Abstract: A drill string in a well bore has a mandrel extending longitudinally thereof adjacent the lower end of the drill string with a drill bit connected to the mandrel. Longitudinally extending helical groove means are provided in the mandrel and roller means are supported on the drill string and engaged with the helical groove means. Spring means is supported by the drill string and abuts the mandrel to tend to urge the mandrel longitudinally out of the drill string whereby the bit is urged into substantially continuous contact with the well bore bottom as the drill string is rotated during drilling operations. Valve means are provided for selectively circulating fluids from the drill string to the well bore above the drill bit, and when desired jar means may be incorporated in the drill string to impart an up or down jar thereto should the drill string become stuck or tend to become stuck during drilling operations.

Abstract: Large hole boring equipment is used for boring a large diameter blind pilot hole. Then such equipment is removed from the hole and a room is blasted at the closed or blind end of the hole. Then the large hole cutterhead is replaced by a reamer and the equipment is inserted back into the hole. The reamer is an adjustable diameter type and its diameter is increased once it is within such room. A wrench carried by a drive head of a drilling machine is used to rotate a small diameter shaft which extends downwardly through the drill string to a lead screw which is a part of the reamer. Rotation of the lead screw causes axial travel of a lead nut. As the lead nut travels it moves a plurality of links which in turn swing a plurality of cutter carrying arms outwardly from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for drilling a borehole in which an undersized drill bit mounted eccentrically within the borehole is rotated about its axis in engagement with the bottom of the borehole by means of a downhole motor while the drill bit is simultaneously rotated in a planetary motion about the axis of the borehole.

Abstract: A drill stem has a drill bit for use in drilling a bore hole in an earthen formation, this drill bit being on the down hole end thereof. An eccentric mass rotor is mounted in the stem spaced between the opposite ends thereof. The rotation axis of the rotor is oriented such that when the rotor is rotatably driven a rotating force vector component is generated, this force vector lying in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the bore hole. The rotating force vector causes a portion of the drill and stem assembly to precess or roll around against the wall of the bore hole in a cycloidal manner and in forceful engagement with the bore hole wall to thereby cause rotation of said drill stem about its own axis either to directly effect drilling action or aid drilling principally achieved by some other drive means coupled to the drill stem.

Abstract: A rotary rock bit is described having a one piece bit body with a plurality of legs extending downwardly therefrom. Each leg includes an annular bore extending therethrough for receiving the mounting end of a separate journal pin. Each journal pin also includes a bearing end for rotatively supporting a cone type cutter. Cone retention members are operatively engaged to each journal pin for retaining the cone cutter on each journal pin. In assembly the cone cutters, with the retention members contained therein, are positioned interior of the legs of the one piece bit body in their operative location. The journal pins are then inserted through the leg bores until they extend into the cavities of the respective cone cutters. Each journal pin is then secured to a respective leg and the retention members are secured to the journal pins, preferably by electron beam welding techniques.

Abstract: Conventional drag bits for diamond insert studs generally require a two-step operation which includes a first drilled hole to accept the grip length of the diamond stud. A second counterboring operation relieves the upper portion of the bored hole to clear the bottom edge of the diamond cutting face of the insert. Counterboring also facilitates insertion of the studs within the hole. Conventional insertion methods for the studs unfortunately leave a portion of the insert vulnerable to breakage because the back side of the insert opposite the cutting face is unsupported. This invention corrects this problem by drilling the counterbore hole eccentrically with respect to the insert hole so that the counterbore surface is, for example, tangent with the insert hole at a point opposite the cutting face of the insert stud, thus providing support for the upper portion of the stud during operation of the drag bit.

Abstract: An offshore terminal connected to different underwater producing wellheads which comprises an aerial part provided with a rotatable arm which supports a T F L-servicing pipe and two further pipes including a loading pipe for discharging crude into oil tankers.This aerial part is supported via an upright riser by a submerged caisson housing manifolds and a T F L-switching barrel.The riser comprises a plurality of coaxial pipes, which are releasably connected to the top of the caisson by telescopic means, the central conduit of this riser connecting the T F L-servicing pipe to the T F L-switching barrel and the other pipes to different manifolds in the caisson.

Abstract: In a percussive rock bit or similar tool wherein cemented carbide cutting inserts are retained in open radial slots in the head of the tool, an improved method of mechanically retaining the inserts. The inserts are provided with a plurality of elongated radially aligned serrulations along each flank thereof, the thickness of the insert as measured between the crests of opposing serrulations being such as to provide a substantial interference with the slot wall. The inserts may be cold fitted by sliding along the slot, following which body material is peened so as to overlay a small chamfer at the base of the outwardly facing wall of the inserts. The inwardly facing walls of the inserts may be inclined so as to retain the center plug of the rock bit mechanically.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit having a drill bit body and at least one trunnion projecting from the drill bit body and a rotary cutter supported on at least one radial roller bearing on the trunnion. The rolling elements of the bearing are guided on at least one axial end facing the drill bit body in an outer bearing race groove incorporated in the bore of the rotary cutter. The inner bearing race groove is formed on the trunnion for the rolling elements of the radial roller bearing. At least one filling opening is provided which extends through the drill bit body and trunnion and is essentially axially oriented having one terminal end adjacent the inner bearing race groove and at least one pair of filler piece for sealing the opening. One of the filler pieces is made of an elastically compressible material.

Abstract: A drilling fluid roller reamer-stabilizer includes a tubular body having threaded pin and box connectors at each end adapted to be connected in a drill string and providing a fluid passage connecting the upper part of the drill string with the lower part. Rollers having integral pins at their ends are mounted in pockets in the sides of the body. The pins extend into holes in arcuate cross section bearing blocks received in correlative sockets in the body at the ends of the pockets. Each block makes an interference fit with the sockets in the body. Tool access passages allow a tool to be inserted behind each block to drive or pry it out. Slotted, resilient bearing sleeves are provided in the holes in the blocks where the roller pins are received. The sleeves extend beyond the holes toward the rollers to take axial thrust. Flanges on the ends of the sleeves provide additional thrust area.

Abstract: Rib structure for an impact type rock drilling bit, spirally oriented on the external surface of the bit to move particulate matter forwardly relative to the bit when it be turned in its normal drilling direction, to aid the process of extraction of the bit from a drilled hole.

Abstract: One or more holes are drilled into the crest of the tooth-shaped cutting structure of a milled steel tooth rotary rock bit. Tungsten carbide rods are positioned in the holes and hardfacing is applied to the tooth. The hardfacing is applied across the top of the tooth crest and acts to hold the tungsten carbide rods in place. The rods are inserted in holes parallel and close to one flank of the tooth so that the entire length of the carbide rods can be attached to the hardfacing by burning the hardfacing through to the carbide rods. Wear on the tooth will proceed along the side of the tooth not reinforced with the carbide rods and a self-sharpening effect is enhanced by the strength of the carbide rods. The carbide rods and holes therefore can be relatively inexpensive, since close tolerance finishing is not required.

Abstract: A drill bit and a method for deep-hole drilling in which the drill bit has mechanical cutting means located on its lower cutting face for cutting a solid surface upon rotation of the bit and a plurality of cavitating liquid jet nozzles spaced around the face of the bit to assist in the drilling action, the nozzles being located so as to discharge a plurality of downwardly directed and concentric liquid jets that cavitate to fracture the surface to be drilled in a series of non-overlapping slots as the bit is rotated.

Abstract: A drill bit is coupled at its upper end to an orbiting mass oscillator. The oscillator is mounted and connected to the bit such that the oscillator describes a conical orbiting path. The drill bit follows this conical orbiting path of the oscillator which results in a rolling nutating action of the bit cutters on the work material.

Abstract: A roller reamer-stabilizer tool includes a tubular body having threaded pin and box connectors at each end adapted to be connected in a drill string and providing a fluid passage connecting the upper part of the drill string with the lower part. Rollers having integral pins at their ends are mounted in pockets in the sides of the body. The pins are received in stepped, arcuate cross-section bearing blocks received in correlative sockets in the body at the ends of the pockets. The blocks make an interference fit with the body. Releasing bar access passages allow a releasing bar to be inserted behind each block to drive, wedge, or pry it out. Means is provided to seal and lubricate the full lengths of the pin-block interfaces. The seals are downwardly facing to avoid entrapment of foreign material. The lubrication means includes a reservoir having a flexible wall exposed to pressure outside the tool.

Abstract: A submergible, underwater well completion habitat and a method of employing the same in the completion of wells at extended depths. The well completion habitat may be attached to an underwater well platform and maintained at a pressure of sufficient value to expel water from the work chamber and also to maintain it substantially water free so that one or more saturated divers may work within the chamber to complete the well. This abstract of the invention is neither intended to define the scope of the invention, which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to limit the invention in any way.

Abstract: A downhole drilling system utilizes a non-rotating kelly bushing for locking in the torque created in the drill string by the downhole drilling motor. The kelly bushing prevents rotational movement of the kelly secured to the drill string on which the downhole motor is attached. The kelly bushing includes a torque mechanism for enabling the kelly and the attached drill string to move in a forward direction into the hole being drilled while prohibiting any rotational movement. A guide mechanism is provided in the kelly bushing for enabling an electrical wire to be attached to either the downhole motor or a sensing mechanism located in the area of the downhole motor for feeding back to the surface appropriate electrical signals indicative of certain drilling operations.

Abstract: Segments of a rock bit are secured together by electron-beam welding. The segments are slightly spaced apart prior to welding by a thin shim of alloying metal such as titanium which improves ductility of the weld and is a strong carbide-former during welding. The shim is positioned between adjacent segments in the region of the crown or dome of the bit. The resulting welded interface is a fine-grain stress-relieved structure with good ductility and resistance to cracking.

Abstract: A unit adapted to be attached to a large number of similar units to form an apparatus to permit the taking of geological and geophysical readings and samples. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical casing having ribs or grooves formed on its interior surface. A coupler is adapted to fit on the casing. Alignment means are formed on the casing and the coupler to co-operate to ensure alignment of the grooves in the casing with the grooves in an adjacent casing in the apparatus. Expandable bags may be attached to the exterior of the casing to help provide support and hydraulic seals between the casing and the surrounding materials.

Abstract: A rock drill, particularly for reinforced concrete, for rotary blow drilling, having one or several helical removal grooves for the removal of drill dust and a drill head furnished with a hard metal cutting ring is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the drill shaft is provided with a removal channel communicating the cutting ring head and a removal groove in the drill shaft surface.