WO2003038231A2

WO2003038231A2 - Drilling vehicle with support bearing

Info

Publication number: WO2003038231A2
Application number: PCT/NL2002/000685
Authority: WO
Inventors: Iljan David Vos
Original assignee: Costa Dorada Investment N.V.
Priority date: 2001-10-29
Filing date: 2002-10-29
Publication date: 2003-05-08
Also published as: AU2002336336A1; NL1020870C2; EP1442196A2; WO2003038231A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a drilling vehicle (1) for exploratory drilling, comprising a frame provided with at least two wheels (4,5) a steering device and drive means for controlling at least on of the wheels, a pivotable mast (10) which is connected to the frame by means of a pivot bearing (9) with a substantially horizontal shaft, and a mast lifting device (11), wherein guide means (16) are connected to the mast which can guide a drilling device along the mast in longitudinal direction, and wherein the mast can be pivoted into at least a substantially vertical position, wherein the pivot bearing (9) is arranged at a height of less than 2.20 m and the mast can be pivoted substantially to a horizontal position.

Description

DRILLING VEHICLE AND A SAFETY SYSTEM THEREFOR

The invention relates to a drilling vehicle for exploratory drilling, comprising a frame provided with at least two wheels, a steering device and drive means for controlling at least one of the wheels, a pivotable mast which is connected to the frame by means of a pivot bearing with a substantially horizontal shaft, and a mast lifting device for pivoting the mast, wherein guide means are connected to the mast, which guide means can guide a drilling device along the mast in longitudinal direction, whereby drilling can take place in the direction along the mast and wherein the mast can be pivoted into at least a substantially vertical position.

The invention relates to a drilling vehicle for exploratory drilling. Such drilling vehicles are suitable for carrying out drilling with a borehole diameter of less than 25 cm.

Such a drilling vehicle is known from UK 2 230 807. In the known drilling vehicle, the mast is moved using hydraulic means between a substantially vertical drilling position and an oblique travel position. The oblique position is an extreme position of the mast. The construction of the vehicle allows no further pivoting. The mast is mounted on the front or rear side of the vehicle. The use of wheels results in a good displacement speed, whereby different drillings can be carried out in rapid succession.

The costs of a drilling particularly depend on the total drilling time.

The object of the invention is to provide a drilling vehicle wherein the total time required for carrying out a drilling, including displacement and the taking of a sample, is reduced. A drilling vehicle is therefore provided with a high displacement speed. This object is achieved according to the invention, wherein a drilling vehicle of the present type is provided, wherein the pivot bearing is arranged at a height of less than 2.20 m and the mast can be pivoted substantially to a horizontal position. The height of the drilling vehicle is hereby limited considerably in the travelling situation. The centre of gravity is kept low, whereby a drilling vehicle can be displaced at high speed. The stability is also increased. This results in considerable advantages when the drilling vehicle is employed on a marshy ground.

The drilling vehicle preferably comprises pneumatic tyres. A drilling vehicle is hereby provided without specific suspension device, thereby saving on the total weight. The necessary suspension is provided by the frame and the elasticity of the wheels.

The drilling vehicle preferably has a ground clearance of at least 25 cm, in particular more than 35 cm and, according to a particular embodiment, more than 40 cm. The drilling vehicle can hereby be embodied without wheel suspension.

The pivot bearing is preferably arranged at a height of between 0.80 m and 2.00 m. The height of the pivot bearing then also corresponds with a comfortable working height for removing drilled soil samples.

The drilling vehicle will be adapted such that the mast can pivot horizontally. In preference the height of the pivot bearing roughly corresponds with shoulder height. Removal of a soil sample from for instance a sampler, the central axis of which is situated just above the mast, can hereby be carried out in effective manner.

In one embodiment there is arranged a trestle which connects the mast pivotally to the frame. The trestle provides the option of low arrangement of the pivot bearing on the frame, for instance at a height of between 60 cm and 1.20 cm, while the central axis of the mast comes to lie in horizontal position at a height of more than 1.20. The trestle is placed between the front wheels.

A driver's cab is preferably placed non-centrally on the frame. Space is hereby created on the frame for pivoting and lowering the mast along the length of the frame. The driver's cab will herein be situated on one side of the mast. The driver's cab can then protrude upward, above the substantially horizontally positioned mast . On the frame can be arranged a recess in which the mast can be pivoted and wherein the mast is enclosed on both sides by parts of the frame, for instance the driver's cab.

The drilling vehicle according to the invention has at least two wheels. In addition to the wheels, other suitable moving devices can be arranged, such as for instance two wheels and two caterpillar wheels. In the preferred embodiment there are four wheels which can each be controlled by means of a steering device. The manoeuvring options of the drilling vehicle are hereby increased in effective manner. Each of the wheels is independently controllable in direction. The turning circle of the vehicle is hereby reduced. In the preferred embodiment each wheel is connected to the drive, the so-called four-wheel drive.

A favourable embodiment of the drilling vehicle according to the invention comprises a chassis of a telescopic handler. Such a chassis is provided with tyres, with a mast recess for pivotable masts and with a local driver's cab. Such a chassis can be easily provided with a trestle. The cost of such a chassis for drilling vehicles is low. An important measure according to the invention lies in setting the ratio between the different significant characteristics of the drilling vehicle. According to the invention an improved drilling performance is achieved when a drilling vehicle according to the invention is embodied with a determined mass (kg) and a determined ground clearance (cm) , wherein the ratio mass : clearance is at least 150, preferably 200 and, in the preferred embodiment over 250, and in particular more than 300. At such a ratio are improved performances produced. These ratios have heretofore not been feasible. It is noted that such a ratio is new relative to known drilling devices, such as caterpillar vehicles, which have a ratio of a maximum of 100. According to the invention the ground clearance is preferably a minimum of 30 cm in each case.

According to the invention an improved drilling performance is further obtained when a drilling vehicle according to the invention is embodied with a determined mass (kg) and a determined diameter for the pneumatic tyres (cm) , wherein the ratio mass : diameter lies between 30-70, preferably 35-60 and, in a particular embodiment, between 40-55. A good and permissible wheel pressure is hereby achieved with such large wheels of at least 80 cm.

In order to reduce the total drilling time, it is also favourable that the drilling vehicle is suitable for using fast drilling techniques.

The drilling device preferably comprises at least two drill rods. It is hereby possible to alternate different drilling techniques. The site may require the use of specific drilling techniques side by side. This will depend on the soil types at the drilling location. The manner of drilling can be adapted with little time loss by incorporating different drill rods in the drilling device.

The drilling device preferably comprises at least one sonic drill rod. Use is hereby made of a drilling technique which produces the best and quickest results in most conditions. In addition to the sonic drill rod, another drill rod can be present which is for instance suitable for drilling in compact ground layers, such as clay. Another suitable manner of drilling is augering. In a preferred embodiment the drill rods are arranged substantially in one line with the travel direction of the drilling vehicle. Displacement of the drilling vehicle can hereby entail a change of drill rod and drilling technique. According to the invention the total drilling time can further be reduced by measures relating to taking a sample. The drilling device is preferably provided with means for pressing the sample out of a sampler. After the sample is taken and brought up from the borehole, the mast is pivoted. The central axis of the sampler lies above the central axis of the mast. The drilling device then presses the sample out of the tube. Since the mast can be pivoted to shoulder height, the sample can be easily collected, thereby reducing the time required for the whole process of taking a sample.

The drilling vehicle preferably comprises at least one water tank which is provided with a filter system. Water is frequently required during drilling. Supplying water for each drilling results in loss of time. Owing to the presence of a tank a large quantity of water can be made available at the drilling location. Due to the presence of the filter system it is possible to extract water from natural sources and at least partly purify it, so that it can be used in the drilling. It is hereby possible to make use of for instance ditches and the ditch water found therein.

The drilling vehicle preferably comprises a pumping device which is adapted to pump liquid from a first tank to a second tank. It is hereby possible to displace the centre of gravity of the drilling vehicle. Pumping a quantity of water from a first tank to a second tank shifts the centre of gravity. It is hereby possible to arrange during travel an evenly distributed weight over the wheels, while the centre of gravity is displaced in the direction of the mast during drilling.

The drilling vehicle preferably comprises a mast locking. The mast can hereby be fixed in a determined position. In a preferred embodiment the drilling vehicle has a safety system which can block the pivoting of the mast. The upward protruding parts of the frame, for instance the driver's cab, can be damaged by laterally protruding parts of the mast when the mast is pivoted. It is for instance possible to arrange a safety system whereby pivoting can only take place when the drilling device is situated at a determined position. Pivoting of the mast when the drilling device is situated in another position is blocked. Another significant advantage of the safety system is that the favourable positioning can thus ensure the centre of gravity of the drilling vehicle. Pivoting of the mast, at least when the drilling device situated thereon is situated close to the outer end of the mast which will pivot over the frame, will entail a shift in the centre of gravity of the drilling vehicle. When in the case of a vertical mast the centre of gravity lies close to the mast side of the drilling vehicle, during pivoting the centre of gravity will move away from the mast side in the direction of the middle of the drilling vehicle. The wheel pressure of the drilling vehicle is hereby distributed more evenly. This enhances the speed and stability of the drilling vehicle during displacement. The safety system can be adjusted hereto. In a preferred embodiment the drilling vehicle is remotely controllable. This enhances the safety of the person operating the drilling vehicle. He or she can be at a distance from the drilling, whereby no injury occurs in the case of a calamity. The remotely controllable functions comprise: the two jacks; driving of the sample tube, driving of auger, pull up/pull down; clamp at vibrating unit; on/off sonic drilling (on/off vibrating function); tube clamp at foot; pivoting of mast; locking of the mast; water pump. In a preferred embodiment the drilling vehicle has an oil system which can generate continuous pressure. Sufficient pressure is hereby available at any moment for the different components for the drilling. It is then not necessary for a determined pressure to build up before drilling can take place or a different element of the drilling vehicle can be controlled. Such a system is the load sensing system.

In a preferred embodiment the drilling vehicle is embodied with a sonic drill rod and provided with a mast lifting device comprising a hydraulic means, and these are both coupled to the oil system. Only one oil system is hereby necessary, thereby saving weight.

The pivot bearing is preferably arranged at a height between substantially 1.34 m and 2.12 m. It is hereby possible to use all known telescopic handlers as chassis for the drilling vehicle. Such a chassis is very suitable as chassis for the drilling vehicle, since it combines a low mass with a large bearing surface and low centre of gravity. In addition, the telescopic handler chassis is provided with a space along the length of the chassis in which a mast can be placed in horizontal position. The centre of gravity is hereby reduced further during travel .

The ground clearance is preferably at least 35 cm. The drilling vehicle can hereby also be used on wet soil types .

The invention also relates to a safety system. A drilling vehicle provided with a mast which can pivot to a position, wherein components of the mast, for instance the guide means or the drilling unit, can come into contact with components of the frame, for instance because the mast can be pivoted 'flatter' . Some components protruding upward from the frame, such as for instance the driver's cab, can cause damage to the drilling vehicle. The invention has for its object to provide a system wherein this problem is obviated.

This object is achieved with a safety system wherein pivoting of the mast can be blocked. Damage is hereby prevented. The safety system preferably comprises detectors. It is hereby possible to detect whether components on the mast are situated at positions where pivoting can cause damage. An example of a safety system is that pivoting of the mast is only permitted when the drilling unit is situated close to one of the outer ends of the mast. Detectors determine the position of the drilling unit.

It is noted that it is known to embody the drilling vehicle with a caterpillar device instead of wheels. Such a caterpillar device is very suitable for carrying a large weight on marshy terrain. A drawback hereof is that the displacement speed is very low. The low speed results in time loss, whereby fewer drillings can be performed per unit of time.

From US 5 647 442 is known a drilling vehicle according to the heading of claim 1, which is however unsuitable for carrying out drillings on a soft ground. The weight of such a drilling vehicle is too great.

The invention will be further described on the basis of the annexed figures. Herein: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a drilling vehicle in the preferred embodiment.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a drilling vehicle in the preferred embodiment, with a horizontally pivoted mast . Figure 3 shows a cross-section through III-III of the drilling vehicle according to figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a drilling vehicle 1 comprising a frame of four wheels 2-5. The frame is also provided with a driver's cab 6 which is arranged right of centre. Incorporated in drilling vehicle 1 is a drive (not shown), of which only the exhaust 7 is visible. The drive enables movement of drilling vehicle 1. Wheels 2-5 are provided with a rough profile, so that the drilling vehicle can also be deployed on rough terrain. Owing to the size of the wheels, use can be made of the own pneumatic/elastic suspension of the wheels.

Included in driver's cab 6 is a steering device with which the wheels can be steered in usual manner. All four wheels 2-5 are steerable by means of the steering device. The wheels are steered individually. The mobility of the drilling vehicle is hereby increased, whereby it can even reach locations which are hard to access.

In contrast to a drilling vehicle with caterpillar tracks, such a drilling vehicle can move at a considerable speed of more than 30 kilometres per hour. The damage to the ground is also more limited. The total weight of at least 5 tons is distributed over the four wheels 2-5. On the front side of the frame there is arranged between wheels 3 and 4 a chassis part or trestle 8 on which is arranged a pivot bearing 9 which forms the pivot point for mast 10. Mast 10 can pivot as according to arrow 38 around pivot point 9 and is herein driven by hydraulic mast lifting device 11. This is connected to chassis part 8 and mast 10. Chassis part 8 is situated between wheels 3 and 4, so that the vertically upright mast does not protrude far forward. This is favourable for the leverage during drilling. This is advantageous for the drilling power possibly applied.

The frame has a flat longitudinal part 12 which lies in a part lying in line with pivot 9. Mast 10 can be pivoted as according to arrow 38 out of the vertical position to a substantially horizontal position lying on flat part 12 of the frame. Driver's cab 6 is situated adjacently of this flat part and therefore adjacently of the horizontally pivoted mast 10. The height 13 of flat part 12 above ground level is less than the height 14 of pivot 9 above ground level. Mast 10 can hereby be pivoted horizontally.

Mast 10 is provided with a guide 16, for instance in the form of a chain connected to a drive (not shown) . Drilling device 17 can hereby be moved over mast 10. Drilling device 17 has for this purpose a trolley 18 which engages on the mast and guide means 16. Arranged in drilling device 17 are drilling means (not shown) for performing at least two drilling methods. One of the applied drilling methods is sonic drilling, since this is one of the fastest and least expensive drilling methods. In addition, a drilling method suitable for penetrating harder ground layers can be included in the drilling device.

Use is made of sonic drill rods with a power of less than 20 kW. Such a power is often sufficient for performing drillings with limited diameter of for instance 10 cm. Such an application of sonic drilling is new.

On one end of the mast is arranged a foot part 19 provided with two jacks 20, 21. Using the jacks a solid base can be formed for the drilling. The foot part is also provided with a foot clamp 22 provided with two recesses 23, 24, through which can pass drill pipes 25, 26. Recesses 23, 24 lie substantially in a vertical line under the drill rods of the respective drilling methods incorporated in drilling device 17. Vertical drilling hereby becomes possible. The respective drill rods of drilling device 17 are arranged in one line in the normal direction of travel of drilling vehicle 1. Use is made as standard of sonic drilling. However, when a more compact ground layer is encountered during drilling, such as clay, for which sonic drilling is less suitable, drilling vehicle 1 is moved forward a determined distance, for instance 10 centimetres, and recess 24 is placed above the borehole with drill pipes already present therein. A new drill pipe is then coupled to the drill rod situated vertically above recess 24 in drilling device 17. The most efficient method of drilling particular ground layers can hereby be selected in each case. Drilling unit 17 is shown in figure 3, wherein the different drill rods 43,44 can be seen.

A supporting device 27 is arranged on the rear side of drilling vehicle 1. Supporting device 27 is provided with a drill pipe storage 28 in which drill pipes 29 can be arranged. Supporting device 27 also supports two water tanks 30, 31 and a pump/filter device 32. It is of great importance that water is present during drilling. The drilling vehicle according to the invention is provided with large water tanks, so that several drillings can be carried out without new water having to be fetched again each time. This increases the speed. Filter device 32 enables the use of natural water, available for instance in the form of a ditch at the drilling location. Drilling vehicle 1 will hereby have to travel shorter distances. Pressure means are preferably arranged in pump device 32. The drilling device, drill pipes and/or the tooling can hereby be sprayed clean during or after drilling. The water provision is preferably driven hydraulically.

At high drilling power more weight is desirable on the side of drilling mast 10. Using pump device 32 water can be pumped from water tanks 30, 31 to the water tank 33 situated close to mast 10. The foreman driller 34 is shown with a remote control 35 with which the said means can be controlled. It is favourable to work with a remote control, since increased safety is hereby achieved for personnel.

Mast 10 is provided with detectors 36 and 37. The position of trolley 18 can hereby be detected. The detectors are connected to a control device (not shown) . Only when detectors 36 or 37 detect that trolley 18 is situated in a position at or close to the position of the detectors will the control device not block the pivoting with mast lifting device 11.

Also incorporated in drilling vehicle 1 is an oil pressure system, of which air inlet 39 is visible. The oil pressure system is used to drive hydraulic elements for drilling vehicle 1. By using a load sensing system a continuous oil pressure is provided which enables direct driving of hydraulic elements. It is not necessary for pressure to have to be generated and transported from the pressure system to the hydraulic elements. This produces a considerable time saving in the operation of hydraulic elements. Figure 2 shows drilling vehicle 1 wherein the mast is pivoted to the horizontal position. In this position the foot part 19 protrudes at the front and is situated at about shoulder height. It is hereby simple to take for instance a soil sample, since the sample-holder will be situated at shoulder height, wherein the sample can be easily collected.

The drilling vehicle with such a horizontally positioned mast can be displaced at high speeds. The time saving is considerable.

The four wheels are each driven (four-wheel drive) . The four wheels are each ovably connected to the frame. The mobility of drilling vehicle 1 is hereby greatly increased. The space available at a drilling location is often limited, whereby drilling vehicles with small turning circle are necessary. It can be seen that wheels 4 and 5 are turned.

Figure 3 shows a front view of a cross-section along III-III, wherein mast 10 is situated in the horizontal position. Wheels 2-5 have a diameter 15 which is almost as large as, but less than the height 14 of pivot bearing 9. The height 14 of pivot bearing 9 is less than the height 13 of frame part 12 on which lies the horizontal mast 10. The heights 40, 41 of the respective central axes of drill rods 43,44 are situated a little higher than the height 13.

Clearly shown in figure 3 is the ground clearance 42 of drilling vehicle 1 according to the invention. The ground clearance 42 is arranged at a height which is in any case more than 0.20 m, preferably more than 0.30 m, in particular more than 0.35 m and, in the preferred embodiment, at a height of more than 0.40 m.

Pivot bearing 9 is arranged at a height which is in any case less than 2.20 m, preferably less than 2.10 m, in particular less than 1.90 m and in a special embodiment less than 1.80 m, and in the preferred embodiment at a height of less than 1.70m.

Claims

1. Drilling vehicle for exploratory drilling, comprising a frame provided with at least two wheels, a steering device and drive means for driving at least one of the wheels, a pivotable mast which is connected to the frame by means of a pivot bearing with a substantially horizontal shaft, and a mast lifting device, wherein guide means are connected to the mast which can guide a drilling device along the mast in longitudinal direction, and wherein the mast can be pivoted into at least a substantially vertical position, characterized in that the pivot bearing for the mast is arranged at a height of less than 2.20 m and the mast can be pivoted substantially to a horizontal position.

2. Drilling vehicle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the drilling vehicle has a ground clearance of at least 25 cm.

3. Drilling vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the driver's cab is arranged non- centrally on the frame.

4. Drilling vehicle as claimed in any of the claims 1-3, characterized in that the drilling device comprises at least two drill rods.

5. Drilling vehicle as claimed in any of the claims 1-4, characterized in that the drilling device comprises at least one sonic drill rod.

6. Drilling vehicle as claimed in claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that the drill rods are arranged substantially in one line with the travel direction of the drilling vehicle.

7. Drilling vehicle as claimed in any of the claims 1-6, characterized in that the drilling vehicle has four wheels which each comprise one wheel .

8. Drilling vehicle as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the four wheels are steerable.

9. Drilling vehicle as claimed in any of the claims 1-8, characterized in that the drilling vehicle comprises at least one water tank which is provided with a filter system.

10. Drilling vehicle as claimed in any of the claims 1-9, characterized in that the drilling vehicle comprises a pumping device.

11. Drilling vehicle as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the pumping device is adapted to pump liquid from a first tank to a second tank.

12. Drilling vehicle as claimed in any of the claims 1-11, characterized in that the drilling vehicle has a safety system which can block the pivoting of the mast .

13. Drilling vehicle as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the safety system comprises a detector for detecting the position of the drilling device on the mast.

14. Drilling vehicle as claimed in any of the claims 1-13, characterized in that the drilling vehicle is remotely controllable.

15. Drilling vehicle as claimed in any of the claims 1-14, characterized in that the drilling vehicle has an oil system which can generate continuous pressure .

16. Drilling vehicle as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the oil system is a load sensing system.

17. Drilling vehicle as claimed in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the drilling vehicle has a sonic drill rod and the mast lifting device has a hydraulic means herefor, wherein the drill rod and the hydraulic means are coupled to the oil system.

18. Drilling vehicle as claimed in any of the claims 1-17, characterized in that the pivot bearing is arranged at a height substantially between 1 m and 2.20 .

19. Drilling vehicle as claimed in any of the claims 1-17, characterized in that the pivot bearing is arranged at a height substantially between 1.30 m and 2.12 m.

20. Drilling vehicle as claimed in any of the claims 1-19, characterized in that the ground clearance is at least 35 cm.

21. Drilling vehicle as claimed in any of the claims 1-19, characterized in that the ground clearance is at least 40 cm.

22. Drilling vehicle as claimed in any of the claims 1-21, characterized in that the wheel comprises at least one pneumatic tyre.

23. Safety system for blocking the pivoting of a mast with guide means for a drilling device as claimed in either of the claims 12 or 13.