Patent Publication Number: US-11396780-B2

Title: Wrench for use with making and breaking a drill string

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus for use in drilling with a drill string that is made up of many sections of thin-walled drill pipe. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a wrench that is mountable on a drill assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Earth drilling processes use a drill string to cut a borehole into the ground. The drill string generally includes multiple sections of drill pipe that are connected together with a drill bit connected at the working end of the drill string. One example of earth drilling, which is different from those used in the oil-and-gas industry, is exploration drilling. During exploration drilling a small diameter, sample of core rock is extracted from the earth to analyze one or more of structure, petrology, and mineralogy. In some examples of exploration earth drilling, the sample of core rock is obtained using a drill string that includes a hollow bit with numerous diamonds embedded in a soft metallic matrix at the end of a tubular, rotating drill-pipe, which cuts the rock and forms the sample of core rock in the center of the drill pipe. Once a predetermined length of core has been cut, the sample of core rock can be extracted from within the drill pipe. 
     Boreholes drilled with exploration diamond-bit drill strings can range from about 3.2 feet to about 9,842.5 feet in depth (one foot is equivalent to about 0.3 meters). Reaching a target depth generally involves assembling segments of drill pipe to form a longer drill string. Each end of a drill pipe includes threads that can be connected to the threaded ends of another drill pipe to make up a portion of the drill string. When making the drill string, the connection between drill pipes is formed by applying a high torque, which can also seal the joint between the two drill pipes to contain high-pressure fluids. Similar high torques are required to disconnect two drill pipes when breaking the drill string. 
     Typical drill pipe used in exploration diamond-bit drilling have an outer diameter of about 2.25 inches to about 5.5 inches (one inch is equivalent to about 2.54 centimeters) and a wall thickness between about 0.1 inches to about 0.35 inches. 
     Another example of exploration drilling is reverse-circulation drilling, which uses a drill string that is made up of threaded, dual-walled drill pipes with a downhole hammer to produce samples of rock cuttings. The outer diameter of dual-wall drill pipes used in reverse-circulation drilling is typically between about 2 inches and about 6 inches with a wall thickness between about 0.15 inches to about 0.75 inches. 
     Connecting and disconnecting the tightly connected drill pipes without distorting the thin walls is a challenge. Many existing drill pipe wrenches involve manual steps, such as manually connecting and disconnecting the threaded connections by a hand-held wrench or maneuvering the wrench to a specific location along the drill pipe. These manual steps are inefficient and require that the operator be in close physical proximity to the rotating drill head assembly and the drill bore, which may pose a safety hazard. Further, known wrenches for use during such earth drilling can have a large physical footprint, cannot easily accommodate variable diameters of the drill pipes, and cannot develop a sufficient gripping force that is required to apply the required high-torque for making and breaking the drill string. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wrench for loosening and tightening threaded drill-string component connections when making and breaking a drill string. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wrench for loosening or tightening a threaded joint of two drill-string components. The wrench comprises a jaw assembly and four actuators. The jaw assembly comprises a pair of opposing jaws configured to engage therebetween an outer surface of a first drill-string component. A first actuator is configured to actuate the pair of opposing jaws between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A second actuator is configured to pivot the jaw assembly and further configured for applying a torque to the outer surface of the first drill-string component when engaged therewith. The third actuator is configured to extend and retract the jaw assembly in a first plane. The first plane is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the drill-string component when engageable with the jaw assembly. The fourth actuator is configured for actuating the wrench in a second plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drill-string component when engageable with the jaw assembly. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wrench for loosening or tightening a threaded joint of two drill-string components. The wrench comprises a jaw assembly, at least three actuators and a frame plate with a track. The jaw assembly comprises a pair of opposing jaws configured to engage therebetween an outer surface of a first drill-string component. A first actuator is configured to actuate the pair of opposing jaws between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A second actuator is configured to pivot the jaw assembly and further configured for applying a torque to the outer surface of the first drill-string component when engaged therewith. The third actuator is configured to extend and retract the jaw assembly in a first plane. The first plane is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the drill-string component when engageable with the jaw assembly. The frame plate defines the track which is configured to guide movement of a bushing connected to an end of the third actuator. The track comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to position the jaw assembly in alignment with an engageable drill-string component. The second portion is configured to guide the bushing for establishing alignment between a center position of the jaw assembly and the longitudinal axis of the engageable drill-string component when the second actuator pivots the jaw assembly. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wrench for loosening or tightening a threaded joint of two drill-string components. The wrench comprises a jaw assembly, at least three actuators and at least one jaw insert. The jaw assembly comprises a pair of opposing jaws configured to engage therebetween an outer surface of a first drill-string component. A first actuator is configured to actuate the pair of opposing jaws between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A second actuator is configured to pivot the jaw assembly and further configured for applying a torque to the outer surface of the first drill-string component when engaged therewith. The third actuator is configured to extend and retract the jaw assembly in a first plane. The first plane is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the drill-string component when engageable with the jaw assembly. The at least one jaw insert configurable to engage with an outer surface of a first drill-string component with an outer diameter between about 2.25 inches and about 5.5 inches. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a drilling system that comprises a drill head assembly, at least one drill slide, a foot clamp, and a wrench. The wrench comprises a jaw assembly and four actuators. The jaw assembly comprises a pair of opposing jaws configured to engage therebetween an outer surface of a first drill-string component. A first actuator is configured to actuate the pair of opposing jaws between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A second actuator is configured to pivot the jaw assembly and further configured for applying a torque to the outer surface of the first drill-string component when engaged therewith. The third actuator is configured to extend and retract the jaw assembly in a first plane. The first plane is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the drill-string component when engageable with the jaw assembly. The fourth actuator is configured for actuating the wrench in a second plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drill-string component when engageable with the jaw assembly. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a drilling system that comprises a drill head assembly, at least one drill slide, a foot clamp, and a wrench. The wrench comprises a jaw assembly, at least three actuators and a frame plate with a track. The jaw assembly comprises a pair of opposing jaws configured to engage therebetween an outer surface of a first drill-string component. A first actuator is configured to actuate the pair of opposing jaws between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A second actuator is configured to pivot the jaw assembly and further configured for applying a torque to the outer surface of the first drill-string component when engaged therewith. The third actuator is configured to extend and retract the jaw assembly in a first plane. The first plane is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the drill-string component when engageable with the jaw assembly. The frame plate defines the track which is configured to guide movement of a bushing connected to an end of the third actuator. The track comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to position the jaw assembly in alignment with an engageable drill-string component. The second portion is configured to guide the bushing for establishing alignment between a center position of the jaw assembly and the longitudinal axis of the engageable drill-string component when the second actuator pivots the jaw assembly. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a drilling system that comprises a drill head assembly, at least one drill slide, a foot clamp, and a wrench. The wrench comprises a jaw assembly, at least three actuators and at least one jaw insert. The jaw assembly comprises a pair of opposing jaws configured to engage therebetween an outer surface of a first drill-string component. A first actuator is configured to actuate the pair of opposing jaws between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A second actuator is configured to pivot the jaw assembly and further configured for applying a torque to the outer surface of the first drill-string component when engaged therewith. The third actuator is configured to extend and retract the jaw assembly in a first plane. The first plane is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the drill-string component when engageable with the jaw assembly. The at least one jaw insert configurable to engage with an outer surface of a first drill-string component with an outer diameter between about 2.25 inches and about 5.5 inches. 
     Without being bound by any particular theory, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a portable wrench for use with an exploratory drill assembly that can effectively engage with thin walls of a drill string to loosen or tighten the threaded components of drill pipe while minimizing or avoiding damaging drill pipe. The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a wrench that can make or break threaded joints at different locations along the drill string and that can accommodate a range of drill pipe diameters. The embodiments of the present disclosure may also improve operator safety in exploratory drilling operations by removing the need for an operator to be physically close to the drill head assembly during making and breaking of the drill string and the connections thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings. The appended drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the present disclosure by way of example only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  shows a wrench according to embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein  FIG. 1A  is a top plan view of the wrench in an operational position; 
         FIG. 1B  is a top plan view of the wrench in an operational position with a frame plate and a jaw plate removed; and  FIG. 1C  is a side elevation view of the wrench. 
         FIG. 2  shows a jaw assembly and jaw frame for use with the wrench of  FIG. 1 , wherein  FIG. 2A  is a top plan view of a pair of opposed jaws; and,  FIG. 2B  shows the opposed jaws of  FIG. 2B  with a jaw frame plate removed. 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the wrench of  FIG. 1 , wherein select components have been removed to show the connectivity of the second actuator. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the wrench of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is two top plan views of the wrench of  FIG. 1 , wherein in  FIG. 5A  the wrench is shown in a home position; and,  FIG. 5B  show the wrench in a fully extended operational position. 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a wrench according to embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein  FIG. 6A  shows a first arrangement of jaw inserts;  FIG. 6B  shows a second arrangement of jaw inserts; and,  FIG. 6C  shows a further arrangement of jaw inserts. 
         FIG. 7  shows one embodiment of a drilling assembly that includes a wrench, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, that is mounted and for use on an exploration drilling apparatus, wherein  FIG. 7A  shows a lower isometric view of the drilling system; and,  FIG. 7B  is a magnified, upper isometric view of the wrench engaged with a segment of drill pipe. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Definitions 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. 
     In the present disclosure, all terms referred to in singular form are meant to encompass plural forms of the same. Likewise, all terms referred to in plural form are meant to encompass singular forms of the same. 
     As used herein, the term “about” refers to an approximately +/−10% variation from a given value. It is to be understood that such a variation is always included in any given value provided herein, whether or not it is specifically referred to. 
     As used herein, the term “break joint” or “breaking a joint” refer to unthreading or loosening a threaded joint between two segments of drill pipe for disassembling a drill string. 
     As used herein, the term “drill assembly” refers collectively to the components of a drilling rig that drills boreholes in the ground by rotating and advancing (or retreating) a drill string. A drill assembly includes a drill head assembly, one or more drill slides, one or more drill slide rails, and feed cylinders or motors. 
     As used herein, the term “drill pipe” refers to a hollow tubular member comprising threaded ends for connecting more than one drill pipe to form part of a drill string. Drill pipes are typically about 2 feet to about 10 feet in length and are generally comprised of steel. 
     As used herein, the term “drill string” refers to multiple segments of drill-string components that that are threaded together. The drill-string components include drill pipe, with a drill bit at one that is configured to rotate and extract a sample of core rock from a target location. The drill-string components may also include other portions of the drill string, such as the connections made between the drill motor and the drill sub, and the drill sub and the rest of the drill string. 
     As used herein, the terms “make joint” or “making a joint” refer to threading together or tightening a threaded joint between two segments of drill-string components for making a drill string. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 7 , which show embodiments of a wrench for loosening or tightening a threaded joint of a drill-string component. The embodiments of the present disclosure that relate to a wrench may be used in exploration drilling operations, such as diamond-bit drilling operations and reverse circulation drilling operations, for extracting a sample of core rock. 
       FIG. 1  shows a top plan view of one embodiment of a wrench  100  in an operational position. The wrench  100  comprises a jaw assembly  102  that has a pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B. The opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B are configured to engage an outer surface of a component of a drill string, for example a segment of thin-walled drill pipe  212 A (see  FIG. 7 ). In some embodiments, the wrench  100  further comprises a first actuator  104 , a second actuator  106 , a third actuator  108 , and a fourth actuator  110 . As described further below, each actuator  104 ,  106 ,  108  and  110  is configured to move a portion of the wrench  100  relative to other portions of the wrench  100  and within one or more planes. 
     The wrench  100  further comprises a frame plate  112 A that is configured for supporting the jaw assembly  102 . In some embodiments, the frame plate  112 A is a pair of frame plates  112 A,  112 B each configured to define a cavity therebetween to receive and support the jaw assembly  102  therein. In some embodiments, one or both of the plates in the pair of frame plates  112 A,  112 B may have a substantially L-shape. In other embodiments, one or both of the plates in the pair of frame plates  112 A,  112 B may comprise a substantially rectangular shape or any other suitable shape. 
     In some embodiments, the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B may comprise at least one jaw insert  114  configurable to engage with the outer surface of the thin-walled drill pipe. In some embodiments, the at least one jaw insert  114  is configured to engage with a drill-string component having an outer diameter between about 2.25 inches and about 5.5 inches. In some embodiments, the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B comprise the at least one jaw insert  114  in an arrangement that permits the addition or removal of one or more jaw inserts  114  so that the opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B can be configured to engage the outer surface of different drill pipe with different outer diameters. 
     In some embodiments, the jaw assembly  102  further comprises a jaw frame plate  116 A. In some embodiments, the jaw frame plate is a pair of jaw frame plates  116 A,  116 B configured to provide a cavity to receive the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the wrench  100  may further comprise a mounting member  118  configured to mount the wrench on the drill assembly. 
       FIG. 2  shows a top plan view of the jaw assembly  102  when in an operational position. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the jaw frame plate  116 A may be adjacent to the frame plate  112 A. In some embodiments, the jaw frame plate  116 A may be substantially within the cavity provided by the pair of frame plates  112 A,  112 B. 
     In some embodiments, each of the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B may be supported and pivotally connected to the jaw frame plate  116 A, a second jaw frame plate  116 B or the pair of jaw frame plates  116 A,  116 B by at least one pin  120 ,  120 ′ (see  FIG. 2 ). The skilled person will appreciate that the at least one pin  120 ,  120 ′ may be a fastener other than a pin, for example, a dowel, rivet, or any other suitable fastener. 
     The first actuator  104  has a first end  104 ′ and a second end  104 ″. In some embodiments, the first end  104 ′ is pivotally connected to a first end  102 A′ of the jaw  102 A by a first pin  122  and the second end  104 ″ is pivotally connected to a first end  102 B′ of the jaw  102 B by a second pin  122 ′. In some embodiments, the first actuator  104  may be configured for actuating the pair of opposing jaws between an engaged position and a disengaged position. As used herein, the term “engaged position” refers to a position wherein the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B have moved towards each other, about their respective pins  120 ,  120 ′ in order to grip or clamp the outer surface of a drill pipe. As used herein, the terms “grip” and “clamp” are used to refer to contacting the outer surface of the drill-string component in a manner that maintains the contact while the wrench applies a torque thereto, as described further below. As used herein, the term “disengaged position” refers to a position wherein the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B have moved away from each other so that they are not engaged with the outer surface of the drill-string component. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first actuator  104  may be a linear actuator or any other type of actuator that is suitable for moving the opposing jaw  102 A,  102 B between the engaged position and the disengaged position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the second actuator  106  has a first end  106 ′ and a second end  106 ″. In some embodiments, the second actuator  106  may be pivotally connected to the frame plate  112 A, a second frame plate  112 B or the pair of frame plates  112 A,  112 B at the first end  106 ′ by at least one optional spacer  124  and a pin  125 . In some embodiments, the second actuator  106  may be pivotally connected at the second end  106 ″ to the first jaw frame plate  116 A, the second jaw frame plate  116 B or the pair of jaw frame plates  116 A,  116 B by one or both of an optional spacer  126  and a pin  127 . Non-limiting examples of the pins  125  and  127  of the present disclosure include a cylindrical pin, a rod, and a dowel. As used herein, the term “spacer” refers to an optional component that is configured to separate two parts of the wrench  100 . The spacers  125  and  126  may be cylindrical, spherical, or any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the spacer  124  is configured to receive the pin  125  therein and the spacer  126  is configured to receive the pin  127  therein. 
     In some embodiments, the second actuator  106  may be configured to pivot the jaw assembly  102  between a first position and second position for applying a torque to an outer surface of a drill-string component when engaged therewith. Torque can be measured in the units of pound-foot (lb-ft), wherein one pound-foot is the torque created by one pound of force acting at a perpendicular distance of one foot from a pivot point. One pound-foot is the equivalent of about 1.34482 Newton meters. In some embodiments, the torque is applied in a first direction and at such an amplitude that is sufficient to loosen the threaded joints of the drill-string component when the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B are engaged with the outer surface of the drill-string component without damaging the thin-walls of the drill-string component. In some embodiments, the torque is applied in a second direction and of such an amplitude that is sufficient to tighten the threaded joints of the drill-string component when the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B are engaged with the outer surface of the drill-string component. In some embodiments, extending the second actuator  106  can provide a torque in the first direct of between about 1 lb-ft and about 6200 lb-ft. In some embodiments, retracting the second actuator  106  provides a torque in the second direction between about 1 and about 3,400 lb-ft. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, extending the second actuator  106  when the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B is engaged with the drill pipe  212 A loosens the threaded joint of the drill pipe  212 A and retracting the second actuator  106  when the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B is engaged with the drill pipe  212 A tightens the threaded joint of the drill pipe  212 A, or vice versa. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the third actuator  108  has a first end  108 ′ and a second end  108 ″. In some embodiments, the second end  108 ″ is connected to the first jaw frame plate  116 A by a bushing  132 . In some embodiments, the bushing  132  may comprise a shaft  133 . The skilled person will appreciate that the bushing  132  may be replaced by a lug or any other suitable bearing. In some embodiments, the third actuator  108  is connected to the frame plate  112 A by a bracket  134 . The skilled person will appreciate that bracket  134  may be replaced by any suitable means for securing the third actuator  108  to the frame plate  112 A. 
     The third actuator  108  may be configured to extend and retract the jaw assembly  102  in a first plane. The first plane is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the drill assembly, which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a drill-string component that is positioned within the drill assembly to be engaged by the jaw assembly  102  (see line X in  FIG. 7 ) when the wrench is mounted on the drill assembly. The first plane is also substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill-string component when engaged within the jaw assembly  102 . 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the third actuator  108  is a pair of actuators  108 ,  109 . In some embodiments wherein the third actuator  108  is a pair of actuators  108 ,  109 , the third actuator  109  is connected to the second jaw frame plate  116 B by a second bushing  132 ′. In some embodiments, the shaft  133  may be configured to connect both the third actuator  108  and the additional third actuator  109  to the jaw frame  116  or a second shaft  133 ′ may be used to connect the additional third actuator  109  to the second jaw frame plate  116 B. In some embodiments the additional third actuator may be connected to the second frame plate  112 B by a second bracket  134 ′. The skilled person will appreciate that bracket  134 ′ may be replaced by any suitable means for connecting the additional third actuator  109  to the frame plate  112 B. 
       FIG. 5  depicts embodiments of the wrench  100  of the present disclosure in a home position ( FIG. 5A ) and an extended position ( FIG. 5B ). The home position refers to when the jaw assembly  102  is in the disengaged position and it is retracted away from a position where the outer surface of a pipe component can be engaged. For example, the home position may be achieved by the first actuator  104 , the second actuator  106 , and the third actuators  108  (and optionally  109 ) all being retracted. However, in other embodiments, the home position may be achieved by a combination of retracting or extending the actuators  104 ,  106 ,  108 . 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, one or both of the frame plate  112 A and the second frame plate  112 B define a track  113  that is configured to guide the movement of the bushing  132  (and optional second bushing  132 ′) that is connected to the second end  108 ″ of the third actuator  108 . The track  113  may comprise a first portion  113 A that extends in a first direction and second portion  113 B that extends in a second and different direction (see  FIG. 5 ). The track  113  may also be referred to as a slot, groove, channel, or raised guide member. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first portion  113 A is configured to position the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B into alignment with the drill-string component that is desired to be engaged when the third actuator  108  extends and retracts the jaw assembly  102 . The second portion  113 B is configured to guide the bushing  132  to establish and maintain alignment between a center position of the jaw assembly  102  and the longitudinal axis of the engageable drill-string component when the second actuator  106  pivots the jaw assembly  102 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3 , the fourth actuator  110  has a first end  110 ′ and a second end  110 ″. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first end  110 ′ is connected to the mounting member  118  by a ball joint  136  and a shoulder bolt  137 . In some embodiments, the first end  110 ′ is connected to the mounting member  118  by a ball joint and shoulder bolt  136 , the shoulder bolt  137 , and a spacer member  138 . In some embodiments the second end  110 ″ may be connected to the mounting member  118  by a shoulder bolt  140  and spacer unit  141 . The skilled person will appreciate that the first end  110 ′, the second end  110 ″, or both may be connected to the mounting member  118  by any suitable connecting means. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the mounting member  118  is configured to mount the wrench  100  to a drill slide assembly  204  of the drill assembly  202 . In some embodiments, the mounting member  118  comprises a track  142  configured to receive a sliding member  144 . In some embodiments, the sliding member  144  is operatively couples to one or both of the frame plate  112 A and the second frame plate  112 B. In some embodiments the sliding member  144  may comprise a T-shape. In some embodiments, the fourth actuator  110  is configured to actuate the wrench  100  in a second plane. The second plane is substantially perpendicular to the first plane and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of a drill-string component that is positioned within the drill assembly to be engaged by the jaw assembly  102  (see line X in  FIG. 7 ) when the wrench is mounted on the drill assembly. In some embodiments, extending the fourth actuator  110  moves the sliding member  144  along the track  142 . Movement in the second plane can position the wrench  100  at a desired location along the longitudinal axis of the drill-string component when it is positioned to be engaged by or when it is engaged by the jaw assembly  102 . At least one advantage of the fourth actuator  110  is that the making or breaking of the drill string is not limited to a single location on the drill-string component, for example the drill pipe  212 A, and the wrench  100  can be moved to any desired position along the longitudinal axis of the drill-string component. 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the actuators  104 ,  106 ,  108  and  110  can be linear actuators that are configured to move the applicable components of the wrench  100  as described above. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the linear actuator may be any one of a hydraulically-powered cylinder, a pneumatically-powered cylinder, an electrically-powered cylinder. The actuators  104 ,  106 ,  108  and  110  may be of the same type of actuator but not necessarily. Furthermore, each actuator  104 ,  106 ,  108  and  110  is controlled by a controller circuit (not shown) that is, in turn, controlled by an operator using a user interface. 
       FIG. 6  shows embodiments of the wrench  100  comprising the at least one jaw insert  114 , or not.  FIG. 6A  depicts an embodiment wherein the at least one jaw insert is absent.  FIGS. 6B and 6C  depict non-limiting embodiments wherein the pair of opposing jaws  112 A,  112 B comprise the at least one jaw insert  114  on each jaw. At least one advantage of the jaw inserts  114  is that the jaw assembly  102  can be configured to engage with drill-string components of different outer diameters because jaw inserts  114  can be of different sizes to accommodate engaging different drill-string components that have different outer diameters without having to make further substantial adjustments in the components of the wrench  100 . The at least one interchangeable jaw insert  114  may be serrated, or not. In some embodiments, each of the interchangeable jaw insert  114  may be releasably secured to an inner surface of the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B by a retainer pin. The skilled person will appreciate that other suitable connectors to releasably secure the at least one interchangeable jaw insert  114 , for example a threaded screw or nut and bolt, may be used. 
       FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of a drilling system  200  of the present disclosure wherein the wrench  100  is mounted to the drill slide assembly  204  by the mounting member  118 . In some embodiments, feed cylinders  208  of the drill assembly  202  actuate the drill slide assembly  204  relative to the slide rails  206  and the wrench  100  moves with the drill slide assembly  204 . In some embodiments, feed motors of the drill assembly  202  actuate the movement of the drill slide assembly  204 . 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the drill assembly is an exploratory drill assembly, such as a diamond bit or reverse circulation exploratory drill assembly. In some embodiments, the drill pipe  212 A has a wall thickness between about 0.1 inches and about 0.35 inches. In some embodiments, the drill pipe  212 A has a wall thickness between about 0.15 inches and about 0.25 inches. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an operation for breaking threaded components of the drill string. In the operation, the third actuators  208  on the drill assembly are actuated to raise the threaded component of the drill string above the ground. In some embodiments, the threaded joint may be raised about 6 inches to about 8 inches above a foot clamp  210  (shown in  FIG. 7A ). In some embodiments, the threaded joint may be raised greater than 8 inches above the foot clamp  210 . The foot clamp  210  engages with a bottom drill pipe  212 ′ to hold it stationary and the third actuator  108  extends the center of the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B around the drill pipe  212 A. When the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B is centered about the drill pipe  212 A, the third actuator  108  enters a float position to self-center the wrench  100  as the first actuator  104  extends to engage the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B with the drill pipe  212 A. As used herein, the term “float position” refers to an unconstrained position. As used herein, the term “self-center” refers to achieving a neutral centered position with respect to the drill pipe  212 A. The fourth actuator  110  takes the float position and the wrench  100  moves away from the foot clamp  210  in a substantially vertical plane as the threaded joint of the drill pipe  212 A is separated. The second actuator  106  extends to unthread the upper drill pipe pin out of the lower, stationary drill box. As used herein, the term “rod pin” refers to an external thread, also referred to as the male thread or connector. As used herein, the term “stationary drill box” refers to a receptacle that receives and holds the rod pin, also referred to as the female thread or connector. When the second actuator  106  reaches the end of its stroke, the fourth actuator  110  locks to substantially prevent the wrench  100  from moving in the second plane. The first actuator  104  will then retract to actuate the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B from the engaged position to the disengaged position, releasing the drill pipe  212 . After the second actuator  106  is fully retracted, the third actuator  108  will retract the wrench  100  to the home position. 
     Other embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an operation for making threaded components of a drill string where a stationary drill pipe segment is positioned in the foot clamp  210 . The upper drill pipe  212 A is threaded downward using the drill motor until joint shoulders of the drill pipe  212 A and a second drill pipe come into contact. The fourth actuator  110  is then used to locate the wrench  100  on the upper drill pipe  212 . The third actuator  108  extends the jaw assembly  102  to a position where the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B are centered on the drill pipe  212 A. Once centred, the third actuator  108  takes the float position for unrestricted extension and retraction of the jaw assembly  102 . The second actuator  106  then extends to pivot the wrench  100  around the drill pipe  212 A. When the second actuator  106  has reached the end of its stroke, the first actuator  104  extends to engage the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B with the outer surface of the drill pipe  212 A. The fourth actuator  110  moves into the float position and the wrench  100  will move downwardly with the drill pipe  212  as the threaded joint is tightened. The second actuator  106  can then retract to tighten the threaded joint. Once a target torque is reached, the second actuator  106  ceases motion and the fourth actuator  110  enters a holding state. As used herein, the term “holding state” refers to a substantially stationary position. The first actuator  104  extends to open the pair of opposing jaws  102 A,  102 B, the second actuator  106  retracts, and the third actuator engages to return the wrench  100  to the home position. 
     In some instances, the wrench  100  is used to make or break a joint between the drill motor and the drill sub. In these instances, the operation will be reversed from the drill pipe make joint and break joint described herein to account for the direction of the threads on the drill motor. In some embodiments, making and breaking a joint between the drill motor and the drill sub comprises rotating the bottom threaded joint rather. 
     The foregoing discussion includes descriptions of making and breaking threaded connections between two sections of drill pipe and between the drill motor and the drill sub. However, the skilled person will appreciate that other drill-string components can be threadably connected or disconnected from the drill string by the embodiments of the present disclosure without damaging the thin-walls of such drill-string components.