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: A rod and rod cup alignment apparatus for a drilling machine has a receptacle for receiving a drill rod of the type having at least one rod flat, where the drill rod has a leading corner and a trailing corner relative to the direction of its rotation. The receptacle has at least one cup flat disposed on the inner surface of the receptacle and the cup flat further has a first top surface and a second top surface. The second top surface has a slope downward toward the bottom of the rod cup, so that, as the drill rod is lowered into the rod cup while the drill rod is rotating, the leading corner of the drill rod is caused to move downward along the second top surface, whereupon the trailing corner of the drill rod contacts the first top surface, thereby aligning the drill rod flat with the rod cup flat.

Abstract: A rod and rod cup alignment apparatus for a drilling machine has a receptacle for receiving a drill rod of the type having at least one rod flat, where the drill rod has a leading corner and a trailing corner relative to the direction of its rotation. The receptacle has at least one cup flat disposed on the inner surface of the receptacle and the cup flat further has a first top surface and a second top surface. The second top surface has a slope downward toward the bottom of the rod cup, so that, as the drill rod is lowered into the rod cup while the drill rod is rotating, the leading corner of the drill rod is caused to move downward along the second top surface, whereupon the trailing corner of the drill rod contacts the first top surface, thereby aligning the drill rod flat with the rod cup flat.