Percussive/rotating drill with blow-out, broken bit, and pressure loss detection systems

Abstract

A drilling system includes a control system that monitors operating parameters so as to protect the drilling machine from damage and increases drilling operation efficiency. A method of using a hydraulic system of a percussive drill as a sensing system includes sensing a drill bit blow-out event by measuring changes in the operating hydraulic fluid pressure in the hydraulic system used to operate the percussive drill.

What is claims is: 
     
       1. A drilling attachment configured to attach to a vehicle, the drilling attachment comprising:
 a drill bit; 
 a first motor for rotating the drill bit; 
 a second motor for controlling the thrust applied to the drill bit, wherein the first and second motors include hydraulic connections for attaching to an external hydraulic system; and 
 a drill bit blow-out sensing system being operatively connected to the first and second motors, wherein the drill bit blow-out sensing system senses a drill bit blow-out event based on a change in an operational hydraulic pressure within at least one of the first and second motors, wherein the drill bit blow-out event occurs when the drill bit exits a bore hole formed by the drill bit, and 
 wherein the drill bit blow-out sensing system senses the drill bit blow-out event by comparing the change in the operational hydraulic pressure within at least one of the first and second motors to a predetermined value, and, if the change in the operational hydraulic pressure within at least one of the first and second motors exceeds the predetermined value, the drill bit blow-out sensing system stops the operation of the drill bit. 
 
     
     
       2. The drilling attachment of  claim 1 , further comprising a dust collection system for removing dust near the drill bit, the dust collection system including a compressor. 
     
     
       3. The drilling attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the drill bit blow-out sensing system also senses a broken drill bit event by monitoring a hydraulic pressure loss within at least one of the first and second motors. 
     
     
       4. The drilling attachment of  claim 1 , wherein the drill bit blow-out sensing system is configured to sound an audible alarm when a blow-out event is sensed. 
     
     
       5. A drill bit monitoring system for a percussive drill comprising:
 a vehicle including:
 an engine; 
 a hydraulic system having a pump at least partly powered by the engine; and 
 a boom operated by the hydraulic system; 
 
 a drilling attachment removably attached to the boom of the vehicle, the drilling attachment including:
 a drill bit; 
 a first motor for rotating the drill bit; 
 a second motor for controlling the thrust applied to the drill bit, wherein the first and second motors are connected to the hydraulic system of the vehicle; and 
 a drill bit blow-out sensing system being operatively connected to the first and second motors, wherein the drill bit blow-out sensing system senses a drill bit blow-out event based on a change in an operational hydraulic pressure within at least one of the first and second motors, wherein the drill bit blow-out event occurs when the drill bit exits a bore hole formed by the drill bit, and wherein the drill bit blow-out sensing system senses the drill bit blow-out event by comparing the change in the operational hydraulic pressure within at least one of the first and second motors to a predetermined value, and, if the change in the operational hydraulic pressure within at least one of the first and second motors exceeds the predetermined value, the drill bit blow-out sensing system stops the operation of the drill bit. 
 
 
     
     
       6. The drill bit monitoring system of  claim 5 , further comprising a dust collection system for removing dust near the drill bit, the dust collection system including a compressor. 
     
     
       7. The drill bit monitoring system of  claim 5 , wherein the drill bit blow-out sensing system is an integral part of the hydraulic system of the vehicle. 
     
     
       8. The drill bit monitoring system of  5 , wherein the drill bit blow-out sensing system also senses a broken drill bit event by monitoring an operational hydraulic pressure loss within at least one of the first and second motors. 
     
     
       9. The drill bit monitoring system of  5 , wherein the drill bit blow-out sensing system is configured to sound an audible alarm when a blow-out event is sensed.