SE543260C2

SE543260C2 - An apparatus, a method and a drilling rig for installing pipes in ground

Info

Publication number: SE543260C2
Application number: SE1950353A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Björn A Larsson; Jan Olsson; Martin Ekefalk
Original assignee: Epiroc Rock Drills Ab
Priority date: 2019-03-21
Filing date: 2019-03-21
Publication date: 2020-11-03
Also published as: WO2020190196A1; EP3942150A1; JP2022525542A; CN113508213B; SE1950353A1; CN113508213A

Abstract

Apparatuses (102) for installing pipes (104, 106) in ground, the apparatus (102) being configured to install pipes (104, 106) connected to a drilling tool (110) and drill the drilling tool (110) into the ground (108) together with the pipes (104, 106). The apparatus (102) comprises a feed beam (112) attachable or connectable to a boom (114) of a drilling rig (116), the feed beam (112) comprising a guide (118) extending in a longitudinal direction (120); a feeder (122), the guide (118) being configured to hold and guide the feeder (122), the feeder (122) being movable in the longitudinal direction (120) in relation to the feed beam (112); a drilling machine (124) attached to the feeder (122) and movable in relation to the feed beam (112), the drilling machine (124) being configured to be attached to the drilling tool (110) by one or more drill rods (126, 128) which in a drilling operation extend inside one or a plurality of the pipes (104, 106) in the longitudinal direction (120); and a first arm (138) attached to the feed beam (112), the first arm (138) having a gripper (140) for gripping and/or holding the drill rod (126, 128), wherein the first arm (138) is movable in relation to the feed beam (112) between an inactive position and an active position, wherein in the active position of the first arm (138) the gripper (140) of the first arm (138) is configured to grip and/or hold the drill rod (126, 128). A drilling rig (116) for installing pipes (104, 106) in ground (108), wherein the drilling rig (116) comprises a boom (114) and such an apparatus (102). Methods associated with such an apparatus (102).

Description

AN APPARATUS, A METHOD AND A DRILLING RIG FOR INSTALLING PIPESIN GROUND Technical Field Aspects of the present invention relate to an apparatus for installing pipes in ground.The apparatus is configured to install pipes connected to a drilling tool and drill thedrilling tool into the ground together with the pipes. A drilling machine of theapparatus is configured to be attached to the drilling tool by one or more drill rodswhich in a drilling operation extend inside one or a plurality of the pipes. Aspects ofthe present invention also relate to a drilling rig for installing pipes in ground, thedrilling rig comprising a boom and an apparatus of the above-mentioned sort.Further, aspects of the present invention also relate to methods for installing pipesconnected to a drilling tool in ground. The methods comprise the step of drilling thedrilling tool into the ground together with the pipes by means of an apparatus of the above-mentioned sort.

Background When excavating and drilling tunnels or rooms under ground, sometimes there areweak ground conditions. Conventionally, to support and increase the stability of theroof and/or walls of a tunnel or a room, a plurality of pipes may be installed in theground, i.e. in the roof and/or walls. Conventionally, one or more pipes after oneanother are installed in the same drill hole, and pipes are installed in several drillholes extending side by side, i.e. extending essentially parallel to one another. Thestructure formed in this way may be called a pipe roof or a pipe wall or a pipeumbrella. The concept of installing pipes in this manner may be called pipe roofing.Pipes may be installed in this way to increase stability in portal sections and for there-excavation of collapsed sections in underground constructions. Anotherapplication is ground improvement. Conventionally, a single-use drilling tool isrotatably attached to the first pipe and the drilling tool is drilled into the groundtogether with the pipes. A conventional apparatus used for installing the pipes isattached to a boom of a drilling rig. Conventionally, a drilling machine of theapparatus is attached to the drilling tool by one or more drill rods which in a drillingoperation are attached to one another and extend longitudinally inside the pipes.The installation of the pipes as disclosed above involves many steps and is complex.

SummaryAn object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a solution which mitigatesor solves the drawbacks and problems of conventional solutions.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the above-mentioned and other objectsof the embodiments of present invention are attained by providing an apparatus forinstalling pipes in ground. The apparatus is configured to install pipes connected toa drilling tool and drill the drilling tool into the ground together with the pipes. Theapparatus comprises a feed beam attachable or connectable to a boom of a drilling rig, the feedbeam comprising a guide extending in a longitudinal direction, a feeder, the guide being configured to hold and guide the feeder, the feederbeing movable in the longitudinal direction in relation to the feed beam, a drilling machine attached to the feeder and movable in relation to the feedbeam, the drilling machine being configured to be attached to the drilling tool by oneor more drill rods which in a drilling operation extend inside one or a plurality of thepipes in the longitudinal direction, and a first arm attached to the feed beam, the first arm having a gripper forgripping and/or holding the drill rod, wherein the first arm is movable in relation tothe feed beam between an inactive position and an active position, wherein in theactive position of the first arm the gripper of the first arm is configured to grip and/orhold the drill rod.

An advantage of the apparatus according to the first aspect is that by way of theabove-mentioned movability of the first arm, when the first arm is the inactiveposition and thus moved away, room is made for receiving the drill rod and place itin an operating position in which the drill rod is attachable to the drilling machineand to a neighbouring drill rod, and when the first arm is in the active position thedrill rod can be manipulated, i.e. gripped or held, by the gripper of the first arm. Theinstallation according to conventional solutions requires several operators, sinceseveral steps require manual handling of the pipes and the drill rods by one or moreoperators. An advantage of the apparatus according to the first aspect is that moresteps can be performed solely by the apparatus without any manual handling of the 3 drill rods by one or more Operators. Thus, the installation of the pipes is made moreefficient requiring a reduced amount of manual work. The time needed for theinstallation of the pipes is efficiently reduced. By means of the apparatus accordingto the first aspect, the installation of pipes in ground or the process of pipe roofingis improved and requires less man hours. Consequently, the stability of roofs and walls having weak ground conditions can be increased in an efficient manner.

The drilling tool may be rotatably attached to a pipe. The drilling tool may comprisean annular drill bit rotatably attached to a pipe at an end thereof and a pilot drill bitfixedly attachable to the annular drill bit. The pilot drill bit is advantageouslydetachably attached to the annular drill bit. The pilot drill bit is attachable,advantageously detachably attachable, to the drill rods. The annular drill bit is asingle-use drill bit and is left in the drill hole. The pilot drill bit may be re-used forconsecutive pipe installation. Alternatively, the drilling tool may be a single-usedrilling tool rotatably attached to a pipe, and the drill rods may be attached to thesingle-use drilling tool by an adapter, which may be seen as an interface. ln general, the drill rods are removed from the installed pipes after drilling and re-used for consecutive pipe installation. ln general, the drill rods are attachable, forexample detachably attachable, to one another and attached to one another duringthe drilling operation. ln general, during the drilling operation the drilling machine isattached to one or more drill rods. The pipes may be attachable to one another. ln the active position of the first arm the gripper of the first arm is configured to gripthe drill rod and/or in the active position of the first arm the gripper of the first arm isconfigured to hold the drill rod. Holding the drill rod may involve supporting, pressingand/or guiding the drill rod. The first arm may be directly or indirectly attached to the feed beam.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the firstaspect, in the active position of the first arm the gripper of the first arm is configuredto support two of the drill rods in order to align the longitudinal central axes of thetwo drill rods for aligning the drill rods. An advantage of this embodiment is that thestep of attaching two adjacent drill rods to one another is facilitated and can be 4 performed with less manual work. Thus, the installation of the pipes in ground isfurther improved.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thefirst aspect, in the active position of the first arm the gripper of the first arm isconfigured to hold an end portion of a first drill rod of the drill rods and an end portionof a second drill rod of the drill rods to be attached to the first drill rod when thedrilling machine is attached to the second drill rod. An advantage of this embodimentis that the step of attaching two adjacent drill rods to one another is facilitated andcan be performed with less manual work. Consequently, the installation of the pipes in ground is improved.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thefirst aspect, the first arm is pivotably movable in relation to the feed beam betweenthe inactive position and the active position. Thus, the first arm is pivotable betweenthe inactive position and the active position. An advantage of this embodiment isthat an efficient movement of the first arm between the inactive and active positionsis attained, whereby the installation of a drill rod, for example the attachment of adrill rod to another drill rod and/or to the drilling machine, and the detachment of adrill rod from another drill rod or from the drilling machine are facilitated and can beperformed with less manual work. Consequently, the installation of the pipes in ground is improved.

According to still another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe first aspect, the active position of the first arm comprises a first active positionand a second active position, wherein the first arm is movable to the first activeposition and the second active position, wherein in the first active position of the firstarm the gripper of the first arm is configured to grip one or two of the drill rods locatedin a drill centre, and wherein in the second active position of the first arm the gripperof the first arm is configured to interact with a first drill rod of the drill rods and asecond drill rod of the drill rods to push the first drill rod against an inner surfaceedge of a first pipe of the pipes and push the second drill rod against an inner surfaceedge of a second pipe of the pipes. Thus, in the second active position of the firstarm the gripper of the first arm is configured to interact with the first drill rod and the second drill rod to push the first drill rod against an edge of an inner surface of thefirst pipe and push the second drill rod against an edge of an inner surface of thesecond pipe. Advantageousiy, the second drill rod is attached to the dri||ing machinewhen the first arm is in the second active position. Further advantageously, the firstdrill rod is attached to the dri||ing tool or another drill rod when the first arm is in thesecond active position. An advantage of this embodiment is that the attachment ofa drill rod to another drill rod or to the dri||ing machine and the detachment of a drillrod from another drill rod or from the dri||ing machine are facilitated and can beperformed with less manual work. Consequently, the installation of the pipes in ground is improved.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe first aspect, the feeder is movable in the longitudinal direction in relation to thefeed beam between a first position and a second position, wherein the first arm isattached, for example directly or indirectly attached, to the feed beam at the secondposition of the feeder or at the first position of the feeder. An advantage of thisembodiment is that the attachment of a drill rod to another drill rod or to the dri||ingmachine and the detachment of a drill rod from another drill rod or from the dri||ingmachine are facilitated and can be performed with less manual work. Consequently, the installation of the pipes in ground is improved.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the firstaspect, the apparatus comprises a muck shield attached, for example directly orindirectly attached, to the feeder and movable in relation to the feed beam, whereinthe muck shield is configured to cover a portion of the guide and configured to guidemuck away from the guide, whereby muck is prevented from entering the feedbeam. An advantage of this embodiment is that muck is efficiently prevented fromentering the feed beam, which otherwise could impair the guide and the functionand movement of the feeder, or even damage the guide or feeder. By means of thisembodiment, the installation of pipes in ground or the process of pipe roofing isimproved. Consequently, the stability of roofs and walls having weak groundconditions can be increased in an efficient manner. Muck includes released ground material and slurry leaving the drill hole. 6 According to a further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thefirst aspect, when the feeder is movable in the longitudinal direction in relation to thefeed beam between a first position and a second position, the muck shield isconfigured to be positioned between the feeder and the second position of thefeeder when the feeder is located anywhere between the first position and thesecond position. An advantage of this embodiment is that muck is efficiently prevented from entering the feed beam.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thefirst aspect, in the active position of the first arm the gripper of the first arm isconfigured to grip a first drill rod of the drill rods when the feeder is in the secondposition and when the drilling machine is to be detached from the first drill rod. Anadvantage of this embodiment is that the detachment of a drill rod from another drillrod is facilitated and can be performed with less manual work. Consequently, the installation of the pipes in ground is improved.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe first aspect, the drill rods are attachable to one another, wherein in the activeposition of the first arm the gripper of the first arm is configured to grip an end portionof a first drill rod of the drill rods when the feeder is in the first position and when thefirst drill rod is be detached from a second drill rod of the drill rods attached to thedrilling machine. An advantage of this embodiment is that the detachment of a drillrod from another drill rod is facilitated and can be performed with less manual work.Thus, the process of removing the drill rods from the installed pipes to re-use thedrill rods for consecutive pipe installations is facilitated. Consequently, theinstallation of the pipes in ground is improved.

According to still another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe first aspect, the apparatus comprises a second arm having a gripper for grippingand holding the drill rod, wherein the second arm is movable in relation to the feedbeam between an inactive position and an active position, wherein in the activeposition of the second arm the gripper of the second arm is configured to grip andhold the drill rod, and wherein the second arm is attached, for example directly orindirectly attached, to the feed beam at the first position of the feeder. An advantage 7 of this embodiment is that the attachment of a drill rod to the drilling machine andthe detachment of a drill rod from the drilling machine is facilitated and can beperformed with less manual work. Consequently, the installation of the pipes in ground is improved.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the firstaspect, the second arm is pivotably movable in relation to the feed beam betweenthe inactive position and the active position. Thus, the second arm is pivotablebetween the inactive position and the active position. An advantage of thisembodiment is that an efficient movement of the second arm between the inactiveand active positions is attained, whereby the attachment of a drill rod to the drillingmachine and the detachment of a drill rod from the drilling machine are facilitatedand can be performed with less manual work. Therefore, the installation of the pipes in ground is improved.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thefirst aspect, in the active position of the second arm the gripper of the second armis configured to grip the drill rod when the feeder is in the first position and when thedrilling machine is to be detached from or attached to the drill rod. An advantage ofthis embodiment is that the attachment of a drill rod to the drilling machine and thedetachment of a drill rod from the drilling machine is facilitated and can be performedwith less manual work. Consequently, the installation of the pipes in ground is improved.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thefirst aspect, in the inactive position of the second arm the gripper of the second armis configured to grip the drill rod before the drill rod is moved from a resting positionto an active position between the first position of the feeder and the second positionof the feeder, wherein in the active position of the drill rod the drilling machine isattachable to the drill rod. An advantage of this embodiment is that the mountingand attachment of a drill rod to the drilling machine is facilitated and can beperformed with less manual work. Consequently, the installation of the pipes in ground is improved. 8 According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe first aspect, in the active position of the second arm the gripper of the secondarm is configured to grip the drill rod when the drill rod is to be moved away from anactive position between the first position of the feeder and the second position of thefeeder to a resting position. An advantage of this embodiment is that the detacheddrill rod can be efficiently removed to be re-used for consecutive pipe installation.

Therefore, the installation of the pipes in ground is improved.

According to still another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe first aspect, in the active position of the second arm the gripper of the secondarm is configured to grip the drill rod when the drill rod is attached to the drillingmachine and when the feed beam is to be lowered to the ground or floor. Anadvantage of this embodiment is that the apparatus and its drilling machine can belowered to the ground or floor with a drill rod attached to the drilling machine in asecure and supported manner. Thus, there is no need to detach the last drill rodfrom drilling machine after the removal of the other drill rods, whereby the collectionof the drill rods to be re-used for consecutive pipe installation is facilitated.Therefore, the installation of the pipes in ground is improved.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the firstaspect, the gripper of the first arm is configured to grip and/or hold, the gripper ofthe second arm is configured to grip and hold and/or the drilling machine isattachable to drill rods which are attachable to one another by means of threads.Threads are an efficient way to attach to the drill rods to one another, whereby theattachment of the drill rods and the detachment of the drill rods to be re-used forconsecutive pipe installation are facilitated. Therefore, the installation of the pipesin ground is improved. However, alternative means of attachment for the drill rods are possible, e.g. bayonet mounts.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thefirst aspect, the drilling machine is attachable to a drill rod by means of threads.Threads are an efficient way to attach to the drilling machine to the drill rods, andthe drilling machine will also interact efficiently with drill rods attached to one anotherby means of threads, whereby the attachment of the drilling machine to the drill rods 9 and the detachment of drill rods from the drilling machine to be re-used forconsecutive pipe installation are facilitated. Therefore, the installation of the pipesin ground is improved. However, alternative means of attachment between the drill rod and drilling machine are possible, e.g. bayonet mounts.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thefirst aspect, the gripper of the first arm and/or the second arm comprises a pair ofpincers movable in relation to one another, wherein the pair of pincers is configuredto grip the drill rod.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe first aspect, the apparatus comprises a pipe feeding device for feeding andmoving the pipe in relation to the feed beam, wherein the apparatus comprises athird arm attached, for example directly or indirectly attached, to the feed beam, thepipe feeding device being attached to the third arm, wherein the third arm is movablein relation to the feed beam between an inactive position and an active position, andwherein in the active position of the third arm the pipe feeding device is configuredto move a first pipe of the pipes in relation to a second pipe of the pipes to attachthe first pipe to the second pipe. An advantage of this embodiment is that by way ofthe above-mentioned movability of the third arm, the pipe feeding device of the thirdarm can easily be moved away, i.e. when the third arm is brought to the inactiveposition, when the handling of the pipe or drill rod so requires. When the pipe isplaced in a position to be fed, the third arm can be brought to the active position andthe pipe can be fed by the pipe feeding device of the third arm and attached to anadjacent pipe without any manual handling by an operator. A further advantage ofthis embodiment is that by way of the above-mentioned movability of the third arm,the pipe feeding device can work as a grip to move the pipe from a resting positionto a position where the pipe is ready to be fed. Another advantage of thisembodiment is that more steps can be performed solely by the apparatus withoutany manual handling of the pipes by one or more operators. The installation of thepipes is made more efficient requiring a reduced amount of manual work. The timeneeded for the installation of the pipes is efficiently reduced. By means of thisembodiment, the installation of pipes in ground or the process of pipe roofing is improved and requires less man hours. Consequently, the stability of roofs and walls having weak ground conditions can be increased in an efficient manner.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe first aspect, in the active position of the third arm the pipe feeding device isconfigured to rotate the pipe about the |ongitudina| central axis of the pipe in relationto the feed beam. Thus, in the active position of the third arm the pipe feeding devicemay also be configured to rotate the pipe about the |ongitudina| central axis of thepipe in relation to an adjacent pipe of the pipes. ln the active position of the thirdarm the pipe feeding device may be configured to move the pipe in the |ongitudina|direction in relation to the feed beam. Thus, in the active position of the third armthe pipe feeding device may also be configured to move the pipe in the |ongitudina|direction in relation to an adjacent pipe of the pipes. This is an efficient way to attachpipes to one another, which does not require any manual handling by an operator.Therefore, the installation of the pipes is made more efficient.

According to still another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe first aspect, the pipe feeding device comprises a gripper for gripping and feedingthe pipe in the |ongitudina| direction when the third arm is in the active position,wherein the gripper of the pipe feeding device comprises one or more drive wheelsfor abutment against the pipe. An advantage of this embodiment is that the pipe canbe easily moved from resting position to the operating position where the pipe isready to be fed. The gripper of pipe feeding device can both efficiently grip the pipeto move the pipe to the operating position where the pipe is ready to be fed andefficiently feed the pipe by means of the drive wheels. By introducing the drivewheels, an efficient feeding of the pipe is provided, whereby the installation of thepipes is made more efficient. Thus, in the inactive position of the third arm, thegripper of the third arm may be configured to grip the pipe when the pipe is in aresting position and move the pipe to the operating position where the pipe is readyto be fed.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the firstaspect, the third arm is attached, for example directly or indirectly attached, to thefeed beam between the first position of the feeder and the second position of the 11 feeder. By this position of the third arm, the pipe feeding device and the gripper ofthe pipe feeding device can efficiently handle the pipe, whereby the installation of the pipes is made more efficient and requires a reduced amount of manual work.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thefirst aspect, the gripper of the third arm is configured to be positioned between thegripper of the first arm and the gripper of the second arm when the arms are in theactive positions. By this position of the third arm, the pipe feeding device and thegripper of the pipe feeding device can efficiently handle the pipe, whereby theinstallation of the pipes is made more efficient and requires a reduced amount of manual work.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thefirst aspect, the gripper of the pipe feeding device comprises three drive wheelsseparated from one another in a circumference direction in relation to a central axiswhich is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction. An advantage of thisembodiment is that an efficient feeding of the pipe is provided. Thus, the installationof the pipes in ground is improved and requires less man hours. Alternatively, thepipe feeding device may comprise two drive wheels and one idler wheel, or one drive wheel and two idler wheels. Other combinations are also possible According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe first aspect, each drive wheel has an axis of rotation about which the drive wheelis rotatable, wherein the axis of rotation of the drive wheel forms an acute angle withthe longitudinal direction. An advantage of this embodiment is that an efficientfeeding of the pipe is provided. Thus, the installation of the pipes in ground is improved and requires less man hours.

According to still another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe first aspect, the third arm is pivotably movable in relation to the feed beambetween the inactive position and the active position. Thus, the third arm is pivotablebetween the inactive position and the active position. An advantage of thisembodiment is that an efficient movement of the third arm between the inactive and 12 active positions is attained, whereby the handling of both drill rods and pipes isfacilitated. Consequently, the installation of the pipes in ground is improved.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the firstaspect, the apparatus comprises one or more pipe guiding elements attached, forexample directly or indirectly attached, to the feed beam, wherein the pipe guidingelement is pivotable in relation to the feed beam between an inactive position andan active position, and wherein in the active position the pipe guiding element isconfigured to assist the pipe feeding device in guiding the pipe. An advantage of thisembodiment is that the movement of the pipe from a resting position to a positionwhere the pipe is ready to be fed is made further efficient, and the guiding of thepipe when fed to be attached to another pipe is further improved. ln the inactiveposition of the pipe guiding element, the pipe guiding element may be configured toassist the gripper of the third arm in moving the pipe from its resting position to the operating position where the pipe is ready to be fed in the longitudinal direction.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thefirst aspect, when the arms and the pipe guiding elements are positioned in theactive positions one pipe guiding element is configured to be positioned betweenthe gripper of the first arm and the gripper of the third arm, wherein when the armsand the pipe guiding elements are positioned in the active positions one pipe guidingelement is configured to be positioned between the gripper of the second arm andthe gripper the third arm. An advantage of this embodiment is that the movement ofthe pipe from a resting position to a position where the pipe is ready to be fed ismade further efficient, and the guiding of the pipe when fed to be attached to anotherpipe is further improved.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thefirst aspect, the apparatus comprises a pivot member extending in the longitudinaldirection, the pivot member being pivotable in relation to the feed beam, whereinone or more of the first arm, the second arm, the third arm and the pipe guidingelement is/are attached to the pivot member. Thus, the first arm and/or the secondarm and/or the third arm and/or the pipe guiding element is/are attached, forexample directly or indirectly attached, to the pivot member. An advantage of this 13 embodiment is that an efficient movement of the arms and the pipe guiding elementsbetween the inactive position and the active position is achieved. Thus, the installation of the pipes is made more efficient.

According to still another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe first aspect, the pipe feeding device is configured to feed and move a pipe whichis attachable to another pipe by means of threads. This is an efficient way to attachpipes to one another, which does require less amount of manual handling by anoperator. Therefore, the installation of the pipes is made more efficient.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the firstaspect, the pipe feeding device is configured to feed and move a pipe which isattachable to another pipe by means of force fitting. Thus, the pipe feeding devicemay be configured to force one end of the pipe with a reduced diameter into the end of another pipe, or vice versa.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the above-mentioned and otherobjects of the embodiments of present invention are attained by providing anapparatus for installing pipes in ground, the apparatus being configured to installpipes connected to a drilling tool and drill the drilling tool into the ground togetherwith the pipes, the apparatus comprising a feed beam attachable or connectable to a boom of a drilling rig, the feedbeam comprising a guide extending in a longitudinal direction, a feeder, the guide being configured to hold and guide the feeder, the feederbeing movable in the longitudinal direction in relation to the feed beam, a drilling machine attached to the feeder and movable in relation to the feedbeam, the drilling machine being configured to be attached to the drilling tool by oneor more drill rods which in a drilling operation extend inside one or a plurality of thepipes in the longitudinal direction, a pipe feeding device for feeding and moving the pipe in relation to the feedbeam, and an arm attached, for example directly or indirectly attached, to the feedbeam, the pipe feeding device being attached to the arm, wherein the arm ismovable in relation to the feed beam between an inactive position and an active 14 position, and wherein in the active position of the arm the pipe feeding device isconfigured to move a first pipe of the pipes in relation to a second pipe of the pipes to attach the first pipe to the second pipe.

An advantage of the apparatus according to the second aspect is that by way of theabove-mentioned movability of the arm, the pipe feeding device of the arm caneasily be moved away, i.e. the arm is brought to the inactive position, when thehandling of the pipe or drill rod so requires. When the pipe is placed in a position tobe fed, the arm can be brought to the active position and the pipe can be fed by thepipe feeding device of the arm. A further advantage of the apparatus according tothe second aspect is that by way of the above-mentioned movability of the arm, thepipe feeding device can work as a grip to move the pipe from a resting position to aposition where the pipe is ready to be fed. Another advantage of the apparatusaccording to the second aspect is that more steps can be performed solely by theapparatus without any manual handling of the pipes by one or more operators, orwith a reduced amount of manual handling. Thus, the installation of the pipes ismade more efficient requiring a reduced amount of manual work. By means of theapparatus according to the second aspect, the installation of pipes in ground or theprocess of pipe roofing is improved and requires less man hours, and the timeneeded for the installation of the pipes is efficiently reduced. Consequently, thestability of roofs and walls having weak ground conditions can be increased in an efficient manner.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe second aspect, in the active position of the arm the pipe feeding device isconfigured to rotate the pipe about the longitudinal central axis of the pipe in relationto the feed beam. Thus, in the active position of the arm the pipe feeding devicemay also be configured to rotate the pipe about the longitudinal central axis of thepipe in relation to an adjacent pipe of the pipes. ln the active position of the arm thepipe feeding device may be configured to move the pipe in the longitudinal directionin relation to the feed beam. Thus, in the active position of the arm the pipe feedingdevice may also be configured to move the pipe in the longitudinal direction inrelation to an adjacent pipe of the pipes. This is an efficient way to attach pipes to one another, which does not require any manual handling by an operator. Therefore,the installation of the pipes is made more efficient.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thesecond aspect, the pipe feeding device comprises a gripper for gripping and feedingthe pipe in the longitudinal direction when the arm is in the active position, whereinthe gripper of the pipe feeding device comprises one or more drive wheels forabutment against the pipe. Advantages of this embodiment correspond toadvantages mentioned above in connection with the corresponding embodiment ofthe apparatus according to the first aspect.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thesecond aspect, the gripper of the pipe feeding device comprises three drive wheelsseparated from one another in a circumference direction in relation to a central axiswhich is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction. Advantages of thisembodiment correspond to advantages mentioned above in connection with thecorresponding embodiment of the apparatus according to the first aspect.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thesecond aspect, each drive wheel has an axis of rotation about which the drive wheelis rotatable, wherein the axis of rotation of the drive wheel forms an acute angle withthe longitudinal direction. Advantages of this embodiment correspond to advantagesmentioned above in connection with the corresponding embodiment of the apparatus according to the first aspect.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe second aspect, the arm is attached, for example directly or indirectly attached,to the feed beam between the first position of the feeder and the second position ofthe feeder. Advantages of this embodiment correspond to advantages mentionedabove in connection with the corresponding embodiment of the apparatus accordingto the first aspect.

According to still another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe second aspect, the arm is pivotably movable in relation to the feed beam 16 between the inactive position and the active position. Thus, the arm is pivotablebetween the inactive position and the active position. Advantages of thisembodiment correspond to advantages mentioned above in connection with thecorresponding embodiment of the apparatus according to the first aspect.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thesecond aspect, the apparatus comprises one or more pipe guiding elementsattached, for example directly or indirectly attached, to the feed beam, wherein thepipe guiding element is pivotable in relation to the feed beam between an inactiveposition and an active position, and wherein in the active position the pipe guidingelement is configured to assist the pipe feeding device in guiding the pipe. ln theinactive position of the pipe guiding element, the pipe guiding element may beconfigured to assist the gripper of the arm in moving the pipe from its resting positionto the operating position where the pipe is ready to be fed. Advantages of thisembodiment correspond to advantages mentioned above in connection with thecorresponding embodiment of the apparatus according to the first aspect.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thesecond aspect, when the arm and the pipe guiding elements are positioned in theactive positions one pipe guiding element is configured to be positioned betweenthe gripper of the arm and the first position of the feeder, wherein when the arm andthe pipe guiding elements are positioned in the active positions one pipe guidingelement is configured to be positioned between the gripper of the arm and thesecond position of the feeder and/or between the gripper of the arm and the pipeguide. Advantages of this embodiment correspond to advantages mentioned abovein connection with the corresponding embodiment of the apparatus according to thefirst aspect.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to thesecond aspect, the apparatus comprises a pivot member extending in thelongitudinal direction, the pivot member being pivotable in relation to the feed beam,wherein one or more of the arm and the pipe guiding element is/are attached to thepivot member. Thus, the arm and/or the pipe guiding element is/are attached, forexample directly or indirectly attached, to the pivot member. Advantages of this 17 embodiment correspond to advantages mentioned above in connection with thecorresponding embodiment of the apparatus according to the first aspect.

According to still another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe second aspect, the pipe feeding device is configured to feed and move a pipewhich is attachable to another pipe by means of threads. Advantages of thisembodiment correspond to advantages mentioned above in connection with thecorresponding embodiment of the apparatus according to the first aspect.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according tothe second aspect, the pipe feeding device is configured to feed and move a pipewhich is attachable to another pipe by means of force fitting. Thus, the pipe feedingdevice may be configured to force one end of a pipe with a reduced diameter intothe end of another pipe, or force one end of a pipe with an increased diameter onto the end of another pipe.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the above-mentioned and other objectsof the embodiments of present invention are attained by providing an apparatus forinsta||ing pipes in ground, the apparatus being configured to install pipes connectedto a drilling tool and drill the drilling tool into the ground together with the pipes, theapparatus comprising a feed beam attachable or connectable to a boom of a drilling rig, the feedbeam comprising a guide extending in a longitudinal direction, a feeder, the guide being configured to hold and guide the feeder, the feederbeing movable in the longitudinal direction in relation to the feed beam, a drilling machine attached to the feeder and movable in relation to the feedbeam, the drilling machine being configured to be attached to the drilling tool by oneor more drill rods which in a drilling operation extend inside one or a plurality of thepipes in the longitudinal direction, and a muck shield attached, for example directly or indirectly attached, to thefeeder and movable in relation to the feed beam, wherein the muck shield isconfigured to cover a portion of the guide and configured to guide muck away fromthe guide, whereby muck is prevented from entering the feed beam. 18 An advantage of the apparatus according to the third aspect is that muck is efficientlyprevented from entering the feed beam, which otherwise could impair the guide andthe functionality and movement of the feeder, or even damage the guide or feeder.By means of the apparatus according to the third aspect an improved installation ofpipes in ground or the process of pipe roofing is provided. Consequently, the stabilityof roofs and walls having weak ground conditions can be increased in an efficient manner. l\/luck includes released ground material and slurry leaving the drill hole.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the thirdaspect, the feeder is movable in the longitudinal direction in relation to the feed beambetween a first position and a second position, wherein the muck shield is configuredto be positioned between the feeder and the second position of the feeder when thefeeder is located anywhere between the first position and the second position. Anadvantage of this embodiment is that muck is efficiently prevented from entering the feed beam.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the above-mentioned and other objectsof the embodiments of present invention are attained by providing a drilling rig forinstalling pipes in ground, wherein the drilling rig comprises a boom and anapparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 25, or according to any one of theabove-mentioned or below-mentioned embodiments, attached or connected to theboom. Advantages of the drilling rig according to the fourth aspect correspond toadvantages mentioned above in connection with the corresponding apparatus according to the first aspect.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the above-mentioned and other objectsof the embodiments of present invention are attained by providing a method forinstalling pipes connected to a drilling tool in ground, wherein the method comprisesdrilling the drilling tool into the ground together with the pipes by means of anapparatus comprising a feed beam attachable to a boom of a drilling rig, the feed beam comprisinga guide extending in a longitudinal direction, a feeder, the guide holding and guiding the feeder, the feeder moving in thelongitudinal direction in relation to the feed beam, and 19 a drilling machine attached to the feeder and movable in relation to the feedbeam, wherein the method comprises attaching the drilling machine to the drilling tool byone or more drill rods which in a drilling operation extend inside one or a plurality ofthe pipes in the Iongitudinal direction, wherein the method comprises moving a firstarm attached to the feed beam in relation to the feed beam between an inactiveposition and an active position, and wherein the method comprises gripping and/orholding the drill rod by means of a gripper of the first arm when the first arm is in theactive position to assist in the attachment or detachment of a drill rod.

Advantages of the method according to the fifth aspect correspond to advantagesmentioned in connection with the corresponding apparatus according to the firstaspect.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the fifthaspect, the method comprises the step of supporting two drill rods by the gripper ofthe first arm to a|ign the Iongitudinal central axes of the drill rods for aligning the drillrods when the first arm is in the active position. Advantages of this embodimentcorrespond to advantages mentioned above in connection with the corresponding embodiment of the apparatus according to the first aspect.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to thefifth aspect, method comprises pivotably moving the first arm in relation to the feedbeam between the inactive position and the active position. Advantages of thisembodiment correspond to advantages mentioned above in connection with thecorresponding embodiment of the apparatus according to the first aspect.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the method according to the fifthaspect, the method comprises moving a second arm attached to the feed beam inrelation to the feed beam between an inactive position and an active position,wherein the method comprises gripping and holding the drill rod by means of agripper of the second arm when the second arm is in the active position to assist inthe attachment or detachment of a drill rod. Advantages of this embodiment correspond to advantages mentioned above in connection with the correspondingembodiment of the apparatus according to the first aspect.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the above-mentioned and other objectsof the embodiments of present invention are attained by providing a method forinsta||ing pipes connected to a dri||ing tool in ground, wherein the method comprisesdri||ing the dri||ing tool into the ground together with the pipes by means of anapparatus comprising a feed beam attachable to a boom of a drilling rig, the feed beam comprisinga guide extending in a |ongitudina| direction, a feeder, the guide holding and guiding the feeder, the feeder moving in the|ongitudina| direction in relation to the feed beam, and a dri||ing machine attached to the feeder and movable in relation to the feedbeam, wherein the method comprises attaching the dri||ing machine to the dri||ing tool byone or more drill rods which in a dri||ing operation extend inside one or a plurality ofthe pipes in the |ongitudina| direction, wherein the method comprises moving an armattached to the feed beam in relation to the feed beam between an inactive positionand an active position, a pipe feeding device being attached to the andwherein the method comprises feeding and moving a first pipe in relation to the feedbeam and in relation to a second pipe by means of the pipe feeding device whenthe is in the active position to attach the first pipe to the second pipe.

Advantages of the method according to the six aspect correspond to advantagesmentioned above in connection with the corresponding apparatus according to the second aspect.

The apparatus may be configured to install pipes in rock. Then, the dri||ing machinemay be a rock dri||ing machine. The dri||ing machine may be a percussive orpercussion dri||ing machine. The apparatus may be a top hammer apparatus for tophammer dri||ing, i.e. the dri||ing tool is located at one end of a drill string and the dri||ing machine is located at the other end of the drill string. 21 The above-mentioned features and embodiments of the apparatus, drilling rig and method, respectively, may be combined in various possible ways providing further advantageous embodiments.

Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention and further advantages with the embodiments of the present invention emerge from the dependent claims and the detailed description of embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings Aspects of the present invention will now be described, for exemplary purposes, in more detail by way of embodiments and with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which: Fig.

Fig.

Fig. 1 4a 4b is a schematic perspective view illustrating embodiments of theapparatus according to the first aspect, second aspect and/or thirdaspect; is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 but withthe feeder and drilling machine in a different position; is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of drill rods and aplurality of pipes separated from one another; is a schematic sectional view of a pipe and a drill rod of Fig. 3when the drill rod is inserted in the pipe; is a schematic sectional view of a pipe and a drill rod of Fig. 3when the drill rod is inserted in the pipe; is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a first arm of theapparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 when the first arm is in an inactiveposition; is a schematic perspective view of the first arm of Fig. 5 with pipesand drill rods positioned essentially in front of the first arm; is a schematic perspective view of the first arm of Figs. 5 and 6 inan active position; is a schematic perspective view of the first arm of Figs. 5 and 6 inanother active position; is an enlarged schematic view of a second arm of the apparatus ofFigs. 1 and 2 when the second arm is in an inactive position; 22 Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the second arm of Fig. 9 in an active position; Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the second arm of Fig. 10 in thesame active position as in Fig. 10 but from a different perspective; Fig. 12 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a third arm of theapparatus of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the third arm of Fig. 12 but froma different perspective; Fig. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2with a pipe and a drill rod in a resting position; Fig. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2with a pipe and a drill rod in an active position; Fig. 16 is a schematic side view of a drilling rig to which embodiments ofthe apparatus according to the first aspect, second aspect and/orthird aspect can be mounted; Fig. 17 is a flow chart illustrating embodiments of the methods accordingto the fifths and sixth aspects of the present invention; and Fig. 18 is a flow chart illustrating embodiments of the methods accordingto the fifths and sixth aspects of the present invention.

Detailed Description Figs. 1 and 2 schematically shows aspects of the embodiments of the apparatus102 according to the first aspect, second aspect and/or third aspect, for insta||ingpipes 104, 106 (see Fig 3) in ground 108 (see Fig. 16) in order to increase stabilityin the ground 108. Conventionally, the process of insta||ing pipes to increase stabilityin the ground 108 may be called pipe roofing. With reference to Fig. 3, the apparatus102 is configured to install pipes 104, 106 mechanically connected to a drilling tool110 (see Fig. 4a). The apparatus 102 is configured to drill the drilling tool 110 intothe ground 108 together with the pipes 104, 106. Each pipe 104, 106 may be madeof a metal or a metal alloy, or any other suitable material or a mixture of materials.The apparatus 102 is configured to operate according to a process of drilling drillholes and filling the drill holes with pipes 104, 106. The process includes a series ofsequences, one sequence for each drill hole. Each sequence includes a plurality of steps. 23 With reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 16, the apparatus 102 includes a feed beam 112attachable or mechanically connectable to a boom 114 of a drilling rig 116. The feedbeam 112 has a guide 118 extending in a longitudinal direction 120. The apparatus102 includes a feeder 122. The feeder 122 may be called a carriage. The guide 118is configured to hold and guide the feeder 122. The feeder 122 is movable in thelongitudinal direction 120 in relation to the feed beam 112. The apparatus 102 hasa drilling machine 124 attached to the feeder 122 and thus movable in relation tothe feed beam 112. The apparatus 102 includes a driving mechanism for driving thefeeder 122 along the guide 118. The driving mechanism may be a hydraulic,pneumatic, mechanical and/or electrical driving mechanism, and may for example include a wire configured to pull the feeder 122.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 3, the drilling machine 124 is configured to be attachedto the drilling tool 110 by one or more drill rods 126, 128 which in a drilling operationextend inside one or a plurality of the pipes 104, 106 in the longitudinal direction120. lt is to be understood that it is not necessary that the entire drill rod 126, 128extends inside the pipe 104, 106 but it is enough that at least a portion of the drillrod 126, 128 extends inside the pipe 104, 106 during a drilling operation. This mayespecially be the case for the drill rod 128 directly attached to the drilling machine124 during a drilling operation. However, in general, most of the drill rod 126, 128,i.e. a major portion of the drill rod 126, 128, extends inside the pipe104, 106 duringa drilling operation. Portions of the drill rod 126, 128 may extend or may be locatedin different pipes 104, 106 during the drilling operation. For some drill rods 126, theentire drill rod 126 may extend inside one or more pipes 104, 106 during the drillingoperations. The drilling machine 124 has a rotatable attachment shaft 129attachable to the drill rods 126, 128. Each drill rod 126, 128 may be made of a metal or a metal alloy, or any other suitable material or a mixture of materials.

With reference to Figs. 3 and 4a, the drilling tool 110 is rotatably attachable to a firstdrill rod 126 of the drill rods 126, 128, e.g. by means of bayonet mounts or threads.The other drill rods 128, in this case one second drill rod 128, are detachablyattached to the first drill rod 126 and thus indirectly attached to the drilling tool 110.ln this embodiment, the drilling tool 110 includes an annular drill bit 130 rotatably 24 attached to a first pipe 104 of the pipes 104, 106 at an end of the first pipe 104.Further, the drilling tool 110 includes a pilot drill bit 132 fixedly attachable to theannular drill bit 130. Thus, the annular drill bit 130 and the pilot drill bit 132 rotatetogether in relation to the first pipe 104 when drilling. The annular drill bit 130 andthe pilot drill bit 132 together drill the drill hole. The pilot drill bit 132 isadvantageously detachably attached to the annular drill bit 130, e.g. by means ofthreads or bayonet mounts. The pilot drill bit 132 is attachable, advantageouslydetachably attachable, to the drill rods 126, 128. The annular drill bit 130 is a single-use drill bit and is left in the drill hole after drilling. The pilot drill bit 132 may be re-used for consecutive pipe installation. lt is to be understood that other designs of the drilling tool 110 are possible. ln general, the drill rods 126, 128 are removed from the installed pipes 104, 106after drilling and re-used for consecutive pipe installation. The drill rods 126,128 aredetachably attachable to one another, for example by means of threads, and duringthe drilling operation the active or operating drill rods 126, 128 are attached to oneanother. The drilling machine 124 is detachably attachable to a drill rod 126, 128,for example by means of threads or bayonet mounts. With reference to Figs. 4a and4b, each drill rod 126, 128 has a female thread 133 at one end and a male thread135 at the other end. The rotatable attachment shaft 129 of the drilling machine 124has a male thread 137 (see Fig. 10). As an alternative, the drill rods 126,128 couldbe detachably attachable to one another by means of bayonet mounts.

During the drilling operation the drilling machine 124 is attached to the drillrods126,128 and may be configured to rotate and strike the drill rods 126, 128. With referenceto Figs. 4a and 4b, each drill rod 126, 128 has a longitudinal central axis 156, 158,and the drilling machine 124 is configured to rotate the drill rod 126, 128 about thelongitudinal central axis 156, 158 of the drill rod 126, 128. When the drill rod 126,128 is mechanically connected or attached to the drilling machine 124 the drill rod126, 128 extends in the longitudinal direction 120. When the drill rod 126, 128 is inan operating or drilling position the drill rod 126, 128 is configured to extend at leastpartly inside the pipe104, 106 in the longitudinal direction 120, i.e. when the drill rod126, 128 is in the operating or drilling position at least a part or portion of the drillrod 126, 128 extends inside the pipe 104, 106 in the longitudinal direction 120. ln general, when the drill rod 126, 128 is in an operating or drilling position, most of thedrill rod 126, 128 is located inside a pipe 104, 106. The pipes 104, 106 areattachable to one another, which is described in further detailed hereinbelow. Thedrill rods 126, 128 rotate, push and percuss/strike the drilling tool 110 and thus alsopull the pipes 104, 106 into the drill hole when drilling, since the first pipe 104 isattached to the annular drill bit 130 and the other pipes 106 are attached to the firstpipe 104. ln general, the length of the drill rod 126, 128 exceeds the length of thepipe104, 106. ln Figs. 3, 4a-b, 6, 7, 8, 14 and 15, only two pipes 104, 106 and only two drill rods126, 128 are shown. However, it is to be understood that more pipes 104, 106 maybe installed and that more drill rods 126, 128 may be used for the installation of thepipes 104, 106.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the feeder 122 and thus also the drilling machine124 mounted thereto are movable along the guide 118 in the longitudinal direction120 in relation to the feed beam 112 between a first position 134 (see Fig. 1) and asecond position 136 (see Fig. 2). The first position 134 of the feeder 122 may be afirst end position. The second position 136 of the feeder 122 may be a second endposition. The first position 134 of the feeder 122 may be a rear or back position. Thesecond position 136 of the feeder 122 may be a front position. When starting drilling,the feeder 122 is positioned at the first position 134 as shown in Fig. 1, and a drillrod and 128 and pipe 106 are received and positioned in an operating or activeposition between the first and second positions 134, 136 of the feeder 122, forexample as shown in Fig. 15. During drilling, the feeder 122 (and the drilling machine124) is moved from the first position 134 (see Fig. 1) to the second position 136 (seeFig. 2). When drilling, the apparatus 102 is configured such that the second position136 of the feeder 122 is closer to the drill hole being drilled, or closer to the groundformation being drilled, in relation to the first position 134 of the feeder 122.

With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 to 8, the apparatus 102 includes a first arm 138attached, for example directly or indirectly attached, to the feed beam 112. ln thisembodiment, the first arm 138 is pivotally attached to the feed beam 112. Thus, thefirst arm 138 is pivotable in relation to the feed beam 112. The first arm 138 has a 26 gripper 140 for gripping and/or holding the drill rod 126, 128. The first arm 138 ismovable, in this embodiment pivotably movable, in relation to the feed beam 112between an inactive position shown in Figs. 1,2, 5 and 6, and active positions shownin Figs. 7 and 8. Thus, the first arm 138 is pivotable between the inactive positionand the active position. With reference to Figs. 7 and 8, in the active position of thefirst arm 138 the gripper 140 of the first arm 138 is configured to grip and/or hold thedrill rod 126, 128. Holding the drill rod 126, 128 by means of the gripper140 of thefirst arm 138 may involve supporting, pressing and/or guiding the drill rod 126, 128.

With reference to Fig. 5, the first arm 138 is pivotable about a first pivot axis 142 ofa first shaft 144. The first shaft 144 is attached to the feed beam 112. The first arm138 is moved between the inactive position and the active by means of a firsthydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 146 of the apparatus 102. The gripper 140 of thefirst arm 138 has a first grip member 147 and a second grip member 148 movablein relation to one other to grip the drill rod 126, 128 therebetween. The first gripmember 147 is movable by means of a drive mechanism 150 of the first arm 138.The gripper 140 of the first arm 138 includes one or more seats 149 or recesses forholding the drill rod 126, 128, for example for pressing, supporting and/or guidingthe drill rod 126, 128. The apparatus 102 includes a pipe guide 152 configured toguide a pipe 104, 106 carried by the feed beam 112 at an end of the feed beam 112.The pipe guide 152 may be annular and thus form an opening through which thepipe 104, 106 is guided. ln general, when the apparat 102 is operating and installingpipes 104, 106 in the ground 108, the pipe guide 152 is located between the drillingmachine 124 and the drill hole in which the pipes 104, 106 are to be installed, forexample located between the second position 136 of the feeder 122 and the drillhole in which the pipes 104, 106 are to be installed.

With reference to Fig. 6, the first pipe 104 has been drilled into the ground 108 bymeans of the first drill rod 126. The second drill rod 128 is about to be attached tothe first drill rod 126. Subsequently, the second pipe 106 will be attached to the firstpipe 104, which is disclosed in further detail hereinbelow.

With reference to Figs. 7, in the active position of the first arm 138 the gripper 140of the first arm 138 is configured to support the first drill rod 126 and the second drill 27 rod 128, i.e. two drill rods 126, 128, in order to align the longitudinal central axes156, 158 of the drill rods 126, 128 (see Figs. 4a and 4b) for aligning the drill rods126, 128, whereupon the drilling machine 124 rotates the second drill rod 128, andthe second drill rod 128 is screwed into the first drill rod 126 by means of threadsand they are attached. ln other words, in the active position of the first arm 138 thegripper 140 of the first arm 138 is configured to hold an end portion 160 of the firstdrill rod 126 and hold an end portion 162 of the second drill rod 128 to be attachedto the first drill rod 126 when the drilling machine 124 is attached to the second drillrod 128. Advantageously, the gripper 140 of the first arm 138 is configured to pushthe end portion 160 of the first drill rod 126 and push the end portion 162 of thesecond drill rod 128 when holding the end portions 126, 128.

With reference to Fig. 8, the first arm 138 is in another active position. Firstly, thefirst drill rod 126 and the pilot drill bit 132 have be detached from the annular drill bit130 when the feeder 122 has been located at the second position 136.Subsequently, the feeder 122 has been moved to the first position 134 and haspulled out the second drill rod 128 from the second pipe 106. When the feeder 122is located in the first position 134, the first arm 138 is positioned in this other activeposition when the drill rods 126, 128 are to be detached from one another andcollected to be re-used for consecutive pipe installation. ln the active position of thefirst arm 138 shown in Fig. 8, the gripper 140 of the first arm 138 is configured togrip an end portion 164 of the first drill rod 126 when the feeder 122 is in the firstposition 134 and when the first drill rod 126 is to be detached from the second drillrod 128 attached to the drilling machine 124. By means of the drilling machine 124the second drill rod 128 is unscrewed from the first drill rod 126, which is firmly heldand gripped by the gripper 140 of the first arm 138. ln this manner, the second drillrod 128 is detached from the first drill rod 126.

Additionally, in the active position of the first arm 138 the gripper 140 of the first arm138 is configured to grip the first drill rod 126 when the feeder 122 and drillingmachine 124 are in the second position 136 and when the drilling machine 124 is tobe detached from the first drill rod 126. This step will occur during operation whenalmost the entire first pipe 104 has been drilled and pulled into the drill hole and asecond drill rod 128 is to be attached to the first drill rod 126 and a second pipe 106 28 is to be attached to the first pipe 104. To mount the second drill rod 128 betweenthe first drill rod 126 and the drilling machine 124, the drilling machine 124 shouldfirst be detached form the first drill rod 126. Thus, the first drill rod 126 is firmlygripped and held by the gripper 140 of the first arm 138, and the drilling machine124 is unscrewed from its engagement with the first drill rod 126 by rotation of theattachment shaft 129 of the drilling machine 124, whereupon the feeder 122 anddrilling machine 124 are moved to the first position 134. When the feeder 122 anddrilling machine 124 are in the first position, the apparatus 102 is ready to receive asecond drill rod 128 and a second pipe 106 to be mounted.

With reference to Figs. 7 and 8, the active position of the first arm 138 can bedescribed as including a first active position, as shown in Fig. 8, and a second activeposition, as shown in Fig. 7. The first arm 138 is movable to the first active positionand the second active position. With reference to Fig. 8, in the first active positionof the first arm 138 the gripper 140 of the first arm 138 is configured to grip one ortwo of the drill rods 126, 128 located in a drill centre. With reference to Fig. 7, in thesecond active position of the first arm 138 the gripper 140 of the first arm 138 isconfigured to interact with the first drill rod 126 and the second drill rod 128 to pushthe first drill rod 126 against an inner surface edge 166 of the first pipe 104 and pushthe second drill rod 128 against an inner surface edge 168 of the second pipe 106.With further reference to Fig. 7, in the second active position of the first arm 138 thegripper 140 of the first arm 138 is configured to interact with the first drill rod 126and the second drill rod 128 to push the first drill rod 126 against an inner surfaceof the first pipe 104 or an edge 166 of an inner surface of the first pipe 104 and pushthe second drill rod 128 against an inner surface of the second pipe 106 or an edge168 of an inner surface of the second pipe 106. Advantageously, this takes placewhen the second drill rod 128 is attached to the drilling machine 124. Furtheradvantageously, this takes place when the first drill rod 126 is attached to the drillingtool 110 or another drill rod.

With reference to Figs. 7 and 8, in the active position of the first arm 138 the gripper140 of the first arm 138 is configured to be adjacent to the pipe guide 152. ln theactive position of the first arm 138 the gripper 140 of the first arm 138 is configuredto be positioned between the pipe guide 152 and the drilling machine 124 when the 29 feeder 122 and drilling machine 124 are located anywhere between the first position134 of the feeder 122 and the second position 136 of the feeder 122. The first arm138 is attached, for example directly or indirectly attached, to the feed beam 112 atthe second position 136 of the feeder 122.

With reference to Figs. 1 and Figs. 9 to 11, the apparatus 102 includes a secondarm 170 having a gripper 172 for gripping and holding the drill rod 126, 128. Thesecond arm 170 is movable in relation to the feed beam 112 between an inactiveposition, which is shown in Figs. 1 and 9, and an active position, which is shown inFigs. 10 and 11. ln the active position of the second arm 170 the gripper 172 of thesecond arm 170 is configured to grip and hold the drill rod 126, 128. The secondarm 170 is attached, for example directly or indirectly attached, to the feed beam112 at the first position 134 of the feeder 122. ln the shown embodiment, the secondarm 170 is pivotably movable in relation to the feed beam 112 between the inactiveposition and the active position. Thus, the second arm 170 is pivotable between theinactive position and the active position.

With reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 9, the apparatus 102 includes a pivot member 202extending in the longitudinal direction 120. The pivot member 202 is pivotable aboutits longitudinal central axis 203 (see Fig. 5) and pivotable in relation to the feed beam112. The pivot member 202 is pivotably attached to the feed beam 112. Thelongitudinal central axis 203 of the pivot member 202 may be substantially parallelto the longitudinal direction 120. The apparatus 102 includes a drive mechanism205, for example a motor, such as an electrical motor, configured to rotate the pivotmember 202 about the longitudinal central axis 203 of the pivot member 202.

With reference to Fig. 9, the second arm 170 is attached to the pivot member 202of the apparatus 102. The second arm 170 is pivotable about a second pivot axis ofa second shaft 176. l\/lore precisely, in the shown embodiments the second shaft176 is pivotably attached the pivot member 202, and the second arm 170 is thuspivotable in relation to the pivot member 202. Thus, the second arm 170 is pivotableboth about the longitudinal central axis 203 (See Fig. 5) of the pivot member 202and about the second pivot axis of the second shaft 176. For example, the secondarm 170 is movable between the inactive position and the active by means of a second hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 178 of the apparatus 102. The gripper 172of the second arm 170 has a first grip member 180 and a second grip member 182movable in relation to one other to grip the drill rod 126, 128 therebetween. The firstgrip member 180 of the gripper 172 of the second arm 170 is movable by means ofa drive mechanism 184 of the second arm 186.

With reference to Figs. 10 and 11, in the active position of the second arm 170 thegripper 172 of the second arm 170 is configured to grip the drill rod 126, 128 whenthe feeder 122 is in the first position 134 and when the dri||ing machine 124 is to beattached to (or detached from) the second drill rod 128 by means of the attachmentshaft 129 of the dri||ing machine 124. Thus, the gripper 172 of the second arm 170firmly grips the second drill rod 128, and the dri||ing machine 124 is attached to thesecond drill rod 128 by rotating the attachment shaft 129 and the male thread 137of the attachment shaft 129 engages the female thread 133 of the second drill rod128. Fig. 9 shows the second arm 137 in the inactive position after the dri||ingmachine 124 has been attached to the second drill rod 128.

With reference to Fig. 14, an inactive position of the second arm 170 is illustrated.ln this inactive position of the second arm 170 the gripper 172 of the second arm170 is configured to grip the drill rod 128 before the drill rod 128 is moved from aresting position, which is shown in Fig. 14, to an active or operating position betweenthe first position 134 of the feeder 122 and the second position 136 of the feeder122. ln this active or operating position of the drill rod 128 the dri||ing machine 124is attachable to the drill rod 128.

With reference to Fig. 8, in the active position of the second arm 170 the gripper172of the second arm 170 is configured to grip the drill rod 128 when the drill rod 128is to be moved away from an active or operating position between the first position134 of the feeder 122 and the second position 136 of the feeder 122 to a restingposition. Further, in the active position of the second arm 170 the gripper 172 of thesecond arm 170 is configured to grip the drill rod 126 when the drill rod 126 isattached to the dri||ing machine 124 and when the feed beam 112 is to be loweredto the ground or floor. 31 With reference to Figs 1, 2, 12, 13, 14 and 15, the apparatus 102 includes a pipefeeding device 188 for feeding and moving the pipe 104, 106 in relation to the feedbeam 112. ln this embodiment, the pipes 104, 106 are attachable to one another bymeans of threads. The apparatus has a third arm 190 attached, for example directlyor indirectly attached, to the feed beam 112. The pipe feeding device 188 is attachedto the third arm 190. The third arm 190 is movable in relation to the feed beam 112between an inactive position, which is shown in Fig. 14 (also shown in Figs 1 and2), and an active position, which is shown in Fig. 15. With reference to Fig. 1, thethird arm 190 is attached to the pivot member 202 and thus pivotable together withthe pivot member 202. Thus, the third arm 190 is pivotably movable in relation tothe feed beam 112 between the inactive position and the active position. Thus, thethird arm 190 is pivotable between the inactive position and the active position. ln the active position of the third arm 190 the pipe feeding device 188 is configuredto move the second pipe 106 in relation to the first pipe 104 to attach the secondpipe 106 to the first pipe 104. ln the active position of the third arm 190 the pipefeeding device 188 is configured to rotate the pipe 106 about the longitudinal centralaxis 158 of the pipe 106 (see Fig. 4b) in relation to the feed beam 112. Thus, in theactive position of the third arm 190 the pipe feeding device 188 is configured torotate the pipe 106 about the longitudinal central axis 158 of the pipe 106 in relationto an adjacent pipe 104, in this case the first pipe 104. ln the active position of thethird arm 190 the pipe feeding device 188 is also configured to move the pipe 106in the longitudinal direction 120 in relation to the feed beam 112. Thus, in the activeposition of the third arm 190 the pipe feeding device 188 is configured to move thepipe 106 in the longitudinal direction 120 in relation to the adjacent pipe 104, i.e. thefirst pipe 104. This is an efficient way to attach pipes 104, 106 to one another whichdoes not require any manual handling by an operator. Especially, this is an efficientway to attach pipes 104, 106 to another when the pipes 104, 106 are attachable toone other by means of threads. The third arm 190 is attached, for example directlyor indirectly attached, to the feed beam 112 between the first position 134 of thefeeder 122 and the second position 136 of the feeder 122.

With reference to Figs. 12 and 13, the pipe feeding device 188 includes a gripper192 for gripping and feeding the pipe104, 106 when the third arm 190 is in the active 32 position. The gripper 192 of the pipe feeding device 188 comprises one or moredrive wheels 194 for abutment against the pipe 104, 106. The drive wheels are configured to abut against the pipe 104, 106 when the third arm 190 is in theactive position. The gripper 192 of the third arm 190 is configured to be positionedbetween the gripper 140 of the first arm 138 and the gripper 172 of the second arm170 when the arms 138, 170, 190 are in the active positions. ln the inactive positionof the third arm 190, the gripper 192 of the third arm 190 is configured to grip thepipe104, 106 when the pipe104, 106 is in a resting position and move the pipe104,106 to an operating position where the pipe 104, 106 is ready to be fed, i.e. to anoperating position between the first position 134 of the feeder 122 and the secondposition 136 of the feeder 122.

With reference to Fig. 13, the gripper 192 of the pipe feeding device 188 has threedrive wheels 194 separated from one another in a circumference direction in relationto a central axis 196 which is substantially parallel to the |ongitudina| direction 120.Thus, the three drive wheels 194 are spaced apart from one another. Each drivewheel 194 has an axis of rotation 198 about which the drive wheel 194 is rotatable.Each drive wheel 194 is connected to a drive mechanism 199 configured to driveand rotate the wheel about the axis of rotation 198 of the wheel 194. The axisof rotation 198 of the drive wheel 194 forms an acute angle 200 with the |ongitudina|direction 120 of the guide 118. The acute angle 200 may be between (and including)1° and 45°, for example between (and including) 2° and 10°. The acute angle 200may be 2°. When the pipes 104, 106 are attached to one another by means ofthreads, said acute angle 200 is advantageously adapted to the pitch of the threadsof the pipes 104, 106. lnstead of the drive wheels 194 disclosed above, the gripper of the pipe feedingdevice could be configured to firmly grip the pipe 106, and the pivot member 202could be movable in the |ongitudina| direction 120 in relation to the feed beam 112,for example by means of one or more telescopic cylinders, and thus configured tomove the pipe 106 in the |ongitudina| direction 120 in relation to the feed beam 112to attach the pipe 106 to another pipe 104. For example, the telescopic cylinder maybe located and/or attached between the pivot member 202 and the drive mechanism205, or between the drive mechanism 205 and the feed beam 112. Alternatively, 33 and instead of the drive wheels 194 disclosed above, the gripper of the pipe feedingdevice could be configured to firmly grip the pipe 106, and the third arm could bemovable in the longitudinal direction 120 in relation to the pivot member 202 andthus configured to move the pipe 106 in the longitudinal direction 120 in relation tothe feed beam 112 to attach the pipe 106 to another pipe 104.

With reference to Figs. 1, 14 and 15, the apparatus 102 comprises one or more pipeguiding elements 204, 206 attached, for example directly or indirectly attached, tothe feed beam 112. ln the shown embodiments, two pipe guiding elements 204, 206are provided. The pipe guiding element 204, 206 is pivotable in relation to the feedbeam 112 between an inactive position, which is shown in Figs. 1 and 14, and anactive position, which is shown in Fig. 15. ln the active position shown in Fig. 15, thepipe guiding element 204, 206 is configured to assist the pipe feeding device 188 inguiding the pipe 104, 106. ln the inactive position of the pipe guiding element 204,206, the pipe guiding element 204, 206 is configured to assist the gripper 192 of thethird arm 190 in moving the pipe 104, 106 from the resting position to the operatingposition in which the pipe104, 106 is ready to be fed. When the arms 138, 170, 190and the pipe guiding elements 204, 206 are positioned in the active positions a firstpipe guiding element 204 of the pipe guiding elements 204, 206 is configured to bepositioned between the gripper 140 of the first arm 138 and the gripper 192 of thethird arm 190. When the arms 138, 170, 190 and the pipe guiding elements 204,206 are positioned in the active positions a second pipe guiding element 206 of thepipe guiding elements 204, 206 is configured to be positioned between the gripper172 of the second arm 170 and the gripper 192 the third arm 190. With reference toFigs. 14 and 15, each pipe guiding element 204, 206 is attached to the pivot member202, whereby each pipe guiding element 204, 206 is made pivotable.

With reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 9, the apparatus 102 has a muck shield 208attached, for example directly or indirectly attached, to the feeder 122 and movablein relation to the feed beam 112. The muck shield 208 is configured to cover aportion of the guide 118 and configured to guide muck away from the guide 118,whereby muck is prevented from entering the feed beam 112 which could impair thefunction of the guide 118 or even damage the guide 118. The muck, i.e. the releasedground material and slurry leaving the drill hole, enters the first pipe 104, to which 34 the drilling tool 110 is rotatably attached, and exits the last pipe 106 having an openend. ln the beginning of the drilling when only one pipe 104 is connected to thedrilling tool 110, the first pipe 104 and the last pipe 104 are the same pipe 104. Themuck shield 208 is configured to be positioned between the feeder 122 and thesecond position 136 of the feeder 122 when the feeder 122 is located anywherebetween the first position 134 and the second position 136. Further, the muck shield208 is configured to be positioned between the feeder 122 and the pipe guide 152when the feeder 122 is located anywhere between the first position 134 and thesecond position 136. With reference to Fig. 9, the apparatus 102 may be configuredsuch that a part or a portion 209 of the muck shield 208 extends or is locatedbetween an (open) end portion 211 of the last pipe 106 and the feed beam 112during drilling operation, whereby muck is efficiently prevented from entering thefeed beam 112. With reference to Fig. 2, at least a portion 213 or a part of the muckshield 208 may be made of a flexible material, for example an elastomer material,such as rubber. Advantageously, the portion 209 made of the flexible material facesaway from the feeder 122. This is advantageous when the feeder 122 is in thesecond position 136 and the muck shield 208 may abut against the pipe guide 152.Alternatively, the entire muck shield 208 may be made of said flexible material.

With reference to Fig. 16, a drilling rig 116 is schematically illustrated. The drillingrig 116 has a drilling rig body 210 to which wheels 212 are rotatably mounted. Thedrilling rig 116 is parked close to the ground 108 to be drilled and where the pipes104, 106 are to be installed. The drilling rig 116 has a boom 114 which is movablein relation to the drilling rig body 210. The feed beam 112 and the apparatus 102are attached, for example directly or indirectly attached, to the boom 114.

The apparatus 102 may be configured to install pipes in rock or a rock formation,i.e. the ground 108 is rock or a rock formation. Then, the drilling machine 124 maybe a rock drilling machine. The drilling machine 124 may be a percussive orpercussion drilling machine. The apparatus 102 may be a top hammer apparatusfor top hammer drilling, i.e. the drilling tool 110 is located at one end of a drill stringand the drilling machine 124 is located at the other end of the drill string. The drillstring is inter alia formed by the drill rods 126, 128.

With reference to Fig. 17, a flow chart illustrates embodiments of the methodsaccording to the fifths and sixth aspects of the present invention. The embodimentsof the methods provide a method for installing pipes 104, 106 mechanicallyconnected to a dri||ing tool 110 in ground 108. The embodiments of the methodcomprise dri||ing the dri||ing tool 110 into the ground 108 together with the pipes104,106 by means of an apparatus 102 including a feed beam 112 attachable to a boom114 of a dri||ing rig 116, the feed beam 112 comprising a guide 118 extending in alongitudinal direction 120, a feeder 122, the guide 118 holding and guiding thefeeder 122, the feeder 122 moving in the longitudinal direction 120 in relation to thefeed beam 112, and a dri||ing machine 124 attached to the feeder 122 and movablein relation to the feed beam 112. ln these embodiments of the methods, the drill rods126, 128 and dri||ing machine 124 are attached to one another by means of threads,and the pipes 104, 106 are attached to one another by means of threads.

For installing a subsequent drill rod 128, such as a second drill rod 126, and asubsequent pipe 106, such as a second pipe 106, before further dri||ing, anembodiment of the methods includes the following steps: 0 When the feeder 122 is located at the second position 136 (as shown in Fig.2), pivotably moving 301 the first arm 138 attached to the feed beam 112 inrelation to the feed beam 112 from an inactive position to an active position; 0 Gripping 302 the first drill rod 126 by means of the gripper 140 of the first arm138 when the first arm 138 is in the active position; 0 Detaching 303 the first drill rod 126 from the dri||ing machine 124 by rotatingthe attachment shaft 129 of the dri||ing machine 124 about its the longitudinalcentral axis by means of the dri||ing machine 124 while holding the first drillrod 128 in a firm grip by means of the gripper140 of the first arm 138; 0 l\/loving 304 the feeder 122 from the second position 136 to the first position134; 0 Gripping 305 the second drill rod 128 by means of the gripper 172 of thesecond arm 170 attached to the feed beam 112 before the second drill rod128 is moved from a resting position (as shown in Fig. 14) to an operating or active position (as shown in Fig. 15) between the first position 134 and the 36 second position 136, the second drill rod 128 being partly located inside thesecond pipe 106. This step is illustrated in Fig. 14; Gripping 306 the second pipe 106 by means of the gripper 192 of the thirdarm 190 attached to the feed beam 112 when the third arm 190 is in theinactive position, a pipe feeding device 188 being attached to the third arm190. This step is illustrated in Fig. 14; Pivotably moving 307 the second arm 170 in relation to the feed beam 112from an inactive position to an active position, and pivotally moving 307 thethird arm 190 in relation to the feed beam from the inactive position tothe active position, whereby the second drill rod 128 and the second pipe 106are moved from the resting position (as shown in Fig. 14) to the operating oractive position (as shown Fig. 15) between the first position 134 and thesecond position 136; Gripping and holding 308 the second drill rod 128 by means of the gripper172 of the second arm 170 when the second arm 170 is in the active position.This step is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10; Attaching 309 the second drill rod 128 to the drilling machine 124 by meansof threads and by rotating the attachment shaft 129 of the drilling machine124 about its longitudinal central axis by means of the drilling machine 124,while holding the second drill rod 128 in a firm grip by means of the gripper172 of the second arm 170; Pivotably moving 310 the second arm 170 in relation to the feed beam 112from the active position (as shown in Figs. 9 and 10) to the inactive position(as shown in Fig. 9); Pivotably moving 311 the first arm 138 attached to the feed beam 112 inrelation to the feed beam 112 from an inactive position (as shown in Figs. 5and 6) to an active position (as sown in Fig. 7); Holding 312 the two drill rods 126, 128 by means of the gripper 140 of thefirst arm 138 when the first arm 138 is in the active position, which involvessupporting the second drill rod 128 and the adjacent first drill rod 126 by thegripper140 of the first arm 138 to align the longitudinal central axes 156, 158(see Figs. 4a and 4b) of the two drill rods 126, 128 for aligning the two drillrods 126, 128 and forcing the first arm 138 to interact with the two drill rods 37 126, 128 to push the first drill rod 126 against the inner surface edge 166 ofthe first pipe 104 and push the second drill rod 128 against the inner surfaceedge 168 of the second pipe 106. This step is i||ustrated in Figs. 7 and 15;While holding the two drill rods 126, 128, attaching 313 the second drill rod128 to the first drill rod 126 by means of threads and by rotating the seconddrill rod 128 about its the |ongitudina| central axes 158 by means of the drillingmachine 124. This step is i||ustrated in Fig. 7; Pivotably moving 314 the first arm 138 attached to the feed beam 112 inrelation to the feed beam 138 from the active position (as shown in Fig. 7) tothe inactive position (as shown in Fig. 5 and 6); Attaching 315 the second pipe 106 to the first pipe 104 by means of threadsby feeding the second pipe 106 in relation to the feed beam 112 and inrelation to the first pipe 104 by means of the pipe feeding device 188 whenthe third arm 190 is in the active position; l\/loving 316 the third arm 190 in relation to the feed beam from theactive position to the inactive position (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2); andDrilling 317 a drill hole by means of the drilling tool 110 and pulling the pipes104, 106 into the drill hole by means of the drilling machine 124, the rotatingand striking drill rods 126, 128 and the drilling tool 110, while moving the feeder 122 from the first position 134 to the second position 136.

With reference to Fig. 18, a flow chart illustrates further embodiments of the methods according to the fifths and sixth aspects of the present invention. For detaching a drill rod 128, such as the second drill rod 128, to be re-used for consecutive pipe installation, an embodiment of the methods includes the following steps: Detaching 401 the first drill rod 126 and the pilot drill bit 132 from the annulardrill bit 130 when the feeder 122 is located at the second position 136 (asi||ustrated in Fig. 2); l\/loving 402 the feeder 122 and the drilling machine 124 form the secondposition 136 (as shown in Fig. 2) to the first position 134 (as i||ustrated in Fig.8); 38 0 Pivotably moving 403 the first arm 138 form the inactive position (as shownin Figs. 1 and 5) to the active position (as shown in Fig. 8); 0 Gripping 404 the first drill rod 126 by means of the gripper 140 of the first arm138 when the first arm 138 is in the active position. This step is illustrated inFig. 8; 0 Detaching 405 the second drill rod 128 from the first drill rod 126 by rotatingthe second drill rod 128 about its the Iongitudinal central axis 158 by meansof the dri||ing machine 124 while firmly gripping the first drill rod 126 by meansof the gripper140 of the first arm 138. This step is illustrated in Fig. 8; 0 Pivotably moving 406 the second arm 170 form the inactive position (asshown in Fig. 1) to the active position, and pivotally moving the third arm 190from the inactive position (as shown in Fig. 1) to the active position; 0 Gripping 407 the second drill rod 128 by means of the gripper 172 of thesecond arm 170 when the second arm 170 is in the active position; 0 Detaching 408 the second drill rod 128 from the dri||ing machine 124 byrotating the attachment shaft 129 of the dri||ing machine 124 about itslongitudinal central axis by means of the dri||ing machine 124 while holdingthe second drill rod 128 in a firm grip by means of the gripper 172 of thesecond arm 170; 0 Pivotably moving 409 the second arm 170 form the active position to theinactive position, and pivotally moving 416 the third arm 190 from the activeposition and the inactive position, the third arm 190 assisting in the supportof the drill rod 128 during this movement, whereby the second drill rod 128 ismoved from its operating or active position to the resting position forsubsequent collection; and 0 l\/loving 410 the feeder 122 and the dri||ing machine 124 from the first position134 to the second position to collect the next drill rod 126.

When the pipes 104, 106 have been installed in the ground 108, the pipes 104, 106may be filled with cement or any other suitable material. lt is to be understood that one or more additional steps may be added and performed, and some of the above-mentioned steps may be repeated when 39 mounting and attaching additional drill rods and additional pipes and whendetaching additional rods. One or more of the above-mentioned steps may beexcluded. When detaching the drill rods 124, 126 for consecutive pipe installation,the last drill rod 126 may stay attached to the drilling machine 124. ln some embodiments of the apparatus 102 according to the present invention, thesecond arm 170, the third arm 190, the pipe guiding elements 204, 206 and themuck shield 208 may be excluded, letting the first arm 138 remain. ln some otherembodiments, the first arm 138, the third arm 190, the pipe guiding elements 204,206 and the muck shield 208 may be excluded, letting the second arm 170 remain.ln some further embodiments, the first arm 138, the second arm 170, the pipeguiding elements 204. 206 and the muck shield 208may be excluded, letting thethird arm 190 remain. ln some other embodiments, the first, second and third arms138, 170, 190 and the pipe guiding elements 204, 206 may be excluded, letting the muck shield 208 remain.

The invention shall not be considered limited to the embodiments illustrated, but canbe modified and altered in many ways by one skilled in the art, without departingfrom the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Apparatus (102) for installing pipes (104, 106) in the ground (108), the apparatus (102) being arranged to install pipes (104, 106) connected to a drilling tool (110) and drill the drilling tool (110) into the ground. (108) together with the tubes (104, 106), the apparatus (102) comprising a feed beam (112) attachable to or connectable to a boom (114) the hose drilling rig (116), the feed beam (112) comprising a guide (118) extending in a longitudinal direction (120), a feeder (122), the guide (118) being arranged to hold and the guide feeder (122), the feeder (122) being movable in the longitudinal direction (120) relative to the feed beam (112). ), a drilling machine (124) attached to the feeder (122) and movable relative to the feed beam (112), the drilling machine (124) being arranged to be attached to the drilling tool (110) by means of one or more drilling rods (126, 128) which in a drilling operation extend inside one or more of the tubes (104, 106) in the longitudinal direction (120), and a first arm (138) attached to the feed beam (112), the first arm (138) having a gripper (140) for gripping and / or holding the drill rod (126,128), the first arm (138) being movable relative to the feed beam (112) between an inactive position and an active position, wherein in the active position of the first arm (138) the gripping means (140) of the first arm (138) are arranged to grip and / or hold the drill rod (126, 128).

Apparatus (102) according to claim 1, wherein in the active position of the first arm (138) the gripper (140) of the first arm (138) is arranged to support the two drill rods (126, 128) for aligning and bringing the two drill rods (126,128 ) longitudinal center axes (156, 158) in line to align and the chest drill rods (126, 128) in line. 2

Apparatus (102) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first arm (138) is pivotally movable relative to the feed beam (112) between the inactive position and the active position.

An apparatus (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the active position of the first arm (138) comprises a first active position and a second active position, the first arm (138) being movable to the first active position and the second active position. , wherein in the first active position of the first arm (138) the gripper (140) of the first arm (138) is arranged to grip one or two drill rods (126, 128) located in a drilling center, and wherein in the second arm (138) the second In the active position, the gripper (140) of the first arm (138) is arranged to interact with a first drill rod (126) of the drill rods (126, 128) and a second drill rod (128) of the drill rods (126, 128) to push the first drill rod ( 126) against an inner surface edge (166) of a first pipe (104) of the pipes (104,106) and press the second drill rod (128) against an inner surface edge (168) of a second pipe (106) of the pipes (104, 106).

Apparatus (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the apparatus (102) comprises a drill cuttings suspension shield (208) attached to the feeder (122) and movable relative to the feed beam (112), and wherein the drill cuttings suspension shield (208) is arranged to cover a portion of the guide (118) and arranged to guide the cuttings suspension away from the guide (118), thereby preventing the cuttings suspension from entering the feed beam (112).

An apparatus (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the feeder (122) is movable in the longitudinal direction (120) relative to the feed beam (112) between a first position (134) and a second position (136), and the first arm (138) being attached to the feed beam (112) at the second position (136) of the feeder (122) or at the first position (134) of the feeder (122).

Apparatus (102) according to claim 6, wherein in the active position of the first arm (138) the gripper (140) of the first arm (138) is arranged to grip a first drill rod (126) of the drill rods (126, 128) when the feeder (122) is in the second 3 position (136) and when the drill (124) is to be separated from the first drill rod (126).

Apparatus (102) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the drill rods (126, 128) are attachable to each other, wherein in the active position of the first arm (138) the gripper (140) of the first arm (138) is arranged to grip an end portion ( 164) of the first drill rod (126) of the drill rods (126, 128) when the feeder (122) is in the first position (134) and when the first drill rod (126) is to be separated from the second drill rod (126) by the drill rods (126, 128) attached to the drill (124).

An apparatus (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the apparatus (102) comprises a second arm (170) with a gripper (172) for gripping and pouring the drill rod (126, 128), the second arm (170) is movable in the relationship of the feed beam (112) between an inactive position and an active position, wherein in the active position of the second arm (170) the gripper (172) of the second arm (170) is arranged to grip and pour the drill rod (16, 128), and wherein the second arm (170) is attached to the feed beam (112) at the first position (134) of the feeder (122).

The pivotally movable relative to the Apparatus (102) of claim 9, wherein the second arm (170) is the feed beam (112) between the inactive position and the active position.

Apparatus (102) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein in the active position of the second arm (170) the gripper (172) of the second arm (170) is arranged that the gripper drill rod (126, 128) when the feeder (122) is in the first the position (134) and the local drill (124) must be separated from or attached to the drill rod (126, 128).

Apparatus (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the gripper (140) of the first arm (138) is arranged to grip and / or pour, the gripper (172) of the second arm (170) is arranged to grip and pour and / or the drilling machine (124) is attachable to drill rods (126, 128) which are attachable to each other by means of threads (1 ss, 135). 4

Apparatus (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the drilling machine (124) is attachable to a drill rod (126, 128) by means of threads (133, 135, 137).

A pipe feeding device (188) for feeding and moving the pipe (104, Apparatus (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the apparatus 106) relative to the feed beam (112), the apparatus (102) comprising a third arm ( 190) attached to the feed beam (112), the tube feeding device (188) being attached to the third arm (190), the third arm (190) being movable relative to the feed beam (112) between an inactive position and an active position, and wherein the the active position of the third arm (190), the pipe feeding device (188) is arranged to move a first pipe (104, 106) of the pipes (104, 106) relative to the second pipe (104, 106) of the pipes (104, 106) to attach the first tube (104, 106) at the second tube (104, 106).

Comprising a gripper (192) for gripping and feeding the tube (104, 106) when the Apparatus (102) of claim 14, wherein the tube feeding device (188) is the third arm (190) in the active position, and wherein the tube feeding device (188) ) gripper (192) includes one or more drive wheels (194) for abutment against the tube (104, 106).

A gripper (192) comprises three drive wheels (194) separated from each other in an Apparatus (102) according to claim 15, wherein the circumferential direction of the pipe feeding device (188) relative to a center axis (196) which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (120) ).

An axis of rotation (198) about which the drive wheel (194) is rotatable, and wherein the apparatus (102) of claim 15 or 16, each drive wheel (194) having the axis of rotation of the drive wheel (194) forms an acute angle (200) with the longitudinal direction (120).

The arm (190) is pivotally movable relative to the feed beam (112) between the Apparatus (102) according to any one of claims 14 to 17, the third inactive position and the active position. 5

Apparatus (102) according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the apparatus (102) comprises one or more pipe guide elements (204, 206) attached / attached to the wide feed beam (112), the pipe guide element (204, 206) being pivotable relative to the feed beam ( 112) between an inactive position and an active position, and wherein in the active position the pipe guide element (204, 206) is arranged to assist the pipe feeding device (188) in the control of the pipe (104, 106) wherein

Apparatus (102) The pipe feeding device (188) is arranged to feed and move a pipe (104, 106) according to any one of claims 14 to 19, which is attachable to another pipe (104, 106) by means of threads.

An apparatus (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the apparatus (102) comprises a rotating member (202) extending in the longitudinal direction (120), the rotating member (202) being rotatable relative to the feed beam (112) , and wherein one or more of the first arm (138), the second arm (170), the third arm (190) and the tube guide member (204, 206) are attached / attached to the rotating member (202).

Apparatus (102) for installing pipes (104, 106) in the ground (108), the apparatus (102) being arranged to install pipes (104, 106) connected to a drilling tool (110) and drill the drilling tool (110) into the ground. (108) together with the tubes (104, 106), the apparatus (102) comprising a feed beam (112) attachable to or connectable to a boom (114) the hose drilling rig (116), the feed beam (112) comprising a guide (118) extending in a longitudinal direction (120), a feeder (122), the guide (118) being arranged to hold and the guide feeder (122), the feeder (122) being movable in the longitudinal direction (120) relative to the feed beam (112). ), a drilling machine (124) attached to the feeder (122) and movable relative to the feed beam (112), the drilling machine (124) being arranged to be attached to the drilling tool (110) by means of one or more drilling rods (126, 128) which in a drilling operation extend inside one or more of the tubes (104, 106) in the longitudinal direction (120), 6 a r ear feed device (188) for feeding and moving the tube (104,106) relative to the feed beam (112), and an arm (190) attached to the feed beam (112), the tube feed device (188) being attached to the arm (190), the arm (190) 190) is movable relative to the feed beam (112) between an inactive position and an active position, and wherein the active position of the arm (190) is the pipe feeding device (188) arranged to move a first pipe (104, 106) of the pipes (104, 106) in relative to a second tube (104, 106) of the tubes (104, 106) for attaching the first tube (104, 106) to the second tube (104, 106).

The apparatus (102) of claim 22, wherein the pipe feeder (188) comprises a gripper (192) for gripping and feeding the tube (104, 106) when the arm (190) is in the active position, and wherein the gripper of the pipe feeder (188) (192) includes one or more drive wheels (194) for abutment against the tube (104,106).

The apparatus (102) of claim 23, wherein the gripper (192) of the tube feeder (188) comprises three drive wheels (194) separated from each other in a circumferential direction relative to a center axis (196) which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (120). .

Apparatus (102) for installing pipes (104, 106) in the ground (108), the apparatus (102) being arranged to install pipes (104, 106) connected to a drilling tool (110) and drill the drilling tool (110) into the ground. together with the pipes (104, 106), the apparatus (102) comprising a feed beam (112) attachable to or connectable to a boom (114) the hose drilling rig (116), the feed beam (112) comprising a guide (118) extending in a longitudinal direction (120), a feeder (122), the guide (118) being arranged to hold and the guide feeder (122), the feeder (122) being movable in the longitudinal direction (120) relative to the feed beam (112), a drilling machine (124) attached to the feeder (122) and movable relative to the feed beam (112), the drilling machine (124) being arranged to be attached to the drilling tool (110) by means of one or more drilling rods (126, 128) which in a drilling operation 7 extend inside one or more of the tubes (104, 106) in the longitudinal direction (120), and a housing The drill cuttings suspension shield (208) is attached to the feeder (122) and movable relative to the feed beam (112), and wherein the drill cuttings suspension shield (208) is arranged to cover a portion of the guide (118) and arranged to guide the drill cuttings suspension away from the guide (118). enter the feed bar (112).

A drilling rig for installing pipes (104, 106) in the ground (108), the drilling rig (116) comprising a boom (114) and an apparatus (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 25 attached to or connected to the boom (114). ).

A method of installing pipes (104, 106) connected to a drilling tool (110) in the ground (108), the method comprising drilling (317) the drilling tool (110) into the ground together with the pipes (104, 106) by means of a apparatus (102) comprising a feed beam (112) attachable to a boom (114) of a drilling rig (116), the feed beam (112) comprising a guide (118) extending in a longitudinal direction (120), a feeder (122), the guide (118) tilting and guiding the feeder (122), the feeder (122) moving in the longitudinal direction (120) in relation to the feed beam (112), and a drilling machine (124) attached to the feeder (122) and movable in relation the feed beam (112), the method comprising attaching (309) the drilling machine (124) to the drilling tool (110) by means of one or more drilling rods (126, 128) which in a drilling operation extend within one or a plurality of the pipes (104, 106) in the the longitudinal direction (120), the method comprising moving (311) of a first arm (138) attached to the feed beam (112) relative to the feed beam (112) between an inactive position and an active position, and the method comprising gripping and / or pouring (312) the drill rod (126, 128) by means of a gripper (140 ) the first arm (138) when the first arm (138) is in the active position to assist in the attachment or detachment of a drill rod. 8

The method of claim 27, wherein the method comprises the step of supporting (312) two drill rods (126, 128) with the first arm (138) gripper (140) for aligning and aligning the longitudinal center axes (156, 158) of the drill rods (126, 128). 128) in line to align and align the drill rods (126, 128) when the first arm is in the active position.

The method of claim 27 or 28, wherein the method comprises rotationally moving (311) the first arm (138) relative to the feed beam (112) between the inactive position and the active position.

A method according to any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the method comprises moving (307) a second arm (170) attached to the feed beam (112) relative to the feed beam (112) between an inactive position and an active position, and the method comprising gripping and pouring (308) the drill rod (126,128) by means of a gripper (172) of the second arm (172) when the second arm (172) is in the active position to assist in the attachment or detachment of a drill rod (126, 128).

A method of installing pipes (104, 106) connected to a drilling tool (110) in the ground (108), the method comprising drilling (317) the drilling tool (110) into the ground (108) together with the pipes (104, 106). ) by means of an apparatus (102) comprising a feed beam (112) attachable to a boom (114) of a drilling rig (116), the feed beam (112) comprising a guide (118) extending in a longitudinal direction (120), a feeder ( 122), the guide (118) pouring and guiding the feeder (122), the feeder (122) moving in the longitudinal direction (120) in relation to the feed beam (112), and a drilling machine (124) attached to the feeder (122) and movable in the relation feeder beam (112), the method comprising attaching (309) the drilling machine (124) to the drilling tool (110) by means of one or more drill rods (126, 128) which in a drilling operation extend within one or a plurality of the tubes (104, 106 ) in the longitudinal direction (120), the method comprising moving a v (307) an arm (190) attached 9 to the feed beam (112) relative to the feed beam (112) between an inactive position and an active position, a pipe feeding device (188) being attached to the arm (190), and the method comprising feeding and moving (315) a first tube (104, 106) of the tubes (104, 106) relative to the feed beam (112) and relative to a second tube (104, 106) of the tubes (104, 106) the medium tube feeder (188) when the arm (190) is in the active position for attaching the first and second tubes (104, 106) to each other.