Assembly for moving excavation or drilling equipment and actuating method therefor

A system for changing an excavation centre-to-centre distance of an excavating machine, said excavating machine comprising:

• a rotating tower comprising:
• a base frame connected to an undercarriage;
• a mast, an upper end of the mast comprises a head for supporting pulleys for sliding of ropes;
• said ropes being operably connected to an actuator in the excavating machine;
• and
• a rotary, to which an excavating tool is secured by a kelly;
• said system for changing the excavation centre-to-centre distance comprises:
• a drive assembly for driving excavating or drilling equipment comprising:
• a first structure, in which said kelly is housed, said first structure being slidable along said mast by a first carriage;
• a second support structure, in which said kelly is housed, said second structure being slidable along said mast by a second carriage;
• removable pin-type elements adapted to be inserted into holes made in said first support structure and said second support structure;
• said first structure or first carriage and said second support structure being movable relative to each other between a first configuration and a second configuration;
• said actuator being adapted for at least controlling relative movement of said first structure with respect to said second support structure;
• wherein switching between the first configuration and the second configuration changes a distance between said second support structure and said mast along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said mast;
• said removable pin-type elements being adapted to rigidly and directly constrain said first structure or first carriage and said second support structure in said first configuration or said second configuration;
• while switching between the first configuration and the second configuration, said first structure or first carriage and said second support structure are always directly constrained to each other through at least one mechanical constraint;
• said actuator, in addition to controlling at least the relative movement of said first structure or first carriage with respect to said second support structure, is configured for carrying out further operative functions for driving parts of said excavating or drilling machine.

A method for changing an excavation centre-to-centre distance of an excavating or drilling machine comprising an assembly for driving excavating or drilling equipment for the excavating or drilling machine;

• the excavating or drilling machine comprising:
• a rotating tower comprising:
• a base frame connected to an undercarriage;
• a mast, the upper end of which comprises ahead for supporting pulleys for the sliding of ropes, said ropes being operably connected to an actuator in the excavating or drilling machine;
• said assembly comprising:
• a drive assembly adapted to slide along said mast of said excavating or drilling machine, for driving at least a part of the excavating or drilling equipment,
• said drive assembly comprising:
• a first structure or carriage comprising guide members adapted to allow the first structure or carriage to slide along said mast;
• a second support structure adapted for at least supporting the excavating or drilling equipment;
• removable pin-type elements adapted to be inserted into holes made in said first structure and said second structure;
• said first structure or carriage and said second support structure being movable relative to each other between a first configuration and a second configuration;
• said actuator being adapted for at least controlling relative movement of said first structure or carriage with respect to said second support structure;
• wherein switching between the first configuration and the second configuration changes a distance between said second support structure and said mast along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said mast;
• said removable pin-type elements being adapted to rigidly and directly constrain said first structure or carriage and said second support structure in said first configuration or said second configuration;
• while switching between the first configuration and the second configuration, said first structure or carriage and said second support structure are always directly constrained to each other through at least one mechanical constraint;
• said actuator, in addition to controlling at least the relative movement of said first structure or carriage with respect to said second support structure, is configured for carrying out further operative functions for driving parts of said excavating or drilling machine;
• said method comprises the following steps:
• removing at least two of the pin-type elements;
• mutually moving said first structure or carriage and said second support structure, so as to switch from the first configuration to the second configuration, controlling movement by the actuator;
• reinserting said at least two of the pin-type elements to constrain again said first structure or carriage and said second support structure.

A method for changing an excavation centre-to-centre distance of an excavating or drilling machine comprising an assembly for driving excavating or drilling equipment for the excavating or drilling machine;

• the excavating or drilling machine comprising:
• a rotating tower comprising:
• a base frame connected to an undercarriage;
• a mast, the upper end of which comprises a head for supporting pulleys for the sliding of ropes, said ropes being operably connected to an actuator in the excavating or drilling machine;
• said assembly comprising:
• a drive assembly adapted to slide along said mast of said excavating or drilling machine, for driving at least a part of the excavating or drilling equipment,
• said drive assembly comprising:
• a first structure or carriage comprising guide members adapted to allow the first structure or carriage to slide along said mast;
• a second support structure adapted for at least supporting the excavating or drilling equipment;
• said first structure or carriage and said second support structure being movable relative to each other between a first configuration and a second configuration;
• the relative movement between said first structure or carriage and said second support structure is rotatory;
• said first structure or carriage and said second support structure being constrained to each other in the first configuration and the second configuration by first pin-type fixing elements adapted for defining a first constraining axis, and second pin-type fixing elements adapted for defining a second constraining axis;
• said actuator being adapted for at least controlling relative movement of said first structure or carriage with respect to said second support structure;
• wherein switching between the first configuration and the second configuration changes a distance between said second support structure and said mast along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said mast;
• said removable pin-type elements being adapted to rigidly and directly constrain said first structure or carriage and said second support structure in said first configuration or said second configuration;
• while switching between the first configuration and the second configuration, said first structure or carriage and said second support structure are always directly constrained to each other through at least one mechanical constraint;
• said actuator, in addition to controlling at least the relative movement of said first structure or carriage with respect to said second support structure, is configured for carrying out further operative functions for driving parts of said excavating or drilling machine;
• in order to switch from a first operating configuration to a second operating configuration, the method comprises the following steps carried out in succession:
• removing the first pin-type fixing elements, thereby releasing a first constraint;
• mutually moving said first structure or carriage and said second support structure, so as to switch from the first configuration to an intermediate configuration, turning about said second constraining axis and controlling the movement by the actuator;
• constraining again said first structure or carriage and said second support structure by said first pin-type fixing elements;
• removing said second pin-type fixing elements, thereby releasing a second constraint;
• mutually moving said first structure or carriage and said second support structure, so as to switch from said intermediate configuration to said second configuration, turning about said first constraining axis and controlling the movement by the actuator;
• constraining again said first structure or carriage and said second support structure by said second pin-type fixing elements.