Decoupling wrench for unlocking drill bits, system for replacing drill bits, and method for replacing drill bits
A device for unlocking bits from a drill, the drill comprising an articulated drill string with a percussion hammer that receives bits at its end, the device for bit unlocking comprising a decoupling wrench which is mounted on the drill and being movable between an extended position, in which the decoupling wrench is aligned with a drill hole of the pivotable drill string, and between a retracted position, in which the decoupling wrench is away from the pivotable drill string, wherein the decoupling wrench comprises: a central slot for receiving the bit coupled to the percussion hammer, and a wide range of recesses located on the inner surface of the central slot, wherein the recesses are arranged to accommodate protrusions of the bit of the percussion hammer and prevent rotational movement of the bit when the bit is accommodated in the decoupling wrench.
1. A system for replacing bits of a drill, the drill comprising a pivotable drill string with a percussion hammer receiving the bits at an end, comprising:
a decoupling wrench mounted on the percussion hammer, the decoupling wrench being movable between an extended position, in which the decoupling wrench is aligned with a drill hole of the pivotable drill string, and between a retracted position, in which the decoupling wrench is spaced away from the pivotable drill string, the decoupling wrench comprising:
a central slot to receive the bit coupled to the percussion hammer, and
a plurality of recesses located on an inner surface of the central slot, wherein the recesses are arranged to accommodate protrusions of the percussion hammer bit and prevent rotational movement of the bit when the bit is accommodated in the decoupling wrench;
a coupling wrench set up to apply torque to the percussion hammer when the bit is positioned in the decoupling wrench; and
a bit storage device comprising:
a bit cradle carriage set up to move on rail to align with the percussion hammer;
a bit housing comprising a wide range of receptacles connected by a shaft; and
a drilling control device of the drill set up to actuate the decoupling wrench, the bit storage device, the coupling wrench and the percussion hammer.
2. The system for replacing drill bits according to claim 1 , wherein the drilling control device of the drill is set up to hydraulically actuate the decoupling wrench, the bit storage device, the coupling wrench and the percussion hammer.
3. The system for replacing drill bits according to claim 1 , further comprising position sensors;
wherein the bit cradle carriage is positioned on a longitudinal locomotion mechanism to move the bit cradle carriage laterally to align with the percussion hammer;
wherein the bit cradle carriage has a tilting mechanism for tilting and aligning the bit cradle carriage with the drill string.
4. The system for replacing drill bits according to claim 1 , wherein the bit housing comprises five receptacles.
5. The system for replacing drill bits according to claim 1 , wherein the receptacles have a cylindrical shape.
6. The system for replacing drill bits according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of anti-rotation locks in the receptacles to prevent the bit from being rotated within the receptacle when the percussion hammer is rotated.
7. A method for replacing bits of a drill, the drill comprising a pivotable drill string with a percussion hammer receiving the bits at an end, comprising:
positioning the percussion hammer bit in a decoupling wrench for unlocking bits;
unlocking the percussion hammer bit by rotating the percussion hammer in a first direction;
moving the percussion hammer with the bit unlocked in a receptacle, wherein the receptacle comprises one or more anti-rotation locks for locking a rotational movement of the bit, wherein moving the percussion hammer comprises repositioning the drill string in a replacement orientation and extending the drill string toward a receptacle;
rotating the percussion hammer in a second direction, opposite to the first direction to disconnect the unlocked bit inside the receptacle;
connecting a spare bit to the percussion hammer;
tilting a bit housing to a replacement orientation; and
aligning an empty bit housing receptacle with the drill string in its replacement orientation via position sensors.
8. The method for replacing the bits of the drill according to claim 7 , wherein rotating the percussion hammer in a second direction, opposite to the first direction to disconnect the unlocked bit inside the receptacle, comprises:
positioning the bit in the anti-rotation locks on the receptacle to prevent the bit from being rotated within the receptacle when the percussion hammer is rotated.
9. The method for replacing the bits of the drill according to claim 7 , wherein connecting the spare bit to the percussion hammer comprises:
positioning the bit in the anti-rotation locks on the receptacle to prevent the bit from being rotated within the receptacle when the percussion hammer is rotated; and
rotating the percussion hammer in a second direction, opposite to the first direction in the receptacle comprising the spare bit to install the spare bit in the percussion hammer.