AU2015218160B2

AU2015218160B2 - Drilling and boring system for diamond drilling

Info

Publication number: AU2015218160B2
Application number: AU2015218160A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Eugenio Alfonso Fierro Ahumada; Cristian Adrian Rojas Ramirez; Rodrigo Andres Zuniga Castro
Original assignee: MAESTRANZA MINING PARTS Ltda
Current assignee: MAESTRANZA MINING PARTS LTDA
Priority date: 2014-02-14
Filing date: 2015-02-13
Publication date: 2019-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 2035-02-13
Also published as: AU2015218160A1; CL2014000375A1; PE20161387A1; WO2015120566A1; CA2939731A1; AU2019280082A1; ZA201605751B

Abstract

The invention relates to a drilling and boring system, a manipulating arm and a method for diamond drilling or a wireline comprising at least one tower, at least one rotary head and at least one rod rack (24), where each tower supports a column of rods through the rotary head and the rod rack at a defined angle, where the drilling system also comprises: a rod elevator system comprising a rod elevator system control unit, a working platform, railings around the periphery of the platform, access ladders, an inner tube tray and a sample tray, and an auxiliary control unit; a rod-manipulating arm; and a head rod arm.

Description

Drilling and boring system for diamond drilling

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FIELD OF APPLICATION

This invention relates to the drilling industry, probing and exploration, in particular, a system to be installed on any machinery or equipment with applications in drilling, boring and exploration tasks, and particularly, a system associated with the lifting and handling rods for drilling and boring equipment.

BACKGROUND

Drilling soil and rock in the field of boring is intended to make holes or wells according to established designs or geological meshes. These wells are drilled in order to:

- Know the quality of soil or rock, for Geomechanical Soundings.

- Know the quality of the Mineral or Grade of the ore, for Mining Soundings of Exploration or Prospecting.

- Detect underground water, for Water Soundings.

The performance criteria are called drilling systems or cutting mechanisms. This is how in the field of mining and civil works mainly two systems of drilling or cutting mechanisms have been developed and classified, among other things, for the extraction of geological samples, preferably using mechanical energy:

1. “Reverse Air or Reverse Circulation (RC)” System, the rock is completely destroyed and detritus is extracted as a geological sample by means of a cutting 20 tool (Bit, hammer or tricone) and air compressors.

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2. The second is called the Diamantina or Wireline (DD) system, a core or sample of the rock is extracted.

For both techniques of prospecting and exploration, the material that is extracted is used for analysis and determination of types, qualities (grades) and quantities of ore (t) for the exploitation of the deposit.

The main components of a Drilling System are:

1. Equipment or Probe: It is the source that generates mechanical energy through its components, such as a tower, rotation head, and press bars, among others.

2. Drilling Tools: Includes drill rods or collars, which correspond to the transmission medium of mechanical energy, together with the crown or hammer, implements which apply mechanical energy on the Rock.

3. The drilling fluid or mud: Cleans the hole and removes the sample or drilling detritus.

In the prior art there are different semi-automated systems that allow manipulation of drill rods to be mounted on their respective equipment.

The document US2009238663 describes a drill rod handler including a movable holder and a system of position sensors for the handler, which in turn includes a level sensor which is configured to detect a position of the movable holder with respect to gravity.

The position sensor system also includes a rotation sensor configured to detect the rotational position of the movable holder with respect to a defined axis which is parallel to gravity. Additionally, the position sensor system includes a control center which is

2015218160 28 Aug 2019 connected, allowing communication with the level sensor and rotation sensor. The system does not describe a system that supplies and receives said bars which the handler positions as part of the drilling rig.

The document US8186925 describes a sampling system comprising of a drilling mast and a handler of drill rods which is intended for mounting the rods to the adjacent drilling mast, wherein the rod handler comprises: a base adapted to be supported from the base rig; a movable holder adapted to the base, which is configured to hold a rod from a storage position with a first orientation; a first motor to rotate the movable holder on a first axis which is parallel and inclined from the drill rod when it is attached to the movable holder; a second motor to rotate the movable holder around a second axis to move the drill rod from the first orientation to a vertical orientation and a second orientation; a third motor to rotate the movable holder about a third axis to move the drill rod in a second position while holding drilling the drill rod in the second orientation; and the third axis being parallel and inclined from the drill rod in the second orientation, wherein when the drill rod is in the second orientation, the third axis is parallel and inclined from the first axis when the drill is in the first orientation, the third axis is transverse to the first axis. This document does not describe a system that allows the delivery and receipt of said bars which the handler positions as part of the drilling rig.

The document US2006 /137910 describes a drilling machine which includes a frame, a rotary head and a rod handling device. The frame is supported for movement over the ground and the tower is mounted on the frame. The rotary head is movable along the tower and is capable of engaging with the drill string to rotate said string. The rod handling device is movable through the tower and operable to selectively hold the drill

2015218160 28 Aug 2019 string. The rod handling device is predisposed to a first position along the tower. The handler system described by this document does not allow for taking the bars from a horizontal position nor withdrawing mounted bars and leaving them in that position either. Furthermore, it does not present a system which allows for the supply and reception of said bars.

The documents of the prior art described above correspond to equipment associated with reverse circulation (RC) drilling systems, which moves away from the solution proposed by the Invention.

It is acknowledged that the terms “comprise”, “comprises” and “comprising” may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, these terms are intended to have an inclusive meaning - i.e., they will be taken to mean an inclusion of the listed components which the use directly references, and possibly also of other non-specified components or elements.

is Reference to any document in this specification does not constitute an admission that it is prior art, validly combinable with other documents or that it forms part of the common general knowledge.

In the current procedures for handling of assembly and handling of rods in drilling equipment, there are various complexities associated with such an operation.

During the exploration operations themselves, suspended loads of great volume and mass are generated, which are mainly in the loading of rods and the positioning of rods in the sampling machine, which are usually a major cause of accidents, and

2015218160 28 Aug 2019 consequently a pause in the production process, reducing work efficiency. In the process of boring or drilling, they use equipment or probes operated by qualified personnel, who operate the machines and handle drill rods directly. In this process, there are recurring accidents of various kinds and various considerations, the most common being: cut limbs, blows produced by entrapment, even death due to falling rods.

SUMMARY

According to one example embodiment there is provided, an automated drilling system is presented. Such automated drilling comprises a rod lifting system whose function is to transport drill rods or columns (preferably 3 or 6 meters long), and also allows the loading of said rods for drilling procedures and removing them for tool change or transfer to another drilling point automatically, without the need of handling or generating suspended loads. This system individualizes one by one the rods in the drilling process, and then receives the rod or rods removed from the well, gathering io them with the others, adjusting and aligning the horizontal position automatically.

Furthermore comprising a platform to allow for the movement of operators and team assistants.

The system further comprises a manipulator arm and guide system. Its main function is to place and remove rods from the borehole together with the team and synchronize 20 with the rod lifting system.

The manipulator arm receives the individualized rod from the elevator system; then fixes centers and positions the rod in the tower of the machine through the hydraulic

2015218160 28 Aug 2019 press and the safety trigger, regardless of the drilling angle. Finally the system screws or unscrews the rod as the operation of removing or inserting rods, with the help of the guide through a roller press and a system of sliding or floating corresponding to the action of screwing or unscrewing two drill rods combining a displacement movement on the drilling shaft, to avoid damaging the screw or threads of the same.

The system further comprises a head rod arm, where the head rod corresponds to a set that is closest to the surface while drilling work is being done because it contains the system that delivers lubrication to the process, so that each time it is required to extend or trim the range of the rod hanger, this requires the uncoupling of the head rod to add or remove another drill rod and then screw it back in. This decoupling / coupling with the rod hanger must be performed whenever the inner tube, corresponding to the set of pieces that are located inside the drill rod that is performing the excavation and which therefore contains the sample of the perforated ground, is removed. The function of the head rod arm is to hold, float, and remove or place the head rod with the injection head of the drill shaft, revolving around a defined axis. Then it is possible to remove the inner tube with the geological sample.

According to a still further example embodiment there is provided a method for drilling and boring for diamond or wire line drilling comprising the steps of:

a. transport and position a rod lifting system by vehicle to the point of drilling within the site, to place it in front of the drilling or boring equipment;

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b. manipulate a rod lifting system command for the deployment and outward extension of at least four lifting jacks, which can be lowered to touch the ground, lifting the rod elevator system;

c. remove the vehicle from the work area;

d. adjust the rod lifting system in the vertical and horizontal axes to the working position, aligned with respect to the rod manipulator arm;

e. deploy a work platform, rotating it around a horizontal axis (-Τ'), leaving it in a horizontal position;

f. place platform perimeter rails, access stairs; an inner tube tray and a sample tray;

g. manipulate through a command helper the movements up and down in the vertical axis, of a rod lifting body, to raise the group of drill rods until a rod delivery trigger through a rod feeder / receiver supplying each rod to said rod delivery trigger;

h. place a drill rod, which is deposited on the rod manipulator arm in the R' shaft;

i. activate a hydraulic mechanism of the rod manipulator arm;

j. activate a second hydraulic drive to rotate the rod manipulator arm around the BM' axis from the horizontal position to the drilling position of the tower on the drilling shaft P';

k. activate a third hydraulic drive, so that the rod manipulator arm, performs the following automatically: opening a press jaw system, rotation of the rollers of

2015218160 28 Aug 2019 the press roller system and at the same time, by action of a flotation system, move the drill rod down in the drilling shaft P';

I. open the press roller system, opening the safety trigger and turning the rod manipulator arm around the axis BM', until it is in the horizontal position;

m. activate a hydraulic mechanism, tilting the rod manipulator arm around the axis BM' from the horizontal position;

n. swing the rod manipulator arm from the drill shaft P' to the horizontal position, by rotating around the axis BM';

o. open sequentially and automatically, the press jaw system, the press roller system and the safety trigger;

p. control by means of the helper command the downward movement in the vertical axis of the rod lifting body, the wobble of the rocker and the order/accommodation of the drill rod newly placed, by the rod alignment system;

q. activate a hydraulic control which cuts or unscrews the drill rod with the rod hanger;

r. elevate the head rod in the drilling shaft P', until it is at the level of the head rod;

s. rotate the head rod arm around an axis BC' to the drilling shaft P;

t. activate the closing of your roller press, unscrewing and floating the head rod;

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u. rotate the head rod arm together with the head rod around the axis BC' away from the drilling shaft P' and leaving it away from the work area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 Isometric view which plots the form of transfer of the rod elevator system and its position on the rig, corresponding to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 Isometric view which shows the rod lifting system installed in the final position, corresponding to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 Isometric view which shows an individual drill rod in the rod lifting system ready to be received by the rod manipulator arm, corresponding to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 Isometric view which shows a drilling rod held by the rod manipulator arm, corresponding to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 Isometric view which plots a drilling rod aligned with the drilling axis by the rod manipulator arm, corresponding to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 Isometric view which shows the rod extraction system from the rod manipulator arm towards the rod lifting system, corresponding to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 Isometric view which plots the position of the rod head after being withdrawn from the drill shaft by the head rod arm, corresponding to an embodiment of the 20 invention.

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Figure 8 Isometric view, individualizing the rod lifting system, showing a detail of the rocker and the rod lifting body, corresponding to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 Isometric view, individualizing the rod manipulator arm, showing detail of its major systems, corresponding to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 Isometric view, which shows part of the tower and detail of the rod head arm and the rod guide, corresponding to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 11 Isometric view, individualizing the rocker and the lift cylinder of the rod lifting body, corresponding to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The drilling rigs or probes comprise a plurality of components, among which principally are a tower (25), at least one rotary head (23) and at least one rod press (24), among others.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tower (25) is mounted on a rig or probe (not shown), anchored and pivoted, so that can rotate around the Z' axis (Figure 1) at a defined angle, preferably between 90 ° and 45 ° to the vertical shaft (Figure 1), fulfilling the function of supporting a column of rods through the rotary head (23) and rod press (24), at said angles.

The rotation head (23) is mounted on the tower (25), which serves to receive, couple, screw, unscrew, and rotate the drill string around its longitudinal shaft, in order to 20 transmit the rotating motion to the cutting tool, located at the tip or lower end of the drill string. Additionally, said rotary head (23) slides along the tower (25), advancing and

2015218160 28 Aug 2019 pushing the drill string or rod hanger into the drilling well, as well as performing the reverse operation (to pull and remove the rod hanger).

The rod press (24) is anchored at the bottom of the tower (25), which serves to hold the rod hanger and support the rotating head (23) when screwing and unscrewing the rods.

The traditional and habitual technique of drilling, using a drill or probe (not shown), containing the three components mentioned above, works as follows:

The process or drilling technique known as diamond or wire line starts when an assistant I operator manually screws the water injection head (not shown) to a rod or rod collar (the first rod has at its end the cutting tool called the crown), which are in horizontal position, on trestles or scaffolds. The rods or collar are high and positioned by means of a cable from the main winch (not shown), until it is aligned with the working axis of the rotary head (23), then this grips the rod or collar to begin the work of penetration on the ground.

Once the rotation head (23) reaches the end of its route, you need to add another rod or collar, in order to deepen the well. For this task, the bar press (24) is closed and holds the drill rod, then the rotary head (23) cuts or unscrews two drill rods and unscrews a rod head (not shown), which is raised with the cable of the main winch (not shown), and removed from the drill shaft manually by the operators.

To continue with the drilling and deepen the drilling well, it is necessary to add another rod or collar repeating the initial process or adding them one by one manually, up and onto the shaft of the rotation head (23).

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The first bar or collar having at its end the cutting tool, contains within an interior device known as the interior tube (not shown), which corresponds to a set of parts that are located inside the drill rod which effects the excavation and thus contains the sample of drilled ground. Once it is completely filled with samples, called a sampling, it is extracted from the well through a cable winch wire line (not shown), and removed from the drill shaft manually by operators.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drilling system performs various job streams, which when united in different sequences completely covers the wide range of options found in the work site. The sequences are:

Transport and positioning

Delivery of the rods to the drill rig

Withdrawal of the collars from the rig

Entry and withdrawal of the rod head

The drilling system comprises a lifting bar (1), which is moved by a vehicle to the point of drilling within the site, to place it in front of the rig or probe system (not shown), as seen in the Figure 1.

The drilling system further comprises a rod manipulator arm (6), which is preferably attached structurally to the rig or probe (not shown), so that said rod manipulator arm (6) and the drilling equipment is moved as a unit.

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An operator I assistant manipulates a rod lifter system command (21), allowing the deployment and outward extension of at least four lifting jacks (27), which can be lowered to touch the ground, lifting the rod elevator system (1), in such a way that the vehicle can be removed from the work area. Subsequently, the rod lifting system,(1) is adjusted in the vertical and horizontal axes to the working position, leaving it aligned with respect to the bar manipulator arm (6) (Figures 2 and 3).

With the same command (21), a working platform (2) is deployed, rotating it about the horizontal axis (Τ') (Figure 2), until it is left in a horizontal position.

The rod lifting system (1) further comprises perimeter rails for the platform (3), access stairs (4), an inner tube tray (17) and a sample tray (18) It or operators I assistants place the perimeter railings of the platform (3), access stairs (4) inner tube tray (17) and the sample tray (18) producing a range of movement and leaving them positioned to perform drilling work safely and comfortably, as you can see in figure 2.

Upon completion of the task, the reverse procedure is performed to remove the rod is lifting system (1) from the place.

The rod lifting system (1) further comprises a command assistant (20), from which the movements of ascent and descent in the vertical axis are managed, a rod lifting body (8), which comprises inside a rod lifting cylinder (29), and a rocker (7), about the axis B' (as can be seen in figure 3). With these movements, the group drill rod is raised to 20 a rod delivery trigger (16), through a rod feeder I receiver arm (5), which supplies each rod to said rod delivery trigger (16). Subsequently, said rod delivery trigger (16) pushes

2015218160 28 Aug 2019 up only one drill rod (9), which is deposited on the rod manipulator arm (6) on the shaft R' (Figure 4).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the operator operates the hydraulic mechanism of the rod manipulator arm (6) which automatically initiates the sequence of closing and locking the jaw press system (12), a closure system roller (11) and a safety trigger lock (10) to secure the bar. The jaw press system (12) comprises at least one jaw press cylinder (30) and a press cylinder roller (31) for securing the rod (9). The closing safety trigger (10) comprises a cylinder safety trigger (32) to adjust the security of the drill rod (9)

With a second hydraulic actuator, the rod manipulator arm (6) rotates about the axis BM' from the horizontal (Figure 4) to position the drilling tower (25) on the drilling shaft P' (Figure 5).

With a third hydraulic actuator, the rod manipulator arm (6) executes the following sequence automatically: opening of the jaw press system (12), rotation of the rollers of is the roller press system (11) and simultaneously, by action of a flotation system (13), moves the drill rod (9) down the drilling shaft P', being guided at all times by a rod guide (15), ensuring alignment of the drill rod (9) with the rod or rod hanger preceding it (figure 5).

The operator, with a hydraulic mechanism, carries out sequentially and automatically the opening of the roller press system (11), the opening of the safety trigger (10) and rotating of the rod manipulator arm (6) about the axis BM', to leave it in a horizontal

2015218160 28 Aug 2019 position. Thus, the rod manipulator arm (6) is ready to receive another drill rod (9) from the rod lifting system (1) and repeat the sequence.

The operator activates a hydraulic mechanism, tilting the rod manipulator arm (6) around the axis BM' from the horizontal (Figure 4) up to the vertical position (the shaft P'). Then the operator activates another hydraulic mechanism running sequentially and automatically: closing the roller press system (11) and safety trigger lock (10). Once the drill rod (9) is trapped by these components, the operator runs a hydraulic control (which belongs to the drill rig) which cuts the drill rod with the rod hanger. Then the operator performs simultaneously and automatically the unscrewing (with roller press system (11)) and upward movement ofthe drill rod (9) on the drilling axis P' (with the flotation system (13)).

After disconnecting the drill rod (9) with the rod hanger, the operator swings the rod manipulator arm (6) from the drill shaft P' (Figure 5) to the horizontal position (Figure 4), by rotating it around the BM' axis. Then another hydraulic mechanism opens io sequentially and automatically, the jaw press (12), the roller press system (11) and safety trigger system (10). At that moment, the operator executing another command, activates the rotation of the trigger (26), rotating around the axis E' (Figure 6) leaving the drill rod (9) on the rod lifting system (1).

Through the helper command (20) the downward movements are handled in the 20 vertical axis of the rod lifting body(8), the wobbling of the rocker (7) and the order / accommodation of the drill rod (9) newly placed, by a rod alignment system(19).

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In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drilling system comprises a head rod arm(14), wherein the head rod(28) corresponds to the set that is closest to the surface while the drilling work is being done because it contains the system that delivers lubrication to the process, so that whenever it is required to extend or trim the range of the drilling rod hanger, this requires uncoupling the rod head to add or recover another drill rod and then screw it back in place. The head rod (28) has screwed on at the upper end a water injection head, which in turn has a hose, allowing the injection of water with additives to the drilling, lubricating the shaft and cutting tool (crown). The head rod arm (14) works together with the manipulator arm (6), as this head rod arm takes the head rod that contains at its upper end the water injection head, allowing the manipulator to get one by one the rods or collars from the well.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rod head arm (14) comprises at least one rotary cylinder rod head arm (33), a roller cylinder rod head arm (34) and a head arm roll bar(35), which allows the positioning, tightening and securing of the rod head (28).

The entry and removal of the rod head (28) is performed whenever required: to change the cutting tool (crown), to add or remove drill rods (9) and to remove or place an inner tube.

The operator actuates a hydraulic control (which belongs to the drill rig) cutting or unscrewing the drill rod (9) with the rod hanger. Subsequently, through the main winch (which belongs to the drill rig, not shown), the head rod (28) in the drilling shaft P' rises, until it is level with the head arm bar (14). Then the head rod arm (28) rotates around the axis BC' to the drilling shaft P', then actuates the closing of its roll press, unscrewing and floating the head rod (28). Finally the head rod arm (14) together with the head rod (28), revolves around the BC' axis away from the shaft of drilling P' and leaves it out of the work area, as seen in Figure 7. Each of these movements is commanded by the operator from a hydraulic command (not shown).

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Claims

1. System of drilling and boring for diamond or wire line drilling comprising at least tower, at least one rotary head and at least one rod press, wherein said tower maintains a distance rod through the rotary head and rod press at a defined angle, where the drilling system further comprises:

- a rod lifting system, comprising a rod lifter command system to extend at least four lifting jacks, a work platform, perimeter platform railings, access stairs, an inner tube tray and a sample tray, and a command helper, from which movement of ascent and descent are handled in the vertical axis, a rod lift body the group of drill rods are raised to a rod delivery trigger, which drives up only one drill rod, which is deposited on a rod manipulator arm;

- rod manipulator arm comprising a clamping press system, a closing roller system and a closing safety trigger to secure the bar, where the jaw press system comprises at least one jaw press cylinder and a cylinder press roller for securing the rod;

- a head rod arm comprising at least one rotary cylinder head rod arm, a head rod arm cylinder roller and a head rod roller which can be positioned, to tighten and secure the head rod, wherein said head rod arm shows the head rod containing at its upper end a water injection head, allowing the manipulator to remove one by one the rods or the collars of the well.

2. System of drilling and boring according to claim 1 wherein the rod press is anchored at the bottom of the tower.

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3. System of drilling and boring according to any of the preceding claims wherein the angle where said tower holding a column of rods through the rotation head and the rod press is preferably between 45 ° and 90 °.

4. System of drilling and boring according to any of the preceding claims wherein the rod manipulator arm, is preferably structurally attached to a rig

5. System of drilling and boring according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the rod lifting system, is adjusted in the vertical and horizontal axis to the working position, leaving it aligned with respect to the rod manipulator arm

6. System of drilling and boring according to any of the preceding claims wherein the command, which deploys the work platform, makes it rotate around a horizontal axis (T), until it is left in a horizontal position.

7. Method for drilling and boring for diamond or wire line drilling comprising the steps of:

c. remove the vehicle from the work area;

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i. activate a hydraulic mechanism of the rod manipulator arm;

k. activate a third hydraulic drive, so that the rod manipulator arm, performs the following automatically: opening a press jaw system, rotation of the rollers of the press roller system and at the same time, by action of a flotation system, move the drill rod down in the drilling shaft P';

l. open the press roller system, opening the safety trigger and turning the rod manipulator arm around the axis BM', until it is in the horizontal position;

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s. rotate the head rod arm around an axis BC' to the drilling shaft P;