Abstract: An apparatus for storing drill rods, comprising two drill rod cartridges each comprising a rotating rotor provided with finger boards, guides for guiding the drill rods into gaps formed by the finger boards circumferentially around the axis of the rotor. The rotors are arranged to rotate in opposite directions in such a way that projections in the finger boards of one rotor are positioned in alignment with gaps in the other rotor, the drill rods being positioned therebetween and then passed alternately with the rotor of the two cartridges along spirals to a circumference about the rotors.

Abstract: A floor drive drilling system comprising a pipe drive bushing having a frame and a rotor which is raised and movable to and from a master bushing by wheels and lowered and coupled to the master bushing for rotary drilling and reaming. The rotor is driven by the master bushing and has a plurality of gripper assemblies which selectively engage the drill string to transfer torque thereto and are movable upward and downward a selected distance for drilling and reaming. Each gripper assembly comprises actuating rings and jaws for gripping and ungripping the drill string. Frictional inserts with large surface areas and grooves are positioned on the jaws to allow mud and contaminants to escape and means are provided for cushioning the engagement of the inserts with the drill pipe to reduce surface damage. Sensing means indicate the grip and ungripped position of the jaws and are used to indicate when a joint or other obstacle prevents the pipe being fully gripped.

Abstract: A method for drilling holes in soil or rock, especially for producing prestressed ground anchorage. A hole is drilled by a drill column formed of lengths of pipe with a drill bit driven by a rotary and/or percussive drive. The wall of the borehole is supported by a casing formed of lengths of pipe driven by a rotary and/or percussive drive of a drilling tool. The lengths of pipe of the drill column and the casing are taken from a magazine by machine and transferred back to the magazine after drilling the hole. Each length of pipe for the drill column is taken sequentially from the magazine by the drive of the drilling tool for the drill column and each length of pipe for the casing is taken sequentially from the magazine by the drive of the drilling tool for the casing. Each length of pipe for the drill column and each length of pipe for the casing is returned sequentially to the magazine.

Abstract: Rock drilling device comprising a drilling tool with a set of tubes (7) and a set of rods (9) arranged therein. The drilling tool comprises a number of sections which each comprises a tube (7), a rod (9) and an end piece (11). The rod is provided with projections (10) at least near one of its ends for cooperation with parts (13,14) with reduced diameter in the tube and end piece respectively. The part (13) in the tube limits the movement of the rod in a direction away from the end piece. The part (14) in the end piece limits the movement of the rod in a direction towards the end piece. All thread connections (12) between different sections of the drilling tool and between tube and end piece within each section are made in the same way and thus equally easy to break.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement in a pipe handling system, especially for handling pipes (4P) in connection with a derrick 1A, wherein the arrangement comprises a tower (1) and two preferably individually controlled operating arms (2a, 2b). The pipe handling system operates favorably in connection with a finger board (4) in which all fingers (4a, 4n) are pointing towards the center of the pipe handling system and especially towards a disc-shaped locking unit (4R) mounted on the top of the tower (1), and in connection with a side-step retraction system designed for use with a top drive drilling system.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for moving the top drive of a top drive subterranean drilling system from the drilling track extending along the length of the derrick includes a movable working track, a secondary track pivotably connected to the working track, and a power assembly. The working track is connected to the derrick and is transversely movable between a first position in which the working track is aligned with the drilling track and a second position in which the working track is transversely displaced from alignment with the drilling track. The secondary track is pivotable between a skewed position in which the secondary track is not transversely coplanar with the drilling track and working track and an in-line position in which the secondary track is about transversely coplanar with the drilling track and the working track. The secondary track is transversely movable with the working track so that the secondary track is aligned with the drilling track when the working track is in the second position.

Abstract: A derrick assembly capable of conveying pipe sections between a drill string and a rack for storing the pipe sections. The assembly includes a frame having lateral sidewalls and a base together defining an elongated channel having an open outer side opposite to the base. A rack for housing pipe sections is positioned within the channel adjacent to one lateral sidewall leaving part of the channel clear for manipulating the drill string. The rack is formed by a number of elements extending between the base and the open outer side for housing pipe sections oriented generally longitudinally within the channel. A gantry extends across the open outer side of the channel and is movable longitudinally of the channel. The gantry supports a pipe gripping unit for selectively gripping or releasing pipe sections capable of moving towards or away from the base and laterally between the sidewalls.

Abstract: A well work-over drilling rig uses a single cylindrical column forming a mast for assembly and disassembly of a casing, pipe or rod forming a well string in a well bore.The mast supports a hydraulic ram for elevating a crown block having arms radially extending equal distances from the axis of the ram. Cables are supported by sheaves at the outer ends of the arms to permit equal and opposite forces (moments) to be applied to the column by the weight of pipe sections or the complete well string. The column is stabilized by racking pipe sections, including up to the full length of a well string, annularly around the column mast on a rotatable fingerboard, with substantially the full weight of pipe sections on the lower annular support. This avoids the need for lateral guy wires to stabilize the column mast.

Abstract: Drilling equipment including apparatus for laterally moving a direct drive drilling unit to a position offset from the centerline of a well. The drilling equipment includes a traveling block suspended for generally vertical travel within a derrick during drilling of a well, a direct drive drilling unit suspendable from the traveling block, means for guiding the drilling unit during drilling and apparatus connected to the derrick for moving the drilling unit laterally relative to the axis of the well to an offset position. The drilling unit includes a drill motor and a drive sleeve for threadably connecting the drill motor to a drill string in the well. The guide means includes a first pair of rails connected to the derrick and extending parallel to the axis of the well. The apparatus includes a second pair of rails and means for supporting the drilling unit. The second pair of rails is positionable below and in alignment with the first pair of rails when the support means is in the offset position.

Abstract: An anchor drilling implement for producing soil anchors is described, which is provided with a drill carriage and a pivotable and vertically adjustable drilling mount. The drill carriage comprises a caterpillar gear and an implement upper part rotatable by means of a turntable and carrying a support for the mount. The implement upper part also carries a driving cab in the immediate vicinity of the support, so that said cab performs all the support movements and an unrestricted view of the drill hole or shaft is ensured in any position of the mount. The drilling mount is preferably also provided with a tool magazine, which can be controlled from the driving cab.

Abstract: The unit for borehole running and pulling operations with drill pipes or rods has its centralizer mounted for vertical reciprocation along guides and horizontal displacement along guideways in the opening of the racking platform in its cooperation with the traveling block. The guides for vertical reciprocation of the centralizer are rigid and provided with stops, and each guideway for horizontal displacement of the centralizer is in the form of either a plate with a slot, or a beam mounted for its introduction into and withdrawal from the opening of the racking platform.

Abstract: Drill pipe handling apparatus including a magazine for holding a plurality of lengths of drill pipe and delivering each pipe into position for its removal by drilling apparatus which is operable to drill the pipe into the ground at an angle off vertical, having a brake for preventing rotation of the magazine such as might otherwise occur due to the magazine being in an unbalanced condition.

Abstract: A drill pipe transfer arm supports the bottom portion of a drill pipe and positions it in relationship to the drill string to permit angle drilling with a tilted drill tower. The transfer arm is uniquely suited to circular carousels and features a drill pipe conforming saddle which permits close-quarter operation with a packed carousel.

Abstract: A drilling derrick device for handling drill-pipe stands has at least one movable racking platform with pipe-stand receiving compartments, supported above the working deck of the derrick, at least one racking carriage associated with the racking platform and movable on the working deck and a pivotable drill-pipe robot having gripping arms to load and unload the racking platform and the racking carriage. The racking platform and the racking carriage are moved in synchronism relative to the drill-pipe robot which has a fixed position on the working deck in order to perform drill string dismantling and assembly operations.

Abstract: Drilling equipment, especially for offshore use, comprises a drill floor or platform (11) with a derrick (10) extending upwards therefrom. A first hoist (12) connected to the upper part of the derrick is used for passing a length of a tubular body (19), such as a drill string or a well casing, through a drilling opening (18) defined in and extending through the drill floor. The tubular length is connected to or disconnected from the drill string or well casing during the drilling operation, and such tubular lengths are strored in a storage area (31, 32) of the drill floor. The tubular lengths may be transported from the storage area to the first hoist (12) and vice versa by means of first transporting means (22). The drill floor or platform (11) also defines a preparation opening (21) extending therethrough at a location spaced from the drilling opening and from the storage area, and a second hoist or a preparation hoist (20) is connected to the upper part of the derrick above the preparation opening.

Abstract: An improved drill rod magazine for storing and moving them sequentially into a dispensing position is comprised of a pair of spaced arms each with an open jaw in which the drill rods are positioned in parellel, side by side relationship. The arms are moveable from a storing position into at least two dispensing positions, in a first of which one of the rods in the jaws is aligned with the hammer of the drilling machine and in the second of which another rod (the adjacent rod) is aligned with the hammer. Each of the jaws is provided with a clamp to clamp the rods contained therein to prevent rotation of each rod for threading of the hammer into an adjacent coupling on the rod. The rod is released for rotation while retaining same within the jaws so that the rod coupled to the hammer may be rotated and advanced by the hammer to thread same into an aligned coupling, after which the arms are retracted to their storage position. For uncoupling the procedure is reversed.

Abstract: The power drive system of the present invention provides a rotary drive swivel unit which can be tilted along its horizontal pivotal axis until its output shaft is substantially horizontal. A drill pipe provided in a substantially horizontal bed adjacent to the drilling rig is aligned with the output shaft of the rotary drive swivel unit and this joint is made up. The rotary drive swivel unit is raised and the suspended drill pipe reoriented to a vertical position and is aligned over the drill string and added thereto substantially at platform level. The power drive system turns the drill string and advances the drilling downhole. The rotary drive swivel unit disengages from the drill string and the foregoing steps are repeated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drilling system. It includes, in combination, a drilling derrick by means of which a string of drill rods can be suspended from a hoist, a motorized drilling head at the end of the hoist, means for bringing a drill rod into position to be added to the drill string from a stack, a motor to drive the hoist, a reversible control for the said hoist motor, sensors for determining the state of the system, and a programmable robot to supply the set points to the hoist motor control according to signals furnished by the said system state sensors.

Abstract: A well pipe handling machine including a vertically extending column structure which carries means for engaging and holding a pipe in vertical condition and is movable with the pipe holding means between a first position in which a carried pipe can be connected to and disconnected from the upper end of a drill string and a laterally offset second position for storing pipe in a rack at a side of the well. The pipe holding means may include a parallelogram mechanism having two arms carrying two vertically spaced pipe holding units and adapted to swing in unison to move the units toward and away from the column structure. The column desirably also carries pipe rotating means including a torque wrench and a spinner for making and breaking a threaded connection between a section of pipe and the string.

Abstract: The invention relates to the automatic control of the lifting travel of a string of pipes suspended from a cable. To stop this string of pipes systematically in a specific position, a first passage check controlled by a sensor, for example sensitive to the rotation of the pulley over which the cable passes, is associated with a second location check controlled by a sensor, for example sensitive to the passage at a given level of the joints separating the pipes two by two.

Abstract: A drilling rig which may have a beta mast is used for drilling holes in the earth. The mast has four quadrants. On one side there is located the drawworks. On a side 90.degree. therefrom is the side having the V door through which drilling pipe can be raised and lowered by the traveling block. In the quadrant 180.degree. from the V-door is a pipe racking board. The racking board is outside the normal work area within the derrick. Thus, one can obtain entry of the drill pipe through the V door without the pipe stored in the racking board interferring therewith. With this design there is no limitation to the amount of pipe that can be stored.

Abstract: Apparatus for use to facilitate threading and unthreading substantially vertical lengths of pipe on a drilling rig by moving the pipe between the well bore center line and a racking assembly. An arm having a gripping head mounted thereon is extendable and retractable relative to a carriage mounted on the drilling rig working board. When storing pipe, the lower end of each pipe is set on a support assembly which includes a plurality of switches which signal the position of each pipe thereon. The arm and carriage are moved under control of a computer to an appropriate slot for storing the upper end of the pipe stand. When running pipe into the well bore, the arm and carriage move the upper end of the pipe to the center line of the well and when the traveling block of the drilling rig picks up the pipe, a signal generated by the switch beneath the pipe causes the carriage and arm to move to the location for unracking the next stand of pipe.

Abstract: A well pipe handling machine for removing a series of stands of pipe from the upper end of a well pipe string and storing the stands in a rack offset to a side of the well axis and/or returning the stands sequentially from the rack for reconnection to the string. The machine includes a support which carries units for holding a pipe in vertical condition and is movable between a position in which the pipe is in alignment with the well axis and a location near the storage rack, and which preferably takes the form of a vertically extending column structure movable horizontally by two synchronized drive mechanisms at the top and bottom of the column structure. The pipe holding units are desirably shiftable upwardly and downwardly relative to the support and also generally horizontally toward and away from the support for placement of the pipe stands in the rack and removal therefrom.

Abstract: An arrangement for storing pipes in an offshore drilling installation below an upper deck carrying a derrick with associated equipment, comprising a pipe magazine below the upper deck, a horizontal transport means for the individual displacement of riser pipe sections between an aperture in the upper deck and storage means formed by a plurality of racks arranged along the path of the horizontal transport means, each carrying a plurality of pipe sections in vertical position. Each rack, as a turret, is rotatable about a vertical axis so that each pipe section, through rotation of the turret concerned, can be brought within reach of the horizontal transport means. The horizontal transport means comprises at least one assembly of a lower carrier trolley and an upper guide trolley movable, superimposed, along rails provided on the magazine floor, and below the deck, respectively.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus is adapted for transferring oil well pipe to and from a drilling rig. The apparatus includes a transportable chassis having tracks for supporting and guiding a reciprocable and rotatable table. A first scissors lift mounted to the table provides vertical motion to a platform to which is mounted a second scissors lift. The second scissors lift is designed to impart vertical and horizontal motion to a conveyor. The conveyor comprises three axially spaced endless belts for moving the pipe longitudinally to the conveyor takeoff point. Tapered spades protrude into the spaces during the pipe return operation to eject the pipe from the conveyor. The conveyor and platform are reciprocable with respect to the second and first scissors lifts, respectively. The chassis includes pivotable arms for raising a pipe to the top of the collapsed scissors lifts so that a pipe rolls onto the conveyor belts prior to lifting.

Abstract: An auxiliary rig is used in combination with a primary drilling or workover rig. The primary drilling rig typically includes an elongated upstanding drill tower, a base and a crown block. The auxiliary rig of the present invention includes a racking tower detachably mounted with the upper end of the drill tower to form an extension to the drill tower for receiving interconnected pairs of tubular members to reduce the tripping time of the tubular members into and out of the well. A movable slip and controller therefor of the auxiliary rig are operably guided by the racking tower for releasably supporting the pairs of tubular members.

Abstract: A feed storage for drill rods for a long-hole drilling apparatus, said feed storage comprising a magazine provided with fixed guides (11) for storing drill rods (13) in parallel with each other, a delivery opening (14) defined by the guides for transferring drill rods one at a time into and out of the guides, and a feed device provided with gripping means (27) extending between the drill rods positioned in the guides for feeding the drill rods towards and away from the delivery opening in the guides, and a transfer device (9) comprising at least one transfer arm (29) provided with gripping jaws (31) and pivotably mounted on a pivot shaft (30) which is fixed with respect to the magazine so that the gripping jaws are displaced transversally with respect to the axial direction of the drill rods between the delivery opening of the guides and the drilling axis (A) of a drilling machine. The guides of the magazine guide the drill rods with their axes in the same plane.

Abstract: In order to improve the working conditions for the staff on drilling rigs, the work area for handling of pipes and tubes is arranged on a main deck covered by a drill deck, which has openings closable by hatch cover panels. The derrick is enclosed in a cover, from which tunnels extend out over the drill deck and comprises lifting means for handling of pipes and tubes between the decks. The tunnels are connected to the cover of the derrick by way of raised enclosures permitting the swinging of pipes from a horizontal position in the tunnel to a vertical position in the derrick, and vice versa. There is a door, at least at one of the enclosures permitting handling of especially long objects, and basically the handling of pipes and tubes can be performed within areas fully protected from the weather.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pipe handling apparatus for oil drilling operations, which is designed so as to handle simply without errors the pipes used for oil drilling operations, and which is provided with a pipe transfer unit for transferring a pipe mechanically between a pipe storage space and the oil well center, a pipe lift unit capable of lowering a pipe, which has been carried to the oil well center by the pipe transfer unit, thereinto and withdrawing a pipe from the oil well center, and a pipe transfer unit for transferring a pipe, which has been withdrawn from the oil well center by the pipe lift unit, to a pipe rack unit automatically so as to store the pipe therein.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating the drilling of a well with a top drive unit having a motor which is connected to the upper end of the drill string and moves upwardly and downwardly therewith. The methods and apparatus of the invention enable the drill string to be pulled upwardly off of the bottom of the well each time an additional length of drill pipe is added to the string, with the connection between that added length and the upper end of the string being made at an elevated location spaced above the rig floor. In one form of the invention, an elevated platform is provided on which a person may move to a location near the raised upper end of the string for assisting in making the connection, with that platform preferably being mounted to swing between a retracted position in which it remains during the drilling operation and an active position in which it projects to a point near the top of the string during the connecting process.

Abstract: A derrick is provided with a vertically movable elevator for suspending a string of elongated well elements, such as pipes. An immovable lower support is provided for suspending the string, and an automatic tong is provided for screwing and unscrewing pipes to and from the string. A manipulator grips and delivers a pipe to an operating position in axial alignment with the well bore. A control system includes position sensors for sensing the positions of a well pipe, one of which sensors is mounted on the elevator, a second sensor is mounted on the automatic tong, and a third sensor is mounted on the manipulator. The control system also includes a programmed logical control unit, through which the sensors are connected to a drive system. The first sensor is connected to a drive for vertically moving the elevator, a drive for closing and opening grippers on the elevator, and a drive adapted to transversely move the automatic tong.

Abstract: An elongated pipe carrier in a blast hole drilling vehicle allows a drill pipe to be more easily connected and disconnected to a drill string in a hole being drilled at an angle. At the lower end of the carrier a receptacle with hydraulically operated doors is secured by a hydraulically operated lock. Near the upper end a gate is pneumatically operated in response to the hydraulic operation of the receptacle lock. Also disclosed are two methods, one for connecting the upper end of the pipe to a drill head, then unlocking and opening the doors of the receptacle, and then connecting a lower end of the pipe to the drill string while supporting the pipe at an angle on the open carrier. In the second method, the receptacle is closed, and is then locked around the lower end of the drill pipe, so that pawls inside the receptacle can block rotation of the pipe in one direction. The pipe is then disconnected from the drill head.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a mast, an elevator and a tubing spider for suspending a string of well tubes or rods, a rack for storing well tubes or rods, a manipulator and a swivel head for screwing and unscrewing the string carried by the manipulator boom. To axially align the last tube or rod with the string the apparatus is provided with centering guides for centering the upper and the lower ends of the tube or rod and a gripping device for gripping the upper end of the string. The centering guide for centering the upper end of a well rod or tube forms part of a lifting frame, which in turn is a constituent of the elevator for suspending a string of well tubes or rods. The centering guide for centering the lower end of the rod or tube forms part of an automatic tong assembly for making up and breaking out joints of rods, which assembly is used with the claimed apparatus and also comprises the swivel head and the means for gripping the upper end of the string of well tubes or rods.

Abstract: A fully mobil and totally contained well servicing and drilling rig is disclosed having equipment on the rig for automatically handling well elements (pipe, tubing and rods) going into and coming out of a well. The rig provides well element storage racks, cranes for moving well elements onto and off the tracks, transfer means for moving well elements from horizontal to vertical position, well element conveying means for moving elements to and from the transfer means, an automatic manipulator for moving elements into alignment with the well being serviced, automatic hoisting means, means for connecting and disconnecting elements from the element string within the well, driving means for all of the equipment, and control means for sequencing and operating all of the means so that the entire well servicing or drilling can be accomplished without human handling of well elements in the vicinity of the well head and rig.

Abstract: A rack for supporting drilling tubulars such as drill pipe, collars and the like includes a base and a rail. The rail is coupled to the base by means of two columns, each of which is provided with threads such that the tilt angle of the rail with respect to the base can be adjusted to provide gravity feeding of drilling tubulars to either end of the rail. The rail is provided with two pivotably connected stop plates which move in opposition. The stop plates are controlled by means of an air cylinder to allow only one drilling tubular at a time from those stored on the rack to roll off the end of the rail. Furthermore, both stop plates can be retracted below the level of the rail so as not to interfere with the movement of tubulars onto the rack. The combination of the tiltable rail and the two stop plates provides a rack which can be used to control movement of drilling tubulars on to and off of the rack with a minimum of manpower requirements.

Abstract: An apparatus for the handling of drill string elements, such as rods or pipes in drill rigs. The apparatus comprises an elongated guide member, a drifter movably mounted on the guide member for reciprocable movement therealong, a plurality of drill string elements for making up a drill string, a ring member rotatably mounted on the guide member, and a magazine for storing the drill string elements. The magazine is fixedly secured to the ring member and has formed therein a plurality of support holes for the drill string elements. For exactly positioning each drill string element for connecting the same with the drill string, a plurality of stoppers are provided on the ring member. Each stopper is positioned diametrically opposite to the respective support holes relative to a rotary center of the ring member.

Abstract: A drill pipe carousel is pivotal within a drilling mast between retracted and operating positions. The carousel contains a plurality of drill pipe receptacles for holding sections of drill pipe. Each of these drill pipe receptacles includes an upper and lower set of clamps that selectively clamp around a section of drill pipe within the receptacle to retain it in place, and open to release the pipe section. In the carousel operating position, a section of drill pipe is in alignment with the drill hole and a rotary head mounted on the drilling mast for linear movement along the mast. The rotary head attaches to this drill pipe section and rotates it to drill into the drill hole as the rotary head moves along the mast.

Abstract: In a drilling system in which the hook is guided for vertical travel, by a pair of guide cables supported in the tower, so as to be in a given azimuth while handling drill pipe in the hole, an improvement in the hook mechanism which provides for rotating the hook through a selected angle with respect to the travelling block, as an aid to stacking the stands of drill pipe in the tower during the process of coming out of the hole, and vice versa.

Abstract: Well drilling apparatus including a top drive drilling assembly having a motor driven stem adapted to be attached to the upper end of a drill string and drive it during a drilling operation, a torque wrench carried by the top drive assembly and movable upwardly and downwardly therewith and operable to break a threaded connection between the drill string and the stem, and an elevator carried by and suspended from the top drive assembly and adapted to engage a section of drill pipe beneath the torque wrench in suspending relation. The torque wrench and elevator are preferably retained against rotation with the rotary element which drives the drill string, but may be movable vertically relative to that rotary element and relative to one another in a manner actuating the apparatus between various different operating conditions.

Abstract: A mobile rock drill unit (10) is disclosed which automatically adds and removes drill string sections (26) from the drill string (24) of the drill unit. The drill unit includes a conventional drill motor (20) and a centralizer (40). A cylindrical storage rack (34) is both rotatably and pivotally mounted to the mast (14) of the drill unit and has upper and lower rack members (62,64) with aligned fingers (116,118,176,178) to define a number of drill string section storage positions to store drill string sections therebetween. A roller clamp assembly (36) is provided which clamps the coupling (28). The coupling is clamped between rotatably mounted driven and idler rollers (296,322) and the axis of rotation of each of the rollers is canted relative to the drill string axis so that rotation of the driven rollers in a first direction will rotate the coupling and move it downwardly at a rate synchronized with the threads interconnecting the coupling and adjacent drill string section.

Abstract: A drill pipe carousel comprises a circular pipe rack mounted for rotation about a vertical axis in a drilling mast, a rotational drive train and a push-pull mechanism for moving the rack to and from the drill string. The rack includes upper and lower support plates mounted on a hollow central support tube. The tube and plates are slotted on one side to provide an entry for the drill string into the center of the tube when the rack is moved toward the drill string. A pair of parallel flanges are mounted inside the tube in alignment with the entry for gripping the flattened gripping surfaces of the drill pipe. The rack rests on a large, slotted driven gear. The gear rotatably supported on a bearing plate connected to the push-pull mechanism. The tube is journaled in the bearing plate. A high torque, reversible hydraulic motor is mounted on the bearing plate. The motor is drivably connected to the driven gear through a train of drive gears arranged to bridge the slot as the rack is rotated.

Abstract: A well drilling system designed to eliminate the usual rotary table, kelly and kelly bushing, and including a drilling unit having a tubular part connectible to the upper end of the drill string and a motor for driving that tubular part rotatively, with the drilling unit being mounted by a guide structure for vertical movement, and in addition being mounted for movement transversely of the axis of the well from the normal drilling position to at least one laterally offset position. Preferably, the drilling unit is movable to two different laterally offset positions, in one of which the drilling unit is above a mousehole location to pick up or release a pipe section, and in the other of which the drilling unit is at an inactive location at which it may remain during a trip of the drill string into or out of the well.

Abstract: An improved boom for a drill rig is described which includes two rotatably mounted clamps which are rotatable between a side loading position, to facilitate loading and unloading in the horizontal position, and a central position, in which a clamped tubular is aligned with the drilling axis when the boom is in the vertical position. An automatic hydraulic sequencing circuit is provided to automatically rotate the clamps into the side loading position whenever the boom is pivoted with a down-hole tubular positioned in the clamp. In this position, the clamped tubular is aligned with a safety plate mounted on the boom to prevent a clamped tubular from slipping from the clamps. A safety frame is formed between the tower of the drill rig and the vertical boom by a slidable bolt mounted on the tower and an annular receiving member mounted on the boom to receive the end of the bolt. This boom also includes an improved pivoting linkage which facilitates the transport of the rig.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus includes an inclined mast, a drive carriage slidably mounted on the mast for rotating a tubular drilling member, and at least two positioning units secured to the mast at spaced positions therealong for positioning tubular drilling members. Each positioning unit has a frame which can be raised a preset distance above the mast and lowered from the preset distance. Grippers adjacent opposite sides of the frame can be raised a preset distance above the frame and lowered from the preset distance. The grippers can be moved towards one another to grip a tubular drilling member therebetween and moved away from one another to release the tubular drilling member. Locators adjacent opposite sides of the frame can be raised to cause the locators to engage and position lower parts of the tubular member, with the tubular member being movable away from the mast out of contact with the locators without moving the locators. The drive carriage is movable along the mast past at least one positioning unit.

Abstract: A drill rig having a drill rig mast and a transfer arm is described. The clamps of the transfer arm are resiliently mounted to the transfer arm so as to provide limited axial movement of the clamps and thereby of a clamped down hole tubular. This resilient support for the down hole tubular serves to reduce damage to the threaded ends of the tubular during tubular handling operations. In addition, the clamps of the transfer arm are provided with resilient clamping surfaces which serve to engage the clamped tubular frictionally, without gouging or deeply scratching the surface thereof. A pair of automatic, self-centering, hydraulic tongs is provided for making up and breaking out threaded connections of tubulars having various diameters without manual adjustment of the tongs.

Abstract: A working board is attached to an oil derrick for a workman to stand upon while racking pipe. The board has arcuate slots with inner floor members and pivoting door covers for use when pipe is not in the slots thereby substantially eliminating the possibility of a workman falling. Pusher arms move the pipe to ready access for making the string.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus embodying an elongated boxed-in frame supporting a transmission unit for longitudinal movement therein with the transmission unit connecting a polygonal drive shaft to a driven head which is threadedly connected to a drill rod section. A first drive unit carried by the elongated frame has a drive shaft in axial alignment with one end of the polygonal shaft with the other end of the polygonal shaft being in axial alignment with the drive shaft of a second drive unit. The drive units exert torque concomitantly at opposite ends of the polygonal shaft to rotate both ends of the polygonal shaft in the same direction. The elongated frame is carried by a supporting frame mounted for rotation about a vertical axis on a translatable frame to position the driven head at selected angular positions about the vertical axis.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus embodying an elongated frame supports a transmission unit for longitudinal movement therein. The transmission unit carries a drive head slidably driven by a polygonal, parallel drive shaft and is threadedly connected to one end of a drill rod section in axial alignment therewith. The other end of the drill rod section is connected selectively to another drill rod section and a drill bit. A drill rod rack is mounted for rotation about an axis within the elongated frame and carries a plurality of angularly spaced drill rod sections which are moved sequentially into axial alignment with the driven head whereby it is positioned to drill a hole while extending through the rack. The drill rod sections extend through angularly spaced passageways in a support member which is carried by a shaft at the axis of rotation of the drill rod rack.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for drilling or boring a hole in the earth, as for forming blast holes. The apparatus disclosed is of the self-propelled mobile type having at one end a driver cab and at the other end drilling apparatus including a drill storage and handling rack adapted to store drill rods and as required to bring them into alignment with the drilling axis to form a drill string and to remove the drill rods from the drill string. The apparatus also supplies air to and through the drill string to blow out debris from the drilled hole. The apparatus includes a unique and efficient type of mechanism for rotating the drill rack to bring drill rods to or remove them from the drill string. Also disclosed is a unique type of drill rod particularly adaptable for use in the apparatus.

Abstract: An oil drilling rig includes a racker, a power tongs, a drawworks having a motor and a brake, and a general purpose programmable digital computer associated with each to sequentially initiate the operation thereof. Closed-loop control systems for the drawworks motor and drawworks brake are included to provide control signals to a motor drive and to a brake actuator.