Pivotable tower for angled drilling
AssigneeAtlas Copco Drilling Solutions LLC
InventorJames M. Benson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interface apparatus between a tower and platform includes a tower support assembly with opposed angle brackets and a first tower support assembly coupler/decoupler which is repeatably moveable between coupled and decoupled conditions with the tower support assembly. In the coupled condition, the coupler/decoupler is capable of coupling to the tower support assembly at a plurality of predetermined positions along the opposed angle brackets. The interface apparatus includes a second tower support assembly coupler/decoupler which allows the tower to pivot relative to the tower support assembly and rotate relative to the platform.
Claims21
A drilling machine, comprising:
- a tower;
- and
- a tower interface assembly, which carries the tower, wherein the tower interface assembly includes
- first and second angle bracket arms having a plurality of opposed angle pin sockets;
- and
- first and second angle bracket support leg bases which support the first and second angle bracket arms, respectively, wherein:
- the first and second angle bracket support leg bases include opposed pivot pin sockets;
- the tower includes a pivot pin actuator which is repeatably moveable between engaged and disengaged positions with the pivot pin sockets;
- and
- the pivot pin actuator includes a tapered pivot pin.
A drilling machine, comprising:
- a tower;
- and
- a tower interface assembly, which includes
- an angle pin actuator having an angle pin cylinder and opposed angle pins;
- and
- first and second sets of opposed angle pin sockets, wherein a tilt angle of the tower is adjustable in response to disengaging and engaging the first and second sets of opposed angle pin sockets, respectively, with the angle pins, wherein the tower interface assembly includes opposed pivot pin sockets and a pivot pin actuator which is repeatably moveable between engaged and disengaged positions with the opposed pivot pin sockets.
A drilling machine, comprising:
- a tower;
- and
- a tower interface assembly, which includes
- an angle pin actuator having a cylinder and opposed angle pins;
- opposed angle bracket arms, wherein a tilt angle of the tower is adjustable in response to disengaging and engaging the opposed angle bracket arms, respectively, at opposed predetermined positions with the angle pins;
- opposed pivot pin sockets, wherein the tower interface assembly includes a pivot pin actuator which is repeatably moveable between engaged and disengaged positions with the opposed pivot pin sockets, and opposed tower brackets through which the angle pin actuator and pivot pin actuator extend.
A machine, comprising:
- a tower;
- and
- a tower interface assembly, which carries the tower, wherein the tower interface assembly includes
- a pivot pin actuator;
- and
- opposed pivot pin sockets, wherein the pivot pin actuator is repeatedly moveable between engaged and disengaged positions with the pivot pin sockets, wherein the pivot pin actuator includes a pivot pin cylinder and opposed pivot pins, and the pivot pins are repeatably moveable between engaged and disengaged positions with the pivot pin sockets in response to actuating the pivot pin cylinder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.