Abstract: An inner pipe member for a dual-wall drill pipe assembly having an inner pipe member and an outer pipe member, the outer pipe member having a main bore extending axially therethrough including a first bore and a concentric second bore of smaller diameter than the first bore and axially spaced therefrom by a shoulder, and a circumferential recess in the second bore, the inner pipe member comprising a tubular body portion adapted to be telescopically and concentrically received in the main bore and define an annular fluid passage therewith, a first spacer at one end of the body portion for concentrically spacing the one end of the body portion from the other end of the outer pipe member, and a second spacer at the other end of the body portion, the second spacer including first and second surfaces adapted to be received in sliding fit relation within the first and second bore, respectively, for concentrically positioning the other end of the inner pipe member within the outer pipe member, and a projection exten

Abstract: Pipe handling systems are generally somewhat bulky, relying on a plurality of hydraulic cylinders and complicated linkages. A relatively simple, compact pipe handling apparatus for use on a derrick of the type which can be rotated between the horizontal and the vertical includes an elongated track for mounting on one side of the derrick, a carriage slidably mounted on the track, three swing arms connected end-to-end, the first arm being connected to a rotary actuator mounted on the carriage, rotation around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the derrick, a second rotary actuator between the first and second swing arms for rotating the second and third swing arms around an axis parallel to and spaced apart from the longitudinal axis of the derrick, a third rotary actuator for rotating the third swing arm, which carries a pair of jaw assemblies.

Abstract: The specification describes a dual-wall drill pipe section comprising an outer pipe member having a box end formed with an internal thread and a pin end formed with an external thread for engagement with the box end of another outer pipe member, the bore of one of the ends of the outer pipe member is formed with a shoulder and a circumferential, inwardly facing groove axially spaced from the shoulder, an inner pipe member concentrically disposed within the outer pipe member so as to define an annular passage between the inner and outer pipe members, spacer members connected to each end of the inner pipe member and disposed in the annular passage for maintaining concentricity between the inner and outer pipe members, the spacer members at one end of the inner pipe being formed with a shoulder for abutting engagement with the shoulder of the outer pipe member so as to axially locate and support the inner pipe member within the outer pipe member, and at least one spring member connected to the inner pipe member

Abstract: A drill pipe rotary drive mechanism for an earth drilling apparatus comprises a housing, a drive member mounted in the housing for rotation therein about a rotary axis and having an axial bore opening at each end to the exterior of the housing, and a drive mechanism in the housing for rotatably driving the drive member. A drive coupling tool is adapted to be readily removably mounted in the drive member so that the drive mechanism can be used for rotatably driving different types of earth drilling tools, the coupling tool having a tubular body portion telescopingly removably mounted in the axial bore of the drive member, the body portion having an axial opening extending therethrough for reception of a portion of the length of the drill pipe, a flange at one end of the body portion for abutting engagement with one end of the drive member for axially locating the coupling tool in the drive member, the coupling tool being adapted to be non-rotatably coupled to a drilling tool and to the drive member.

Abstract: The specification describes a dual-wall drill pipe section comprising an outer pipe member having a box end formed with an internal thread and a pin end formed with an external thread for engagement with the box end of another outer pipe member, the bore of one of the ends of the outer pipe member is formed with a shoulder and a circumferential, inwardly facing groove axially spaced from the shoulder, an inner pipe member concentrically disposed within the outer pipe member so as to define an annular passage between the inner and outer pipe members, spacer members connected to each end of the inner pipe member and disposed in the annular passage for maintaining concentricity between the inner and outer pipe members, the spacer members at one end of the inner pipe being formed with a shoulder for abutting engagement with the shoulder of the outer pipe member so as to axially locate and support the inner pipe member within the outer pipe member, and at least one spring member connected to the inner pipe member

Abstract: A double-walled drill pipe, having a plurality of outer pipe lengths connected end-to-end and a plurality of inner pipe lengths connected end-to-end and concentrically disposed within the outer pipes and defining an annular fluid flow passageway and a return flow passageway, is provided with an inner pipe support arrangement for minimizing stresses applied to the inner pipe lengths when blows are applied to the outer pipe lengths to drive a cutting bit. Each outer pipe length is provided with a ledge on its inner surface to provide a seat for an abutment on the outer surface of its adjacent inner pipe. When a blow is applied to the outer pipe lengths, the outer pipe is forced downwardly but due to inertial effects, the inner pipe unseats and is permitted to fall under its own weight. A resilient shock ring may be positioned on the length to cushion the fall of the inner pipe and provision may be made to limit axial displacement between the inner and outer pipes.

Abstract: A drill rig for drilling a hole in the ground including a mast, having a longitudinal slide means at one face thereof, adapted to be set upright with the slide means facing, and being at a selected spacing from and parallel to the axis of a drill hole to be drilled with the rig; a slide frame mounted upon the mast slide means and lifter-pulldown means in the mast to move the slide frame along the longitudinal slide means; a lateral shifting means on the slide frame shiftable towards and away from the slide frame in the direction of the drill hole; a drill carrier attached to the shifting means to be shifted to a first position against the slide frame and to a second position outwardly therefrom; and a drill mechanism means including a drill pipe means mounted upon the drill carrier to effect drilling by a drill pipe means, with the drill pipe means being aligned with the drill hole axis when the drill carrier is at one of said positions.

Abstract: Multiple wall drill pipe adapted for use in a drill pipe string comprising an outer pipe member; an inner pipe member disposed within the outer pipe member; and means for releasably connecting the inner pipe member and the outer pipe member in fixed axial relationship under force loads applied in use during a drilling operation while enabling relative rotary movement between the inner pipe member and the outer pipe member during a rotary drilling operation to relieve torsional stress thereon, and for permitting the removal of the inner pipe member from the outer pipe member by relative axial displacement therebetween caused by application to the inner pipe member of only an axially directed force load in excess of the axially directed force loads applied to the inner pipe member in use during a normal drilling operation.

Abstract: Multiple wall drill pipe adapted for use in a drill pipe string comprising an outer pipe member; an inner pipe member disposed within the outer pipe member; and means for releasably connecting the inner pipe member and the outer pipe member in fixed axial relationship under force loads applied in use during a drilling operation while enabling relative rotary movement between the inner pipe member and the outer pipe member during a rotary drilling operation to relieve torsional stress thereon, and for permitting the removal of the inner pipe member from the outer pipe member by relative axial displacement therebetween caused by application to the inner pipe member of only an axially directed force load in excess of the axially directed force loads applied to the inner pipe member in use during a normal drilling operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means for mounting the inner pipe within the outer pipe of a double-walled pipe used in reverse-circulation drilling so that torques imparted to the outer pipe will not be imparted to the inner pipe, in order to avoid failure of the inner pipe. The inner pipe has a bushing slidably received thereon at each end, the bushing being affixed, as by a plurality of welded circumferentially spaced ribs, to the inner wall of the outer pipe so that the inner pipe is free to rotate relative to the outer pipe. An annular locating sleeve is received on and welded to the inner pipe adjacent each end of each bushing so that axial, or longitudinal movement of the inner pipe relative to the outer pipe is restrained. Since the inner pipe is free to rotate it will not be affected by excessive torque applied to the outer pipe and, in fact, the double-walled pipe can be given a higher torque rating than it would merit if the inner pipe were non-rotatably fixed to the outer pipe.