Patents Assigned to Christensen, Inc.
  • Patent number: 4498549
    Abstract: A cutting member for rotary drill bits for deep-well drilling in ground formations consists of a carrier member (1) with a supporting surface (3) and a supporting member (4) of hard metal rigidly connected to this at its back and with a cutting layer (5) of polycrystalline synthetic diamond material. The supporting member (4) together with its cutting layer (5) is cut out of a circular cylindrical shaped body or made as a segment and together with its cutting layer occupies only a portion of the supporting surface (3) of the carrier member (1), the remaining supporting surface being occupied by a supplementary member (6) of hard metal or other high-strength substances. With regard to the cutting performance and effect, the same requirements are met as with a circular diamond cutting plate while at the same time considerable savings are achieved in valuable diamond material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Norton Christensen, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Jurgens
  • Patent number: 4499563
    Abstract: An apparatus for the remote transmission of information from a borehole (1) to the surface of the earth is disposed in a drilling pipe string (4) of a drilling device. The drilling device further comprises a rotary drill bit (3) and a pump (5) which pumps the flushing liquid (6) downwards in the flow passage (11) of the drilling pipe string, through the rotary drill bit (3) and upwards in an annular space (7) surrounding the pipe string. The apparatus has devices for ascertaining information data (8), for converting the information data into electrical control signals (9) and for producing pressure pulses (10) in the downwardly directed flow of the flushing liquid (6). The devices are disposed in a chamber (13) which is bounded internally by the flow passage (11) and externally by an outer tube (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Christensen, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Jurgens
  • Patent number: 4497224
    Abstract: Apparatus for making and breaking screw couplings between pipe members of pipe and drilling strings, includes a rotatable chuck (9) and a fixed chuck (17), the rotatable chuck being provided with a fluid reservoir (111) which maintains the pressure in the pressure-fluid-actuated chuck so that continuous rotary movement of the chuck by a torque-producer (100) is possible for the complete screwing or unscrewing of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: Norton Christensen, Inc.
    Inventor: Reiner Jurgens
  • Patent number: 4491188
    Abstract: An improved tooth for use in rotating diamond bits incorporating a generally triangular prismatic polycrystalline diamond element is devised by integrally forming an oval shaped base about the tooth or element extending from the face of the rotating bit, thereby providing a lateral reinforcing collar. The diamond element is also reinforced by a tapered trailing support having a leading surface contiguous and substantially congruous with the trailing surface of the diamond element. In one embodiment, a prepad provides reinforcement or support for the leading surface of the diamond element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: Norton Christensen, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Grappendorf
  • Patent number: 4485880
    Abstract: A direct drive for deep-well drill bits on the Moineau displacement principle is provided with locking means detents (10, 11) which are disposed downstream of the working chambers (4) of rotor (3) and stator (2). Actuation of the locking means is effected by coupling throw-in members (13) introduced through the flushing passage from above. Passage through the working chambers and into the locking means detents groove (16, 20, 21) is rendered possible for the throw-in members on relative rotation of rotor and stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Assignee: Norton Christensen, Inc.
    Inventor: Friedhelm Makohl
  • Patent number: 4482013
    Abstract: A wireline supported mechanically operable packer device (10) for use in a drill string (DS) casing (C) and attached core drill bit (B) raised off the bottom of a borehole and testing the formation below has a housing (12) adapted to engage an arresting internal shoulder (S) of the core drill bit (B). A hollow inner mandrel (40) slideable in the housing has attached thereto a packer seal cup (P) an O-ring seal (P) expander (50) weight means (60) and wireline means (70) (80) moveable between stops (16) (18) determining the extended and contracted positions thereof relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Norton Christensen, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry R. Fulkerson
  • Patent number: 4471845
    Abstract: Cutting elements, for example of polycrystalline sintered diamond, the cutting faces of which are set differently to the cutting direction, are disposed on a rotary drill bit. One group of cutting elements has its cutting faces substantially perpendicular to the cutting direction (straight set cutting elements) while other groups of cutting elements are at an acute angle to the cutting direction (obliquely set cutting elements).Because of their greater pressure per unit area, the obliquely set cutting elements penetrate more easily into plastic formations and can tear these up. The straight set cutting elements, which do not develop a great pressure per unit area, but work over a wider range, can better pare off the formation prepared by the obliquely set cutting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Christensen, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Jurgens
  • Patent number: 4468762
    Abstract: A device for the remote control of data out of a drill hole to the earth surface during the operation of a drilling device which comprises a drill bit, a drill string and a pump raising a flushing liquid into the surrounding annular space of the drill hole and downward into flow channels of the drill string, consisting of devices arranged in the drill string for the ascertaining of desired informational data for the conversion of the informational data into a series of electrical control signals for the producing of pressure pulses in the downward directed flow of the flushing liquid as a function of the control signals and for the production of the necessary electrical energy, characterized in such a way that the devices part of a coaxial support within the flow channels of the drill string form a structural unit and are arranged over each other; separated axial sections of the structural unit are grouped and that at least the topmost section of the structural unit is constructed as an independent component
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: Christensen, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Jurgens
  • Patent number: 4463815
    Abstract: Adjustable torsional type latching means (5) for triggering a mechanical well jar tool comprises torsionally actuated gear racks (20,22) including acme threads or teeth which extend axially on opposite adjacent side portions of telescopic parts (1,2). The gear rack teeth which mesh in the latched position have incline tooth faces that can be disengaged by applying a strong axial force which torsionally stresses and rotates a torsion sleeve (16) portion of one telescoping part (1) and gear rack (20) thereon away from the other part (2) and gear rack (22). Upon release of the latching device (5) the telescopic parts (1,2) of the well jar and the kinetic energy stored therein are freed for a limited longitudinal jarring movement. The torsion sleeve portion (16) has an end portion connected to the other telescopic parts by a second slot-spline-gear (15) of relative short axial length, which serves as a torque support in the latched position and becomes deengaged during a jarring stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: Christensen, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Jurgens, Dietmar Krehl
  • Patent number: 4460053
    Abstract: A rotary bit for oil and gas well drilling has cutting elements set in a hard facing material which in turn is supported by a sintered steel section between the hard facing and the steel base of the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Christensen, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Jurgens, Hermann Rathkamp
  • Patent number: 4452324
    Abstract: A rotary drill bit, particularly for deep-well drilling, comprising a body (1) having a gauge region, a cutting surface which is defined by projecting cutting members (4) supported at the outer periphery of the body on supporting members and nozzle passages (6 ) through which flushing liquid can flow, and in which at least some of the nozzle passages (6) comprise an outlet region which is directed towards the cutting members and which gives the jets of flushing liquid (10') emerging therefrom an alignment with at least one component facing in the direction of the drillings flowing off along the outer face of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Christensen, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Jurgens
  • Patent number: 4452322
    Abstract: In a core drilling apparatus wherein a core bit is driven by a hydraulically actuated Moineau type motor, control valve means are provided whereby drilling fluid can be directed through the core sleeve to remove debris from its interior, and, subsequently diverted outside of the core sleeve when drilling begins. Alternative constructions are shown whereby the flushing of the core sleeve can be accomplished with the motor drive in an inactive mode or in an operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Christensen, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Jurgens
  • Patent number: 4440246
    Abstract: A cutting member for rotary drill bits consists of a carrier member with a supporting face which consists of two component supporting faces adjoining one another in wedge-shape forming a front edge, and applied to each of the two component supporting faces is a supporting member together with a cutting layer which occupies the whole area. The cutting member which is wedge-shaped in its contours develops high drilling performances particularly in comparatively soft ground formations and is considerably cheaper than known wedge-shaped cutting members and renders possible an extensive variability in the formation of the supporting members together with the cutting layers and their arrangement on the carrier member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Christensen, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Jurgens
  • Patent number: 4429741
    Abstract: A self powered downhole tool anchor device (10) preattached to a downhole tool (T) and unitarily supported by a drill string (DS) for a single trip into a well bore, actuated by forceful engagement with the bottom or plug (P) in the well bore and attachment to a well bore casing (C). The anchor device comprises an inner mandrel (20) and lower cone (34) containing a piston (30) and fluid (F) for axially displacing an outer mandrel and piston (44) connected thereto by shear screws (46). An upper cone (20) on the outer mandrel is connected by shear pins to a slip housing (50) containing radially expandable slips (38) keyed to the lower cone (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Christensen, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig R. Hyland
  • Patent number: 4415823
    Abstract: Generator for production of electrical energy to supply consumers located inside a bore hole, in particular, consumers for detection, transmission and remote control, where the generator is located in a flushing space inside of a drill string through which flushing liquid flows, which includes a stator and a rotor having a radial slot arranged coaxially to the stator and whose rotor is coupled to a motor which is energized by the flushing liquid, characterized by the fact that the stator contains a generator armature and the rotor contains an exciter equipped with a permanent magnet, that said slot between stator and rotor is connected with said flushing space, where a connecting path is directed counter-current to or at an acute angle to the flushing current on the intake side in the region of a branch-off from said flushing space, and that the rotor is supported by means of unsealed, erosion and abrasion-resistant radial and axial bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Christensen, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Jurgens
  • Patent number: 4415316
    Abstract: In a Moineau type fluid motor one of the relatively rotatable elements is made of a deformable material, and axial movement of tapered surfaces within the element, caused by variation in the fluid pressure, causes adjustment of the sealing force in the motor in accordance with the fluid pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Christensen, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Jurgens
  • Patent number: 4391328
    Abstract: A multi position safety valve retainable within an internal portion of a drill string casing (s) and responsive to the greater differential pressure in an internal fluid passage to displace a valve head (32) relative to a valve seat (VS) from its normal partially open position to either a wide open or a closed position. The valve head (32) is attached to a valve stem (30) that extends through a valve chamber and slideably mounted in opposite closed ends of a valve body and returnable to and maintained in the partially open position by opposing compression springs (34) (36) situated between opposite ends (22) of the valve body (VB) and one side of an intermediate abutment (30c) of the valve stem (30) and an intervening disc (38) on the opposite side thereof. The disc 38 is moveable into and out of seating engagement with an intermediate stop (20a) by one spring (34) and the intermediate abutment (30c) of the valve stem respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Christensen, Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Aumann
  • Patent number: 4373593
    Abstract: A rotary boring bit for boreholes comprises a body provided on its outer periphery with cutting members (6) consisting of a cutting portion (8) and a supporting portion (7), each cutting member being formed as a segment of a sintered body (1) having a core (3) of cutting material encased by a shell (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Christensen, Inc.
    Inventors: Cornelius Phaal, Rainer Jurgens
  • Patent number: 4361194
    Abstract: An improved bearing system for the driven shaft of a downhole motor is shown that provides a main thrust and radial bearing system having means for sealing the bearings in oil at equal or slight pressure above that of the drilling mud inside the drill pipe and insulating the fluid seals and bearings from all possibility of contact with cuttings and debris from the drilling operation. A durable seal having a restricted flow path permitting slow leakage is positioned below the main bearing system in such a relationship to the drilling fluid distribution path that the seals for the oil bath for the bearings are subjected to essentially the same pressure on all sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Assignee: Christensen, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Chow, John S. Davis
  • Patent number: 4356872
    Abstract: A core barrel flushing device and method is disclosed particularly for flushing drilling fluid, mud and other undesirable material from a pressure core barrel downhole at existing conditions and pressure.The flushing device (F) comprises an outer barrel attachable to the drill string and core barrel (10), and an inner barrel (90) within the outer barrel (70). A sealed chamber (C) within the outer barrel (70) contains a piston (114) and flushing medium (M) displacable from the chamber (C) and into the core barrel during forceful displacement of the piston following actuation of the flushing device.Actuation of the flushing device is initiated by means (B) passed down the drill string into engagement with actuating means (94) allowing displacement of the piston and flushing medium from the chamber into the core barrel.Tripping means (112) are also disclosed responsive to the final movement of the piston to actuate, and seal the flushed pressure core barrel (10) and core sample (51) therein downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: Christensen, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig R. Hyland