Abstract: A drilling machine is disclosed. The drilling machine may include a mast and a machine frame. The mast may include a mast frame, a movable drill head assembly, a first pivot aperture, and a plurality of first lock apertures each corresponding to a different drilling position of the mast. The machine frame may include an engine, a ground engaging assembly having an axle, and a mast coupling assembly having at least a pair of opposed legs, each leg including at least one plate. The at least one plate of each leg may include a second pivot aperture positioned to align with the first pivot aperture to pivotably couple the mast to each leg. The at least one plate may also include a second lock aperture positioned to align with each of the first lock apertures and receive a lock pin for locking the mast in a drilling position.

Abstract: A mobile drilling machine may include a drilling mast having a mast frame, a movable drill motor assembly, and a pivot; a machine frame including front and back portions, an engine, a ground engaging assembly, and a coupling assembly including first and second side plates, where the mast is pivotably coupled at the pivot between the first and second side plates; at least one primary fluid cylinder coupled to the machine frame to apply a force to the mast at a position above the pivot along the mast to assist in moving the mast between a stowed position to a drilling position; and a secondary fluid cylinder coupled to the machine frame to apply a force to the mast at a position below the pivot along the mast to assist the at least one primary fluid cylinder when the mast is at a negative drilling angle.

Abstract: A drilling machine is disclosed. The drilling machine may include a mast and a machine frame. The mast may include a mast frame, a movable drill head assembly, a first pivot aperture, and a plurality of first lock apertures each corresponding to a different drilling position of the mast. The machine frame may include an engine, a ground engaging assembly having an axle, and a mast coupling assembly having at least a pair of opposed legs, each leg including at least one plate. The at least one plate of each leg may include a second pivot aperture positioned to align with the first pivot aperture to pivotably couple the mast to each leg. The at least one plate may also include a second lock aperture positioned to align with each of the first lock apertures and receive a lock pin for locking the mast in a drilling position.

Abstract: A rotary head guide system for a mobile drilling machine is disclosed. The rotary head guide system may include a drilling mast including a mast frame having an opening along substantially an entire length of the mast frame. The mast frame may include edges forming flanges on each side of the opening. The flanges may extend along the length of the mast frame. Additionally, the rotary head guide system may include a rotary head movably coupled to the drilling mast by a support structure including at least two guide assemblies engaging the flanges.

Abstract: A platform based drill includes a drilling platform including a frame structure with first and second opposite ends, and first and second opposite sides. A mast supported on a pivotal connection to the drilling platform adjacent the first end of the frame structure and including an upper portion extending above the pivotal connection, and a lower portion extending below the pivotal connection. An adjusting mechanism permits the mast to be pivotally adjusted to a negative drilling angle whereby the upper portion of the mast leans in a direction extending away from the second end and toward the first end.

Abstract: A rotary head guide system for a mobile drilling machine is disclosed. The rotary head guide system may include a drilling mast including a mast frame having an opening along substantially an entire length of the mast frame. The mast frame may include edges forming flanges on each side of the opening. The flanges may extend along the length of the mast frame. Additionally, the rotary head guide system may include a rotary head movably coupled to the drilling mast by a support structure including at least two guide assemblies engaging the flanges.

Abstract: A joint assembly includes a clamp member and a spacer plate. The clamp member includes a first jaw surface and a second jaw surface that define a gap therebetween. The spacer plate is connected to the clamp member such that the spacer plate is disposed within the gap between the first jaw surface and the second jaw surface. The spacer plate includes a body and a seal member. The body includes a perimeter. The seal member is connected to the body such that it is disposed adjacent the perimeter of the body. The seal member extends over a segment of the perimeter of the body. The seal member is in sealing engagement with the first jaw surface and the second jaw surface.

Abstract: A mobile drilling machine may include a drilling mast having a mast frame, a movable drill motor assembly, and a pivot; a machine frame including front and back portions, an engine, a ground engaging assembly, and a coupling assembly including first and second side plates, where the mast is pivotably coupled at the pivot between the first and second side plates; at least one primary fluid cylinder coupled to the machine frame to apply a force to the mast at a position above the pivot along the mast to assist in moving the mast between a stowed position to a drilling position; and a secondary fluid cylinder coupled to the machine frame to apply a force to the mast at a position below the pivot along the mast to assist the at least one primary fluid cylinder when the mast is at a negative drilling angle.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for locking a mast includes a double acting cylinder having a piston coupled with a piston rod adapted to slide inside a cylinder barrel. The cylinder barrel is coupled with a first shaft through a first coupling pin. Mounting brackets coupled to a base plate of the mast guide a sliding motion of the first coupling pin, and the cylinder barrel. A first locking pin connected to the piston rod selectively engages a first side plate based on the sliding motion of the piston rod. A retraction stopper restricts a sliding motion of the first locking pin away from the first side plate, and subsequently causes a movement of the cylinder barrel towards the first end of the cylinder barrel. A second locking pin connected to the shaft selectively engages a second side plate based on the sliding motion of the cylinder barrel.

Abstract: A spring seal for a joint assembly pivotally joining a lever arm to a machine frame includes an annular body having a W-shaped cross section. The W-shaped cross section includes a first cantilevered arm, a parallel and spaced apart second cantilevered arm, and a spring leg joining the first and second cantilevered arms. The spring seal is disposed between a bearing surface on the lever arm and a lug on the frame. The W-shaped cross section of the spring seal can collapse and relax to accommodate movement between the lever arm and the frame lug. A second spring seal can be disposed between a second bearing surface on the lever arm and a second frame lug opposite the first lug.

Abstract: A control system for actuating a drill pipe rack is provided. The drill pipe rack moves between a first position and a second position. The control system includes a first actuator to actuate a top end of the drill pipe rack and a second actuator to actuate a bottom end of the drill pipe rack. The control system includes a pump to supply pressurized fluid to the first actuator and the second actuator. The control system further includes at least one volumetric flow divider in fluid communication with the pump. The volumetric flow divider is configured to supply equal volumetric quantity of the pressurized fluid to the first actuator and the second actuator, and subsequently move the drill pipe rack between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A platform based drill includes a drilling platform including a frame structure with first and second opposite ends, and first and second opposite sides. A mast supported on a pivotal connection to the drilling platform adjacent the first end of the frame structure and including an upper portion extending above the pivotal connection, and a lower portion extending below the pivotal connection. An adjusting mechanism permits the mast to be pivotally adjusted to a negative drilling angle whereby the upper portion of the mast leans in a direction extending away from the second end and toward the first end.

Abstract: A seal member for a joint between a pivot member movable about a rotational axis of a shaft includes a ring, a flange, and a resiliently flexible intermediate portion interposed therebetween. The ring includes annular distal and proximal ring faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along a longitudinal axis. The flange includes a pair of flange faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along the longitudinal axis. The flange includes outer and inner flange surfaces extending along the longitudinal axis between the pair of flange faces at, respectively, outer and inner flange perimeters thereof. The intermediate portion is connected to the proximal ring face of the ring and to the inner circumferential flange surface of the flange such that the ring is relatively movable with respect to the flange.

Abstract: A seal member for a joint between a pivot member movable about a rotational axis of a shaft includes a ring, a flange, and a resiliently flexible intermediate portion interposed therebetween. The ring includes annular distal and proximal ring faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along a longitudinal axis. The flange includes a pair of flange faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along the longitudinal axis. The flange includes outer and inner flange surfaces extending along the longitudinal axis between the pair of flange faces at, respectively, outer and inner flange perimeters thereof. The intermediate portion has a ring end that circumscribes, and is connected to, an outer circumferential ring surface of the ring and a flange end that is connected to the inner flange surface of the flange such that the ring is relatively movable with respect to the flange.

Abstract: A self-adjusting seal for sealing a joint. The joint includes a support member, a mis-alignable component, and a changeable gap between the support member and the mis-alignable component. The seal includes a first part having a generally annular configuration formed of a resiliently crushable material and defining a planar outer seal face to statically seal to the support member and a first seal part opening extending therethrough. A second seal part axially adjoins the first part. The second seal part has a generally annular configuration formed of a rigid material and a second seal part opening extending therethrough in axial alignment with the first seal part opening. The first and second seal part openings define a non-rotation feature to prevent rotation of the seal on the support member, the second seal part defining a planer inner seal face configured to dynamically and sealingly interface with the mis-alignable component.

Abstract: A control system for actuating a drill pipe rack is provided. The drill pipe rack moves between a first position and a second position. The control system includes a first actuator to actuate a top end of the drill pipe rack and a second actuator to actuate a bottom end of the drill pipe rack. The control system includes a pump to supply pressurized fluid to the first actuator and the second actuator. The control system further includes at least one volumetric flow divider in fluid communication with the pump. The volumetric flow divider is configured to supply equal volumetric quantity of the pressurized fluid to the first actuator and the second actuator, and subsequently move the drill pipe rack between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A self-adjusting seal for sealing a joint. The joint includes a support member, a mis-alignable component, and a changeable gap between the support member and the mis-alignable component. The seal includes a first part having a generally annular configuration formed of a resiliently crushable material and defining a planar outer seal face to statically seal to the support member and a first seal part opening extending therethrough. A second seal part axially adjoins the first part. The second seal part has a generally annular configuration formed of a rigid material and a second seal part opening extending therethrough in axial alignment with the first seal part opening. The first and second seal part openings define a non-rotation feature to prevent rotation of the seal on the support member, the second seal part defining a planer inner seal face configured to dynamically and sealingly interface with the mis-alignable component.

Abstract: A joint assembly includes a clamp member and a spacer plate. The clamp member includes a first jaw surface and a second jaw surface that define a gap therebetween. The spacer plate is connected to the clamp member such that the spacer plate is disposed within the gap between the first jaw surface and the second jaw surface. The spacer plate includes a body and a seal member. The body includes a perimeter. The seal member is connected to the body such that it is disposed adjacent the perimeter of the body. The seal member extends over a segment of the perimeter of the body. The seal member is in sealing engagement with the first jaw surface and the second jaw surface.

Abstract: A spring seal for a joint assembly pivotally joining a lever arm to a machine frame includes an annular body having a W-shaped cross section. The W-shaped cross section includes a first cantilevered arm, a parallel and spaced apart second cantilevered arm, and a spring leg joining the first and second cantilevered arms. The spring seal is disposed between a bearing surface on the lever arm and a lug on the frame. The W-shaped cross section of the spring seal can collapse and relax to accommodate movement between the lever arm and the frame lug. A second spring seal can be disposed between a second bearing surface on the lever arm and a second frame lug opposite the first lug.

Abstract: A seal member for a joint between a pivot member movable about a rotational axis of a shaft includes a ring, a flange, and a resiliently flexible intermediate portion interposed therebetween. The ring includes annular distal and proximal ring faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along a longitudinal axis. The flange includes a pair of flange faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along the longitudinal axis. The flange includes outer and inner flange surfaces extending along the longitudinal axis between the pair of flange faces at, respectively, outer and inner flange perimeters thereof. The intermediate portion is connected to the proximal ring face of the ring and to the inner circumferential flange surface of the flange such that the ring is relatively movable with respect to the flange.