Patent ID: 7387172
Filing Date: 2008-06-17
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A modular, self-propelled, articulated drilling apparatus comprising: (a) a front track carriage having a front end, a rear end, a longitudinal axis, and a hydraulic drive system; (b) a rear track carriage having a front end, a rear end, a longitudinal axis, and a hydraulic drive system; (c) a drill support module removably mountable on the front carriage; (d) a drilling module removably mountable on the rear carriage; (e) tri-axially articulated hitch means for demountably coupling the front and rear track carriages, said articulated hitch means comprising: (f) steering means associated with the articulated hitch means; wherein the drilling module comprises: (g) rotary drill apparatus; (h) a hydraulic pump, for driving the hydraulic drive systems of the front and rear track carriages; (i) a primary motor; and (j) motor control means, for selectively switching the primary motor between a first mode in which the primary motor drives the rotary drill apparatus, and a second mode in which the primary motor drives the hydraulic pump.