AU2013224833A1

AU2013224833A1 - Holding clamp consisting of a device for locking and/or unlocking a tool head, such as a core bit

Info

Publication number: AU2013224833A1
Application number: AU2013224833A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Emmanuel Bonte; Etienne BOSCH
Original assignee: TECHNIDRILL
Current assignee: TECHNIDRILL
Priority date: 2012-03-02
Filing date: 2013-03-04
Publication date: 2014-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-04
Also published as: WO2013128090A3; ZA201407151B; AU2013224833B2; FR2987645B1; EP2820234A2; WO2013128090A2; FR2987645A1; CA2869106A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding clamp (17, 17') consisting of a device (3) for locking and/or unlocking a tool (1) head (8). The holding clamp (17, 17') extends along an overall axis of elongation (A3) of the holding clamp (17, 17'). The holding clamp (17, 17') includes a slide ramp (27, 27') for the tool (1) head (8). The slide ramp (27, 27') forms an angle (a) with the overall axis of elongation (A3), which is between 0° and 45°.

Description

1 HOLDING CLAMP CONSISTING OF A DEVICE FOR LOCKING AND/OR UNLOCKING A TOOL HEAD, SUCH AS A CORE BIT The invention relates to the general field of core drilling of the ground or of rock, using a drill well. The invention relates more particularly to the field of tools for retrieving, key entering or clearing a tool, 5 such as a core bit or similar item, in the drill well. It has for object a holding clamp consisting of a device for locking and/or unlocking a tool head. It also has for object such a device for locking and/or unlocking comprising at least two such holding clamps. 10 In the field of core drilling, it is known to use a core bit in order to take a sample of the ground, of a rock or of a similar item. The core bit is generally arranged in a tube delimiting an interior volume for the reception of the sample to be taken. The core bit is 15 composed of two portions: an interior portion and an exterior portion. The inside portion is primarily comprised of tubes forming an envelope of the interior portion, with the latter being mobile when descending and when ascending inside the drill well in order to recover 20 the sample. The handling of the interior portion of the 5817030_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU BELAG 2 core bit is carried out by the intermediary of a device for locking and/or unlocking which is interposed between the core bit head and un handling cable. The document US 2004/0195852 (Beach) described such 5 a device for locking and/or unlocking the head of the core bit. The device is intended to reversibly grasp the head of the core bit, in order to allow for the descending or the raising of the latter inside the drill well. To this effect, the device is able to be arranged 10 in a position for grasping the core bit head, wherein the device holds the latter. The device is also likely to be arranged in a position of clearance of the core bit head, wherein the device frees and/or releases the core bit head. 15 The device comprises an elongated tube, holding clamps and a locking sleeve. The holding clamps are mounted pivotingly on the elongated tube. The holding clamps include respective first ends in order to grasp the head of the core bit. For this purpose, the first 20 ends are conformed as a hook for grasping the core bit head. More particularly, each holding clamp comprises an end which is arranged at the tip having a half-triangular section. The tip comprises a face contact which is intended to bear against the tool head and a ramp between 25 and edge of the contact face and an end edge. The holding clamps are organs that undergo substantial mechanical stress and are therefore subject to regular wear and tear which is prejudicial. In addition, the holding clamps regularly undergo impacts 30 with, and friction against, the tool head which amplifies their premature wear. Such wear and tear requires long and costly maintenance operations, which implies 5817030_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU BELAG 3 frequently replacing worn holding clamps with new holding clamps, with such a replacement being restrictive. A purpose of this invention is to propose a holding clamp which is arranged in order to overcome the 5 aforementioned disadvantages, and which is in particular resistant with regards to the phenomena of wear. Another purpose of this invention is to propose a device for locking and/or unlocking that comprises at least one pair of such holding clamps, which is robust and long-lasting 10 and finally which is also optimised with regards to safety of an operator, in particular using a minimisation of a risk of the falling of a tool carried by the intermediary of such holding clamps. A holding clamp of this invention is a holding clamp 15 consisting of a device for locking and/or unlocking a tool head. The holding clamp extends along an overall axis of elongation of the holding clamp. The holding clamp comprises a slide ramp of the tool head. According to this invention, the slide ramp forms 20 with the overall axis of elongation an angle which is between 0' and 450. The angle is advantageously between 0' and 30', or even between 0' and 150, or even between 0' and 5'. According to a preferred alternative, the angle is 25 equal to 0'. The slide ramp is advantageously conformed in a portion of a surface of revolution that has a generating line which is parallel to the overall axis of elongation of the holding clamp. 30 The slide ramp preferentially comprises a length which is between 30% and 100% of a thickness of a distal end of the holding clamp. 5817030_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU BELAG 4 Preferably, the slide ramp is arranged orthogonally to a support abutment that comprises the holding clamp. The holding clamp is advantageously provided with a distal orifice and with a proximal orifice, which are 5 each of oblong shape and which are each longitudinally extended according to a radial axis that is orthogonal to the overall axis of elongation. The holding clamp is advantageously provided with a connecting pivot which is interposed between the distal 10 orifice and the proximal orifice. A device for locking and/or unlocking a tool head of this invention is primarily recognisable in that said device comprises at least one pair of such holding clamps. Preferably, each holding clamp is mounted mobile in 15 translation according to the axis radial which is orthogonal to the overall axis of elongation of the holding clamp. The holding clamps are advantageously housed inside a cage arranged at a distal end that comprises the device 20 for locking and/or unlocking. Said device is advantageously extended according to an overall axis of extension that is parallel to the overall axis of elongation of the holding clamp. The holding clamps of the same pair of holding 25 clamps are preferentially mounted diametrically opposite each other with respect to the overall axis of extension. Other characteristics and advantages of this invention shall appear when reading the following description of embodiments, in relation with the figures 30 of the annexed plates, wherein: Figure 1 is a diagrammatical view of a device for locking and/or unlocking of this invention during its use. 5817030_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU BELAG 5 Figure 2 is a diagrammatical cross-section view of a tool head intended to be locked and/or unlocked by said device shown in the preceding figure. Figure 3 is a diagrammatical cross-section view of 5 the device for locking and/or unlocking shown in figure 1. Figure 4 is a partial and perspective diagrammatical view of a distal end o said device shown in figure 3. Figure 5 is a partial and perspective diagrammatical view of a distal end of said device shown in figure 4, 10 said device being represented during an introduction of a tool head for its maintenance. Figure 6 is a partial and perspective diagrammatical view of the distal end of said device shown in figure 4, said device being shown after immobilisation of the tool 15 head. In the field of core drilling, it is common to have to manipulate a tool 1 at the bottom of a drill well 2. The tool 1 is preferentially a core bit that is intended to sample a core of rock, of the ground or similar item 20 at the bottom of the drill well 2. However, the tool 1 is able to be of a nature that is different without derogating from the rules of this invention that shall be mentioned. In order to take the tool 1 to the bottom of the drill well 2 and/or in order to bring the tool 1 back 25 up from the bottom of the drill well 2, the tool 1 is held by a device for locking and/or unlocking 3 which is interposed between the tool 1 and a handling cable 4. The handling cable 4 is in relation with an engine member 5, winch or similar item, which is able to manipulate the 30 descending and/or the bringing back up of the handling cable 4, in particular by winding the latter onto a storage pulley 6. The device for locking and/or unlocking 5817030_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU BELAG 6 3 constitutes a connection part between the handling cable 4 and the tool 1. The device for locking and/or unlocking 3 comprises a connecting member 7, such as an eye, a ring or similar item, to the handling cable 4. The 5 device for locking and/or unlocking 3 is arranged to be able to reversibly grasp a tool 1 head 8. The tool 1 head 8 is of a particular conformation, common to many tools 1, and in particular common to the core bits used in the field of drilling. The tool 1 head 8 has a substantially 10 triangular section, shown diagrammatically in figure 2, comprising a tip 9 directed upwards in the position of use of the tool 1 shown in figure 1. The tool 1 head 8 comprises an annular restriction 10 that facilitates a grasping of the tool 1 by the device for locking and/or 15 unlocking 3. The annular restriction 10 is interposed between the tip 9 and a body 11 of the tool 1. The tip 9 comprises an external face 26 which is of tapered conformation and which constitutes a friction surface against which holding clamps 17, 17', which can be seen 20 in figures 3 to 6, consisting of the device for locking and/or unlocking 3 that slides in close contact. In figure 3, the device for locking and/or unlocking 3 comprises a proximal end 12 which is provided with the connecting member 7 and a distal end 13 that comprises a 25 cage 14 for the receiving of the tool 1 head 8 inside the interior volume 15 of the cage 14. The cage 14 comprises for this purpose an orifice for passage 16 through which the tool 1 head 8 circulates for its locking or for its extraction after unlocking. In locked position, the cage 30 14 constitutes a closed enclosure for the confinement of the tool 1 head 8. The orifice of passage 16 and the connecting member 7 are arranged at the opposite ends of 5817030_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU BELAG 7 the device for locking and/or unlocking 3 which is globally extended according to a global axis of extension Al that is confounded with the direction of the force of the earth's gravity when the tool is in position of use 5 in a vertical drill well. In order to provide for the grasping of the tool 1 head 8, the cage 14 houses the pair of holding clamps 17, 17' which are diametrically distributed, in relation to the overall axis of extension Al. The holding clamps 17, 17' are confined to the inside 10 of the cage 14 which constitutes a protective envelope of the latter. In other words, for an observer exterior to the device for locking and/or unlocking 3, the holding clamps 17, 17' cannot be accessed. The holding clamps 17, 17' include a respective distal end 18, 18' which is 15 conformed as a hook for the grasping of the tool 1 head 8. More particularly, the distal ends 18, 18' of the holding clamps 17, 17' are provided to come into contact with the annular restriction 10 of the tool 1 head 8 and clamp the latter in order to hold it. 20 In figure 4, each holding clamp 17, 17' is mounted pivotingly on a respective connecting rod 19, 19' which is itself mounted pivotingly on a common slab 20 with the holding clamps 17, 17'. Each connecting rod 19, 19' is provided with a connecting pivot 21, 21' with the holding 25 clamp 17, 17' to which is assigned. In other words, each connecting rod 19, 19' pivots around the point of pivot 21, 21' that is assigned to it. In other words again, each connecting rod 19, 19' pivots on the common slab 20 with the two connecting rods 19, 19'. Each holding clamp 30 17, 17' is provided with a distal orifice 22, 22' and with a proximal orifice 23, 23' which are respectively distributed on both side of the connecting pivot 21, 21' 5817030_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU BELAG 8 that comprises the holding clamp 17, 17' to which they are assigned. In other words, the connecting pivot 21, 21' of each holding clamp 17, 17' is interposed between the distal orifice 22, 22' and the proximal orifice 23, 5 23' assigned to each holding clamp 17, 17'. The distal orifices 22, 22' and the proximal orifices 23, 23' are of oblong shape and are radially extended according to a radial axis A2 which is orthogonal to the overall axis of extension Al. Each distal orifice 22, 22' houses a distal 10 finger 24, 24' and each proximal orifice 23, 23' houses a proximal finger 25, 25'. The distal fingers 24, 24' and the proximal fingers 25, 25' are indifferently comprised of, or added onto, the cage 14. These dispositions are such that starting with a first movement in translation 15 Ti of the common slab 20 along the axis of extension Al, the holding clamps 17, 17' are mobile according to a second movement in translation T2 along the radial axis A2, using a sliding of the distal 22, 22' and proximal 23, 23' orifices respectively along the digital fingers 24, 20 24' and the proximal fingers 25, 25'. Also, the holding clamps 17, 17' are mobile in translation in relation to one another from an open position wherein the distal fingers 22, 22' on the one hand and the proximal fingers 23, 23' on the other hand are separated by a maximum 25 distance, to a position of closure wherein the distal fingers 22, 22' on the one hand and the proximal fingers 23, 23' on the other hand are separated by a minimum distance. Such a second movement in translation T2 of the holding clamps 17, 17' is intended for the taking and/or 30 the releasing of the tool 1 head 8. Such a second movement in translation T2 requires minimum space for a clearance of the holding clamps 17, 17' , in such a way 5817030_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU BELAG 9 that the cage 14 constitutes a continuous envelope, free of grooves, holding clamps 17, 17'. This in the end results in that the holding clamps 17, 17', in closed position wherein the holding clamps 17, 17' clamp the 5 tool 1 head 8, or in open position wherein the holding clamps release the tool 1 head 8, are not accessible to any object whatsoever and/or user external to the cage 14. This in the end results in secured and optimised operation of such a device for locking and/or unlocking 3. 10 Each distal end 18, 18' of a holding clamp 17, 17' advantageously comprises a slide ramp 27, 27' against which bears at least partially the external face 26 of the tool 1 head 8, during the introduction of the tool head 1 inside the cage 14 (figure 5). 15 According to this invention, the slide ramp 27, 27' forms with an overall axis of elongation A3 of the holding clamp 17, 17' to which the slide ramp is assigned, an angle a which is between 0' and 45 . In other words, the angle a is greater than or equal to 0' and is less 20 than or equal to 45'. According to the alternative shown in figure 4, the angle a is zero in such a way that the slide ramp 27, 27' and the overall axis of elongation A3 are parallel. In this figure, the angle a is however shown fictitiously between the slide ramp 27, 27' and the 25 overall axis of elongation A3 in order to clarify the understanding of its location although structurally the angle a is zero. As such as appears in figure 3, the axis A3 is parallel and is confounded with the axis Al. The slide ramp 27, 27' is interposed between a 30 support abutment 28, 28' and an exterior face 30, 30' that comprises respectively each distal end 18, 18'. The support abutment 28, 28' is intended to bear against a 5817030_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU BELAG 10 shoulder 29 of the tool 1 head 8 (figure 6). The shoulder 29 is arranged between the tip 9 and the annular restriction 10 of the tool 1 head 8. The horizontal shoulder 29 therefore extends in the direction of the 5 axis A2. The exterior face 30, 30' is the respective face of each distal end 18, 18' which is turned towards the orifice for passage 16. In other words, the slide ramp 27, 27' constitutes an intermediate surface between the support abutment 28, 28' and the exterior face 30, 30' of 10 each holding clamp 17, 17'. In the position of immobilisation of the tool 1 head 8 (figure 6), the slide ramp 27, 27' constitutes at least partially a support surface of the holding clamp 17, 17' against the annular restriction 10 of the tool head 1. Such a support surface 15 of this invention is intended to be used without altering the support abutment 28, 28'. According to the alternative shown in figure 4 wherein the angle a is zero, the slide ramp 27, 27' is arranged orthogonally to the support abutment 28, 28' 20 that comprises each holding clamp 17, 17'. The slide ramp 27, 27' comprises a length L which is between 30% and 100% of a thickness E of the distal end 18, 18'. Preferentially, the length L is of a magnitude of 70% of the thickness E to the nearest 10%. The thickness E is 25 taken between the support abutment 28, 28' and the respective exterior face 30, 30' of the distal edges 18, 18'. The thickness E is to be considered as the maximum distance between the support abutment 28, 28' and the respective exterior face 30, 30' of the distal ends 18, 30 18'. According to an alternative shown in figure 4 wherein the angle a is zero, each slide ramp 27, 27' is 5817030_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU BELAG 11 conformed in a portion of a cylinder 100 arranged around a generating line G which is confounded with the overall axis of elongation A3 of the holding clamp 17, 17' to which the slide ramp 27, 27' is assigned. The overall 5 axis of elongation A3 of each holding clamp 17, 17' is parallel to the overall axis of extension Al of the device for locking and/or unlocking 3. These dispositions are such that the slide ramp 27, 27' is resistant to the phenomena of wear and tear due to its length L, which 10 allows for an elimination of material via friction without however altering its ability to hold the tool 1 head 8. The inclination of the slide ramp 27, 27' with respect to the overall axis of elongation A3 is preferred the lowest possible in order to offer the largest sliding 15 area possible, in order to reduce as much as possible an alteration of the support abutment 28, 28'. Indeed, the slide ramp 27, 27' arranged as such between the support abutment 28, 28' and the exterior face 30, 30' forms an obstacle to the alteration of the support abutment 28, 20 28'. However, each holding clamp 17, 17' comprises a wear indicator 101, such as a relief, a groove, a graduation or similar item, which is preferentially arranged on a lateral face 102, 102' of the distal end 18, 18'. The lateral face 102, 102' is for example a face interposed 25 between the connection stop 28, 28' and the exterior face 30, 30', with the lateral face 102, 102' being secant to the slide ramp 27, 27'. In order to further improve its resistance to wear and tear, each holding clamp 17, 17' is preferentially 30 made from tempered steel 42-45 HRC. 5817030_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU BELAG

Claims

1. Holding clamp (17, 17') consisting of a device for locking and/or unlocking (3) a head (8) of a tool (1), said device for locking and/or unlocking extending according to an axis of the device (Al), 5 said head (8) provided with a tip (9), a body (11), and a restriction (10) interposed between said body (11) and said tip (9), said holding clamp (17, 17') extending according to an axis of the clamp (A3) that corresponds to the axis of 10 the device (Al), and comprising a distal end (18, 18') for the grasping of said head (8), said distal end (18, 18') comprising a slide ramp (27, 27') of the head (8) of the tool (1) and a support abutment (28, 28'), characterised in that 15 the holding clamp (17, 17') is mounted mobile in translation (T2) according to a radial axis (A2) which is orthogonal to the axis (A3) of the clamp; and in that the slide ramp (27, 27') forms with the axis (A3) of the clamp an angle (c) which is between 00 and 150. 20

2. Holding clamp (17, 17') as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the angle (cx) is between 00 and 50. 25

3. Holding clamp (17, 17') according to claim 2, characterised in that the angle (c) is equal to 00.

4. Holding clamp (17, 17') as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the slide ramp (27, 27') is 30 conformed in a portion of a surface of revolution (100) 5817030_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU BELAG 13 having a generating line (G) which is parallel to the axis of the clamp (A3).

5. Holding clamp (17, 17') as claimed in any preceding 5 claim, characterised in that the slide ramp (27, 27') comprises a length (L) which is between 30% and 100% of a thickness (E) of a distal end (18, 18') of the holding clamp (17, 17'). 10

6. Holding clamp (17, 17') as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the slide ramp (27, 27') is arranged orthogonally to a support abutment (28, 28') that comprises the holding clamp (17, 17'). 15

7. Holding clamp (17, 17') as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the holding clamp (17, 17') is provided with a distal orifice (22, 22') and with a proximal orifice (23, 23'), which are each of oblong shape and which are each longitudinally extended 20 according to the axis radial (A2).

8. Holding clamp (17, 17') according to claim 7, characterised in that the holding clamp (17, 17') is provided with a connecting pivot (21) which is interposed 25 between the distal orifice (22, 22') and the proximal orifice (23, 23').

9. Holding clamp (17, 17') as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the holding clamp (17, 17') 30 comprises a wear and tear indicator (101). 5817030_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU BELAG 14

10. Device for locking and/or unlocking (3) of a head (8) of a tool (1), characterised in that said device (3) comprises at least one pair of holding clamps (17, 17') as claimed in any preceding claim. 5

11. Device (3) according to claim 10, characterised in that the holding clamps (17, 17') are housed inside a cage (14) arranged at a distal end (13) that comprises the device for locking and/or unlocking (3). 10

12. Device (3) according to any of claims 10 or 11, characterised in that said device (3) is extended according to the axis of the device (Al) which is parallel to the axis of the clamp (A3). 15

13. Device (3) according to claim 12, characterised in that the holding clamps (17, 17') from the same pair of holding clamps (17, 17') are mounted diametrically opposite one another in relation to the overall axis of 20 extension (Al). 5817030_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU BELAG