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CA-3082550-C - UNDERGROUND REAMER

CA3082550CCA 3082550 CCA3082550 CCA 3082550CCA-3082550-C

Abstract

A reamer (1) for underground passageways, comprising: a support housing (3) and a plurality of radially extending cutting wings (11); a plurality of ring segments (13), wherein each ring segment (13) includes an arcuate ring portion (15), wherein the plurality of ring segments (13) are assembled to form a stabilization ring (17) bridging radial outer edges (12) of the plurality of cutting wings (11), wherein the stabilization ring (17) is fastened to at least one of the cutting wings (11) to resist radial movement of the reamer (1).

Inventors

  • Stephen Charles Ainge
  • Seyed Ali Heydarshahy

Assignees

  • HARD METALS AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20190111
Priority Date
20180111

Claims (20)

  1. 20 CLAIMS: 1. A reamer for underground passageways, comprising: - a support housing and a plurality of radially extending cutting wings; - a plurality of ring segments, wherein each ring segment includes an arcuate ring portion, wherein the plurality of ring segments are assembled with the cutting ring to form a stabilization ring bridging between radial outer edges of the plurality of cutting wings, wherein the stabilization ring is fastened to at least one of the cutting wings to resist radial movement of the reamer; and wherein each ring segment further comprises a first flange portion, the first flange portion located proximal to a first end of the arcuate ring portion and extends substantially inward towards a centre of the stabilization ring.
  2. 2. A reamer according to claim 1, wherein each ring segment bridges the radial outer edges of two adjacent cutting wings.
  3. 3. A reamer according to claims 1 or 2 wherein each ring segment further comprises: - a second flange portion, wherein the second flange portion is located proximal to a second end of the arcuate ring portion opposite to the first end, the second flange portion extending substantially inwards towards the centre of the stabilization ring.
  4. 4. A reamer according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the first flange portion include at least one ring segment aperture and the cutting wing includes at least one ring fastening aperture, wherein when assembled, the at least one ring segment aperture and at least one ring fastening aperture receives a fastener. WSLEGAL\047410\00148\36550661v1 21
  5. 5. A reamer according to claim 3, wherein the first and/or second flange portions include a corresponding contact surface, wherein when assembled, the contact surfaces face a corresponding side surface of the cutting wing to transfer torsional forces between the stabilization ring and the cutting wings.
  6. 6. A reamer according to claim 5 wherein spaced apart pairs of adjacent first and second flange portions have corresponding opposing contact surfaces to face and receive a respective cutting wing.
  7. 7. A reamer according to any one of claims 3, 5, or 6, wherein the ring segment further includes extensions extending past respective junctions of the arcuate ring portion and the first and second flange portions, and wherein the cutting wing includes a recess to locate and receive the extensions of the ring segment.
  8. 8. A reamer according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the stabilization ring further comprises at least one groove on an outwardly facing surface of the stabilization ring.
  9. 9. A reamer according to claim 8 wherein the at least one groove extends between opposite front and back ends of the stabilization ring.
  10. 10. A reamer according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the plurality of ring segments include four ring segments to form the stabilization ring.
  11. 11. A reamer according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the plurality of ring segments include five ring segments to form the stabilization ring.
  12. 12. A reamer according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the plurality of ring segments include six ring segments to form the stabilization ring.
  13. 13. A reamer according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the plurality of ring segments include two, three, seven, or eight ring segments to form the stabilization ring. WSLEGAL\047410\00148\36550661v1 22
  14. 14. A reamer according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the support housing includes plural integral pairs of spaced apart radially extending support wings, wherein between each pair of support wings there is a longitudinally extending slot such that each cutting wing is received between a respective pair of support wings, wherein the cutting wings engage with the support housing to resist rearward longitudinal movement, and with the support wings to resist torsional forces between the cutting wings and the support housing.
  15. 15. to 14.
  16. 16. A ring segment of a stabilization ring for a reamer according to any one of claims 1 A ring segment for a stabilization ring of an underground reamer, the ring segment comprising: - an arcuate ring portion extending between a first end and an opposite second end, wherein in use, a plurality of arcuate ring portions are arranged end to end to form the stabilization ring, wherein the stabilization ring is fastened to other components of the reamer; and wherein each ring segment further comprises a first flange portion, the first flange portion located proximal to the first end of the arcuate ring portion and extending substantially inward towards a centre of the stabilization ring.
  17. 17. A ring segment according to claim 17 further comprising: - - a second flange portion, wherein the second flange portion is located proximal to the second end of the arcuate ring portion, wherein the second flange portion extends substantially inwards towards the centre of the stabilization ring. WSLEGAL\047410\00148\36550661v1 23
  18. 18. A ring segment according to claim 17, wherein the first and/or second flange portion include at least one ring segment aperture to receive a fastener for fastening the ring segment to other components of the reamer.
  19. 19. A ring segment according to any one of claims 17 to 18, wherein the first and/or second flange portion include a corresponding contact surface, wherein when arranged to form the stabilization ring, the contact surface face a corresponding component side surface to transfer torsional forces between the stabilization ring and other components of the reamer.
  20. 20. A ring segment according to claim 19 wherein spaced apart pairs of adjacent first and second flange portions have corresponding opposing surfaces to face and receive a respective other component of the reamer.

Description

WO 2019/136524 I PCT/AU2019/050014 "Underground reamer" Technical Field [0001] The present disclosure relates to a reamer for underground passageways. In some examples, these may include passageways for the installation of cables or pipelines. Background [0002] Smaller underground passageways for cables and pipes are generally created by first drilling a pilot hole with the use of a drill string. Once both the near and far ends of the pilot hole are open, a reamer is attached to the drill string, at either the near or far end. Then the reamer is forced along the length of the hole while spinning to enlarge it to the required diameter depending on the size of the pipe or cable to be installed. Several reamers of gradually increasing sizes may be used, depending on the required final diameter. A number of variations are possible, for instance, the reamer can be pushed through the hole (forward reaming) or drawn backwards through (back reaming). This use of a reamer may be known as a "hole opener" that enlarges an existing hole. In other examples, a reamer system may include a drill string lead by a drill bit and followed by a reamer to enlarge the hole created by the drill bit. [0003] Underground reamers may include a cylindrical body that, in use, is connected to the drill string. The cylindrical body may have cutting wings that are welded onto the cylindrical body or bolted into recesses in the cylindrical body. While travelling through the hole, the reamer is rotated by the drill string. The rotation of the cutting wings against the underground formation enlarges the hole. [0004] A problem with reamers with wings fixed by welding is that they cannot be easily repaired on site. Satisfactory repairs can only be undertaken in a well-equipped engineering workshop. This presents another difficulty in that it is extremely difficult to achieve the axial run out tolerances required in a fabrication process. Another problem is that the reamer may not be well stabilised in the hole. This causes vibration which can lead to the reamer binding in the hole and result in the loss of the reamer, drill string, and even abandonment of the hole. WO 2019/136524 2 PCT/AU2019/050014 [0005] As a result, some reamers utilise a stabilizing ring which is welded to the tips of the cutting wings. The stabilizing rings can join the cutting wings together to provide lateral stability to the wings and to smooth out rotation of the reamer in the hole. This can reduce instances of vibration and reduce stability. However, having a stabilizing ring welded to the wings removes the ease of replacing the cutting wings in the field. Therefore, repair and servicing may require the reamer to be returned to a workshop. [0006] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. [0007] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Summary [0008] A reamer for underground passageways, including a support housing, a plurality of radially extending cutting wings. The reamer also includes a stabilization ring formed of a plurality of ring segments. Each ring segment includes an arcuate ring portion. When the plurality of ring segments are assembled to form the stabilization ring, the stabilization ring bridges the radial outer edges of the plurality of cutting wings. The stabilization ring is fastened to at least one of the cutting wings to resist radial movement of the wings relative to the reamer body. The stabilization ring, as part of the reamer may also function to keep the reamer substantially centred in the underground passageway, whereby the stabilization ring may contact the wall of the underground passage to resist radial movement of the reamer. [0009] In some examples, each ring segment bridges the radial outer edges of two adjacent cutting wings. In some alternative examples, each ring segment is in contact with one adjacent cutting wing only, whereby the bridge between two adjacent cutting wings is formed by portions of ring segments assembled to each other. WO 2019/136524 3 PCT/AU2019/050014 [0010] In a further example, each ring segment further comprises: a first flange portion, wherein the first flange portion is located proximal to a first end of the arcuate ring portion, wherein the first flange portion extends substantially inwards towards a centre of the stabilization ring. Each ring segment may further comprises a second flange portio