Background of the invention

The invention relates to a positioning apparatus intended for assisting positioning of a mining work device of a rock drilling rig.

The invention further relates to a rock drilling rig and method of positioning a mining work device of a rock drilling rig.

The field of the invention is defined more specif ically in the preambles of the independent claims.

In mines and at other work sites different type of rock drilling rigs are used. The rock drilling rigs are provided with one or more booms and rock drilling units are arranged at distal ends of the booms. The rock drilling unit comprises a feed beam along which a rock drilling machine is configured to be moved during the drilling procedure. Positioning of the drilling unit is a demanding task. Vis ibility to the target position may be poor and still the positioning should be made accurately to a preplanned drill hole position. Difficulties in the positioning measures may slow down the actual operation.

Brief description of the invention

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved positioning apparatus, a rock drilling rig equipped with such apparatus and a positioning method im plementing the apparatus.

The positioning apparatus according to the inven tion is characterized by the characterizing features of the first independent apparatus claim.

The rock drilling rig according to the invention is characterized by the characterizing features of the second independent apparatus claim. The method according to the invention is character ized by the characterizing features of the independent method claim.

An idea of the disclosed solution is that the posi- tioning apparatus is intended for assisting positioning of a mining work device of a rock drilling rig and is therefore mountable to the mining work device. The apparatus is an optical device and comprises at least one pattern illumi nating device for producing two-dimensional (2D) light pat- tern on a rock surface.

The mentioned two-dimensional light pattern devi ates from simple light spots, which are one-dimensional and do not thereby form any light pattern.

One aim of the solution is to improve depth percep- tion during positioning measures of the mining work device at the mine site.

An advantage of the disclosed solution is that the apparatus is simple, inexpensive and easy to mount. The apparatus provides visual data, which is intuitive as such. Further, since the visual positioning data is presented on the rock surface, the data is well visible all the time during the positioning. The rock surface is serving in a way as a displaying surface for the apparatus.

On the other hand, the apparatus may be considered as a kind of a mining HUD (Head-Up-Display) device wherein the positioning data is shown on the target surface, i.e. on the rock surface, of the positioning. Then the operator of the rock drilling rig needs not to move his head down for looking at lower instruments. The mining HUD also has the advantage that the operator's eyes do not need to re focus to view the outside after looking at the optically nearer instruments.

According to an embodiment, the solution includes producing optical positioning patterns of the rock surface, taking video camera images of the patterns while moving the position of the apparatus, and displaying the camera view on a display device for the operator. The display device may be onboard the rock drilling machine or it may be lo cated external to the rock drilling site.

According to an embodiment, the apparatus is in- tended for assisting teleoperated rock drilling. Then the operator of the rock drilling rig is provided with camera pictures from the operating site and the operator executes remote control measures based on that.

According to an embodiment, the apparatus is con- figured to generate manually observed light patterns and optical information. Thus, no machine vision or pattern recognition systems are utilized. Visibly detectable range data is produced and utilized in this solution.

According to an embodiment, the apparatus is retro- fittable to any existing rock drilling unit or other mining work device. Thus, the existing devices may be easily up dated with the disclosed aiming system.

According to an embodiment, the at least one pattern illuminating device is configured to produce structured light. The structured light is produced by projecting a known pattern, such as grids or horizontal bars on to a surface under observation. The way that these deform when striking surfaces allows vision systems to calculate the depth and surface information of the objects. According to an embodiment, the mentioned struc tured light produced by the apparatus comprises a grid pat tern.

According to an embodiment, the mentioned struc tured light produced by the apparatus comprises at least two parallel lines. Then the produced light pattern on the rock surface may comprise two or more horizontal and par allel lines. Alternatively, the lines may be vertically orientated .

According to an embodiment, the mentioned struc tured light produced by the apparatus comprises one hori zontal and one vertical line. The lines have limited lengths. The apparatus may be adjusted to a pre-determined distance and when the illuminated vertical and horizontal lines cross each other symmetrically, then the mining work device is located at the pre-determined distance from the examined rock surface. When a reticle or cross hair is shown properly on the rock surface, then the correct distance has been reached.

According to an embodiment, the mentioned struc tured light produced by the apparatus comprises at least two patterns or pattern components which together form a pre-determined bigger pattern when a pre-determined dis tance between the mine work device and the rock surface is reached. For example, the pattern components may be arcs, which form together a circle. According to an embodiment, visual properties of the produced light pattern on the rock surface are config ured to change in response to distance between the apparatus and the examined rock surface.

According to an embodiment, clarity or clearness of the produced positioning pattern on the rock surface indi cates distance between the mining work device and the rock surface. The apparatus may be focused for a certain distance and produces proper figures when the distance is as set. Other visual properties depending on the distance may be: shape of the visible light pattern; number of the visible light patterns or components of the light pattern; relative positions of two or more visible components of the produced light pattern; two or more visible light components forming the pre-determined pattern. According to an embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least two illuminating devices mounted in angular posi tion relative to each other and both being capable of pro ducing dedicated light patterns on the rock surface, whereby the relative position of the shown light patterns on the rock surface is dependent on the distance between the ap paratus and the rock surface. According to an embodiment, the apparatus is con figured to project a structured light pattern comprising straight lines and is configured to provide surface infor mation of the rock surface in response to deformation of the straight lines of the light pattern on the uneven rock surface.

According to an embodiment, the structured light pattern may comprise a grid or several horizontal or ver tical bars or lines. The projected pattern deforms when it is striking on the uneven rock surface. The bumpy the rock surface is, the more the lines of the pattern are bent.

According to an embodiment, as an alternative solu tion to the previous embodiment, any other regular and sym metric light pattern may be illuminated on the rock surface and when the rock surface comprises hills and valleys, the regularity of the pattern is deformed.

According to an embodiment, deformation of the light pattern on the uneven surface is quick to note visually without any technical devices. An advantage is that colli- sions of the mining work device may be avoided. Further, the operator may easily take into account the surface prop erties when positioning the mining work device, such as a rock drilling unit, to a suitable operational position.

According to an embodiment, the illuminating device of the positioning apparatus is a laser emitter. Laser emit ters are accurate, durable and nowadays also inexpensive devices.

According to an embodiment, the illuminating device of the positioning apparatus is a grid laser configured to produce a grid pattern on the rock surface.

According to an embodiment, the apparatus comprises two illuminating devices which are both laser emitters con figured to produce lines, arcs or angular shapes on the rock surface. According to an embodiment, the illuminating device of the positioning apparatus comprises at least one led bulb.

According to an embodiment, the illuminating device of the positioning apparatus is a led projector comprising at least one led source and at least one optical lens. The led projector is provided with a predetermined focused point wherein the produced pattern is sharp.

According to an embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one patterned reticle to achieve specific struc tured illumination geometries for serving as the light pat terns.

According to an embodiment, the solutions relates to a rock drilling rig. The rig comprises a movable carrier and one or more drilling booms connected movably to the carrier and equipped with rock drilling units. The mentioned rock drilling unit comprises a feed beam and a rock drilling machine supported movably on the feed beam. The drilling unit is further provided with one or more optical position- ing apparatuses which are in accordance with the features and embodiments disclosed in this document.

According to an embodiment, the optical positioning apparatus is mounted at a front end of the feed beam. Then the visual patterns may be easily produced against the sur- face being drilled.

According to an embodiment, the rock drilling unit comprises several optical positioning apparatuses which are directed into different directions relative to each other. Then the feed beam may be provided two positioning apparat- uses at a front end portion and two positioning apparatuses at a rear end portion. The two positioning apparatuses at the front may be directed to produce their light patterns in perpendicular direction relative each other, and the same applies also for the two rear positioning apparatuses. According to an embodiment, at least one positioning apparatus is mounted on a front end of the feed beam and is directed forwards.

According to an embodiment, direction of the appa- ratus is angled relative to the longitudinal direction of the rock drilling unit. Then the produced light pattern is formed at a lateral position on the rock surface relative to the longitudinal axis of the rock drilling unit. The angularity of the light pattern formation improves visibil- ity of the light pattern since the rock drilling unit itself does not form any visibility obstacle for seeing it.

According to an embodiment, the rock drilling unit comprises at least one apparatus directed perpendicularly relative to longitudinal axis of the rock drilling unit. According to an embodiment, the perpendicularly di rected apparatus may serve as a collision prevention device. The apparatus creates a light pattern laterally on the side of the rock drilling unit whereby the operator is provided with distance detection assistance. This solution is advan- tageous when operating in narrow mine tunnels and especially when drilling contour drill holes of a drilling pattern.

According to an embodiment, the solution is utilized in collision prevention and is configured to produce an optical warning signal for an operator when predetermined safety zone or limit is exceeded. Then the apparatus may change color of the emitted light pattern or may flash the light pattern in order to produce a simple and easily no table warning signal.

According to an embodiment, the perpendicularly di- rected apparatus may be directed downwards, whereby the apparatus is arranged to provide collision protection when operating close to a bottom or floor of a mine tunnel or corresponding mine space.

According to an embodiment, the rock drilling unit is provided with at least one positioning aid apparatus at a front end portion and at least one positioning apparatus at a rear end portion of the drilling unit. Then, both ends of the drilling unit are provided with collision protection aids. The end portion of the drilling unit may comprise apparatuses directed laterally and downwards. The apparat- uses may be mounted on the feed beam. Since the illuminating device is compact in size, it is relatively easy to mount needed amount of devices to suitable positions on the feed beam.

According to an embodiment, the rock drilling rig is provided with at least imaging device for observing the at least one positioning pattern produced by the at least one optical device. The imaging device may be a camera capable of producing video picture. Further, one single camera may be sufficient since no depth perception is needed in the camera view. In other words, there is no need for stereo camera system, whereby the imaging system may be simple, inexpensive and robust.

According to an embodiment, the solution relates to a method of positioning a rock drilling rig at a drilling site. The method comprises positioning a mining work device of the rock drilling rig towards a rock surface after which the drilling can be initiated. The positioning further com prises producing at least one light pattern by means of at least one optical apparatus mounted on the mining work de- vice. The produced light pattern is illuminated on the rock surface.

According to an embodiment, the method further com prises sensing the optical light pattern on the rock surface by means of at least one camera, and displaying the pattern on at least one display device. This way the pattern may be shown at a remote located control position, for example.

According to an embodiment, the method further com prises detecting the optical light pattern on the rock sur face manually by the operator and without additional tech- nical means. This way the positioning means and the entire process may be simple and use of the solution may also be quick and intuitive.

According to an embodiment, the method further com prises determining distance between the mining work device and the rock surface by means of the illuminated one or more patterns. There may be pre-determined rules for detecting the distance by means of the patterns.

According to an embodiment, the disclosed method and use of the illuminated patterns may also be used for detecting shape of the rock surface. In other words, surface topography may also be detected or evaluated depending on the way the pattern is displayed on the rock surface. There may be pre-determined rules for detecting relevant surface related issues by means of the patterns. According to an embodiment, the solution further comprises presenting augmented positioning data on the rock surface by including not only the graphical positioning patterns or markings on the rock surface but also numerical data, pre-determined depth symbols, colors, assisting text or other assisting information and data for the operator. This way, versatile additional data can be offered for the operator in order to facilitate the positioning and drilling process.

According to an embodiment, the solution further comprises utilizing laser writing technology to present the augmented positioning views. Then the apparatus may com prises one or more laser emitters capable of sweeping laser beams with high velocity so that the desired pattern in desired size can be displayed on the rock surface. According to an embodiment, the solution comprises presenting augmented positioning data on the rock surface. The augmented data may be displayed on the rock surface either together with the above disclosed positioning pat terns. Alternatively, the mining work device may be provided with sensing means for detecting the distance between the rock surface and the mining work device. In the latter case the suitable sensing means may include laser range finder devices, ultrasonic distance measuring systems and radars, for example.

According to an embodiment, the solution may imple- mented also when positioning other mine work devices than drilling units. This way, the solution may be arranged to assist rock bolting, charging and shotcreting, for example.

The above disclosed embodiments may be combined in order to form suitable solutions having those of the above features that are needed.

Brief description of the figures

Some embodiments are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a rock drilling rig for underground drilling and being provided with a drilling unit equipped with an optical positioning appa ratus,

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a drilling pattern comprising positioning data on drill holes to be drilled on a face surface of a tunnel of rock space,

Figure 3 is a schematic and highly simplified view of a drilling unit provided with two positioning aid appa ratuses mounted to a feed beam and generating optical pat terns on rock surfaces, Figure 4 is a schematic view of two optical patterns formed by means of an illuminating device mounted at a front end portion of a mining work device,

Figure 5 is a schematic side view of a drilling unit comprising positioning devices at its opposite end portions, Figure 6 is a diagram showing some features of a positioning device,

Figure 7 is a diagram showing some implementations of a positioning device,

Figure 8 is a schematic view of an illuminated grid pattern on rock surface, Figure 9 is a diagram showing some features of an augmented positioning data,

Figure 10 is a schematic illustration of a grid pattern when illuminated at different distances from the positioning aid device,

Figure 11 is a schematic view of two alternative grid patterns,

Figure 12 is a schematic view of two alternative positioning aid patterns comprising several parallel bars, and

Figure 13 is a schematic view of an optical posi tioning aid apparatus comprising two illuminating devices mounted in angular position relative to each other.

For the sake of clarity, the figures show some em- bodiments of the disclosed solution in a simplified manner. In the figures, like reference numerals identify like ele ments.

Detailed description of some embodiments

Figure 1 shows a rock drilling rig 1 intended for face drilling in a tunnelling process. The rock drilling rig 1 comprises a movable carrier 2 and one or more drilling booms 3 connected to the carrier 2. At a distal end portion of the drilling boom 3 is a drilling unit 4 provided with a feed beam 5 and a rock drilling machine 6 supported on it. A drilling tool 7 is connectable to the drilling machine 6. The rock drilling machine 6 may comprise a shank at a front end of the rock drilling machine 6 for connecting a tool 7. The drilling unit 4 is further provided with one or more optical positioning apparatuses 8 configured to illu- minate optical patterns on a rock surface RS. In Figure 1 the optical pattern is shown or displayed on a face surface of an excavated tunnel or rock space.

The rock drilling rig 1 may be operated manually by means of an operator 10. The rig 1 may comprise a control cabin 11 on-board, or alternatively the rig 1 may be remote controlled from a control room CR by means of teleoperation. In both cases there exists visibility problems. The present solution aims to provide optical positioning aid for the operator 10. Especially the positioning aid apparatus pro vides improvements for depth perception in tele-remote op- eration. The generated positioning aid pattern illuminated on the rock surface RS may be observed by means of one or more cameras 11 and the produced data may be presented on a display 12 at the control room CR or cabin 9 for the operator 10. The rock drilling rig 1 may comprise one or more control units CU. The control unit CU may control with one or more external control units or systems.

Figure 2 discloses a drilling pattern 12 comprising data on several drill holes 13 to be drilled. The drilling pattern 12 is pre-designed and defines for example starting positions for the drill holes 13. Thereby Figure 2 illus trates that a large number of drill holes 13 needs to be drilled accurately to the pre-designed locations despite of possible visibility problems and harsh conditions occurring at a drilling site. Figure 3 discloses a drilling unit 4 comprising positioning aid apparatuses at its front end FE and rear end RE. The apparatuses are optical devices and comprise pattern illuminating devices for producing two-dimensional (2D) light patterns 14ab - 14d on a rock surface. The pat- tern illuminating device may be configured to produce struc tured light, in this case grid like patterns. A first light pattern 14a may be illuminated in forward direction in order to detect distance between the rock surface and a front end of a feed beam 5. Thus, the first light pattern may be used for positioning the feed beam 5 properly and with sufficient speed against the rock surface. A second light pattern 14b may be illuminated transversally in order to detect distance to a floor, ceiling or walls of a tunnel or rock space. The same applies also for the third light pattern 14c and the fourth light pattern 14d. The light patterns 14b - 14d may be used for securing that the drilling unit does not collide with surrounding rock surfaces and other objects.

Figure 4 discloses a view which may be displayed on a display device of a rock drilling machine or other mining vehicle. The view may also presented at a teleoperation location such as in a remote control room. In other words, the rock drilling rig or mining vehicle may be provided with one or more cameras for producing video picture of the positioning situation. By means of light patterns 14a and 14b drawn on surrounding surfaces the operator is provided with optical and easily usable data on proximity of obsta cles around a mining work device, such as a drilling unit. The camera may be mounted to a feed beam, to a boom or on a carrier of the mining vehicle. Figure 5 discloses a drilling unit 4. Two optical positioning devices 8a and 8b are mounted to a feed beam 5. A first positioning device 8a generates light patterns in forward direction and laterally. A second positioning de vice 8b generates light patterns downwards and laterally. Both positioning devices 8a, 8b are provided with at least two illuminating devices 15 having angular mounting rela tive to each other. It may be possible that the positioning devices 8a, 8b have additional and selectable directions for generating the light patterns in accordance with the operational situation. Then the operator may remote-control the optical positioning device and may change the direction of the light pattern.

Figure 6 discloses some features of an optical po sitioning aid apparatus. The apparatus may a compact and robust device and may be configured to operate inde pendently. The apparatus comprise a frame and mounting means for mounting it to a drilling unit or corresponding mine work device. The apparatus may be provided with a battery or it may be connected to power supply system in order to provide it with needed electric energy. The apparatus may further comprise a controller for controlling its operation. The controller may communicate with a control unit of the rock drilling rig and also with one or more control units located in a remote control room. The controller may be configured to adjust operation of the apparatus in accord- ance with received instructions and it may also comprise stored control parameters and strategies. The apparatus further comprises one or more illuminating devices. Features and possible alternatives of the illuminating device have already been disclosed earlier in this document. Figure 7 is a diagram for summarizing how the dis closed solution can be utilized in practice. These issues have already been discussed earlier in this document.

Figure 8 discloses that the disclosed apparatus pro jects a structured light pattern comprising straight lines 16a and 16b, in this case a grid-like pattern 17. The straight lines 16a, 16b will deform when the grid-like pat tern 17 is projected on the uneven rock surface RS. Figure 8 shows in an exaggerated manner bend lines 18a, 18b on the rock surface RS comprising hills and valleys. This way vis- ible surface information is provided for the operator. Fur thermore, the apparatus may be configured to project aug mented data elements AD on the rock surface RS.

Figure 9 illustrates what kind of data can be in cluded in the augmented data element. Of course, the dis- closed features may be combined. Additional information is already disclosed earlier in this document.

Figure 10 demonstrates that visual properties of the produced light pattern 14 on the rock surface changes in response to observed distance OD between the apparatus and the examined rock surface. The longer the distance is the smaller is the produced light pattern.

Figure 11 demonstrates that the light patterns may have different shapes and sizes. In Figure 11 there is a rectangular horizontal light pattern 14h and a rectangular vertical light pattern 14v. Figure 12 shows other examples of structured light patterns. On the left side is a light pattern 14bl compris ing parallel horizontal bars 19 or lines, and on the right side is a light pattern 14b2 comprising parallel vertical bars 20 or lines. It is also demonstrated that when the light patterns are projected on uneven rock surface then optical deviation occurs, as it is shown by means of bend lines 19a and 20a.

Thus, Figures 11 and 12 show some alternative struc- tured two-dimensional light patterns.

Figure 13 discloses an alternative solution wherein a positioning apparatus 8 comprises two illuminating devices 15a and 15b mounted in angular position A relative to each other. Both illuminating devices 15a, 15b produce dedicated light patterns 14e, 14f on the rock surface. Since the light patterns 14e, 14f are projected angularly, relative posi tion of the shown light patterns 14e, 14f on the rock sur face is dependent on the distance D1 - D3 between the ap paratus and the rock surface. This is demonstrated as dif- ferent combined patterns 21a - 21c at different distances D1 - D3. The system and the operator may be provided with predetermined rules on how the combined patterns are inter preted and utilized in practice.

The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. In its details, the invention may vary within the scope of the claims.