ZA200908937B

ZA200908937B - Chuck arrangement

Info

Publication number: ZA200908937B
Application number: ZA200908937A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Gerhard Pretorius; Barend Jacobus Jordaan; Danie Coenraad Pretorius
Original assignee: Drilling Technical Services Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-11-24
Filing date: 2009-12-15
Publication date: 2010-09-29

Description

“DE

CHUCK ARRANGEMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a chuck arrangement for gripping drilling components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a chuck arrangement comprising: a base plate defining an aperture for accommodating a drilling component therethrough; a plurality of gripping arms pivotally mounted to the base plate, each gripping arm defining a gripping face for gripping the drilling component and an actuator-receiving face on an opposite side of the gripping arm; and an actuator component located around at least a portion of the plurality of gripping arms, the actuator component defining an actuating face for engaging the actuator-receiving face of at least one of the gripping arms, the actuator component being movable from a first position in which the gripping arms can be moved away from the aperture so as to release the drilling component, and a second position in which the actuating face of the actuator component engages the actuator- receiving face of at least one of the gripping arms so as to pivot the gripping arm towards the aperture so as to grip the drilling component.

In an example embodiment, the actuator component comprises a plurality of actuator sub-components, each sub-component being associated with a gripping arm so as to engage that gripping arm.

In an example embodiment, the actuating face of the actuator sub-component and the actuator-receiving face of the relevant gripping arm are complementary so that in the first position the gripping arm is substantially adjacent and nested within the relevant actuator sub-component, and in the second position the gripping arm is pushed away from the relevant actuator sub-component by the sub-component's actuating face.

In an example embodiment, the chuck arrangement comprises four gripping arms and four associated actuator sub-components.

In an example embodiment, the four associated actuator sub-components are joined together so as to define a rotatable ring that can move between the first and second positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a chuck arrangement according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a top view of a chuck arrangement in a first, disengaged position, according to an example embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 3 shows a top view of a chuck arrangement in a second, engaged position, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, a chuck arrangement 10 is shown comprising a base plate 12 defining an aperture 14 for accommodating a drilling component therethrough. The base plate 12 is typically circular and may include a side wall 16 to facilitate rotation of an actuator component 18, which will be described in more detail further on.

The chuck arrangement 10 further comprises a plurality of, but typically four, gripping arms 20.1 to 20.4. The gripping arms 20.1 to 20.4 are pivotally mounted to the base plate 12 by means of pins 22.1 to 22.4 fitted to the base plate 12 that extend through corresponding apertures defined in each gripping arm 20.1 to 20.4. Each gripping arm 20.1 to 20.4 defines a gripping face 24.1 to 24.4, respectively, for gripping the drilling component (not shown) and an actuator-receiving face 26.1 to 26.4 on an opposite side of the gripping arm 20.1 to 20.4.

The actuator component 18 is located around the gripping arms 20.1 to 20.4, and comprises four sub-components 18.1 to 18.4, each sub-component 18.1 to 18.4 being associated with, and arranged to engage a gripping arm 20.1 to 20.4, respectively. In an example embodiment, the actuator sub-components 18.1 to 18.4 are joined together so as to define a rotatable ring.

Each actuator sub-component 18.1 to 18.4 defines an actuating face 28.1 to 28.4 for engaging the actuator-receiving face 26.1 to 26.4, respectively, of each gripping arm 20.1 to 20.4.

In an example embodiment, the actuating face 28.1 to 28.4 of each actuator sub-component 18.1 to 18.4 and the actuator-receiving face 26.1 to 26.4 of the relevant gripping arm 20.1 to 20.4 are complementary, comprising a series of protrusions and recesses.

In use, the actuator component 18 can be rotated from a first position shown in

Figure 2 to a second position shown in Figure 3, as indicated by arrows 30 in

Figure 2.

In the first position shown in Figure 2, each gripping arm 20.1 to 20.4 is substantially adjacent and nested within the relevant actuator sub-component 18.1 to 18.4, with, in particular, the protrusions of the actuator sub-components 18.1 to 18.4 nesting within the complementary recesses of the corresponding actuator-receiving faces 26.1 to 26.4 of the relevant gripping arm 20.1 to 20.4.

In this first position, the gripping arms 20.1 to 20.4 can be moved away from the aperture 14 so as to enable the drilling component to be released.

In the second position shown in Figure 3, the actuating face 28.1 to 28.4 of each actuator sub-component 18.1 to 18.4 engages the actuator-receiving face 26.1 to 26.4 of the relevant gripping arm 20.1 to 20.4. During this engagement process, the gripping arms 20.1 to 20.4 are pushed away from the relevant : actuator sub-component 18.1 to 18.4 by the sub-component's actuating face 28.1 to 28.4. This in turn causes the gripping arms 20.1 to 20.4 to pivot towards the aperture 14, as indicated by arrows 32.1 to 32.4 so as to grip the drilling component.

The present invention thus provides a chuck arrangement for gripping drilling components that is safe and easy to use.

Claims

loi d 7 1 w CL 3

1. A chuck arrangement comprising: a base plate defining an aperture for accommodating a drilling component therethrough; a plurality of gripping arms pivotally mounted to the base plate, each gripping arm defining a gripping face for gripping the drilling component and an actuator-receiving face on an opposite side of the gripping arm; and an actuator component located around at least a portion of the plurality of gripping arms, the actuator component defining an actuating face for engaging the actuator-receiving face of at least one of the gripping arms, the actuator component being movable from a first position in which the gripping arms can be moved away from the aperture so as to release the drilling component, and a second position in which the actuating face of the actuator component engages the actuator-receiving face of : at least one of the gripping arms so as to pivot the gripping arm towards the aperture so as to grip the drilling component.

2. The chuck arrangement of claim 1, wherein the actuator component comprises a plurality of actuator sub-components, each sub-component being associated with a gripping arm so as to engage that gripping arm.

3. The chuck arrangement of claim 2, wherein the actuating face of the actuator sub-component and the actuator-receiving face of the relevant gripping arm are complementary so that in the first position the gripping arm is substantially adjacent and nested within the relevant actuator sub-component, and in the second position the gripping arm is pushed away from the relevant actuator sub-component by the sub- component's actuating face.

4, The chuck arrangement of either claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the chuck arrangement comprises four gripping arms and four associated actuator sub-components.

5. The chuck arrangement of claim 4, wherein the four associated actuator sub-components are joined together so as to define a rotatable ring that can move between the first and second positions.

6. A chuck arrangement substantially as herein described and illustrated. DATED THIS 15™ DAY OF DECEMBER 2009

J.A. FIANDEIRD BOWMAN GILFILLAN INC. FOR THE APPLICANT