Importance

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Abstract

A monitoring system implemented on a drill having a mast lockable into at least a vertical position and pivotable on a fixed support about an axle by operation of mast raising cylinders. Included are strain gauges, a data acquisition unit, a processor and memory and at least one output device. The strain gauges are located on at least the mast, preferably at failure prone locations. The data acquisition unit acquires real-time strain data from strain, pressure and position gauges. The processor and memory uses the data to calculate actual stress or accumulated damage to determine a real-time operating state of the drill. The output device or devices provide show instantaneous stress or accumulated damage with corresponding reference values of maximum allowable stress or accumulated damage. A warning is issued when stress or accumulated damage exceeds or approaches a corresponding reference value.

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First Claim