Abstract: A drilling tool includes an outer cylinder; a power rotary shaft arranged in an inner chamber of the outer cylinder; a percussion generator arranged below the power rotary shaft, having a transmission shaft extending in the outer cylinder and can be driven by the power rotary shaft to rotate around its axis, an output main shaft engaged with a lower end of the transmission shaft so as to be driven by the transmission shaft to rotate about its axis and is movable relative to the transmission shaft along an axial direction, and an percussion assembly The percussion assembly is arranged between an annulus formed between the upper end of the output main shaft and the outer cylinder and can generate reciprocating impact along the axial direction on the output main shaft. A drilling bit connected with the output main shaft extending out of the inner chamber of the outer cylinder.

Abstract: A speed-enhancing drilling tool includes an upstream drill string (10), which has a drive motor and a first driving rod coupled therewith, a downstream drilling bit; and a percussive device connected between the upstream drilling string and the downstream drilling bit. The first driving rod extending axially and the drive motor are configured to drive the first driving rod in rotation. The percussive device has a rotary driving part having an upper end engaged with the first driving rod to rotate together therewith; and a rotary working part having an upper end engaged with a lower end of the rotary driving part and a lower end connected with the downstream drilling bit. The rotary working part can be driven by the rotary driving part to rotate about its axis, and axially movable relative thereto; and a percussion generating part arranged around the rotary working part.

Abstract: A jarring apparatus includes first and second jarring assemblies which are axially moveable relative to each other between first and second axial configurations, and a thrust assembly interposed between the first and second jarring assemblies to limit relative axial movement therebetween at the second axial configuration and permit axial loading in one axial direction to be transferred between the first and second jarring assemblies via the thrust assembly. The apparatus further includes a jarring mass axially moveable within the jarring apparatus in reverse first and second directions upon relative rotation between the first and second jarring assemblies.

Abstract: A jarring apparatus includes first and second jarring assemblies rotatable relative to each other. A first impact surface is provided on the first jarring assembly and a second impact surface is provided on the second jarring assembly, wherein, in use, the first and second impact surfaces are biased together. A first lifting structure is rotatably fixed relative to the first jarring assembly and a second lifting structure is rotatably fixed relative to the second jarring assembly, the first and second lifting structures being configured to cooperate during relative rotation therebetween to cause cyclical relative displacement in one axial direction to define a lifting phase and relative displacement in a reverse axial direction to define a dropping phase.

Abstract: A downhole motor has a bearing mandrel rotatably disposed within a housing, plus an impact adapter disposed above and connected to the bearing mandrel and rotatable therewith. The impact adapter has upwardly-projecting teeth engageable with downwardly-projecting teeth on a drive mandrel disposed above and coaxially aligned with the impact adapter. The drive mandrel is both rotatable and axially movable within the housing, and relative to the impact adapter. By means of a cam assembly and a helical spring (or other energy storage means) associated with the drive mandrel, rotation of the drive mandrel causes upward movement of the drive mandrel within the housing, thus compressing the spring. Further rotation causes instantaneous dropping of the drive mandrel, releasing energy stored in the spring, and causing the application of rotational and/or axial impacts to the bearing mandrel, and thus to a drill bit connected to the bearing mandrel.

Abstract: A downhole tool string for conveying within a wellbore, including an engagement device for engaging a downhole feature located within the wellbore, a first actuator for applying a substantially non-vibrating force to the engagement device while the engagement device is engaged with the downhole feature, and a second actuator for applying a vibrating force to the engagement device while the engagement device is engaged with the downhole feature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanical force generator for use in a drillstring that provides a sinusoidal or near sinusoidal oscillating output, comprising: a rotatable cam plate connected to a mass, the cam plate having two opposed oblique bearing surfaces rotatable through a bearing, wherein upon rotation, the two opposed oblique bearing surfaces cam against the bearing to oscillate the mass longitudinally, wherein the bearing comprises opposing bearings for bearing against the opposed oblique bearing surfaces and wherein at least one bearing adjusts to follow the respective opposed bearing surface and maintain engagement.

Abstract: A downhole oscillation tool and method for axially vibrating a drill bit. In some embodiments, modular actuation assemblies may be provided, which may be readily interchanged between a housing and a shaft to axially vibrate the shaft with respect to the housing. Modular actuation assemblies may be mechanical, hydraulic, electric, or piezoelectric, for example, and may be characterized by differing oscillation frequencies. In some embodiments, a piezo element may be provided between the housing and the shaft.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus connected to a workstring within a wellbore. The workstring is connected to a bit member. The apparatus includes a mandrel operatively connected to a downhole motor mechanism, an anvil member operatively formed on the bit member, the anvil member being operatively connected to the mandrel, a radial bearing housing unit operatively connected to the workstring, with the radial bearing housing unit being disposed about the mandrel, and a hammer member slidably attached to the radial bearing housing unit.

Abstract: A down-the-hole drill (DHD) hammer having a casing, a drill bit proximate a distal end of the casing, a piston mounted within the casing and a self-indexing drive transmission is provided. The piston includes a plurality of helical and axial splines. The drive transmission includes a driver sleeve, a driven sleeve and a wrap spring clutch assembly. The driver sleeve and driven sleeve are housed within the casing and circumscribes the piston. The driver sleeve includes a plurality of openings for receiving a plurality of bearings. The driver sleeve bearings are configured to operatively engage the helical splines on the piston. The wrap spring clutch assembly includes a wrap spring circumscribing the driver sleeve and driven sleeve. The driven sleeve operatively engages the drill bit to rotationally index the drill bit.

Abstract: A downhole tool string, comprising a tool string bore and a drill bit located at the bottom of the tool string. The drill bit comprises a body intermediate a shank and a working surface. The working surface may comprise a substantially coaxial rotationally isolated jack element with a portion of the jack element extending out of an opening formed in the working surface to engage a subterranean formation. The tool string may comprise a driving mechanism adapted to rotate the jack. The clutch assembly disposed within the tool string bore may comprise a first end in communication with the jack element and second end in communication with the driving mechanism.

Abstract: Embodiments provide apparatuses and methods for excavation and drilling, particularly reverse circulation hammers and bits. Reverse circulation hammers and bits manufactured in accordance with various embodiments may help to prevent fatigue and breaking of the bit during a drilling operation, may prevent clogging of return holes, may provide higher efficiency drilling operations, and may provide modular bit designs that may be interchanged to suit a particular drilling operation.

Abstract: A device used to break rock from within a predrilled borehole through the use of impact pins which strike against the interior sides of a drilled hole. The device is loaded into a drilled hole and then activated by a percussive hammer located above the hole, providing percussive energy to the device which is then transferred to the sidewall of the drilled hole. The device includes an inner piston assembly which includes a driving surface for causing impact pins to strike the interior sidewall of the drilled hole in a rapid percussive manner so as to greatly improve the ability to break and shatter surrounding rock or concrete.

Abstract: A drilling tool assembly may include a housing, a piston disposed in the housing, and a clutch assembly coupled to the housing and the piston. The clutch assembly may be configured to facilitate rotation of the piston relative to the housing. A cutting assembly may be coupled to the piston in a manner that it is rotatable relative to the piston. A method of forming a wellbore may include positioning a drilling tool in the wellbore, the drilling tool comprising a housing, a piston, a clutch assembly, and a drill head. The method may further include reciprocating the piston axially within the housing, rotating the piston relative to the housing the clutch assembly, rotating the drill head relative to the housing and the piston, and forming the wellbore.

Abstract: A drilling and vibratory jarring device is provided. The device has an inner mandrel shiftable upward or downward in an outer housing from an intermediate position in the outer housing. When the inner mandrel is in the intermediate position within the outer housing mating splines, one set of splines attached to inner mandrel, the other set of splines attached to the outer housing, engage and rotatably lock inner mandrel and outer housing together. When the inner mandrel is shifted to the upward position said splines disengage and the saw-tooth surfaces of an upper pair of jars engage creating longitudinal vibratory forces down-hole when inner mandrel is rotated with respect to outer housing. When the inner mandrel is shifted to the downward position said splines disengage and the saw-tooth surfaces of an lower pair of jars engage creating longitudinal vibratory forces down-hole when inner mandrel is rotated with respect to outer housing.

Abstract: A downhole tool string, comprising a tool string bore and a drill bit located at the bottom of the tool string. The drill bit comprises a body intermediate a shank and a working surface. The working surface may comprise a substantially coaxial rotationally isolated jack element with a portion of the jack element extending out of an opening formed in the working surface to engage a subterranean formation. The tool string may comprise a driving mechanism adapted to rotate the jack. The clutch assembly disposed within the tool string bore may comprise a first end in communication with the jack element and second end in communication with the driving mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for impact drilling. A drilling tool with a housing and a piston is provided. The drilling tool may be configured to impact while simultaneously rotating a drill head, independent from the rotation of a drill string. The drilling tool may include a rolling key assembly disposed between the housing and the piston that includes a bearing adapted to roll during a first direction of the piston and slide during a second direction of the piston. The drilling tool may include a clutch mechanism configured to rotate the drill head as the piston is directed in the first direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for the repeated mechanical triggering of various types of downhole equipment, the arrangement comprising a spring element (4) and a string section (1).

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for impact drilling. A drilling tool with a housing and a piston is provided. The drilling tool may be configured to impact while simultaneously rotating a drill head, independent from the rotation of a drill string. The drilling tool may include a rolling key assembly disposed between the housing and the piston that includes a bearing adapted to roll during a first direction of the piston and slide during a second direction of the piston. The drilling tool may include a clutch mechanism configured to rotate the drill head as the piston is directed in the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in boring is described, the apparatus including a rotatable drive shaft (12), a cam member (20) and followers (16) for converting rotational motion into reciprocal motion, and a shroud (24) having a cutting edge (26) driven by the cam member and followers. The shroud may be selectively engageable with the cam member and followers, allowing the drive shaft to be removed through the shroud. A fluid circulation arrangement (31), (13) allows air to be injected into loose drilling substrate, so assisting removal of drill cuttings from the boring apparatus. Also described is a drill string incorporating a similar arrangement, allowing the drill string to be reciprocated within a bore. The drill string may further include casing sections, which may have intumescent coatings to allow the sections to be fixed in a wellbore.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a downhole tool string component comprises a fluid passageway formed between a first and second end. A valve mechanism is disposed within the fluid passageway adapted to substantially cyclically build-up and release pressure within the fluid passageway such that a pressure build-up results in radial expansion of at least a portion of the fluid passageway and wherein a pressure release results in a contraction of the portion of the fluid passageway. The valve mechanism disposed within the fluid passageway comprises a spring. Expansion and contraction of the portion of the fluid passageway varies a weight loaded to a drill bit disposed at a drilling end of the drill string.

Abstract: In a liquid downhole drilling machine, the guiding bushing (31) for the drill bit is rotatably journaled in the housing (11, 12) and, via a one-way coupling (29), coupled to a turning sleeve (22) that has axial ridges (24) that bound a number of chambers (25, 26, 27) and form turning pistons for turning the turnable sleeve to and fro. A number of these chambers are coupled to be pressurized and depressurized simultaneously with said pressure chamber (47) with the piston area (46) for urging the piston hammer (30) forwards. As a result, the drill bit (13) will be indexed a defined angle between each impact so that the button inserts of the drill bit will change contact points with the rock between every impact and fragment the rock efficiently. The drill tube is not rotated.

Abstract: A percussion apparatus and method of using the percussion apparatus. The apparatus may be used for delivering an impact to a tubular string. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical member having an internal bore containing an anvil and a first guide profile. The apparatus further includes a rotor disposed within the internal bore, and wherein the rotor member comprises a body having an outer circumference with a second guide profile thereon, and wherein the rotor contains a radial hammer face. In a first position, the second external guide profile of the rotor will engage with the first guide profile of the cylindrical member so that the radial hammer face can contact the anvil. In a second position, the second guide profile of the rotor will engage with the first guide profile of the cylindrical member so that the radial hammer face is separated from the anvil shoulder. Multiple rotors and multiple stators may be employed. The rotor may be operatively associated with a stator that directs flow into the rotor.

Abstract: A percussive tool adapted to receive rotational energy from the inner member of a dual-member drill string. In a preferred embodiment the percussive tool has a hydraulic pump, driven by a drive member, to operate the hammer assembly. In another preferred embodiment the percussive tool has a rotary-driven cam assembly adapted to mechanically operate the hammer assembly. This invention provides increased control and efficiency for the use of percussive force in horizontal directional drilling operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to well construction and is directed at an oscillation excitation in a pipe string. According to the inventive method, an operating fluid is circulated in the pipe string. An autonomous mechanism for vibrational impact embodied in the form of an element, for instance a hollow ball having a rigid envelop and filled with gas, possessing a positive floatability, covering from 0.85 to 0.95 of a cross-sectional flow area of the pipe string and having an unrestricted degree of freedom. In the second variant, the inventive device comprises a ball support embodied in the form of a transverse beam or a crossbar rigidly connected to a spiral cylindrical spring arranged inside a tube under the ball with the aid of an easy-push fit. The spring force is selected with respect to a calculated axleload dependence on the mass of the ball and on flow strength with a basic flow rate of the operating fluid.

Abstract: A drilling jar comprising a mandrel with a shoulder extending radially outward. The shoulder defines at least one openable and closeable orifice therethrough. An outer housing is slidably disposed about the mandrel to define an upper chamber above the shoulder and a lower chamber below the shoulder. The jar also comprises a magnetorestriction material that responds to a predetermined pressure in the upper chamber to open at least one orifice in the shoulder to allow rapid pressure communication between the upper and lower chambers.

Abstract: A downhole well drilling apparatus includes an above-ground mast and an axially elongated generally cylindrical pneumatic hammer drill supported by the mast and mounted in an axially vertical above-ground position. An installation and removal adapter mounted on the lower end of the pneumatic hammer drill couples the hammer drill to a pipe string and maintains a movable part of the hammer drill in an operative condition at all times thereby enabling the hammer drill to operate while rotational torque and upward directed force are simultaneously applied to the operating hammer drill by the apparatus during removal of a casing from a downhole position. Hammer operation is controlled by a manually operable air supply valve.

Abstract: A downhole drilling method comprises producing pressure pulses in drilling fluid using measurement-while-drilling (MWD) apparatus (18) and allowing the pressure pulses to act upon a pressure responsive device (16) to create an impulse force on a portion of the drill string.

Abstract: The invention concerns a down the hole drill hammer assembly providing a full piston area exposure to driving fluid pressure by the omission of the usual finger valve from the upper piston area and providing the piston with blind bores at each end and passages through the piston wall enabling predetermined communication between the blind bores for exhausting pressure fluid through the drill bit assembly. Fluid transfer passages are also provided in the inner wall of an outer wear sleeve of the drill hammer assembly.

Abstract: A subsurface explorer (SSX) for exploring beneath the terrestrial surface of planetary bodies such as the Earth, Mars, or comets. This exploration activity utilizes appropriate sensors and instrument to evaluate the composition, structure, mineralogy and possibly biology of the subsurface medium, as well as perhaps the ability to return samples of that medium back to the surface. The vehicle comprises an elongated skin or body having a front end and a rear end, with a nose piece at the front end for imparting force to composition material of the planetary body. Force is provided by a hammer mechanism to the back side of a nose piece from within the body of the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, a motor spins an intermediate shaft having two non-uniform threads along with a hammer which engages these threads with two conical rollers.

Abstract: A downhole well drilling apparatus includes an above-ground mast and an axially elongated generally cylindrical pneumatic hammer drill supported by the mast and mounted in an axially vertical above-ground position. An installation and removal adapter mounted on the lower end of the pneumatic hammer drill couples the hammer drill to a pipe string and maintains a movable part of the hammer drill in an operative condition at all times thereby enabling the hammer drill to operate while rotational torque and upward directed force are simultaneously applied to the operating hammer drill by the apparatus during removal of a casing from a downhole position. Hammer operation is controlled by a manually operable air supply valve.

Abstract: An actuator for effecting bottom hole rotation consisting of an upper wash pipe having a spiral groove mandrel that is in operative association with a ball clutch assembly that is secured to the upper wash pipe. The weight placed on the actuator at the wash pipe connection is effective to drive the mandrel and ball clutch assembly through a given amount of rotation, e.g., five rotations per actuation can be applied to a selected working tool.

Abstract: A percussion tool includes a housing part having a frontal end provided with an opening; a tool bit guide supported in alignment with the opening; and a tool bit slidably supported in the tool bit guide and projecting from the housing part through the opening. The tool bit is arranged for a reciprocating motion parallel to the longitudinal tool bit axis and transverse excursions substantially perpendicular to the tool bit axis. A transverse guide is attached to the housing part and displaceably receives an outer seal composed of a transverse slide. The transverse slide has an aperture through which the tool bit passes. The transverse slide and the tool bit are arranged such that the transverse slide and the tool bit move as a unit during the transverse excursions of the tool bit. There is further provided an inner seal disposed in the housing part between the transverse slide and the tool bit guide externally thereof.

Abstract: Down-the-hole drill comprising a housing (1), a hammer piston (6) movable to-and-fro in the housing and intended for impacting a drill bit (5). A back piece (3) provided with an extension (12) with a valve part (17) cooperates with a part (8) of a central channel in the hammer piston. This part of the central channel comprises a zone (16) with larger diameter than adjacent parts at an intermediate part of this part. This results in that pressure medium can pass the valve part when it is situated at the zone and that the valve part and the hammer piston sealingly cooperate when the valve part is on either side of the zone.

Abstract: An air percussion hammer drill is disclosed for operation in an earthen formation. The air compression hammer mechanism comprises a piston that reciprocates while simultaneously rotating within its housing. A hammer drill bit slidably keyed to the bottom of the piston transfers the impact energy to the formation and rotates during operation independent of an attached drill string. The air percussion hammer assembly is therefore ideally suited to directional drilling activities.

Abstract: A jarring apparatus is provided for vibrating a pipe string in a borehole. The apparatus thereto generates at a downhole location longitudinal vibrations in the pipe string in response to flow of fluid through the interior of said string.

Abstract: A device is disclosed which is to be incorporated into a drill string used for drilling in subterranean formations. The device includes a first member concentrically mounted with drill pipes disposed above the device and a second member concentrically mounted with drill collars or drill pipes disposed below the device. An intermediate member connects the first and second members and a retainer member maintains the device in its first operative position wherein the entire device is concentric with the longitudinal axis of the drill string. In the first operative position of the device rotation can be transmitted from the first member to the second member and the device acts as an ordinary member of the drill string. The first, second and intermediate members are configured to be capable of occupying a second operative position relative to one another wherein the first member is off-center relative to the second member and wherein the first member does not rotate the second member.

Abstract: An improved anti-jamming mechanism for use in a coring tool is devised by providing a rotary jar within the inner barrel of the coring tool. The inner barrel is connected to a bearing assembly into which a bearing shaft is axially and concentrically disposed. The bearing assembly is rotatably journaled to the bearing shaft. The bearing shaft is rotatably and longitudinally fixed with respect to the outer barrel of the coring tool. The bearing shaft and bearing assembly are longitudinally displaceable with respect to each other by Bellville washers. The bearing assembly also includes a rotary anvil which is ultimately brought into contact with a rotary hammer which in turn is fixed with respect to the outer barrel. An impulsive torsional and longitudinal force is imparted by the rotary hammer to the rotary anvil through the resilient coupling between the bearing shaft and bearing assembly disposed within the inner barrel.

Abstract: A sub assembly to be inserted between a drill string and a bit has a stabilizer sleeve to engage the walls of a bore hole and hold a first cam against rotation. A second cam is fixed to a drill holder at the lower end of the assembly and is driven in rotation by a rotary driving member extending through the assembly. The cams interengage so that relative rotation between them applies periodic impacts to the drill holder.

Abstract: A rotary drive member such as a drill string, has a housing rotatably mounted at its lower end and an axial-throw cam is fixed at the lower end of the drive member in the housing. Chisel blades are axially slidable in the housing and are reciprocated by the cam in such manner that two dimetrically opposed blades are lifted and then forcibly driven downward while other chisel blades are left in contact with the well bottom to intermittently hold the housing against rotation. The chisel blades are sharpened in such a way that they tend to rotate the housing through a small angle at each downward impact.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting cores comprises an outer tube, an inner tube which contains a core receiving space, and a striking device which comprises a hammer and an anvil for producing a periodic axial movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube, wherein the inner tube, the striking device and an associated supporting body form a unit which may be moved through the outer tube in the axial direction thereof by means of a withdrawal mechanism, and wherein a part of this unit joined to an element of the striking device for rotational entrainment may be connected to the inner tube.

Abstract: Vibratory drill apparatus is disclosed which is adapted for automatic self-balancing to compensate for variations in hardness of the material being drilled and/or dulling of the cutting blades which occurs during the drilling operation. The apparatus includes a tubular casing adapted to be connected to a rotating shaft and a drill assembly comprising a plurality of coaxially extending pipe members, each being located one within the other, the upper region of the drill assembly being received within the lower region of the casing. A drill head is defined at the lower region of the drill assembly. The pipe members are interconnected such that they are mutually fixed to each other for simultaneous rotation about their axis and such that each pipe member is free to move in the axial direction relative to the other pipe members.

Abstract: An air percussion hammer drill is disclosed for operation in an earthen formation. The air compression hammer mechanism comprises a piston that reciprocates while simultaneously rotating within its housing. A hammer drill bit slidably keyed to the bottom of the piston transfers the impact energy to the formation and rotates during operation independent of an attached drill string. The air percussion hammer assembly is therefore ideally suited to directional drilling activities.