The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 25, 2025
Filed:
Apr. 16, 2024
Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment Llc, Denison, TX (US);
John Francis Halterman, Sherman, TX (US);
Yagneshwar Natarajan, Chennai, IN;
Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC, Denison, TX (US);
Abstract
During drilling operations by a drilling rig, drill bits may need to be changed, which can lead to inefficiency. Thus, a process is disclosed for automatically changing drill bits. The process utilizes the existing ability of the drill to tilt. In particular, a magazine may be provided that comprise a plurality of drill-bit pockets arranged in at least one column. Each of the drill-bit pockets within one column holds a drill bit at a different angle within the range of angles at which the drill is able to tilt. The process may control the angle of the drill to align with the angle of any one of the drill-bit pockets, and operate a drill string to release a drill bit into, or engage a drill bit within, that drill-bit pocket. Also, the magazine may comprise two or more columns, in which case, the magazine may be configured to slide laterally.