Abstract: An anti-jam control system for mobile drilling machines is disclosed. The anti-jam control system may include a method for automatically clearing a jam during an automatic drilling mode of a mobile drilling machine including a drill bit mounted on a drill string. The method may include: monitoring a feed rate of the drill bit during the automatic drilling mode; and automatically initiating an anti-jam operation when the feed rate is below a predetermined feed rate threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic force adjustment control system for mobile drilling machines and methods for automatically adjusting a force on a down-the-hole drill bit of a drill string of a mobile drilling machine. A method may include: monitoring bit air pressure of the down-the-hole drill bit during an automatic down-the-hole drilling operation; and automatically adjusting a force provided to the drill string based on the monitored bit air pressure so that the bit air pressure approaches a target air pressure value.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclose, an interlock system for a mobile drilling machine. The interlock system has a sensor assembly used to determine a drill string status, an operator interface for receiving a deck wrench disengagement input, and a control module. The control module may be used to receive the deck wrench disengagement input from the operator interface, receive the drill string status from the sensor assembly, determine from the drill string status that a drill string component engaged by the deck wrench is connected to a drill string or a drill head, and disengage the deck wrench from the drill string component engaged by the deck wrench.

Abstract: A collar control system and methods for mobile drilling machines are disclosed. One method may include: automatically initiating rotation of a drill bit based on collar settings; automatically feeding the drill bit at a feed rate to form an initial hole at a predetermined reaming increment; and automatically retracting the drill bit from the initial hole when the predetermined reaming increment is achieved, but prior to reaching a collar depth. Another method may include: measuring values of multiple drill bit inputs at a predetermined sample depth region during the collar operation; storing average values for each of the drill bit inputs over the predetermined sample depth region; monitoring values of the drill bit inputs when the drill bit moves beyond the predetermined sample depth region; and ending the collar operation prior to a desired collar depth when any of the monitored values change by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A drilling machine includes a mast, a rotary head movably coupled to the mast, a drill string component having a pair of opposed flat surfaces, and a securing structure including engagement surfaces shaped to engage the opposed flat surfaces and secure the drill string component from rotating. The drilling machine also includes a controller configured to track a rotational location of the flat surfaces of the drill string component during rotation of the drill string component. The controller is further configured to receive tracking information from a sensor associated with the rotary head and control the rotary head to align the opposed flat surfaces for engagement by the securing structure.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclose, an interlock system for a mobile drilling machine. The interlock system has a sensor assembly used to determine a drill string status, an operator interface for receiving a deck wrench disengagement input, and a control module. The control module may be used to receive the deck wrench disengagement input from the operator interface, receive the drill string status from the sensor assembly, determine from the drill string status that a drill string component engaged by the deck wrench is connected to a drill string or a drill head, and disengage the deck wrench from the drill string component engaged by the deck wrench.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic force adjustment control system for mobile drilling machines and methods for automatically adjusting a force on a down-the-hole drill bit of a drill string of a mobile drilling machine. A method may include: monitoring bit air pressure of the down-the-hole drill bit during an automatic down-the-hole drilling operation; and automatically adjusting a force provided to the drill string based on the monitored bit air pressure so that the bit air pressure approaches a target air pressure value.

Abstract: A collar control system and methods for mobile drilling machines are disclosed. One method may include: automatically initiating rotation of a drill bit based on collar settings; automatically feeding the drill bit at a feed rate to form an initial hole at a predetermined reaming increment; and automatically retracting the drill bit from the initial hole when the predetermined reaming increment is achieved, but prior to reaching a collar depth. Another method may include: measuring values of multiple drill bit inputs at a predetermined sample depth region during the collar operation; storing average values for each of the drill bit inputs over the predetermined sample depth region; monitoring values of the drill bit inputs when the drill bit moves beyond the predetermined sample depth region; and ending the collar operation prior to a desired collar depth when any of the monitored values change by a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An anti jam control system for mobile drilling machines is disclosed. The anti jam control system may include a method for automatically clearing a jam during an automatic drilling mode of a mobile drilling machine including a drill bit mounted on a drill string. The method may include: monitoring a feed rate of the drill bit during the automatic drilling mode; and automatically initiating an anti jam operation when the feed rate is below a predetermined feed rate threshold.

Abstract: A drilling machine includes a mast, a rotary head movably coupled to the mast, a drill string component having a pair of opposed flat surfaces, and a securing structure including engagement surfaces shaped to engage the opposed flat surfaces and secure the drill string component from rotating. The drilling machine also includes a controller configured to track a rotational location of the flat surfaces of the drill string component during rotation of the drill string component. The controller is further configured to receive tracking information from a sensor associated with the rotary head and control the rotary head to align the opposed flat surfaces for engagement by the securing structure.

Abstract: A method for automated control of a drilling operation of a blast hole drilling machine using a down-the-hole drill bit mounted on a drill string is disclosed. The method may include: receiving input data from a user input including information of the drill bit, drill string weight, and desired hole settings; receiving a command from the user to initiate an automatic down-the-hole operation; identifying a location of the down-the-hole drill bit; and using the received input data and based on the location of the down-the-hole drill bit, automatically initiating the steps of: collaring a hole; drilling the hole; and retracting the drill when the hole is drilled.

Abstract: A drilling tool changer apparatus for a drilling rig includes a drill tower pivotable between a drilling orientation and a change-out orientation, the drill tower supporting a drill string comprising a drill pipe coupled to a drilling tool. The drilling tool changer apparatus also includes a drilling tool storage device pivotally movable about a hinge axis between a stowed position and a deployed position. The drilling tool storage device includes a drilling tool storage cassette including a replacement drilling tool. The drilling tool storage device and the drill tower are pivotally alignable in a substantially co-planar manner when the drilling tool storage device is in the deployed position and the drill tower is in the change-out orientation.

Abstract: A control system for an automatic drilling tool changer apparatus for use with a drilling rig includes a drilling control device programmed with a control scheme for controlling the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus, and a user interface coupled to the drilling control device for initiating actions of the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus and for interactively monitoring a status of the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus. The control scheme includes steps for an automatic drilling tool change-out operation, and the drilling control device and the user interface are configured to communicate with the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus over a network.

Abstract: A drilling rig carousel assembly includes a drilling rig carousel comprising a plurality of slots for holding drill components, a first actuator coupled to the drilling rig carousel and configured to axially rotate the drilling rig carousel, a second actuator coupled to the drilling rig carousel and configured to move the drilling rig carousel between a first position and a second position, and a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a rotation sensor configured to monitor an axial rotation of the drilling rig carousel, and a position sensor configured to provide a signal representative of whether the drilling rig carousel is in the first position or the second position.

Abstract: A blast hole drill machine (100) including a deck frame (102), and a mast (106) mounted on the deck frame (102) is provided. A feed cylinder (120) supported on the mast (106) and configured to move in proportion to movement of a rotary drill head (114) along the mast (106). A position magnet (202) is moveably disposed on the feed cylinder (120). A linear transducer (204) extends along the mast (106) and configured to detect a movement of the position magnet (202) indicative of a change in a position of the rotary drill head (114).

Abstract: A control system for an automatic drilling tool changer apparatus for use with a drilling rig includes a drilling control device programmed with a control scheme for controlling the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus, and a user interface coupled to the drilling control device for initiating actions of the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus and for interactively monitoring a status of the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus. The control scheme includes steps for an automatic drilling tool change-out operation, and the drilling control device and the user interface are configured to communicate with the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus over a network.

Abstract: A drilling tool changer apparatus for a drilling rig includes a drill tower pivotable between a drilling orientation and a change-out orientation, the drill tower supporting a drill string comprising a drill pipe coupled to a drilling tool. The drilling tool changer apparatus also includes a drilling tool storage device pivotally movable about a hinge axis between a stowed position and a deployed position. The drilling tool storage device includes a drilling tool storage cassette including a replacement drilling tool. The drilling tool storage device and the drill tower are pivotally alignable in a substantially co-planar manner when the drilling tool storage device is in the deployed position and the drill tower is in the change-out orientation.