Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC

Caterpillar Inc.

Charles Taylor Hudson

Sunil I Mathew

Pradeep Chapagain

Prasana R

Richard James LaReau

Elangovan Umapathy

Rex Aaron Glover

Christopher J Demick

Yagneshwar Natarajan

John Francis Halterman

Gregory Scott

Yuvaraj Shanmugam

Michael J Kresca

Roberto Garcia

An auxiliary motivation system for a work machine may be provided where the work machine has a power source for powering a hydraulic system to hydraulically power a hydraulic motor of a drive system of the work machine. The auxiliary motivation system may include an auxiliary motivation device that includes an auxiliary power source and an auxiliary hydraulic system powered by the auxiliary power source. The auxiliary hydraulic system may be configured for fluid coupling to the hydraulic motor of the drive system of the work machine to drive the work machine in place of the hydraulic system on the work machine.

Auxiliary motivation system for work machines

A controller may receive sensor data from one or more sensor devices of the drilling machine. The sensor data indicates a vertical position of a drilling assembly of the drilling machine. The drilling assembly includes a drill string connected to a drill bit. The controller may determine, based on the sensor data, that the vertical position of the drilling assembly corresponds to a deck wrench engaging position. The controller may cause a deck wrench, of the drilling machine, to engage an engagement portion of the drill string based on determining that the vertical position of the drilling assembly corresponds to the deck wrench engaging position. The engagement portion of the drill string is adjacent to an end of the drill string connected to the drill bit.

Automatic deck wrench engagement for drilling machines

A hydraulic tensioning system is associated with a wire rope feed system of a drilling rig for applying tension to the hoist and pulldown ropes during hoist and pulldown operations. The hydraulic tensioning system includes a hydraulic tensioning circuit with a hoist hydraulic circuit directing hydraulic fluid to a hoist actuator applying tension to the hoist wire rope and a pulldown hydraulic circuit directing hydraulic fluid to a pulldown hydraulic actuator applying tension to a pulldown wire rope. A hydraulic control valve can selectively direct flow to the hoist and pulldown hydraulic circuits.

Rope tensioning system for drilling rig

A rotary drilling rig includes a vertical mast and a rotary head that can vertically move along the mast with respect to a work surface. To move the rotary head along the mast, a hydraulic feed actuator is connected with the rotary head via a wire rope feed system including a hoist rope and a pulldown rope. To maintain the hoist and pulldown ropes in tension and prevent them from dislodging from the respective pulleys of the wire rope system, the hoist and pulldown ropes can be connected to respective hoist and pulldown tensioning actuators. The hoist actuator can be associated with a hoist hydraulic circuit and the pulldown tensioning actuator can be associated with a separate pulldown hydraulic circuit.

A drilling machine is disclosed. The drilling machine may include a mast and a machine frame. The mast may include a mast frame, a movable drill head assembly, a first pivot aperture, and a plurality of first lock apertures each corresponding to a different drilling position of the mast. The machine frame may include an engine, a ground engaging assembly having an axle, and a mast coupling assembly having at least a pair of opposed legs, each leg including at least one plate. The at least one plate of each leg may include a second pivot aperture positioned to align with the first pivot aperture to pivotably couple the mast to each leg. The at least one plate may also include a second lock aperture positioned to align with each of the first lock apertures and receive a lock pin for locking the mast in a drilling position.

Mast coupling assembly for a mobile drilling machine

A mobile drilling machine may include a drilling mast having a mast frame, a movable drill motor assembly, and a pivot; a machine frame including front and back portions, an engine, a ground engaging assembly, and a coupling assembly including first and second side plates, where the mast is pivotably coupled at the pivot between the first and second side plates; at least one primary fluid cylinder coupled to the machine frame to apply a force to the mast at a position above the pivot along the mast to assist in moving the mast between a stowed position to a drilling position; and a secondary fluid cylinder coupled to the machine frame to apply a force to the mast at a position below the pivot along the mast to assist the at least one primary fluid cylinder when the mast is at a negative drilling angle.

Assist cylinder for negative angle drilling mast

A rotary head guide system for a mobile drilling machine is disclosed. The rotary head guide system may include a drilling mast including a mast frame having an opening along substantially an entire length of the mast frame. The mast frame may include edges forming flanges on each side of the opening. The flanges may extend along the length of the mast frame. Additionally, the rotary head guide system may include a rotary head movably coupled to the drilling mast by a support structure including at least two guide assemblies engaging the flanges.

Rotary head guide system for drilling machine

A platform based drill includes a drilling platform including a frame structure with first and second opposite ends, and first and second opposite sides. A mast supported on a pivotal connection to the drilling platform adjacent the first end of the frame structure and including an upper portion extending above the pivotal connection, and a lower portion extending below the pivotal connection. An adjusting mechanism permits the mast to be pivotally adjusted to a negative drilling angle whereby the upper portion of the mast leans in a direction extending away from the second end and toward the first end.

Platform based drill capable of negative angle drilling

A joint assembly includes a clamp member and a spacer plate. The clamp member includes a first jaw surface and a second jaw surface that define a gap therebetween. The spacer plate is connected to the clamp member such that the spacer plate is disposed within the gap between the first jaw surface and the second jaw surface. The spacer plate includes a body and a seal member. The body includes a perimeter. The seal member is connected to the body such that it is disposed adjacent the perimeter of the body. The seal member extends over a segment of the perimeter of the body. The seal member is in sealing engagement with the first jaw surface and the second jaw surface.

Space plate with seal for joint assembly

A spring seal for a joint assembly pivotally joining a lever arm to a machine frame includes an annular body having a W-shaped cross section. The W-shaped cross section includes a first cantilevered arm, a parallel and spaced apart second cantilevered arm, and a spring leg joining the first and second cantilevered arms. The spring seal is disposed between a bearing surface on the lever arm and a lug on the frame. The W-shaped cross section of the spring seal can collapse and relax to accommodate movement between the lever arm and the frame lug. A second spring seal can be disposed between a second bearing surface on the lever arm and a second frame lug opposite the first lug.

Seal for a joint assembly

A control system for actuating a drill pipe rack is provided. The drill pipe rack moves between a first position and a second position. The control system includes a first actuator to actuate a top end of the drill pipe rack and a second actuator to actuate a bottom end of the drill pipe rack. The control system includes a pump to supply pressurized fluid to the first actuator and the second actuator. The control system further includes at least one volumetric flow divider in fluid communication with the pump. The volumetric flow divider is configured to supply equal volumetric quantity of the pressurized fluid to the first actuator and the second actuator, and subsequently move the drill pipe rack between the first position and the second position.

Control system for actuating drill pipe rack

A seal member for a joint between a pivot member movable about a rotational axis of a shaft includes a ring, a flange, and a resiliently flexible intermediate portion interposed therebetween. The ring includes annular distal and proximal ring faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along a longitudinal axis. The flange includes a pair of flange faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along the longitudinal axis. The flange includes outer and inner flange surfaces extending along the longitudinal axis between the pair of flange faces at, respectively, outer and inner flange perimeters thereof. The intermediate portion has a ring end that circumscribes, and is connected to, an outer circumferential ring surface of the ring and a flange end that is connected to the inner flange surface of the flange such that the ring is relatively movable with respect to the flange.

Seal member for joint of machine

A seal member for a joint between a pivot member movable about a rotational axis of a shaft includes a ring, a flange, and a resiliently flexible intermediate portion interposed therebetween. The ring includes annular distal and proximal ring faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along a longitudinal axis. The flange includes a pair of flange faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along the longitudinal axis. The flange includes outer and inner flange surfaces extending along the longitudinal axis between the pair of flange faces at, respectively, outer and inner flange perimeters thereof. The intermediate portion is connected to the proximal ring face of the ring and to the inner circumferential flange surface of the flange such that the ring is relatively movable with respect to the flange.

Seal member for joint of machine and method of assembling same

A self-adjusting seal for sealing a joint. The joint includes a support member, a mis-alignable component, and a changeable gap between the support member and the mis-alignable component. The seal includes a first part having a generally annular configuration formed of a resiliently crushable material and defining a planar outer seal face to statically seal to the support member and a first seal part opening extending therethrough. A second seal part axially adjoins the first part. The second seal part has a generally annular configuration formed of a rigid material and a second seal part opening extending therethrough in axial alignment with the first seal part opening. The first and second seal part openings define a non-rotation feature to prevent rotation of the seal on the support member, the second seal part defining a planer inner seal face configured to dynamically and sealingly interface with the mis-alignable component.

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Sherman, TX, United States of America

Charles Taylor Hudson