CA2252452A1 - Portable earth drilling apparatus with telescopic mast - Google Patents
Portable earth drilling apparatus with telescopic mast Download PDFInfo
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- CA2252452A1 CA2252452A1 CA 2252452 CA2252452A CA2252452A1 CA 2252452 A1 CA2252452 A1 CA 2252452A1 CA 2252452 CA2252452 CA 2252452 CA 2252452 A CA2252452 A CA 2252452A CA 2252452 A1 CA2252452 A1 CA 2252452A1
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- mast section
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Abstract
A portable drilling rig comprises telescoping inner (12) and outer (10)elongated mast sections the inner section being movable and having sprockets (86, 88, 90, 92) at its upper and lower ends. Chains secured to the outer mast section near its upper end are wrapped around the upper and lower sprockets and connect to a drill head which is guided for movement along the inner mast section. The chain and sprocket arrangement causes the drill head to move, at twice the rate of movement of the inner mast section, from a location near the lower end of the outer mast section when the mast sections are collapsed to a location near the upper end of the inner mast section and well above the upper end of the lower mast section when the mast sections are extended. The mast can be carried horizontally, when collapsed, by a relatively short vehicle, but is capable of handling long lengths of drill pipe. The drill head is pivotable so that drill pipe can be attached and detached near ground level.
Description
CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 PORTABLE EARTH DRILLING APPARATUS
WITH TELESCOPIC MAST
This invention relates to earth drilling, and particularly to portable, e.g. vehicle-mounted drilling rigs used for such purposes as well drilling, blasting, 5 construction of building foundations and geophysical exploration.
A typical mobile drilling apparatus is depicted in United States Patent 4,258,796, dated March 31, 1981. This mobile drilling apparatus comprises a vehicle having a pivoted drilling mast. A pair of chains, which are wrapped around sprockets mounted at the upper and lower ends of the mast, are driven 10 by linear fluid actuators and carry a drilling head along the length of the mast.
A drill rod storage and handling apparatus moves drill rod between the drilling axis and a storage rack in which drill rods are stored parallel to the length ofthe mast.
United States patent 4,503,917, dated March 12, 1985, describes a similar 15 mobile drilling apparatus which comprises a tower having within it a vertically traveling carriage with wheels at its upper and lower ends. Cables attached to the mid-point of the tower wrap around the upper and lower wheels, and attach to a drilling head which is guided in the tower. The carriage travels from a lowermost position in which it is located within and well below the top of the 20 tower, to an uppermost position in which it projects a short distance above the upper end of the tower. =
The drilling mechanism of patent 4,503,917 has the advantage over that of patent 4,258,796 that it eliminates drawdown and drill stem lifting loads on theupper half of the mast, and therefore makes it possible to use a mast of 25 significantly reduced weight. However, in both cases, the travel of the drilling head is limited by the length of the mast. Therefore, a long mast is required, typically considerably longer than the length of the drill rods being used.
CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 Moreover, the length of the mast imposes requirements of the size of the vehicle and on the capacity of the mast pivoting mechanism.
The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved portable drilling apparatus which is capable of handling long drill rods, but which is 5 comparatively light in weight and capable of being carried by a more compact vehicle and tilted from a horizontal to a vertical condition by a lighter and simpler mechanism.
The portable earth drilling apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises first and second elongated mast sections in telescoping relationship 10 to each other. The telescoping mast sections are preferably mounted on a landvehicle, with the first mast section pivoted on the vehicle so that the telescoping mast sections can be transported horizontally, but brought to a vertical or oblique condition for drilling.
When in the vertical condition, each mast section has an upper end and a 15 lower end. The second mast section is guided for movement along the length of the first mast section from a retracted condition in which the second mast section is located substantially entirely between the upper and lower ends of the first mast section to an extended condition in which the upper end of the second mast section is located substantially above the upper end of the first 20 mast section. The apparatus also includes a drill head guided for movement along the length of the second mast section, and movable, in response to movement of the second mast section, from a location adjacent to the lower end of the first mast section to a location beyond the upper end of the first mast section.
25 In a preferred embodiment, wheels are mounted on the second mast section adjacent to its upper and lower ends. A first elongated flexible element is CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 connected to the drill head, wrapped around a wheel adjacent to the upper end of the second mast section and connected to the first mast section. A second elongated flexible element is similarly connected to the drill head, wrapped around a wheel adjacent to the lower end of the second mast section and also 5 connected to the first mast section. An actuator is arranged to move the second mast section along the length of the first mast section.
A characterizing feature of the preferred apparatus is the fact that the connections of the flexible elements to the first mast section are at locations nearer to the upper end of the first mast section than to the lower end of the 10 first mast section, preferably within the uppermost quarter of the length of the first mast section and the fact that the lengths of the flexible elements are such that, when the second mast section is in its extended condition, the drill head is substantially above the upper end of the first mast section.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance between the wheels 15 adjacent to the upper and lower ends of the second mast section and the lengths of the flexible elements are such that, as the second mast section moves from its retracted condition to its extended condition, the drill head moves along the direction of elongation of the first mast section from a location cent to the lower end of the first mast section to a location above the upper 20 end of the first mast section through a distance exceeding the length of the first mast section. Thus the apparatus is capable of handling drill pipes which are considerably longer than the first mast section.
Preferably the drill head is pivotally connected to the first and second flexible elements and is pivotable about a horizontal axis so that drill pipe can be 25 attached to and detached from the drill head while horizontal or nearly horizontal, when the drill head is near the bottom of the first mast section.
CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 The apparatus has several advantages over prior portable drilling rigs, especially in that the telescoping mast is comparatively light in weight and capable of being be carried by a relatively short land vehicle, yet the drill head has a sufficiently long stroke to handle conventional drill pipe.
5 Other objects, details and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the drawings.
In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a telescopic mast in accordance with the invention in its retracted condition;
FIG. 2 is a partially broken-away perspective view showing the telescopic mast 10 in its extended condition;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing the mast mounted on a land vehicle in the horizontal condition for transport;
FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing the mast in a vertical condition and illustrating the manner in which a drill pipe is attached to the drill head carried 15 by the mast; and FIG. 5 is an elevational view showing the mast in a partly extended condition, illustrating a later stage in the raising of a drill pipe; and FIG. 6 is an elevational view showing the mast in the drawing down condition, in which it is lowering the drill pipe during drilling.
20 As used in this specification, the term "wheel" should be understood as encompassing a sprocket, a sheave or similar rotating device around which a CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 flexible element can be wrapped. The term "flexible element" should be understood as encompassing a chain, cable or other similar elongated flexible element capable of sustaining tension and of being wrapped around a wheel.
As shown in FlGs. 1 and 2, the telescopic mast comprises a first, or outer, mast5 section 10 and a second, or inner, mast section 12, the inner mast section being slidable longitudinally into the outer mast section. As seen in FIG.1, theinner mast section 12 is entirely within the outer mast section, the upper end 14 of mast section 12 being below the upper end 16 of mast section 10.
The inner mast section is raised and lowered by a pair of double-acting10 hydraulic actuators having their cylinders 18 and 20 connected by brackets 22and 24 to the outer mast section near its lower end, and their pistons 26 and 28connected to the inner mast section near its upper end by brackets 30 (FIG. 1) and 32 (FIG. 2). A typical telescoping mast has a retracted height of about 37 feet, and an extended height of about 57 feet, with the inner mast section 15 movable through a distance of about 22 1/2 feet.
The outer mast section is a framework composed of four vertically elongated, rectangular tubes 34, 36, 38 and 40 held together in parallel relationship to one another by horizontal braces welded to the tubes at intervals along the length of the mast. Tubes 34 and 36, on one side of the outer mast section, are held 20 together at their upper ends by tubular braces 42 and 44, and at intervals along their lengths by additional braces 46. Tubes 38 and 40, on the opposite side of the outer mast section, are held together similarly by tubular braces 48 and 50 at their upper ends, and at intervals along their lengths by braces 52. Tubes 36 and 38, at the front of the outer mast section are connected together by 25 tubular braces 54 at intervals along their lengths. The rear face of the outer mast section is open, there being no braces making a direct connection between vertical tubes 34 and 40. In the version of the outer mast section CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 depicted in FlGs.1 and 2, the braces 46 are in the form of channels, which are used not only to reinforce the mast but also to support rollers for guiding the inner mast section. Alternatively, tubular braces can be used throughout. In either case, diagonal bracing (not shown) may be provided to resist buckling of 5 the outer mast section when it is tilted.
The inner mast section 12 comprises a framework similar to that of the outer mast section, the framework being composed of four vertically elongated, rectangular tubes 56, 58, 60 and 62 connected together at intervals by horizontal tubular braces 64 at one side, 66 at the front and 68 at the opposite10 side. The rear of the inner mast section is open as in the case of the lower mast section, except that tubular brace 70 connects the upper ends of vertical tubes 56 and 62.
The inner mast section is guided for lengthwise movement by guide rollers mounted on the outer mast section. These rollers include rollers 74 mounted in 15 blocks 76 at one end of each channel brace 46, and rollers 78, mounted for rotation in blocks 80 at the opposite end of each channel brace 46. Similar blocks and rollers are provided at the opposite side at the ends of channel braces 52. In the case in which tubular braces are used instead of channel braces, the guide roller mounting blocks may be secured directly to the vertical20 tubes 34, 36, 38 and 40 b~ suitable brackets.
The uppermost tubular braces 64 and 68 on the inner mast section have bearing blocks mounted on them, one of which is seen at 82 in FlGs.1 and 2.
The bearing blocks rotatably support an axle 84, on which are mounted two sprockets 86 and 88. Similar sprockets 90 (FIG. 1) and 92 (FIG. 2) are 25 mounted at the lower end of the inner mast section 12. Sprockets 90 and 92 are preferably mounted without an axle extending between them to avoid interference with the drill stem and with the actuator cylinders 18 and 20.
CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 A length of drive chain 94 is connected at one end to an anchor 96 on the outer mast section at a point near the upper end of the outer mast section. The anchor is preferably located not more than 1/4 of the way from the top to the bottom of the outer mast section. A length of drive chain 94 is wrapped around 5 upper sprocket 88 and connected to a drill pipe driving gear box or drill head98, which is guided for vertical movement along the inner mast section.
Another length of drive chain 100, connected to the anchor 96 at approximately the same location at which chain 94 is connected, is wrapped around lower sprocket 90 and connected to the gear box. Similar lengths of drive chain 102 10 and 104 are wrapped around the other sprockets, and connected to the outer mast and the gear box in the same manner. Chain lengths 94 and 100 can be parts of a single continuous chain to which the drill head 98 is secured, as canchain lengths 102 and 104.
As the hydraulic actuators extend and contract to move the inner mast section 15 up and down, the drive chains and sprockets cause the drill head to move at twice the rate, and through twice the distance, that the inner mast section moves. The drill head in the typical assembly moves vertically through a distance of about 45 feet, as the inner mast section moves through a distance of 22 1/2 feet.
20 The drill head 98 is pivoted to facilitate handling of the drill pipe, the drill head 98 being mounted between brackets 106 and 108, which hang from and are rotatable on a horizontal shaft 110, to which the drive chains are secured.
When in its collapsed condition, the mast can be transported on a land vehicle 112 in a horizontal condition, as shown in FIG. 3. Because the mast is short, 25 e.g. only 37 feet in length, in its collapsed condition, a relatively short vehicle can be used.
CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 The mast is pivoted to the rear of the vehicle, and, as shown in FIG. 4, the mast can be raised to a vertical condition by a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit 114.
It is also possible for the piston and cylinder unit 114 to raise the mast to anoblique condition for angle drilling.
5 A length of drill pipe 116 can be readily attached to or disconnected from thedrill head when the drill head is in its lowermost position because the drill head can be pivoted to a horizontal or nearly horizontal condition as shown in FIG. 4.
This allows workers to attach the drill pipe to the drill head, or detach it, atground level, and eliminates the need for pipe handling equipment of the kind 10 shown in U.S. Patent 4,258,796.
After the drill pipe 116 is attached to the drill head 98, the inner mast section 12 is raised, as shown in FIG. 5. As the inner mast section rises, the drill head 98 is drawn upward and rotates toward its vertical condition. At the same time, thedrill pipe 116, which is attached to the drill head, gradually approaches a 15 vertical condition. The travel of the drill head must be sufficient to allow the drill pipe to clear the ground 118, so that the drill pipe can enter the ground 118 vertically, as shown in FIG. 6. The drill head is drawn down, applying a downward force to the drill pipe, by the chains wrapped around the sprockets at the lower end of the inner mast section 12.
20 The drill head can be raised and lowered repeatedly to permit deep drilling by the attachment of multiple sections of drill pipe to one another to produce a long drill stem, each drill pipe section being attached to the drill head at ground level, while the drill head is lowered. The lower end of the drill pipe which isattached directly to the drill head can be attached to the upper end of the drill 25 stem in the hole approximately at ground level in the conventional manner.
~, . ... .
CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 As will be apparent from the above description, the telescoping mast in accordance with the invention has several important advantages over conventional drilling masts. Its telescoping character and light weight allow a large mobile drill rig to be transported easily by a relatively short land vehicle.
5 The drill head has a long stroke, approaching the extended height of the mast.Thus the telescoping mast has the same ability as a conventional unitary mast to handle conventional drill pipe. The pivoted gear box allows drill pipe to be handled horizontaily at ground level, obviating winches and other machinery for handling drill pipe in the vertical condition.
10 Various modifications can be made to the apparatus described. For example, although two hydraulic piston and cylinder units, connected between the base of the lower mast section and the upper part of the upper mast section are preferred, other linear or rotary actuators, cables and sheaves, chains and sprockets, lead screws, rack and pinion mechanisms and the like can be used 15 in various numbers and arrangements to raise and lower the upper mast section. Alternative mechanisms, such as flexible cables and sheaves, can be substituted for the chains and sprockets used to raise and lower the drill head.Moreover, a driving mechanism such as a lead screw, a rack and pinion mechanism, or a multi-stage fluid actuator can be used for moving the drill 20 head lengthwise along the inner mast section in response to relative movement of the inner and outer mast sections.
Still other modifications may be made to the apparatus and method described above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
, .
WITH TELESCOPIC MAST
This invention relates to earth drilling, and particularly to portable, e.g. vehicle-mounted drilling rigs used for such purposes as well drilling, blasting, 5 construction of building foundations and geophysical exploration.
A typical mobile drilling apparatus is depicted in United States Patent 4,258,796, dated March 31, 1981. This mobile drilling apparatus comprises a vehicle having a pivoted drilling mast. A pair of chains, which are wrapped around sprockets mounted at the upper and lower ends of the mast, are driven 10 by linear fluid actuators and carry a drilling head along the length of the mast.
A drill rod storage and handling apparatus moves drill rod between the drilling axis and a storage rack in which drill rods are stored parallel to the length ofthe mast.
United States patent 4,503,917, dated March 12, 1985, describes a similar 15 mobile drilling apparatus which comprises a tower having within it a vertically traveling carriage with wheels at its upper and lower ends. Cables attached to the mid-point of the tower wrap around the upper and lower wheels, and attach to a drilling head which is guided in the tower. The carriage travels from a lowermost position in which it is located within and well below the top of the 20 tower, to an uppermost position in which it projects a short distance above the upper end of the tower. =
The drilling mechanism of patent 4,503,917 has the advantage over that of patent 4,258,796 that it eliminates drawdown and drill stem lifting loads on theupper half of the mast, and therefore makes it possible to use a mast of 25 significantly reduced weight. However, in both cases, the travel of the drilling head is limited by the length of the mast. Therefore, a long mast is required, typically considerably longer than the length of the drill rods being used.
CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 Moreover, the length of the mast imposes requirements of the size of the vehicle and on the capacity of the mast pivoting mechanism.
The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved portable drilling apparatus which is capable of handling long drill rods, but which is 5 comparatively light in weight and capable of being carried by a more compact vehicle and tilted from a horizontal to a vertical condition by a lighter and simpler mechanism.
The portable earth drilling apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises first and second elongated mast sections in telescoping relationship 10 to each other. The telescoping mast sections are preferably mounted on a landvehicle, with the first mast section pivoted on the vehicle so that the telescoping mast sections can be transported horizontally, but brought to a vertical or oblique condition for drilling.
When in the vertical condition, each mast section has an upper end and a 15 lower end. The second mast section is guided for movement along the length of the first mast section from a retracted condition in which the second mast section is located substantially entirely between the upper and lower ends of the first mast section to an extended condition in which the upper end of the second mast section is located substantially above the upper end of the first 20 mast section. The apparatus also includes a drill head guided for movement along the length of the second mast section, and movable, in response to movement of the second mast section, from a location adjacent to the lower end of the first mast section to a location beyond the upper end of the first mast section.
25 In a preferred embodiment, wheels are mounted on the second mast section adjacent to its upper and lower ends. A first elongated flexible element is CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 connected to the drill head, wrapped around a wheel adjacent to the upper end of the second mast section and connected to the first mast section. A second elongated flexible element is similarly connected to the drill head, wrapped around a wheel adjacent to the lower end of the second mast section and also 5 connected to the first mast section. An actuator is arranged to move the second mast section along the length of the first mast section.
A characterizing feature of the preferred apparatus is the fact that the connections of the flexible elements to the first mast section are at locations nearer to the upper end of the first mast section than to the lower end of the 10 first mast section, preferably within the uppermost quarter of the length of the first mast section and the fact that the lengths of the flexible elements are such that, when the second mast section is in its extended condition, the drill head is substantially above the upper end of the first mast section.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance between the wheels 15 adjacent to the upper and lower ends of the second mast section and the lengths of the flexible elements are such that, as the second mast section moves from its retracted condition to its extended condition, the drill head moves along the direction of elongation of the first mast section from a location cent to the lower end of the first mast section to a location above the upper 20 end of the first mast section through a distance exceeding the length of the first mast section. Thus the apparatus is capable of handling drill pipes which are considerably longer than the first mast section.
Preferably the drill head is pivotally connected to the first and second flexible elements and is pivotable about a horizontal axis so that drill pipe can be 25 attached to and detached from the drill head while horizontal or nearly horizontal, when the drill head is near the bottom of the first mast section.
CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 The apparatus has several advantages over prior portable drilling rigs, especially in that the telescoping mast is comparatively light in weight and capable of being be carried by a relatively short land vehicle, yet the drill head has a sufficiently long stroke to handle conventional drill pipe.
5 Other objects, details and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the drawings.
In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a telescopic mast in accordance with the invention in its retracted condition;
FIG. 2 is a partially broken-away perspective view showing the telescopic mast 10 in its extended condition;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing the mast mounted on a land vehicle in the horizontal condition for transport;
FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing the mast in a vertical condition and illustrating the manner in which a drill pipe is attached to the drill head carried 15 by the mast; and FIG. 5 is an elevational view showing the mast in a partly extended condition, illustrating a later stage in the raising of a drill pipe; and FIG. 6 is an elevational view showing the mast in the drawing down condition, in which it is lowering the drill pipe during drilling.
20 As used in this specification, the term "wheel" should be understood as encompassing a sprocket, a sheave or similar rotating device around which a CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 flexible element can be wrapped. The term "flexible element" should be understood as encompassing a chain, cable or other similar elongated flexible element capable of sustaining tension and of being wrapped around a wheel.
As shown in FlGs. 1 and 2, the telescopic mast comprises a first, or outer, mast5 section 10 and a second, or inner, mast section 12, the inner mast section being slidable longitudinally into the outer mast section. As seen in FIG.1, theinner mast section 12 is entirely within the outer mast section, the upper end 14 of mast section 12 being below the upper end 16 of mast section 10.
The inner mast section is raised and lowered by a pair of double-acting10 hydraulic actuators having their cylinders 18 and 20 connected by brackets 22and 24 to the outer mast section near its lower end, and their pistons 26 and 28connected to the inner mast section near its upper end by brackets 30 (FIG. 1) and 32 (FIG. 2). A typical telescoping mast has a retracted height of about 37 feet, and an extended height of about 57 feet, with the inner mast section 15 movable through a distance of about 22 1/2 feet.
The outer mast section is a framework composed of four vertically elongated, rectangular tubes 34, 36, 38 and 40 held together in parallel relationship to one another by horizontal braces welded to the tubes at intervals along the length of the mast. Tubes 34 and 36, on one side of the outer mast section, are held 20 together at their upper ends by tubular braces 42 and 44, and at intervals along their lengths by additional braces 46. Tubes 38 and 40, on the opposite side of the outer mast section, are held together similarly by tubular braces 48 and 50 at their upper ends, and at intervals along their lengths by braces 52. Tubes 36 and 38, at the front of the outer mast section are connected together by 25 tubular braces 54 at intervals along their lengths. The rear face of the outer mast section is open, there being no braces making a direct connection between vertical tubes 34 and 40. In the version of the outer mast section CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 depicted in FlGs.1 and 2, the braces 46 are in the form of channels, which are used not only to reinforce the mast but also to support rollers for guiding the inner mast section. Alternatively, tubular braces can be used throughout. In either case, diagonal bracing (not shown) may be provided to resist buckling of 5 the outer mast section when it is tilted.
The inner mast section 12 comprises a framework similar to that of the outer mast section, the framework being composed of four vertically elongated, rectangular tubes 56, 58, 60 and 62 connected together at intervals by horizontal tubular braces 64 at one side, 66 at the front and 68 at the opposite10 side. The rear of the inner mast section is open as in the case of the lower mast section, except that tubular brace 70 connects the upper ends of vertical tubes 56 and 62.
The inner mast section is guided for lengthwise movement by guide rollers mounted on the outer mast section. These rollers include rollers 74 mounted in 15 blocks 76 at one end of each channel brace 46, and rollers 78, mounted for rotation in blocks 80 at the opposite end of each channel brace 46. Similar blocks and rollers are provided at the opposite side at the ends of channel braces 52. In the case in which tubular braces are used instead of channel braces, the guide roller mounting blocks may be secured directly to the vertical20 tubes 34, 36, 38 and 40 b~ suitable brackets.
The uppermost tubular braces 64 and 68 on the inner mast section have bearing blocks mounted on them, one of which is seen at 82 in FlGs.1 and 2.
The bearing blocks rotatably support an axle 84, on which are mounted two sprockets 86 and 88. Similar sprockets 90 (FIG. 1) and 92 (FIG. 2) are 25 mounted at the lower end of the inner mast section 12. Sprockets 90 and 92 are preferably mounted without an axle extending between them to avoid interference with the drill stem and with the actuator cylinders 18 and 20.
CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 A length of drive chain 94 is connected at one end to an anchor 96 on the outer mast section at a point near the upper end of the outer mast section. The anchor is preferably located not more than 1/4 of the way from the top to the bottom of the outer mast section. A length of drive chain 94 is wrapped around 5 upper sprocket 88 and connected to a drill pipe driving gear box or drill head98, which is guided for vertical movement along the inner mast section.
Another length of drive chain 100, connected to the anchor 96 at approximately the same location at which chain 94 is connected, is wrapped around lower sprocket 90 and connected to the gear box. Similar lengths of drive chain 102 10 and 104 are wrapped around the other sprockets, and connected to the outer mast and the gear box in the same manner. Chain lengths 94 and 100 can be parts of a single continuous chain to which the drill head 98 is secured, as canchain lengths 102 and 104.
As the hydraulic actuators extend and contract to move the inner mast section 15 up and down, the drive chains and sprockets cause the drill head to move at twice the rate, and through twice the distance, that the inner mast section moves. The drill head in the typical assembly moves vertically through a distance of about 45 feet, as the inner mast section moves through a distance of 22 1/2 feet.
20 The drill head 98 is pivoted to facilitate handling of the drill pipe, the drill head 98 being mounted between brackets 106 and 108, which hang from and are rotatable on a horizontal shaft 110, to which the drive chains are secured.
When in its collapsed condition, the mast can be transported on a land vehicle 112 in a horizontal condition, as shown in FIG. 3. Because the mast is short, 25 e.g. only 37 feet in length, in its collapsed condition, a relatively short vehicle can be used.
CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 The mast is pivoted to the rear of the vehicle, and, as shown in FIG. 4, the mast can be raised to a vertical condition by a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit 114.
It is also possible for the piston and cylinder unit 114 to raise the mast to anoblique condition for angle drilling.
5 A length of drill pipe 116 can be readily attached to or disconnected from thedrill head when the drill head is in its lowermost position because the drill head can be pivoted to a horizontal or nearly horizontal condition as shown in FIG. 4.
This allows workers to attach the drill pipe to the drill head, or detach it, atground level, and eliminates the need for pipe handling equipment of the kind 10 shown in U.S. Patent 4,258,796.
After the drill pipe 116 is attached to the drill head 98, the inner mast section 12 is raised, as shown in FIG. 5. As the inner mast section rises, the drill head 98 is drawn upward and rotates toward its vertical condition. At the same time, thedrill pipe 116, which is attached to the drill head, gradually approaches a 15 vertical condition. The travel of the drill head must be sufficient to allow the drill pipe to clear the ground 118, so that the drill pipe can enter the ground 118 vertically, as shown in FIG. 6. The drill head is drawn down, applying a downward force to the drill pipe, by the chains wrapped around the sprockets at the lower end of the inner mast section 12.
20 The drill head can be raised and lowered repeatedly to permit deep drilling by the attachment of multiple sections of drill pipe to one another to produce a long drill stem, each drill pipe section being attached to the drill head at ground level, while the drill head is lowered. The lower end of the drill pipe which isattached directly to the drill head can be attached to the upper end of the drill 25 stem in the hole approximately at ground level in the conventional manner.
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CA 022~24~2 1998-10-29 As will be apparent from the above description, the telescoping mast in accordance with the invention has several important advantages over conventional drilling masts. Its telescoping character and light weight allow a large mobile drill rig to be transported easily by a relatively short land vehicle.
5 The drill head has a long stroke, approaching the extended height of the mast.Thus the telescoping mast has the same ability as a conventional unitary mast to handle conventional drill pipe. The pivoted gear box allows drill pipe to be handled horizontaily at ground level, obviating winches and other machinery for handling drill pipe in the vertical condition.
10 Various modifications can be made to the apparatus described. For example, although two hydraulic piston and cylinder units, connected between the base of the lower mast section and the upper part of the upper mast section are preferred, other linear or rotary actuators, cables and sheaves, chains and sprockets, lead screws, rack and pinion mechanisms and the like can be used 15 in various numbers and arrangements to raise and lower the upper mast section. Alternative mechanisms, such as flexible cables and sheaves, can be substituted for the chains and sprockets used to raise and lower the drill head.Moreover, a driving mechanism such as a lead screw, a rack and pinion mechanism, or a multi-stage fluid actuator can be used for moving the drill 20 head lengthwise along the inner mast section in response to relative movement of the inner and outer mast sections.
Still other modifications may be made to the apparatus and method described above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
, .
Claims (9)
1. A portable earth drilling apparatus comprising:
first and second elongated mast sections in telescoping relationship to each other, each mast section having two opposite ends, the mast sections being relatively movable from a retracted condition to an extended condition;
a drill head mounted, and movable lengthwise, on the second mast section; and means, responsive to relative movement of the mast sections, for moving the drill head lengthwise along the second mast section as the second mast section moves relative to the first mast section, the drill head being movable from a location adjacent to one end of the first mast section when the mast sections are retracted to a location beyond the opposite end of the first mast section when the mast sections are extended.
first and second elongated mast sections in telescoping relationship to each other, each mast section having two opposite ends, the mast sections being relatively movable from a retracted condition to an extended condition;
a drill head mounted, and movable lengthwise, on the second mast section; and means, responsive to relative movement of the mast sections, for moving the drill head lengthwise along the second mast section as the second mast section moves relative to the first mast section, the drill head being movable from a location adjacent to one end of the first mast section when the mast sections are retracted to a location beyond the opposite end of the first mast section when the mast sections are extended.
2. A portable earth drilling apparatus comprising:
first and second elongated mast sections in telescoping relationship to each other, the mast sections being capable of disposition in a condition in which their direction of elongation is vertical so that, when in said condition, each mast section has an upper end and a lower end, the second mast section being guided for movement along the length of the first mast section from a retracted condition in which the second mast section is located substantially entirely between the upper and lower ends of the first mast section to an extended condition in which the upper end of the second mast section is located substantially above the upper end of the first mast section;
a drill head guided for movement along the length of the second mast section;
wheels mounted on the second mast section adjacent to its upper and lower ends;
a first elongated flexible element connected to the drill head, wrapped around a wheel adjacent to the upper end of the second mast section and connected to the first mast section at a location nearer to the upper end of the first mast section than to the lower end of the first mast section;
a second elongated flexible element connected to the drill head, wrapped around a wheel adjacent to the lower end of the second mast section and also connected to the first mast section at a location nearer to the upper end of the first mast section than to the lower end of the first mast section; and an actuator arranged to move the second mast section along the length of the first mast section;
wherein the lengths of the flexible elements are such that, when the second mast section is in its extended condition, the drill head is substantially above the upper end of the first mast section.
first and second elongated mast sections in telescoping relationship to each other, the mast sections being capable of disposition in a condition in which their direction of elongation is vertical so that, when in said condition, each mast section has an upper end and a lower end, the second mast section being guided for movement along the length of the first mast section from a retracted condition in which the second mast section is located substantially entirely between the upper and lower ends of the first mast section to an extended condition in which the upper end of the second mast section is located substantially above the upper end of the first mast section;
a drill head guided for movement along the length of the second mast section;
wheels mounted on the second mast section adjacent to its upper and lower ends;
a first elongated flexible element connected to the drill head, wrapped around a wheel adjacent to the upper end of the second mast section and connected to the first mast section at a location nearer to the upper end of the first mast section than to the lower end of the first mast section;
a second elongated flexible element connected to the drill head, wrapped around a wheel adjacent to the lower end of the second mast section and also connected to the first mast section at a location nearer to the upper end of the first mast section than to the lower end of the first mast section; and an actuator arranged to move the second mast section along the length of the first mast section;
wherein the lengths of the flexible elements are such that, when the second mast section is in its extended condition, the drill head is substantially above the upper end of the first mast section.
3. A portable earth drilling apparatus according to claim 2 in which the locations at which the first and second elongated flexible elements are connected to the first mast section are within the uppermost quarter of the length of the first mast section.
4. A portable earth drilling apparatus according to claim 2 in which the distance between the wheels adjacent to the upper and lower ends of the second mast section and the lengths of the flexible elements are such that, as the second mast section moves from its retracted condition to its extended condition, the drill head moves along the direction of elongation of the first mast section through a distance exceeding the length of the first mast section.
5. A portable earth drilling apparatus according to claim 2 in which the distance between the wheels adjacent to the upper and lower ends of the second mast section and the lengths of the flexible elements are such that, as the second mast section moves from its retracted condition to its extended condition, the drill head moves along the direction of elongation of the first mast section from a location adjacent to the lower end of the first mast section to a location above the upper end of the first mast section.
6. A portable earth drilling apparatus according to claim 2 in which the drill head is connected to the first and second flexible elements through pivot means and is pivotable about a horizontal axis whereby drill pipe can be attached to and detached from the drill head while horizontal or nearly horizontal, while the drill head is lowered to a location near the bottom of the first mast section.
7. A portable earth drilling apparatus according to claim 2, further including a land vehicle and in which the first mast section is pivoted to the vehicle.
8. A portable earth drilling apparatus according to claim 2 further including a unitary drill pipe connected to the drill head, wherein the length of the drill pipe exceeds the length of the first mast section.
9. A portable earth drilling apparatus according to claim 2 further including a unitary drill pipe connected to the drill head, in which the length of the drill pipe exceeds the length of the first mast section, and in which the distance between the wheels adjacent to the upper and lower ends of the second mast section and the lengths of the flexible elements are such that, as the second mast section moves from its retracted condition to its extended condition, the drill head moves along the direction of elongation of the first mast section through a distance exceeding the length of the drill pipe.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US96185997A | 1997-10-31 | 1997-10-31 | |
| US08/961,859 | 1997-10-31 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2252452A1 true CA2252452A1 (en) | 1999-04-30 |
Family
ID=29550553
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2252452 Abandoned CA2252452A1 (en) | 1997-10-31 | 1998-10-29 | Portable earth drilling apparatus with telescopic mast |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2252452A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RU2541972C2 (en) * | 2013-06-03 | 2015-02-20 | Открытое акционерное общество "Завод бурового оборудования" | Drilling rig |
| CN106468144A (en) * | 2016-07-15 | 2017-03-01 | 徐工集团工程机械有限公司 | Boring tower device and rig |
| WO2017081504A1 (en) * | 2015-11-09 | 2017-05-18 | Total Petroleum Services S.A.S. | Portable mast tower for the servicing and maintenance of wells, production method and assembly thereof |
-
1998
- 1998-10-29 CA CA 2252452 patent/CA2252452A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RU2541972C2 (en) * | 2013-06-03 | 2015-02-20 | Открытое акционерное общество "Завод бурового оборудования" | Drilling rig |
| WO2017081504A1 (en) * | 2015-11-09 | 2017-05-18 | Total Petroleum Services S.A.S. | Portable mast tower for the servicing and maintenance of wells, production method and assembly thereof |
| CN106468144A (en) * | 2016-07-15 | 2017-03-01 | 徐工集团工程机械有限公司 | Boring tower device and rig |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Dead |