US3089549A - Drilling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

1963 D. ROBBINS 3,089,549

DRILLING APPARATUS Filed March 5, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 03x INVENTOR. of)

Davis Robb/n:

BY W M fWm Rttorneys May 14, 1963 D. ROBBINS 3,089,549

DRILLING APPARATUS Filed March 3, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m O IN V EN TOR.

BY oav s RDAAM Attorneys May 14, 1963 D. ROBBINS 3,089,549

DRILLING APPARATUS Filed March 3, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Davls Roblnns Rttorneys May 14, 1963 D. ROBBINS 3,089,549

DRILLING APPARATUS Filed March 3, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 j g 5 INVENTOR.

Davis RObbHLS @Mfh Httorneys United States Patent 3,089,549 DRILLING APPARATUS Davis Robbins, Oneonta, Ala. (R0. Box 2664, Birmingham 2, Ala.) Filed Mar. 3, 1960, Ser. No. 12,632 1 Claim. (Cl. 175-85) This invention relates to drilling apparatus and more particularly to means for drilling holes into the side of a mass of earth and is an improvement over the drilling apparatus described and claimed in my prior Patents Nos. 2,781,185 and 2,849,212, and entitled Drilling Apparatus.

An object of my invention is to provide drilling apparatus which shall embody a horizontal frame including a carriage adapted for horizontal movement within said frame and carrying a drive shaft which is detachably connected to drill rod section-s, together with improved means for moving the drill rod section into position to be attached to the drive shaft.

Another object of my invention is to provide drilling apparatus of the character designated which shall include improved means for moving a discharge housing toward and away from the hole being bored whereby the cuttings and debris forced out of the hole being bored pass into the discharge housing.

A still further object of my invention is to provide drilling apparatus of the character designated which shall be simple of construction \and manufacture and one which is adapted for drilling holes into the side of a mass of earth at selected elevations and at selected inclinations.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and in section;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, sectional view taken generally along the line 22 of FIG. -1, certain parts including the means for reciprocating the carriage being omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmental view showing the extensible means for adjusting the position of the discharge housing relative to the hole being drilled; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the relative positions of the drill rod sections :as they are added and removed.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, 1 show a translatable support unit 10 for supporting a frame 1:1. As shown in FIG. 6, the frame 11 is mounted for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane relative to the translatable support unit 10. That is, the frame 11 carries suitable support rollers 12 which ride in an annular trackway 13 carried by the support unit 10. The frame 11 is rotated relative to the translatable support unit 10 by suitable means and in a manner well understood in the art.

Pivotally connected to the forward end of the frame :11 by suitable pivot pins 14 :are fluid pressure operated cylinders 16 having depending piston rods 17. The lower ends of the piston rods 17 are pivotally connected by suitable pivot pins 18 to the forward portion of horizontal frame members 19 which are mounted at opposite sides of the frame 11, as clearly shown in FIG. 3. Pivotally connected to the rear portion of the frame 11 by suitable pivot pins 21 are fluid pressure operated cylinders 22 which carry depending piston rods 23. The lowerends of the piston rods are pivotally connected by suitable pivot pins 24 to the rear portion of the frames 19. Preferably, I provide four fluid pressure cylinders 22 and their associated piston rods 23, there being one on each side of each frame 19. By providing the fluid pressure operated means adjacent the front and rear of the frames 19, the frames may be moved to selected elevations or moved to selected inclinations relative to the horizontal.

Extending longitudinally of each horizontal frame 19 is an upper pair of rails or guideways 26 and a lower pair of rails or guideways 27, as clearly shown in FIG. 2. The guideways 26 and 27 extend the length of the frame 19 and the upper guideways 26 support flanged rollers 28 which are carried by a carriage 29. Mounted on the carriage 29 in position to engage the under surface of the guidew ays 27 are flanged rollers 31. By providing the flanged rollers 28 which engage the upper surface of the guideways 26 and the flanged rollers 31 which engage the under surface of the guideways 27, the carriage 29 is held against vertical movement relative to the guideW-ays and at the same time is adapted for free longitudinal movement along the guideways.

Mounted on the carriage 29 is a prime mover, such as an electric motor 32 which is operatively connected to a transmission 33 for rotating a hollow driving head or shaft 34. The motor 32, the transmission 33, and the drive shaft 34 are all carried by the carriage 29 whereby they are adapted for longitudinal movement along the guideways 26 and 27.

Connected to the carriage '29 are forwardly extending drive chains 36 and rearwardly extending drive chains 37 which pass over terminal sprockets 38 and 39 and a pair of intermediate sprockets 41. As shownin FIG. 1, the intermediate sprockets 41 are operatively connected to the piston rod of a fluid pressure operated cylinder 42 whereby the sprockets 41 are moved longitudinally of the frame 19 to in turn move the carriage 29 longitudinally of the frame. The sprocket drive for the carriage is substantially the same as that shown and described in my Patent No. 2,849,212, dated August 26, 1958, and entitled Drilling Apparatus. Since my present invention is not directed to the specific means for reciprocating the carriage 29 relative to the frame 19, no further description of the chain drive is deemed necessary.

The drive shaft 34 is provided with a threaded male coupling 43 which is adapted to engage the threaded female coupling of a drill rod section 44, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the drill rod section 44 is hollow for conveying air therethrough to clear the hole being drilled of cuttings. Mounted on the end of the drill rod section 44 opposite the drive shaft 34- is a drill bit 46.

Air under pressure is supplied to the hollow drill rod section 44 by a suitable flexible conduit 47 which is operatively connected to the hollow drive shaft 34 in a manner well understood in the art for supplying air to a hollow rotary member. The conduit 47 also carries electrical leads for supplying electrical power for the motor 32. Electrical power may be supplied to the apparatus by a suitable electrical conduit 50 which is supported by a boom 50 at the rear of the apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible conduit 47 is carried by a suitable reel 48 mounted for rotation on support brackets 49 carried adjacent the rear end of each frame 19. Accordingly, as the carriage 29 is moved forwardly along the trackways 26 and 27, the flexible conduit 47 is unwound from the reel 48. Suitable means is provided for rotating the reel 48 in the opposite direction when the carriage 29 is moved toward the rear of the frame 19, whereby the flexible conduit 47 is wound about the reel.

Mounted at the forward end of the frame 19 and extending forwardly thereof is a pair of laterally spaced fluid pressure operated cylinders 51 having forwardly extending piston rods 52. Mounted on each piston rod 52, as shown in FIG. 4, is a discharge housing indicated generally at 53 which is disposed to surround the upper portion of the drill rod section 44, as shown in FIG. 3, whereby the cuttings and debris forced out of the hole being drilled are not discharged into the atmosphere. Preferably, means, not shown, is provided for transferring the cuttings and debris to a suitable discharge point. Secured to the rear portion of the discharge housing 53 is a rearwardly extending shield member 54 which surrounds the upper portion of the piston rod 52 whereby foreign materials do not fall onto the piston rod as the discharge housing is moved forwardly. By providing the fluid pressure operated cylinder 51 and the piston rod 52, the discharge housing 53 may be moved axially of the drill rod section whereby the forward portion of the discharge housing 53 is in contact with the mass of earth into which the drill enters. Preferably, the forward portion of the discharge housing 53 is in the form of a resilient member 55, such as rubber or the like.

Mounted for rotation in suitable bearings 56 carried by each side of each frame 19 is an elongated member 57. Secured to each elongated member 57 is a downwardly and inwardly extending operating arm or saddle 58, as shown in FIG. 2. The saddle 58 projects upwardly above the elongated member 57 and the upper end thereof is pivotally connected by a suitable pivot pin 59 to a fluid pressure operated cylinder 61, whereby the saddle unit is rotated in the bearings 56. Outward movement of each saddle 58 is limited by an adjustable stop member 62 carried by the upwardly projecting portion of the saddle member in position to engage a stationary part of the frame 19. Inward movement of each saddle 58 is limited by an adjustable stop member 63 carried on the inner surface of each saddle in position to engage the bottom of the frame 19'. A recess or groove 64 is provided in the inner surface of each saddle 58 for receiving other drill rod sections 44 which are disposed to be interposed between the drill rod section 44 and the drive shaft 34.

Projecting upwardly within the groove 64 provided in each saddle 58 is a break pin 66 which is adapted to project upwardly within openings 67 and 67 carried by the drill rod sections 44 and 44 respectively, as the case may be. That is, when it is desired to unscrew the drive shaft 34 from the adjacent female end of the drill rod section, the saddle 58 is moved upwardly whereby the break pin 66 enters the opening 67 or 67 to prevent rotation of the drill rod section while the drive shaft is rotated in a direction to unscrew the same from the drill rod section.

Mounted for rotation adjacent the forward end of each frame 19 in suitable bearings 68 carried by opposite sides of each frame 19 is an elongated rotary member 69. Secured to each elongated member 69 is an operating arm or saddle 71 having an upwardly projecting end pivotally connected to a fluid pressure operated cylinder 72 whereby the saddle unit is rotated in the bearings 68. The saddles 71 are identical in construction to the saddles 58, with the exception that the break pins 66 are not provided on the saddles 71. That is, the saddle 71 is provided with the recessed portions 64 for receiving the forward ends of the drill rod sections 44 but is not provided with break pins 66.

Mounted adjacent opposite sides of the frame 11 are vertically extending guideways 73, as shown in FIG. 3. Mounted on each of the frames 19 is an inwardly extending support member 74 which carries a flanged roller 76 adjacent the inner end thereof disposed to engage the guideways 73 to thereby provide a surface against which the frames 19 may exert a force against and at the same time permit free vertical adjustment of the frames 19 to selected elevations or inclinations.

Mounted adjacent the forward end of each frame 19 is a fluid pressure operated cylinder 77 which carries a break pin 78 that is adapted to enter an opening 67 or 67*, as

the case may be, to restrain rotation of the drill rod section.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved apparatus will be readily understood. The horizontal frames 19 are positioned at the proper elevation or inclination by actuating the fluid pressure operated cylinders 16 and 22 at the forward and rear ends of the apparatus. With the drill rod section 44 connected to the drive shaft 34, the motor 32 is energized whereby the drill bit 46 rotates. The fluid pressure operated cylinder 42 is then actuated to cause the entire carriage 29, including the motor 32 and the transmission to move forward along the guideways 26 and 27, thus drilling an opening into the side of a mass of earth indicated at E in FIG. 5. While I have described the drill as entering a mass of earth, it is contemplated that the term earth shall include dirt, rock, ore, coal and any similar material into which openings are drilled.

After the drill rod section 44 has entered the mass of earth, the cylinder 77 is actuated whereby the break pin 78 enters the opening 67 to restrain rotation of the drill rod section 44. The drive shaft 34 is then rotated in a direction whereby the drive shaft is unscrewed from the drill section 44. The carriage 29, together with the drive shaft 34 is then moved to the rear of the frame 19. The fluid pressure operated cylinders 61 and 72 are then actuated whereby the saddles 58 and 71 swing the subjacent drill rod section 44 into position between the drive shaft 34 and the drill rod section 44. The male connection 43 of the drive shaft is then rotated and moved into threaded engagement with the adjacent female end of the drill rod section 44 The drill rod section 44 is held against rotation while the male end 43 is rotated due to the fact that the pin 66 enters the opening 67 in the adjacent end of the drill rod section 44 After the drive shaft 34 is connected to the drill section 44 the saddles 58 are swung downwardly whereby the break pins 66 are removed from the openings 67 and the rear end of the drill rod section 44 is thus supported by the drive shaft 34. The male and 43 of the drill rod section 44 is then moved into the adjacent female end of the drill rod section 44 and the drive shaft 34 is rotated whereby the drill rod section 44 is connected to the drill rod section 44. The drive shaft 34 is continued to rotate until the drill rod section 44 enters the earth E. The other drill rod section 44 is then added if it is desired to drill an opening having a length greater than two drill rod sections. While I have shown only two drill rod sections 44 as being carried by the saddle members, it will be apparent that a plurality of such drill rod sections may be employed.

To return the drill rod section 44 to the saddles, the carriage 29 is moved toward the rear of the frame 19 whereby the drill rod section 44 is removed from the earth E as shown in FIG. 5. The saddles 71 are then swung up into engagement with the under surface of the drill rod section 44 and the cylinder 77 is actuated whereby the pin 78 enters the opening 67 to prevent rotation of drill rod section 44. The drive shaft 34 is then driven in a direction to unscrew the male connection 43 from the female connection of the drill rod section 44. It will be noted that the threaded connection between the male coupling 43 and the female coupling of the rod section 44 may be made tighter than the threaded connection between the male coupling 43 and the female coupling of the rod section 44, due to the fact that the break pins 66 are inserted in the openings 67 while the joint is made between the male coupling 43 and the adjacent female end of the rod section 44*. Accordingly, the connection between members 4?: and 44 will be broken or unscrewed before the release of the threaded connection between the members 43 and 44 The drill rod section 44 is then separated from the drill rod section 44 by moving the carriage 29, together with the drive shaft 34 toward the rear of the frame. The saddles 58 are then raised into position with the break pin 66 entering the openings 67 in the drill rod section 44. The drive shaft .34 is then rotated whereby the drive shaft is scparated from the drill rod section 44 After separating the drive shaft 34 from the drill rod section 4 the saddies 58 and 71 are lowered to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The carriage 29, together with the drive shaft 4 is then moved toward the forward end of the frame whereby the drive shaft is moved into threaded engagement with the drill rod section 44. The break pin 78 is then removed from opening 67 and the drill rod section 44 is withdrawn from the opening which is drilled into the side of the earth.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that l have devised an improved apparatus for drilling holes into the side of a mass of earth. By providing a carriage which is adapted for reciprocation within a horizontal frame, together with extensible means for supplying power to the prime mover which rotates the drive shaft and extensible means for supplying air under pressure to the interior of the hollow drill rods whereby the debris and cuttings are forced outwardly of the hole being bored, my improved apparatus is adapted for continuous drilling operation until a drill rod section is moved its entire length into the earth. By providing the saddle members which readily position the drill rod sections between the drive shaft and the drill rod section already within the confines of the earth, the drill rod sections are added or removed in a minimum of time and with a minimum of effort. Also, by provid ing an extensible discharge housing adjacent the forward end of the frame which encircles the portion of the drill rod section at the point of entry into the earth, the cuttings and debris are not discharged into the atmosphere but are disposed of in a controlled manner. Furthermore, by providing a shield member which moves with the discharge housing and extends over the piston rod of the extensible section of the discharge housing, foreign materials do not enter this area and damage the piston rod and the fluid pressure operated cylinder.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claim.

What I claim is:

Apparatus for drilling holes into the side of a mass of earth comprising (a) a generally horizontal translatable frame,

([1) parallel guideways mounted on said frame and extending longitudinally thereof,

() a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement along said guideways,

(d) a drive shaft carried by said carriage,

(e) power operated drive means mounted on said carriage to rotate said drive shaft,

(f) extensible means carried by said frame and operatively connected to said drive means for supplying power thereto,

(g) a hollow drill rod section,

(It) means detachably connecting one end of said drill rod section to said drive shaft,

(i) a hollow drill bit connected to the other end of said drill rod section,

(j) extensible means carried by said frame and operatively connected to said hollow drill rod section for supplying air to said hollow drill rod section to clean the hole being bored of cuttings,

(k) a longitudinally adjustable discharge housing carried by said frame for said cuttings having a resilient portion surrounding at least a portion of the drill rod section in position to be adjacent and outwardly of the mass of earth into which the hole is being bored,

(I) inwardly extending support arms mounted on said frame for pivotal movement in generally vertical planes adjacent each end of said frame in position to extend inwardly beneath said drill rod section for supporting at "least one other drill rod section,

( m) an upwardly projecting pin carried by the support arm nearest the drive shaft,

(12) there being a recess in the end of each drill rod section adjacent said pin for receiving said pin whereby rotation of the drill rod section is restrained While said pin is in the recess,

(0) there being upwardly opening recesses adjacent the inner ends of said arms for receiving said drill rod sections, and

(p) power operated means carried by said frame and operatively connected to said arms for moving said arms about their pivot points whereby said other drill rod section is moved selectively in a vertical direction into and out of position between said drive shaft and the first mentioned drill rod section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,285,712 Hughes Nov. 26, 1918 1,932,068 Englebright et al Oct. 24, 1933 2,107,552 Smith Feb. 8, 1938 2,149,348 Kelly Mar. 7, 1939 2,730,332 Hale Jan. 10, 1956 2,771,271 Lawson Nov. 21, 1956 2,781,185 Robbins Feb. 12, 1957 2,823,898 Bankston Feb. 18, 1958 2,849,212 Robbins Aug. 26, 1958 2,868,508 Cowan Jan. 13, 1959 2,879,034 Cowan Mar. 24, 1959 2,913,226 Pritchard et al Nov. 17, 1959

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