GB1298174A - Earth boring machine - Google Patents

Abstract

1298174 Boring earth &c DRESSER INDUSTRIES Inc 19 April 1971 [2 Feb 1970] 20703/71 Heading E1F Rotary earth boring apparatus comprises a support frame including a base and support columns mounted on the base, a carriage movable up and down on the columns, drilling means on the carriage, and a reaction part associated with the support frame for stabilizing the apparatus, the post including a jack screw engaged with threads in the post and a spring connected to the screw for applying torque thereto. Ground elements 11, 12 are anchored to a concrete block, and columns 8, 9 are pivoted to the elements, the angle of the columns being adjusted by fitting different length braces 61, 62. The reactor post 13 for engaging a roof is adjustably fixed to the column 8 by a clamping bracket 14. The post is kept in engagement with the roof by the spring acting on the jack screw, torque being applied to the spring by means of a ratchet or a motor. The carriage 63 sliding on the columns supports a drill head 64 and a motor 65 connected to the head by a chain, gear or other transmission. A thrust cylinder 17 has its body connected to the carriage and its piston 66 connected to a cross frame 67 fixed to the columns. The motor 65 is removable from the head so that the head and carriage may be inverted to convert the apparatus for upward drilling (shown) to one for downward drilling. In a modification (Fig. 8 not shown) the drill head has a chuck for holding drill pipe at either end. During upward drilling debris is collected by a hopper 25 and packers 26, 27, all of which are constructed to permit passage of projections (such as a stabilizer 34) on the drill string 16. Each section of the drill string has flats 72 which are engaged by a slotted plate for making and breaking a pipe joint or for supporting pipe in the hole. The plate may be positioned between the columns and two plates may be positioned, one above, and one below the drill head. A drill pipe positioner 79 moves pipe sections between a rack (not shown) and the drill head, and comprises arm 80 pivoted to the column 8 and moved by a ram 82, an element 83 pivoted to the arm 80 and moved by a ram 86, arms 84, 85 on the element 83, and holding means (which may be electro-magnetic) at the ends of the arms 84, 85 for engaging a pipe section 94. The positioner is hydraulically operated but will not move unless the holding means are firmly engaged with the pipe section. The apparatus may be used for reaming pilot holes in the upward or downward formation of raises.