Automated drill bit changer

Abstract

A drill bit changer system for a drill rig includes a drill bit storage holder rotatably and pivotally mounted to the drill rig and a plurality of bit holder assemblies located within the drill bit storage holder. Each bit holder assembly includes a receptacle, wherein the plurality of bit holder assemblies are arranged to receive a drill bit in each receptacle. The drill bit storage holder is pivotally connected between a stowed position and an engaged position in which the drill bit is positioned at a drill string of the drill rig, wherein the drill bit storage holder is further indexable to present a respective receptacle at the drill string such that the drill bit is added or removed from the drill string. A method of changing a drill bit is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drill bit changer system for a drill rig, the system comprising:
 a drill bit storage holder rotatably and pivotally mounted to the drill rig; and   a plurality of bit holder assemblies located within the drill bit storage holder, each bit holder assembly including a receptacle, wherein the plurality of bit holder assemblies are arranged to receive a drill bit in each receptacle, the drill bit storage holder being pivotally connected between a stowed position and an engaged position in which the drill bit is positioned at a drill string of the drill rig, wherein the drill bit storage holder is further indexable to present a respective receptacle at the drill string such that the drill bit is added or removed from the drill string.   
     
     
         2 . The drill bit changer system of  claim 1 , wherein the drill bit storage holder is a rotatable carousel. 
     
     
         3 . The drill bit changer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the drill bit storage holder is indexable by a slew drive. 
     
     
         4 . The drill bit changer system of  claim 1 , wherein the drill bit storage holder is pivotally connected to a mast of the drill rig 
     
     
         5 . The drill bit changer system of  claim 4 , wherein the drill bit storage holder is pivotally connected to the mast by at least one hydraulically operated arm. 
     
     
         6 . The drill bit changer system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one processing device arranged to execute a computer executable code to control the pivotable and rotatable movement of the drill bit storage holder. 
     
     
         7 . The drill bit changer system of  claim 1 , wherein each bit holder assembly has opposed ends, the receptacle being positioned at one end of the bit holder assembly and an adaptor arm being positioned at the other end. 
     
     
         8 . The drill bit changer system of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of adaptor assemblies each including an adaptor having opposed ends, one end of the adaptor being arranged to engage the drill string of the drill rig and another end of the adaptor being engageable with the drill bit, wherein the adaptor has a section disposed between the opposed ends, the section being engageable by the adaptor arm disposed in the bit holder assembly to engage and disengage the drill bit adaptor assembly from the drill string. 
     
     
         9 . The drill bit changer system of  claim 1 , wherein the drill bit storage holder has a top arranged to contain the bit holder assemblies and bits therein. 
     
     
         10 . The drill bit changer system of  claim 1 , wherein the drill bit is cupped within the receptacle. 
     
     
         11 . A method of changing a drill bit of a drill rig comprising the steps of:
 providing a drill bit changer system, the drill bit changer system including a drill bit storage holder rotatably and pivotally mounted to the drill rig, and a plurality of bit holder assemblies located within the drill bit storage holder, each bit holder assembly including a receptacle, wherein the plurality of bit holder assemblies are arranged to receive a drill bit in each receptacle;   pivoting the drill bit storage holder to a first position whereby the drill bit storage holder is positioned to engage a drill string of the drill rig;   removing a used drill bit and adaptor assembly from the drill string;   indexing the drill bit storage holder to position a new drill bit to the drill string;   attaching the new drill bit adaptor assembly to the drill string; and   pivoting the drill bit storage system to a second position whereby the drill bit storage system is stowed away from the drill string.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pivotal movement of the drill bit storage system and the indexing of the drill bit storage holder is controlled by a computerized control unit executing a computer executable code. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the drill bit changer system further comprises a plurality of adaptor assemblies each including an adaptor having opposed ends, one end of the adaptor being arranged to engage the drill string of the drill rig and another end of the adaptor being engageable with the drill bit, wherein the adaptor has a section disposed between the opposed ends, the section being engageable by an adaptor arm disposed in the bit holder assembly to engage and disengage the drill bit adaptor assembly from the drill string.