Rod transfer mechanism synchronizer apparatus and method

Abstract

A synchronizer device is used for coordinating drill rod transfer mechanisms utilized in connection with transferring the drill rod between a drill rod magazine and the drill string in a horizontal directional drilling rig. The synchronizer device may transfer the movement from a first transfer mechanism to a second transfer mechanism, wherein the first transfer mechanism is powered and the apparatus acts as the motive force to move a second non-powered transfer mechanism. Alternatively, the synchronizer device may coordinate and synchronize the movement between a first and a second powered transfer mechanism. The synchronizer shaft is rotationally supported by bearings mounted on the rack frame of an HDD rig. The synchronizer shaft includes a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end. First and second ears are mounted on or proximate the first end and the second end of the synchronizer shaft respectively. First and second links are pivotally connected to the first ear and the second ear respectively at a first end of the links. The links are arranged and configured to connect to upper and lower rod transfer mechanisms respectively at a second end of the links.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the basic components of a horizontal directional drill device including a pipe transfer mechanism synchronizer constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drill rack frame and pipe transfer mechanisms;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drill rack frame and upper pipe transfer mechanism in a first or retracted position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drill rack frame and upper pipe transfer mechanism in a second or extended position; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drill rack frame and pipe transfer mechanisms of an alternative embodiment.

Claims

1. A horizontal directional drilling machine, comprising: a) a drill pipe storage magazine;b) a boring assembly defining a drill string axis comprising a rack frame with an upper end and a lower end, a gearbox configured to travel along the rack frame from the upper end to the lower end, and a vise assembly a the lower end;c) an upper drill pipe transfer mechanism configured to move in at least one linear segment from a retracted position, wherein it is operatively located to receive a drill pipe from the storage magazine, to an extended position, wherein the received drill pipe is aligned with the drill string;d) a lower drill pipe transfer mechanism configured to move in at least one linear segment from a retracted position, wherein it is operatively located to receive a drill pipe from the storage magazine, to an extended position, wherein the received drill pipe is aligned with the drill string; ande) a non-powered drill pipe transfer mechanism synchronizer that connects to the upper drill pipe transfer mechanism and to the lower drill pipe transfer mechanism.

2. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower drill pipe transfer mechanisms move only linearly.

3. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 1, wherein the synchronizer includes: a) an elongate member having a longitudinal axis and extending between the upper and lower drill pipe transfer mechanisms, wherein the elongate member is rotationally mounted about its longitudinal axis;b) a first link operatively connected to the upper drill pipe transfer mechanism and the elongate member, wherein movement of the upper drill pipe transfer mechanism from the retracted to the extended position causes rotation of the elongate member about its longitudinal axis; andc) a second link operatively connected to the lower drill pipe transfer mechanism and the elongate member, wherein rotation of the elongate member about its longitudinal axis causes the lower drill pipe transfer mechanism to move from the retracted to the extended position.

4. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 3, wherein the elongate member further includes: a) a first end and a second end;b) a first ear attached to the first end and a second ear attached to the second end; andc) wherein the first link is pivotally attached to the first ear and the second link is pivotally attached to the second ear.

5. A drill rod transfer mechanism synchronizer apparatus, the mechanism of the type that transfers drill rod from a storage magazine to a drill string in a rack, the apparatus comprising: a) a first drill rod transfer mechanism being arranged and configured to move from a first receiving position to a second extended position;b) a second drill rod transfer mechanism arranged and configured to move from a first receiving position to a second extended position, the second drill rod transfer mechanism being located at a physical distance on the rack from the first drill rod transfer mechanism;c) an elongate member extending between the first and second drill rod transfer mechanisms and rotationally mounted about its longitudinal axis;d) a first link operatively connected to the first drill rod transfer mechanism and the elongate member, wherein movement of the first drill rod transfer mechanism from the first to the second position causes rotation of the elongate member about its longitudinal axis; ande) a second link operatively connected to the second drill rod transfer mechanism and the elongate member, wherein movement of the elongate member about its longitudinal axis causes the second drill rod transfer mechanism to move from the first to the second position.

6. The drill rod transfer mechanism of claim 5, wherein the elongate member further includes: a) a first end and a second end;b) a first ear attached to the first end and a second ear attached to the second end; andc) wherein the first link is pivotally attached to the first ear and the second link is pivotally attached to the second ear.

7. The drill rod transfer mechanism of claim 5, wherein the elongate member includes a length of pipe.

8. The drill rod transfer mechanism of claim 7, wherein the elongate member is arranged and configured to have a length approximately corresponding to the physical distance between the first and second drill rod transfer mechanism.

9. The drill rod transfer mechanism of claim 5, wherein the first and second drill rod transfer mechanism move linearly.

10. The drill rod transfer mechanism of claim 6, wherein the first and second links include a pivotal connection to the first and second drill rod transfer mechanism, respectively.

11. The drill rod transfer mechanism of claim 10, wherein the first and second links include a pivoting middle section, the pivoting middle section being oriented generally normal to the pivotal connection of the first and second links to the first and second drill rod transfer mechanisms.

12. The drill rod transfer mechanism of claim 5, wherein the elongate member further includes: a) a first end, a middle portion, and a second end;b) a first ear attached to the first end, a second ear attached to the second end, and a third ear attached to the middle portion;c) wherein the first link is pivotally attached to the first ear and the second link is pivotally attached to the second ear; andd) wherein movement of the third ear about the elongate member causes rotation of the elongate member and the first and second drill rod transfer mechanisms to move from the first to the second position.

13. The drill rod transfer mechanism of claim 12, wherein extension of an actuator arm of a hydraulic cylinder causes the rotation of the third ear.

14. A method for synchronizing the movement of a plurality of drill rod transfer mechanisms, the drill rod transfer mechanisms of the type that transfers drill rod from a storage magazine to a drill string in a rack, the method comprising: a) rotationally mounting an elongate member having a longitudinal axis between a first and a second drill rod transfer mechanism;b) connecting the first drill rod transfer mechanism to the elongate member, wherein movement of the first drill rod transfer mechanism from a first to a second position causes rotation of the elongate member about its longitudinal axis; andc) connecting the second drill rod transfer mechanism and the elongate member, wherein movement of the elongate member about its longitudinal axis causes the second drill rod transfer mechanism to move from a first to a second position.