Patent Application
20210040763
The present disclosure relates generally to mobile drilling machines, and more particularly, to a mast coupling assembly for such drilling machines.
Mobile drilling machines, such as blast hole drilling machines, are typically used for drilling blast holes for mining, quarrying, dam construction, and road construction, among other uses. The process of excavating rock, or other material, by blast hole drilling comprises using the blast hole drill machine to drill a plurality of holes into the rock and filling the holes with explosives. The explosives are detonated causing the rock to collapse, and rubble of the collapse is then removed and the new surface that is formed is reinforced. Many blast hole drilling machines utilize rotary drill heads, mounted on a mast, that can drill blast holes anywhere from 6 inches to 22 inches in diameter and depths up to 150 feet. A coupling assembly, known as an A-frame, is typically used to pivotably mount the mast onto the mobile drilling machine. Current coupling assemblies, and the corresponding couplings of the mast, may include pivot points at which the mast pivots in the coupling assembly. Further, current masts may include locking points at which the mast can be locked in a drilling position. However, current coupling assemblies may not properly account for, or distribute, loads from the mast on the coupling assembly (e.g., through the pivot points).
U.S. Pat. No. 9,869,109, issued to Thiessen et al. on Jan. 16, 2018 (“the '109 patent”), describes a drilling rig mast having a mast supported by an A-frame structure. The mast may be pivotably attached to support shoes of a frame of the drilling rig. The A-frame structure of the '109 patent may also be attached to the support shoes. However, the drilling rig of the '109 patent is not a mobile drilling machine. Further, the mast and the A-frame structure of the '109 patent may not be easily machinable. Moreover, the mast and the A-frame structure may not be able to properly account for loads, such as axial, horizontal, or eccentric axial loads.
The mobile drilling machine of the present disclosure may solve one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems in the art. The scope of the current disclosure, however, is defined by the attached claims, and not by the ability to solve any specific problem.
In one aspect, a drilling machine is disclosed. The drilling machine may include: a mast including a mast frame, a movable drill head assembly, a first pivot aperture, and a plurality of first lock apertures each corresponding to a different drilling position of the mast. The machine frame may include an engine, a ground engaging assembly having an axle extending through the machine frame, and a mast coupling assembly having at least a pair of opposed legs, each leg including at least one plate, wherein the at least one plate includes: a second pivot aperture positioned to align with the first pivot aperture of the mast to pivotably couple the mast to each leg; and a second lock aperture positioned to align with each of the first lock apertures and receive a lock pin for locking the mast in a drilling position.
In another aspect, a drilling machine is disclosed. The drilling machine may include: a mast having a mast frame including at least a pair of opposing side plates and a movable drill head assembly slidably mounted on the mast frame, wherein each side plate includes: a first pivot aperture; and a plurality of first lock apertures each corresponding to a different drilling position of the mast; and a machine frame including an engine, a ground engaging assembly having an axle extending through the machine frame, and a mast coupling assembly having at least a pair of opposing legs, each leg including: a second pivot aperture positioned to align with the first pivot aperture of the side plate to pivotably couple the mast to the each leg; and a second lock aperture positioned to align with each of the first lock apertures of the side plate and receive a lock pin for locking the mast in a drilling position.
In yet another aspect, a drilling machine is disclosed. The drilling machine may include: a mast including a mast frame, a movable drill head assembly, a first pivot aperture, and a plurality of first lock apertures each corresponding to a different drilling position of the mast; and a machine frame including an engine, a ground engaging assembly having an axle extending through the machine frame, and a mast coupling assembly having at least a pair of opposing legs, each leg including: a second pivot aperture; a second lock aperture; and a support portion coupled to the axle.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments.
Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the features, as claimed. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “having,” “including,” or other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, relative terms, such as, for example, “about,” “substantially,” “generally,” and “approximately” are used to indicate a possible variation of ±10% in a stated value.
Machine frame 12 may further include one or more jacks 22 for supporting and leveling mobile drilling machine 10 on the ground surface during the drilling operation. Machine frame 12 may support the machinery 14, which may include motors, an engine, batteries, compressors, pumps, hydraulic systems, and any other equipment necessary to power and operate mobile drilling machine 10. Machine frame 12 may further support an operator cab 24, from which an operator may maneuver and control mobile drilling machine 10. In some embodiments, mobile drilling machine 10 may be maneuvered and controlled by an operator remotely and/or may be controlled automatically without intervention, or input, from an operator.
As further shown in
Mast coupling assembly 16 may be mounted to, and within, machine frame 12 and may support the mast 18 at a pivot 36, as detailed further below. Mast 18 may further be supported by at least one fluid cylinder 30 attached to mast 18 at a position above pivot 36. The at least one fluid cylinder 30 may be any suitable actuator, such as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or the like. The at least one fluid cylinder 30 may be configured to apply a force to the mast 18 to rotate the mast 18 about pivot 36. Thus, the at least one fluid cylinder 30 may assist in moving the mast 18 between a stowed, substantially horizontal, position to a vertical position for a drilling operation. It is understood that the at least one fluid cylinder 30 may assist in moving the mast 18 to any angle between the stowed position and the vertical position.
As further shown in
The first plate 56 and the second plate 58 may be aligned and spaced apart from each other such that the first plate 56 and the second plate 58 are parallel to one another and one or more third reinforcing plates 60 may be coupled between the first and second plates 56, 58. As such, first plate 56, second plate 58, and reinforcing plate 60 may be connected such that each leg 48, 50 includes a box-like structure. Further, first and second reinforcing plates 52, 54 may be coupled between first and second legs 48, 50 such that first leg 48, second leg 50, and reinforcing plates 52, 54 form a singular structure of mast coupling assembly 16. It is understood that plates 56, 58 and reinforcing plates 52, 54, 60 may be separate parts coupled together, such as by welding or the like, or may be formed, partially or completely, together as a singular part.
The first and second plates 56, 58 (and thus first and second legs 48, 50) may comprise a shape that may allow for a desired strength-to-weight ratio to enable the mast coupling assembly 16 to support the weight of the mast 18. As such, the first and second plates 56, 58 may include a top portion 62, a bottom portion 64, and a front portion 66 (distinguished by dashed lines in
At the rear end 42 of the plates 56, 58, the bottom portion 64 may include a rear edge 70 that includes a concave portion 72 that may transition into a convex portion 74. As such, bottom portion 64 may extend aft of the top portion 62 towards the rear end 42. A bottom end 46 of bottom portion 64 may include a substantially flat and straight edge. As such, bottom portion 64 may be coupled at the bottom end 46 to the top side 11 of machine frame 12. A front end 40 side of bottom portion 64 may extend upwards and transition to the second side of top portion 62 at the front end 40 of top portion 62.
Front portion 66, or support portion, may extend from top portion 62 towards front end 40 of mast coupling assembly 16. For example, front portion 66 may extend from top portion 62 at an angle less than ninety degrees such that a gap exists between front portion 66 and the front end 40 side of bottom portion 64. As such, first and second legs 48, 50 may form a generally “A” shape. It is understood that front portion 66 may extend from top portion 62 at any angle. Further, front portion 66 may be continuous with top portion 62 and bottom portion 64 such that a gap does not exist and first and second plates 56, 58 are solid continuous plates. A bottom end 46 of front portion 66 of first plate 56 may include a substantially flat and straight edge. As such, the front portion 66 of first plate 56 may be coupled at the bottom end 46 to the top side 11 of machine frame 12. Further, front portion 66 of second plate 58 may include a length such that front portion 66 of second plate 58 extends below the top side 11 of machine frame 12 when mast coupling assembly 16 is mounted to machine frame 12. For example, front portion 66 of second plate 58 may be longer than front portion 66 of first plate 56. However, the front portions 66 of first and second plates 56, 58 may include the same length and may both be coupled to axle 34. A bottom end 46 of front portion 66 of second plate 58 may include a substantially arc shape having a radius corresponding to an outer diameter of axle 34. As such, front portion 66 of second plate 58 may be coupled at the bottom end 46 to a stationary component of axle 34.
As further shown in
With reference to
Reinforcing plates 52, 54 may provide additional reinforcement between first and second legs 48, 50. For example, reinforcing plates 52, 54 may extend between second plates 58 of each leg 48, 50 and may be attached to second plates 58 using any conventional attachment means, such as by welding or the like. As shown in
First and second side plates 90, 92 may comprise a shape that may allow for a desired strength-to-weight ratio to support the weight of mast 18 when mast 18 is mounted to mast coupling assembly 16. As such, the first and second side plates 90, 92 may include a top portion 96 at a top end 86, a bottom portion 100 at a bottom end 88, and a middle portion 98 between the top and bottom portions 96, 100 (distinguished by dashed lines in
As further shown in
The plates 90, 92 may further include the plurality of first lock apertures 116. Thus, each plate 90, 92 may include a pivot aperture 39 and a plurality of first lock apertures 116. For example, pivot aperture 39 and first lock apertures 116 of first side plate 90 may be located on the same plate and pivot aperture 39 and first lock apertures of second side plate 92 may be located on the same plate. The plurality of first lock apertures 116 may be located on the lock portion 110 such that the plurality of first lock apertures 116 are located above bottom plate 94. The plurality of first lock apertures 116 may each correspond to a different drilling angle position of mast 18. Further, the plurality of first lock apertures may be aligned such that the mast 18 is capable of being locked at different drilling angles between the stowed position and the vertical position.
In some embodiments, mast 18 may further include reinforcing plates 118, 120. Reinforcing plates 118, 120 may be include a substantially similar or same shape as portions of first and second side plates 90, 92. For example, reinforcing plates 118, 120 may include a front edge 104 having a first concave portion 104, a convex portion 106, and a second concave portion 108. Convex portion 106 may also include a pivot aperture 39, located adjacent the front edge 102 of reinforcing plates 118, 120. Reinforcing plates 118, 120 may be spaced apart from side plates 90, 92 and connected to an inside surface of mast frame 26 such that the first concave portions 104, convex portions 106, second concave portions 108, and pivot apertures 39 of reinforcing plates 118, 120 and side plates 90, 92 are substantially aligned.
The disclosed aspects of mast coupling assembly 16 may be used by any mobile drilling machine 10 for mounting a mast 18 of the mobile drilling machine 10.
Referring to
As mast 18 is moved beyond a certain angle, lock portions 110 of first and second side plates 90, 92 of mast 18 may move between first and second plates 56, 58 of each respective leg 48, 48 of mast coupling assembly 16. For example, when mast 18 is moved beyond a minimum drilling angle (e.g., corresponding to a front-most first lock aperture 116), lock portions 110 may move between the first and second plates 56, 58. As such, lock portions 110 may “swing through” legs 48, 50. Further, a portion of lock portions 110 may swing through holes 80 of reinforcing plates 60 of each respective leg 48, 50.
The exemplary mobile drilling machine 10 of the disclosure may provide for an arrangement that facilitates ease of machining, while distributing high loads from mast 18 on mast coupling assembly 16. For example, positioning the lock aperture 78 of mast coupling assembly 16 on the same plate 56, 58 as pivot aperture 76 may enable faster and easier machining. Likewise, positioning the first lock apertures 116 of mast 18 above the top side 11 of machine frame 12 and on the same plate 90, 92 as pivot aperture 39 may enable faster and easier machining. Mast coupling assembly 16 may further center the loading from mast 18 on each leg 48, 50, while keeping the lock loading (e.g., at lock pin 38) in line with legs 48, 50 by allowing lock portions 110 to swing through the legs 48, 50. A clearance of less than seven inches (17.78 cm) between the lock portion 110 of side plates 90, 92 and the first and second plates 56, 58 of each leg 48, 50 may reduce additional loads, such as horizontal or eccentric axial loads. For example, such a minimal clearance may reduce the horizontal and eccentric axial loads on the lock pin 38 by reducing the amount of movement, or shift, of mast 18 towards, and away from, plates 56, 58 during movement of mobile drilling machine 10. Further, attaching mast coupling assembly 16 to axle 34 may relieve a portion of the loads from mast 18 on machine frame 12 and transfer the loads to the ground.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed system without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.
