CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.

62/991,869 entitled BELT DRIVE FOR USE WITH A VACUUM MATERIAL HANDLER filed March 19, 2020, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a vacuum handler for pipe. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vacuum handler for drill pipe having a belt drive for improved operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] An effective method of handling pipe is via a vacuum handler. One example of a vacuum handler is taught in US Patent No. 9,896,892 to Solomon et al. and assigned to

Vacuworx Global, LLC. The vacuum handler described in the ‘892 patent utilizes vacuum beam mounted on a boom. The vacuum handler has a vacuum pad that is attached to the vacuum beam. Lateral movement of the vacuum pad relative to the vacuum beam is provided by one or more pinned connections located adjacent to a hinge. Vacuum pressure from the vacuum pad is used to grasp and release drill pipe.

[0004] Use of a vacuum handler provides for a system and method to handle objects, such as drill pipe, that minimizes worker injuries and damage to objects and equipment.

[0005] The foregoing has outlined in broad terms the more important features of the invention disclosed herein so that the detailed description that follows may be more clearly understood, and so that the contribution of the instant inventors to the art may be better appreciated. The instant invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various other ways not specifically enumerated herein.

Additionally, the disclosure that follows is intended to apply to all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Further, it should be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting, unless the specification specifically so limits the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention achieves its objectives by providing a system and method for moving objects such as drill pipe with vacuum power. The system is used with vacuum material handler having a vacuum beam mounted on a boom. The system has a vacuum pad that is attached to the vacuum beam. Vacuum pressure from the vacuum pad is used to grasp and release objects such as drill pipe.

[0007] The vacuum material handler provides a system and method to handle objects, such as drill pipe for directional drilling, which minimizes worker injuries and damage to objects and equipment.

[0008] The vacuum material handler includes a vacuum beam having a lower end and a vacuum pad proximate the lower end of the vacuum beam. A power device, such as an internal combustion engine, is carried by the vacuum beam. The power device has an output shaft that may have an output pulley. A vacuum pump is also carried by the vacuum beam.

The vacuum pump has an input shaft that may have in an input pulley. A belt may be received on the output and input pulleys. The belt spans between the output shaft of the power device and the input shaft of the vacuum pump for transmitting power from the power device to the vacuum pump. In one embodiment, the output pulley defines a plurality of teeth, the input pulley defines a plurality of teeth and the belt is a toothed drive belt for engaging the teeth defined by the output pulley and the input pulley. A belt tensioner pulley may be provided in between the output shaft of the power device and the input shaft of the vacuum pump. A timing belt and auto tensioner are utilized to eliminate the need to rely on an individual's intuition as to whether or not the belt is tight enough. The belt tensioner is a non-slip, self- adjusting belt arrangement. The belt tensioner pulley is provided for ensuring proper tensioning of the belt. A cover is preferably provided for enclosing the output pulley, the input pulley and the belt.

[0009] In use, the vacuum pad is lowered over an object, such as drill pipe. The vacuum pad is rotationally aligned with the object. A vacuum seal is created between the vacuum pad and the object by powering the vacuum pump in the vacuum beam with the power device, wherein the power device delivers power to the vacuum pump via a belt.

[0010] Benefits associated with the use a belt over other methods of power transmission include increased reliability, lighter weight, longer maintenance intervals, relative ease of repair, a lower cost of outsourced goods and increased workforce utilization, elimination of oil in a gearbox that must be changed thereby increasing environmental friendliness, cooler engine bay, dampening of engine power pulses resulting in less wear on the driven pump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the vacuum material handler of the invention mounted to a vacuum beam;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the vacuum material handler of the

FIG, 1 mounted to a vacuum beam;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the power device and pump of the FIGS. 1 and

2 operatively connected with a drive belt wherein the drive belt is surrounded by a cover.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the power device and pump of the FIG. 3 with cover removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description.

Descriptions of well-known components and processes and manufacturing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention.

[0016] The present invention provides safe and effective system and method for handling drill pipe using a vacuum material handler designated generally 10. Vacuum handler 10 may be mounted on an excavator or other boom. In one embodiment, vacuum pad

12 is mounted to vacuum beam 14, Vacuum beam 14 may be connected to the excavator with a rotator (not shown) capable of rotating beam 14 relative to the boom.

[0017] Vacuum for vacuum pad 12 is supplied by a vacuum pump 16 mounted on the beam 14. Vacuum pump 16 is powered by a power device 18, such as engine, pump, or motor. For example, vacuum pump 16 may be powered by an internal combustion engine located in vacuum beam 14. In one embodiment, vacuum pump 16 may be powered by a hydraulic pump, which, in turn, is powered by hydraulic fluid from a boom carrying vehicle such as an excavator.

[0018] Vacuum beam 14 also carries vacuum reservoir 20 that is in fluid communication with vacuum pump 16 and vacuum pad 12, Vacuum reservoir 20 provides additional time for the operator to react to an event involving interruption of vacuum pump

16,

[0019] Referring now primarily to Figures 3 and 4, power device 18 preferably includes output shaft 22, which carries output pulley 24. Vacuum pump 16 preferably includes input shaft 26, which carries input pulley 28, Belt tensioner pulley 30 may be provided to ensure proper tensioning of belt 32. In one embodiment, belt 32 is a toothed drive belt for engaging teeth defined by output pulley 24 and for engaging teeth defined by input pulley 28, Belt 32, output pulley 24 and input pulley 28 are preferably enclosed within cover 34.

[0020] Referring now primarily to Figure 2, vacuum line 34 connects vacuum pad 12 to vacuum pump 16 and vacuum reservoir 20. Thus, all three of vacuum pad 12, vacuum pump 16, and vacuum reservoir 20 are in fluid communication with one another. First solenoid operated valve 36 provides a way to isolate vacuum pad 12 from vacuum pump 16 and vacuum reservoir 20. A second solenoid operated valve 38 is capable of opening vacuum pad 12 to the atmosphere for releasing the vacuum pressure between the vacuum pad

12 and the pipe being manipulated.

[0021] In operation, an excavator operator lowers vacuum beam 14 and vacuum pad

12 over an object such as a drill pipe. Using a rotator, vacuum pad 12 is rotated to align with the drill pipe. Vacuum pad 12 is then brought into contact with the drill pipe. A vacuum seal is created between vacuum pad 12 and the drill pipe. The vacuum seal is accomplished by opening first solenoid operated valve 36 for bringing vacuum pump 16 and/or vacuum reservoir 20 into fluid communication with vacuum pad 12, Once the drill pipe is secured to the vacuum pad 12 by vacuum pressure, vacuum beam 14, vacuum pad 12 and drill pipe are lifted and moved into position with the directional drilling machine through movement of the boom and rotator.

[0022] In one example, once a directional drilling machine secures the pipe, the pipe is released from vacuum pad 12. This is accomplished by closing the first solenoid operated valve 36 between vacuum pad 12 and vacuum pump 16 and vacuum reservoir 20. A second solenoid operated valve 38 on the vacuum pad 12 is then opened to atmosphere. This terminates the vacuum between the vacuum pad 12 and the pipe.

[0023] The foregoing description details certain preferred embodiments of the present invention and describes the best mode contemplated. It will be appreciated, however, that changes may be made in the details of construction and the configuration of components without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the description provided herein is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined by the following claims and the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.

[0024] It is to be understood that the terms 'including " comprising ^'' , "consisting" and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers.

[0025] If the specification or claims refer to "an additional" element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

[0026] It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to "a" or "an" element, such reference is not be construed that there is only one of that element. [0027] It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic "may", "might", "can" or "could" be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included.

[0028] Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or both may be used to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described.

[0029] Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks.

[0030] The term "method" may refer to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs.

[0031] The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a ranger having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. Terms of approximation (e.g., “about", “substantially”, “approximately”, etc.) should be interpreted according to their ordinary and customary meanings as used in the associated art unless indicated otherwise. Absent a specific definition and absent ordinary and customary usage in the associated art, such terms should be interpreted to be ± 10% of the base value. [0032] When, in this document, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number) - (a second number)”, this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 should be interpreted to mean a range whose lower limit is 25 and whose upper limit is 100.

Additionally, it should be noted that where a range is given, every possible subrange or interval within that range is also specifically intended unless the context indicates to the contrary. For example, if the specification indicates a range of 25 to 100 such range is also intended to include subranges such as 26 -100, 27-100, etc., 25-99, 25-98, etc., as well as any other possible combination of lower and upper values within the stated range, e.g., 33-47, 60-

97, 41-45, 28-96, etc. Note that integer range values have been used in this paragraph for purposes of illustration only and decimal and fractional values (e.g., 46,7 - 91 ,3) should also be understood to be intended as possible subrange endpoints unless specifically excluded.

[0033] It should be noted that where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously

(except where context excludes that possibility), and the method can also include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all of the defined steps (except where context excludes that possibility).

[0034] Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claims.