Drill Rod Handling System with Axial-Pivotal Cradle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drill rod handling systems are inefficient and unsafe due to manual handling requirements, which often lead to misalignment and rotation of drill rods during threading and unthreading, causing worker injuries and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A drill head assembly with a cradle and chuck system that allows for axial and pivotal movement relative to the drill mast, coupled with a loading device that restricts rotation and aligns the drill rod, enabling secure engagement and disengagement without manual torque application, and can be retrofitted to existing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling is used to support, lift, and rotate drill rods, then workers can guide the rod into position, but this leads to misalignment, rotation during threading, and worker injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated loading device that uses a rotating carriage and positioning mechanisms to automatically guide, align, and insert drill rods into the chuck, eliminating worker involvement in the hazardous alignment process
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service through automated rod loading where the loading device independently performs alignment and insertion without requiring manual intervention, with the drill rod being automatically positioned by the carriage mechanism
2Extent of automation
If conventional rod loaders and rod carousels/magazines are used, then rod handling can be automated, but these devices are complex and cannot be retrofitted to existing drill systems
Solution Approach 1:
The loading device is segmented into modular components including a base, rotating carriage, and positioning mechanisms that can be independently installed and configured, allowing retrofitting to existing drill systems without requiring complete system replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The loading device is designed with universal applicability to work with various drill head and drill mast geometries, featuring adjustable components and a versatile carriage mechanism that can accommodate different rod sizes and system configurations
3Manufacturing precision
If floating devices such as spline/spring assemblies are used to allow axial translation during rotation, then rod alignment is improved, but these devices are expensive, heavy, and add to the overall length of the drill head assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment function from complex floating devices within the drill head and relocates it to the loading device's carriage mechanism, which performs alignment before rod insertion, thereby eliminating the need for heavy spline/spring assemblies in the drill head assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The loading device performs preliminary alignment of the drill rod using the rotating carriage mechanism before the rod is inserted into the chuck, pre-establishing proper orientation and position, which eliminates the need for complex floating alignment devices during the drilling operation
Data Source
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AI summary
A drill head assembly for receiving a drill rod in an operative position. The drill head assembly has a chuck and cradle configured for movement between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the longitudinal axis of the chuck is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of a drill mast. In the second position, the longitudinal axis of the chuck is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill mast. From the first position, the cradle is configured for sequential axial and then pivotal movement relative to the transverse axis to reach the second position, with pivotal movement being restricted until axial movement is completed. Drill rod handling systems having such drill head assemblies, and methods of using such drill head assemblies, are also disclosed.