AU2013224833B2

AU2013224833B2 - Holding clamp consisting of a device for locking and/or unlocking a tool head, such as a core bit

Info

Publication number: AU2013224833B2
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: 2017-09-14
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-04
Also published as: WO2013128090A3; ZA201407151B; FR2987645B1; AU2013224833A1; 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 2013224833 28 Aug 2017

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 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 25 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

9423969 1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU 2 2013224833 28 Aug 2017 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 5 head.

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 10 the head of the core bit. For this purpose, the first 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 15 intended to bear against the tool head and a ramp between 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 20 addition, the holding clamps regularly undergo impacts with, and friction against, the tool head which amplifies their premature wear. Such wear and tear requires long and costly maintenance operations, which implies frequently replacing worn holding clamps with new holding 25 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 at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages. It would be advantagous for the holding clamp to be in particular 30 resistant with regards to the phenomena of wear. It is desirable for this invention to propose a device for locking and/or unlocking that comprises at least one pair

9423969 1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU 3 2013224833 28 Aug 2017 of such holding clamps, which is robust and long-lasting 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 5 intermediary of such holding clamps. A holding clamp according to an aspect of the invention is a holding clamp consisting of a device for locking and/or unlocking a head of a tool,said device for locking and/or unlocking extending according to an axis of the 10 device, said head provided with a tip, a body, and a restriction interposed between said body and said tip, said holding clamp extending according to an axis of the clamp that corresponds to the axis of the device, and comprising a distal end for the grasping of said head, 15 said distal end comprising a slide ramp of the head of the tool and a support abutment, wherein the holding clamp is (a) mounted mobile in translation according to a radial axis which is orthogonal to the axis of the clamp such that the slide ramp forms with the axis of the clamp 20 an angle (a) which is between 0° and 15°, and (b) provided with a distal orifice and with a proximal orifice, which are each of oblong shape and which are each longitudinally extended according to the radial axis.

According to this invention, the slide ramp forms 25 with the overall axis of elongation an angle which is between 0° and 45°.

The slide ramp forms with the overall axis of elongation an angle which is advantageously between between 0° and 5°. 30 According to a preferred alternative, the angle is equal to 0°.

9423969_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU 4 2013224833 28 Aug 2017

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. 5 The slide ramp preferentially comprises a length which is between 30% and 100% of a thickness of a distal end of the holding clamp.

Preferably, the slide ramp is arranged orthogonally to a support abutment that comprises the holding clamp. 10 The holding clamp is advantageously provided with a connecting pivot which is interposed between the distal orifice and the proximal orifice.

In another aspect of the invention, a device for locking and/or unlocking a tool head is primarily 15 recognisable in that said device comprises at least one pair of such holding clamps.

Preferably, each holding clamp is mounted mobile in translation according to the axis radial which is orthogonal to the overall axis of elongation of the 20 holding clamp.

The holding clamps are advantageously housed inside a cage arranged at a distal end that comprises the device for locking and/or unlocking.

Said device is advantageously extended according to 25 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 clamps are preferentially mounted diametrically opposite each other with respect to the overall axis of extension. 30 Other characteristics and advantages of this

invention shall appear when reading the following 9423969_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU 5 2013224833 28 Aug 2017 description of embodiments, in relation with the figures 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. 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 the device for locking and/or unlocking shown in figure 1. 10 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, said device being represented during an introduction of a 15 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 head. 20 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 at the bottom of the drill well 2. However, the tool 1 is 25 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 up from the bottom of the drill well 2, the tool 1 is 30 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,

9423969 1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU 6 2013224833 28 Aug 2017 winch or similar item, which is able to manipulate the 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 5 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 device for locking and/or unlocking 3 is arranged to be 10 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 triangular section, shown diagrammatically in figure 2, 15 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 unlocking 3. The annular restriction 10 is interposed 20 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 in figures 3 to 6, consisting of the device for locking 25 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 cage 14 for the receiving of the tool 1 head 8 inside the 30 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

9423969J (GHMatters) P98203.AU 7 2013224833 28 Aug 2017 extraction after unlocking. In locked position, the cage 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 5 the device for locking and/or unlocking 3 which is globally extended according to a global axis of extension A1 that is confounded with the direction of the force of the earth's gravity when the tool is in position of use in a vertical drill well. In order to provide for the 10 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 A1. The holding clamps 17, 17' are confined to the inside of the cage 14 which constitutes a protective envelope of 15 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 conformed as a hook for the grasping of the tool 1 head 8. 20 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.

In figure 4, each holding clamp 17, 17' is mounted 25 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 clamp 17, 17' to which is assigned. In other words, each 30 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

9423969J (GHMatters) P98203.AU 8 2013224833 28 Aug 2017 with the two connecting rods 19, 19'. Each holding clamp 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' 5 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, 23' assigned to each holding clamp 17, 17'. The distal 10 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 A1. Each distal orifice 22, 22' houses a distal finger 24, 24' and each proximal orifice 23, 23' houses a 15 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 T1 of the common slab 20 along the axis of extension Al, 20 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, 24' and the proximal fingers 25, 25'. Also, the holding 25 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 distance, to a position of closure wherein the distal 30 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

9423969_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU 9 2013224833 28 Aug 2017 holding clamps 17, 17' is intended for the taking and/or 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 5 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 tool 1 head 8, or in open position wherein the holding 10 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.

Each distal end 18, 18' of a holding clamp 17, 17' 15 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).

According to this invention, the slide ramp 27, 21' 20 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 than or equal to 45°. According to the alternative shown 25 in figure 4, the angle a is zero in such a way that the slide ramp 27, 21' and the overall axis of elongation A3 are parallel. In this figure, the angle a. is however shown fictitiously between the slide ramp 27, 21' and the overall axis of elongation A3 in order to clarify the 30 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 A1.

9423969_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU 10 2013224833 28 Aug 2017

The slide ramp 27, 21' is interposed between a 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 5 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 axis A2. The exterior face 30, 30' is the respective face 10 of each distal end 18, 18' which is turned towards the orifice for passage 16. In other words, the slide ramp 27, 21' constitutes an intermediate surface between the support abutment 28, 28' and the exterior face 30, 30' of each holding clamp 17, 17'. In the position of 15 immobilisation of the tool 1 head 8 (figure 6), the slide ramp 27, 21' 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 of this invention is intended to be used without altering 20 the support abutment 28, 28'.

According to the alternative shown in figure 4 wherein the angle a is zero, the slide ramp 27, 21' is arranged orthogonally to the support abutment 28, 28' that comprises each holding clamp 17, 17'. The slide ramp 25 27, 21' 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 taken between the support abutment 28, 28' and the 30 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

9423969J (GHMatters) P98203.AU 11 2013224833 28 Aug 2017 respective exterior face 30, 30' of the distal ends 18, 18 ' .

According to an alternative shown in figure 4 wherein the angle a is zero, each slide ramp 27, 21' is 5 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, 21' is assigned. The overall axis of elongation A3 of each holding clamp 17, 17' is 10 parallel to the overall axis of extension A1 of the device for locking and/or unlocking 3. These dispositions are such that the slide ramp 27, 21' is resistant to the phenomena of wear and tear due to its length L, which allows for an elimination of material via friction 15 without however altering its ability to hold the tool 1 head 8. The inclination of the slide ramp 27, 21' with respect to the overall axis of elongation A3 is preferred the lowest possible in order to offer the largest sliding area possible, in order to reduce as much as possible an 20 alteration of the support abutment 28, 28'. Indeed, the slide ramp 27, 21' 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, 28'. However, each holding clamp 17, 17' comprises a wear 25 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 between the connection stop 28, 28' and the exterior face 30 30, 30', with the lateral face 102, 102' being secant to the slide ramp 27, 21'.

9423969_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU 12 2013224833 28 Aug 2017

In order to further improve its resistance to wear and tear, each holding clamp 17, 17' is preferentially- made from tempered steel 42-45 HRC.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art 5 publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

9423969_1 (GHMatters) P98203.AU

Claims

CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Holding clamp consisting of a device for locking and/or unlocking a head of a tool,said device for locking and/or unlocking extending according to an axis of the device, said head provided with a tip, a body, and a restriction interposed between said body and said tip, said holding clamp extending according to an axis of the clamp that corresponds to the axis of the device, and comprising a distal end for the grasping of said head, said distal end comprising a slide ramp of the head of the tool and a support abutment, wherein the holding clamp is (a) mounted mobile in translation according to a radial axis which is orthogonal to the axis of the clamp such that the slide ramp forms with the axis of the clamp an angle (cx) which is between 0° and 15°, and (b) provided with a distal orifice and with a proximal orifice, which are each of oblong shape and which are each longitudinally extended according to the radial axis.
2. Holding clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle (a) is between 0° and 5°.
3. Holding clamp according to claim 2, wherein the angle (a) is equal to 00.
4. Holding clamp as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the slide ramp is conformed in a portion of a surface of revolution having a generating line which is parallel to the axis of the clamp.
5. Holding clamp as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the slide ramp comprises a length (L) which is between 30% and 100% of a thickness (E) of a distal end of the holding clamp.
6. Holding clamp as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the slide ramp is arranged orthogonally to a support abutmentthat comprises the holding clamp.
7. Holding clamp as claimed in any preceding , wherein the holding clamp is provided with a connecting pivot which is interposed between the distal orifice and the proximal orifice.
8. Holding clamp as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the holding clampcomprises a wear and tear indicator .
9. Device for locking and/or unlocking of a head of a tool, wherein said device comprises at least one pair of holding clamps as claimed in any preceding claim.
10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the holding clamps are housed inside a cage arranged at a distal end that comprises the device for locking and/or unlocking.
11. Device according to any of claims 9 or 10, whereinsaid device is extended according to the axis of the device which is parallel to the axis of the clamp.
12. Device according to claim 11, wherein the holding clamps from the same pair of holding clamps are mounted diametrically opposite one another in relation to the overall axis of extension.