Patent Publication Number: US-9428970-B2

Title: Device and method for handling drill string components, as well as rock drilling rig

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention concerns a handling device for handling drill string components in a rock drilling rig according to the preamble of claim  1 . The invention also concerns a corresponding method and a rock drilling rig equipped such a handling device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Core drilling for exploration purposes are usually preformed with rock drilling rigs where drill string components are positioned in the active drill string position, are lifted up and lowered down into the drill hole with the aid of a winch. The winch wire is attached to the uppermost drill string component with the aid of a lifting plug. Since core drilling aims at collecting a drilled-out core of rock to be investigated, it is the question about tubular drill string components. When the drill string is lifted up, which occurs frequently in order to exchange drill bits, the tubular string is lifted up unit by unit, whereby the single pipes are separated from each other with the aid of the rotator device of the rock drilling rig in co-operation with a lower pipe holder. 
     Final loosening of a pipe to be taken away from the tubular string is at present preformed by hand by the operators, wherein this handling includes final screwing apart, lifting and guiding of the pipe to the area of a pipe magazine. 
     During lowering of the drill string, the work operations are reversed so that new drill string components in the form of pipes are successively lifted to a position where they are aligned with the drill string and threaded together by the operator. These work operations are straining for the operator and results in a risk of lift and crash injuries to the operator that cannot be neglected. 
     Core drilling is often preformed to great depths, such as for example with drill lengths between one and two kilometers. Because of the wear that the drill bit is subjected to, it has to be exchanged relatively often, which results in that the entire drill string has to be picked up from the drill hole, be mounted apart into drill string components, the worn drill bit be taken away and be replaced with a new one, whereupon the drill string can again be lowered down into the hole. Thereupon a further distance is drilled until the drill bit has to be exchanged again etc. During the drilling, a flush water swivel is connected to the upper end of the drill string for providing flushing fluid for transporting away drill cuttings that have been removed through drilling. 
     AIM AND MOST IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an aim of the invention to provide a device of the above mentioned kind, wherein the problems according to the above are addressed and are at least partly solved. This is achieved in respect of a handling device according to the above through the features of the characterizing portion of claim  1 . 
     Through the gripper unit being able to swing, it is allowed that in the first position it is arranged to actively align end portions of drill string components that are to be joined to each other. Hereby is achieved a possibility of adequate alignment as a whole between the drill string components to be joined and to be separated, which is a great advantage since it secures adequate handling of drill string components during screwing operations while avoiding thread damages, which can result from erroneous screwing attempts. It is also important that separation is carried out in alignment and in a controlled manner. 
     Through the ability to swing to the second position it is achieved that the gripper unit in this second position will be capable of engaging with an end portion of a drill string component in the delivering position in this position in a corresponding manner to provide alignment prior to screwing in and screwing out of a lifting plug or a flush water swivel (in case of the presently last drill string component of the drill string) in or from the gripped drill string component. The gripper unit thus has a further important function that has to do with attachment of a lifting plug and a water swivel respectively on the drill string component in the delivering position. 
     The gripper unit is preferably able to swing in a plane which most preferably is in parallel with the drill string axis in the rig. 
     In a preferred aspect, the gripper unit includes rotation means in order in said first as well as said second position to rotate at least any one of the components from the group: a second drill string component, a lifting plug, a flush water swivel. Herby the tightening function is integrated in a preferred manner with the alignment function for both the positions for screwing together and screwing apart the respective component with/from the also gripped (first) drill string component. 
     The rotation means are most preferably comprised of a rotation grip unit for simultaneous gripping and rotating of any one of: said end portion of the second drill string component, said lifting plug, said flush water swivel. 
     Preferably the operation of the rotation means is torque controlled for all screwing, so that erroneous attempts to screw together can be interrupted before any damages has been caused to the threads. This can be realised through a torque guard being arranged to monitor rotation under a few (for example 2-4) turns, during which, at normal impeccable screwing, otherwise a known low up to moderate torque level prevails. In case of torque increase above a determine level in the course of screwing a determined angle (for example 2×360°-4×360°) the attempt to screw together is interrupted and a new attempt will be made after resetting. A simple torque guard can in a per se known manner for example be comprised of a hydraulic torque guard being associated with the rotator means. Also other solutions can, however, be contemplated. 
     It is preferred that the gripper unit is provided with a first set of grippers for gripping said end portion of the first drill string component and the second set of grippers in order, together with the rotation grip unit, to allow gripping of any one of: said end portion of the second string component, said lifting plug, said flush water swivel. 
     These grippers are suitably manoeuvred in a sequence or separately, which gives flexibility to the device. Hereby preferably the gripper unit is arranged with a second set of grippers in order in the second position, to grip and align at least any one of: said lifting plug, said flush water swivel—with said end portion of a drill string component. 
     When, in a preferred embodiment, the gripper unit is provided with means for displacing said rotation means and preferably also the other set of grippers in parallel to said grip position axis in respect of the first set of grippers, it is achieved in a simple manner to achieve thread pitch compensation during screwing operation. This can be arranged by said rotation means and the second set of grippers being positioned on a common carrier which is displaceable in a controlled manner. 
     It is preferred that said rotation means and the first set of grippers and the second set of grippers are manoeuvrable to swing and in particular to the position of setting free the grip position more than 180°, as seen crosswise to the grip position axis. This way the grippers and said rotation means can be brought aside so far that they are not in the way during the swinging of the gripper unit. 
     According to a preferred aspect, the gripper unit is arranged on a swing unit, which is arranged to be fastened swingable on a carrier from at least one of the following: the rock drilling rig, a drill string transporter, a drill string magazine, a separate stand. It is preferred hereby that the gripper unit is arranged fastened swingable to the rock drilling rig and in particular to the feed beam above and in connection with a lower position of the rotator device. 
     Corresponding advantages are achieved in a rock drilling rig including a handling device according to the above and in respect of an inventive method. 
     The invention will now be described by way of embodiments and with reference to the annexed drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an perspective view of a rock drilling rig for core drilling being provided with a handling device according to the invention and in connection with a magazine for drill string components, 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the gripper unit being isolated and in a greater scale, 
         FIGS. 3-5  shows in perspective views details of the handling device in connection with a rock drilling rig, and 
         FIG. 6  shows diagrammatically a flow chart of a method according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In  FIG. 1  is shown a rock drilling rig  1  for core drilling including a vertically positioned feed beam  2  whereon there is supported a to and fro moveable rotator device  4 . Below (in the figure) the rotator device  4  is arranged a pipe holder  5  for temporal holding of the drill string when this is required. 
     Beside the feed beam  2  of the rock drilling rig  1  a power and supply aggregate  3  is arranged for providing pressure fluid etc. to the rock drilling rig  1 , a lift winch (not shown) and a magazine  6  for receiving drill string components  8 , which are to be delivered to and picked out from the rock drilling rig  1  in a manner which will be described below. 
     The magazine  6  can be formed in different ways but are in  FIG. 1  exemplified in the form of a generally horizontal table, which is tiltable such that drill string components  8  can be brought to roll against a stand of a transporter  7 . A lifting device (not shown) is arranged adjacent to the stand, said lifting device being arranged to lift a drill string component  8  being in a position closest to the transporter  7  on the magazine  6  up to an upper part of a transport band belonging to the transporter  7  for bringing the thus up-lifted drill string component in the direction towards the rock drilling rig. 
     In  FIG. 1  is further indicated with a point-interrupted line at  8 ″ a drill string component in a position during a lifting phase, which is an oblique position in respect of the feed beam  2 . 
     This line at  8 ″ in  FIG. 1  is intended to illustrate an intermediate position during the lifting phase which is ended with the drill string component taking a position which is coaxial with an active drill string position of the rock drilling rig  1 . Lifting will be achieved with the aid of a lifting plug ( 25  see below) being screwed-in uppermost on the drill string component  8 ″. The lifting plug is during this process in turn connected to a (not shown) lifting wire, which in turn goes above a wire wheel (not shown) uppermost on the feed beam and with its second part extends essentially in parallel to the feed beam  2  to the lifting winch (not shown) being arranged in the area of the power and supply aggregate  3 . 
     Furthermore,  FIG. 1  shows a lifting plug  25  being gripped by a gripper unit  11  and threaded to an end portion of a first drill string component  8 ′. 
     On  FIG. 1  is further shown that said end portion is protruding up from the rotator device  4  such that this first drill string component  8 ′ is in an active drill string position A. The drill string component  8 ′ exhibits a female thread for engagement with a corresponding male thread on the plug  25 . 
     Joining together of a further, second, drill string component  8 ″ to the first drill string component  8 ′ for the purpose of lengthening the drill string for subsequent lowering into the drill hole is essentially according to the corresponding method for screwing on a lifting plug. See below. 
     The gripper unit  11  is shown in a first position in  FIG. 1 , wherein one gripping position being defined by the gripper unit  11 , which exhibits a grip position axis G (see interrupted line in  FIG. 1 ), is coaxial with said active drill string position A. 
     Further, it is shown more in detail in this figure a fastening structure  19 , which is arranged to position the transporter  7  in respect of the rock drilling rig. 
     The gripper unit  11  which is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 2 , exhibits a first set of grippers  12  for the engagement with said first drill string component  8 ′ (in  FIG. 1 ) and rotation means  14  in the form of a rotation grip unit  14 , which is equipped with drive rollers  20  for engagement with a component such as a drill string component to be rotated, and drive motors  21  for these drive rollers. Further, the gripper unit  11  has a second set of grippers  13  for the co-operation with the rotation grip unit  14  for engagement with a component. 
     The first set of grippers  12  are manoeuvred by hydraulic cylinders whereof one is indicated with  15  and the second set of, grippers are manoeuvred by hydraulic cylinders  17 . 
     The rotation means  14  with the drive rollers are supported on swingable rotation clamping means which are brought to engagement with a component to be rotated with the aid of hydraulic cylinders whereof one is shown and is indicated with  16 . 
     One part of the gripper unit  11  including the rotation means  14  and normally also the second set of grippers  13  is also displaceable in a position in parallel to said grip position axis G. The purpose of this ability to be displaced is to provide part of the gripping unit  11  and in particular the rotation means  14  with an axial movement and a rotation of a drive rolls, such that it is compensated for thread pitch during rotation of driving of the component to be rotated. 
     On  FIG. 2  is further shown a swing unit  18 , which is attached to the rig and supports gripper unit  11  for swinging between the position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and a swung down position, which is described below. 
     In  FIG. 2  the set of grippers  12  and  13  are shown with the one respective grip hook open. In general it is true that open second set of grippers and swing in rotation means  14  to engagement with a plug or the drill string component allows rotation of the plug or the drill string component  8 ″ without obstruction from engagement with a second set of grippers  13 . 
     After positioning of a further drill string component to a position above one being present in position A (instead of the lifting plug  25  in  FIG. 1 ), the drill string components are thus drawn together by the rotation means, whereupon the joint is as usual subjected to final tensioning by the rotator device  4 . Thereupon the drill string can be lowered by giving slack to the lift wire. 
     Thereupon the drill string is lowered down to a position that is shown in  FIG. 1 , where the next drill string components has reached the position indicated with  8 ′ with an end portion extending up from the rotator device  4  and with a lifting plug  25  attached above this drill string component. This lifting plug is now to be separated from the drill string. 
     The lifting plug  25  is comprised of a swivel device and exhibits for that purpose two mutually rotatable parts, which can be seen in  FIG. 2 , that is an engagement portion  26 , which lowermost is provided with a male thread  26 ′ at its free end which is directed against the drill string component and a lifting portion  27 , which outermost is provided with a lifting eye for the co-operation with a lifting wire as is described above. 
     The rotation grip unit comprising the rotation means of the gripper unit  11  includes the drive rollers  20 , which exhibits a surface having engagement means for ensuring a good grip engagement against the component to be rotated. The drive motors  21  are in the shown example arranged sideways from the drive rollers  20  and are carried on a swing arm construction carrying the rotation means  14  together therewith. 
     When the gripper unit  11  is activated such that the rotation means  14  and the second set of grippers  13  are displaced axially in a direction from the drill string component  8 , the drive rollers  20  are rotated for rotational driving of the engagement portion  26 . The lifting plug  25  is brought axially in the direction from the drill string component it is intended to be pulled free from. The lifting portion  27  is simultaneously held by said second set of grippers  13  for preventing rotation thereof and for preventing unwanted rotation to propagate to the lifting wire. 
     The first set of grippers  12  has thus gripped the end portion of the drill string component  8 ′ whereas the rotation means  14  have come to an engagement with the engagement portion of the lifting, plug  25  and the second set of grippers  13  have come into an engagement with the lifting portion  27  of the lifting plug  25 , whereupon loosening of the lifting plug  25  is achieved through rotational action of a rotation means  14 . 
     When the lifting plug  25  is drawn free from the drill string component  8 ′ ( FIG. 1 ) it is swung by means of the swing unit  18 , which carries the gripper unit  11  from the first position in the direction of said second position. In order to allow this swing action, the first set of grippers  12  have opened whereas the rotation means  14  as well as the second set of grippers  13  are still in engagement with the lifting plug  25 . 
     From  FIG. 3  is clear that said swing unit has swung the gripper unit  11  holding the lifting plug  25  to a position where the grip position is essentially horizontal for the co-operation with drill string components lying on the transporter  7  which is connected to said magazine. 
     In the position shown in  FIG. 4 , a drill string component  8  has been brought forward on the transporter  7  against a stop element  23  which can be brought forward and back, and which is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder  24 . The transporter  7  is provided with a transport band  22  which is driven by transporter wheels for bringing drill string components  8  to and from a delivering position B for drill string components, which is the position being defined by said stop  23  and which comprises a determined position for the drill string component. 
     This determined position can be ensured in other ways, for example by drivers on the transporter which are arranged to stop in determined positions. 
     On  FIG. 4  is shown the first set of grippers  12  in a position for gripping engagements with the drill string component  8 , which has reached said position and after said stop  23  having been brought to the side so as to free the end of the drill string component  8  such that a female thread positioned outermost on the drill string component  8  now being in the determined position becomes accessible. 
     The lifting plug  25  is held by the rotation grip unit  14  which comprises the rotation means and the second set of grippers  13  and is now ready for being threaded together with a drill string component  8 . 
     After completed screw thread joining, the drill string component  8  can be drawn up from the transporter to the rock drilling rig by means of the lifting winch, such that it can be placed in the active drill string position A in  FIG. 1 . 
     For the purpose of compensation for thread pitch during screwing, a unit including the rotation means comprising the rotation grip unit  14  and the second set of grippers  13  also in this case to be displaced axially in the direction towards the drill string component  8  and the drive rollers are rotated. 
     After completed screwing of the male thread  26 ′ on the engagement portion  26  into the female thread in the drill string component  8 , the first set of grippers  12  are again opened as well as the rotation means  14  and the second set of grippers  13 . Hereby the drill string component  8  is free to be lifted by the lift wire so that it i.a. passes the position shown with point-interrupted line on  FIG. 1  and subsequently ending in the position for the second drill string component along “the grip position axis” indicated with G in  FIG. 1 . 
     Thereupon it can be screwed together with a drill string as is described above at the background of that figure. 
     So far the operative function of the handling device according to the invention has been described for lowering a drill string after for example exchange of a drill bit. With taking up of the drill string, in principle the opposite procedure is followed, namely screwing of the lifting plug on a drill string component sitting in the active drill string position, pulling up of the lifting plug with attached drill string to a position where the rotator device in a per se known manner is arranged to pull free the upmost drill string component from following drill string components. 
     Thereupon a additional lifting occurs of the drill strings such that the next drill string component with its end portion ends up in the position which is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , whereupon the gripper unit  11  is actuated and with the rotation means  14  grips the uppermost drill string component and with a first set of grippers  12  grips the next drill string component (“the first”) for the purpose of alignment in connection with that the rotation means  14  are driven for controlled screw loosening this drill string component. 
     Thereupon the thus loosened drill string component is brought from the position in parallel with the active drill string position with its lower end, so that it ends up on the transport band on the transporter  7 , whereupon that is driven at the same time as the lifting wire is slacked so that the drill string component ends up lying on said transport band. 
     For assisting when bringing out the lower end of the drill string component to a position on said transport band or the like there is arranged a swingable and power driven support arm  40  with fork-shaped engagement portion  41  for guiding engagement with a drill string component (see  FIG. 5 ), said support arm having the double function on the one hand to function as driving ejector in order to bring out the pipe end to a transporter, a roller carriage or the like, on the other hand as the function of a guiding introducer in order to guide-in the drill string component prior to screwing it on to the drill string at the end of the lifting movement which is described above. 
     In  FIG. 6  is diagrammatically illustrated a method sequence including a method according to the invention concerning taking up a drill string in a rock drilling rig, for example for exchange of drill bit, wherein:
     Position  31  indicates start of the sequence.   Position  32  indicates pulling up of the drill string to an uppermost position and ensuring that the rotator device is in its lowermost position after having drawn free the uppermost drill string component from the next drill string component.   Position  33  indicates swinging-in the entire gripper unit to the first position.   Position  34  indicates activating the first set of grippers for gripping an end portion of the lowest drill string component ( 8 ′ in  FIG. 1 ) and of the rotation grip unit for gripping an end portion of the uppermost drill string component ( 8 ″ indicated in  FIG. 1 ).   Position  35  indicates loosening of the uppermost drill string component through the rotation grip unit and thereafter opening of all grippers of the gripper unit.   Position  36  indicates removing the free drill string component and placing it in a delivering position.   Position  37  indicates swinging the gripper unit to the second position and gripping the lifting plug and the end portion of the freed drill string component for loosening of the lifting plug through the rotation grip unit.   Position  38  indicates swinging of the gripper unit to the first position for tightening the lifting plug on to the end portion of the now uppermost drill string component.   Position  39  indicates the end of the sequence.   

     This sequence is intended to be repeated as many times as necessary. When it is instead about lowering a drill string, for example after drill bit exchange, the steps are generally performed in the opposite order, which has been described in detail at the background of the figures. 
     The invention has been described at the background of rock drilling rig for core drilling, but it is adaptable also for other types of rigs such as for oil drilling and the like. The invention can be modified within the definition of the claims. It is preferred that the gripper unit integrates the above described functions, but it is within the scope of the invention that the gripper can be constructed otherwise and that the second set of grippers are replaced by the rotation unit. It is not excluded that the rotation unit is comprised of a device arranged beside the gripper unit which engages the components to be rotated. The swing movement of the gripper unit can be made differently and it can be attached to some other component than the feed beam of the rig itself. 
     It is preferred that the gripper unit is provided with said first set of grippers for gripping said end portion of the first drill string component. It is, however, not excluded that the first set of grippers are exchanged to a guiding alignment device without gripper function such as for example a fork shaped element. This element may, when it is brought forward, perform the required adequate alignment of the gripper unit in respect of the drill string component in question by such element having guiding means such as fork shanks that are allowed to come into guiding engagement with an end portion of the drill string component in question.