Shear and tensile reinforcement for inflatable bolt

Abstract

An inflatable rock bolt including an expansion tube, a bushing arranged at each end of the expansion tube, and at least one reinforcing member arranged outside the expansion tube. The at least one reinforcing member includes at least one of a strand extending along the expansion tube or a sleeve at least partially surrounding the expansion tube. A method for reinforcing an inflatable rock bolt.

1 . An inflatable rock bolt, comprising:
 an expansion tube;   a bushing arranged at each end of the expansion tube; and   at least one reinforcing member arranged outside the expansion tube, the at least one reinforcing member comprising at least one of a strand extending along the expansion tube or a sleeve at least partially surrounding the expansion tube, wherein the at least one reinforcing member extends between the bushings.   
     
     
         2 . An inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member extends through or to the bushing arranged at each end of the expansion tube. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 1 , wherein the strand comprises at least one of a wire or a rope. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 2 , wherein the strand comprises steel wire, steel rope or carbon fiber rope. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 4 , wherein the steel is high tensile. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member is adhered to the expansion tube. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member is welded to the expansion tube. 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member is mechanically fastened to the expansion tube. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member is fastened with a friction or knot interlock. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a mechanical coupling configured to engage the at least one reinforcing member.   
     
     
         11 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 10 , wherein the mechanical coupling engages the bushings when tension is applied to the bolt. 
     
     
         12 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member provides at least one of shear and tensile reinforcement. 
     
     
         13 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member is anchored to the bushings. 
     
     
         14 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member is clamped by the bushings. 
     
     
         15 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member protrudes through the bushings. 
     
     
         16 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member protrudes into the bushings. 
     
     
         17 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member is not secured to the bushings and is fixed in place through friction between the expansion tube and a formation in which the bolt is inserted. 
     
     
         18 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member comprises a shroud that extends at least half way around the exterior surface of the expansion tube with the expansion tube in an expanded state or contracted state. 
     
     
         19 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 18 , wherein the shroud is made of carbon fiber. 
     
     
         20 . The inflatable rock bolt according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member is at least partially secured by friction between the inflatable member and a wall of a hole in which the rock bolt is inserted. 
     
     
         21 . A method for reinforcing an inflatable rock bolt, the method comprising:
 extending at least one reinforcing member along an exterior surface of an expansion tube, wherein the at least one reinforcing member comprises at least one of a strand extending along the expansion tube or a sleeve at least partially surrounding the expansion tube;   arranging a bushing at each end of the expansion tube, wherein the at least one reinforcing member extends between the bushings;   inserting the expansion tube and the at least one reinforcing member into a hole; and   expanding the expansion tube, thereby frictionally clamping the at least one reinforcing member between the expansion tube and a wall of the hole in which the bolt is inserted.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member is slack before expanding the expansion tube. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 pre-tensioning the at least one reinforcing member prior to expanding the expansion tube.   
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein extending the at least one reinforcing member comprises extending at least one of a wire or a rope along the exterior surface of the expansion tube. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 adhering the at least one reinforcing member to the expansion tube.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 welding the at least one reinforcing member to the expansion tube.   
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 mechanically coupling the at least one reinforcing member to the expansion tube.   
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member is coupled with a friction or knot interlock. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the mechanical coupling engages the bushings when tension is applied to the bolt. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 anchoring the at least one reinforcing member to the bushings.   
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 30 , wherein the at least one reinforcing element is clamped by the bushings. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member is arranged to protrude through the bushings. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member is arranged to protrude into the bushings. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member extends through or to the bushing arranged at each end of the expansion tube. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the at least one reinforcing member is not secured to the bushings and is fixed in place through friction with the expansion tube. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein extending at least one reinforcing member along an exterior surface of an expansion tube comprises wrapping a shroud at least half way around the exterior surface of the expansion tube. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the shroud extends at least half way around the exterior surface of the expansion tube with the expansion tube in an expanded state or contracted state.