AUTOMATED MAST CONTROL FOR DRILLING
First Claim
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1. A method of automating positioning of a mast in a drilling machine at various angles, the method comprising:
- (a) entering a desired mast angle into an input module of the machine, the input module connected to an electronic control module (ECM) of the machine;
(b) moving the mast using the ECM;
(c) measuring an angle of the mast using a measuring device in communication with the ECM;
(d) determining with the ECM whether the measured mast angle is within an acceptable range of the desired mast angle;
(e) if the measured angle is within the acceptable range, attempting to lock the mast at the measured mast angle using the ECM;
(f) if the measured angle is not within the acceptable range, repeating the step above of moving the mast using the ECM until the measured mast angle is within the acceptable range;
(g) determining with the ECM whether the mast is successfully locked; and
(h) if the mast is not successfully locked, repeating steps (b)-(g).
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Abstract
A control system and method for automating the positioning of a mast in a drilling machine is disclosed herein. The machine operator can enter a desired mast angle into the control system and the control system can position/reposition the mast until the mast is within an acceptable range of the desired mast angle such that the mast can be successfully locked at the desired mast angle. An automated calibration process can be used to calibrate the mast prior to positioning the mast at the desired mast angle and compensate for any difference between the measured mast angle and a default mast angle.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of automating positioning of a mast in a drilling machine at various angles, the method comprising:
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(a) entering a desired mast angle into an input module of the machine, the input module connected to an electronic control module (ECM) of the machine; (b) moving the mast using the ECM; (c) measuring an angle of the mast using a measuring device in communication with the ECM; (d) determining with the ECM whether the measured mast angle is within an acceptable range of the desired mast angle; (e) if the measured angle is within the acceptable range, attempting to lock the mast at the measured mast angle using the ECM; (f) if the measured angle is not within the acceptable range, repeating the step above of moving the mast using the ECM until the measured mast angle is within the acceptable range; (g) determining with the ECM whether the mast is successfully locked; and (h) if the mast is not successfully locked, repeating steps (b)-(g). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for automating position of a mast in a drilling machine, the method comprising:
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(a) entering a desired mast angle into an electronic control panel of the drilling machine, the electronic control panel in communication with an electronic control module (ECM) of the machine, the desired mast angle selected from a plurality of default mast angles that correspond to an angle of the mast relative to a vertical position of the mast and are at equally spaced increments to one another; (b) unlocking the mast with the ECM unless the mast is in a stowed, unlocked position; (c) engaging a raise mast solenoid or a lower mast solenoid with the ECM to activate raising or lowering of the mast; (d) measuring an angle of the mast at a particular mast position and relaying the measured mast angle to the ECM; (e) determining with the ECM whether the measured mast angle is within an acceptable range of the desired mast angle; (f) if measured mast angle within acceptable range, activating a lock solenoid with the ECM to attempt to lock the mast at the particular mast position; (g) if measured mast angle outside of acceptable range, repeating steps (c)-(e) until the measured mast angle is within acceptable range; (h) determining whether the mast is locked and relaying to the ECM; (i) if locked, displaying an output on the electronic control panel confirming successful lock; and (j) if not locked, repeating steps (c)-(h) until locked or until the ECM times out. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A control system for positioning of a mast in a drilling machine, the control system comprising:
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an electronic control module (ECM) configured to receive, store and execute instructions for operation of the mast; a control panel coupled to the ECM and configured to receive user inputs from a user of the machine and display outputs from the ECM; a first electrohydraulic circuit configured to raise or lower the mast in response to instructions from the ECM; a mast angle sensor in communication with the ECM and configured to measure an angle of the mast and relay the measured mast angle to the ECM; a second electrohydraulic circuit configured to lock or unlock the mast in response to instructions from the ECM; and a locking sensor in communication with the ECM and configured to detect whether the mast is in a locked position and relay to the ECM, wherein the control panel is configured to receive a desired mast angle from the user, the desired mast angle is communicated to the ECM, and the ECM controls operation of the first and second hydraulic circuits to position and lock the mast at the desired mast angle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification