AU2020100770A4 - Electrically driven haul plug - Google Patents

Abstract

In one aspect of the invention there is provided an electrically driven drill pipe spinner device for use in the drilling industry. The drill pipe spinner device, comprising a body, a pipe coupling member rotatably attached to the body, and a 5 drive unit configured to impart rotational movement to the pipe coupling member, wherein the drive unit including a power source and a motor. The drive unit in one embodiment is reversibly connectable to the body. Figure 4

Description

ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN HAUL PLUG

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to an electrically driven haul plug or drill pipe spinner device for use in the drilling industry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drilling is often conducted as part of mining exploration programs to obtain a sample of the subsurface geological layers. The drilling method used and size of the drilling rig depends on the type of rock and information being sought. Commonly, core drilling, also known as diamond drilling, or reverse circulation drilling (RVC 10 drilling), is used.

Typically, the drilling rig includes a drill bit positioned at an end thereof for cutting through the rock, and a drill string, comprising coupled lengths of pipe or casing, which occupies the hole made by the drill bit. The drill string is connected to a block and tackle which is in turn attached to a lifting device, such as a winch, on a 15 drill rig trailer or derrick.

The pipe or casing sections used in core drilling are typically around 10 feet long and include a core receiving portion. RVC drilling is different from core drilling, in that it requires larger equipment, including a high capacity air compressor, and the pipe or casing sections used are around 20 feet in length.

As the drill bit moves deeper into the ground additional lengths of pipe or casing are added to the drill string. Each of these pipes or casings including a first threaded end, commonly referred to as the pin, and a cooperatively threaded opposite end, commonly referred to as a box for engagement with adjoining sections. In this way adjoining pipes or casings can be reversibly coupled together.

In use, once the first 10-20 feet is drilled, a new section of pipe is screwed into the top end, and the combination of pipes can then be driven another 10-20 feet into the ground. This process is repeated until the desired depth is reached or drilling has to be terminated.

During assembly or make-up, an additional pipe or casing is raised using the 30 lifting device and aligned with an underlying pipe or casing of the drill string. The

2020100770 18 May 2020 additional pipe of casing is then slowly rotated in a clockwise direction, wherein the pin of the additional pipe or casing engages with of the underlying pipe or casing.

During disassembly or break-out the lengths of pipe or casing of the drill string are sequentially separated at the joint. Breaking-out may however be problematic due to wear or overloading of the junction, meaning that the break-out torque requirement exceeds the original make-up torque applied.

Typically, a haul plug or drill pipe spinner device is used in the screwing (make-up) and/or unscrewing (break-out) of threaded connections that form a drill string.

One such spinner is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7036396 (MOEet al), that teaches a spinner, used to rotate a drill pipe during connection thereof to a drill string or during division of the drill string into individual pipes. The invention aims to reduce damage on the threaded connections (the pin-and-box joints) in the screwing/unscrewing operations.

One issue with conventional drill pipe spinner devices is that wind-up can occur within the drill string which may lead to unintentional untightening or overloading of lower joints. Accordingly, it is useful to be able to disengage or uncouple the spinner from the pipe string.

It should be appreciated that any discussion of the prior art throughout the 20 specification is included solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention and should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art was widely known or formed part of the common general knowledge in the field as it existed before the priority date of the application.

The phrases drill pipe spinner device and haul plug are used interchangeably 25 throughout the specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of a least one of the illustrated embodiments to provide a haul plug or drill pope spinner device with a detachable power unit. Other objects of the illustrated embodiments are to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems, or at least provide the public with a useful alternative. The

2020100770 18 May 2020 foregoing objects should not necessarily be considered as cumulative and various aspects of the invention may fulfil one or more of the above objects.

In one aspect of the invention, but not necessarily the broadest or only aspect there is proposed a drill pipe spinner device, comprising:

a body;

a pipe coupling member rotatably attached to the body; and a drive unit configured to impart rotational movement to the pipe coupling member, wherein the drive unit including a power source and a motor.

Preferably, the drive unit is reversibly connectable to the body.

In a preferred form, the drill pipe spinner device includes a drive shaft attached to or forming part of the motor, for thereby connecting the motor to the pipe coupling member. The drill pipe spinner device further preferably includes a clutch for uncoupling the drive unit from the pipe coupling member or the drive shaft from the motor.

The clutch may be operated manually or automatically to drive different components. The clutch may be selected from a group including, but not limited to, a friction clutch, a conical spring clutch, a dog clutch, a spline clutch, an electromagnetic clutch, a hydraulic clutch, or a pneumatic clutch.

The disengagement clutch minimises drag torque, to thereby inhibit unintentional wind-up within the drill string.

In one form the clutch is selected from the clutch mechanisms disclosed in Australian Provisional Application No. 2019902995 entitled CLUTCH MECHANISM, in the name of the Applicant, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Preferably, the body includes a handle or handles which extend sidewardly thereof. In one form the handles act as protective roll bars to inhibit damage to the drive unit.

Preferably, the motor is a DC motor that is sealed within the drive unit, whereby the pipe coupling member is electronically driven.

In one form the power source is a cordless rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery may be selected from a group including, but not limited to, a

2020100770 18 May 2020 nickel cadmium (NiCd) battery, a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery or a lithium-ion polymer (Li-ion polymer) battery.

The body preferably includes a drive shaft receiving portion for receiving the drive shaft thereinto.

The drive unit may be attached to the body using bolts, clips or clamps. In one form the body includes bolt receiving apertures for receiving bolts therethrough, which are connectable to the drive unit.

The drive unit may be detached for transport, charging, or repair. When the drive unit is removed a cover may be attached to the body to shield at least the drive 10 shaft receiving portion to inhibit the ingress of dust or moisture.

The motor generates torque to rotate the drive shaft which in turn rotates the pipe coupling device.

The drive unit is operated by using a switch, that can be actuated by a user. The switch may be located adjacent the handle of the drill pipe spinner device so that 15 it is ergonomically positioned for ease of use.

In one form a rocker or power switch is used to turn the electronic unit on and off, and a push button which may be configured to operate the motor. Preferably, the clutch is automatic, in that when the motor is being operated the clutch is engaged to thereby impart torque to the pipe coupling member which acts as an output shaft.

When the motor is disengaged the clutch is released to permit the free movement of the pipe coupling member to thereby inhibit wind-up in the pipe string.

In another aspect of the invention there is proposed a method of forming or disassembling a drill string, including the steps of:

providing a drill pipe spinner device include a body, a pipe coupling member rotatably 25 attached to the body, and a drive unit having a power source and a motor;

attaching the drill pipe spinner device to a length of drill pipe; and operating the drill pipe spinner device wherein the motor imparts torque to the pipe coupling member to rotate the length of drill pipe to thereby attach the length of drill pipe to the drill string, or remove the length of drill pipe therefrom.

2020100770 18 May 2020

Preferably, the immediately preceding method includes the alternate step of: detaching the drive unit from the body and connecting to a recharging dock to thereby recharge the power source; or attaching the device unit to a recharge device to thereby recharge the power source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the invention and, together with the description and claims, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the

	invention.	In the drawings,
10	Figure 1	is a perspective view of a spinner device of the prior art;
	Figure 2	is a rear perspective view of the spinner device of Figure 1.
	Figure 3	is a perspective view of the drill pipe spinner device of the present invention;
15	Figure 4	is a perspective view of the drill pipe spinner device of Figure 3, illustrating the detachment of the drive unit;
	Figure 5	is a front view of the drill pipe spinner device of Figure 3, illustrating the drive unit electrically uncoupled from the body;
	Figure 6	is a front view of the drill pipe spinner device of Figure 5 illustrating the drive unit electrically coupled to the body;
20	Figure 7	is a side view of the drill pipe spinner device of Figure 3, illustrating the position of the push button;
	Figure 8	is a front perspective view of the drive unit of Figure 4 illustrating the drive shaft;
25	Figure 9	is a rear perspective view of the drive unit of Figure 8, illustrating the rocker/power switch and push button of the drive unit;
	Figure 10	is a perspective view of the drive unit of Figure 8, with housing detached, illustrating the rechargeable battery;
	Figure 11	is side view of the drive unit of Figure 10;
	Figure 12	is a perspective view of the motor of the drive unit of Figure 10;
30	Figure 13	is side view of the drive unit of Figure 12; and

2020100770 18 May 2020

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the drill pipe spinner device of Figure 3 with the drive unit detached and a dust/moisture cover attached in place thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED AND EXEMPLIFIED

EMBODIMENTS

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a spinner device 10 of the prior art that is used to 10 manually couple lengths of drill pipe to form a drill string used in mine drilling applications and the like.

Generally, the spinner device 10 includes a first end 12 having an eyelet 14 for attachment to a block and tackle (not shown), which is in turn attached to a lifting device, such as a winch on a drill rig trailer or derrick. The spinner device 10 15 includes a second end 16 having a pipe engaging portion 18 that is rotatably attached to the main body 20 of the spinner device 10. The spinner device 10 is attached to an individual length of drill pipe so that it can be connected or disconnect to the drill string by manually rotating the drill pipe by hand.

Referring to Figures 3 to 14 for a more detailed description, there is illustrated 20 a drill pipe spinner device 30, demonstrating by way of an example, an arrangement in which the principles of the present invention may be employed.

Figure 3 illustrates the assembled drill pipe spinner device 30 of the present invention, comprising a body 32, a pipe coupling member 34 rotatably attached to the body 32, and a drive unit 36 reversibly connectable to the body 32. The drive unit 36 25 is configured to impart rotational movement or torque to the pipe coupling member 34, which acts as an output shaft.

As shown in Figures 10 to 13, the drive unit 36 including a power source 38 and a motor 40. It is envisaged that the drive unit 36 will also include a clutch 62, which may be manually or automatically operated. For instance, the clutch 62 may 30 be of a form as disclosed in Australian Provisional Application No. 2019902995 entitled CLUTCH MECHANISM in the name of the Applicant, which is incorporated

2020100770 18 May 2020 herein by reference. The reader will appreciate that the disengagement clutch minimises drag torque, to thereby inhibit unintentional wind-up within the drill string.

Turning back to Figure 3, the drill pipe spinner device 30 further includes graspable handles 42, which are configured to also act as protective roll bars.

A rocker or power switch 44 is positioned at the top of the drive unit 36 and used to turn the electronic unit on and off. A push button 46, which is used to operate the motor, is located adjacent the handle 42 on the side of the drive unit 36 so that it is ergonomically positioned for ease of use, as is shown in Figures 3 and 7.

In other embodiments a separate power switch and direction control switch may be used. Furthermore, a power switch and multiple push buttons may be used, each serving as a controller for a single drive direction.

The drill pipe spinner device 30 also includes an eyelet 48 for attachment to a block and tackle as is known in the art.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the drive unit may be detached fortransport, 15 charging, or repair purposes. The body 32 includes a drive shaft receiving portion 50 for receiving the drive shaft 52 of the drive unit 36 thereinto, as illustrated in Figure 5 and 6.

The drive unit 36 is attached to the body 32 using bolts, clips or clamps. In the present embodiment the body 32 includes bolt receiving apertures 54 for receiving bolts (not shown) therethrough, which are connectable to receive apertures 56 of the drive unit 36.

The fixing means may be M10 bolts, however the reader will appreciate that quick release latches, may be used, such as slide, bear claw and clasp type latches. The drive unit 36 and body 32 may also be unitary in construction and not able to be 25 separated.

One possible embodiment of the drive unit 36 is illustrated in Figures 8 to 13, however the reader should appreciate that the invention is not limited to this particular configuration and other configurations could be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

2020100770 18 May 2020

As illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 the power source 38 is in the form of a rechargeable battery pack 58, which can be recharged using conventional recharge ports and a corresponding dock (not shown) as is known in the art with respect to other cordless power tools, such as drills.

The motor 40 is held within housing 60, which also contains the clutch 62.

The motor 40 is a DC motor that is sealed within the housing 60 wherein the pipe coupling member 34 is electronically driven by way of the drive shaft 52.

As illustrated in Figure 14, when the drive unit 36 is removed a cover 64 is attached to the body 32 to thereby seal at least the drive shaft receiving portion 50 to 10 inhibit the ingress of dust or moisture.

The skilled addressee will now appreciate the advantages of the illustrated invention over the prior art. In one form the illustrated embodiment provides a detachable drill pipe spinner device, which is electronically operated and in one embodiment including a clutch mechanism. The drill pipe spinner device assists the 15 user in the make-up and break down of a pipe string, while inhibiting wind-up within the pipe string.

Various features of the invention have been particularly shown and described in connection with the exemplified embodiments of the invention, however it must be understood that these particular arrangements merely illustrate the invention and it is 20 not limited thereto. Accordingly, the invention can include various modifications, which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (4)

1. A drill pipe spinner device, comprising: a body;

a pipe coupling member rotatably attached to the body; and

5 a drive unit configured to impart rotational movement to the pipe coupling member, wherein the drive unit including a power source and a motor.

2. The drill pipe spinner device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the drive unit is reversibly connectable to the body.

3. The drill pipe spinner device in accordance with claim 1 or 2, further including 10 a clutch for uncoupling the drive unit from the pipe coupling member or uncoupling the drive shaft from the motor.

4. The drill pipe spinner device in accordance with any one of the above claims, wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery and the motor is a DC motor, which are sealed within the drive unit.

15 5. A method of forming or disassembling a drill string, including the steps of:

providing a drill pipe spinner device include a body, a pipe coupling member rotatably attached to the body, and a drive unit having a power source and a motor;

attaching the drill pipe spinner device to a length of drill pipe; and

20 operating the drill pipe spinner device wherein the motor imparts torque to the pipe coupling member to rotate the length of drill pipe to thereby attach said length of drill pipe to the drill string or remove said length of drill pipe therefrom.