Drilling tool replacement apparatus

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a drilling tool replacement apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a drilling tool holder adapted to receive one or more drilling tools; a drilling tool lifter adapted to move a drilling tool between a first position and an elevated orientation; and a transfer apparatus adapted to transfer a drilling tool from the drilling tool holder to the drilling tool lifter.

1 . A drilling tool replacement apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a drilling tool holder adapted to receive one or more drilling tools;   a drilling tool lifter adapted to move a drilling tool between a first position and an elevated orientation; and   a transfer apparatus adapted to transfer a drilling tool from the drilling tool holder to the drilling tool lifter.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drilling tool handling apparatus is mounted to a drill platform of a mobile drill unit. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first position is substantially horizontal to the drilling platform. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the elevated position is substantially parallel to the drill mast. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more drilling tools are received substantially horizontally in the drilling tool holder. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drilling tool holder is provided with one of more drilling tool compartments. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drilling tool lifter comprises a drilling tool retaining portion adapted to receive a drilling tool. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drilling tool lifter comprises a lifting arm coupled to the drilling tool retaining portion. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the lifting arm is adapted to move the drilling tool retaining portion between a horizontal position and an elevated orientation. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drilling tool retaining portion has a lower end and an upper end. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the lower end is hingedly engaged with the drill platform. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drilling tool lifter further comprises a locating arrangement. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the locating arrangement comprises a locating bucket adapted to receive and retain a drilling tool. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drilling tool lifter is adapted to further receive a drill rod. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the drilling tool retaining portion is adapted to receive the drill rod. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the drilling tool retaining portion receives and positions the drill rod directly behind the drilling tool. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according  claim 14 , wherein the drilling tool lifter further comprises one or more rod rotators adapted to facilitate the coupling/decoupling of a drill rod to a drilling tool. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the transfer apparatus is adapted to releasably engage with a drilling tool. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the transfer apparatus is adapted to lift a drilling tool out of the drilling tool holder. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the transfer apparatus is provided with one or more engagement means adapted to couple with the drilling tool. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein two or more drilling tool compartments are provided in the drilling tool holder and the drilling tool lifter may engage with drilling tools in either compartment. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , the apparatus being adapted to remove a drilling tool from a drill string and replace it with another drilling tool. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the replacement of the drilling tool by the drilling tool replacement apparatus is fully automatic. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the replacement of the drilling tool by the drilling tool replacement apparatus can be completed autonomously. 
     
     
         25 . A method of drilling, the method comprises operation of a drilling unit having a drilling tool replacement apparatus as described above mounted thereon for the addition and/or removal of drilling tools. 
     
     
         26 . A method of replacing a drilling tool, the method comprises the use of a drilling tool replacement apparatus as described above to replace the drilling tool.