Stephen J Adkins

US Patent:

54049598, Apr 11, 1995

Filed:

May 3, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/237444

Inventors:

Stephen B. Adkins - Snellville GA
Phillip L. Myers - Lithonia GA

Assignee:

Longyear Company - Stone Mountain GA

International Classification:

E21B 4400

US Classification:

175319

Abstract:

A safety shutdown system for a rotary drill rig with a power supply, a support frame and a rotary drill spindle and drill tool connected to the support frame. The drill spindle and tool are driven by a drive train that is connected by a clutch with a declutch mechanism to an internal combustion engine and an engine solenoid with a shut-off switch. A brake with a brake solenoid is also provided on the drive train. An infrared beam transmitter is positioned adjacent to the drill tool and an infrared beam receiver is positioned adjacent to the drill tool and on the opposite side of the drill from the transmitter so that the receiver can receive infrared beams emitted from the transmitter. A controller is connected between the clutch solenoid and the engine solenoid. The controller is activated when the infrared beam between the transmitter and the receiver is interrupted.