Drill carousel for machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023366276-A1
Application number	US-202318143162-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 4, 2023
Priority date	May 11, 2022
Publication date	Nov 16, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A pipe rack for a machine includes a drill carousel for supporting at least two drill strings. The drill carousel defines a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end. The drill carousel includes a base disposed proximate to the first end of the drill carousel and a plurality of receptacles coupled to and extending from the base. At least two of the plurality of receptacles are adapted to at least partially receive a corresponding drill string from the at least two drill strings. The pipe rack also includes a retainer plate. The retainer plate is adapted to couple with the at least two drill strings. The pipe rack further includes at least one breaker plate disposed between the base and the retainer plate. The at least one breaker plate is spaced apart from the retainer plate along a first axis of the machine.

First claim

1 . A pipe rack for a machine, the pipe rack comprising:
a drill carousel adapted to support at least two drill strings, the drill carousel defining a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end along a first axis of the machine, the drill carousel including: a base disposed proximate to the first end of the drill carousel; and a plurality of receptacles coupled to and extending from the base, wherein at least two of the plurality of receptacles are adapted to at least partially receive a corresponding drill string from the at least two drill strings; a retainer plate coupled to the drill carousel proximate to the second end of the drill carousel, wherein the retainer plate is adapted to couple with the at least two drill strings; and at least one breaker plate disposed between the base and the retainer plate, wherein the at least one breaker plate is spaced apart from the retainer plate along the first axis.

2 . The pipe rack of claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two drill strings include a drill bit, and wherein the drill bit includes at least one of a rotary drill hit and a down-the-hole drill bit.

3 . The pipe rack of claim 2 , wherein the drill bit of each of the at least two drill strings are of a same type.

4 . The pipe rack of claim 2 , wherein the drill bit of each of the at least two drill strings are of different types.

5 . The pipe rack of claim 2 , wherein the drill bit of each of the at least two drill strings are of a same size.

6 . The pipe rack of claim 2 , wherein the drill bit of each of the at least two drill strings are of different sizes.

7 . The pipe rack of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of receptacles is adapted to at least partially receive a corresponding drill string.

8 . The pipe rack of claim 1 , wherein the drill carousel is further adapted to support one or more drill pipes.

9 . The pipe rack of claim 8 , wherein one or more of the plurality of receptacles is adapted to removably receive a configurable sleeve for accommodating at least one of the drill strings and the drill pipes.

10 . The pipe rack of claim 8 , wherein the at least one breaker plate includes a first breaker plate disposed proximate to the base and a second breaker plate disposed between the first breaker plate and the retainer plate, the first and second breaker plates being adapted to couple with at least one of the drill pipes and the drill strings.

11 . A machine comprising:
a frame; a drilling mast supported by the frame; and a pipe rack mounted on the drilling mast, the pipe rack including: a drill carousel adapted to support at least two drill strings, the drill carousel defining a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end along a first axis of the machine, the drill carousel including: a base disposed proximate to the first end of the drill carousel; and a plurality of receptacles coupled to and extending from the base, wherein at least two of the plurality of receptacles are adapted to at least partially receive a corresponding drill string from the at least two drill strings; a retainer plate coupled to the drill carousel proximate to the second end of the drill carousel, wherein the retainer plate is adapted to couple with the at least two drill strings; and at least one breaker plate disposed between the base and the retainer plate, wherein the at least one breaker plate is spaced apart from the retainer plate along the first axis.

12 . The machine of claim 11 , wherein each of the at least two drill strings include a drill bit, and wherein the drill bit includes at least one of a rotary drill bit and a down-the-hole drill bit.

13 . The machine of claim 12 , wherein the drill bit of each of the at least two drill strings are of a same type.

14 . The machine of claim 12 , wherein the drill bit of each of the at least two drill strings are of different types.

15 . The machine of claim 12 , wherein the drill bit of each of the at least two drill strings are of a same size.

16 . The machine of claim 12 , wherein the drill bit of each of the at least two drill strings are of different sizes.

17 . The machine of claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of receptacles is adapted to at least partially receive a corresponding drill string.

18 . The machine of claim 11 , wherein the drill carousel is further adapted to support one or more drill pipes.

19 . The machine of claim 18 , wherein one or more of the plurality of receptacles is adapted to removably receive a configurable sleeve for accommodating at least one of the drill strings and the drill pipes.

20 . The machine of claim 18 , wherein the at least one breaker plate includes a first breaker plate disposed proximate to the base and a second breaker plate disposed between the first breaker plate and the retainer plate, the first and second breaker plates being adapted to couple with at least one of the drill pipes and the drill strings.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment Llc

Inventors

• Natarajan Yagneshwar

Classifications

• E21B19/146 Primary

  Carousel systems, i.e. rotating rack systems · CPC title

• E21B7/024

  having means for adapting to inclined terrain; having means for stabilizing the vehicle while drilling · CPC title

• E21B7/023

  the mast being foldable or telescopically retractable · CPC title