (1) comprises a working chamber (8) and a transmission piston (9) moving therein. Energy charging means for charging energy of pressure fluid and the control means are coupled to allow periodically alternately pressure fluid to flow to the working chamber (8) and, correspondingly, to discharge pressure fluid from the working chamber (8). In the method, pressure fluid is fed to the working chamber (8), which produces a force pushing the transmission piston (9) in the direction of the tool (3), thus generating a stress pulse in the tool (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Maki, Mauri Esko, Erkki Ahola, Aimo Helin, Timo Muuttonen
  • Patent number: 7013996
    Abstract: An impact device for a rock drill. The rock drill includes a tool and a mechanism for delivering a stress pulse to the tool. That mechanism includes an impact element supported to a frame of the drill, and a mechanism for subjecting the impact element to stress and thereafter releasing the impact element suddenly from the stress, whereupon stored stress energy in the impact element is discharged in the form of a stress pulse directed at the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Sandvik Tamrock Oy
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Mäki, Erkki Ahola, Esa Rantala
  • Publication number: 20060032649
    Abstract: The invention relates to an impact device comprising a frame to which a tool is connectible, and between the frame and the tool a stress element (3) supported to the frame of the impact device, and a hydraulic fluid space (6) and means for leading pressurized hydraulic fluid into and out of the hydraulic fluid space (6), respectively. The impact device comprises a rotatingly installed control valve (5) having control channels (5b) for leading the hydraulic fluid intermittently from the hydraulic fluid space (6) to the return channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Maki, Mauri Esko, Erkki Ahola
  • Publication number: 20050139368
    Abstract: A percussion device for a rock drilling machine or the like, which comprises means for providing an impact, i.e. a stress pulse, to a tool connected to the percussion device. The means for proving the stress pulse include a stress element (4) of liquid, which is supported to a body (2) of the percussion device and means for subjecting the stress element to pressure and correspondingly for releasing the stress element (4) abruptly, whereby the stress energy is discharged as a stress pulse to the tool in direct or indirect contact with the stress element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Applicant: Sandvik Tamrock Oy
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Erkki Ahola, Ari Kotala
  • Publication number: 20040226752
    Abstract: An impact device for a rock drill or the like, comprising means for delivering a stroke, or a stress pulse, at a tool connected to the impact device. The means for delivering a stress pulse comprise an impact element (2) supported to a frame (1a) of the impact device, and means for subjecting the impact element to stress and correspondingly for releasing the impact element (2) suddenly from stress, whereupon the stress energy is discharged in the form of a stress pulse directed at the tool (3) that is directly or indirectly connected to the impact element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Sandvik Tamrock Oy
    Inventors: Markku Keskiniva, Jorma Maki, Erkki Ahola, Esa Rantala