Locking linkage container

Abstract

Horizontal directional drilling machine (100), with: a drill chassis (103); a main rod container (126) connected to the drilling machine chassis (103), wherein the main rod container (126) has a plurality of vertical columns (130, 132, 134) configured to discharge rods from a lower end of the main rod container (126) to a rod transfer device (122, 124); a supplementary linkage container (200) that can be connected to an upper end of the main linkage container (126), wherein the supplementary linkage container (200) has a plurality of vertical columns (330, 332, 334) that are aligned with the plurality of columns (130, 132, 134) of the main linkage container (126) when the supplementary linkage container (200) is connected to the upper end of the main linkage container (126); and A linkage container interface mechanism provided at the upper end of the main linkage container (126) to facilitate the connection of the supplementary linkage container (200) to the main linkage container (126); wherein the linkage container interface mechanism includes a linkage container retention arrangement (140, 150) which automatically locks the supplementary linkage container (200) to the upper end of the main linkage container (126) when the supplementary linkage container (200) is lowered onto the main linkage container (126).

Description

background

[0001] Drill rods used with a horizontal directional drilling machine are typically stored in containers generally called rod receptacles. These receptacles usually hold the rods stacked in multiple columns and are designed to transfer rods from the bottom of the receptacle to a rod loading mechanism. This mechanism, during a drilling operation, moves the rods from the receptacle and into alignment with a drill string. The rod loading mechanism is capable of reversing the transfer direction to move rods back into the receptacle during a retraction operation.Examples of horizontal directional drilling machines with various types of bar holders and handling mechanisms are described in US patents with publication numbers US 6,360,830 B1; US ​​6,332,502 B1; US ​​5,607,280 A; US 5,556,253 A; US 6,474,932 B1; US ​​6,374,928 B1; US ​​7,694,751 B2; US 7,562,724 B2; US 7,240,742 B2; US 6,085,852 A; US 7,600,584 B2; and US 6,374,927 B1.

[0002] For larger drilling rigs capable of drilling extended distances, it is impractical to store all the necessary rods on the machine. Therefore, these larger machines typically have the capability to add extra rods to the drill string by removing an empty rod spool, and to install a full rod spool during a drilling operation, and to reverse this process to remove the full rod spool and replace it with an empty one during a retraction operation.

[0003] There is a need for a system to optimize processes related to the handling of rod containers.

[0004] US 2006 / 0060382A1 relates to a pipe handling device for storing and transporting pipe sections to and from a spindle axis of a horizontal drilling machine. The drilling machine comprises a frame and a magazine with a plurality of columns for storing and receiving pipe sections, the end pieces of the magazine forming a plurality of channels. The channels in the end pieces form a plurality of adjacent columns for storing the pipe sections. Furthermore, an additional pipe assembly is provided for supplying additional pipe sections to the pipe handling arrangement, comprising a movable loading frame and an insert capable of storing and transporting additional pipe sections to and from the magazine. The insert has a locking pin to hold the insert in a position on top of the magazine. Summary

[0005] One aspect of the present invention relates to a horizontal directional drilling machine comprising: a drilling machine chassis; a main rod container connected to the drilling machine chassis, wherein the main rod container has a plurality of vertical columns configured to discharge rods from a lower end of the main rod container to a rod transfer system; a supplementary rod container connectable to an upper end of the main rod container, wherein the supplementary rod container has a plurality of vertical columns aligned with the plurality of columns of the main rod container when the supplementary rod container is connected to the upper end of the main rod container;and a linkage container interface mechanism provided at the upper end of the main linkage container to facilitate connecting the supplementary linkage container to the main linkage container; wherein the linkage container interface mechanism has a locking arrangement which automatically locks the supplementary linkage container to the upper end of the main linkage container when the supplementary linkage container is lowered onto the main linkage container.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a horizontal directional drilling system, comprising: a. a basic machine comprising a first rod container and a rod transfer device, wherein the first rod container is configured to discharge a drill rod from the lower end, is arranged above the rod transfer device, and furthermore comprises several columns with a mechanism on an upper surface; and b. a second rod container with several columns and a lower surface, designed to cooperate with the mechanism on the upper surface of the first rod container; c. wherein the mechanism has a locking mechanism which is automatically activated when the second rod container is lowered onto the first rod container.

[0007] A multitude of additional aspects are set forth in the following description. These aspects relate to individual features and combinations thereof. It should be noted that both the preceding general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and only exemplary, and not limiting, to the broad concept upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a horizontal directional drilling machine according to the basic principles of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a front end view of the horizontal directional drilling machine made of Fig. 1; Fig. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of an area from Fig. 1, which shows a first restraint structure located at a first end of a main rod container of the horizontal directional drilling machine Fig. 1 is provided for; Fig. 3b shows the first restraint device Fig. 3a, which is used to lock the first end of the main linkage container to a first end of the supplementary linkage container; Fig. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of an area from Fig. 1, showing a second retaining device provided at a second end of the main rod housing; Fig. 5a to 5c show step sequences for locking the first end of the supplementary linkage container to the first end of the main linkage container; Fig. 6a to 6e show the steps for unlocking and removing the supplementary linkage container from the main linkage container; Fig. Figures 7a to 7e show the step sequence for temporarily unlocking and then re-locking the supplementary linkage container to the main linkage container; Fig. Figure 8 is an exploded view of a locking assembly of the first restraint device. Fig. 3a; Fig. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the first end of the supplementary rod container; Fig. Figure 10 is another perspective view of the horizontal directional drilling machine from Fig. 1; Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of an area from Fig. 10, which shows a second end of the supplementary rod container; Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of an area from Fig. 10, which shows an enlarged view of a second end of the main rod container; Fig. Figure 13 shows the second end of the supplementary linkage container in the process of coupling it to the second end of the main linkage container; Fig. Figures 14a to 14e show step sequences for interlocking the second end of the supplementary linkage container with the second end of the main linkage container; Fig. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view along the cross-sectional line 15-15 in Fig. 14e; and Fig. Figures 16a to 16d show a complete sequence for attaching / mounting the supplementary rod container to the main rod container. Detailed description

[0008] Horizontal directional drilling machines encompass a variety of mechanical systems with variations designed to meet the requirements of diverse applications. Many of these applications involve relatively short boreholes, such as crossing roads or streams and rivers, or laying connections from a road to a residence. The machines typically used for these types of short installations feature a drill rod handling device and a rod holder that carries enough drill rods for a given project. Other applications, however, require significantly longer boreholes. For such applications, it is impractical for the drill's rod holder to carry all the drill rods needed to complete the job, as this would make the rod holder disproportionately large.The present disclosure relates to a drill rod handling system suitable for efficient drilling of long and short bores.

[0009] Fig. Figure 1 shows the basic mechanical elements of a horizontal directional drilling machine 100. The drilling machine 100 has a power unit 102, which typically comprises a diesel engine or hydraulic pumps. The power unit 102 could alternatively also have an electric motor. In this embodiment, the power unit 102 is mounted on a machine chassis 103, which has ground tracks 108. The drilling machine 100 also includes a drive assembly for advancing the drill string into the ground and for retracting the drill string from the ground. In some embodiments, the drive assembly has a drive unit (for example, a gearbox) with a rotary drive that provides torque for rotating the drill string about a pivot axis 106 during drilling operations.The drive unit may include a push / retract actuator for pushing the drill string into the ground during drilling operations and for retracting the drill string from the ground during friction and / or retraction operations. The drive unit is typically capable of sliding back and forth along the axis of rotation during drilling and retraction / retraction operations. Many different drive configurations are possible. Exemplary drive configurations may include linear actuators, rack and pinion drive systems, or other known mechanical components. An exemplary drive configuration is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6814164, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0010] Referring to Fig. 1 to 4 the drilling machine 100 has a drill rod handling system 120 with a first rod shuttle 122, a second rod shuttle 124, a main rod container 126 which is attached to the chassis 103, and at least one supplementary rod container 200 which is to be attached to an upper end of the main rod container 126.

[0011] The rod shuttles 122, 124 can move back and forth along horizontal axes which are arranged substantially perpendicular to the axis 106 in order to move rods back and forth between each lower output of the columns of the main rod receptacle 126 and in alignment with the axis 106 of the drill string. Fig. Figure 2 shows the linkage shuttles (linkage shuttle 124 is hidden behind linkage shuttle 122) in a retracted position, in which recesses 123 of the linkage shuttles are arranged directly below a column of the main linkage container 126, from which it is intended to receive a rod. From the retracted position, the linkage shuttles 122, 124 can be moved linearly to an extended position, where the recesses 123 are arranged to align a rod, which is held within the recesses 123, with the axis of rotation 106. The rod shuttles 122, 124 have blocking surfaces 125 which block the lower ends of the columns of the main rod container 126 when the rod shuttles 122, 124 are extended, in order to prevent the rods from unintentionally falling from the rod container 126. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to any particular type of rod transfer device.While one preferred embodiment describes a rod handling system comprising rod receptacles that discharge drill rods from the lower end into a rod shuttle device, aspects of the present disclosure may be advantageous for the use of any type of rod handling system.

[0012] The main rod container 126 normally has a rod-holding capacity sufficient to allow the drilling machine to bore holes of a predetermined length. For longer bores, additional rod capacities can be provided by attaching the supplementary rod container 200 to the upper end of the main rod container 126. In the embodiment shown, the main rod container 126 is connected to the chassis 103 by a first connection type, and the supplementary rod container 200 is connected to the main rod container 126 by a second connection type. The main rod container 126 is typically not removed from the chassis 103 during normal operation of the drilling machine 100.Thus, the first connection can be permanent (for example, welding) or semi-permanent (for example, placed by a variety of fasteners, such as bolts, or other fasteners that normally require tools for assembly and disassembly). In contrast, several supplementary rod containers 200 can be attached in series to the top of the main rod container 126 when drilling long bores. For example, if the main rod container is empty, a first supplementary rod container is connected to the top of the main rod container and is used to refill the main rod container 126 with rods.Subsequently, when more rods are required, the first supplementary rod container is removed from the upper end of the main rod container 126 and replaced by a second supplementary rod container, which is used to refill the main rod container 126. This process is repeated until the bore is complete. Since the supplementary rod containers are frequently connected to and removed from the main rod container 126, the second connection type preferably allows the supplementary rod containers to be connected to and removed from the upper end of the main rod container 126 quickly and easily. Therefore, the second connection type is preferably designed for faster connection and disconnection than the first connection type.In a preferred embodiment, the second connection type is a tool-free connection, in which the user does not require separate tools (for example, wrenches) to connect and disconnect the supplementary linkage container from the main linkage container. In a further preferred embodiment, the supplementary linkage container connects automatically to the main linkage container when the supplementary linkage container is lowered onto the main linkage container.

[0013] Referring to Fig. The main rod receptacle 126 of the drilling machine 100 has a magazine frame 127, which forms a rod receiving region with an upper end 129 and a lower end 131. The magazine frame 127 defines a plurality of vertical columns 130, 132, 134, which extend from the upper end 129 to the lower end 131 of the rod receiving region of the magazine frame 127. The columns 130, 132, 134 have lengths extending from a first end 133 to a second end 135 of the magazine frame 127. The columns have open upper and lower ends. The rod shuttles 122, 124 are attached between the open lower ends of the columns 130, 132, 134 of the main rod receptacle 126.

[0014] The main linkage housing 126 is attached to an elongated frame 104 of the chassis 103. The frame 104 is rotatable relative to a main body of the chassis 103 between a horizontal position (see Fig. 10) and an angled position. When the frame 104 is in the angled position, a first end 105 of the frame 104 is raised relative to a second end 107 of the frame 104. The main rod container 126 is supported by the frame 104 when the frame is rotated between the horizontal and the angled positions. When the frame 104 is in the horizontal position, both ends 133, 135 of the rod container 126 are at the same height, and both rod shuttles 122, 124 are at the same height. When the frame is in the angled position, the first end 133 of the rod container is at a lower height than the second end 135 of the rod container 126 (see Fig. 16a to 16d) and the first pole shuttle 122 at a lower height than the second pole shuttle 124.

[0015] Further referring to Fig. In Figure 10, the supplementary rod container 200 of the drilling machine 100 has a magazine frame 327 that defines an upper end 329 and a lower end 331. The magazine frame 327 defines a plurality of vertical columns 330, 332, 334 which extend from the upper end 329 to the lower end 331 of the magazine frame 327. The columns 330, 332, 334 have lengths that extend from a first end 333 to a second end 335 of the magazine frame 327. The columns 330, 332, 334 are open at the upper end 329 and the lower end 331 of the magazine frame 327 and designed to align with the columns 130, 132 and 134 of the main rod container 126 when the supplementary rod container 200 is attached to the main rod container 126.Removable retraction elements 339 can be attached to the lower end 331 of the magazine frame 327 via the open lower ends of the columns 330, 332, 334 to prevent the rods from falling out of the open lower ends of the columns 330, 332, 334 during the repositioning of the supplementary rod container 200.

[0016] Referring to Fig. Figures 16a to 16d show that the drilling machine 100 also has a pair of lifting arms 143 for raising and lowering the rods within the main rod container 126. The lifting arms include rod support areas 145 on which the rods of the main rod container 126 rest. By rotating the lifting arms 143 from an intermediate position, where the rod support areas 145 are slightly higher than the blocking surfaces 125 of the rod shuttles 122, 124, to a fully lowered position, where the rod support areas 145 are lower than the recesses 123 of the rod shuttles 122, 124, a rod can be lowered from a column located above the recesses 123 into the recesses 123. The lifting arms 143 are also movable from the intermediate position to a full lifting position, where the rod support areas 145 are located above the upper end 129 of the main linkage container 126.When a loaded supplementary rod container 200 is initially attached to an upper end 129 of the main rod container 126 while the main rod container 126 is empty, the lifting arms 143 can be moved to the full lifting position, causing the lifting arms to slightly lift the rods within the supplementary rod container 200 to allow rod retaining elements 339 to be removed from the lower end of the supplementary rod container 200. Once the rod retaining elements 339 have been removed from the supplementary rod container, the rods which are held within columns of the supplementary rod container 200 can be lowered by the lifting arms 143 into the corresponding columns 130, 132, 134 of the main rod container 126.

[0017] The main linkage container 126 has a linkage container interface mechanism at its upper end to simplify connecting the main linkage container 126 to the supplementary linkage container 200. In one embodiment, the linkage container interface mechanism can include a linkage container retention arrangement configured to automatically lock the supplementary linkage container 200 to the upper end of the main linkage container 126 when the supplementary linkage container 200 is lowered onto the main linkage container 126. The linkage container retention arrangement can include a first retention structure 150 (see Fig. 3a), which is arranged adjacent to the first end 133 of the magazine frame 127, and a second retaining structure 140 (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 12), which is located adjacent to the second end 135 of the magazine frame 127. The first retaining structure 150 comprises a first guide pin 152, which projects upward from an upper surface of the magazine frame 327, and a locking mechanism 160 with a locking arm 162. The second retaining structure 140 has a second guide pin 142 with an undercut region 243, which forms a locking action by means of a chamfer. The undercut region 243 is oriented away from the first guide pin 152. In certain embodiments, the locking action can be formed by a chamfered area of ​​the second pin 142 or by a slight offset of the second pin 142.The first guide pin 142 has a chamfered design with a chamfered area 153 that faces away from the second guide pin 142 and diverges from the second guide pin 142 by extending the chamfered area 153 in a downward direction.

[0018] The supplementary rod container 200 has a structure that connects to the first and second retaining structures 150, 140. For example, the supplementary rod container 200 includes first and second flanges 202, 206, which are attached to the lower end of the magazine frame 327. The first flange 202 (see Fig. 9) is positioned at the first end 333 of the magazine frame 324 and the second flange 206 (see Fig. 11) is positioned at the second end 335 of the magazine frame 327. The first flange 202 defines a first flange opening 204 and the second flange 206 defines a second flange opening 208. When the supplementary linkage container 200 is attached to the main linkage container 126, the first guide pin 152 is received within the first flange opening 204 and the second guide pin 142 is received within the second flange opening 208.

[0019] Fig. Figures 16a to 16d show a sequence for attaching the supplementary linkage container 200 to the upper end of the main linkage container 126. First, the supplementary linkage container 200 is maneuvered so that the second guide pin 142 is inside the second flange opening 208 (see Figure 16a to 16d). Fig. 16a) is taken up and the first flange is raised above the first guide 152. Subsequently, the supplementary linkage container 200 is rotated downwards around the second guide pin 142, so that the first flange opening 208 moves towards the first guide pin 152 (see Fig. 16b and Fig. 16c). When the supplementary linkage container 200 is rotated downwards, a tip of the first guide pin 152 is engaged within the first flange opening 204. A further downward movement of the first end 333 of the supplementary linkage container 200 causes the first flange 202 to slide along the chamfered region 153 of the first guide pin 152, causing the supplementary linkage container 200 to slide in a direction 212 that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 106. As the supplementary linkage container 200 slides in the direction 212, an end region 211 of the second flange 206 slides towards the first guide pin 152 into the undercut region 243 of the first guide pin 142 below the detent 144.In this position, the connection between the second flange 206 and the locking device 144 provides a locking mechanism that prevents the flange 206 from being lifted off the second guide pin 142. Once the supplementary linkage container 200 slides downwards by a sufficient distance 147 so that the first guide pin 152 fits completely through the first flange opening 204, the first flange 202 rests on the upper surface 129 of the magazine frame 127, and the locking arm 162 automatically locks over the first flange 202, thus preventing the first flange 202 from being lifted off the first guide pin 152. By locking the flanges 202, 206 to the upper end of the main rod container 126 in this manner, the supplementary rod container 200 is securely connected to the upper side of the main rod container 126.

[0020] Fig. Figures 3a, 3b, 5a to 5c, 6a to 6d and 7a to 7e show the locking mechanism 160 in a variety of arrangements to demonstrate its function. Fig. Figure 5a shows the basic components of the locking mechanism 160, comprising the locking arm 162, a locking follower 164, a locking group preload device 166 (for example, a coiled tension spring), and a plunger 168. The locking arm 164 is rotatably connected to the main linkage housing 126 on a pivot axis 170 and is rotatable between a locking position (see Figure 5a). Fig. 5a and Fig. 5c) and a non-locking position (see Fig. 6c) movable. The upper end of the frame magazine 27 of the main linkage container 126 comprises an upper wall 129 with an upper surface 128 on which the first end 333 of the supplementary linkage container 200 sits when the supplementary linkage container 200 is locked to the main linkage container 126. A coil spring 173 or other preloading element is located between the upper wall 229 and a lower plunger mounting wall 175, which is attached to the first end 133 of the main linkage container 126. The plunger 168 is slidable relative to the walls 129, 175 along a vertical axis 177. The plunger 168 is movable along the axis 177 between an upper position (see Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b) and a lower position (see Fig. 5c) movable. In the upper position, the plunger 168 extends through an opening in the upper wall 229, so that an upper portion 179 of the plunger 168 protrudes above the upper surface 128. In the lower position, the plunger 168 extends through an opening in the wall 175, so that a lower portion 181 of the plunger 168 protrudes below a lower surface of the wall 175. The spring 173 biases the plunger towards the upper position.

[0021] The locking group projection device 166 pre-tensions the locking arm 162 in the direction of the locking position. The locking driver 164 is rotatably connected to the locking arm 162 at the axis of rotation 165. The locking driver 164 is rotatable about the axis of rotation 165 relative to the locking arm 162 between an upper position (see Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b) and a lower position (see Fig. 5c) movable. The locking group preloading device 166 preloads the locking driver 164 towards the upper position. A lever 183 can be used by an operator to manually rotate the locking driver 164 from the upper position to the lower position.

[0022] A sequence for locking the flange 202 of the supplementary rod container 200 to the upper wall 229 of the main rod container is shown in the Fig. Shown in sections 5a to 5c. Fig. Figure 5a shows a locking arm 162 in the locking position before the supplementary linkage container 200 is attached to the main linkage container 126. Fig. Figure 5b shows the supplementary linkage container 200 being positioned at the upper end of the main linkage container 126, where the flange 202 contacts an angled ramp surface 163 of the locking arm 162. Upon contact between the flange 202 and the ramp surface 163, the weight of the supplementary linkage container 200 is sufficient to overcome the preload of the preloading device 166 and cause the locking arm 162 to rotate its mounting axis 107 counterclockwise towards the non-locking position.Once the removable linkage container 200 rests on the upper surface 128, the locking arm 162 is able to rotate clockwise due to the preloading device 166 to engage with the flange 202, thereby locking the supplementary linkage container 200 to the main linkage container 126 without requiring any further action from the user other than positioning the supplementary linkage container 200 and lowering it into place.

[0023] When the supplementary linkage container 200 moves into the seated position, the flange 202 forces the plunger 168 downwards, as shown in Fig. 5c shown. This device provides a function for removing the supplementary linkage container 200, as shown in Fig. 6a to 6e shown. Fig. 6a is the same as Fig. 5c, with the removable linkage housing 200 resting on the main linkage housing 126 and held in place by the locking arm 162. In the position of Fig. 6a The lower section 181 of the plunger 168 engages with the locking driver 164 to hold the locking driver in the lower rotational position. If another user wishes to remove the supplementary linkage container 200, the first step is to reposition the locking arm 162 by manually rotating it counterclockwise to the non-locking position, as shown in Fig. 6b shows how the locking arm 162 is moved. When the locking arm 162 reaches the non-locking position, the locking driver 164 disengages from the lower end of the lower section 181 of the plunger 168, and the preloading device 166 rotates the locking driver 164 to the upper rotation position. The locking arm 162 is then released, and the preloading device 166 moves the locking arm slightly rearward to the locking position until the locking driver 164 contacts the side of the lower section 181 of the plunger 168 (see Figure 6b). Fig. 6c). Contact between the locking actuator 164 and the side of the lower section 181 of the plunger 168 holds the locking arm in the non-locking position. The supplementary linkage container 200 can now be lifted off the main linkage container 126, as shown in Fig. 6d shown, without being influenced by the locking arm 162. When the supplementary linkage container is raised, the spring 173 causes the plunger 168 to move back to the upper position. As the plunger moves back to the upper position, the lower portion of the plunger 168 clicks out of the locking driver 164, enabling the preload device 166 to return the locking arm to the locked position (see Fig. 6e).

[0024] Fig. Figures 7a to e show a sequence of steps which allow a user to initially decide to remove the supplementary rod container 200, but then decide to leave it attached and locked. Fig. 7a to c are the same as Fig. 6a to c and show that the locking arm 162 can be manually moved to a non-locking position, which in Fig. As shown in Figure 7c, the locking driver 164 can be moved where it engages with the side of the plunger 168. If the user decides to release the supplementary linkage container 200 without moving the supplementary linkage container 200, the lever 183 can be used to turn the locking driver 164 clockwise, as shown in Figure 7c. Fig. 7d shown, to rotate until it releases the lower end of the plunger 168, and the locking arm 162 returns to the locking position which is shown in Fig. As shown in 7e, it speeds up.

[0025] The locking mechanism 160 is a component of the first restraint device 150, which is located in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b, and also features the guide pin 152. When engaged with the flange 202 of the supplementary linkage container 200, the locking mechanism prevents the supplementary linkage container 200 from moving in a vertical direction relative to the main linkage container 126. The guide pin 152, when engaged with the recess 204 in the flange 202, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the supplementary linkage container 200 prevents it from moving in a different direction.

[0026] The second containment device 140, which is located in Fig. As shown in section 4, this is from a different perspective. Fig. 10 and Fig. Figure 12 shows the rear of the main linkage housing 126, which has an upper surface 136 and the retaining device 140. The retaining device includes the second guide pin 142 with an upper chamfered section. The pin 142 is shown in more detail in Figure 12. Fig. Figure 13 shows the supplementary linkage container 200 as it is lowered to engage with the main linkage container 126. The recess 208 in the flange 206, which is in Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the upper part of the guide pin 142 will interlock, as shown in more detail in Figure 11. Fig. 14a to e shown. Fig. Figure 14a shows the flange 206 and recess 208 as it begins to engage with the pin 142. The flange will slide over the pin when the supplementary linkage container 200 is lowered straight down, as shown in Fig. 14a, Fig. 14b and Fig. 14c shown. At one point, the linkage housing 200 can move in the direction 212 (more precisely in the direction of the first guide pin 152), as made possible by the chamfered locking mechanism 144 and the undercut area 243, as shown in Fig. shown in Figure 14d. This movement is necessary to align the first guide pin 142 with the recess 204 of the flange 202. The supplementary linkage container 200 will be fully seated when it rotates counterclockwise, as shown in Figure 14d. Fig. 14e shown, so that it rests on the upper surface 136, which is formed by the upper end 129 of the main linkage container 126. Fig. Figure 15 shows the shape of the recess 208 in the flange 206, as it is positioned with the guide pin 142, as shown in Fig. shown in 14e, intervenes.

[0027] The supplementary linkage container 200 is attached to the main linkage container 126 when the second flange 206 with recess 208 engages with the second guide pin 142, the first flange 202 with recess 204 engages with the first guide pin 152, and the locking mechanism 160 also engages with the flange 202. Each of these three connections occurs automatically when the user lowers the removable linkage container onto the main linkage container. The overall process is described in Fig. shown in 16a to 16d, where Fig. Figure 16a shows the supplementary linkage container 200 positioned above the main linkage container 126, with the recess 208 in the flange 206 aligned with the pin 142. The user lowers the supplementary linkage container 200 in a first direction 210, essentially straight down. Once the flange 206 contacts the upper surface 136, the supplementary linkage container 200 will, in a second manner, encompass a sliding movement in a second direction 212, as shown in Fig. 16b, and in a third way, where the end 333 is essentially along a circular segment defined by a radius around the end 335 along the direction which is designated as 214 in Fig. 16c is shown, curved, moved, moving. The process is complete when the removable container rests on surfaces 136 and 128, the pins 152 and 142 are fully engaged with the recesses 204 and 208, and the locking mechanism engages with the flange 202, as shown in Fig. 16d shown.

Claims

[1] Horizontal directional drilling machine (100), with: a drill chassis (103); a main rod container (126) connected to the drilling machine chassis (103), wherein the main rod container (126) has a plurality of vertical columns (130, 132, 134) configured to discharge rods from a lower end of the main rod container (126) to a rod transfer device (122, 124); a supplementary linkage container (200) that can be connected to an upper end of the main linkage container (126), wherein the supplementary linkage container (200) has a plurality of vertical columns (330, 332, 334) that are aligned with the plurality of columns (130, 132, 134) of the main linkage container (126) when the supplementary linkage container (200) is connected to the upper end of the main linkage container (126); and A linkage container interface mechanism provided at the upper end of the main linkage container (126) to facilitate the connection of the supplementary linkage container (200) to the main linkage container (126); wherein the linkage container interface mechanism includes a linkage container retention arrangement (140, 150) which automatically locks the supplementary linkage container (200) to the upper end of the main linkage container (126) when the supplementary linkage container (200) is lowered onto the main linkage container (126). [2] Horizontal directional drilling machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein the supplementary rod container (200) comprises: a first and a second flange (202, 206) spaced apart from each other, the first flange (202) forming a first flange opening (204) and the second flange (206) forming a second flange opening (208); and wherein the rod container retention arrangement (140, 150) comprises: a first guide pin (152) which is received in the first flange opening (204) of the first flange (202); a second guide pin (142) which is received in the second flange opening (208) of the second flange (206), wherein the second guide pin (142) is designed such that an engagement between the second flange (206) and a part of the second guide pin (142) prevents the second guide pin (142) from being removed from the second flange opening (208) when the supplementary linkage container (200) is attached to the main linkage container (126); and a locking arm (162) which locks the first flange (202) when the supplementary linkage container (200) is attached to the main linkage container (126) to prevent the first guide pin (152) from being removed from the first flange opening (204). [3] Horizontal directional drilling machine (100) according to claim 2, wherein the first and second flanges (202, 206) are attached to a lower end of the supplementary rod container (200) adjacent to opposite ends of the supplementary rod container (200), and the first guide pin (152), the second guide pin (142) and the locking arm (162) are attached to the main rod container (126). [4] Horizontal directional drilling machine (100) according to claim 3, wherein the first guide pin (152), the second guide pin (142) and the locking arm (162) are located adjacent to an upper end of the main rod container (126). [5] Horizontal directional drilling machine (100) according to claim 2, wherein the locking arm (162) is spring-biased in the direction of a locking position. [6] Horizontal directional drilling machine (100) according to claim 5, further comprising a locking driver (164) rotatably connected to the locking arm (162) and a plunger (168) actuated by the first flange (202) when the supplementary rod container (200) is attached to the main rod container (126), wherein the locking driver (164) engages with one side of the actuated plunger (168) to hold the locking arm (162) in a non-locking position, and wherein the locking driver (164) engages with one end of the plunger (168) when the locking arm (162) is in the locking position. [7] Horizontal directional drilling machine (100) according to claim 6, which further comprises a lever (183) attached to the locking driver (164) to manually rotate the locking driver (164) relative to the locking arm (162). [8] Horizontal directional drilling system, with: a. a horizontal directional drilling machine (100) with a main rod container (126) and a rod transfer device (122, 124), wherein the main rod container (126) is configured to discharge a drill rod from the lower end, is arranged above the rod transfer device (122, 124), and furthermore has several columns (130, 132, 134) with a mechanism on an upper surface; and b. a supplementary linkage container (200) with several columns (330, 332, 334) and a lower surface designed to interact with the mechanism on the upper surface of the main linkage container (126); c. wherein the mechanism has a locking arm (162) which is automatically activated when the supplementary linkage container (200) is lowered onto the main linkage container (126). [9] Horizontal directional drilling system according to claim 8, wherein the mechanism has a locking mechanism (160) which is automatically activated when a fastening surface of the supplementary rod container (200) comes into contact with the upper surface of the main rod container (126).

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