DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to rod underpinning mechanisms used in rotation drilling rigs.

The invention particularly relates to a durable, smoothly functioning rod underpinning mechanism that saves on labor force and time.

Prior Art

The first oil drilling operation using percussion drilling technique was performed in France in 1794. The first core drilling machine was constructed by a Swiss engineer in 1864 and the first core drilling machine propounding the operating principle of the modern drilling rigs, on the other hand, was constructed by Swedish mine engineer Craelius in 1885. After Craelius, the percussion drilling method was gradually abandoned, replaced by rotary drilling.

The drilling rig can be defined as the drilling equipment in simple structure mounted on a skid truck or crawler. At large drilling equipment, the functions executed individually by the machines are combined at the drilling rigs, thus enabling the possibility to perform the same by a single machine. These rigs are generally used for drilling shallow boreholes. At rotary drilling equipment, the rotary table is replaced by rotary heads at the drilling rigs. The drilling rigs are mostly used for ground investigation, mining exploration and water well drilling purposes. Drilling rigs are categorized in three groups depending on the drilling method: Rotary drilling rigs, percussion machines, and combined drilling rigs.

During the drilling operation, the drilling is performed by connecting the rods to each other. After introducing each rod to drilling operation, the rods are taken by lifting and passing over the rods through underpinning or they are replaced. However, problems occur when a complete centering and pass over cannot be performed in underpinning of the rods. When performing drilling operations, in order to remove and side shift the rods, the rods are passed over the rotation unit and then side shifted and removed. However, this operation is a challenging operation and might require long time. In this case, the drilling time is extended, thus increasing the cost of the drilling operation. Again in case of underpinning the rods on the drilling rigs and bringing them to positions such as centering, passing over, etc., probable mechanical malfunctions might cause setbacks in the drilling operation. In this case, the drilling operation costs increase depending on the time consumed. Moreover, challenges are also encountered in position adjustment of the rods with different pipe diameters. Therefore, a solution where no problems are encountered as regards to the change in diameter is required.

Therefore, a solution that enables underpinning of the rods and facilitating positions such as passing over, centering, etc., which is durable, easy to use and easily applicable by the operator, is necessary.

Objects of the Invention

Based on the prior art, the object of the invention is to develop a rod underpinning mechanism with which the disadvantages in the available embodiments are eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to underpin the rods through rollers with different lifting levels installed underneath the rod kicker panel in order to bring the rod to desired position. Another object of the invention is to perform the operation at desired rod position by lifting the rod by means of the roller consecutively by the medium level roller lifting mechanism in the center part of the rod kicker panel and the lifting mechanisms at terminal points.

Another object of the invention is, when the rods on the rod kicker panel on the drilling rig are passed over the rotation unit and side shifted, the rollers lift the rod kicker panel gradually until the desired position is achieved. Another object of the invention is, when the rods on the rod kicker panel are centered for drilling purposes, the rollers underneath the rod kicker panel are lifted to the position for centering to the rotation unit.

In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, a rod underpinning mechanism formed from multistage rollers has been developed.

Description of the Figures

Figure-1 is the view illustrating the rod pass over position in a representative embodiment of the invention.

Figure-2 is the view illustrating the rod centering position in a representative embodiment of the invention.

Figure-3 is the view illustrating the rod lowest stage position in a representative embodiment of the invention.

Figure-4 is the detail view illustrating the rod underpinning mechanism in a representative embodiment of the invention.

Figure-5 is the view illustrating the rod pass over position on the drilling rig in a representative embodiment of the invention.

Figure-6 is the view illustrating the rod centering position on the drilling rig in a representative embodiment of the invention.

Figure-7 is the view illustrating the rod lowest stage position on the drilling rig in a representative embodiment of the invention. Figure-8 is the view illustrating the hydraulic diagram in a representative embodiment of the invention.

Reference Numbers

Detailed Description of the Invention The rod underpinning mechanism (1) of the invention is formed by rod kicker lifting elements (3) positioned under the rod kicker panel (2). It is ensured that the rod element (5) located on the rod kicker panel (2) is brought to pass over, centering and lowest stage positions. There are mechanism rod kicker connection (13), lifting arm (12), stage 1 roller (8) and stage 2 roller (9) linked with the rod kicker panel (2). The roller extension end (10) enables adjustment in compliance with the rod elements (5) in different diameters by extending its length in a screwed manner. The central part roller (11) located at the center of the rod kicker panel (2) enables simultaneous lifting of the central section over the lifting arm (12).

When the rod element (5) is brought to pass over position on the rotation unit (6), it is ensured that the rod element is shifted downwards and removed over the cover plate (7). The rod element (5) is brought to centering position in order to center the same on the rotation unit (6). The centering position is adjusted depending on the diameter of the rod element (5).

The position of the rod element (5) is adjusted by using the stage 1 roller (8) and stage 2 roller (9). However, the central part roller (11) in the central part performs lifting operation as proportional and concurrent with the end sections. The central part roller (11) can be adjusted precisely for lifting condition and the positions through configurations such as stage 1 roller (8) and stage 2 roller (9) lifting proportions control unit.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises minimum one rod kicker lifting element (3) formed in the bottom part of the rod kicker panel (2), minimum one mechanism rod kicker connection ( 3) and lifting arm (12) where the rod kicker lifting elements (3) are linked with the rod kicker panel (2), and rod kicker lifting elements (3) formed with stage 1 roller (8) and stage 2 roller (9) positioned in the rod kicker panel (2) end point.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises rod kicker lifting element (3) in the central part of the rod kicker panel (2) formed with the central part roller (11) which enables proportional lifting of the central part, and minimum one roller extension end (10) on said stage 1 roller (8), stage 2 roller (9) and central part roller (11) which enables adjustment of the position of the rod kicker panel (2) depending on the diameter of the rod element (5). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rod kicker panel (2) is lifted and brought to pass over position on the rotation unit (6) with the central part roller (11) functioning simultaneously with the stage 1 roller (8) and stage 2 roller (9).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rod kicker panel (2) is brought to a position in such manner to center the rod element (5) on the rotation unit (6) with the central part roller (11) functioning simultaneously with the stage 1 roller (8) and stage 2 roller (9). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rod kicker panel (2) is brought to lowest stage position towards the bottom of the rotation unit (6) depending on the diameter of the rod element (5), with the central part roller (11) functioning simultaneously with the stage 1 roller (8) and stage 2 roller (9).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the centering position is set depending on the rotation unit (6) of the rod kicker panel (2) and the diameter of the rod element (5) to which the central part roller (11), which functions simultaneously with the stage 1 roller (8) and the stage 2 roller (9) that function in the form of push and pull by protracting and retracting the length, is linked.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises minimum one rod kicker lifting element (3) formed in the bottom section of the rod kicker panel (2) adjusted in such manner to open and close together with the telescopic rig without requiring further operation, minimum one mechanism rod kicker connection (13) and lifting arm (12) where the rod kicker lifting elements (3) are linked with the rod kicker panel (2), and/or stage 1 roller (8), stage 2 roller (9) and central part roller (11) which can be controlled by means of a single 3-way hydraulic direction valve.

Advantages provided are as follows:

> A durable rod underpinning mechanism (1) that does not get affected by diameter changes of the rod element (5) has been developed precisely.

> The drilling operations are performed swiftly and thread abrasion of the rods (5) are prevented by bringing the rod elements (5) into centering and lowest stage positions in a fast manner. In this manner, savings on operating expenses are achieved.

> By positioning the rod elements (5) swiftly in the desired position during drilling operation in drilling rigs, such operations are performed in automated manner without further need for any labor, thus saving on labor force.

The possibility of a successful drilling operation has been improved by virtue of automatic adjustment and underpinning of the rod element (5) position. > An economical and practical solution has been developed.

> As all such operations are controlled by a 3-way hydraulic valve, and so its use is extremely simple.

> Access to hazardous rotary parts is completely prevented by virtue of the mechanism; thus, more secure and sound working environment has been achieved.