Tool Actuation By Reaction Of Rotating Eccentric Mass Patents (Class 175/55)
  • Patent number: 11939818
    Abstract: A modular reamer for use in a wellbore comprises an uphole end member, a center member, and a downhole member, with reamer sleeves that removably slides over a sleeve mounting portion of the center member or one of the end members, and are held between the end members and the center members when assembled into a downhole tool. The reamer sleeves may be positioned at any desired rotational angle relative to each other and are prevented from rotational movement relative to the center member by spines or keys formed on the mating surfaces of the reamer sleeves and corresponding members of the modular eccentric reamer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: T.J. TECHNOLOGY 2020 INC.
    Inventors: Laurier E. Comeau, Jayson Russell
  • Patent number: 11203901
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a radial drilling operation using a shaft are disclosed. The shaft can be flexible and can be made of a series of links, each of which can have a hexagonal or other suitable shape to impart a torque along the linkage. A cable system can be run through the middle of the links and can be resiliently tensioned to permit a different degree of flexure according to the amount of tension in the cable and resilient member. Accordingly, the shaft can be rigid, selectively permitted to flex, or can be brought back to a straight or at least a less-bent position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald Cardon, Bill DuBose, Mark Callister Oettli, Alexander Rudnik, Harold Steve Bissonnette
  • Patent number: 10815731
    Abstract: A sonic drilling apparatus with adapter for emplacing columns includes a sonic drilling apparatus generating vibrational waves and having a fitting. An adapter is coupled to the fitting for removably attaching a column to the sonic drill apparatus. A centering assembly is positioned below the adaptor for receipt of a column therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Inventor: John Powers, III
  • Patent number: 10724357
    Abstract: A method for estimating downhole speed and force variables at an arbitrary location of a moving drill string based on surface measurements of the same variables. The method includes a) using properties of said drill string to calculate transfer functions describing frequency-dependent amplitude and phase relations between cross combinations of said speed and force variables at the surface and downhole; b) selecting a base time period; c) measuring surface speed and force variables, conditioning the measured data by applying anti-aliasing and/or decimation filters, and storing the conditioned data, and d) calculating the downhole variables in the frequency domain by applying an integral transform, such as Fourier transform, of the surface variables, multiplying the results with said transfer functions, applying the inverse integral transform to sums of coherent terms and picking points in said base time periods to get time-delayed estimates of the dynamic speed and force variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco Norway AS
    Inventor: Åge Kyllingstad
  • Patent number: 10676993
    Abstract: A directional drilling system includes a housing and a motor positioned within the housing and operably coupled to a drill bit to rotate the drill bit. The system further includes a primary pad assembly comprising a primary pad and a primary actuator coupled to the primary pad to selectively extend from an exterior of the housing, and a backup pad assembly to back up the primary pad assembly, the backup pad assembly comprising a backup pad and a backup actuator coupled to the backup pad to selectively extend from the exterior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Wilson Moore, Scott James Harris
  • Patent number: 10316588
    Abstract: A pipe shaker apparatus is configured to shake within a pipe and cause the pipe to vibrate. The pipe shaker apparatus includes a rotor having an offset mass. The offset mass is offset from a longitudinal axis through a first end piece of the rotor at a first end of the rotor and a second end piece of the rotor at a second end of the rotor. The pipe shaker apparatus also includes a tubular body having first and second ends. First and second end caps are arranged at first and second ends of the tubular body such that air is able to pass through the first end cap, enter the tubular body, cause the rotor to rotate, and exit the tubular body through the second end cap. The rotor is arranged such that rotation of the rotor by the air cases the offset mass to shake the pipe shaker apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Dandelion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Robertson, Bruce Allen Eisenhauer, Jr., Luuk Sasse
  • Patent number: 9937548
    Abstract: A joint is produced in at least two overlapping workpieces using a joining tool including a punch reciprocally disposed in a cylinder. The workpieces are disposed between the tool and a die. The tool applies a compressive force to deform the workpieces into a joint at a joining area between the tool and die. Continuous ultrasonic energy is applied to at least one of the workpieces in the joining area for at least part of the time during production of the joint to increase the ductility of at least one of the workpieces in the joining area. This induces an acousto-plastic effect in the material being formed which temporarily reduces its strength so as to exhibit increased ductility. The joining method may be used in self-piercing riveting and clinching techniques and enables viable joints to be formed in high strength materials or thick sheets of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Henrob Limited
    Inventors: Christopher James Clarke, Roger Stanton Doo, Margaret Lucas, Russell John Trinick
  • Patent number: 9587437
    Abstract: A powered reamer comprising a stationary assembly having a flow bore therethrough. A rotating assembly is disposed about the stationary assembly and one or more cutting structures are coupled to an outer surface of the rotating assembly. A flow restriction is disposed within the flow bore so as to divert a portion of fluid flowing through the flow bore through an outlet from the flow bore into an annulus between the stationary assembly and the rotating assembly. A power section is formed in the annulus between the stationary assembly and the rotating assembly. The power section operates to eccentrically rotate the rotating assembly about the stationary assembly in response to fluid flowing through the annulus between the stationary assembly and the rotating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Jonathan Ryan Prill, Alan Martyn Eddison
  • Patent number: 9470087
    Abstract: A cutter head includes a first member, a cutting bit, and a second member. The first member includes a first end and a second end and includes a first mass. The cutting bit is coupled to the first member proximate the second end. The cutting bit includes a cutting edge rotatable about the axis. The second member is rotatable about the axis and includes a second mass eccentrically positioned with respect to the axis. Rotation of the second mass causes the first member and the cutting bit to oscillate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell P. Smith, Andrew D. Hunter, Peter A. Lugg, Ian B. Schirmer, Geoffrey W. Keech, Christopher Coates, Bradley M. Neilson
  • Patent number: 8997855
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body shaped to deform a wellbore tool in a predetermined manner. A vibration device applies a vibration to the body to reduce a frictional force caused when the body deforms the wellbore tool. In one arrangement, the vibration devices imparts a resonant wave motion to a swaging apparatus that is being pushed through a passage of a wellbore tubular. A swaging body vibrates at a resonant frequency along the long axis of the wellbore tubular and/or normal to long axis of the wellbore tubular. The relative motion between the swaging body and the tubular member reduces the force required to expand the wellbore tubular. Optionally, a controller operatively connected to the vibration device adjusts the operation of the vibration device in response to the sensor measurements of the vibrations in the swage body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Edward J. O'Malley, Steven N. Bailey
  • Patent number: 8899352
    Abstract: This disclosure relates in general to a method and system for controlling a drilling system for drilling a borehole in an earth formation. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for controlling dynamic interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole being drilled to steer the drilling system to directionally drill the borehole. In another embodiment of the present invention, data regarding the functioning of the drilling system as it drills the borehole may be sensed and interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole may be controlled in response to the sensed data to control the drilling system as the borehole is being drilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ashley Johnson, Walter David Aldred, Geoffrey Downton, Riadh Boualleg, Kjell Haugvaldstad, Michael Sheppard
  • Patent number: 8851203
    Abstract: A sonic drill head comprising an outer housing, an isolation system, a sine generator and a spindle. The sine generator generates a linear sinusoidal vibration force through the rotation of a plurality of eccentric masses. The sine generator is configured to translate the linear sinusoidal force to the spindle in a direction corresponding to the spindle's axis of rotation. The sine generator supports the spindle within the housing such that the spindle is free to rotate about the spindle axis. The spindle is generally a hollow tube section thereby allowing the passage of drilling fluid, mud, cuttings, and/or tooling. The isolation system generally reduces the transfer of the vibration force generated by the sine generator to the outer housing, yet is able to transfer an applied thrust force from the outer housing to the sine generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Layne Christensen Company
    Inventors: Brian Smith, Krasimir Zahariev, Kyle Jones
  • Publication number: 20140284107
    Abstract: The invention relates to a small drilling apparatus for producing bores in the ground, comprising, a main carrier 4, a telescopic mast 7 with an adjustable length, a rotating device 6, by which the telescopic mast 7 is pivotable relative to the main carrier 4 around a vertical axis A1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Keller Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Kuno Klein, Alexandra Baumert
  • Patent number: 8763726
    Abstract: The present specification describes a drill bit for drilling a cavity. The drill bit may include a chassis, a plurality of gauge pad sets, and at least one gauge pad structure. The chassis may be configured to rotate about an axis. The plurality of gauge pad sets may each include at least one gauge pad. The at least one gauge pad structure may moveably couple at least one of the gauge pads of at least one of the plurality of gauge pad sets with the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ashley Bernard Johnson, Michael Charles Sheppard, Geoff Downton
  • Patent number: 8757294
    Abstract: This disclosure relates in general to a method and system for controlling a drilling system for drilling a borehole in an earth formation. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for controlling dynamic interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole being drilled to steer the drilling system to directionally drill the borehole. In another embodiment of the present invention, data regarding the functioning of the drilling system as it drills the borehole may be sensed and interactions between the drilling system for drilling the borehole and an inner surface of the borehole may be controlled in response to the sensed data to control the drilling system as the borehole is being drilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ashley Johnson, Walter David Aldred, Geoffrey Charles Downton, Riadh Boualleg, Kjell Haugvaldstad, Michael Sheppard
  • Publication number: 20140131105
    Abstract: A drilling apparatus includes a housing that defines a longitudinal axis. A power section of the apparatus includes rotor adapted to move with eccentric rotary motion with respect to the longitudinal axis in response to the passage of drilling fluids through the power section. A power transmission shaft has an upper end coupled to the rotor and movable with the eccentric motion of the rotor, and a lower end constrained to rotate in a concentric manner with respect to the longitudinal axis. A generally rigid torsion rod has upper and lower ends constrained to rotate in a concentric manner, and the upper end of the torsion rod is coupled to the lower end of the power transmission shaft. A mandrel including a connection for a drill bit is interconnected with the lower end of the torsion rod such that a torque may be transmitted from the torsion rod to the mandrel to drive a drill bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas BAUGHER, Mark CHUSTZ, Joe RIVAS
  • Publication number: 20140131106
    Abstract: A rotary steering apparatus for a drill string in which a bending section induces a bend in a portion of the bottom hole assembly of the drill string by using the rotation of the drive shaft that drives the drill bit during normal drilling, while operating at a reduced or zero drilling mud flow rate, to drive a reduction gear that rotates a nut or cam so as to place a tension tube into tension. The tension tube abuts a flexible housing and places the flexible housing in compression. The flexible housing has a local weakening formed in it that causes it to preferentially bend in a predetermined direction. Compression in the flexible housing causes the housing to bend, which bends a portion of the bottom hole assembly so as to alter the direction of drilling. Rotation of the drive shaft at reduced or zero mud flow rate also causes the drive shaft to drive rotation of a second reduction gear the output of which rotates the bent portion of the bottom hole assembly thereby altering its tool face angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: David A. Coull, Malcomb George Vie
  • Publication number: 20140008127
    Abstract: A drilling assembly, drilling system and method is provided. The drilling system includes a drilling rig with a drill string deployable therefrom and drivable thereby. The drill string has a bottom hole assembly with a drill bit at a lower end thereof advanceable into a subterranean formation to form a wellbore. The drilling assembly includes at least one mandrel operatively connectable to the drill string, at least one sleeve positionable about the mandrel (the sleeve having an offset stabilizer on an outer surface thereof selectively positionable in contact with a wall of the wellbore), and an orienter with a receptacle on an interior of the sleeve and a socket on an exterior of the mandrel. The socket is interlockingly engageable with the receptacle whereby the sleeve is orientable about the drill string. The one mandrel and the sleeve have a mass offset from the drill string whereby rotation of the drill string is affected during drilling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: NOV DOWNHOLE EURASIA LTD.
    Inventors: Guillaume Plessis, Rory McCrae Tulloch, Ian Heary, Rick Young, Alan Martyn Eddison
  • Patent number: 8550183
    Abstract: A drilling method comprises controlling operation of a drill string to maintain at least a portion of the drill string in forward whirl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Ian Forster, Alan Eddison, Alastair MacFarlane
  • Publication number: 20130186686
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a horizontal section of a drill string is disclosed. The apparatus includes a motor that is connected to the horizontal section of the drill string. The motor is adapted to impart vibrations in the horizontal section of the drill string, where the vibrations are at about the lateral resonant frequency of the horizontal section of the drill string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Gerald Heisig
  • Publication number: 20130146360
    Abstract: A resonant extractor system configured to use rotational energy provided by a top drive system to apply vertical oscillating motion to attached tubular or drilling equipment. The extractor includes a rotational component, an oscillation component, and an assembly of engagement features. The top drive system may rotate the rotational component about a vertical axis. In certain embodiments, the rotational component is a housing, the oscillation component is a quill, and the engagement features include a cam disposed on a shaft. The shaft is coupled to and extends radially into the housing, and the cam disposed on the shaft, which features an eccentric geometry relative the shaft, maintains contact with a lip extending from the quill in the housing. As the housing rotates, the eccentric cam rotates, raising and lowering the quill, which is configured to couple with tubular or drilling equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Edgar Fernando Yajure
  • Patent number: 8453765
    Abstract: A directional-control apparatus for a drilling tool, in which the direction of the drilling tool during the drilling of a borehole is controlled by means of at least one steering body which is moved radially against the wall of the borehole, the movement of the at least one steering body relative to the center axis of the directional-control apparatus being adjustable in order to steer the drilling tool in a desired direction and at a desired deflection, and at least one electrically operated actuator being connected via at least one set of transmission elements to the at least one steering body and arranged to move the at least one steering body into a position relative to the center axis of the directional-control apparatus, the relative position having the effect that the drilling tool is steered in the desired direction and at the desired deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: 2TD Drilling AS
    Inventor: Per Olav Haughom
  • Patent number: 8356677
    Abstract: A drill head assembly includes a shaft having a shaft axis, an oscillator assembly operatively associated with the shaft, the oscillator assembly having at least one eccentrically weighted rotor configured to rotate about a pivot point to generate an oscillating vibratory force, wherein an oscillation centerline is defined transverse to the shaft axis and including the pivot point. The drill head assembly also includes a lower bearing coupled to the shaft on a first side of the oscillation centerline and an upper bearing coupled to the shaft on a second side of the oscillation centerline, the second side being opposite the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristian S. Drivdahl, Robert Eugene Able, Todd A. Nevenner, Kenneth Carl Altrichter
  • Patent number: 8347984
    Abstract: An oscillator assembly includes a first eccentrically weighted rotor having a first eccentric weight configured to rotate about an axis, a second eccentrically weighted rotor having a second eccentric weight configured to rotate about the axis. Rotation of the first eccentrically weighted rotor is coupled to rotation of the second eccentrically weighted rotor. An actuator is configured to vary an angular separation between the first eccentric weight and the second eccentric weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Longyear™, Inc.
    Inventor: Trevor Lyndon Light
  • Publication number: 20130000981
    Abstract: A drilling system for drilling a borehole includes a drill string including a bottom hole assembly and a telemetry system coupled together and a communication device coupled to the drillstring configured to transmit sensor data to and receive control data from a control unit located at a surface location through the telemetry system. The system also includes a sensor coupled to the drillstring, the sensor providing the sensor data to the communication device and a downhole safety device coupled to the drill string and in operable communication with the communication device, the downhole safety device configured to actuate after receiving an activation signal initiated by the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Harald Grimmer, Volker Krueger
  • Publication number: 20120103689
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the weight on a drill bit and axial forces along a drill string drilling though an earthen formation. The apparatus comprising an LVDT incorporated into a torsional bearing of a magneto-rheological damping system such that the LVDT senses the relative displacement and accelerations between a bearing mandrel portion and a bearing casing portion of the torsional damper. The LVDT is calibrated with respect to a spring in the damping system that resists relative motion between the bearing mandrel and bearing casing such that the output of the LVDT can be transformed into the force associated with the weight on the drill bit, and the same LVDT accelerations combined with the mass distribution along the drill string to determine axial stresses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: APS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Hutchinson
  • Publication number: 20120043133
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for generating essentially radial displacements and/or stresses of at least one mechanical part with respect to its X-X axis common with that of at least one other mechanical part functionally connected to the first one, said device comprising: (I) a frame, a swivelling ring (11) and an internal ring producing two nested ball joint connections (a) and (b) with respective centres A and B, eccentric by a distance or value ? along said X-X axis common to the two rings in a position said to be neutral, (II) one or more actuators in a barrel arrangement about the X-X axis for driving the mechanism, each actuator acting on the swivelling ring (11) via a guided push rod (3), and (III) a guide ring (4) for guiding the push rods (3) via a bidirectional planar link (e), while the swivelling rings (11, 13) are steerable by means of push rods (3) displaced by the actuators (2) and guided by the guide ring (4), and while said swivelling rings are rotatable in their respective housings
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: BREAKTHROUGH DESIGN
    Inventor: Francois Millet
  • Patent number: 8070352
    Abstract: A vibration exciter, particularly for a vibration pile driver, comprises at least two axles disposed parallel to one another, as well as at least two imbalance masses, which are attached to one or more of the axles. The relative rotary position of the imbalance masses can be adjusted relative to one another by at least one rotary oscillating motor having a rotor shaft and a stator housing. The rotor shaft is an integral part of one of the axles, and the rotary position of the stator housing relative to the rotor shaft can be changed. The stator housing has at least one closure lid that is at least partially unreleasably coated with a slide alloy, for radial and axial bearing of the rotor shaft. At least one shaft seal is disposed between the rotor shaft and stator housing. The seal is hydraulically biased and provided with a support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: ABI Anlagentechnik-Baumaschinen-Industriebedarf Maschinenfabrik und Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Christian Heichel, Albrecht Kleibl, Frank Hense, Rolf Winzen
  • Publication number: 20110253449
    Abstract: A drill head assembly includes a shaft having a shaft axis, an oscillator assembly operatively associated with the shaft, the oscillator assembly having at least one eccentrically weighted rotor configured to rotate about a pivot point to generate an oscillating vibratory force, wherein an oscillation centerline is defined transverse to the shaft axis and including the pivot point. The drill head assembly also includes a lower bearing coupled to the shaft on a first side of the oscillation centerline and an upper bearing coupled to the shaft on a second side of the oscillation centerline, the second side being opposite the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventors: Kristian S. Drivdahl, Robert Eugene Able, Todd A. Nevenner, Kenneth Carl Altrichter
  • Patent number: 8006782
    Abstract: A drill head assembly includes a shaft having a shaft axis, an oscillator assembly operatively associated with the shaft, the oscillator assembly having at least one eccentrically weighted rotor configured to rotate about a pivot point to generate an oscillating vibratory force, wherein an oscillation centerline is defined transverse to the shaft axis and including the pivot point. The drill head assembly also includes a lower bearing coupled to the shaft on a first side of the oscillation centerline and an upper bearing coupled to the shaft on a second side of the oscillation centerline, the second side being opposite the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristian S. Drivdahl, Robert Eugene Able, Todd A. Nevenner, Kenneth Carl Altrichter
  • Publication number: 20110198126
    Abstract: A downhole device comprising a mandrel (21) suitable for connection to a drilling assembly (3), a housing (22) surrounding said mandrel said housing being suitable for connection to the alternate end of a drilling assembly and a compensating mechanism (25) configured to adjust an axial force applied to said mandrel by changing the relative position of the mandrel with respect to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Stephen John McLoughlin
  • Patent number: 7900716
    Abstract: A down-the-hole vibratory unit for a drilling system includes a casing comprising a fluid inlet. The vibratory unit can also include a plurality of eccentrically weighted rotor assemblies positioned at least partially within the casing and in fluid communication with the inlet. The eccentrically weighted rotor assemblies can be unbalanced relative to a central axis. Additionally, the eccentrically weighted rotor assemblies can be configured to rotate in response to a fluid flow directed thereto to apply centrifugal forces to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: George Ibrahim, Christopher L Drenth, Anthony Lachance
  • Publication number: 20100282513
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for drilling, particularly percussion drilling or rotationally drilling, a hole (2) in ground or rock material and forming a brace in said hole (2). According to the invention, a borehole (2) is formed by a bit (7) that is mounted on drilling rods (1), and a brace is formed by at least one expanding element (12) that is mounted along the circumference of the drilling rods (1) and is brought, especially by expanding the same, into a position in which the expanding element (12) penetrates or rests against the material (22) surrounding the borehole (2), thus allowing for reliable bracing immediately after creating a borehole (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Karl Böhm, Walter Karpellus
  • Publication number: 20100276198
    Abstract: An oscillator assembly includes a first eccentrically weighted rotor having a first eccentric weight configured to rotate about an axis, a second eccentrically weighted rotor having a second eccentric weight configured to rotate about the axis. Rotation of the first eccentrically weighted rotor is coupled to rotation of the second eccentrically weighted rotor. An actuator is configured to vary an angular separation between the first eccentric weight and the second eccentric weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventor: Trevor Lyndon Light
  • Patent number: 7810582
    Abstract: An electrical generating system is used for a horizontal directional drilling system. The drilling system has a generally horizontal drill stem that rotates. A generator has first and second components. The first component rotates with the drill stem, while the second component is able to rotate with respect to the first component. An eccentric mass is rotatably mounted inside of the drill stem and is coupled to the second component, wherein as the drill stem rotates, relative rotational motion is produced between the first and second components and the generator produces electrical power. The eccentric mass is mounted on two spaced apart mounting points inside of the drill stem. The generator provides power to a sonde. The generator is in a housing which has flow channels that allow drilling fluid to flow through the drill stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Charles T. Webb
  • Publication number: 20100224412
    Abstract: A vibrating downhole tool includes a housing having a central axis defined therethrough, an inner mandrel disposed within the housing and configured to receive a drilling fluid, wherein the inner mandrel is misaligned relative to the housing central axis, and a plurality of turbine blades configured to receive the drilling fluid and to rotate the inner mandrel, thereby causing the downhole tool to vibrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian Allahar
  • Patent number: 7757783
    Abstract: Vibrational apparatus capable of providing a vibrational output. The apparatus includes an assembly having a shuttle capable of shuttling between complementary structures, at least one of which complementary structures provides the vibrational output. The arrangement includes a drive to rotate the shuttle and there are magnetic interactions between the rotating shuttle and the complementary structures such that interactions with each complementary structure, and the phasing of the complementary structures relative to the shuttle, and alternating magnetic results forces in the shuttling movement of the shuttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Flexidrill Limited
    Inventor: Roger Pfahlert
  • Publication number: 20100163309
    Abstract: A sub surface deployment valve which is particularly suitable for use in underbalanced drilling operations which can be installed through an existing tubular string comprises a radially expandable body (1) having an internal bore and a valve element (2) capable of closing off the internal bore. The deployment valve can be installed by passing the valve through the existing tubular and then radially expanding the radially expandable body of the deployment valve to form a connection resulting from the interference between the external surface of the deployment valve and the tubular string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Philip Head
  • Patent number: 7708088
    Abstract: A vibrating downhole tool comprising a housing, an inner mandrel disposed within the housing and configured to receive a drilling fluid, a mass coupled to the inner mandrel, and a plurality of turbine blades configured to receive the drilling fluid and to rotate the inner mandrel and the mass, thereby causing the vibrating downhole tool to vibrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Allahar, Jose Mercado, Charles Grigor
  • Publication number: 20100089646
    Abstract: A drill head assembly includes a shaft having a shaft axis, an oscillator assembly operatively associated with the shaft, the oscillator assembly having at least one eccentrically weighted rotor configured to rotate about a pivot point to generate an oscillating vibratory force, wherein an oscillation centerline is defined transverse to the shaft axis and including the pivot point. The drill head assembly also includes a lower bearing coupled to the shaft on a first side of the oscillation centerline and an upper bearing coupled to the shaft on a second side of the oscillation centerline, the second side being opposite the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventors: Kristian S. Drivdahl, Robert Eugene Able, Todd A. Nevenner, Kenneth Carl Altrichter
  • Publication number: 20090266612
    Abstract: A vibrating downhole tool comprising a housing, an inner mandrel disposed within the housing and configured to receive a drilling fluid, a mass coupled to the inner mandrel, and a plurality of turbine blades configured to receive the drilling fluid and to rotate the inner mandrel and the mass, thereby causing the vibrating downhole tool to vibrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ian Allahar, Jose Mercado, Charles Grigor
  • Publication number: 20090173542
    Abstract: A down-the-hole vibratory unit for a drilling system includes a casing comprising a fluid inlet, and a plurality of eccentrically weighted rotor assemblies positioned at least partially within the casing and in fluid communication with the inlet, the eccentrically weighted rotor assemblies that are unbalanced relative to a central axis and are configured to rotate in response to a fluid flow directed thereto to apply centrifugal forces to the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventors: George Ibrahim, Christopher L. Drenth, Anthony Lachance
  • Publication number: 20090126997
    Abstract: An electrical generating system is used for a horizontal directional drilling system. The drilling system has a generally horizontal drill stem that rotates. A generator has first and second components. The first component rotates with the drill stem, while the second component is able to rotate with respect to the first component. An eccentric mass is rotatably mounted inside of the drill stem and is coupled to the second component, wherein as the drill stem rotates, relative rotational motion is produced between the first and second components and the generator produces electrical power. The eccentric mass is mounted on two spaced apart mounting points inside of the drill stem. The generator provides power to a sonde. The generator is in a housing which has flow channels that allow drilling fluid to flow through the drill stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Charles T. Webb
  • Patent number: 7191852
    Abstract: An apparatus for imparting mechanical vibration on a down-hole drilling system including a body, first and second couplers and a rotating member. The body includes ports configured to pass fluid through the body, and the first and second couplers are configured to couple the body to the down-hole drilling system. The rotating member is located at least partially in the body and is rotatable about an axis of rotation in response to flow of the fluid such that rotation of the rotating member generates mechanical vibration imparted on the down-hole drilling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Clayton
  • Patent number: 6948574
    Abstract: A core bit for abrasive cutting including a cylindrical tube (3) provided at its end surface with cutting or abrasive bodies (2) and a cover (4) provided at an opposite end surface of the cylindrical tube (3) and secured thereto and having, along its central axis (A), a shank (5) to be received in a rotary power tool, with the cover (4) being dimensioned, with respect to a set excitation frequency, for forming a whole number of maximum amplitude oscillations of a concentric flexural oscillation, and the cylindrical tube (3) being dimensioned, with respect to a set excitation frequency, for forming a whole number of maximum amplitude oscillations of axial longitudinal oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Till Cramer, Adrian Kauf, Stefan Tichy, Walter Littmann, John van Taack-Trakranen, Peter Alberg
  • Patent number: 6863136
    Abstract: Apparatus for probing, sensing, testing penetrating and sampling a medium generally includes an actuator (12) for generating vibrations at ultrasonic frequencies and a horn (14) coupled to the actuator (12) for amplifying the actuator vibrations along with a non-rotating coring and drilling bit (16) for penetrating the medium. A bit (16) includes a drill stem (20) attached to the horn (14) and a bore (26) extends through the bit (16), horn (14) and actuator (12) for withdrawal of samples. A free mass (36) is disposed between the horn (14) and the drill stem (20) for oscillating therebetween in response to the actuator vibration for causing migration of medium debris around and through the actuator bore for effectively self-cleaning of the bit (16). The hammering action of the free mass (36) is used for penetration of the medium and for analysis of the medium though the use of spaced apart accelerometers (92 and 94).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventors: Yoseph Bar-Cohen, Stewart Sherrit, Benjamin Dolgin, Thomas M. Peterson, Dharmendra Pal, Jason Kroh, Ron Krahe
  • Patent number: 6808029
    Abstract: A drill rig assembly comprising a drill mast (3), a storage device (9) for storing a number of drill pipes (1) in a lying position near said drill mast, and a rotary head (5) mounted onto a rotary head trolley assembly (4) which is movable up and down along said drill mast (3). In order to enable a quick, easy and safe transfer of the drill pipes (1) from the storage device (9) to the rotary head (5), this rotary head itself is provided with a clamping assembly (15) arranged to hold a drill pipe with its extremity. The drill rig assembly further comprises means for moving the rotary head (5) with respect to said rotary head trolley assembly (4) to enable the rotary head to clamp with said clamping assembly (15) a drill pipe in the storage device (9) and to position the drill pipe on top of the drill string, substantially in axial alignment thereto. Since no separate drill pipe handling device is necessary, the system can be produced at a lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Zeger De Lille
  • Publication number: 20040144566
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Hugh Edward Fisher
  • Publication number: 20040104052
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for drilling a directional or horizontal wellbore in a hydrocarbon formation using concentric coiled tubing drill string having an inner coiled tubing string and an outer coiled tubing string defining an annulus there between. A bottomhole assembly comprising a directional drilling means is provided at the lower end of the concentric coiled tubing drill string for reverse circulation drilling. Directional drilling means comprises a reciprocating air hammer and a drill bit, a positive displacement motor and a reverse circulating drill bit, or a reverse circulating mud motor and a rotary drill bit, and a bent sub or housing. Drilling medium is delivered through the annulus or inner coiled tubing string for operating the directional drilling means to form the directional or horizontal wellbore. Exhaust drilling medium comprising drilling medium, drilling cuttings and hydrocarbons are removed from the wellbore by extraction through the other of the annulus or inner coiled tubing string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: James I. Livingstone
  • Patent number: 6739410
    Abstract: A sonic drilling head includes a spindle which is both rotated and vibrated at sonic frequency to effect ground penetration of members such as drill rods, etc. Two pairs of rotating eccentric masses are mounted in a sine generator housing. The pairs of masses have intersecting axis. A spiral bevel gear and drive shaft rotate the first pair of masses which engage the second pair of masses so that the pairs of masses are driven in opposite directions. Rotation is imparted to the spindle through a geared bearing isolated by a pack of precision disc springs, which also cooperate with a second set of precision disc springs to isolate the vibrations of the rotating eccentric masses from an outer housing of the sonic drill head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Diedrich Drill, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Smith, James Lange