Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An elongated pipe carrier in a blast hole drilling vehicle allows a drill pipe to be more easily connected and disconnected to a drill string in a hole being drilled at an angle. At the lower end of the carrier a receptacle with hydraulically operated doors is secured by a hydraulically operated lock. Near the upper end a gate is pneumatically operated in response to the hydraulic operation of the receptacle lock. Also disclosed are two methods, one for connecting the upper end of the pipe to a drill head, then unlocking and opening the doors of the receptacle, and then connecting a lower end of the pipe to the drill string while supporting the pipe at an angle on the open carrier. In the second method, the receptacle is closed, and is then locked around the lower end of the drill pipe, so that pawls inside the receptacle can block rotation of the pipe in one direction. The pipe is then disconnected from the drill head.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim