Core Drilling Components and Methods

Abstract

The present invention provides a drilling tower having a rod handling tower allowing for the retrieval of rods from a rod rack system in an automated manner. The present invention also provides a method to deliver and install a core drilling platform in a remote area and its removal by air. The present invention also provides a cold box assembly for the storage of core drilling samples.

1 . A drilling tower comprising:
 a. a central structure having a main tower;   b. a rod handling tower for retrieving a rod from a rod rack system and positioning the rod within the main tower for drilling a core in the ground; and   c. displacement means allowing for the rod handling tower to be displaced from the central structure to the rod rack system;
 wherein the rod handling tower can remove or add rods during the operation of the drilling tower. 
   
     
     
         2 . A rod rack system for storing rods comprising:
 a. a structural frame to support one or more rods;   b. one or more control wheels for transferring a rod from the structural frame to a rod handling tower to the structural frame;   c. retrieval arms positioned underneath the one or more control wheels for transferring a rod from the rod handling tower to the structural frame; and   d. one or more rod displacement controls to move one or more rods from one end of the structural frame to the one or more control wheels.   
     
     
         3 . A chuck system comprising:
 a. a housing engaged to a gear box;   b. a cylindrical bowl operatively connected to the housing by biasing means;   c. at least two cartridges with a sloping inner surface attached to the cylindrical bowl;   d. at least two jaws with a sloping outer surface operatively engaged with the at least two cartridges by means of a plurality of securing members to manipulate a drill rod;   e. an actuator sleeve fastened to the cylindrical bowl by means of connecting rods;   f. a piston operatively coupled to the actuator sleeve by means of a bearing to provide vertical movement to the actuator sleeve;
 wherein the vertical movement of the piston engenders a corresponding horizontal movement from the jaws to manipulate the drill rod. 
   
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled)