Hydraulic wrench and method

Abstract

A hydraulically operated breakout (“HOBO”) wrench is disclosed herein. The HOBO wrench comprises: a pedestal, a swing arm pivotably mounted to the pedestal having a first cylinder and a second cylinder, a fixed jaw connected to the swing arm and having a third cylinder, a clamping jaw configured to engage a plurality of fasteners and a plurality of rods, a plurality of proximity sensors, and a HOBO controller in communication with the plurality of proximity sensors. The HOBO controller is configured to actuate the HOBO wrench to and from a parked position, an engaged position, and a clamping position. The plurality of proximity sensors communicate signals to the HOBO controller to maintain a threshold clearance between the HOBO wrench and other components when moving to and from the parked position, the engaged position, and the clamping position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mast for drilling comprising:
 a frame;   a plurality of rods connected by a plurality of fasteners mounted to the frame;   a tool bit fastened on an end of the plurality of rods;   a hydraulically operated breakout (“HOBO”) wrench pivotally coupled to the mast, the HOBO wrench including:
 a pedestal; 
 a swing arm pivotally mounted on the pedestal having a first cylinder and a second cylinder; 
 a fixed jaw connected to the second cylinder and having a third cylinder; 
 a clamping jaw configured to engage the plurality of fasteners; 
 a hydraulic wrench circuit; 
 a plurality of proximity sensors; and 
 a HOBO controller in communication with the plurality of proximity sensors, the HOBO controller configured to actuate the HOBO wrench to and from a parked position, an engaged position, and a clamping position around the plurality of fasteners, the plurality of proximity sensors communicate signals to the HOBO controller to maintain a threshold clearance between the HOBO wrench and other components of the mast when moving to and from the parked position, the engaged position, and the clamping position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The mast of  claim 1 , wherein the first cylinder is a swing cylinder, the second cylinder is a rotate cylinder, the third cylinder is a clamp cylinder, and the plurality of proximity sensors include:
 a first proximity sensor mounted on the pedestal; and   a second proximity sensor mounted on the swing arm.   
     
     
         3 . The mast of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first proximity sensor communicates signals to the HOBO controller to allow extension and retraction of the rotate cylinder, the rotate cylinder is actuated to rotate the fixed jaw out of the swing arm; and   the second proximity sensor communicates signals to the HOBO controller to allow extension and retraction of the clamp cylinder.   
     
     
         4 . The mast of  claim 3 , wherein the HOBO controller maintains a minimum threshold clearance of 50 mm preventing the HOBO wrench from colliding with the frame, plurality of fasteners, the tool bit, and the plurality of rods when transitioning positions to and from the parked position, the engaged position, and the clamping position. 
     
     
         5 . The mast of  claim 3 , wherein the clamping jaw may engage with the plurality of fasteners, each of the plurality of fasteners having different diameters. 
     
     
         6 . The mast of  claim 3 , the mast is coupled to a machine frame of a work machine having a prime mover supported by the machine frame, ground engaging elements supporting the frame, and a hydraulic machine circuit coupled to the hydraulic wrench circuit of the HOBO wrench. 
     
     
         7 . The mast of  claim 6 , wherein the work machine has a controller and a display interface in a cab communicable with the HOBO controller. 
     
     
         8 . The mast of  claim 6 , wherein a plurality of HOBO wrenches are mounted in the mast. 
     
     
         9 . A hydraulically operated breakout (“HOBO”) wrench comprising:
 a pedestal; 
 a swing arm pivotably mounted on the pedestal having a first cylinder and a second cylinder; 
 a fixed jaw connected to the swing arm and having a third cylinder; 
 a clamping jaw configured to engage a plurality of fasteners and a plurality of rods; 
 a plurality of proximity sensors; and 
 a HOBO controller in communication with the plurality of proximity sensors, the HOBO controller configured to actuate the HOBO wrench to and from a parked position, an engaged position, and a clamping position around a plurality of fasteners, the plurality of proximity sensors communicate signals to the HOBO controller to maintain a threshold clearance between the HOBO wrench and other components when moving to and from the parked position, the engaged position, and the clamping position. 
 
     
     
         10 . The HOBO wrench of  claim 9 , wherein the first cylinder is a swing cylinder, the second cylinder is a rotate cylinder, the third cylinder is a clamp cylinder, and the plurality of proximity sensors include:
 a first proximity sensor mounted on the pedestal; and   a second proximity sensor mounted on the fixed jaw.   
     
     
         11 . The HOBO wrench of  claim 10 , wherein the first proximity sensor communicates signals to actuate the swing cylinder, clamp cylinder, and the rotate cylinder, the second proximity sensor communicates signals to actuate the swing cylinder. 
     
     
         12 . The HOBO wrench of  claim 10 , wherein the threshold clearance is 50 mm or greater. 
     
     
         13 . The HOBO wrench of  claim 10 , wherein the clamping jaw may engage with the plurality of fasteners, the plurality of rods, each of the plurality of fasteners and each of the plurality of rods having different diameters. 
     
     
         14 . The HOBO wrench of  claim 11 , wherein the clamping jaw engage with a bushing of a tool bit that connects the tool bit to the plurality of rods. 
     
     
         15 . The HOBO wrench of  claim 12 , wherein the swing arm is pivotally coupled to a mast frame of a drill mast, the drill mast having a hydraulic circuit coupled to the HOBO wrench. 
     
     
         16 . A method of operating a hydraulic wrench in a mast, the method comprising:
 providing the hydraulic wrench inside the mast, the hydraulic wrench including a pedestal, a swing arm, a fixed jaw, a clamping jaw, a first cylinder and a second cylinder in the swing arm, and a third cylinder in the fixed jaw, a first proximity sensor, a second proximity sensor, and a controller;   actuating the first cylinder, the second cylinder, and the third cylinder to position the hydraulic wrench from a parked position to a clamping position around a rod in the mast;   maintaining a threshold clearance between the hydraulic wrench, the rod, and a frame of the mast based on signals received by the controller from the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor while positioning the hydraulic wrench;   clamping the rod; and   fastening or unfastening the rod in the mast by actuating the third cylinder to rotate the clamping jaw around the rod.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , the method further comprising:
 mounting the hydraulic wrench to the mast, the swing arm pivotally coupled to the pedestal; and   coupling a hydraulic wrench circuit to a hydraulic machine circuit of the mast or work machine.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the mast includes a plurality of rods, the method further comprising:
 raising the rod above a bore hole, the rod having a fastener and a tool bit on an end of the rod fastened to the tool bit;   clamping the fastener via the clamping jaw to engage the fastener of the tool bit; and   unfastening the tool bit from the fastener.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , the method further comprising:
 providing a series of hydraulic wrenches in the mast to perform fastening and unfastening operations.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , the method further comprising:
 fastening or unfastening the rod in the mast by actuating the second and the third cylinder.