Drilling tool changer device and a method for making the change

A device to change a used bit of a drilling string in a surface and production drilling machine in large mining and for handling a guide bushing of said string on a drilling platform wherein the device comprises:

• (a) an arm element (3) that is capable of rotating in addition to vertical or horizontal movement;
• (b) a bit storage and reception element (2) that is arranged at the end of said arm (3), said bit storage and reception element (2) carries inside it in suitably arranged spaces at least one new bit that will replace the used bit of the drilling string, said bit storage and reception element also having an empty space that will house the used bit that is removed from said drilling string;
• the bit storage and reception element (2) has a rotating surface and a motor to rotate the rotating surface;
• said bit storage and reception element (2) also contains parts necessary for supporting the used bit during a breaking of a threaded connection of the used bit of the drilling string, which allow torsional and vertical stresses to be dissipated through the drilling platform;
• (c) a guide bushing manipulation assembly located immediately adjacent said arm (3);
• said guide bushing manipulation assembly is composed of an extension arm (5) that is capable of vertical movement relative to the drilling platform;
• a clamp or fork element (1) at the top of the extension arm that moves up and down in order to slide the guide bushing relative to the used bit of the drilling platform, with vertical movement which allows the height clearance of the machine component wherein sliding of the guide bushing relative to the used bit allows access to a break key for releasing the used bit from the drilling string and the consequent provision of one of the at least one new bits for replacement;
• (d) said bit storage and reception element (2), the arm element (3), and guide bushing manipulation assembly are arranged in a container (4) in an inactive position and are extended from the container during use;
• (e) a PLC (programmable logic controller) control panel configured to control said arm element (3) and said bit storage and reception element (2) to enable replacement of the used bit with one of the at least one new bits, the PLC control panel further configured to control sliding of the guide busing using said extension arm (5) and said clamp or fork element (1) for handling the guide bushings of said string on the drilling platform;
• and
• (f) a remote control element installed in a cabin with which an operator controls the device from the cabin coordinating the sequence with the functions and movements of the drill.