Method of and apparatus for controlling diamond drill feed

摘要

Apparatus for controlling a diamond drill feed cylinder which includes a linear position sensor coupled to the feed cylinder for generating a position signal, a positioning module for generating a feed control signal in dependence upon the position signal, a proportional flow control valve having two hydraulic ports for connecting to the feed cylinder and responsive to the feed control signal for controlling flow rate of the two hydraulic ports, a plurality of operation sensors coupled to the diamond drill for generating operation status signals, a plurality of input modules for receiving the operation status signals and converting them to digital operation status signals and a programmable logic controller connected to the plurality of input modules for modifying the feed control signal in dependence upon the digital operation status signals. The rate of penetration of the diamond drill is controlled by controlling the flow rate applied to the feed cylinder. In an alternative embodiment the positioning module, programmable logic controller and input/output modules are integrated into an integrated programmable logic controller.