A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HANDLING DRILL PIPE USING A VACUUM HANDLER

摘要

A system and method for moving directional drill pipe with vacuum power. The system is used with a vacuum beam (14) mounted on a boom. It has a vacuum pad (12) that is pivotally attached at one end by a hinge (30) to the vacuum beam (14). The other end of the vacuum pad (12) is attached to the vacuum beam (14) via a hydraulic cylinder (26). Operation of the hydraulic cylinder (26) causes the vacuum pad (12) to rotate about the hinge (30) and change the angle of the vacuum pad (12) relative to the vacuum beam (14). Lateral movement of the vacuum pad (12) relative to the vacuum beam (14) is provided by one or more pinned connections (32) located adjacent to the hinge (30). Vacuum pressure from the vacuum pad (12) is used to grasp and release drill pipe.