Drilling tool changing apparatus

Abstract

A device for changing a drilling tool for a drilling rig is described, where the drilling rig comprises a derrick supporting a drill pipe. The device for changing a drilling tool has a drill tool changer assembly movable between a storage position and an exchange position, and the drill tool changer assembly supports a rotating carousel assembly. The rotating carousel assembly has a plurality of bit adapters for holding drilling tools and is selectively rotatable to carry a selected drilling tool in coaxial alignment with the drill pipe when the drill tool changer assembly supporting the rotating carousel assembly is moved to the exchange position.The device includes mechanisms for aligning the selected drilling tool within a drill bit adapter that contains the selected drilling tool. The device also includes mechanisms for aligning the drill pipe or a hammer with the selected drilling tool.