WO1998055728A1

WO1998055728A1 - Apparatus for moving drill rods

Info

Publication number: WO1998055728A1
Application number: PCT/AU1998/000425
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eberhard Moll
Original assignee: Universal Drilling Systems (Aust) Pty. Limited
Priority date: 1997-06-06
Filing date: 1998-06-05
Publication date: 1998-12-10
Also published as: AUPO726797A0

Abstract

An apparatus for moving a drill rod relative to a drilling rig, the apparatus comprising: an assembly arranged to be mounted to the drilling rig, the assembly having a drill rod holder arranged to receive an end of the drill rod and an arm having clamping means for releasably grasping the drill rod, the clamping means being arranged to move relative to the arm for drawing the drill rod into the rod holder; and means for moving the assembly relative to the drilling rig.

Description

APPARATUS FOR MOVING DRILL RODS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for moving drill rods relative to a drilling rig. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Drill rods are lengths of hollow pipe which have a male thread at one end and a female thread at the other end. Drill rods range in size up to about ten metres long and a plurality of drill rods are assembled in forming a drill string by engaging the male thread of an upper drill rod with the female thread of an adjacent lower drill rod or vice versa. The lower end of a drill string culminates in a cutting head or the like which drills through the ground when rotated. In operation, the upper end of the drill string is rotated by a drive mechanism mounted on a drilling rig from which the drill string downwardly projects. A drill string may project vertically from a drill rig or at a desired angle to vertical. Drill strings are commonly many hundreds of metres long and can be thousands of metres long.

The making (connecting) of drill rod joints is typically performed by locating the appropriately threaded lower end of a drill rod to be added to the drill string into the mating thread of the uppermost drill rod in the drill string so far assembled with the upper end of the added drill rod connected to the drive mechanism. The drill string which has been lengthened by connection of the drill rod is then rotated by the drive mechanism until it moves a further distance into the ground. The drive mechanism is then disconnected from the upper end of the uppermost drill rod in the drill string to enable addition of -a further drill rod and so on.

Drilling rigs are typically mounted on vehicles. Drill rods to be added to drill strings are typically kept in rod boxes which are typically mounted on a drilling rig carrying vehicle. When a drill rod is to be added to a drill string it must be removed from the rod box and moved relative to the drilling rig until it occupies a position below the drive mechanism and above the uppermost drill rod in the drill string. This operation is typically performed by manual operation of a winch or the like mounted to the drilling rig above the drive mechanism which is also used for the reverse procedure of moving drill rods from the drilling rig to the rod box on completion of drilling. The movement of drill rods is an inherently dangerous operation with injuries to operators an ever present possibility. It is therefore desirable to provide an apparatus which improves operator safety. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for moving a drill rod relative to a drilling rig, the apparatus comprising: an assembly arranged to be mounted to the drilling rig, the assembly having a drill rod holder arranged to receive an end of the drill rod and an arm having clamping means for releasably grasping the drill rod, the clamping means being arranged to move relative to the arm for drawing the drill rod into the rod holder; and means for moving the assembly relative to the drilling rig. The means for moving the assembly may comprise first means for moving a drill rod between a drill rod storage position and an intermediate position in which the drill rod is substantially parallel with and adjacent to an operating position below a drive mechanism of the drilling rig and second means for moving the drill rod between the intermediate position and the operating position.

The apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention may be used for moving a drill rod both between the drill rod storage position and the operating position and between the operating position and the drill rod storage position. In a second aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for moving a drill rod relative to a drilling rig between an operating position below a drive mechanism of the drilling rig and an adjacent position in which the drill rod is substantially parallel with and adjacent to the operating position, the apparatus comprising rod holding means for supporting the drill rod in movement between the operating position and the adjacent position, the rod holding means being pivotally mounted to a mounting arm which is arranged to be pivotally mounted to the drilling rig, wherein the rod holding means is arranged to be rotated between the operating position and the adjacent position under the influence of a plurality of hydraulic rams. The apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention may be used for moving a drill rod both between the operating position and the adjacent position and between the adjacent position and the operating position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure la is an elevation of an apparatus mounted to a drilling rig for moving a drilling rod with a supply of drilling rods in a storage position;

Figure lb is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure la through a longitudinal axis of the drilling rig;

Figure lc is a view similar to that of Figure lb in which further detail is illustrated;

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c; 3a, 3b, 3c,- 4a, 4b, 4c; 5a, 5b, 5c; 6a, 6b, 6c; 7a, 7b, 7c; -8a, 8b, 8c; and 9a, 9b, 9c are views similar to Figure la, lb and lc illustrating operation of the apparatus as the drill rod is moved through a series of positions between the storage position and an operating position;

Figure 10 is a schematic sectional plan view through A-A of Figure la; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional elevation through B-B of Figure la with clamping means in an open position;

Figure 12 is a similar cross-sectional elevation to that of Figure 11 with the clamping means in a closed position;

Figure 13 is a partial elevation of an arm of the apparatus when the arm is in a substantially horizontal position;

Figure 14 is a partial plan view of the arm of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is an elevation of the left hand end of the arm as viewed in Figure la; and

Figure 16 is a plan view of the arm of Figure 15. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring firstly to Figures la and lb, the rod handling device 10 is mounted to a drill rig 12 which is mounted on a vehicle (not shown) . The rod handling device 10 moves one of a supply of drill rods 14, which are housed in a rod box (not shown) which are usually integral with the rig 12 however can also be located on the vehicle (not shown) , relative to the drill rig 12 between a storage position as illustrated in Figures la, lb and lc and an operating position as illustrated in Figures 9a, 9b and 9c. The drill rig 12 comprises a mast portion 16, a rotation head portion 18, and a rod spanner/table portion (not shown) , the rod spanner/ table portion being positioned at the mast portion 16 base. The drill rig 12 is mounted onto the back of the truck (not shown) such that the angle of its longitudinal axis relative to the surface of the earth can be varied according to the direction of the proposed hole. A drill string (not shown) , which consists of a number of drill rods joined end to end, extends below the base of the mast portion 16 and remains attached to the mast portion 16 via the rod spanner/table portion (not shown) . The rotation head portion 18 is capable of moving longitudinally up and down the length of the mast portion 16 and is shown in Figure la at the top end of its travel.

The rotation head portion 18 contains a spindle 20 which threads onto a first end of a drill rod 14 that is positioned appropriately below the rotation head portion 18 such that it extends substantially in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the mast portion 16. The rotation head portion 18 is then lowered to allow a second end of the drill rod 14 to be threaded onto the top end of the uppermost drill rod (not shown) of the drill string (not shown) that extends below the drill rig 12. Further rotation and downward movement of the rotation head portion 18 results in the drill string (not shown) drilling further into the earth in a direction substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the mast portion 16.

Upon the rotation head portion 18 reaching the bottom end of its longitudinal travel with respect to the mast portion 16, the spindle 20 is unthreaded from the uppermost drill rod of the drill string (not shown) . The rotation head portion 18 can then be moved longitudinally with respect to the mast portion 16 and repositioned at the top end of its travel ready to receive another drill rod 14 from the rod box (not shown) . The number of times the above process is repeated is dependent on the number of drill rods required to produce a hole of the required depth.

The above process is reversed to withdraw a drill string from its corresponding hole. The drill rods 14 are sequentially broken (disconnected) from the drill string (tripping out) and repositioned in the rod box (not shown) .

The preferred embodiment of ^' the present invention involves a rod handling device 10 which is capable of sequentially moving the drill rods 14 from their rod box (not shown) such that they can be consequently made into a corresponding drill string. On tripping out, the rod handling device 10 sequentially moves the individual drill rods 14 of the drill string (not shown) back into the rod box (not shown) .

The rod handling device 10 comprises a support frame portion 22, first carriage portion 24, tilt arm portion 26 and a rod clamp portion 28. The rod handling device 10 mounts to the mast portion 16 of the rig 12 via two locating portions 30 and 32 (see Figures la, lb, 6a and 6b) . The locating portions 30 and 32 are composed of corresponding arms 34 and 36, pins 38 and 40, and brackets 42 and 44 (see Figures la, lb, 6a and 6b) wherein the arms 34 and 36 attach to the bottom and top respectively of the support frame portion 22 and the brackets 42 and 44 attach to corresponding regions of the mast portion 16. The support frame portion 22 consists of two beams 46 (see Figure 10) that run substantially parallel with each other and the longitudinal axis of the mast portion 16. The beams 46 are located adjacent to each other at their bottom and top ends, by end caps (not shown) such that a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of both beams 46 is substantially parallel with the face 52 (see Figure lb) of the mast 16.

The first carriage portion 24 is housed within the support frame portion 22. The first carriage portion 24 consists of two plates 54 and 56 (see Figure 10) , which lie substantially parallel to the inside surface of both beams 46, two caps (not shown), which locate^" the opposite ends of the plates 54 and 56 relative to each other, and guides 60. The guides 60 contact the outside edges 61 of the beams 46 when the carriage is positioned appropriately within the beams 46. As such the carriage portion 28 is able to move- longitudinally within the beams 46.

Longitudinal movement of the first carriage portion 24 within the beams 46 occurs by means of a hydraulic ram 62. One end of the hydraulic ram 62 attaches via the linkage 64 to the plate 65 of the support frame portion 22 and the other end of the hydraulic ram 62 mounts to the top cap of the first carriage portion 24. Extension of the hydraulic ram 62 results in the downward movement of the first carriage portion 24 from the position shown in Figure la. Conversely, contraction of the hydraulic ram 62 results in the upward movement of the first carriage portion 24.

The tilt arm portion 26 comprises a beam 66 which fits between the plates 54 and 56 of the first carriage portion 24, towards the bottom of the first carriage portion 24. The beam 66 is fixed in position by a pin 68 (see Figures la and 10) whose respective ends are fixed within the plates 54 and 56 of the first carriage portion 24.

A hydraulic ram 70 provides means through which the beam 66 can rotate about the pin 68. A lug 72 protrudes from the upper surface of the beam 66 and attaches to one end of the hydraulic ram 70 via a pin 74 (see Figure 10) . The other end of the hydraulic ram 70 attaches via a pin 76 (see Figure 10) to the plates 54 and 56 of the first carriage portion 24. Because the pivot pin 68 of the beam 66 and the upper locating pin 76 of the hydraulic ram 70 are both fixed with respect to the first carriage portion 24, extension or contraction of the hydraulic ram 70 results in corresponding movement of the pin 74 about the pivot pin 68 of the beam 66. Such movement translates into inversely proportional movement of the beam 66 which extends away from both the pivot pin 68 and pin 74.

A rod holder 78 is attached to the underside of the beam 66. Internal dimensions of the rod holder 78 are such that it can receive a drill rod end 80. The location of the rod holder 78- in relation to the beam 66 is such that the drill rod 82, when clamped by the rod clamp portion 28 is suitably aligned for longitudinal insertion into the rod holder 78.

The rod clamp portion 28 extends below the beam 66 and provides means through which the drill rod 82 can be gripped and subsequently moved such that the drill rod end 80 inserts into the drill rod holder 78 wherein the longitudinal axes of the rod holder 78 and drill rod 82 are substantially aligned. The mechanisms which provide the rod clamp portion 28 with gripping and movement functions will now be explained with reference to Figures la, lb and 11-16.

Referring firstly to Figures 11 and 12 it can be seen that the rod clamp portion 28 extends below the beam 66 such that the rod 82 can be clasped between the fixed finger member 84 and the movable finger member 86 as shown in Figure 12. By referring now also to Figures 13 and 14, it can be seen that a second carriage portion 88 moveably attaches to the bottom surface 90 (see Figures 11 and 12) of the beam 66 wherein the second carriage portion 88 extends below the bottom surface 90 of the beam 66 and attaches to the rod clamp portion 28. The bottom surface 90 of the beam 66 provides a central longitudinal slot 97 (see Figure 16) such that the second carriage portion 88 can both moveably attach to the bottom surface 90 of the beam 66 and extend therebelow.

The second carriage portion 88 attaches to the beam 66 via rollers 92, 94 and 96 (see Figures 13 and 14) such that the second carriage portion 88 is able to move longitudinally within the beam 66. The longitudinal slot 97 extends longitudinally along the bottom surface 90 of the beam 66 such that the rod clamp portion 28, which is attached to the second carriage portion 88^' and extends from the second carriage portion 88 below the beam 66, is able to traverse the beam 66 longitudinally within the extremities of the longitudinal slot 97 in the bottom plate 90 of the beam 66. The axes of the rollers 92 and 94 are substantially parallel- with the bottom surface 90 of the beam 66 wherein the rollers 92 contact the inside surface of the beam 66 while the rollers 94 make contact with the outside surface of the beam 66. The axes of the rollers 96 are aligned substantially perpendicularly with the bottom surface 90 of the beam 66 such that the rollers 96 roll upon the inside edges of the longitudinal slot 97 which are substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 90 of the beam 66.

The coupled rod clamp portion 28 and second carriage portion 88 are controlled by way of a chain 98 (see Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16) . The chain 98 is driven by a sprocket 100 (see Figures 15 and 16) and passes around a moveable sprocket 102 (see Figures 13 and 14) and an idler sprocket 104 (see Figures 13 and 14) . One end 106 (see Figure 13) of the chain 98 is fixed to the second carriage portion 88 while the other end 108 (see Figures 11, 12 and 13) is fixed to the movable finger member 86 via a pin 110 (see Figures 11 and 12) . The sprocket 100 is driven via a sprocket 112 (see Figures 15 and 16) which in turn is driven by a motor 113 via a chain 114 and sprocket 116 (see Figures 15 and 16) . Rotation of the sprocket 100 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 15 results in the end 106 of the chain 98 moving towards the rod holder 78 with the second carriage portion 88 consequently following. Rotation of the sprocket 100 in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 15 results in the end 108 of the chain 98 moving in a direction away from the rod holder 78 with the second carriage portion 88 consequently following longitudinally along the beam 66. The moveable sprocket 102 is fixed with respect to the end 118 (see Figures 13 and 14) of the beam 66 via a hydraulic ram 120 (see Figures 13 and 14) . Contraction of the hydraulic ram 120 results in the longitudinal movement of the sprocket axis 122 (see Figures 13 and 14) in a direction away from the sprocket 100 such that the tension in the chain 98 is increased. By increasing the tension in the chain 98 above a predetermined level the pin 110 moves with respect to the^' pivot 124 (see Figures 11 and 12) of the movable finger member 86 such that the spring 126 (see Figures 11 and 12) is compressed allowing the movable finger member 86 to move from the open position as shown in Figure 11 to the closed position as shown in Figure 12 wherein the drill rod 82 becomes clamped between the fixed finger member 84 and the movable finger member 86 via the inserts 128 and 130 respectively (see Figure 12).

As described above, in Figure la the drill string (not shown) is clamped within the rod spanner/table (not shown) at the bottom of the mast 16 and extends downward substantially in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the mast 16. The rotation head portion 18 and associated spindle 20 are at the top end of their respective travel ready to receive a drill rod 14 from the rod box (not shown) . The rod clamp portion 28 is appropriately positioned, longitudinally along the beam 66 as shown in Figure la. Activation of the hydraulic ram 120 clamps the rod clamp portion 28 onto the drill rod 82 (see Figures la and lb) .

Referring now to Figures 2a and 2b where the drill rod 82 has been moved longitudinally with respect to the beam 66 towards the rod holder 78 by means of the coupled rod clamp portion 28 and second carriage portion 88. Further movement of the drill rod 82 towards the rod holder 78 results in the drill rod 82 becoming fully inserted into the rod holder 78 as shown in Figures 3a and 3b. The hydraulic ram 120 (see Figure 13) is then deactivated to unclamp the drill rod 82 from the rod clamp portion 28.

Activation of the hydraulic ram 70 results in the rotational movement of the rod holder 78 and^" beam 66 from the position as shown in Figures la and lb, 2a and 2b and 3a and 3b to the position shown in Figures 4a and 4b. Continued rotation results in the drill rod 82 being firmly held against the funnel 132 as shown in Figures 5a and 5b. Extension of the hydraulic ram 70 is such that rotation of the drill rod 82 continues slightly passed the point of first contact between the drill rod 82 and the funnel 132. This ensures that the drill rod end 134 is positioned accurately.

Following the extension of the hydraulic ram 70 the hydraulic rams 136 and 138 and corresponding rams (not shown) at the top end of the support frame portion 22 are activated which results in the support frame portion 22 rotating out away from the rod box (not shown) from the position shown in Figures la and lb - 5a and 5b to that shown in Figures 6a and 6b. By referring to Figures 6c and 7c it can be seen that a hydraulic ram 136 mounts to the bottom of the mast portion 16 via a bracket 140 and acts on a coupling 142 which rotates on the pin 38 (see Figure 6a) . A hydraulic ram 138 is also connected to the coupling 142 and mounts at its other end, onto the end of the arm 34 which attaches to the support frame portion 22, via a bracket 144 (see Figure 7c) . Hydraulic fluid is applied evenly to the hydraulic rams 136 and 138 such that the hydraulic ram under least resistance will be the hydraulic ram which either extends or contracts depending on the direction of movement of the arm 34.

As the arms 34 and 36 rotate about the pins 38 and 40 respectively the support frame portion 22 rotates via pins 146 and 148 (see Figures 5a and 6a) in corresponding holes in the support frame 22. Sprockets 149 and 151 (Figure 6c) and corresponding sprockets (not shown) at the bottom end of the support frame portion 22 which relate the rotation of the arms 36 and 34 respectively, about the central axes of the pins 40 and 38, to the rotation of the support frame portion 22 with respect to the pins 148 and 146 that locate the support frame portion 22, enable the orientation of the support frame portion 22 to remain unchanged as it rotates about the pins 38 and 40, from the position shown in Figures la and lb, 2a and 2b and 3a and 3b, through the positions shown in Figures 6a and 6b and 7a and 7b, to the position shown in Figures 8a and 8b and 9a and 9b.

Referring now to Figures 8a and 8b, the support frame portion 22 has been rotated about the pins 38 and 40 (see Figure 6a) such that the longitudinal axis of the drill rod 82, which is in situ in the rod handling device 10, is now aligned with the longitudinal axis of the spindle 20. It should be noted that the combined effects of the positioning of the support frame portion 22 with respect to the mast portion 16 and the longitudinal movement of the carriage portion 24 within the support frame portion 22 are such that the top 134 of the drill rod 82 is able to pass underneath a bracket (not shown) which is part of the mast portion 16 providing the drill rod 82 length is within a "typical" range. The carriage portion 24 is then raised to bring the top 134 of the drill rod 82 within close proximity of the rotation head 18; the drill rod 82 length being "typical". The rotation head 18 is then lowered toward the drill rod end 134 while spinning slowly. As contact occurs between the spindle 20 and drill rod end 134 they threadingly engage as shown in Figures 9a and 9b. Rotation of the drill rod 82 is prevented during this loose threading together of the spindle 20 and drill rod 82 by the friction created as a result of the respective contact points between the drill rod 82, and funnel 132 and rod holder 78.

Before the drill rod holder 78 can be moved away from the drill rod end 80 lateral movement of the drill rod end 80 is limited by a powered rod guide (not shown) which clamps around the drill rod 82 in close proximity to the drill rod holder 78. The powered rod guide (not shown) is comprised of two semi-circular components which are controlled by hydraulic rams enabling them to be positioned around the drill rod 82. The powered rod guide (not shown) further comprises shoe ^"inserts such that when the semi-circular pieces are appropriately positioned about the drill rod 82 the inside surfaces of the shoe inserts are in close proximity of the outside surface of the drill rod 82. After the powered rod guide (not shown) has been appropriately positioned the hydraulic ram 62 is then extended to move the rod holder 78 in a direction downwardly away from the drill rod 82 until the end 150 (see Figure 9a) of the drill rod holder 78 is clear of the drill rod end 80. The hydraulic rams 136 and 138 (see Figure 9c) and corresponding rams (not shown) are then activated such that the support frame portion 22 rotates back to the position as shown in Figures 5a and 5b, excluding the drill rod 82. Activation of the hydraulic ram 70 then results in the rotation of the beam 66 and rod holder 78 about the pivot 68 until the drill rod holder 78 is aligned with the drill rod 152 (see Figure lb) . It should be noted that the travel of the carriage portion 24 is such that the drill rod holder 78 can be lowered to align with any of the drill rods which are positioned below drill rods 82, 152 and 153. Before another drill rod 152 (Figure lb) can be moved from the rod box (not shown) and be appropriately positioned below the spindle 20 of the drill rig 12, the rotation head portion 18 must move down to the lower limit of its travel toward the base of the mast portion 16 and then back up to the upper limit of its travel towards the top of the mast portion 16.

This cycle requires the following. The rotation head portion 18 is lowered while rotating slowly until the drill rod end 80 makes contact with the top of the drill string (not shown) which extends below the mast portion 16. Contact between the drill rod end 80 and drill string results in the drill rod 82 becoming threadingly engaged with the drill string. At this stage the rod spanner/tables are released, the rotation head portion 18 is lowered and the drill string drills a further distance through the earths surface. The rod spanner/ tables are then reactivated and the rotation head portion 18 is unthreaded from the top of the drill string to enable the rotation head portion 18 to move longitudinally back up the mast portion 16 to the top of its travel, in position ready to receive another drill rod 152.

By reversing the method of use of the rod handling device 10, to that discussed above, the drill rods 14 can be disconnected from the drill string. The rod spanner/tables are released and the rotation head portion 18 is rotated in the opposite direction to that discussed above while it is raised from the position toward the bottom of the mast portion 16, at the lower limit of its travel to the position towards the top of the mast portion 16, near the upper limit of its travel. Activation of the rod spanner/tables then allow the drill string extending below the rod spanner/tables to be clamped in position while the connecting drill rod above the rod spanner/tables is unthreaded from the drill string that extends below. After tripping the top drill rod off the drill string the rotation head is raised to the upper limit of its travel .

By this stage the rod handling device 10 would be positioned appropriately as shown in Figures 8a and 8b, except that the drill rod top 134 would be threaded to the spindle 20 and the drill rod end 80 would be clear of the top 150 of the rod holder 78. Activation of the hydraulic ram 62 then enables the rod handling device 10 to move into the position shown in Figures 9a and 9b wherein the rod clamp portion 28 can be activated and the hydraulic ram 70 fully extended such that the incumbent drill rod is forced to locate accurately against the funnel 132. Rotation of the rotation head 18 is then continued in the reverse direction such that the drill rod connected to the spindle is unthreaded.

Following this the hydraulic ram 62 is extended to lower the drill rod seated in the rod holder 69 away from the spindle 18 to the position shown in Figures 8a and 8b. Further progress of the drill rod from^' the position shown in Figures 8a and 8b to that when it is placed back in the rod box (not shown) can be tracked by following through Figures 8-1, in that order, which is the reverse of that described earlier.

Claims

1. An apparatus for moving a drill rod relative to a drilling rig, the apparatus comprising: an assembly arranged to be mounted to the drilling rig, the assembly having a drill rod holder arranged to receive an end of the drill rod and an arm having clamping means for releasably grasping the drill rod, the clamping means being arranged to move relative to the arm for drawing the drill rod into the rod holder; and means for moving the assembly relative to the drilling rig.

2. An apparatus for moving a drill rod relative to a drilling rig between an operating position below a drive mechanism of the drilling rig and an adjacent position in which the drill rod is substantially parallel with and adjacent to the operating position, the apparatus comprising rod holding means for supporting the drill rod in movement between the operating position and the adjacent position, the rod holding means being pivotally mounted to a mounting arm which is arranged to be pivotally mounted to the drilling rig, wherein the rod holding means is arranged to be rotated between the operating position and the adjacent position under the influence of a plurality of hydraulic rams.