Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02623121 2008-02-29
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HELICOPTER PORTABLE D1tYLLYNO
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to methods and systems for drilling and
is particularly
concerned with a helicopter portable drilling.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Referring to Fig. 1 there is illustrated a known tracked drilling rig.
The rig consists of a
tracked vehicle 10 fitted with a drill 12, a hydraulic system 14 for operating
the drill and a
compressor 16 for providing pressurized air for cleaning the hole being
drilled. The tracked
vehicle 10 is used on road accessible land, which has terrain that allows
unrestricted movement
of such vehicIes.
[0003] For areas that are imaccessible or where environmental impact is of
conoern, it is also
known to use helicopter portable drilling systems. These drills are referred
to as heli-portable
drills. The method of uSing them is called heli-drilliug The earliest examples
of heli-portable
drills included three components: a drill, a compressor and a supplies basket,
whioh must be
separated due to weight limitations of various helicopters.
[0004] Referring to Fig. 2 there is illuWated a knowA drill from a three pick
drilling system.
Typically the drills are hydraulically operated and have either a gasoline or
diesel motor for
powering the hydraulic pump. These pumps are used to operate the various
hydraulic
components of the drill. The driIl in Fig. 2 is from a two pick system but is
atypical to a 3 piclc.
[0005] The seeond component is the compressor system an example of which is
shown in Fig. 3.
The compressor has a diesel or gasoline engine that is used to operate a high-
volume air
compressor. A hose is used to connect the compressor to the drill. The air is
used to operate an
air hammer, which is down the hole. Once the air has left the hanmzer, it
cleans out the drill hole
by forcing the driil cuttings to the surface. Depending on the drilling
eonditions, the driller may
chose to drill with an auger style bit rather than an air hammer. In this case
the air is only used to
clean out the hole.
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[0006] The third pick typically contains drill stem, an explosive magazine, a
cap magazine, drill
mud, md aay other supplies that the driller deems necessary (not shown in the
figures).
[0007] As technology continued to im.pro've all of the components that were
typically in the third
basket where moved to the drill and compressor picks. This was prixnarily due
to improved
helicopter perfonnance. Reducing the number of picks required not only reduces
the time that
the helicopter spends in a dangerous hover condition, it also significantly
reduces costs due to
less equipment being moved by the helicopter.
[0008] A complete drill crew generally consists of six drills, six compressors
and various
accessory baskets. There are several reasons that the crew consists of six
units. The first is that
each drill bas a driller and a driller's helper for a total of 12 persons. The
Bell 212, 210 and 205
series of helicopters are configured to have a pilot, copilot and thirteen
passengers. Six drills
also give the helicopter adequate work each day, while keeping the drills
productive. It is
referred to as a cycle every time all of the drills are moved. The logistics
of each program varies.
It is primarily dependent on terrain. A drill crew typically works oii between
one and three
seismic lines.
[0009] Refening to Fig. 4 there is graphically illustrated a typical seismic
program having about
9000 shot points to drill with heli-portable drills.
[0010] Referring to Fig. 5 there is graphically illustrated a typical shot
hole drilling sequence for
a two-pick heli-portable drill system. Helicopter moves 20 drill from
completed shot point A to
next shot point to drill B. Then the Helicopter returns 22 to A to pick up the
compressor. The
helicopter moves 24 the compressor to B. The helicopter then flies 26 to C to
start the sequence
again for a second drill, e.g. moving to shot point B- E is not on diagram but
was meant to be
included to show 3 drills working on a single line. Depending on terrain,
weather and drilling
conditions there can be 2 to 6 drills worldng on a single line and multiple
drill crews on a single
program.
[0011] Industry helicopters
Spec.ifications Be1I 205 A-1++ Bell 210 Bell 212 BeU Eagle Single
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# of Engines One One Two One
Engine Type T53-17A/B T53-17B PT6T-3/B T53-17.A/Y3
81ade Type 212 212 212 212
Certifcca.tion STC TC TC STC
Avg Empty W 57001bs 56001bs 66001bS 5600 Ibs
Max CYross W 102001bs 10500lbs 112001bs 11200Ibs
Internal
Max Grross W 105001bs 1120011,s 112001bs 112001bs
External
Load Available 45001bs 49001bs 46001bs 56001bs
Internal
Load Available 4800 lbs 50001bs 46001bs 5000 lbs
External
[0012] There are a number of dangers present with helicopter assisted
drilling. "rhe pilot and
driller are both at risk when the drill is being picked or dropped. Every time
the helicopter is in a
hover position while worlcing over the source pont the pilot is worlcing in
what is referred to as
the dead xnan's curve. It is called this because if the helicopter has a
mechanical failure, the
height and altitude are not conducive to a safe landing, even on level grouncL
Typically not only
is the ground uneven, but there are trees further endangering the pilot.
[00131 For the driller on the ground, it is equally dangerous, as they are
worlang underneath a
heavily loaded helicopter. Steep terrain, loose rocks and trees are also a
hazard. The rotor wash
from the helicopter is capable of lcmoaking down trees and blowing off loose
limbs. When
placing drills and compressoxs in steep terrain, the heticopter may have to
spend extra time to
ensure the unit is secure. The risk for both the pilot and driller was
signiEcantly reduced twelve
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years ago when the two-pick system was developed. Two pick drills were
developed around
1995.
Summary of the Invention
[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide method and system for
helicopter
portable drilling.
[0015] Iti accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is
provided a system for
helicopter portable drilling comprising: a drili frame, a drill mast affixed a
first end of the drill
frame, a drill operatively coupled to the drill mast and operable using one of
compressed air,
pressurized hydraulic fluid and both compressed air and pressurized hydraulic
fluid and a unified
power source for providing compressed air and pressurized hydraulic fluid
coupled to the drill,
the total operating weight of the system being approxunately 3000 pounds for
allowing a single-
pick move by a helicopter.
[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a method of
seismic line drilling comprising the steps of placing a first single-pick
drilling system at a first
location with a single pick, placing a second single-pick drilling systecn at
a seoond location with
a single pick, when fin.ished drilling, moving the 'first single-pick drilling
system to a third
loeation with a single pick, when finish.ed drilling, moving the second single-
pick drilling system
to a fourth location with a single pick. Once again depending on terrain,
weather and drilling
conditions there can be two to six drills worloing on a single line and
multiple drill crews on a
single program. The entire methodology of drilling will likely change due to
the reduced number
of picks. A crew will likely consist of between 9 and 12 drills instead of the
traditional six
[00171 In accordance with a fiwther aspect of the present invention there is
provided a method of
seismic line drilling comprising the steps of placing a first drill carrier at
a first location with a
single pick, placing a first single-pick drilling system on the c.arrier at
the first location with a
single pick, when finished drilling, moving the first single-pick drillin.g
system to a second
location using the carrier and when meeting an obstacle between drilling
locations, moving the
first single-pick drilling system to a third location with a single pick,
moving the first drill carrier
at the third location with a single pick and placing the frst single-piek
drilling system on the
can:ier at the third location.
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[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention there is a drill carrier for
moving the drilling
system between locations when the terrain pertnits.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[00191 The present invention will be fiuther understood from the following
detailed desczaption
with reference to the drawings in which:
Fig.1 illustrates a known tracked vehicle with drill holes; Fig. 2 illustrates
a drill for a known two-pick helicopter portable drilling method
Fig. 3 illustrates a compressor assembly for a known two pick helicopter
portable
Flg. 4 graphicaXly illustrates a typical seismic program having about 9000
shot points to drill
with heli-portable drills; Fig. 5 graphically illustrates a typical shot hole
drilling sequence for a two-pick heli-portable
drill system;
Fig. 6 illustrates in a right side view a single pick drilling system in
aoeordance with an,
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7 illustrates in a right front perspective view the single-pick system of
Pig. 6;
Fig. 8 illustrates in a left side view the embodiment of Fig. 6;
Fig. 9 illustra.tes in a perspeative view a oombined turbine, hydraulic pump
and compressor for
the emboclinaent of Fig, 6;
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FYg. 10 graphically illustrat.es a method of heli-drilling in accordance with
another embodiment
of the present invention;
.Fig. 11 i1luStrates a tracked carrier for use with the one-pick drilling
system of Fig. 6 in
accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 12 illustrates in the single pick drilling system of Fig, 6 carried on
the tracked carrier of Fig.
11 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
Fsg. 13 graphically illustrateS a method of heli-drilling in accordance with
another embodiment
of the present invention;
Fig. 14 illustrates in a right side perspeative a single pick drilling system
in accordance with a
fizrther embodimeut of the present invention;
Fig. 15 illustrates in a right front upper perspective view the single-pick
system of Fig. 14;
Fig. 16 illustrates in a front perspectiVe of the embodiment of Fig. 14;
Fig. 17 illustrates in a right side perspective view of the embodiment of Fig.
14;
+F`i'g.1$ illustrates in a rear perspective of the embodiment of Fig. 14;
FYg.19 illustrates in a top perspective of the embod'iment of Fig. 14;
Mg. 20 illustrates in a left side perspective view of the embodiment of Fig.
14;
Fig. 21 ill4strates in a right side perspective view a combined turbine,
primary gearbox,
secondary gearbox, hydraulic pump and compressox for the embodiment of Fig.
14;
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Fig. 22 illustraxes in an upper right perspective view a combined turbine,
primary gearbox,
secondary gearbox, hydraulic pump and compressor for the embodiment of Fig.
14;
Fig. 23 illustra,tes in a right side view a combined turbine, primary gearbox,
secondary gearbox,
hydraulic pump and compressor for the embodiment of Fig. 14;
Fig. 24 illustrates in a top plan view a combined turbine, primary gearbox,
secondary gearbox,
hydraulic pump and compressor for the embodiment of Fig. 14;
Fig. 25 illustrates in a left side view a combined t'wbine, primary gearbox,
secondary gearbox,
hydraulic purzcp an.d oonnpressor for the embodiment of Fig. 14; and
Fig. 26 iZlustfates in a bottom plan view a combined turbine, pri.mary
gearbox, secondary
gearbox, hydraulic pump and compressor for the embodiment of Fig, 14.
DetaRed Description of the Freferred Embodiment
[0020] Referring tQ Fig, 6 there is illustrated in a right side view a single
pick drilling system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The single-pick
drilling system 100
includes a drill frame 102, a drill mast 104, a combined power source,
eompressor and hydraulic
pump 106. The single-piek drilling system 100 also includes a fuel tank 108,
hydraulic tank 110
(110 not seen in drawing 100, a detonator magazine 112, an explosives magazine
114, loading
poles 116, drill stems 118 and air and oil separator 120. The drill frame 102
stands on four
adjustable legs 122.
[0021] Reerrimg to Fig. 7 there is illustrated in a right front perspective
view the single-pick
system of Fig. 6. Fig. 7 shows the driller's station 124 with hydraulic and
pneumatic controls.
Hydraulic tan]c I 10 is in bottom right corner under drill stem 118.
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(0022] lteferring to Fig. 8 there is illustrated in a left side view the
embodiment of Fig. 6. Fig. 8
shows the detonator magazine 112, the explosives magazine 114 loading poles
116 and the drill
stem, all visible from the left side. Hydraulic tank 110 is under drill stem.
100231 Referring to Fig. 9 there is illustrated in a perspective view a
combined motor turbine,
hydraulic pump (mpItiple pumps may be used, piggybacked together in some
configurations) and
compressor for the embodiment of Fig. 6. The gas turbine 130 drives the
hydraulic pump 132
and compressor 134 through primary and secondary reductions gears 136. The
combined clutch
and gearbox assembly allow all of the components from a two pick system to be
combined into a
single unit. This configuration is still able to utilize the same helicopters
in use with the two pick
heli-drills.
[0024] An exemplary implementation of the single-pick system follow:
Key components 1. Modified Single Stage Centrifugal Turbine and primary
reduction gearbox. Custom
automatic start and shutdown sequence electronics.
a. The primary reduction gearbox will reduce the turbine output RPM from
approximately 60,000 RPM to one of the followiag 6000 RFM, 6480 RPM or
8640 RPM depending on the configuration required.
2. CuStom Gearbox, which con.sists of the following;
a. Manually engaged clutch (now configured as dual hydraulically engaged
independent clutches)
x. Emergeney stop which diseonnects both clutches and shuts down
turbine.
b. Secondary reduction gearing that will reduce the primary reduction gearbox
RPM to between 2500 and 2800 RPM depending on the configuration
requirements. Gearbox configured with one output shaft between 6000 and
6480 RPM and a second output between 2500 and 2800 RPM. Both clutches can be
engaged /
disengaged independently. Although the initial prototype will have a secondary
gearbox I am
ultimately worldng towards a single gearbox to further eliminate weight
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o. The secondary reduo'hon gearbox will have dusl output shafts. The primary
si'laft
will be used for the compressor 6480 - 6000 RPM (manufacture and model may
vary depending on
program conditions), while the secondary slaaft will be for operating the
hydraulic pump 2500 - 2800 RPM (manufacture and model may vary depending
on prograin
conditions)
3. Helicopter portable tracked earrier for the heli-drill. This unit can be
configured to either
ride on or walk bohind with remote controls.
The turbine and gearboxes are all housed in a protective box to reduce the
likely hood of
damage. The enclosure is also desigaed as a protective housing in ease of
rmechanioal failure
(protect personnel azid explosives from flying debris. The enclosure will also
house an air filter
system for the gas turbine.
The exhaust system will have at least one cold air intake to reduce exhaust
gas teraperatures. The
exhaust pipe diameter witl also be increased in diameter to reduce the
pressure of exhaust gases.
The remaining drill components vary depending on end user and the specific
requirements that
they have. The following may also be available to further reduce the overall
mass of the drill.
1. Composite drill mast
2. Composite drill frame
3. Low mass air/oil segarator
4. Low mass fuel tank
5. Low mass hydraulic tank
[0025] The complete drill configuration may inalude;
Dri71 Configaration
The drill has everything that is currently on the two separate drill
components. Here is a list that
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includes the majority of items required. The items on the drill are not
limited to this list; this is a
basic configuraticm of the key elements.
1, Compressor, air oil separator and compressor oil cooler
2. Detonator magazine
3. Drill fratne and rnast
4. Drill stem (both auger and smooth - as per drillers requirements)
5. Drj)IerS mud
6. Drillers station (with hydraulic and air controls)
7. Emergency shutdown system
8. Explosive magazine
9. Fuel tank
10. Hydraulic tank and hydraulic oil cooler
11. Power source for compressor and hydraulic systems (turbine and gearbox)
12. Required hydraulic pumps and motors for the drill (as per end user
requirements)
13. Rotary pull down (either 4 hydraulic cylinder or hydraulic motor)
14. Toolbox
15. Water pump
Carrier couGguratiion
The carrier is a self-propelled track carrier that is capable of hauling the
single pick drill. On
occasion it maybe impractical to utilize the carrier due to the nature of
terrain that the drills work
in. The driller and drill coordiuator will decide on which areas the carrier
is uSed in.
[0026] Referring to Fig. 10 there is graphically illustrated a method of
heli,drilling in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 illustrates one of
many possible
variations with a single~pick drill. With the system of Fig. 6, only a single
trip is required to
move the drill betweeen shot holes. Fig. 10 shows how three single-pick drills
200, 202, and 204
CA 02623121 2008-02-29
could be moved. A helicopter moves 206 drill 200 from completed shot point A
to drill next
shot point B. The helicopter then flies 208 from B to move the next dril1202
from completed
shot point C to next Shot point D to be drilled 210. The helicopter thcn flies
212 from X) to move
the next dril1204 from complete shot point B.
100271 Referring to Fig. 11 there is illustrated a tracked carxier for use
with the one-picdc drilling
system of Fig. 6 in accordance with a fiirther embodiment of the present
invention. The tracked
carrier 220 includes a platform 222 for receiving the single-pick drill system
of Fig. 6 and a
bulkhead 224. The tracked carrier of Fig. 11 has tracks 226 for moving across
a variety of
terrains and includes and optionally includes an operator's position 230 with
a seat 232, controls
234 and rollover protection systeqa (ROPS) 236. Anoth.er configuration of
tracked carrier 220
dispenses with operator position 230 and instead uses a remote control so that
the operator can
walk a safe distance from the tracked caaier. The heli-carrier will eliminate
the need for the
helicopter from shot point to shot point when the terrain allows. The heli-
carrier is a lightweight
self propelled track carrier that is configured to move or be flown to a shot
point with a heli-dri11.
Once the carrier and drill are on site it is able to haul the drill to the
next point.
[00281 Referring to Fig. 12 there is illustrated the one-pick drilling system
of Fig. 6 carried on
the tracked carrier of Fig. i l in accordance with a further embodiment of the
present invention.
Fig, 12 shows the siugle-pick drill system of Fig, 6 placed on the tracked
carrier 220 of f+ig. 11.
[0029] Referring to Fig. 13 there is graphieally illustrated a method of heti-
drilling in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention. A drill 250 on a carrier 252
has completed
drilling at shot position A. A helicopter moves 254 the 4rill to shot point B.
The helicopter flies
back 256 to shot point A to retrieve the carrier 252. The helicopter moves 258
the carrier 252 to
shot point B After traversing the obstacle (in Fig. 13 a river), the drill and
carrier combination
are able to move 260 from sliot point B to shot point C, to move 262 from shot
point C to shot
point D, to move 264 from shot point D to shot point E, when the terrain
pennits such
movement. Once a further obstacle is encountered, the helictipter repeats the
process as from
shot point A to shot point B.
[0030] Referring to Fig. 14 there is illustrated in a right side perspective a
single piek drilling
system in accordance with a farther embodiment of the present invention. The
single-pick
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CA 02623121 2008-02-29
drilling system 300 inaludes a dri11 frame 302, a driIl mast 304, a combined
power source,
compressor and hydraulic pump 306. The single-pick drilling system 300 also
includes a fuel
tank 308, hydraulic tank 310 (310 not seen in drawing), a detonator magazine
312, an explosives
magazine 314, drill stems 316 and air and oil separator 320.
[0031] Referring to Fig. 15 there is illustrated in a right front upper
perspective view the single-
pick system of Fig_ 14. The hydraulic tank 310 can be seen in Fig.15.
[00321 Referring to Fig. 16 there is illustrated in a fcont perspeckive of the
embodiment of Fig.
14. The drill mast 304, fuel tank 308, the hydraulic tank 310 an$ Drill stains
316 can be seen in
Fig. 16.
[00331 Referring to Fig. 17 there is illustratad in a right side perspective
view of the embodiment
of Fig. 14.
[00341 Referring xo Fig. 18 there is illustrafied in a rear perspective of the
embodiment of Fig. 14.
[0035] Referring to Fig. 19 there is illustrated in a top perspec.~tive of the
embodiment of Fig. 14.
[00361 Referring to Fig, 20 there is illustrated in a left side perspective
view of the embodiment
of Fig. 14. Fig. 20 shows the detonator magazine 312, the explosives magaxine
314,aud the drill
Stem 316, all visible from the left side.
[0037] Referring to Fig. 21 there is illvstrated in a rig,bt side perspective
view a combined
turbine, hydraulio pump and cornpressor for the embodirnent of Fxg. 14. The
gas turbine 330
drives the hydraulic pump 332 (cannot be seen in k'ig. 21) and compressor 334
through primary
and secondary reduetaons gears 336. The combined clutch and gearbox assembly
allow all of the
components from a two pick system to be oombined into a single unit. This
configuration is $0
able to utilize the same helicopters in use with the two pick heli-drills.
[0038] Referring to Fig. 22 there is illustrated in an upper right perspective
view a oombimed
turbine, hydraulic pump and compressor for the embod.iment of Fig. 14. The
hydraulic pump
332 can be seen in this view.
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[0039] Referring to Fig. 23 there is illustrated in a right side view a
combined turbine, hydraulic
pump and compressor for the embodiment of Fig.1 4.
[0040] Refeiring to Fig. 24 there is illustrated in a top plan view a combined
tcrbine, hydraulic
pump and compressor far the embodim.ent of Fig. 14.
[00411 Referring to Fig. 25 there is illustrated in a left side view a
combined turbine, hydraulic
pump and compressor for the embodiment of Fig. 14.
[0042] Refexring to Fig. 26 thme is illustrated in a bottom plan view a
combined wrbiile,
hydranlic pump and compressor for the embodiment of Fig. 14.
[0043] Numerous modifications, variations and adaptations may be made to the
parkicular
embodiments desenbed above without departing from the scope patent disclosure,
which is
defined in the claims.
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