ADJUSTABLE BREAKOUT WRENCH FOR A MINING MACHINE
A breakout wrench assembly for a drill rig includes two support shafts. Each of the two support shafts is configured to extend in a direction relative to a drill pipe on a drill rig. The breakout wrench assembly also includes a carrier coupled to the two support shafts. The carrier is movable linearly along the two support shafts. The breakout wrench assembly also includes a breakout wrench pivotally coupled to the carrier or to one of the two support shafts. The breakout wrench includes a first end coupled to the carrier or to one of the two support shafts, and a second, opposite end configured to engage the drill pipe.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/294,732, filed Feb. 12, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to drill rigs, and more particularly to breakout wrenches for blasthole drill rigs.
Blasthole drill rigs are commonly used in the mining industry to drill through hard rock. Blasthole drill rigs can be found, for example, in coal, copper, and diamond mines throughout the world. A blasthole drill rig typically includes a base, a drill tower extending vertically from the base, a sectioned drill string coupled to and supported by the drill tower and extending into a borehole, a drill bit coupled to (e.g., threaded) one end of the drill string within the borehole, and a drill head coupled to the other end of the drill string.
During operation, connections between sections of the drill string and the drill bit often become fixed together by flexing and binding—even welding—caused by normal operational loads of the drill rig. This creates sections that are fixed together so securely that even a rotary head of the drill cannot break apart fixed sections. In order to apply high torques to the drill string to break the fixed connections, conventional drill rigs include a breakout wrench pivotally coupled to the base or the drill tower such that a working end of the breakout wrench is pivotable to engage and disengage the drill string. Conventionally, the breakout wrench is pivotable at a fixed height relative to the drill string.
Depending on the geometry of the components in the drill string, it is favorable at times to adjust the vertical height of the breakout wrench along the drill string so that the breakout wrench engages proper locations along the string. In some specific drilling operations, such as down-the-hole (DTH) hammer drilling, vertical adjustment becomes even more important. In DTH hammer drilling assemblies, there is a very small range along the drill string near the drill bit (e.g., at a hammer, which is commonly used to couple a drill bit to a remainder of the drill string) that is strong enough to be gripped by the wrench without risking damage to the hammer. This range may vary with different hammers. In addition, different sections and components disposed along the drill string may require wrench engagement at different heights. Accordingly, there is a need in this field for a durable, compact, strong, and vertically movable breakout wrench.
SUMMARYIn accordance with one construction, a breakout wrench assembly for a drill rig includes two support shafts. Each of the two support shafts is configured to extend in a direction relative to a drill pipe on a drill rig. The breakout wrench assembly also includes a carrier coupled to the two support shafts. The carrier is movable linearly along the two support shafts. The breakout wrench assembly also includes a breakout wrench pivotally coupled to the carrier or to one of the two support shafts. The breakout wrench includes a first end coupled to the carrier or to one of the two support shafts, and a second, opposite end configured to engage the drill pipe.
In accordance with another construction, a breakout wrench assembly for a drill rig includes two support shafts, wherein each of the two support shafts is configured to extend in a direction relative to a drill pipe on a drill rig. The breakout wrench assembly also includes a carrier coupled to the two support shafts. The carrier is movable linearly along the two support shafts, and includes a top plate and a bottom plate. The breakout wrench assembly also includes a breakout wrench pivotally coupled to the carrier or to one of the two support shaft, the breakout wrench having a first end coupled to the carrier or to one of the two support shafts, and a second, opposite end configured to engage the drill pipe. The breakout wrench assembly also includes a first actuating mechanism to pivot the breakout wrench relative to the carrier. The first actuating mechanism is disposed between the top plate and the bottom plate. The breakout wrench assembly also includes a second actuating mechanism disposed between the two support shafts. The second actuating mechanism includes a body and a rod that moves relative to the body and slides within the body.
Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONWith reference to
The blasthole drill 10 also includes leveling jacks 42 to support the blasthole drill 10 on the ground surface 34, a brace 46 that supports the drill tower 14 on the base 18, a drill head motor 50 coupled to the drill tower 14 that drives a drill head 54, and a coupling 58 that couples together the drill head 54 with an upper end 60 of the drill string 38. Other constructions of the blasthole drill 10 do not include, for example, the operator cab 22, the brace 46, or one or more other components as described above.
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
In operation, the breakout wrench assembly 100 pivots the breakout wrench 128 about the vertical axis A while also vertically displacing the breakout wrench 128 along the support shafts 112, 116. This vertical movement allows a user to align the working end 136 of the breakout wrench 128 along an optimal section of the drill string 38. Note that while the term “vertical axis” is used herein, during some operations the tower 14 could be tilted at an angle relative to ground during drilling (i.e., angle drilling), which would cause the axis A to also tilt and thus no longer be vertical. Either before or after an optimal height of the breakout wrench 128 is attained, a user pivots the breakout wrench 128 into engagement with the drill string 38. Once engaged, the breakout wrench 128 is operated to apply high levels of torque to disconnect drill string components that were previously fixed in place, or alternatively to attach new components to a drill string 38. Once this operation is complete and the breakout wrench 128 is no longer required, the breakout wrench 128 is then pivoted away from the drill string 38 such that other drill operations are not inhibited.
The first actuating mechanism 124 and/or the second actuating mechanism are operated manually, or may be automated. For example, and with reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With continued reference to
With reference to
In operation, the breakout wrench assembly 300 functions in generally the same way as the breakout wrench assembly 100 set forth above, in that the breakout wrench 332 is movable vertically (or at an inclined angle for example during angle drilling) via the carrier 320 on the shafts 312, 316 and the first actuating mechanism 324, and is movable pivotally about the shaft 316 via the second actuating mechanism 328. As illustrated in
The vertical adjustability of the breakout wrench assemblies 100, 300 is favorable in certain circumstances in order to engage proper locations along the drill string 38. In some specific drilling operations, such as down-the-hole (DTH) hammer drilling, this feature becomes even more important. As noted above, in DTH hammer drilling assemblies, there is a very small range along the drill string 38 near the drill bit (e.g., at the hammer) that is strong enough to be gripped by the working end (e.g., working end 136) of the wrench without risking damage to the drill hammer. This range may vary with different drill hammers. Accordingly, vertical displacement of the wrench helps improve performance of the breakout wrench assembly 100, 300.
The breakout wrench assemblies 100, 300 also are compact, durable, and stable structures that have a large range of motion using a relatively low number of simple components. One feature enhancing durability of the above described breakout wrench assemblies 100, 300 is the inclusion of more than one vertical support shaft because the shafts 112, 116, 312, 316 resist moment forces created by operation of the breakout wrench 128, 332 to enhance durability. This reduces the need for additional structural and support components, thereby reducing cost, easing manufacturability, and minimizing the required deck space. In addition, the actuating mechanisms are better shielded from operational stressors, and the vertical displacement makes the drill more accommodating to additional components. That is, components that may otherwise impede a traditional, pivoting breakout wrench may now be included in the blasthole drill 10 because the breakout wrench assemblies 100, 300 are capable of being maneuvered vertically to access the drill string.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.
Claims
1. A breakout wrench assembly for a drill rig, the breakout wrench assembly comprising:
- two support shafts, wherein each of the two support shafts is configured to extend in a direction relative to a drill pipe on a drill rig;
- a carrier coupled to the two support shafts, wherein the carrier is movable linearly along the two support shafts; and
- a breakout wrench pivotally coupled to the carrier or to one of the two support shafts, the breakout wrench having a first end coupled to the carrier or to one of the two support shafts, and a second, opposite end configured to engage the drill pipe.
2. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 1, further comprising an actuating mechanism to pivot the breakout wrench relative to the carrier.
3. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 2, wherein the carrier includes a top plate and a bottom plate, and wherein the actuating mechanism is disposed between the top plate and the bottom plate.
4. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 1, further comprising an actuating mechanism to move the carrier linearly along the two support shafts.
5. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 4, wherein the actuating mechanism is disposed between the two support shafts, and includes a body and a rod that moves relative to the body and slides within the body.
6. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 4, wherein the actuating mechanism is a first actuating mechanism, and wherein the breakout wrench assembly further includes a second actuating mechanism to pivot the breakout wrench relative to the carrier.
7. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 6, wherein the first actuating mechanism is hydraulically or pneumatically operated, and wherein the second actuating mechanism is hydraulically or pneumatically operated.
8. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 1, wherein the carrier includes a top plate and a bottom plate spaced apart from the top plate.
9. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 8, wherein the carrier includes two parallel tubes extending between the top plate and the bottom plate, wherein each of the two parallel tubes is sized and shaped to receive one of the two support shafts.
10. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 9, wherein the carrier further includes a first bearing disposed within one of the two tubes, and a second bearing disposed within the other of the two tubes.
11. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 8, wherein the carrier includes a first mounting aperture extending through at least a portion of the top plate, and a second mounting aperture extending through at least a portion of the bottom plate.
12. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 11, wherein the carrier includes a pin that extends into both the first mounting aperture and the second mounting aperture, wherein the pin supports the first end of the breakout wrench.
13. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 8, further comprising an actuating mechanism to move the carrier linearly along the two support shafts, wherein the carrier includes a first aperture extending through the top plate, and a second aperture extending through the bottom plate, and wherein the actuating mechanism extends through both the first aperture and the second aperture.
14. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 13, further comprising a mounting assembly coupled to the top plate, wherein the mounting assembly includes two pillow blocks coupled to the top plate, and wherein the actuating mechanism includes a trunnion mount that is supported by the two pillow blocks.
15. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 14, further comprising a base plate coupled to the two support shafts, the base plate including an actuating mechanism mounting assembly having a split mounting block and a pin extending across the split mounting block and coupled to an end of the actuating mechanism.
16. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 15, wherein the pin extends perpendicular to the trunnion mount.
17. A drill rig comprising:
- a base;
- a drill tower extending from the base;
- a drill pipe coupled to and extending from the drill tower; and
- the breakout wrench assembly of claim 1.
18. A breakout wrench assembly for a drill rig, the breakout wrench assembly comprising:
- two support shafts, wherein each of the two support shafts is configured to extend in a direction relative to a drill pipe on a drill rig;
- a carrier coupled to the two support shafts, wherein the carrier is movable linearly along the two support shafts, wherein the carrier includes a top plate and a bottom plate;
- a breakout wrench pivotally coupled to the carrier or to one of the two support shafts, the breakout wrench having a first end coupled to the carrier or to one of the two support shafts, and a second, opposite end configured to engage the drill pipe;
- a first actuating mechanism to pivot the breakout wrench relative to the carrier, wherein the first actuating mechanism is disposed between the top plate and the bottom plate; and
- a second actuating mechanism disposed between the two support shafts, wherein the second actuating mechanism includes a body and a rod that moves relative to the body and slides within the body.
19. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 18, wherein the carrier includes two parallel tubes extending between the top plate and the bottom plate, wherein each of the two parallel tubes is sized and shaped to receive one of the two support shafts.
20. The breakout wrench assembly of claim 18, further comprising a base plate coupled to the two support shafts, the base plate including an actuating mechanism mounting assembly having a split mounting block and a pin extending across the split mounting block and coupled to an end of the second actuating mechanism.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 10, 2017
Publication Date: Aug 17, 2017
Inventors: Jason E. Gaska (Columbus, WI), Samuel F. Haworth (Oak Creek, WI)
Application Number: 15/430,199