Abstract: An apparatus for changing a drilling tool for a drilling rig is described, where the drilling rig comprises a drill tower supporting a drill pipe. The apparatus for changing a drilling tool has a drilling tool changer assembly moveable between a storage position and an exchange position, and the drilling tool changer assembly supports a rotatable carousel assembly. The rotatable carousel assembly is capable of being removed from the drilling tool changer assembly and capable of replacement on the drilling tool changer in the same angular position with respect to the drill pipe as when removed. The rotatable carousel assembly has a plurality of bit adaptors for holding drilling tools and is selectively rotatable to bring a selected drilling tool into coaxial alignment with the drill pipe when the drilling tool changer assembly supporting the rotatable carousel assembly is moved into the exchange position.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for semi-automatic or automatic control of a system for changing drilling tools for a drilling rig that includes a drill tower supporting a drill string with a drill pipe at a lowermost end, and a drilling tool changer assembly having a rotatable carousel assembly with a plurality of bit adaptors for holding drilling tools. The method includes removing a first drilling tool attached to the drill pipe and attaching a second drilling tool held in the rotatable carousel assembly to the drill pipe. The method may selectively be performed semi-automatically or automatically via a control system operatively coupled to the drilling rig.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for semi-automatic or automatic control of a system for changing drilling tools for a drilling rig that includes a drill tower supporting a drill string with a drill pipe at a lowermost end, and a drilling tool changer assembly having a rotatable carousel assembly with a plurality of bit adaptors for holding drilling tools. The method includes removing a first drilling tool attached to the drill pipe and attaching a second drilling tool held in the rotatable carousel assembly to the drill pipe. The method may selectively be performed semi-automatically or automatically via a control system operatively coupled to the drilling rig.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing a drilling tool for a drilling rig is described, where the drilling rig comprises a drill tower supporting a drill pipe. The apparatus for changing a drilling tool has a drilling tool changer assembly moveable between a storage position and an exchange position, and the drilling tool changer assembly supports a rotatable carousel assembly. The rotatable carousel assembly is capable of being removed from the drilling tool changer assembly and capable of replacement on the drilling tool changer in the same angular position with respect to the drill pipe as when removed. The rotatable carousel assembly has a plurality of bit adaptors for holding drilling tools and is selectively rotatable to bring a selected drilling tool into coaxial alignment with the drill pipe when the drilling tool changer assembly supporting the rotatable carousel assembly is moved into the exchange position.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing a drilling tool for a drilling rig is described, where the drilling rig comprises a drill tower supporting a drill pipe. The apparatus for changing a drilling tool has a drilling tool changer assembly moveable between a storage position and an exchange position, and the drilling tool changer assembly supports a rotatable carousel assembly. The rotatable carousel assembly is capable of being removed from the drilling tool changer assembly and capable of replacement on the drilling tool changer in the same angular position with respect to the drill pipe as when removed. The rotatable carousel assembly has a plurality of bit adaptors for holding drilling tools and is selectively rotatable to bring a selected drilling tool into coaxial alignment with the drill pipe when the drilling tool changer assembly supporting the rotatable carousel assembly is moved into the exchange position.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing a drilling tool for a drilling rig is described, where the drilling rig comprises a drill tower supporting a drill pipe. The apparatus for changing a drilling tool has a drilling tool changer assembly moveable between a storage position and an exchange position, and the drilling tool changer assembly supports a rotatable carousel assembly. The rotatable carousel assembly is capable of being removed from the drilling tool changer assembly and capable of replacement on the drilling tool changer in the same angular position with respect to the drill pipe as when removed. The rotatable carousel assembly has a plurality of bit adaptors for holding drilling tools and is selectively rotatable to bring a selected drilling tool into coaxial alignment with the drill pipe when the drilling tool changer assembly supporting the rotatable carousel assembly is moved into the exchange position.