US3870111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Feed rate control for jet piercer
Assignee: Reserve Mining Co
•
Filing: 1973-09-10
•
Granted: 1975-03-11
•
Expires: 1993-09-10
Abstract
Abstract An automatic drilling feed rate control for a jet piercing drilling machine. A weight cell generates a signal proportional to the resistance to penetration force experienced by the jet piercer burner assembly while piercing a drill hole in a rock formation. This signal is processed by a transistor amplifier, then is used for controlling the feed rate of the jet piercer into the drill hole. Means are provided for automatically adjusting the feed rate in response to drill tip melt build-up or encoutering a zone of fractured rock.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Tuomela
- 👤 Gustave W Schroeder
- 👤 Robert O Mattila
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:13
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/14; E21B19/00; E21B19/08; E21B19/084
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
280 words
A jet piercing drilling machine having automatic drilling feed rate control, comprising, in combination: a. a frame support member; b. a frame pivotally attached to the frame support member; c. a burner assembly; d. hoist assembly means mounted on the frame for supporting the burner assembly so that the burner assembly normally counterbalances the weight of the frame and hoist assembly about the frame support member; e. weight cell means associated with the frame and operable to produce control signals indicative of the resistance to penetration of the burner assembly, in response to the pivoting of the frame about the support member; f. motor means drivably connected to the hoist assembly for raising and lowering the burner assembly into a drill hole; g. a motor driving circuit having an input for receiving a speed command voltage, and having an output connected to the motor means, the motor driving circuit operable to control the speed and direction of the motor means in response to a received speed command voltage; h. a transistor amplifier normally connected to receive the control signals from the weight cell means, and connected to the motor driving circuit for supplying a speed command voltage thereto, the transistor amplifier operable in a normal mode to vary the speed command voltage in response to the control signals so as to maintain the drilling feed rate substantially inversely proportional to the instantaneous resistance to penetration of the burner assembly, over a predetermined range of operation; and, i. means for switching a bias signal into the input of said transistor amplifier when a predetermined drilling condition is encountered, whereby a predetermined fixed drilling speed command voltage is produced in response thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
280 words
A jet piercing drilling machine having automatic drilling feed rate control, comprising, in combination: a. a frame support member; b. a frame pivotally attached to the frame support member; c. a burner assembly; d. hoist assembly means mounted on the frame for supporting the burner assembly so that the burner assembly normally counterbalances the weight of the frame and hoist assembly about the frame support member; e. weight cell means associated with the frame and operable to produce control signals indicative of the resistance to penetration of the burner assembly, in response to the pivoting of the frame about the support member; f. motor means drivably connected to the hoist assembly for raising and lowering the burner assembly into a drill hole; g. a motor driving circuit having an input for receiving a speed command voltage, and having an output connected to the motor means, the motor driving circuit operable to control the speed and direction of the motor means in response to a received speed command voltage; h. a transistor amplifier normally connected to receive the control signals from the weight cell means, and connected to the motor driving circuit for supplying a speed command voltage thereto, the transistor amplifier operable in a normal mode to vary the speed command voltage in response to the control signals so as to maintain the drilling feed rate substantially inversely proportional to the instantaneous resistance to penetration of the burner assembly, over a predetermined range of operation; and, i. means for switching a bias signal into the input of said transistor amplifier when a predetermined drilling condition is encountered, whereby a predetermined fixed drilling speed command voltage is produced in response thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
280 words
A jet piercing drilling machine having automatic drilling feed rate control, comprising, in combination: a. a frame support member; b. a frame pivotally attached to the frame support member; c. a burner assembly; d. hoist assembly means mounted on the frame for supporting the burner assembly so that the burner assembly normally counterbalances the weight of the frame and hoist assembly about the frame support member; e. weight cell means associated with the frame and operable to produce control signals indicative of the resistance to penetration of the burner assembly, in response to the pivoting of the frame about the support member; f. motor means drivably connected to the hoist assembly for raising and lowering the burner assembly into a drill hole; g. a motor driving circuit having an input for receiving a speed command voltage, and having an output connected to the motor means, the motor driving circuit operable to control the speed and direction of the motor means in response to a received speed command voltage; h. a transistor amplifier normally connected to receive the control signals from the weight cell means, and connected to the motor driving circuit for supplying a speed command voltage thereto, the transistor amplifier operable in a normal mode to vary the speed command voltage in response to the control signals so as to maintain the drilling feed rate substantially inversely proportional to the instantaneous resistance to penetration of the burner assembly, over a predetermined range of operation; and, i. means for switching a bias signal into the input of said transistor amplifier when a predetermined drilling condition is encountered, whereby a predetermined fixed drilling speed command voltage is produced in response thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
280 words
A jet piercing drilling machine having automatic drilling feed rate control, comprising, in combination: a. a frame support member; b. a frame pivotally attached to the frame support member; c. a burner assembly; d. hoist assembly means mounted on the frame for supporting the burner assembly so that the burner assembly normally counterbalances the weight of the frame and hoist assembly about the frame support member; e. weight cell means associated with the frame and operable to produce control signals indicative of the resistance to penetration of the burner assembly, in response to the pivoting of the frame about the support member; f. motor means drivably connected to the hoist assembly for raising and lowering the burner assembly into a drill hole; g. a motor driving circuit having an input for receiving a speed command voltage, and having an output connected to the motor means, the motor driving circuit operable to control the speed and direction of the motor means in response to a received speed command voltage; h. a transistor amplifier normally connected to receive the control signals from the weight cell means, and connected to the motor driving circuit for supplying a speed command voltage thereto, the transistor amplifier operable in a normal mode to vary the speed command voltage in response to the control signals so as to maintain the drilling feed rate substantially inversely proportional to the instantaneous resistance to penetration of the burner assembly, over a predetermined range of operation; and, i. means for switching a bias signal into the input of said transistor amplifier when a predetermined drilling condition is encountered, whereby a predetermined fixed drilling speed command voltage is produced in response thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes means for sensing a drill tip melt build-up condition, and wherein said bias signal corresponds to a minimum resistance to penetration condition, so that a maximum drilling feed rate is commanded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for switching includes means for sensing the enCounter of an area of cracked material, and wherein said bias signal corresponds to a maximum resistance to penetration condition, so that a minimum drilling feed rate is thereby commanded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the weight cell means comprises a pneumatic weight cell, a pressure responsive variable resistor in communication with the pneumatic weight cell, and an electrical power supply connected to the pressure responsive variable resistor, whereby the control signals produced by the weight cell means have a voltage proportional to the resistance to penetration of the burner assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said means for switching includes means for sensing drill tip melt build-up and a time-delay relay connected for operation by said sensing means, said time-delay relay having contacts for connecting the minimum voltage from said variable resistor to the input circuit of said transistor amplifier.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said means for switching includes means for sensing the encountering of a zone of fractured material, and a time-delay relay connected for operation by said sensing means, said time-delay relay connected for operation by said sensing means, said time-delay relay having contacts for applying the maximum voltage for said variable resistor to the input circuit of said transistor amplifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the transistor amplifier includes a transistor connected in common emitter configuration, and further including a variable resistor in the base circuit of the transistor for adjusting the minimum drilling feed rate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |