Method and system for controlling power consumption during a rock drilling process and a rock drilling apparatus therefore

Abstract

Method for controlling power consumption during a rock drilling process with a rock drilling apparatus, wherein the rock drilling apparatus includes main power supply means for supplying power for the rock drilling process, which includes at least the sub-processes of percussion and/or rotation and flushing, the method comprising the steps of:—adjusting the flush power at least partly as a function of hole depth, and controlling at least the percussion power and/or rotational power and the flush power such that the total power consumption of each sub-process is controlled.

1 . A method for controlling power consumption during a rock drilling process with a rock drilling apparatus, wherein the rock drilling apparatus includes main power supply means for supplying power for the rock drilling process, which includes at least the sub-processes of percussion and/or rotation and flushing, the method comprising the steps of: 
 adjusting the flush power at least partly as a function of hole depth, and    controlling at least the percussion power and/or rotational power and the flush power such that the total power consumption of each sub-process is controlled.    
   
   
       2 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the flush power further is adjusted at least partly as a function of hole diameter and/or diameter of the drill rod.  
   
   
       3 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the total power consumption of each sub-process is controlled such that the power output from the main power supply means is kept at or below a predetermined level.  
   
   
       4 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the flow of the flush medium is kept substantially constant throughout the drilling process.  
   
   
       5 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the flow of the flush medium is increased with increasing hole depth.  
   
   
       6 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the hole depth is continuously measured.  
   
   
       7 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the flow of the flush medium is continuously measured.  
   
   
       8 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the required flush power is determined by computer means.  
   
   
       9 . Method according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the computer means is connected to a memory in which is stored a table comprising one or more lists at least partly including type of drill tool and/or type of drill rod and/or hole depth and that the flush power is determined based on stored values.  
   
   
       10 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that percussion is performed by a hydraulic top hammer.  
   
   
       11 . System for controlling power consumption during a rock drilling process with a rock drilling apparatus, wherein the rock drilling apparatus includes main power supply means for supplying power for the rock drilling process, which includes at least the sub-processes of percussion and/or rotation and flushing, the system comprising: 
 means for adjusting the flush power at least partly as a function of hole depth, and    means for controlling at least the percussion power and/or rotational power and the flush power such that the total power consumption of each sub-process is controlled.    
   
   
       12 . System according to  claim 11 , characterized in that it further includes means for adjusting the flush power at least partly as a function of hole diameter and/or diameter of the drill rod.  
   
   
       13 . System according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the system is arranged to control the total power consumption of each sub-process such that the power output from the main power supply means is kept at or below a predetermined level.  
   
   
       14 . System according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the system is arranged to keep the flow of the flush medium substantially constant throughout the drilling process.  
   
   
       15 . System according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the system is arranged to increase the flow of the flush medium with increasing hole depth.  
   
   
       16 . System according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the system is arranged to continuously measure the hole depth.  
   
   
       17 . System according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the system is arranged to continuously measure the flow of the flush medium.  
   
   
       18 . System according to  claim 11 , characterized in that the system is arranged to determine the required flush power by computer means.  
   
   
       19 . System according to  claim 18 , characterized in that the computer means is connected to a memory arranged to store a table comprising one or more of lists at least partly including type of drill tool and/or type of drill rod and/or hole depth, and that the flush power is arranged to be determined based on stored values.  
   
   
       20 . System according to  claim 11 , characterized in that percussion is arranged to be performed by a hydraulic top hammer.  
   
   
       21 . Rock drill apparatus, characterized in that is arranged to include a system according to  claim 11 .  
   
   
       22 . Method according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the total power consumption of each sub-process is controlled such that the power output from the main power supply means is kept at or below a predetermined level.  
   
   
       23 . System according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the system is arranged to control the total power consumption of each sub-process such that the power output from the main power supply means is kept at or below a predetermined level.