U.S. patent application number 12/930004 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-16 for drilling platform.
Invention is credited to Alistair Ross Reed.
Application Number | 20110139043 12/930004 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41443896 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110139043 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reed; Alistair Ross |
June 16, 2011 |
Drilling platform
Abstract
A supporting structure for geological sample drilling equipment
having a minimal environmental footprint is disclosed. The
structure consists of a platform on which drilling equipment can be
positioned, and a plurality of legs extending from the platform to
the ground. The legs are of variable length, which allows the
platform to be set horizontally even on uneven ground. The platform
includes a rotatable portion so that the drilling equipment can be
easily rotated to a desired orientation.
Inventors: |
Reed; Alistair Ross; (Acton
Park, AU) |
Family ID: |
41443896 |
Appl. No.: |
12/930004 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12079454 |
Mar 27, 2008 |
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12930004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
108/139 ;
108/144.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02B 2017/0082 20130101;
E02B 2017/0056 20130101; E21B 15/006 20130101; E02B 2017/0043
20130101; E21B 7/024 20130101; E02B 17/021 20130101; E02B 17/0809
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/139 ;
108/144.11 |
International
Class: |
E21B 15/00 20060101
E21B015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 23, 2008 |
AU |
2008903188 |
Jun 22, 2009 |
AU |
PCT/AU2009/000792 |
Claims
1. A supporting structure for geological sample drilling equipment,
the structure comprising a platform on which geological sample
drilling equipment can be positioned, and a plurality of legs, at
least some of which are of variable length, which support the
platform above the ground, in use.
2. A supporting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of
the legs is of variable length.
3. A supporting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
platform of the supporting rig includes a rotatable portion on
which the drilling equipment may be positioned, the rotatable
portion being able to rotate relative to the position of the
legs.
4. A supporting structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
rotatable portion rotates about an axis substantially parallel to
an elongate direction of the legs.
5. A supporting structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
platform has two parts, an annular fixed portion and a circular
rotatable portion, located centrally within the annular
portion.
6. A supporting structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
annular fixed portion is comprised of a plurality of independently
removable sections.
7. A supporting structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
supporting structure includes a substantially circular force
transferring ring, on which the legs and annular portion are fixed
and which supports the rotatable portion.
8. A supporting structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein the force
transferring ring includes a track in which supporting rollers for
the rotatable portion are located.
9. A supporting structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
rotatable portion includes releasable fixing means, such that when
the fixing means is in a first position the rotatable portion is
able to rotate relative to the fixed portion, and when the fixing
means is in a second position the rotatable portion is restricted
from rotation relative to the fixing means.
10. A supporting structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein each leg
of variable length has more than one mechanism for varying its
length.
11. A supporting structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the legs
are modular, and are formed from a plurality of modules arranged to
be coupled together in order to change the leg length by a discrete
amount.
12. A supporting structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the legs
include a continuously variable adjustment means.
13. A supporting structure as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
continuously variable adjustment means comprises feet which can be
extended from or withdrawn in to the legs by hydraulic control.
14. A method of locating geological sample drilling equipment for
use, the method including the steps of providing a supporting
structure for the drilling equipment, the structure comprising a
platform having a rotatable portion on which the drill rig can be
positioned, and a plurality of legs, each of variable length, which
support the platform above the ground; positioning a drill rig on
the rotatable portion, and rotating the portion such that the drill
rig is oriented in a desired direction.
15. A method of locating geological sample drilling equipment as
claimed in claim 14, where the structure is provided by positioning
feet of the platform legs at desired locations, adjusting the
length of the legs to desired heights and then installing the
rotating portion of the platform atop the legs.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application claims priority from AU Patent Application
No.: 2008903188, filed Jun. 23, 2008 and PCT/AU2009/000792 filed
Jun. 22, 2009, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety
by reference thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a platform on which
machinery and other apparatuses can be operated. The invention has
particular application as a platform on which geological sample
drilling equipment can be located and operated. The invention is
envisaged for use on land (as opposed to in the ocean),
particularly in environmentally sensitive terrain.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Mineral exploration often requires the use of drilling
equipment to extract core samples. This drilling equipment must be
carefully positioned, in order for a quality sample to be
obtained.
[0006] Generally, the drilling equipment, such as a drill rig, must
be located on substantially flat terrain. This means that earth
moving equipment must often be utilised to clear and level a space
for the drill rig before it can be deployed. In addition, it may be
necessary for a drill rig to be oriented in a number of directions
(azimuths) in order that samples can be collected by drilling in a
required orientation. The amount of cleared and levelled space must
be sufficient to allow both reorientations, by manual or mechanical
means, and operation of the drill rig. Typically, drilling
operations at a single site will require clearing of about 30
m.sup.2. Of course, samples will typically be taken at a number of
sites in a particular area, and thus the total amount of clearing
required will be several times this figure.
[0007] In an environmentally sensitive location, this degree of
clearing is highly undesirable. In some cases, the degree of
environmental sensitivity may mean that drilling can not be
undertaken at all. In other cases, the problems of clearing land
for drilling can require such additional regulation and oversight
as to greatly impinge on the profitability of the exploration being
undertaken.
[0008] The present invention seeks to provide a means by which
drilling can be undertaken with a reduced environmental impact or
`footprint`. Other advantages and uses of the invention will become
apparent from the following description.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention
there is provided a supporting structure for geological sample
drilling equipment, the structure comprising a platform on which
geological sample drilling equipment can be positioned, and a
plurality of legs, at least some of which are variable length,
which support the platform above the ground, in use.
Advantageously, this means that the drilling equipment can be
located above the ground, thus obviating or at least reducing the
need for ground disturbance and vegetation clearance beneath the
drilling equipment. Preferably, all of the legs are independently
variable in length.
[0010] When used on sloping or irregular terrain, the supporting
structure might be most stably positioned in a particular angular
configuration determined by the ground conditions. This angular
configuration may not correlate to a desired angle for drilling. In
a further aspect, the platform of the supporting rig includes a
rotatable portion on which the drilling equipment may be
positioned, the rotatable portion being able to rotate relative to
the position of the legs. Preferably, the rotatable portion rotates
about an axis substantially parallel to an elongate direction of
the legs, that is, about a substantially vertical axis in use. This
allows the drill rig to be angularly positioned (aligned)
independently of the positioning of the supporting structure legs.
The legs may thus be located to provide maximum stability to the
platform, with the precise orientation of the drilling equipment to
be determined by rotation of the rotatable portion of the platform.
Further, drilling may occur at a number of locations about the
supporting structure periphery, without the need for relocation of
the legs.
[0011] Each leg may have more than one mechanism for varying its
length. The legs may be modular, and be formed from a plurality of
modules arranged to be coupled together in order to change the leg
length by a discrete amount. Additionally, the legs may include a
continuously variable adjustment means, such as feet which can be
extended from or withdrawn into the legs by suitable means, such as
hydraulic control. This allows the modules to be used to
approximate the required leg length, and the adjustment means to be
used for `fine tuning` to provide the precise length required. In
one embodiment of the invention, the leg modules are cylindrical
sections including flanges at either end to allow coupling to
adjacent modules. In an alternative embodiment, the legs may
include a plurality of telescoping members.
[0012] Preferably, the platform has two parts, an annular fixed
portion and a circular rotatable portion, located centrally within
the annular portion. The annular fixed portion may be comprised in
part by a plurality of independently removable sections. This
allows a section to be removed to permit the use of drilling or
other equipment between any removed section. The nature of the
annular section allows flexibility of annulus size dependent on the
level of confinement on a particular site.
[0013] In a preferred form, the supporting structure includes a
substantially circular force transferring ring, on which the legs
and annular portion are fixed and which supports the rotatable
portion. The force transferring ring may include a track in which
supporting rollers for the rotatable portion are located.
[0014] The rotatable portion may include releasable fixing means,
such that when the fixing means is in a first position the
rotatable portion is able to rotate relative to the fixed portion,
and when the fixing means is in a second position the rotatable
portion is restricted from rotation relative to the fixing
means.
[0015] The supporting structure is preferably formed from a
plurality of parts which may be connected by suitable means, such
as bolting, whereby each of the parts can be carried manually. It
is envisaged that the structure may be assembled on-site.
[0016] It will be appreciated that the supporting structure can
additionally provide a stable, horizontal and directionally
variable mounting platform for other machinery, including operating
as a fixed platform for landing helicopters. In accordance with
another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
supporting structure for apparatus, the structure comprising a
platform, and a plurality of legs, each of variable length, which
support the platform above the ground, wherein the platform
includes a rotatable portion on which the apparatus may be
positioned, the rotatable portion being able to rotate relative to
the position of the legs. The apparatus may, for instance, be
geological sample drilling equipment, or it may be a
helicopter.
[0017] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there
is provided a method of locating geological sample drilling
equipment for use, the method including the steps of providing a
supporting structure for the drilling equipment, the structure
comprising a platform having a rotatable portion on which the
drilling equipment can be positioned, and a plurality of legs, each
of variable length, which support the platform above the ground,
locating the supporting structure such that the legs support the
platform, positioning the drilling equipment on the rotatable
portion, and rotating the portion such that the drilling equipment
is oriented in a desired direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with
reference to preferred embodiments of the supporting structure of
the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and
consequently, the particularity of the following discussion is not
to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding
description of the invention. In the drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective of a drilling equipment
supporting structure in accordance with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a lower perspective of the drilling equipment
supporting structure of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side view of the drilling equipment supporting
structure of FIG. 1; and
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective of a supporting framework for a
rotatable portion of a platform within the supporting structure of
FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a supporting structure 10 which is
arranged to support geological sample drilling equipment (not
shown). The supporting structure 10 includes a circular platform 12
which is supported by four legs 14. The legs 14 are evenly spaced
around a periphery of the platform 12.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the key structural
element of the supporting structure 10 is a substantially circular
force transferring ring 16. In the embodiment of the drawings, the
ring 16 is formed by two circular C-channel members, an inner
member 18 having the channel opening inwardly with the web defining
an outer diameter, and an outer member 20 having the channel
opening outwardly, with the web defining an inner diameter. The
respective webs of the inner and outer members 18, 20 are joined by
suitable means such as bolts.
[0025] Each of the legs 14 is formed from a plurality of
cylindrical modules 22. Each of the modules 22 has an upper flange
and a lower flange, allowing adjacent modules to be bolted to each
other. The length of the legs 14 can thus be determined by the
number and size of modules used to form leg 14. An upper module 22a
of each leg 14 is fixed to the ring 16. A lower module 22b of each
leg 14 has a foot 24 extending outwardly there from.
[0026] Each foot 24 is mounted on a shaft 26 which is arranged to
move under hydraulic power into or out of the respective lower
module 22b. The effective length of the shaft 26 can thus be
readily adjusted.
[0027] The platform 12 has two parts, a circular rotatable portion
30 and a fixed annular portion 32.
[0028] The circular rotatable portion 30 includes a level surface
34 which is supported by a framework 36. The framework 36, best
seen in FIG. 4, includes a plurality of roller couplings 38 spaced
about its circumference. The roller couplings 38 are arranged to
receive rollers (not shown), which locate with a track defined by
the ring 16 and permit rotation of the circular rotatable portion
with respect to the ring 16.
[0029] The circular rotatable portion 30 also includes a releasable
fixing means in the form of a plurality of brakes 40. The brakes 40
are mounted to the framework 36, and are selectively operable with
the ring 16. When the brakes 40 are engaged with the ring 16, the
circular portion 30 is restricted from rotating relative to the
ring 16 and the legs 14. When the brakes 40 are not engaged with
the ring 16, the circular portion can freely rotate relative to the
ring 16.
[0030] The fixed annular portion 32 includes a level surface 50
which is co-planar with the level surface 34 of the rotatable
portion 30, and which extends around the rotatable portion 30. The
level surface 50 is secured to the ring 16 by means of a supporting
framework 52. The supporting framework 52 includes a plurality of
radial supports 54, with adjacent radial supports 54 connected by
an outer connecting member 56. A level surface 50 is formed from a
number of interlocking sections, with each portion of the level
surface 50 being supported between adjacent radial supports 54 by a
single connecting member 56. It is thus possible to remove a single
section of the level surface 50 without affecting the remainder of
the level surface 50.
[0031] In the embodiment of the drawings, each section corresponds
to a 45.degree. curvature of the annular portion 32. In use, the
supporting platform 10 may be assembled on site. Each of the
components described above is formed from readily connectable
parts, each of which can be carried manually.
In order to carry out a drilling operation at a desired site, an
assessment is first made of the site in order to choose the most
appropriate locations for the feet 24 to be firmly supported. Once
these locations are determined, the legs 14 are each constructed
such that the ring 16 connecting their upper modules 22a is
substantially horizontal. This will require choosing a suitable
type and number of modules 22 for each leg 14. In order to make the
platform 12 perfectly horizontal, some hydraulic adjustment of each
foot 24 within its lower module 22b may be required.
[0032] The platform 12 can then be assembled onto the ring 16, and
drilling equipment placed upon the circular rotatable portion
30.
The rotatable portion 30 is then rotated to bring the drilling
equipment to its desired angular position. This will involve the
drilling equipment being directed to drill ostensibly through the
fixed annular portion 32. In order to allow drilling to proceed,
the relevant section of the annular portion 32 can be removed.
Where drilling is required within the radius of the ring 16, a
portion of the circular rotatable portion 30 may be similarly
removed.
[0033] Prior to drilling the brakes 40 may be engaged, to ensure
that the platform 12 remains rigid.
[0034] When drilling at that location has been completed, the
section of the annular portion 32 can be replaced, and the brakes
disengaged. The rotatable portion 30 can then be rotated to bring
the drill to another desired angular location, and the above
process repeated.
[0035] It will be appreciated that drilling can therefore take
place with the drilling equipment supported sufficiently highly
from the ground that the only impact to the environment, other than
where the drill is penetrating the ground, is beneath the feet 24.
It is envisaged that this will reduce the local ground disturbing
footprint from within the order of 30 m.sup.2 to within the order
of 1 m.sup.2.
[0036] It will be appreciated that although the supporting
structure has been described for use in relation to drilling, it
may have other valuable uses. For instance, it may provide a
landing site for a helicopter which is both safer and has a smaller
environmental impact than landing pads currently in use. Other uses
and advantages will be apparent to a skilled user.
Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled
addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *