Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
PLATFORM FOR THE STORAGE, TRANSPORT AND HANDLING OF DRILLING
OR PROSPECTION RODS OF DIFFERENT LENGTHS AND DIAMETERS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is comprised within the field of equipment used in
drilling
or prospection during mineral exploration processes. Specifically, the
invention relates
to an autonomous platform for the transport and handling of drilling rods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Drilling or prospection defines one of the final stages of a mineral
exploration
process, providing most of the information for the final evaluation to
determine if the
prospect is economically exploitable. The optimization of drilling operations
is
fundamental to achieve lower costs for more meters of advances, fewer
personnel in
operations to reduce occupational risks, to increase equipment availability
and to
eliminate long maintenance trips.
The handling of rods in drilling processes involves a series of operational
risks,
which further requires a large number of operators given the lack of
automation for the
tasks involved in said process, where personnel is required to load the rods
into a
hopper or onto a platform, for the selection and fixing of the rods in the
drilling platforms,
and to subsequently disassemble and stockpile used rods.
At present, although there are technologies that enable the automation of
certain
steps related to the handling of rods in a drilling process, which partially
solve the
existing problems and needs, such as automated solutions for taking and
transferring
the rods to the drilling equipment, or coupling the rods, there is still a
lack of technical
autonomy in all the operations that involve the handling and management of
rods in
the entire drilling process.
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Currently, the most traditional method used in the handling and feeding of
drilling
rods involves a semi-manual process, where the drilling rods are stored and
transported in hoppers from which they must be moved to the drilling machine,
which
is carried out by means of robotic arms or winches which enable this operation
to be
carried out by means of the assistance of a series of operators.
A number of pieces of equipment and technologies have now been developed
in the art to enable the automation of certain steps in the handling of
drilling rods string,
such as that described in patent document US 2010104401 (Hopkins J ames, et
al.)
published on 29/04/2010, which describes a system including a rack with rows
for
storing drill pipe, and a moveable structure having a control support coupled
to an
upper portion and a lifting device coupled to a lower portion. The moveable
structure
travels along a guide for positioning adjacent any of the rows. The control
support
includes a pivoting actuator, a rotating actuator, an extension arm having a
drill pipe
capture actuator, and an extension actuator. The lifting device includes a
lifting actuator
that raises a stack of drill pipe. The system further includes a controller
that interprets
a control support state including actuator positions and a position index
value, and
records a position description including the control support state
corresponding to the
position index value. The controller interprets a position request signal and
provides
actuator control signals in response to the position request signal and the
position
description.
Patent document CN 105569584 (China Petroleum & Chem Corp.) with
publication date 11/05/2016, describes a device and a method for oil pipe
automatic
discharge. The device mainly comprises a discharge pipe assembly. The
discharge
pipe assembly comprises a discharge pipe assembly supporting frame and a
grabbing
hand, where the discharge pipe assembly supporting frame is provided with the
linear
operation mechanisms in three directions of X, Y, and Z. The tail end of the Z
axis is
provided with a rotation mechanism. The grabbing hand is connected with the
rotation
mechanism on the tail end of the Z axis and can do rectilinear motion along
three
directions of X, Y, and Z. The grabbing hand can also rotate for a certain
angle under
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the action of the rotation mechanism. The discharge pipe assembly is also
provided
with a cross arm cabinet used to stack cross arms.
The solutions proposed and currently used for the managing and handling of
rods in an automatic way enable platforms to be provided for the stockpiling
of drilling
rods that can be transported with their maximum capacity of rods, being able
to be
loaded onto and unloaded automatically from a transport truck at full
capacity. They
also have elements that enable the lashing of the stockpiled rods, minimizing
the
possibility of movement or falling of the rods. The platforms disclosed in the
prior art
comprise systems that enable remote control, as well as robotic arms with
means that
enable covering all the possibilities of rotation to feed the drilling
equipment, and where
the clamping means that secure and fix the rod in the pipe carrier enable
carrying each
rod from the platform to the rig or vice versa, by means of a repetitive
movement that
requires being operated by qualified personnel.
Documents from the prior art consider automatic solutions for the handling of
rods; however, said equipment or platforms alone do not have the capacity of
selecting
rods of different diameters, nor do they enable the coupling and automatic
alignment
of the rods with one another in the drilling equipment.
Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a platform for the transport
and
handling of mine drilling rods, the configuration of which enables the
automatic
transport and handling of rods of different diameters, which enables the
transport,
feeding and alignment of rods of different diameters that are required in a
drilling
machine in an autonomous, automatic and remote manner without the direct
handling
of the rods by operators.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the invention relates to providing a platform for drilling
rods,
the configuration of which enables the accommodation of drilling rods of
different
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lengths and diameters, according to a specific drilling program, which enable
safely
transferring said rods to the drilling rig, and the configuration of which
enables the
autonomous loading and unloading of the platform, offering greater
possibilities and
versatility in terms of locating same contiguous and/or adjacent to the
drilling rig,
without the need to use additional equipment for the location thereof.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a platform for drilling rods,
the
configuration of which enables the automatic, autonomous and remote handling,
without the direct intervention of operators, of the drilling rods from said
platform for
being fed to a drilling rig and vice versa, in such a way that reduces the
risks for the
personnel, as well as makes the operation more versatile and efficient, and
reduces
operation times.
The invention relates to platform for drilling rods, the configuration of
which
enables adjustment to accommodate drilling rods of different lengths and/or
diameters,
according to a drilling program, enables handling in its positioning adjacent
to the
drilling rig in a safe and autonomous manner, and comprising a means that
enables
the grasping, displacement and/or delivery of a drilling rod to a rod handling
arm, so
that it can be delivered to and/or removed from a drilling rig, without the
direct
intervention of operators in the handling thereof, which achieves the
automation and
remote actuation of said operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Various non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described to
provide a general understanding of its principles of structural function,
manufacture
and use of the apparatus, methods and articles described in the present
description.
One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the
attached figures. Those skilled in the art would understand that the apparatus
and
methods specifically described in the present description and illustrated in
the attached
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figures are illustrative non-limiting embodiments and that the scope of the
various non-
limiting embodiments of the present invention is defined solely by the claims.
The
features illustrated or described in conjunction with one non-limiting
embodiment may
be combined with the features of other non-limiting embodiments. Such
modifications
and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to help better understand the features of the invention according to
a
preferred practical embodiment thereof, a set of illustrative and non-limiting
drawings
depicting the invention is attached as an integral part of the description.
Figure 1 corresponds to a top perspective view of the platform for drilling
rods
according to the invention.
Figure 2 corresponds to a side perspective view of the platform for drilling
rods
according to the invention.
Figure 3 corresponds to a perspective view of a cross-section showing in
detail
a side end of the platform for drilling rods according to the invention.
Figure 4 corresponds to a front view of Figure 3.
Figure 5 corresponds to a perspective view of the displacement carriage of the
platform for drilling rods according to the invention.
Figure 5A corresponds to an exploded perspective view of the displacement
carriage of the platform for drilling rods according to the invention.
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Figure 6 corresponds to an exploded perspective view showing a detail of the
different elements comprised in the displacement carriage of the platform for
drilling
rods, according to the invention.
Figure 7 corresponds to a perspective view of the platform for drilling rods
located on one side of the drilling rig with the handling arm.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
The invention corresponds to a platform for the transport and handling of rods
(1) for drilling or prospection, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, comprising
a chassis or
structure (2) having a container-type base (3), side walls (4) and end walls
(5), and with
one open upper side (6), defining a housing for drilling rods (7). The chassis
or structure
(2) of the platform comprises a framework of profiles attached to one another,
which
can be configured as an open lattice or else be closed by a mesh or another
closure
element, where the base, side walls and/or end walls thereof can furthermore
be open.
The base comprises at least one support (8), such as an extendable and/or
movable leg (9) that enables the disposition of the platform in different
positions with
respect to a horizontal height, such that it can be loaded onto and/or
unloaded from a
means of transport in an autonomous manner. Furthermore, said at least one
extendable leg (9) enables horizontal levelling at different heights, and it
also enables
the adjustment of the platform to the various irregularities which the ground
where the
drilling platform is located may comprise. Said extendable legs (9) can be
operated
manually and/or automatically, such as, for example, through a hydraulic,
mechanical
and/or electric actuator, among others.
The drilling rods (A) are stockpiled inside the platform in multiple rows and
columns, (Figures 3 and 4), where columns or rows of drilling rods of
different
diameters can be stockpiled, according to a predetermined drilling program.
One of the
end walls comprises at least one dividing element (10) for columns of rods of
different
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diameters, the horizontal distance of which can be adjusted, which are
configured in at
least one of the end walls (5) of the chassis (2) of the platform (1). At
least one of the
end walls (5) is configured as an element of the chassis (2) with sliding
profiles or
beams which slide with respect to beams or profiles of the base (3) of the
chassis in
such a way so as to enable the longitudinal displacement of said at least one
end wall
(5) with respect to the opposite end wall, so as to thereby increase the
longitudinal
distance between end walls, to accommodate rods of different lengths.
The dividing or separating elements (10) for the columns of drilling rods
accommodated in the platform can be moved with respect to one another in order
to
increase the opening between adjacent dividing elements, so as to enable
increasing
the space between said adjacent dividing elements (10) to define a space that
can
accommodate rods of greater diameters or vice versa. The at least one dividing
element (10) comprises a core (11) extending vertically through said at least
one end
wall (5) and comprises a fixing means (12), such as a pinion, for example,
that enables
said dividing element to move through, for example, a longitudinal toothed
means (13)
disposed in at least one beam or another element of the structure of at least
said end
wall (5), so as to thereby enable the configuration of columns of drilling
rods of different
diameters.
The platform further comprises at least one grasping, hoisting and/or
displacement mechanism (14) for the drilling rods contained inside the
platform (1)
(Figures 1, 5, 5A, 6) and disposed in the different columns of rods forming
the dividing
elements (10). As illustrated in Figures 5, 5A, 6, the grasping, hoisting
and/or
displacement mechanism (14) is configured as a movable and/or displaceable
support
carriage (15), which is disposed horizontally over the upper opening of the
platform (1),
above the combination of stored rods. The support carriage (15) is formed by a
framework of profiles attached to one another, configuring a displaceable
structure (16)
relative to the chassis or structure (2) of the platform. Said structure (16)
comprises at
least two side profiles (17) parallel to and spaced from one another, and at
least two
end profiles (18) parallel to and spaced from one another. At least one of the
side
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profiles (17) is configured as a displacement guide (19) formed by at least
two adjacent
elements parallel to and separated from one another. There is attached and/or
fixed to
said displacement guide (19) at least one hoisting means (20) for hoisting
drilling rods,
which is configured as a lifting scissor (21) formed by articulation plates
(22), attached
to one another through at least one central shaft (23), where at one of the
ends (24)
thereof said lifting scissor (21) is attached and/or fixed in a movable manner
through a
shaft (25) to said displacement guide (19), and where the opposite end (24)
comprises
a displacement means (26) attached to said displacement guide (19), said
displacement means (26) consisting of a carriage (27) with wheels (28) and a
lug (29)
attached through a shaft (30) to the end of at least one of the articulation
plates (22) of
the lifting scissor (21). The displacement means (26) is moved by the
operation of a
mechanical, hydraulic and/or electric actuator so as to be displaced through
said
displacement guide (19) and enable deployment of the lifting scissor (21)
perpendicular
to the support carriage (15). The opposite ends (31) of said articulation
plates (22) are
attached and/or fixed to a lifting rod support (32) through a displacement
means (33)
attached to at least one displacement guide (34) fixed to the lifting rod
(32), said
displacement means (33) consisting of a carriage (35) with wheels (36) and a
lug (37)
attached to the end of the articulation plates (22) of the lifting scissor
(21) through a
shaft (38), and on the opposite side, the articulation plates are attached to
said lifting
rod (32) through a rotatable shaft (39). The ends of the lifting rod (32)
comprise slidable
lifting clamps (40), which are operated through a mechanical, hydraulic and/or
electric
actuator (41) attached to said lifting rod (32) that enables the displacement
of said
lifting clamp (40) from the ends.
The end profiles (18) that are part of the displaceable structure (16) of the
support carriage (15) comprise displacement means (42) that enable the
movement or
sliding of the support carriage (15) laterally from its location on the
platform (1) in which
the columns of drilling rods are contained. The at least one displacement
means (42)
comprises a drive motor (43), a drive pinion (44) which is connected to at
least one
pulley element (45), which transmits a movement by means of a pinion shaft
(46) to a
displacement means (42') located in the profile of the opposite end (18), in
such a way
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that the support carriage (15) moves in a paired fashion. The entire
combination is
attached in a movable manner to a guide element (47) (see Figure 1) projecting
vertically from the upper open surface of the platform. The support carriage
(15)
comprises a displacement stop element that enables the precise locating of
said
support carriage (15) on the column of rods (A), so as to take a rod through
the
operation of the lifting rod (32) comprised in the lifting scissor (21).
In operation, the platform for the transport and handling of rods (1) for
drilling or
prospection is filled with drilling rods (A) of different diameters according
to a pre-
established drilling program, being filled with rods of different diameters in
a location
that is predetermined and defined by the space that is generated between two
adjacent
dividing elements (10), whereby creating columns of drilling rods of different
diameters
based on the drilling program. Once said operation has been performed, the
platform
is lifted autonomously through its slidable legs (9) to locate the platform at
least at a
height such that a truck ramp can pass below same. The slidable legs (9) are
then
operated again until the platform is lowered to rest by its base (3) on the
truck ramp to
be transported to the drilling platform in the field.
The configuration and shape of the platform (1) for rods enables it to be
positioned contiguous and/or adjacent to the drilling rig (TP), in any
direction and/or
location (see Figure 7), because the fact that it comprises slidable legs (9)
on one side
of the platform structure, projecting from the sides of a truck, enables the
autonomous
unloading thereof, such that the truck can be positioned for unloading
adjacent and/or
contiguous to the drilling rig, with the legs (9) of the platform (1) being
displaced so as
to lift same over the truck ramp, in order for the latter to leave said
position with the
platform being adjacent to the drilling rig, without the need for handling by
a crane or
through other means for locating same contiguous to the drilling rig, as is
normally
done in practice in the art. The legs (9) of the platform are then operated
again so as
to be located at a desired height.
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Once the operations of positioning the platform in its appropriate location
have
been performed, drilling rods (A) are fed to the drilling rig, for which
purpose, according
to a drilling program, an operator operates the support carriage (15) to the
position of
a column of rods (A) of a predefined diameter, operating the lifting scissor
(21) so that
it can be deployed until the lifting rod (32) rests on a rod, where the
lifting clamps (40)
are operated by automatic and/or manual means in order to be introduced into
the ends
of the drilling rod (A) which is being taken, such that once the lifting
clamps (40) are
secured, the lifting scissor (21) is operated again to be retracted to the
support carriage
(15), lifting the drilling rod (A), being firmly supported through the lifting
clamps (40)
and the lifting rod (32), then transferring it by means of the slidable
operation of the
support carriage (15) to one of the sides of the platform (1) for rods. Once
the lifting
scissor (21) is located on the side of the platform (1) it is operated again
by hydraulic,
mechanical and/or electric means, deploying it, making the lifting rod (32)
descend,
taking the drilling rod (A) with it so that it can be delivered to a rod
handling arm (48)
which grasps the drilling rod (A).
The mode of operation described above can also be performed in reverse, i.e.,
to accommodate a drilling rod (A) in the drilling platform (1) when the
drilling operation
is finished, and the drilling rods are removed from the drill hole.
As shown in Figure 7, the drilling rod handling arm (48) is attached to the
drilling
rig through at least one base (49), the configuration of which enables the
locating of
said handling arm in different orientations or directions, so that it can be
located
adjacent to the platform (1) for rods in order to transfer the rods to the rig
or to the
platform (1) for rods.
The fact that the platform (1) comprises an adjustable rod separation system,
such as dividing elements (10) for columns of drilling rods (A), as well as a
remote
handling, grasping and/or hoisting system, such as the combination of the
sliding
carriage (15) and lifting scissors (21), enables the disposition and handling
of drilling
rods of different sizes and/or diameters for feeding to a drilling rig,
according to a
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predetermined drilling program, automatically and remotely, without the
personnel
directly handling the drilling rods (A), since from the need to take a
drilling rod (A) for
feeding to the drilling rig, as well as from the need to take the drilling rod
from the
drilling rig to be stored in said platform for rods, the intervention of
and/or handling by
operators is not required, since the entire process is carried out
automatically and
remotely by means of control systems. This configuration makes the process
more
efficient by making the method more agile, faster and safer, thus optimizing
the drilling
process in general, reducing operational costs.
While the form of the platform (1) for drilling rods described herein
constitutes a
preferred inclusion of this invention, it must be understood that the
invention is not
limited to this precise form of the platform and that changes can be made
therein
without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the attached
claims.
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