US 12,404,731 B2
Drilling tool changer apparatus
Matthew Fosler, Wylie, TX (US); and Steven B. Tweedie, Plano, TX (US)
Assigned to Epiroc Drilling Solutions, LLC, Garland, TX (US)
Filed by Epiroc Drilling Solutions, LLC, Garland, TX (US)
Filed on Jan. 8, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/406,550.
Application 18/406,550 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/899,012, filed on Aug. 30, 2022, granted, now 11,898,406.
Application 17/899,012 is a continuation of application No. 17/161,880, filed on Jan. 29, 2021, granted, now 11,466,522, issued on Oct. 11, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0218752 A1, Jul. 4, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 19/14 (2006.01); E21B 19/20 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 19/20 (2013.01) [E21B 19/146 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for changing a drilling tool for a drilling rig, wherein the drilling rig comprises a drill tower supporting a drill pipe;
the apparatus for changing a drilling tool comprising:
a drilling tool changer assembly moveable between a storage position and an exchange position;
the drilling tool changer assembly supporting a rotatable carousel assembly;
the rotatable carousel assembly having a plurality of bit adaptors for holding drilling tools;
the rotatable carousel assembly selectively rotatable to bring a selected drilling tool into coaxial alignment with the drill pipe when the drilling tool changer assembly supporting the rotatable carousel assembly is moved into the exchange position; and
means for aligning the selected drilling tool within a bit adaptor holding the selected drilling tool.