Key information

Title: Method, system and device for drilling a long longitudinal hole in a piece of wood/timber
Application number: 20170409
Case type: National
Status: 12.05.2019 P.g.a. manglende svar. Søker har ikke begjært gjenopptakelse
Filed: 17.03.2017
Effective date: 17.03.2017
Publicly available: 18.09.2018
Applicant: Aanesland Fabrikker AS (NO)
Inventor: Gunnar Adolf Aanesland (NO) et al.
Agent: ZACCO NORWAY AS (NO)

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.

Device, system and method for drilling a longitudinal hole in a log comprising a drill string assembly, a rotating means assembly, a trolley, and a feeding rail assembly.

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Date

Date	Doc. No.	Process	Case number	In/Out	Journal description	To/from
02.10.2019	12-01	Saksbehandling	20170409	UT	Endelig Henleggelse	ZACCO NORWAY AS
06.08.2019	11-01	Saksbehandling	20170409	UT	PT Påminnelse om ikke betalt årsavgift (3329) (PT20170409)
24.05.2019	10-01	Saksbehandling	20170409	UT	Henlagt manglede svar	ZACCO NORWAY AS
12.02.2019	09-01	Saksbehandling	20170409	UT	Realitet patent	ZACCO NORWAY AS
05.02.2019	08-01	Saksbehandling	20170409	UT	PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20170409)
03.12.2018	07-07	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Beskrivelse med sporing	ZACCO NORWAY AS
03.12.2018	07-06	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Beskrivelse	ZACCO NORWAY AS
03.12.2018	07-05	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Krav	ZACCO NORWAY AS
03.12.2018	07-04	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Hovedbrev	ZACCO NORWAY AS
03.12.2018	07-03	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Sammendrag	ZACCO NORWAY AS
03.12.2018	07-02	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Patenttegninger	ZACCO NORWAY AS
03.12.2018	07-01	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	ZACCO NORWAY AS
23.08.2018	06-01	Saksbehandling	20170409	UT	Henlagt manglede svar	ZACCO NORWAY AS
01.06.2018	05-02	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Hovedbrev	ZACCO NORWAY AS
01.06.2018	05-01	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	ZACCO NORWAY AS
22.03.2018	04-01	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	ZACCO NORWAY AS
03.10.2017	03-02	Saksbehandling	20170409	UT	PT report 01:21:23
03.10.2017	03-01	Saksbehandling	20170409	UT	Realitet patent	Zacco Norway AS
21.03.2017	02-01	Saksbehandling	20170409	UT	Infobrev til oppfinner	Zacco Norway AS
17.03.2017	01-07	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Krav	Zacco Norway AS
17.03.2017	01-06	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Sammendrag	Zacco Norway AS
17.03.2017	01-05	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Figures FINAL	Zacco Norway AS
17.03.2017	01-04	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Fullmakt	Zacco Norway AS
17.03.2017	01-03	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Erklæring Søkers rett til oppfinnelse	Zacco Norway AS
17.03.2017	01-02	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Beskrivelse	Zacco Norway AS
17.03.2017	01-01	Saksbehandling	20170409	INN	Søknadsskjema Patent	Zacco Norway AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.

Description

Method, system and device for drilling a long longitudinal hole in a piece of wood/timber.

The present invention relates to the field of drilling long holes in a piece of wood, and more specifically drilling longitudinal holes in long pieces of wood, such as a piece of timber, typically longer than several meters.

The wood manufacturing industry supplies materials comprising long pieces of wood for a number of uses, such as flagpole, sailing masts, light poles, power line poles, building structures for housing, boat building and many more. Timber is a usable, flexible, durable and reliable material, and also positive in an ecological aspect since it is renewable, and have a low pollution footprint, as long as one avoid exploitation of rainforests and the like.

It is desirable to increase the use of timber in many applications, but there are some challenges compared with artificial constructed/manufactured elements. One such challenge is to be able to construct timber constructions comprising longitudinal holes through long parts or the whole length of timber.

Drilling long holes through a long piece of timber presents several problems.

It is specifically problematic that a drill bit will easily stray away from a drill path and the result if the length of the drilled hole is longer than one meter or so is that the path of the drill bit cannot be controlled, and the hole may exit the timber premature.

Another challenge which represents a problem is that drilling through a long piece of timber is the evacuation of drill chips from the drilling operation. There are known methods of applying pressurized air through the drill shaft and drill bit which blows the drill chips back along the drill shaft through the drilled hole. A problem is that when the drilled hole becomes too long, the pressurized air cannot maintain an even flow of drill chips through the drilled hole, and packing of drill chips may jeopardize further operation of the drilling operation.

A further challenge is to minimize vibration in the drill assembly when operating long drill shafts.

A further challenge is to drill long holes in pieces of wood that is not exactly straight, as is often the case when dealing with natural grown timber.

It is an object of the invention to provide solutions to at least one of the objective technical problems stated above.

The present invention provides a method, system and device for drilling long holes in a tree log/timber/beam for the purpose of creating channels for wiring, instruments, appliances and equipment, and also in other embodiments for the purpose of improving the drying process of the log/timber/beam.

The invention provides a first frame assembly for holding the log/timber/beam and a second frame assembly for carrying, supporting and leading a drilling machine assembly.

The drilling machine assembly comprises an individually rotating drill shaft with mounted drill bit, and a rotating screw for evacuating the drill chips and for alignment of the drill bit.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a drilling machine assembly that enables long straight holes to be drilled through long pieces of log/timber/beam, and at the same time provide an improved feature for transporting drill chips away from the drill bit, and out of the drilled hole, thereby avoiding clogging of the drilled hole.

It is also an objective of the invention to provide a drilling machine assembly that can drill long holes through log/timber/beam independent of the straightness of the log/timber/beam, where the skewness of the log/timber/beam is within given limits.

Non limiting embodiments will be described with references to the figures. The invention now to be described further with reference to the drawings, showing non-limiting examples of the invention, comprises:

Fig.1A – side view of drill assembly and log table assembly

Fig.1B – View from above of drill assembly and log table assembly, highlighting A and B area

Fig.1C – Side view of drill assembly, highlighting C, D, E and F area

Fig.2A – Trolley arrangement for rotating means and bearing arrangement for transportation and alignment screw

Fig.2B – Drill string support and drill bit

Fig.2C-1 – Side view of arrangement of rotating means and bearing arrangement for transportation and alignment screw with trolley and rails arrangement

Fig.2C-2 – Bearing unit for fluid supply

Fig.2D – Side view section of transportation and alignment screw with drill string support and connecting ropes Fig.2E-1 and 2E-2 – Mid section drill shaft and transportation and alignment screw

Fig.2F-1 and 2F-2 – End section drill shaft, drill bit, and transportation and alignment screw with drill string support.

Fig.3 – Oblique view of drill assembly and log table assembly

Fig.4A – Oblique view of end section drill shaft, drill bit, and transportation and alignment screw with drill string support

Fig.4B - Oblique view of end section of log table assembly with log

Fig.5 – Longitudinal cut section view of log being drilled

Fig.6 – System illustrating an operating module operating the drill assembly

When the phrase log is used in this document it should be understood that it shall be defined by any structure comprised of wood including: long tree structures, for example of type timber, beams made of whole tree and glued laminated timber, for any use, and not limited to light pole, flag pole, sailing mast, and building structure as mentioned in this document.

When the phrases motor and motor assembly is used in this document it should be understood that it shall include any type of engine or rotating means, able to rotate the individual parts of the drill string or the trolley conveyer means. The motor or motor assembly shall also be understood to encompass power supply and power supply lines and may also if not specifically mentioned in the embodiments comprise controlling means and operator interface, wired or remote. The motors may be of any suitable type, electric, pneumatic, fuel driven or other.

Definitions …..

Longitudinal hole is meant to be a hole inside a log extending from a first end surface of the log towards the other end surface of the log, although it does not need to be a through hole.

The various features described herein are combined in certain ways to describe the embodiments in the figures. It should be understood that the figures are only used as an aid for understanding the invention, and the invention and protection scope also comprise other combinations of the features, as described by the claims.

The present invention device, drilling assembly, for drilling a long longitudinal hole in a log is now described with reference to the figures.

The invention device is shown in figure 1A in a side view, and more details are seen in figure 1B, where the drilling assembly 10 is shown from an above view. In a first end of the drilling assembly is arranged a rotating means/motor assembly 1, the rotating means/motor assembly 1 provides drilling power to the drill string assembly 2. The drill string assembly 2 is supported and guided by one or more guide member assemblies 6. The drilling assembly 10 further comprises a log support table 4 and an optional ejection table 7, wherein the log support table 4 comprises log holding and aligning means.

In figure 1B the motor assembly area A is identified and is shown in one alternative embodiment in figure 2A. In figure 1B the guide member assembly B is identified and is shown in one alternative embodiment in figure 2B.

The motor assembly 1 comprises a trolley 24, as shown in figure 2A, which is arranged to be driven and guided along a feeding rail assembly 3 by feeding means 130, wherein at least a first rotating means/motor 21 is arranged on the trolley for driving/rotating a drill bore assembly connected to the motor 21 via a coupling 25 on an output axle of the motor 21. A second rotating means/motor 22 may also be arranged on the trolley 24 with coupling means 131 for driving/rotating a conveyor and alignment screw assembly 121 which longitudinally circumscribes a drill shaft 124 part of the drill bore assembly. The second motor 22 may be replaced by a gear arrangement (not shown) being driven by the output axle of the first motor 21 or other. The first and second motor 21, 22 may be individually controlled by a controller (not shown). Power or fuel supply and control lines (not shown) may be integrated in the feeding rail assembly, or connected directly to the trolley 24 from a separate power line feeder (not shown). A first bearing arrangement 26 is arranged on the trolley 24 to provide bearing for the drill bore assembly and the conveyor and alignment screw assembly 121.

An optional camera 197 is shown arranged on the trolley. Motors 21, 22, 23, bearings 6, 26 and other components may comprise sensors monitoring operation of the various parts of the drilling assembly 10.

The feeding rail assembly 3 comprise a third rotating means/motor 23 for driving feeding means 130 for moving the trolley 24, the trolley 24 being coupled to the feeding means 130 via feeding line coupling means 133, between a first end of the feeding rail assembly 3 furthest away from the log support table 4 towards the second end of the feed rail assembly 3 closest to the log support table 4. The feeding rail assembly 3 further comprises guiding rails 132 for supporting the trolley 24 and a plurality of drill string support assemblies 6.

One embodiment of an intermediate section of the drill string assembly 2 is described in more detail in the figures 2E-1 and2E-2, whist an embodiment of the drill bit end of the drill string assembly 2 is described in more detail in figures 2F-1 and 2F-2. Further description of one embodiment of the drill string assembly show details in figure 2C-1, 2C-2, and 2F-1.

The drill string assembly 2 comprise a drill shaft 122 connected to the first motor 21 via a coupling 25 in a first end, and to the drill bit 123 via a drill bit coupling 128 in the second opposite end. The drill shaft 122 may comprises a hollow conduit 124A for transporting a pressurized fluid from the first end of the drill string assembly 2 to the second opposite end of the drill string assembly 2 and through the drill bit 123. The hollow conduit 124A of the drill shaft 122 is in fluid communication contact with a hollow conduit 124B comprised in the drill bit 123. The hollow conduit 124B of the drill bit 123 exits at or close to the cutting surface 129 of the drill bit 123. The fluid conduits 124A, 124B are fed with pressurized fluid at the first end of the drill shaft 122 via a fluid coupling 28b which facilitate a fluid conduit between an external fluid resource and the conduit 124A, 124B. The fluid coupling 28b may be provided as a fluid duct bearing arrangement adjacent to the coupling 25 between the motor axle and the drill shaft 122 as illustrated in an example embodiment in figure 2C-1 and 2C-2. The fluid coupling 28b is connected to the fluid bearing 201, where the fluid bearing is fixedly mounted to the trolley 24 by attachment means 206. The fluid bearing 201 may be mounted on the drill shaft chuck 207, the drill shaft chuck 207 normally being part of the motor coupling 25. The fluid bearing 201 comprise a bearing fluid channel 210 for transferring a fluid from the fluid coupling 28b to a chuck fluid channel 209 in the drill shaft chuck and to the conduit 124A, 124B of the drill shaft 122 and drill bit 123 respectively. The fluid bearing 201 further comprise a fluid chamber 204 orbiting the drill shaft chuck 207 to provide an open channel from the bearing fluid channel 210 to the chuck fluid channel 209, independent of the rotation position of the drill shaft chuck 207. The fluid chamber is closed at both sides of the chuck fluid channel by fluid tight rotary shaft seals 202. Thus it is provided a continuous fluid channel 205 from a fluid supply line 199 to the drill bit 123 cutting surface. The fluid supply line 199 is connected in a first end to an accumulator (not shown) holding a reservoir of fluid, and in its second end connected to the fluid bearing 201.

Although the natural choice of fluid fed through the conduits 124A, 124B would be pressurized air fed to the cutting surface 129 for the intention of optimizing transport / evacuation of drill chips away from the cutting region 129 back through the drilled hole; other types of fluid may be chosen for similar or other purposes.

In a further embodiment it is suggested that a fluid coupling 28a may be arranged on the first motor 21 comprising a further conduit (not shown) between the fluid coupling 28a and the fluid conduit 124A of the drill shaft 122.

The drill string assembly further comprises a hollow conveyor and alignment screw 121, wherein the hollow area ends in openings at both end like an open ended pipe construction, enveloping the drill shaft 122. The conveyor and alignment screw 121 is individually rotated around the drill shaft 122 by the second motor 22. The conveyor and alignment screw 121 acts as a screw conveyor transporting drill chips from the cutting face of the drill bit by the rotation of the auger spiral 27 having a protruding height and spiraling angel suited for conveying drill chips back along the conveyor and alignment screw 121, seen in detail in figure 2B. The drill chips are transported back along the drilled hole in between the space between the threads of the conveyor and alignment screw 121 and the walls of the drilled hole. The conveyor and alignment screw 121 and auger spiral 27 is made of a material with sufficient strength and stiffness as to function well as a direction stabilizing member when drilling in the log. The auger spiral 27 functions thus as both a conveyor of the drill chips 50 and as a direction stabilizer of the drill string 122, 123 as the outer diameter of the auger spiral 27 will keep the drill string 2 on its correct drill path 54 as illustrated in figure 5.

Thrust bearings 195 arranged at least in the first end of the drill string assembly and radial bearings 29 arranged at least at the second end of the drill string assembly 2 inside the conveyor and alignment screw 121, for holding the drill shaft 122, ensures bearing of the drill shaft 122 and friction free individual rotation of the drill shaft 122 and the conveyor and alignment screw 121. Additional radial bearings 29 are comprised in each of the coupling means 125, 126, 127, 29 connecting intermediate parts of the drill string assembly 2 if more than one section is needed to provide the complete length of drill string assembly 2, providing proper bearing and stabilizing effect to the drill shaft 122. If one or more intermediate sections of the drill string assembly 2 is required, the intermediate sections may be connected to the drill string assembly 2 by a coupling means 125, 126, 127, 29 as illustrated in figure 2E-1 and 2E-2, the coupling means 125, 126, 127, 29 comprising a sleeve 125 for coupling the ends of the encompassing conveyor and alignment screw 121. The second end of the intermediate drill shaft 122 may comprise a receiving pipe lining section 126 and the first end of the drill shaft 122 may comprise a corresponding protruding pipe lining section 127 for inserting into the receiving pipe lining section 126 at the second end of the intermediate drill shaft 122. The coupling means 125, 126, 127, 29 may further comprise an intermediate radial bearings 29 being arranged between the inner surface of the conveyor and alignment screw 121 and the outer surface of the drill shaft 122 in the coupling (125, 126, 127, 29) for ensuring friction free rotation and independency between the drill shaft 122 and the conveyor and alignment screw 121.

The drill string assembly is supported by two or more drill string support assemblies 6. The drill string support assemblies 6 as illustrated in the embodiment in figure 4A comprise a pair of supporting shoes 46 mounted to the guiding rails 132 of the feeding rail assembly 3. The individual drill string support assemblies may be coupled to the guiding rail in a locked position such that it provides a static support. For example the drill string support assembly 6 located closest to the drill bit’s 123 entry point of the log 100 could be locked as close as possible to the end face of the log 100 to provide a fixed support for the drill string assembly 2. The drill string support bearing part 47 of the drill string support assemblies 6, illustrated in more detail in figure 2F-1 comprise a bearing inner orifice adapted to the outer circumference of the conveyor and alignment screw 121, and may comprise a replaceable inner bushing 45 to be replaced and suitable for the drill string assembly 2 outer circumference required. The bushing 45 are mounted inside drill string support assembly 6 an may have at least one bearing 48a, 48b, for example a ball bearing, arranged on the outer peripheral surface. When mounted in the drill string support assemblies 6, a keeper plate 49 may be mounted with keeper plate bolts 49a to keep bushing 45 in place during operation.

The number of drill string support assemblies 6 used will be determined by the length and nature of the drill string assembly 2. At least one fixed drill string support assembly 6 is arranged adjacent the entry point of the log 100, and at least one drill string support assembly 6 is arranged on the trolley 24, and has a fixed location relative the first end of the drill string assembly 2 adjacent the first and second motor 21, 22.

The drill string support assembly 6 arranged on the trolley 24 will thus move towards the fixed drill string support assembly 6 arranged adjacent the entry point of the log 100 when the drilling operation is executed as the drill bit 129 is drilled into the log 100. One or more intermediate drill string support assemblies 6 may be arranged to support the drill string assembly 2 between the two drill string support assemblies 6 arranged adjacent the entry point of the log 100 and adjacent the first and second motor 21, 22. The intermediate drill string support assemblies 6 have a non-fixed attachment to the guiding rails 132, and will as the trolley 24 moves towards the entry point of the log 100 be pushed in front of the trolley 24 towards the entry point of the log 100. When the drilling operation is completed and the trolley 24 is moved back to the starting point at the first end of the feeding rail assembly 3 furthest away from the log support table 4, the intermediate drill string support assemblies 6 will be pulled backwards by connection means 211 that will ensure they are arranged at appropriate distance from each other.

The outer diameter of the conveyor and alignment screw 121 is chosen to be equal to the cutting diameter of the drill bit 123, and thereby the conveyor and alignment screw 121 will act as a centering device keeping the drill string assembly 2 on a true straight drill path through the log 100 as the drilling operation is executed.

The combined effect of choosing a tight fitting replaceable inner bushings 45 providing a firm bearing around the outer circumference of the conveyor and alignment screw 121, and an outer circumference of the conveyor and alignment screw 121 chosen close to or the same as the diameter cut into the log 100 by the drill bit 123, ensures a true straight path of the drilled hole through the log 100, even when boring in longer logs for longitudinal holes with lengths of 10 – 20 meters.

Now the log support table 4 will be discussed as illustrated in one embodiment in figure 1A, 1B, 3 and 4B. The log support table 4 has a support arrangement for the log 100 keeping it fixed when drilling operation is executed, and an optional ejection table 7 for supporting the log when drilling operation is finished.

The support and holding means for the log 100 may comprise a set of gripping arms 41, 42 being arranged to open and close around the log when arranged at the log support table 4. Additionally the holding means may comprise a set of vertical adjustment elevators 43. The number of support and holding means 41, 43 for the log 100 is at least two, but may be more. The support and holding means 41, 42, 43 may be powered with enough force to provide means for bending the log 100 when needed for providing a straight log to be drilled. Tree logs/timber naturally grown tend to be not 100 % straight, and if the log to be drilled is a little skewed, it is not possible to drill a longitudinal hole through the log if not straightened before drill bit 123 is drilled through the log 100. The support and holding means may be used individually to apply required pressure from more than one side at a multiple places along the log 100, and thus bend the log 100 such that it presents a fairly straight piece of wood for the drilling operation. When done and the drill assembly is retracted from the drilled hole, and the holding means have released their holding and bending pressure, the log may regain its original shape, but with a drilled hole along the intended longitudinal line through the log 100.

One or more ejectors 44 for ejecting a log away from the log support table 4 may be arranged along the log support table 4.

Under the drilling operation of a long hole in a log, as described in figure 5, it can be seen that the outer diameter d1 of the conveyor and alignment screw 121 have approximately the same diameter as the diameter d2 of the drill bit 123 and the drilled hole. It may be advantageous to use drill bit 123 having a slightly larger diameter d2 that the conveyor and alignment screw 122 diameter d1, for example by 1-2 mm. When the drill bit 123 rotates in the cutting direction 51, the conveyor and alignment screw 121 may be rotated individually, and in a required direction to convey the drill chips 50 out of the drilled hole. Since there is a tight fit of the conveyor and alignment screw 121 and the hole, the conveyor and alignment screw 121 ensures a true straight drilling line 54 as set by the drill string support assemblies 6 guiding the drill string assembly 2. The conveyor and alignment screw 121 may have a different rotary speed and direction 52 compared with the rotary direction 51 of the drill bit 123. Pressurized air 53a may be fed into the hollow of the drill shaft, and exit the drill bit 123. The pressurized air 53b then flows in the room between the external surface of the conveyor and alignment screw 121 and the inside of the borehole. The pressurized air 53b aids the transport of drill chips 50 drilled in the borehole and the drill chips is ejected out 53c from the borehole opening of the log by the pressurized air 53c and the screw effect of the conveyor and alignment screw 121. The pressurized air may be substituted with different fluid compositions, for example, but not limited to: CO2, water, oil, impregnation fluid, or other. The objectives for using different fluids may vary, for example as a cooling medium, or easier evacuation of drilling chips, and more.

The fluid may be water which is easy to provide and have excellent temperature coefficient, making it easy to control the temperature of the cutting face of the drill bit.

In a further use case of the present invention, the drilling operation may be performed several times on the same log, where the log is arranged to receive the drill string at different elevated heights, such that when all drilling is done. The log may have more than one longitudinal hole through the log.

Now a use case will be described where a long log is prepared for and processed by the present invention to comprise two longitudinal through holes.

A long log is arranged on the log support table 4, and an entry point for the drill is marked on the log end surface facing towards the drill string assembly 2. A drill shaft 122, drill bit 123, and conveyor and alignment screw 121 is selected for fitting the required diameter and length of the hole to be drilled. If exceptional long logs are to be drilled, for example longer than supported by the drilling rig of the invention, it is possible to drill the log in two separate drilling sequences where a hole is drilled from a first side of the log, and then the log is rotated 180° and then is drilled from the second end. This way it is possible to achieve a drilling length capacity which is twice the length of the drilling range of the drill rig. When drill string assembly 2 is mounted, the drill bit 123 is brought towards the first end surface of the log to be drilled. The log is fixed and raised to a level such that the drill bit 123 center is aligned with the required drill path 54. The log may have a form that is not straight, and the holding means 41, 42, 43 may be used to both straighten the log and elevate it such that the log is in line with the expected drill path 54, and that the drill path follows a desired path through the log, for example along the center of the log. When log is fixed, the rotating means of the first motor 21 is started for rotating the drill string 122, 123, and the second motor 22 is started for rotating the conveyor and alignment screw 121. The rotating speed of the drill string 122, 123 and the conveyor and alignment screw 121 may be different. When drilling speed has been reached the third motor 23 is started for driving the trolley 24 towards the log. It is important to select a driving speed of the third motor 23 with care, such that the conveyor and alignment screw 121 is able to transport all the drill chips 50 out of the drilled hole in the log while the hole is being drilled. If the speed of the trolley 24 is pushed too fast towards the log, there is a danger of clogging of drill chips at the drill bit 123 or in the escape channel along the length of the outside of the conveyor and alignment screw 121 within the drilled channel in the log, or even the drill bit 123 may not be able to operate due to too large drill resistance in the log. If such clogging happens, it may be necessary to reverse the conveyor and alignment screw 121 and/or the drill string 122, 123 for a period, and/or withdraw the drill string assembly 2 from the drilled hole in the log. Under drilling operation the intermediate drill string support assemblies 6 arranged between (if any) the drill string support assemblies 6 arranged on the trolley 24 and at the end of the feeding rail assembly 3 is pushed forward on the feeding rail assembly 3 by the trolley 24 when the trolley catch up with the specific intermediate drill string support assemblies 6. In this way all the guide members will be arranged side by side at the log end of the feeding rail assembly 3 when drilling operation is completed by performing a drill operation at its maximum drill length. When trolley is moved back and retract the drill string assembly 2, each individual g intermediate drill string support assemblies 6, not part of the outermost drill string support assemblies 6, may be pulled by a spacing connecting member 211, such as a rope, being attached to the next drill string support assemblies 6 closer to the trolley 24. When the hole is successfully drilled through, or drilled as far as required into, the log, the drill string 2 is retracted. When the drill string support assemblies 6 arranged on the trolley 24 has been retracted as far as the spacing connecting member 211 allows, the spacing connecting member 211 connecting the next drill string support assemblies 6 from the trolley 24 to the trolley 24 or the drill string support assemblies 6 arranged on the trolley 24, the tension in the spacing connecting member 211 will pull the next drill string support assemblies 6 along at a distance defined by the spacing connecting member 211. This repeats for the further drill string support assemblies 6 arranged between the trolley 24 and the last drill string support assemblies 6fixedly attached adjacent the second end of the feed rail assembly 3 as indicated in figure 1C and 2D. The drilling operation may be repeated with a larger diameter drill string assembly 2 if a larger diameter hole is required, or if a second hole is required, the drilling operation is repeated, and if required: after the log has been height and sideways elevated by the holding means 41, 42, 43. When desired holes has been drilled in the log, there may be arranged ejectors 44 along the length of the log support table 4, and when activated the ejectors 44 will shift the log out of the log support table and over to the ejection table 7 if present. If ejection table is not present the log is simply ejected from the log support table 4 to the side when ejectors are activated.

The controlling of the drilling assembly of the invention may be automatic or semiautomatic. One or more controllers may be controlling the first, second and third motors, the fluid supply, and the holding means on the log support table. The controllers may be connected to an operator module 196 by wired or wireless communication lines as illustrated in figure 6, the operator module 196 may comprise computing means and/or an operator panel or panels. Further various types of sensors 198 and cameras 197 may be arranged along the drilling assembly for example for monitoring temperature in the drilling hole, observe drilling speed, monitoring flow of drill chips ejected from the drill hole, imaging parts of or a complete drill operation, and other. Sensors 198 and cameras 197 may be connected wired or wireless, to the operator module. The operator module 196 may comprise programs that control the drilling operation in an automatic modus, or it may be requiring an operator to input operation commands based on inspection or reading the sensor 198 and camera 197 outputs.

Further embodiments are provided:

Device 10 according to a first device embodiment of present invention for drilling a longitudinal hole in a log comprising:

drill string assembly 2, the drill string assembly 2 comprising a drill shaft 122 and a drill bit 123 connected in a first end of the drill shaft 122, and the drill string assembly 2 further comprise a hollow and open at both ends conveyor and alignment screw 121 wherein the drill shaft 122 is arranged inside and the drill bit 123 arranged at the first end of the drill shaft 122 protrude from a first end of the conveyor and alignment screw 121,

rotating means assembly 1, the rotating means assembly 1 comprising a first rotating means 21, and a second rotating means 22, wherein the first rotating means 21 is attached to the second end of the drill shaft 122 via a coupling 25 for rotating the drill shaft 122, and the second rotating means 22 is connected to the second end of the conveyor and alignment screw 121 for rotating the conveyor and alignment screw 121, trolley 24, whereupon the first rotating means 21, the second rotating means 22 and a first bearing arrangement 26 are mounted, the conveyor and alignment screw 121 is supported adjacent to its second end by the first bearing arrangement 26,

feeding rail assembly 3 for providing support and drilling path for the drill assembly 2, rotating means assembly 1 and the trolley 24, and feeding means 130 for drive and/or guide the trolley 24 along the feeding rail assembly 3.

A second device embodiment of present according to the first device embodiment, wherein the first rotating means 21 and the second rotating means 22 both comprise controllers enabling one or more operator modules 196 to individually control the rotation speed and direction 53 of the first rotating means 21 and the rotation speed and direction 52 of the second rotating means 22.

A third device embodiment of present according to the first or second device embodiment, wherein the feeding rail assembly 3 comprise in a first end, the first end of the feeding rail assembly 3 being the furthest end of the drilling path of the drill assembly 2, a second bearing arrangement 6, 26, the second bearing arrangement 26 providing a second support for the transport and alignment screw 121.

A fourth device embodiment of present according to any one of the first to third device embodiment, wherein the feeding rail assembly 3 comprise a third rotating means 21, wherein the third rotating means 23 is attached to the second end of the feeding rail assembly 3 and coupled to a feeding means 130 wherein the feeding means 130 is coupled to the trolley 24 for moving the trolley 24 between the first and second end of the feeding rail assembly 3.

A fifth device embodiment of present according to any one of the first to fourth device embodiment, wherein the drill shaft 122 comprise a longitudinal hollow channel 124A and is open in both ends such that the channel 124A is an open conduit through the complete length of the drill shaft 122.

A sixth device embodiment of present according to any one of the first to fifth device embodiment, wherein the drill bit 123 arranged at the first end of the drill shaft 122, has a conduit 124B with an inlet arranged in the coupling end of the drill bit 123 to the longitudinal hollow channel 124A of the drill shaft 122, and an outlet being arranged close to the cutting surface 129 of the drill bit 123, such that a continuous conduit may be provided from a fluid supply line 199 through the drill shaft 122 to the cutting surface 129 of the drill bit 123.

A seventh device embodiment of present according to any one of the first to sixth device embodiment, wherein the drill string assembly 2 comprising thrust bearings 195 arranged at least in the first end of the drill string assembly 2 and radial bearings 29 arranged at least at the second end of the drill string assembly 2 , the thrust bearings 195 and radial bearings 29 being arranged between the inner surface of the conveyor and alignment screw 121 and the outer surface of the drill shaft 122, to provide a centered alignment of the drill shaft 122 within the conveyor and alignment screw 121 and low friction with rotation independency between the drill shaft 122 and the conveyor and alignment screw 121.

An eight device embodiment of present according to any one of the third to seventh device embodiment, wherein one or more further bearing arrangements 6, 26 are glidingly mounted to the feeding rail assembly 3 for providing intermediate support for the conveyor and alignment screw 121.

A ninth device embodiment of present according to any one of the first to eight device embodiment, wherein the coupling 25 between the first rotating means 21 and the drill shaft 122 comprise a fluid input coupling 28b and a bearing fluid channel 210 for providing a continuous fluid channel 205 between an external fluid accumulator connected to the fluid input coupling 28b through fluid supply line 199 and to a conduit 124B output end comprised in the drill bit 123 for providing a fluid flow 53a, 53b, 53c through the drill string assembly 2 and into the space between the conveyor and alignment screw 121 and the borehole for aiding the transport of drill chips 50 out of the borehole.

A tenth device embodiment of present according to any one of the first to ninth device embodiment, further comprising one or more intermediate sections of the drill string assembly 2, the intermediate sections being connected to the drill string assembly 2 by a coupling means 125, 126, 127, 29, the coupling means comprising a sleeve 125 for coupling the ends of the encompassing conveyor and alignment screw 121, a receiving pipe lining section 126 arranged at the second end of the intermediate drill shaft 122, and a protruding pipe lining section 127 arranged at the first end of the drill shaft 122 for inserting into the receiving pipe lining section 126 arranged at the second end of the intermediate drill shaft 122, and an intermediate radial bearings 29a being arranged between the inner surface of the conveyor and alignment screw 121 and the outer surface of the drill shaft 122 in the coupling 125, 126, 127, 29.

An eleventh device embodiment of present according to any one of the first to tenth device embodiment, further comprising a log support table 4 aligned in the longitudinal direction of the feeding rail assembly 3 and being attached in a first end to the first end of the feeding rail assembly 3, for providing support for a log 100 under a drilling operation.

A twelfth device embodiment of present according the eleventh device embodiment, wherein the log support table 4 comprising one or more gripping arms 41, 42 for holding the log 100 under a drilling operation.

A thirteenth device embodiment of present according the twelfth device embodiment, wherein the log support table 4 further comprising one or more vertical adjustment elevators 43 holding the log 100 under a drilling operation.

A fourteenth device embodiment of present according to any one of the eleventh to twelfth device embodiment, wherein log support table 4 further comprising one or more ejectors for ejecting a log away from the log support table 4.

Method according to a first method embodiment of present invention for drilling a longitudinal hole in a log, the method comprising the following steps:

arranging a log on the log support table 4 of a device 10 for drilling a longitudinal hole in a log according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 14,

mounting a drill bit 123 and a conveyor and alignment screw 121,the drill bit 123 having a slightly larger outer diameter than the outer diameter of the conveyor and alignment screw 121, and

drilling a hole in the log by moving the drill string assembly 2 along the feeding rail assembly 3 by moving the trolley 24 comprising the first and second rotating means 21, 22 driving rotating the drill bit 123 for drilling the hole, and rotating the conveyor and alignment screw 121 for aligning the drill string assembly 2 and transporting drill chips 50 from the drilling process out of the drilled hole.

A second method embodiment of present according to the first method embodiment, further comprising the steps:

raising the vertical adjustment elevators 43 for positioning the log to required elevated position for the hole to be drilled in the log at required radial position before the drilling operation is started.

A third method embodiment of present according to the first or second method embodiment, further comprising, when arranging the log on the log support table 4, the steps:

fastening the log by clamping it to the log support table 4 by tightening the gripping arms 41, 42 over the log 100, and

if the log is not straight raising the vertical adjustment elevators 43 for applying a bending force in order to straighten the log.

A fourth method embodiment of present according to any one of the first to third method embodiment, further comprising the steps:

connecting a pressurized air reservoir to the input coupling 28b and releasing an air flow 53a, 53b, 53c through the drill string assembly 2 and the drill bit 123 to facilitate an additional aid for transporting the drill chips 50 out of the drilled hole.

A fifth method embodiment of present according to any one of the first to fourth method embodiment, further comprising the steps:

moving the trolley 24 by that the third rotating means 23 drive the feeding means 130.

A sixth method embodiment of present according to any one of the first to fifth method embodiment, further comprising, when the drilling operation is completed, the steps:

retracting the drill string assembly 2 and the drill bit 123 from the hole,

release the gripping arms 41, 42,

ejecting the log 100 from the log support table 4 by activating the ejectors 44.

System according to a first system embodiment of present invention for drilling a longitudinal hole in a log, the system comprising:

a device 10 for drilling a longitudinal hole in a log according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 14, operator module 196 comprising communication means for communicating with motor controller and sensors 198 and cameras 197.

A second system embodiment of present according to the first system embodiment, further comprising: computing means, operator panel and drilling operation programs.

Claims

Device (10) for drilling a longitudinal hole in a log comprising:

drill string assembly (2), the drill string assembly (2) comprising a drill shaft (122) and a drill bit (123) connected in a first end of the drill shaft (122), and the drill string assembly (2) further comprise a hollow and open at both ends conveyor and alignment screw (121) wherein the drill shaft (122) is arranged inside and the drill bit (123) arranged at the first end of the drill shaft (122) protrude from a first end of the conveyor and alignment screw (121),

rotating means assembly (1), the rotating means assembly (1) comprising a first rotating means (21), and a second rotating means (22), wherein the first rotating means (21) is attached to the second end of the drill shaft (122) via a coupling (25) for rotating the drill shaft (122), and the second rotating means (22) is connected to the second end of the conveyor and alignment screw (121) for rotating the conveyor and alignment screw (121),

trolley (24), whereupon the first rotating means (21), the second rotating means (22) and a first bearing arrangement (26) are mounted, the conveyor and alignment screw (121) is supported adjacent to its second end by the first bearing arrangement (26),

feeding rail assembly (3) for providing support and drilling path for the drill assembly (2), rotating means assembly (1) and the trolley (24), and feeding means (130) for drive and/or guide the trolley (24) along the feeding rail assembly 3.

Device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first rotating means (21) and the second rotating means (22) both comprise controllers enabling one or more operator modules (196) to individually control the rotation speed and direction (53) of the first rotating means (21) and the rotation speed and direction (52) of the second rotating means (22).

Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the feeding rail assembly (3) comprise in a first end, the first end of the feeding rail assembly (3) being the furthest end of the drilling path of the drill assembly (2), a second bearing arrangement (6, 26), the second bearing arrangement (26) providing a second support for the transport and alignment screw (121).

Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the feeding rail assembly (3) comprise a third rotating means (21), wherein the third rotating means (23) is attached to the second end of the feeding rail assembly (3) and coupled to a feeding means (130) wherein the feeding means (130) is coupled to the trolley (24) for moving the trolley (24) between the first and second end of the feeding rail assembly (3).

Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the drill shaft (122) comprise a longitudinal hollow channel (124A) and is open in both ends such that the channel (124A) is an open conduit through the complete length of the drill shaft (122).

Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the drill bit (123) arranged at the first end of the drill shaft (122), has a conduit (124B) with an inlet arranged in the coupling end of the drill bit (123) to the longitudinal hollow channel (124A) of the drill shaft (122), and an outlet being arranged close to the cutting surface (129) of the drill bit (123), such that a continuous conduit may be provided from a fluid supply line (199) through the drill shaft (122) to the cutting surface (129) of the drill bit (123).

Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the drill string assembly (2) comprising thrust bearings (195) arranged at least in the first end of the drill string assembly (2) and radial bearings (29) arranged at least at the second end of the drill string assembly (2) , the thrust bearings (195) and radial bearings (29) being arranged between the inner surface of the conveyor and alignment screw (121) and the outer surface of the drill shaft (122), to provide a centered alignment of the drill shaft (122) within the conveyor and alignment screw (121) and low friction with rotation independency between the drill shaft (122) and the conveyor and alignment screw (121).

Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims 3 to 7, wherein one or more further bearing arrangements (6, 26) are glidingly mounted to the feeding rail assembly (3) for providing intermediate support for the conveyor and alignment screw (121).

Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling (25) between the first rotating means (21) and the drill shaft (122) comprise a fluid input coupling (28b) and a bearing fluid channel (210) for providing a continuous fluid channel (205) between an external fluid accumulator connected to the fluid input coupling (28b) through fluid supply line (199) and to a conduit (124B) output end comprised in the drill bit (123) for providing a fluid flow (53a, 53b, 53c) through the drill string assembly (2) and into the space between the conveyor and alignment screw (121) and the borehole for aiding the transport of drill chips (50) out of the borehole.

10.

Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more intermediate sections of the drill string assembly (2), the intermediate sections being connected to the drill string assembly (2) by a coupling means (125, 126, 127, 29), the coupling means comprising a sleeve (125) for coupling the ends of the encompassing conveyor and alignment screw (121), a receiving pipe lining section (126) arranged at the second end of the intermediate drill shaft (122), and a protruding pipe lining section (127) arranged at the first end of the drill shaft (122) for inserting into the receiving pipe lining section (126) arranged at the second end of the intermediate drill shaft (122), and an intermediate radial bearings (29a) being arranged between the inner surface of the conveyor and alignment screw (121) and the outer surface of the drill shaft (122) in the coupling (125, 126, 127, 29).

11.

Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a log support table (4) aligned in the longitudinal direction of the feeding rail assembly (3) and being attached in a first end to the first end of the feeding rail assembly (3), for providing support for a log (100) under a drilling operation.

Device (10) according to claim 11, wherein the log support table (4) comprising one or more gripping arms (41, 42) for holding the log (100) under a drilling operation.

13.

Device (10) according to claim 12, wherein the log support table (4) further comprising one or more vertical adjustment elevators (43) holding the log (100) under a drilling operation.

14.

Device (10) according to any if claim 11 to 12, wherein log support table (4) further comprising one or more ejectors for ejecting a log away from the log support table 4.

15.

Method for drilling a longitudinal hole in a log, the method comprising the following steps:

arranging a log on the log support table (4) of a device (10) for drilling a longitudinal hole in a log according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 14,

mounting a drill bit (123) and a conveyor and alignment screw (121),the drill bit (123) having a slightly larger outer diameter than the outer diameter of the conveyor and alignment screw (121), and

drilling a hole in the log by moving the drill string assembly (2) along the feeding rail assembly (3) by moving the trolley (24) comprising the first and second rotating means (21, 22) driving rotating the drill bit (123) for drilling the hole, and rotating the conveyor and alignment screw (121) for aligning the drill string assembly (2) and transporting drill chips (50) from the drilling process out of the drilled hole.

16.

Method according to claim 15, further comprising the steps:

raising the vertical adjustment elevators (43) for positioning the log to required elevated position for the hole to be drilled in the log at required radial position before the drilling operation is started.

Method according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising, when arranging the log on the log support table (4), the steps:

fastening the log by clamping it to the log support table (4) by tightening the gripping arms (41, 42) over the log (100), and

if the log is not straight raising the vertical adjustment elevators (43) for applying a bending force in order to straighten the log.

18.

Method according to any of claim 15 to 17, further comprising the steps:

connecting a pressurized air reservoir to the input coupling (28b) and releasing an air flow (53a, 53b, 53c) through the drill string assembly (2) and the drill bit (123) to facilitate an additional aid for transporting the drill chips (50) out of the drilled hole.

19.

Method according to any of claim 15 to 18, further comprising the steps:

moving the trolley (24) by that the third rotating means (23) drive the feeding means (130).

20.

Method according to any of claim 15 to 19, further comprising, when the drilling operation is completed, the steps:

retracting the drill string assembly (2) and the drill bit (123) from the hole,

release the gripping arms (41, 42),

ejecting the log (100) from the log support table (4) by activating the ejectors 44.

21.

System for drilling a longitudinal hole in a log, the system comprising:

a device (10) for drilling a longitudinal hole in a log according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 14, operator module (196) comprising communication means for communicating with motor controller and sensors (198) and cameras (197).

System according to claim 21, further comprising:

computing means, operator panel and drilling operation programs.

Drawings

Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classes

B23B 41/02

B27C 3/02

CPC classes

B23B 41/02

B27C 3/02

Citations

US 3738765 A (A)

KR 20100069157 A ( A)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Applicants

Aanesland Fabrikker AS

Tveitevegen 11

4760 BIRKELAND

NO (BIRKENES Municipality, Agder county)

Org. number: 953141965

Inventors

Gunnar Adolf Aanesland

Hausebergveien 1

4656 HAMRESANDEN

NO (KRISTIANSAND Municipality, Agder county)

Paal Taraldrud

Topdalsveien

4658 TVEIT

NO (KRISTIANSAND Municipality, Agder county)

Agent

ZACCO NORWAY AS

Postboks 488

0213 OSLO

NO (OSLO Municipality, Oslo county)

Org. number: 982702887

Reference: P61700019NO00

Status history

Payment history

Oppositions and appeals

No oppositions or appeals

Administrative limitation

No administrative limitation

Liens and licences

No liens or licenses registered

Gazette entries

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Only events from 2024.03.04 and onwards are shown.