GB2257728A - A drilling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A drilling machine for mounting on and operating from a land or water borne vehicle comprises a frame (67) for mounting on a vehicle (200); a collapsible derrick (216) for mounting on the frame; a coupling (46) for connecting to a power take-off point (210) of the vehicle; a drilling assembly (214); a drive unit connected to the coupling and arranged to provide rotary power to the drilling assembly; and a hydraulic system (222) for raising and lowering the drilling assembly. The drilling machine is compact and easily transportable and capable of being operated and located by a vehicle such as a conventional agricultural tractor (200). <IMAGE>

Description

A DRILLING MACHINE This invention relates to a drilling machine for mounting and operating from a land vehicle or for being driven by the power take-off of a truck, barge or four wheel drive vehicle. In a preferred arrangement, it relates to a drilling machine for mounting on the back of a conventional agricultural tractor.

Known drilling machines tend to be large, complex apparatus which have to be erected at a drilling site and completely dismantled again when they are required to be moved to another site. More readily transportable apparatus is also known but this tends to require a specially designed or adapted, and hence expensive, vehicle to transport it from one site to another.

According to the present invention, there is provided a drilling machine for mounting on and operating from a land or water borne vehicle, the machine comprising: a frame for mounting on a vehicle; a collapsible derrick for mounting on the frame; a coupling for connecting to a power take-off point of the vehicle; a drilling assembly; a drive unit connected to the coupling and arranged to provide rotary power to the drilling assembly; and a hydraulic system for raising and lowering the drilling assembly.

Such a drilling machine may be compact and easily transportable and capable of being operated and located by a vehicle such as a conventional agricultural tractor.

The hydraulic system may receive hydraulic power from the land vehicle: alternatively, the hydraulic system may include a reservoir and pump which are independent of the land vehicle.

The hydraulic system preferably includes at least one hydraulic ram arranged to raise and lower the drilling assembly.

Preferably the drilling assembly includes a "doublebore drill". A doublebore drill comprises a drill rod which may be sunk inside an outer drill casing (which may be raised and lowered by the hydraulic ram(s)).

The drilling machine is preferably provided with a cable and pulley system arranged to raise and lower a drilling bit of the drilling assembly and with a second hydraulic motor for driving the cable and pulley system.

The machine may be provided with a water supply system connectable to a source of water, the water supply system being arranged to supply water to a drill bit of the drilling assembly during a drilling operation.

Preferably, the water supply system comprises a water pump arranged to be driven via the coupling by the power take-off point of the land vehicle.

Preferably, the drilling assembly is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis to permit drilling at an angle to the vertical.

The frame may be adapted to contain water to provide additional ballast for the drilling machine.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a drilling machine mounted on the back of an agricultural tractor; Figure 2 is an isometric exploded view of part of the machine shown in figure 1; Figure 3 is an isometric exploded view of further parts of the machine as shown in figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view of the machine as shown in figure 1; Figure 5 is a rear view of the machine; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a water system of the machine shown in figure 1; and Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic system of the machine as shown in figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, figure 1 shows the drilling machine includes a mild steel tubular frame 57 mounted on the back of an agricultural tractor 200 which has a standard three-way bracket. The lower arms 202 of this bracket are connected to lower brackets 204 on the frame 57 and the upper arm 206 of the three-way bracket is connected to a central, upper bracket 208 on the frame 57. Additional ballast may be provided for the drilling machine, if required, by filling the tubular frame 57 with water.

Figures 2 and 3 show exploded isometric views of the main components frame and drive chain, and a hydraulic motor and winch assembly the parts being numbered from 1 to 107 as listed belt:- 1. Bevel Gear Box 2. Angular Contact Ball Bearing 3. Oil Seal 4. Seal Location Plate 5. Bevel Gear 6. Bevel Gear Mounting Tube 7. Socket Screw Cap Head 8. Dowel Pin 9. Bevel Gearbox Top Plate 10. Socket Screw Cap Head 11. O Ring 12. Bevel Gearbox Swivel Plate 13. Socket Screw Cap Head 14. Bevelgear MTG Plug 15. Socket Screw Cap Head 16. Quadrant Plates 17. Bevelgear Drive Shaft 18. Key 19. Key 20. Plug 21. Locking Washer 22. Locking Nut 23. Oil Seal 24. Drive Shaft Oil Seal Housing 25. Socket Screw Cap Head 26. Socket Screw Cap Head 27. Clutch Drive Flange 28. Multi Plate Clutch -29. Hex Nut 30. Socket Screw Cap Head 31.Oil Seal Cap 32. 5/8" Triplex Chain 33. 5/8" Triplex Chain Jointing Link 34. Oil Seal 35. Deep Groove Ball Bearing Double Row 36. Bearing Spacer 37. 5/8" Triplex Sprocket 38. Clutch Input Shaft 39. Chain Transfer Box 40. Plug 41. Bearing Spacer 42. Transfer Box Input Shaft 43. 5/8" Triplex Sprocket 44a M8 Hex Nut 44b Socket Screw Cap Head 45. Oil Seal Cap 46. Drive Shaft 47. Hydraulic Cylinder 48. Socket Screw Cap Head 49. Hexagon Nut 50. Lock Nut 51. Lock Washer 52. T Housing Spacer 53. Oil Seal 54. Deep Groove Ball Bearing 55. T Housing 56. Quill 57. Main Frame 58. Pressure Gauge 59. Block 60. 900 ELB Tube/Tube 61. Divertor Valve 62. Shut Off Valve 63. Tee 65. Male Connector 66. Bulkhead Connectors 67. Relief Valve 68. Dowel Pin 69. Taper Roller Bearing 70. Taper Roller Bearing 71. Oil Seal Cap 72. Hydraulic Motor 73. Socket Screw Cap Head 74. Socket Screw Cap Head 75. Oil Seal 76.Key 77. Deep Groove Ball Bearing 78. Hydraulic Drive Motor MTG.PL 79. Socket Screw 80. Oil Seal Cap 81. Oil Seal 82. Lock Nut 83. Spur Gear 84. Dowel Pin 85. Socket Screw Cap Head 86. Lock Washer 87. Spur Gear 88. Taper Roller Bearing 89. Wipeline Drum 91. Oil Seal 92. Oil Seal Cap 93. Socket Screw C'Sunk Head 94. Socket Screw C'Sunk Head 95. Oil Seal 96. Oil Seal 97. Centre Bearing MTG Plate 98. Deep Groove Ball Bearing 99. Oil Seal 100 Oil Seal Cap 101 Socket Screw CSK Head 102 Main Hoist Drum 103 Main Winch Drive Shaft 104 Rey 105 Worm Reduction Gear Box 106 Hydraulic Motor 107 Key With reference to figures 1 and 2, a standard, universal jointed coupling drive shaft 46 is connected to a power take-off point 210 on the tractor 200. The drive-train (see Figure 2 in particular) comprises, inter alia, lower transfer box input shaft 42 integral with drive shaft 46, transfer box 39, upper drive shaft 38, a clutch mechanism generally comprising parts 27 to 43 and a bevel gear 5A which provide rotary power to a rotary drive unit comprising parts 1 to 10 and indicated generally at 212, which forms part of a drilling assembly which also includes further parts 50 to 56 and is generally indicated at 214.

Figure 1 shows an easily assembled tubular, tripod derrick 216 is mounted on the top of the frame 57 to provide means for raising and lowering a drill bit (not shown) via a cable 218 which passes around a pulley 220 (located at the top of the derrick) and down to the drilling assembly 214. A hydraulic system, which will be described in more detail below, is provided for raising and lowering the drilling assembly 214 by means of two hydraulic rams comprising parts 47 to 49 and generally indicated at 222 which are mounted one on either side of the rotary drive unit 212. The tractor also provides the source of the hydraulic power. In an alternative embodiment a separate hydraulic reservoir and pump are provided to enable the machine to be operated independently of the tractor's hydraulic system.A water supply system is mounted on the frame 57 and arranged to provide water to the drill bit during a drilling operation.

Referring to figure 2 in more detail, but without specific reference to minor parts such as seals, nuts and the like, power is transferred from the drive shafts 46/42 to the upper drive shaft 38 through a chain and sprocket drive (32, 33, 37, 43) which is contained within the transfer box 39 and which is lubricated continuously by oil in the transfer box.

The upper and lower drive shafts 42 and 38 are at all times supported on roller bearings 35. The clutch mechanism (27, 28) is connected into the upper drive shaft 38 and is operated by a lever (not shown) to engage or disengage power to the drilling assembly 214. Figure 2 shows the bevel gear 5A is mounted on the rearward end of drive shaft 17 integral with the upper drive shaft 38 and engages with a bevel gear 5B mounted on rotary drive tube 6. The rotary drive tube 6 is supported laterally in a mild steel circular bevel gear box 1, with sealed bearings 2, 3 at the top and bottom of the box 1. Rotary power is thus provided to the drive tube 56, the lower end of which is provided with integral serrated clamps (not shown), adjusted by means of allen screws 260 for gripping a drill bit.

The circular box 1 is connected to the frame 57 by hinged brackets 12A welded to a mild steel back plate 12 which is clamped to the frame 1 by spacer plates 16 and held in place by twelve bolts 18 arranged in a circle. (See Figure 2). This gives the machine the capability of horizontal or angular drilling as the bolts can be loosened, the plates rotated about a horizontal axis to a desired angle and the bolts 18 re-tightened to hold the drilling assembly at the desired angle.

The hydraulic system (see Figure 7) comprises a quick-release hose connection 230 which is for connection to the hydraulic system of the tractor 200 and which allows oil to pass from the hydraulic system of the tractor to an oil reservoir 232 before being discharged back into the tractor gear box through an oil return flow hose 234. The oil reservoir 232 is formed within a limb of the frame 57 by adjusting a control valve 236, oil can be diverted through an oil pressure gauge 238 to each of three hydraulic units: firstly, the hydraulic rams 222, secondly (see figure 3) a first hydraulic motor 72 for operating a first cable reel (or "wipeline drum") 89 and, finally, a second hydraulic motor 34 for operating, through a worm reduction gear box 105, a second cable reel (or main hoist drum) 102. Figure 3 shows the cable reels 89 and 102 are mounted coaxially.The second hydraulic motor 34 also drives a third cable reel 102A through the gearbox 105, the third cable reel 102A being mounted with its axis normal to the axis of the reels 89 and 102.

The rotary drive unit 212 is raised and lowered by the two hydraulic rams 222 which are controlled for controlled directional movement of by a control lever 237. The speed of ascent or descent of the rotary drive unit 212 is controlled by an adjustable valve 239 in the oil circuit. Vertical movement of the rotary drive unit 212 through the drive tube 56 is allowed for by the provision of a key (not shown) on the drive tube 56 which engages within a vertical slot (not shown) within the drive unit 212.

A further hand lever (not shown) controls the hydraulic power to the two hydraulic motors 72 and 34.

The first hydraulic motor 72 drives (wipeline drum) cable reel 89 for raising and lowering the drill bit.

By transferring quick-release connections (not shown) to second hydraulic motor 34, second cable reel 102 is driven, via the gearbox 105, for raising and lowering a soil core tube (not shown) from the bore hole. The cable reels 102 and 89 are preferably mounted on a hinged centre bearing mounting plate 97 attached to the top of the frame 57 so as to provide adjustable brackets which allow the reels to be re-aligned when the machine is used for horizontal or angular drilling as described above.

The water supply system (Figure 6) is connected to a water source adjacent to the operational area by an intake pipe 240 which leads to a conventional suction pump 241 (see Figure 2) mounted on the base of the frame 57. The pump 241 is driven by double "V" belts running around a pulley mounted on the connecting shaft 46 which is driven by the power take-off point of the tractor 200. A pressure relief valve 67 is fitted to the suction pump 241 and a two-way control valve 245 determines the direction of flow of the water. With the valve 245 in its first position, water circulates through the pump 241 and back to the supply source through a return flow hose 246 (see Figure 6). With the valve 245 in its second position, water circulates through the pump 241 to a pressure gauge 58 and then to the drill bit (see Figure 2).

Figure 1 shows the tripod derrick 216 comprises three tubular legs, each made in two parts which can be joined together by threaded connections. A threaded fixing bracket 248 is fitted to each leg to secure the derrick to the top of the frame 1 using shackle pins.

A threaded adjuster 249 is provided on the forward leg of the tripod. At the top of the tripod, an assembly comprising two pulleys 220 (only one of which is shown in Figure 1) mounted on a shaft is provided. These pulleys provide the necessary guide for wire cables 218 (only one of which is shown in Figure 1) used for raising and lowering drilling tubes and soil cores.

For vehicles which do not have hydraulic means a 25 litre oil reservoir and hydraulic pump may be provided. The reservoir may be integrated with the frame 57. The hydraulic pump may be mounted at one end of the shaft.

It will be appreciated that the drilling machine described above is a compact demountable machine capable of being transported and powered by a conventional agricultural tractor or being driven by the power-take-off of a truck, barge of four wheel drive vehicle. As such, it is well suited for the purpose of geotechnical, geological, geophysical and geochemical boring for use in mineral exploration, civil engineering, quarrying, site investigation, grouting, water drilling, foundation engineering, seismic drilling waste tip drilling, methane drainage as well as open cast and open pit mining and in particular where bore holes are required to be made at many different locations.

Claims (11)

1. A drilling machine for mounting on and operating from a land or water borne vehicle, the machine comprising: a frame for mounting on a vehicle; a collapsible derrick for mounting on the frame; a coupling for connecting to a power take-off point of the vehicle; a drilling assembly; a drive unit connected to the coupling and arranged to provide rotary power to the drilling assembly; and a hydraulic system for raising and lowering the drilling assembly.

2. A drilling machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hydraulic system receives hydraulic power from the land vehicle.

3. A drilling machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hydraulic system includes a reservoir and pump which are independent of the land vehicle.

4. A drilling machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the hydraulic system includes at least one hydraulic ram arranged to raise and lower the drilling assembly.

5. A drilling machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the drilling assembly includes a doublebore drill comprising a drill rod which may be sunk inside an outer drill casing which may be raised and lowered by the hydraulic ram.

6. A drilling machine as claimed in any preceding claim provided with a cable and pulley system arranged to raise and lower a drilling bit of the drilling assembly and a second hydraulic motor for driving the cable and pulley system.

7. A drilling machine as claimed in any preceding claim provided with a water supply system connectable to a source of water, the water supply system being arranged to supply water to a drill bit of the drilling assembly during a drilling operation.

8. A drilling machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein the water supply system comprises a water pump arranged to be driven via the coupling by the power take-off point of the land vehicle.

9. A drilling machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, the drilling assembly is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis to permit drilling at an angle to the vertical.

10. A drilling machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the frame is adapted to contain water as ballast for the machine.

11. A drilling machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.