DESCRIPTION

The present patent concerns drilling machines and in particular it concerns a new type of handling vehicle for transporting, handling, loading and collecting drilling rods and/or pipes and/or tools and/or reinforcing pipes in general, in particular suited to serve one or more drilling machines.

Devices for handling, loading and collecting drilling rods are known, which are suited to serve one or more drilling machines during the operating steps.

Said devices comprise at least one articulated arm whose free end is provided with a means for holding the drilling tools.

Said devices are positioned in proximity to the drilling site and thus to the drilling machine and serve said machine: they grasp one rod/pipe at a time from an external container and load it on the machine; at the end of the drilling work, they collect the rods/pipes from the machine one at a time and put them back in the external container.

The patent document JP2713642 concerns a vehicle for feeding/collecting drilling rods for drilling machines, comprising a self-propelled frame, a manoeuvring cab, an articulated front arm with a handling unit for grasping a rod at its end, and a rod storage compartment, wherein said storage compartment is positioned at the front of the frame and accommodates the rods arranged horizontally.

Said vehicle is thus suited to transport the rod storage compartment to the drilling site and to serve the drilling machine.

Vehicles of this type require ample manoeuvring spaces, mainly due to the presence of the horizontal rod storage compartment, whose size depends on the length of the rods, and therefore they have extremely limited mobility and furthermore involve rather complex rod handling operations when it is necessary to easily and precisely load or collect said rods on/from the drilling machine. The subject of the present patent is a new type of handling vehicle for transporting and handling drilling rods/pipes and/or tools and/or reinforcement pipes in general, especially for loading/collecting said rods/pipes/tools on/from one or more drilling machines.

The main object of the present patent is to provide a handling vehicle with reduced overall dimensions and manoeuvring spaces.

It is another object of the present patent to provide a handling vehicle that can be placed at the side of the drilling machine, thus making it possible to work also in reduced spaces.

It is another object of the present patent to provide a handling vehicle that can adapt also to uneven and non-horizontal surfaces.

It is another object of the present patent to provide a handling vehicle whose structure can be adapted to the type, number, size and weight of the rods.

It is another object of the present patent to provide a handling vehicle that can handle reinforcement pipes in order to make it possible to lay the latter with no need to use traditional lifting means that require the site personnel to manoeuvre and guide said reinforcement pipes.

These and other direct and complementary objects are achieved by the new handling vehicle for transporting and handling, in general, drilling rods/pipes and/or tools and/or reinforcement pipes, especially for loading/collecting said rods/pipes/tools on/from one or more drilling machines and for additionally handling reinforcement pipes.

The new vehicle comprises, in its main parts:

• a self-propelled frame, for example provided with tracks and/or wheels,

• manoeuvring members, for example mounted on the operator's cab,

• at least one articulated arm, mounted for example at the front of said cab,

• at least one handling device mounted on said arm, wherein said handling device in turn comprises at least one holding means or clamp for at least one drilling rod/pipe/tool and/or reinforcement pipe,

• at least one storage compartment for one or more of said drilling rods/pipes/tools and/or reinforcement pipes,

• at least one arm for coupling said storage compartment to said vehicle, wherein said coupling arm allows said storage compartment to be coupled and uncoupled, to be lifted and lowered for the transporting operations and for positioning the storage compartment on the ground, and for handling said storage compartment in general in order to vary its orientation in space.

Said coupling arm is directly or indirectly hinged to said vehicle, for example to said frame or to the undercarriage, for example in the position opposite said articulated arm, and allows the selective and removable coupling of said at least one storage compartment.

Said storage compartment in turn comprises at least one container intended to carry drilling rods or pipes or tools in general, suited to contain a plurality of said rods or pipes coupled with corresponding jacket pipes or drilling screws or drilling tools in general, and at least one connection element for connection to said coupling arm. In greater detail, according to the invention the new vehicle comprises at least one storage compartment with a rod holding container for rods positioned vertically, inside which said rods are positioned so that they are orthogonal to the bottom of the container.

Said coupling arm of the vehicle can be connected to said storage compartment, lift it from the ground or lower it and position it on the ground. Once it has been positioned on the ground, the storage compartment can be released and the vehicle can handle said rods and pipes according to the need.

According to the invention, said storage compartment may comprise said rod holding container with variable inclination, inside which the rods are positioned vertically and are therefore orthogonal with respect to the bottom, and means suited to incline said container, for example hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders or mechanical/electromechanical means in general.

Said coupling arm mounted on the vehicle can thus be connected to said storage compartment of the type with variable inclination and lift it for the transport operations, wherein the steps of collecting or positioning a rod/pipe/tool are carried out with said storage compartment coupled to the vehicle.

During said steps, said container is inclined in order to facilitate the movements of the articulated arm and the handling device.

Said vehicle may comprise at least one storage compartment with fixed inclination, in which the rods are positioned horizontally, wherein said rods are positioned in said container parallel to the bottom of the container itself.

Inside said container, be it of the type where the rods are positioned vertically or of the type where the rods are positioned horizontally, said rods and said pipes can be located in separate compartments or can be positioned in combination, with the rods inserted in the corresponding jacket pipes.

Said handling device preferably comprises at least one rocker arm and preferably a plurality of articulated joints, wherein at least one articulated joint allows the handling device to rotate of an angle included at least between +90° and -90°, clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to said articulated arm of the vehicle. In this way, the vehicle can be positioned at the side of the drilling machine to be fed and can provide for feeding the rods laterally by simply shifting the arm and rotating the handling device towards the drilling machine.

Said handling device preferably comprises also at least one further articulated joint that allows the handling device to be rotated of an angle included at least between +180° and -180° on a plane orthogonal to said arm, in order to allow the rods to be held by the handling device and properly handled.

Said handling device preferably comprises also at least one further articulated joint suited to incline the rocker arm on which said one or more clamps are mounted forward and backward with respect to the arm, for example of an angle included between at least +15° and -15°, useful during the lateral feeding of the drilling machine in order to compensate for any misalignment and inclination of the worktable, but also during the operations of collecting/repositioning them from/into the storage compartment, with the container inclined correspondingly.

Said handling device also comprises at least one or preferably two or more holding means or clamps.

Said handling device is preferably modular, wherein the number of said clamps or holding means depends on the length and weight of the drilling rods/pipes/tools and/or reinforcement pipes to be handled.

The characteristics of the new handling vehicle are highlighted in greater detail in the following description with reference to the attached drawings, which are enclosed by way of non-limiting example.

Figure 1 shows a side view of the new handling vehicle (1), a storage compartment (2) of the type where the rods are positioned vertically and with variable inclination, a storage compartment (3) of the type where the rods are positioned vertically and with fixed inclination, a storage compartment (4) of the type where the rods are positioned horizontally and a storage compartment (5) of the type where the rods are positioned horizontally provided with means (51) for separating the subcompartments (52, 53).

Figure 2 shows a side view of the new handling vehicle (1), with a storage compartment (2) of the type where the rods are positioned vertically and with variable inclination, coupled to the vehicle (2) at the back of the latter, while Figure 2a shows said storage compartment (2) in an inclined position, during the step of collection/repositioning of the rods (A) or pipes (B) through said articulated arm (6) and said handling device (7).

Figure 3 shows a side view of the new handling vehicle (1), with a storage compartment (3) of the type where the rods are positioned vertically and with fixed inclination, positioned on the ground for the operations of collection/repositioning of the rods (A) or pipes (B). Figure 3a shows said new handling vehicle (1), with a storage compartment (3) of the type where the rods are positioned vertically and with fixed inclination, coupled and lifted during transport.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the new handling vehicle (1), with a storage compartment (4) of the type where the rods are positioned horizontally coupled to it. Figure 5 shows a side view of the new handling vehicle (1), with a storage compartment (5) of the type where the rods are positioned horizontally, with subcompartments (52, 53), wherein said storage compartment (5) rests on the ground for the operations of collection/repositioning of the rods (A) or the pipes (B).

Figures 4 and 5 also show a schematic view of the possible movement of the handling device (7) with respect to the articulated arm (6).

Figure 6 schematically shows the loading/collection procedure from a position at the side of the drilling machine (M), where it is possible to see the rotation of the handling device (7) of an angle (a) included between +90° and -90° on the horizontal plane.

Figure 7 shows only the handling device (7) with an indication of the possible movements. Figure 7a shows how the handling device (7) can also comprise three clamps (71, 72, 73), according to the size, weight and type of the rods and pipes (A, B).

The invention is a handling vehicle (1) for transporting and handling drilling rods (A) and/or pipes (B) and/or tools in general and/or additional reinforcement pipes, especially for loading/collecting said rods/pipes (A, B) on/from one or more drilling machines (M), wherein the latter do not belong to the present invention.

The new handling vehicle (1) comprises a self-propelled frame (11), for example provided with tracks (12) and/or wheels, and preferably a manoeuvring cab or station (13) for the operator.

According to the invention, said vehicle (1) is preferably of the type commonly used as a small excavator, also comprising at least one articulated arm (6), mounted for example on the front (14) of said cab (13) or said frame (11) in general, and wherein said frame (11) makes it possible to rotate said cab (13) and therefore also said articulated arm (6) around a vertical axis (Zo), meaning an axis that is orthogonal to the ground (S).

Said articulated arm (6) comprises, for example, a first portion (61) directly or indirectly constrained to said cab (13) and/or said frame (11) in general, and suited to perform a rotary movement on the vertical plane in order to vary its inclination with respect to the ground (S), and to perform a rotary movement around a vertical axis (Z), in order to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise on the horizontal plane. Said articulated arm (6) preferably comprises also a second portion (62) constrained to said first portion (61) through at least one hinge (63) with horizontal axis (Y) and orthogonal to said first portion (61), in such a way that said second portion (62) can rotate with respect to said first portion (61) on the vertical plane.

The new vehicle (1) comprises at least one handling device (7) hinged to the free end (64) of said arm (6), wherein said handling device (7) in turn comprises at least one holding means or clamp (71, 72, 73) for at least one drilling rod (A) and/or pipe (B) or member in general, at least one rocker arm (74) to which said at least one clamp (71, 72, 73) is constrained, constraining means (75, 76, 77, 78) suited to constrain said rocker arm (74) to said arm (6) and in particular to said free end (64) of said articulated arm (6).

Said constraining means (75, 76, 77, 78) preferably comprise a first constraining means (78) positioned on said end (64) of the articulated arm (6), which makes it possible to rotate said handling device (7) on the plane where the arm (6) lies, through a series of lever mechanisms (65, 66) present on the articulated arm (6). Said constraining means (75, 76, 77, 78) also comprise at least one first articulated joint (77) or hinge having a first rotation axis (Zl) lying on the plane of said articulated arm (6), suited to allow said rocker arm (74) to be rotated of an angle (a) included at least between +90° and -90°, clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to said arm (6), as schematically shown in Figure 6.

In this way the vehicle (1) can be positioned at the side of the drilling machine (M) to be fed and can provide for loading/collecting the rods/pipes (A, B) and/or the reinforcement pipes laterally by rotating the arm (6) laterally and rotating the handling device (7) with respect to said articulated arm (6) towards the drilling machine (M).

Said constraining means (75, 76, 77, 78) also comprise at least one second articulated joint (76) or hinge having a second rotation axis (XI) lying on the plane of said articulated arm (6) and orthogonal to said first axis (Zl), suited to allow the rotation of said rocker arm (74) of an angle included at least between +180° and - 180° on a plane orthogonal to said articulated arm (6) in order to provide for properly handling the rods/pipes (A, B) grasped by said clamps (71, 72, 73) of the handling device (7).

Said constraining means preferably comprise also at least one third articulated joint or hinge (75) having a third rotation axis (Yl) orthogonal to said first and second axis (Zl, XI), suited to oscillate the rocker arm (74) forward and backward with respect to the arm (6), for example of an angle included between at least +15° and - 15°, useful during the lateral feeding of the drilling machine in order to compensate for any misalignments and inclination of the worktable, or even during the steps of collecting/repositioning the rods/pipes (A, B) with the container with variable inclination correspondingly inclined (Figure 2a).

As schematically shown in Figures 7 and 7a, said handling device (7) preferably comprises at least two of said clamps (71, 72), for example to handle a rod (A) inserted in the corresponding jacket pipe (B).

In order to be able to adapt to the size/weight/type of object to be handled, said handling device (7) can be modular, meaning that it may comprise even three or more of said clamps (71, 72, 73).

The new handling vehicle (1) also comprises at least one storage compartment (2, 3, 4, 5) for one or more of said drilling rods (A) and/or pipes (B) and/or drilling tools in general and at least one arm for removably and selectively coupling said at least one storage compartment (2, 3, 4, 5), wherein said coupling arm (8) makes it possible to couple and uncouple said storage compartment (2, 3, 4, 5), to lift and lower it for the transport operations and for positioning it on the ground, and for handling it in general in order to vary its orientation in space.

Said coupling arm (8), for example, is directly or indirectly hinged with one end (81) to said frame (11) and/or to the undercarriage of the vehicle, for example preferably to the back (15) of said frame (11), and is suited to vary its inclination at least on the vertical plane, moving downwards and/or upwards.

Said coupling arm (8) comprises at its opposite free end (82) means (83) suited to be removably connected to said at least one storage compartment (2, 3, 4, 5).

Said storage compartment (2, 3, 4, 5) can be of the type where the rods/pipes (A, B) are positioned vertically or of the type where they are positioned horizontally, and can have fixed or variable inclination.

Said storage compartment (2, 3, 4, 5) comprises at least one container (91) suited to carry drilling rods or pipes (A, B) or tools in general, suited to contain a plurality of said rods (A) and/or of said pipes (B) and/or of rods (A) coupled with corresponding pipes (B) and/or of drilling screws or drilling tools in general. Said storage compartment (2, 3, 4, 5) also comprises at least one connection element (92) for connection to said coupling arm (8) mounted on said vehicle (1).

Said container (91) in turn comprises supporting means (93, 94) for said rods/pipes (A, B), like for example a bottom (93) and containment sides (94).

In the solution shown in Figures 2 and 2a, said storage compartment (2) is of the type where the rods/pipes (A, B) are positioned vertically, wherein said rods/pipes (A, B) are positioned inside said container (91) so that they are orthogonal to the bottom (93).

Said storage compartment (2) is of the type with variable inclination, meaning that it comprises also means (21) suited to incline said container (91) with respect to said connection element (92) and consequently with respect to said vehicle (1) to which it is coupled.

Said inclination means (21) comprise, for example, hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders or mechanical/electrical/electromechanical means in general.

Said coupling arm (8) of the vehicle (1) can thus be connected to said storage compartment (2) of the type with variable inclination and lift it for the transport operations, as shown in Figure 2, wherein the steps of collecting or repositioning a rod/pipe (A, B) are performed with said storage compartment (2) still coupled to the vehicle (1), rotating the cab (13) and said articulated arm (6) by 180° towards the back (15) of the frame and manoeuvring said articulated arm (6) and said handling device (7) as shown in Figure 2a.

During said collection or repositioning steps, the inclination of said container (91) is changed correspondingly in order to allow said rods/pipes (A, B) to be withdrawn/repositioned by means of said handling device (7).

In the solution shown in Figures 3 and 3a, said storage compartment (3) is of the type where the rods/pipes (A, B) are positioned vertically, wherein said rods/pipes (A, B) are positioned inside said container (91) so that they are orthogonal to the bottom (93).

Said storage compartment (3) is of the type with fixed inclination, meaning that said container (91) maintains its position with respect to said connection element (92). Said coupling arm (8) of the vehicle (1) can thus take hold of said storage compartment (3) of the type with fixed inclination and lift it for the transport operations, as shown in Figure 3a, wherein the steps of collection or repositioning of a rod/pipe (A, B) are performed with said storage compartment (3) released and positioned on the ground, as shown in Figure 3. Once said storage compartment (3) has been positioned on the ground, the handling device (7) and the articulated arm (6) of the vehicle (1) are manoeuvred to collect and/or reposition and/or handle said rods and pipes (A, B) in general.

In the solution shown in Figures 4 and 5, said storage compartment (4, 5) is of the type where the rods/pipes (A, B) are positioned horizontally, wherein said rods/pipes (A, B) are positioned inside said container (91) in such a way that they are parallel to the bottom (93).

Said storage compartment (4, 5) is of the type with fixed inclination, meaning that said container (91) maintains its position with respect to said connection element (92), while it can be variously positioned in space by handling it through said coupling arm (8).

Said coupling arm (8) of the vehicle (1) can thus take hold of said storage compartment (4, 5) of the type with fixed inclination, lift it for the transport operations, as shown in Figure 4, and lift/lower it and thus variously incline it in space in order to perform the steps of collection or repositioning of a rod/pipe (A, B) that are carried out with said storage compartment (4) preferably coupled to the vehicle (1), as shown in Figure 5.

Said storage compartment (4, 5) where the rods/pipes (A, B) are positioned horizontally may comprise one or more partitions (51) suited to divide the inside of said container (91) into several subcompartments (52, 53), for example in order to alternatively contain the rods (A) and/or the pipes (B).

In the case where the handling device is used to handle reinforcement pipes, these are generally stacked on the ground in horizontal position.

Therefore, with reference to the above description and the attached drawings, the following claims are expressed.