Drilling tool changer apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for changing a drilling tool for a drilling rig is described, where the drilling rig comprises a drill tower supporting a drill pipe. The apparatus for changing a drilling tool has a drilling tool changer assembly moveable between a storage position and an exchange position, and the drilling tool changer assembly supports a rotatable carousel assembly. The rotatable carousel assembly has a plurality of bit adaptors for holding drilling tools and is selectively rotatable to bring a selected drilling tool into coaxial alignment with the drill pipe when the drilling tool changer assembly supporting the rotatable carousel assembly is moved into the exchange position. The apparatus includes mechanisms for aligning the selected drilling tool within a bit adaptor holding the selected drilling tool. The apparatus further includes mechanisms for aligning the drill pipe or a hammer with the selected drilling tool.

1 . An apparatus for changing a drilling tool for a drilling rig, wherein the drilling rig comprises a drill tower supporting a drill pipe; the apparatus for changing a drilling tool comprising:
 a drilling tool changer assembly operable to position a selected drilling tool for attachment to the drill pipe; and   means for aligning the drill pipe with the selected drilling tool.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for changing a drilling tool of  claim 1 , wherein the selected drilling tool is a down-the-hole (“DTH”) tool. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for changing a drilling tool of  claim 1 , wherein the drilling tool changer assembly comprises a pivoting bit adaptor for holding the selected drilling tool;
 wherein the pivoting bit adaptor is operable to align the selected drilling tool within the pivoting bit adaptor as the selected drilling tool is inserted therein; and   wherein the pivoting bit adaptor is operable to maintain the alignment of the selected drilling tool within the pivoting bit adaptor when the drilling tool changer assembly positions the selected drilling tool for attachment to the drill pipe.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for changing a drilling tool of  claim 3 , wherein the pivoting bit adaptor comprises:
 a bit holder; and   a pivoting component rotationally coupled to the bit holder, wherein the pivoting component:   engages the selected drilling tool and rotates to align the selected drilling tool within the pivoting bit adaptor as the selected drilling tool is inserted therein; and   maintains the alignment of the selected drilling tool within the pivoting bit adaptor when the drilling tool changer assembly positions the selected drilling tool for attachment to the drill pipe.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for changing a drilling tool of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one alignment clamp moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the at least one alignment clamp is operable to align the selected drilling tool within a bit adaptor holding the selected drilling tool.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for changing a drilling tool of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one alignment clamp comprises:
 an actuating piston comprising a first end and a second end;   a first arm pivotally coupled to the first end of the actuating piston, wherein the first arm comprises a first pad system;   a second arm pivotally coupled to the second end of the actuating piston, wherein the second arm comprises a second pad system; and   wherein operation of the actuating piston to move the alignment clamp between the open position and the closed position comprises pivoting the first arm and the second arm together such that the first pad system and the second pad system engage and align the selected drilling tool within the bit adaptor holding the selected drilling tool.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for changing a drilling tool of  claim 6 , wherein the first pad system and the second pad system each further comprise:
 a plurality of contact pads; and   a plurality of flared flanges.   
     
     
         8 . A method for changing a drilling tool for a drilling rig, wherein the drilling rig comprises a drill tower supporting a drill pipe; the method comprising:
 positioning a selected drilling tool on the drilling rig for attachment to the drill pipe; and   engaging the drill pipe with means for aligning the drill pipe with the selected drilling tool.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 inserting the selected drilling tool into a pivoting bit adaptor on the drilling rig; and   aligning the selected drilling tool within the pivoting bit adaptor during the inserting step.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 moving an alignment clamp on the drilling rig from an open position to a closed position; and   aligning the selected drilling tool within a bit adaptor holding the selected drilling tool as the alignment clamp moves from the open position to the closed position.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for changing a drilling tool for a drilling rig, wherein the drilling rig comprises a drill tower supporting a drill pipe; the apparatus comprising:
 a drilling tool changer assembly operable to position a selected drilling tool for attachment to the drill pipe; and   a side swinging drill string support operable to align the drill pipe with the selected drilling tool.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus for changing a drilling tool of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 means for aligning the selected drilling tool within a bit adaptor holding the selected drilling tool.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus for changing a drilling tool of  claim 11 , wherein the selected drilling tool is a down-the-hole (“DTH”) tool. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus for changing a drilling tool of  claim 11 , wherein the side swinging drill string support comprises:
 a piston; and   a roller pivotally coupled to the piston;   wherein actuating the piston pivots the roller into position to engage and align the drill pipe with the selected drilling tool when the drilling tool changer assembly positions the selected drilling tool for attachment to the drill pipe.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus for changing a drilling tool of  claim 14 , wherein the side swinging drill string support is operatively moveable between a stowed configuration and an activated configuration by actuation of the piston. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus for changing a drilling tool of  claim 11 , wherein the drilling tool changer assembly comprises a pivoting bit adaptor for holding the selected drilling tool;
 wherein the pivoting bit adaptor is operable to align the selected drilling tool within the pivoting bit adaptor as the selected drilling tool is inserted therein; and   wherein the pivoting bit adaptor is operable to maintain the alignment of the selected drilling tool within the pivoting bit adaptor when the drilling tool changer assembly positions the selected drilling tool for attachment to the drill pipe.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus for changing a drilling tool of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 at least one alignment clamp moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the at least one alignment clamp is operable to align the selected drilling tool within a bit adaptor holding the selected drilling tool.   
     
     
         18 . A method for changing a drilling tool for a drilling rig, wherein the drilling rig comprises a drill tower supporting a drill pipe; the method comprising:
 positioning a selected drilling tool on the drilling rig for attachment to the drill pipe;   moving a side swinging drill string support from a stowed configuration to an activated configuration;   engaging the drill pipe with a roller of the side swinging drill string support in the activated configuration; and   aligning the drill pipe with the selected drilling tool.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 inserting the selected drilling tool into a pivoting bit adaptor on the drilling rig; and   aligning the selected drilling tool within the pivoting bit adaptor during the inserting step.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 moving an alignment clamp on the drilling rig from an open position to a closed position; and   aligning the selected drilling tool within a bit adaptor holding the selected drilling tool as the alignment clamp moves from the open position to the closed position.