Patent Grant
6845825
The present invention relates generally to underground drilling machines. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems for attaching and detaching rods to and from a drill string during the drilling process.
Drilling machines have been used for boring holes in the ground for many years and are used in a wide variety of applications, including boring horizontally for installing underground utilities. The basic components of a typical horizontal drilling machine include a rotational drive assembly, a longitudinal driver, a rod transferring apparatus, and a vice assembly. Each of these basic components has typically been independently controlled by dedicated controls located at an operator's station.
A conventional drilling process involves rotating a drill string (i.e., a string of interconnected pipes or rods) with the rotational drive assembly while simultaneously propelling it longitudinally. The rotational drive assembly is typically threaded into the top of the drill string, and is thus capable of rotating the entire drill string. A drilling bit is typically mounted on the opposite, bottom end of the drill string. The thrust for propelling the drill string longitudinally is provided by the longitudinal driver which typically includes an elongated guide or track on which the rotational drive assembly is slidably mounted. This longitudinal drive mechanism is capable of longitudinally propelling the drill string to advance the drill string and extend the length of the bored hole. The process of drilling a hole, longer than the length of one rod, involves the following basic steps:
As indicated above, a common purpose for drilling a bore along a predetermined path is for the installation of utilities such as cable or pipe. After the bore has been drilled, the utilities are installed within the bore by attaching the desired utility to the bottom end of the drill string and pulling the utility back through the bore. Frequently, a back reaming process is used to enlarge the bore as the utility is pulled back through the bore. During the pullback process, the above steps are basically reversed to remove rods from the drill string and to insert the removed rods back in to storage.
The present disclosure relates to a drilling machine control system having a variety of inventive features for enhancing the ease of operation of the drilling machine.
A variety of other aspects of the invention are set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. The aspects of the invention relate to individual features as well as combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail hereinbelow. It is to be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
I. Representative Drilling Machine
The basic components of a representative horizontal directional drilling machine 120 are illustrated in FIG. 1. The directional drilling machine 120 includes an elongated guide or track 122 that can be positioned by an operator at any number of different oblique angles relative to is the ground. A rotational drive assembly 124 (i.e., a drive head) is mounted on the track 122. The rotational drive assembly 124 is adapted for rotating a drill string 22 (i.e., a string of interconnected rods) in clockwise and counterclockwise directions about a longitudinal axis of the drill string 22. A drill bit 26 is mounted at the bottom end of the drill string 22. The rotational drive assembly 124 includes a drive chuck 123 for connecting the rotational drive assembly 124 to the top end of the drill string 22. Gripping units 150 (e.g., lower and upper vice grips 152, 154 or wrenches) are provided adjacent the track 122 for use in coupling and uncoupling rods to the drive chuck 123 and/or the drill string 22. Examples of known vices can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,75 8,553 and 5,740,703, which are hereby incorporated by reference. In a preferred embodiment, the upper vice 154 can be rotated (e.g., by a drive cylinder) relative to the lower vice 152 to tighten or break joints between drill rods. A thrust mechanism or longitudinal drive mechanism 110 is provided for: 1) pushing the rotational drive assembly 124 down the track 122 to push a drill string 22 into the ground during drilling operations; and 2) pulling the rotational drive assembly 124 up the track 122 to pull a drill string 22 from the ground during reaming/pull-back operations.
Referring still to
An engine 12 powers the hydraulic pump 10. Here again other options such as fuel cells may be available, capable of producing electricity where the power could be transferred through wires. The preferred embodiment includes the use of an engine 12 to power the pump 10 which produces fluid power that is transferred through hydraulic lines to the drivers. Drivers corresponding to other components (e.g., the gripping units 150) can also be powered by the pump 10 and engine 12.
The drilling machine 120 further includes a rod box 24 (e.g., a magazine or other type of container) for storing rods adjacent to the track 122. A rod transfer mechanism 127 functions to move rods between the rod box 24 and the track 122. As shown in
All of the main components of the drilling machine 120 (e.g., the rotational drive assembly 124, the longitudinal drive mechanism 110, the rod transfer mechanism 127 and the gripping units 150) are preferably capable of being controlled from a single location such as an operator's station 80. The operator's station 80 includes left hand controls 84 and right hand controls 82. These controls serve as inputs to a controller 14 (shown in FIG. 1B). Additional inputs to controller 14 can include position sensors that indicate the status of a certain mechanism of the drilling machine. Controller 14 includes outputs that control pump 10, where it is recognized that there may be several pumps, possibly a separate pump for each basic function. Other outputs include solenoid drivers that are capable of controlling the flow and or pressure of the hydraulic fluid that is being supplied by pump 10. It will be appreciated that the above-described components are well known in the art and can have any number of different configurations.
II. Exemplary Operator Control Configurations
It will be appreciated that a variety of different operator control configurations can be used to practice the various aspect of the present invention.
The first switch 220 is preferably a 2-position switch including a first position for clamping the vice 152 and a second position for releasing the vice 152. The second switch 222 is preferably a 2-position switch including a first position for clamping the vice 154 and a second position for releasing the vice 154. The third switch 224 is preferably a 3-position momentary rocker switch. The switch 224 is biased toward a neutral position. When rocked to a tighten-vice position, the vice 154 is rotated so as to tighten a joint between rods. When rocked to a break-joint position, the vice 154 is rotated so as to tighten a joint between rods. The start button 226 is preferably a momentary switch that is biased toward a non-actuating position. When depressed, the start button 226 causes initiation of the rod loader sequence.
The switches 220, 222 and 224 are positioned on an enlarged head 227 of the joystick 86 and preferably face toward an operator seated in chair 89 (see FIG. 1). The switch 226 is positioned on a lower grip portion 229 of the joystick 86 and preferably faces away from an operator seated in chair 89. Switch 226 is preferably actuated with a users index finger while switches 220, 222 and 224 are actuated with a users thumb.
A second embodiment of a right joystick 86′ is shown in FIG. 6. Joystick 86′ includes an enlarged head 327 having 4 switches adapted to face toward an operator seated in chair 89. The switches include:
The function of these switches will be described in more detail later. They are utilized to control the functions required to add or remove rods 20.
III. Rod Transfer Mechanism
The control cycle for the rod transfer mechanism during pullback or backreaming is illustrated in FIG. 8. At step 408, the combs 144 are retracted while the pipe lifts 145 are in a lowered orientation (see FIG. 7A). At step 410 the transfer arms 137 are extended as shown at FIG. 7B. At step 412 the lifts 145 are raised with the transfer arms 137 as shown at FIG. 7C. At step 414 the transfer arms 137 are retracted and combs 144 extended as shown in
The control cycle for the rod transfer mechanism 127 during drilling is illustrated at FIG. 9. The sequence is initiated with the rod transfer mechanism in the position of FIG. 7F. At step 420, the lifts 145 are raised with the transfer arms 137 as shown at FIG. 7E. At step 422, the transfer arms 137 are extended and combs 144 simultaneously retracted to reach the position of FIG. 7C. At step 424 the lifts 145 are lowered with the transfer arms 137 as shown at FIG. 7B. At step 426, the transfer arms 137 are retracted and combs 144 simultaneously extended such that the mechanism returns to the position of FIG. 7F. It will be appreciated that when the mechanism returns to the position of
IV. Mechanism for Monitoring Longitudinal Location of Rotational Drive Assembly
In both the drilling cycle and the pull-back cycle, the operator coordinates the rotational and longitudinal drivers and the vices. In addition, the operator controls the rod transfer mechanism sequence, with many of the steps overlapping. During the sequence, when the transfer arms 144 are extended, there is the possibility to severely damage the machine by forcing the rotational drive assembly 124 to interfere with the transfer arms 144. There is a possibility of operator error, due to the overlapping sequences, which could result in this damage.
Due to this inherent potential interference with the rotational drive assembly 124, proper control of the transfer arms 137 is dependent on the position of the rotational drive assembly 124.
With this arrangement, 7 conditions relating to positions of the rotational drive assembly 124 along the track 122 can be detected utilizing 3 switches. It is noted that surface 236 is Preferably longer than the distance between switches 232 and 230. In this embodiment, the drive assembly 124 reaches its upper travel limit before switch 234 reaches surface 236. Thus, in this embodiment, switch 234 is never actuated by surface 236. Similarly, the drive assembly 124 reaches its lower travel limit before switch 232 reaches surface 240. Thus, in this embodiment, switches 232 and 230 are never actuated by surface 240. Surface 238 is preferably shorter than distance between switches 234 and 232, and is also shorter than the distance between switches 232 and 230.
Many other techniques of determining position of the gearbox are possible; one alternative method of accurately positioning the gearbox includes use of a sensor that is capable of measuring movement of the gearbox, and constantly calculating the speed and position of the gearbox. In a configuration in which the gearbox is propelled along the track with a rack & pinon drive, it is possible to detect rotation of the pinion gear or movement along the rack gear, sensing every time that a gear tooth passes a sensor, as is known in the prior art.
By way of example, the system may be implemented to allow for full speed travel during the first 90% of the travel, for example, and then provide for deceleration during the final 10% of travel, and subsequently stopped after having moved a predefined distance as determined by counting the number of teeth. These percentages of travel may be varied as needed or required. For example, full speed travel may occur during the first 95% to 98% of the travel, and deceleration may occur during the final 5% to 2% of travel. This approach has the advantage of being tolerant of variations in engine speed, pump efficiency, mechanical friction, and other variables affecting the dynamic response of the overall system.
V. Overall Control System for First Embodiment
The present invention involves an arrangement of operator inputs that provides an intuitive and reliable control that reduces the manual coordination of the separate mechanical systems utilized in the process of adding or removing rods.
Looking to the flow charts, the shape of the boxes in the flowcharts indicates certain types of actions. For instance a trapezoid (e.g., box 510 at
Looking at
To avoid damage to the threads, the action of unthreading the connection requires coordination of the rotational drive assembly 124 and the longitudinal driver. In this system, the longitudinal driver is controlled such that whenever the front vice is gripping the drill string, the maximum longitudinal force is limited such that the rotational drive assembly 124 will move, but the threads will not be damaged. This control technique is utilized each time that the threads are being engaged or disengaged. In practicing this technique, a thrust limiter of the type disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 09/525,408, which is hereby incorporated by reference, can be used. The thrust can also be computer controlled.
At step 516, the transfer arms 137 of the rod transfer mechanism 127 were moved to the position of FIG. 7C. In this position, the transfer arms 137 are adapted for supporting the rod 20 as the rod is uncoupled from the drill string 22. Once the threaded connection between the rod and the drill string 22 is completely separated, the operator positions switch 222 to clamp rear vice at step 526 and at step 527 the machine clamps the rear vice so the rod 20 is again held. The rotational drive assembly 124 is then reverse rotated and moved or allowed to move longitudinally to completely separate the threaded connection between the rotational drive assembly 124 and the rod 20 at step 528. At this point, the rod 20 is completely supported by the transfer arms 137 and it is appropriate for the operator to visually check to insure that the rod is in good condition and that it is properly positioned on the rod transfer mechanism. The operator can then actuate switch 222 as indicated at step 530. Actuation of switch 222 causes the rear vice to release the rod as shown at step 531. Thereafter, the operator can depress the start 226 button at step 532 to initiate completion of the load rod sequence as indicated at step 534. To complete the load rod sequence, the transfer arms 137 are retracted thereby transferring the rod 20 towards the rod box 24. The rod is then lowered into the combs 144, the combs 144 are retracted, and the rod is then lifted into the magazine to be stored for future use.
Once the transfer arms are retracted, the operator can move the rotational drive assembly 124 down the track and thread to the drill string at step 536 while the machine is completing the sequence of the rod transfer mechanism. At step 538, the operator positions switch 220 and at step 539 the front vice releases the drill string and the cycle returns to step 510 where rotational drive assembly 124 can rotate and pull the drill string back another rod length.
In this process the operator has directly controlled 2 switches that effected operation of the rod transfer mechanism; at step 514 when switch 222 was activated to clamp the rod with the rear vice and simultaneously initiate the load rod cycle and at step 532 when the start button was depressed signifying that the conditions were proper, and initiating completion of the load rod cycle.
Steps 454, 456 and 458 illustrate an additional process that is happening simultaneous with steps 442, 444, 446 and 448. These steps involve the automated positioning of a row blocker. Various embodiments of row blockers can be seen in applicant's pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/602,415 and 09/602,036 herein incorporated by reference. This additional process is illustrative of the required synchronization of mechanical systems that this invention is capable of accomplishing.
Once confirmation that the transfer arms are retracted is received at step 448 the lifts and transfer arms are lowered at step 450. Confirmation of that action occurs at step 452. The combs are then retracted at step 454 and confirmed at step 456 bringing the sequence to the end of the cycle at step 460 with the rod transfer mechanism in the position as shown in FIG. 7G.
The drilling process is illustrated for the first embodiment in
In this process, the operator has directly controlled the same two switches as in the backreaming cycle; at step 616 the start button 226 was activated to initiate the unload rod cycle. At step 622 switch 220 was activated to release the front vice and initiate completion of the unload rod cycle.
The rod is supported in this position until at step 478 there is confirmation that the threaded joints have been torqued-up and the drilling process is set to begin, as signaled at step 478 when switch 220 is positioned to release the front vice. This step corresponds to step 622 of FIG. 13. Once that signal is received, the lifts and transfer arms 137 are lowered to the positioned of
VI. Overall Control System for Second Embodiment
Looking now at the backreaming cycle with the second embodiment illustrated in
The rotational drive assembly 124 can be simultaneously moved down the track and threaded to the drill string at step 578. At step 580 the operator depresses button 326 and at step 582 the front vice is released. The rotational drive assembly 124 can rotate and pull the drill string back another rod length and the cycle start over at step 550.
In this process the operator has directly controlled 2 switches that effected operation of the rod transfer mechanism. At step 568 button 322 was depressed to clamp the rod with the rear vice which simultaneously initiated the load rod cycle. At step 574 the button 324 was depressed, signifying that the conditions were proper, releasing the rear vice and initiating completion of the load rod cycle. Further, the rod break-out and transfer process is preferably accomplished by sequentially actuating the row of buttons (320-326) from left to right.
The switches detecting position of the rotational drive assembly 124 will then be monitored to confirm that the rotational drive assembly 124 is fully retracted at step 442′ to insure that the drive chuck is not connected to the rod. Once that condition is met and the operator depresses button 324 at step 444′, the rod transfer mechanism is controlled to retract the transfer arms 137 and extend the combs 144, into position illustrated in
The drilling process is illustrated for the second embodiment in
In this process, the operator has directly controlled two switches, to directly affect operation of the rod transfer mechanism, as in the backreaming cycle. At step 658 depressing the button 322 initiates the unload rod sequence. At step 664 depressing the button 324 initiates completion of the unload rod sequence.
At the end of this specific cycle, the rod is supported by the transfer arms until at step 478 there is confirmation that the threaded joints have been torqued-up and the drilling process is set to begin, as signaled at step 478 when the operator depresses button 324. This step corresponds to step 666 of FIG. 17. As the operator depresses button 324 the lifts and transfer arms are lowered at step 480, a pressure triggered sequence valve is activated and the transfer arms retract and combs extend at step 484. The cycle concludes at step 492.
The operator has provided input at two points; step 472 with button 322 and at step 478 with button 324. These two embodiments utilize common concepts. Obviously many other modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
This application claims priority to provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/263,342, filed Jan. 22, 2001.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 60263342 | Jan 2001 | US |
