Abstract: Swivel apparatus suspended for handling pipe joints to be added to or taken from a drill string including powered apparatus connected to a cable for raising and lowering the swivel apparatus. The swivel apparatus may comprise an upper stationary section and a lower rotatable tubular section adapted to receive one end of a pipe joint and having a radially movable latch assembly for engagement therewith. The lower section may be provided with cam apparatus movable, relative to the latch assembly, from an inoperative position to an operative position camming the latch assembly from a first position, permitting free entry of the pipe joint end into the lower section, to a second, latching the pipe joint end in the lower section.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus mounted on a self-propelled base equipped with a joint to permit use on uneven terrain and drilling at various angles with respect to the terrain surface; embodiments of the invention feature suction apparatus for removing drill cuttings, and foldable masts.

Abstract: A check valve assembly for use in a drill string to prevent reverse flow of drilling fluid through the string while permitting such fluid to be pumped downwardly through the well under normal conditions. The assembly includes: a valve body; a ball valve member, normally located out of the flow path in a side recess; a valve seat located above the valve member and means for controlling the rate of reverse flow of fluid required to move the valve member out of the side recess and against the valve seat.

Abstract: A check valve assembly for permitting unrestricted flow in one direction and limited flow in the reverse direction comprising: a valve body having a longitudinal flowbore therethrough; a seat member carried by the valve body; a closure member carried by the valve body for movement from a normally open position, in which flow through the flowbore is unrestricted, to a closed position engaging the seat member, in which reverse flow through the valve body is prevented; and a reciprocal sleeve member carried by the valve body for movement between a first position, preventing movement of the closure member to its closed position, to a second position, allowing movement of the closure member to its closed position.

Abstract: A drilling machine and relatively small mast are mounted on a pivotal support which permits the drilling machine, mast and drill pipe employed in the assembly to be inclined as required to drill a non-vertical bore hole. The drilling machine is preferably a fluid pressure-operated snubber device which includes a stationary lower gripping head and a vertically reciprocable, upper gripping head operable for rotating drill pipe and for running the drill pipe into and out of the well bore. An internal drill string anchor carried by a traveling block suspended in the mast engages and supports the upper end of the drill string extending from the snubber and also provides drilling fluids to the string. A rotatable seal and support assembly in the anchor maintains a fluid seal and permits the drill pipe to rotate relative to the non-rotating traveling block.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus for manipulating pipe members in operating on a well, including a frame that is movable along the floor of the drilling derrick and which is equipped with a clamp for guiding pipe members toward and away from the well bore, guides for vertically orienting pipe members and aligning them with the well bore, and powered tongs for making and breaking threaded joints between pipe members and the drill string located in the well bore. In a method of manipulating pipe members in operating on a well with a mast-supported elevator, pipe members supported by the elevator are guided toward and away from the well bore area by a pipe manipulator movable along the working floor, aligned by the pipe manipulator, and threadedly joined to, or disengaged from, the drill string in the well bore by powered tongs carried by the pipe manipulator.

Abstract: A check valve for permitting fluid flow in one direction and preventing flow in the reverse direction may comprise: a tubular body having a longitudinal flowbore therethrough; an annular seat within the flowbore; an inclined cylindrical pocket communicating with the flowbore; and a ball member movable between the pocket and sealing engagement with the seat in the flowbore to permit fluid to flow in one direction but blocking flow in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A check valve assembly for use in a drill string to limit reverse flow of drilling fluid through the string while permitting such fluid to be pumped freely into the well under normal conditions. The assembly may include: a valve body having a longitudinal flowbore therethrough; a valve seat at one end of the flowbore; a pair of inclined cylindrical recesses in the valve body communicating with the flowbore; and a ball member normally disposed in either one of the recesses and movable into the flowbore for sealing engagement with the seat in response to a predetermined rate of reverse flow through the flowbore.

Abstract: A check valve assembly for use in a drill string to prevent reverse flow of drilling fluid through the string while permitting such fluid to be pumped downwardly through the well under normal conditions. The assembly includes: a valve body; a ball valve member, normally located out of the flow path in a side recess; a valve seat located above the valve member and means for controlling the rate of reverse flow of fluid required to move the valve member out of the side recess and against the valve seat.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pipe handling device, power-driven in three degrees of freedom, for manipulating pipe that is essentially vertically oriented. Specific embodiments described relate to racking and unracking drill pipe in a drilling derrick. A maneuverable arm, mounted on the derrick at an appropriate height, grips the pipe, lifts it and moves it to another location. A cable-assisted embodiment designed to handle heavy drill collars features a shock absorber assembly.

Abstract: Eyes in adjacent track segments in a bulldozer type track are secured to each other by a pin which is provided with a grease fitting and connecting passages for communicating lubricant to the bearing surfaces in the linkage. The pins are housed in a metal sleeve which cooperates with resilient seals to retain the lubricant in the linkage and to keep external matter away from the linkage bearing surfaces. The pin is held in place by removable retaining means so that the linkage may be separated and reattached without special equipment.