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US 11,142,970 B2Granted
Bit change mechanism for a drill rig
AssigneeJoy Global Surface Mining Inc
InventorsJason E. Gaska, Samuel F. Haworth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bit changer assembly includes a bit basket actuator assembly configured to be coupled to a drill rig. The bit basket actuator assembly includes an actuator, a guiderail, and a bit basket that is movably coupled to the guiderail via actuation of the actuator. The bit changer assembly also includes a bit carousel configured to be coupled to the drill rig, such that the bit carousel is rotatably and vertically moveable relative to the drill rig.
Claims26
A bit changer assembly comprising:
- a bit basket configured to be coupled to a drill rig, wherein the bit basket is sized and shaped to receive a drill bit for the drill rig, and is configured to resist torque applied to a drill pipe by a breakout wrench of the drill rig;
- and
- a bit holding device configured to be coupled to the drill rig, wherein the bit holding device is configured to move the drill bit directly to the bit basket when the bit basket is aligned with a drill pipe of the drill rig;
- wherein the bit holding device includes a main body, and openings defined by the main body to receive the drill bit and other drill bits.
1 more element
A bit changer assembly comprising:
- a bit basket configured to be coupled to a drill rig, wherein the bit basket is sized and shaped to receive a drill bit for the drill rig, and is configured to resist torque applied to a drill pipe by a breakout wrench of the drill rig;
- and
- a bit holding device configured to be coupled to the drill rig, wherein the bit holding device is configured to move the drill bit directly to the bit basket when the bit basket is aligned with a drill pipe of the drill rig;
- wherein the bit holding device is a rotatable bit carousel.
1 more element
A bit changer assembly comprising:
- a first bit holding device configured to be coupled to a drill rig, wherein the first bit holding device includes a main body and openings defined by the main body to receive a plurality of drill bits;
- and
- a second bit holding device having a top plate, and an aperture along the top plate, wherein the first bit holding device is configured transfer one of the drill bits to the second bit holding device such that the drill bit is disposed within the aperture, wherein the second bit holding device is sized and shaped such that the second bit holding device is configured to resist torque that is applied to a drill pipe of the drill rig when the drill bit is disposed within the aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.