FLUTED WING AUGER

Abstract

An auger has a substantially conical core, which has an axis and a side centered thereabout. From a substantially flat, substantially circular base of the core at a trailing end of the core, the side tapers to form a diameter smaller than that of the base and on the axis at a leading end of the core. The auger includes a shank centered about the axis and fixed to the base for connecting the auger to a collar and includes at least two wings fixed to the core. The base of the core is perpendicular to the axis and is substantially circular. The wings extend radially from the base and along the tapered side of the core to at least the leading end of the core, wherein the wings are configured such that they wind at least partly around the core axis on the tapered side of the core.

Description

The present invention relates to augers, sometimes referred to as drill bits. An auger is a drilling device that typically includes a helical blade for conveying cuttings upwards out of a bore hole due to rotation about a longitudinal axis of the auger.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the invention, an auger includes a substantially conical core having an axis and a side centered about the axis. From a substantially flat, substantially circular base of the core at a trailing end of the core, the side tapers to form a diameter smaller than that of the base and centered on the axis at a leading end of the core. A shank is centered about the axis and fixed to the base for connecting the auger to a collar. At least two wings are fixed to the core. The base of the core is perpendicular to the axis and is circular, and the wings extend radially from the circular base and along the tapered side of the core to at least the leading end of the core. The wings are configured such that they wind at least partly around the core axis on the tapered side of the core.

In a further aspect, each wing traverses one-quarter turn helically around the core axis.

In another aspect, the at least two wings each project out radially from the core at substantially equal radial wing widths extending along at least a portion of the tapered side of the core.

In a further aspect, the at least two wings are tapered in radial width proximal to the leading end of the core, such that each wing forms a leading-end point for earth penetration distal to the core base.

In another aspect, the at least two wings extend longitudinally beyond the tapered side and the leading end of the core.

In a further aspect, the at least two wings begin tapering in radial width where they extend longitudinally beyond the tapered side and the leading end of the core.

In another aspect, the leading end of the core and the points of the at least two wings define a chevron shape.

In a further aspect, the smaller diameter is a vertex.

In another aspect, walls of the respective at least two wings have engaging sides facing in a direction for rotation of the auger when digging, wherein the engaging sides are cupped to provide flutes for directing matter cut away by the rotation to transfer cuttings upward during the rotation.

In a further aspect, the circular base has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of a collar to which the auger connects for attaching the auger to a drill stem 26.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of one or more illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 provides a view of an auger, according to embodiments of the present invention, from above a trailing end of the auger.

FIG. 2 provides a side profile view of the auger of FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 provides a view of the auger of FIG. 1 from above the trailing end, once again, but with shading and annotations pointing out certain features and proportions, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 provides a view of the auger of FIG. 1 with shading and rotated to a position for better visibility of certain additional features, according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 2, auger 1 is shown in side profile, which illustrates a substantially cone-shaped, inner core 3 of the auger having a shank 27 fixed at cone axis 5 of core 3 to a substantially flat base 24, which is perpendicular to axis 5 on trailing end 25 of core 3. In FIG. 2 it may also be seen that auger 1 has two fixed wings 9 and 15, which extend radially along the tapered side 4 of cone-shaped core 3 to an earth-penetrating, leading end 21 of core 3, which opposes the trailing end 25. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, auger 1 is a single casting, so that wings 9 and 15 are integral with core 3. Leading end 21 of core 3 is a vertex of the conical shape of core 3, i.e., is pointed (or at least substantially smaller in diameter than that of base 24), wherein the point (or diameter center) is located on axis 5, according to embodiments of the present invention. Likewise, the diameter of circular base 24 is centered about axis 5. See also FIG. 1.

Referring now also to FIG. 1, which provides a trailing end 25 (also known as “shank end”) view of auger 1 of FIG. 2 as viewed from above a bore hole of approximately nine inches in overall diameter 40, according to embodiments of the present invention. It will be understood, of course, that in actual practice auger 1 would be held in the bore hole by a collar 29 and drill stem 26, which are shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2, but not shown in FIG. 1, so that details of auger 1 may be better illustrated. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, base 24 is substantially circular and is six inches in diameter, except for wings 9 and 15, where the circular diameter is centered on axis 5. Thus, base 24 matches a six inch outer diameter of a cylindrical bit collar 29 (shown with dashed lines in FIG. 2) to which shank 27 attaches, via a bolt 28 through a hole formed by shank 27, where the through-hole runs perpendicular to, and intersects, axis 5.

Particularly noting outer edge 10 and wing-core intersection 6 on the side of wing 9 that is visible in FIG. 2, it may be seen that wings 9 and 15 wind around axis 5 on tapered side 4 of conical core 3. More specifically, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, wings 9 and 15 form a conical helix around core 3 in such a manner that from the edge of base 24 on trailing end 25 to leading end 21, wings 9 and 15 each traverse ninety degrees relative to the circumference of base 24. That is, each wing 9 and 15 makes one-quarter turn helically around axis 5 of conical core 3.

According to embodiments of the present invention, wings 9 and 15 each project out radially relative to axis 5 at substantially equal widths beginning at trailing end 25, where the circular top of core 3 forms base 24. In one or more embodiments, top 9T of wing 9 and top 15T of wing 15 each project out one and one-half inches radially from base 24. Accordingly, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 the total cutting diameter of augur 1 is nine inches, including wings 9 and 15, since the diameter of base 24 is six inches, excluding wings 9 and 15, and since each wing adds one and one-half inches radially. See overall diameter 40 and base diameter 24 as shown in FIG. 1, which are nine inches and six inches respectively for example.

As shown in FIG. 2, wings 9 and 15 continue axially from base 24 at substantially constant radial widths along tapered side 4 of conical core 3. In the illustrated embodiment, widths of wings 9 and 15 remain constant until they reach the pointed, or substantially pointed, leading end 21 of core 3, whereupon wings 9 and 15 extend longitudinally, i.e., in the direction of axis 5, beyond side 4 and leading end 21 of core 3, and wings 9 and 15 themselves taper in radial width as they extend therebeyond, such that wings 9 and 15 form respective points 18 and 20 and such that leading end 21 and points 18 and 20 form a chevron. Thus, at leading end 21 of core 3, the diameter of auger 1 is only about 3 inches, due entirely to the radial widths of wings 9 and 15, or at least substantially entirely due thereto.

More specifically, as may be seen regarding wing 9 in FIG. 2, outer edge 10 of wing 9, which is a cutting edge, tapers toward axis 5 beginning at leading end 21, whereas inner edge of wing 9, i.e., the axial projection of core-wing intersection 6, tapers away from axis 5 to form a point 18 at approximately the midpoint of the maximum 1½ inch width of wing 9. Wing 15 likewise tapers to form a point 20 in similar fashion, so that in the orientation for digging depicted in FIG. 2, the point of core 3 leading end 21, the points 18 and 20 of respective wings 9 and 15, and penetrating end surfaces of wings 9 and 15 there between form a chevron shape. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention wherein the cutting diameter of auger 1 is nine inches, the length of auger 1 along axis 5 is also nine inches from the tips of points 18 and 20 to base 24. According to one or more such embodiments of the present invention as described herein above, points 18 and 20 project 1½ inch beyond leading end 21 of core 3.

Referring now also to FIG. 3, engaging sides 32 and 34 of respective wings 9 and 15 face in the direction of rotation of auger 1 (clockwise when viewed from above trailing end 25 as in FIG. 3) and engage matter that is cut away by rotation of external, cutting edges 10 and 16 of wings 9 and 15, respectively. Engaging sides 32 and 34 are cupped, as shown, which provides respective flutes internal to wings 9 and 15 for directing matter cut away by rotation of the auger 1 to transfer upward during the rotation. That is, within the 1½ wing-width of each engaging side 32 and 34 that projects from core 3, each wing 9 and 15 forms a respective flute on the side of each wing 9 and 15 that faces the direction of rotation and that initially engages the earth in a cutting and transfer action, i.e., engaging sides 32 and 34. See, for example flute 36 of wing 9 engaging side 32 shown in FIG. 4. (Such a flute 36 internal to wing 9 is not to be confused with a flute that could be formed between respective wings or between multiple turns of one wing in a different auger configuration.) More specifically, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, each flute, such as flute 36 (FIG. 4), has a radius of one and one-half inches and traverses an arc of ninety degrees, such as shown for wing 9 engaging side 32 (FIG. 3), according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. Inclusion of flutes of this shape in transfer sides 32 and 34 of respective wings 9 and 15, such as flute 36 shown, provide sharper cutting edges at the external edges of wings 9 and 15, such as edge 10 where engaging side 32 of wing 9 meets side 11, for example. Also, the flutes, such as flute 36 explicitly shown, produce better lift and transfer of excavated material up the bore hole produced by rotation of augur 1. Also, angle A (as shown in FIG. 4) between engaging side 32 and side 11 of wing 9 is an acute angle, according to embodiments of the present invention. The acute angle A reduces contact of side 11 of wing 9 and with matter of the side of the 9 inch diameter bore hole resulting from axial rotation and downward earth penetration of augur 1 as shown from above in FIG. 1 and, hence, reduces rotational and transverse drag. The same applies for wing 15, which has the same configuration as wing 9. As previously mentioned, wings 9 and 15 spiral in conical helix fashion on conical core 3, according to embodiments of the present invention, rather than forming a circular helix on a cylindrical core. This feature of embodiments of the present invention also tends to reduce rotational and longitudinal drag.

For respective wings 9 and 15, walls opposing engaging sides 32 and 34 are also cupped, according to embodiments of the present invention, so that these back walls also form flutes internal to wings 9 and 15, respectively. The radius of each back wall flute is somewhat larger than the radius of each flute of the engaging sides 32 and 34, e.g., larger than the radius of flute 36 in engaging side 32 of wing 9.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, the size of auger 1 may vary, but certain proportions remain substantially fixed, in order to maintain the same advantages described herein above regardless of size. For example, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the diameter of base 24 may be smaller or larger, and the wing-width, i.e., the distance by which wings 9 and 15 extend radially from core 3, is smaller or larger in the same 4 to 1 proportion, so that if the diameter of base 24 is 4 inches instead of six inches, for example, the wing-width is 1 inch instead of 1½ inch. Likewise, the 1 to 1 proportion of the base 24 diameter to overall axial 5 length of auger 1 remains the same. That is, the length from base 24 to points 18 and 20 remains the same as base 24 diameter. Likewise, the radius of flutes in wings 9 and 15 remain fixed in 4 to 1 proportion to the diameter of base 24.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the inclusion of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Further, no element described herein is required for the practice of the invention unless expressly described as essential or critical.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

It should be appreciated that the particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative of the invention and its best mode and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Other variations are within the scope of the following claims. Those skilled in the art having read this disclosure will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or of what can be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of the invention. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub combination. Moreover, although features can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Benefits, advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims.

Claims

1. An auger comprising:

a substantially conical core having an axis and a side centered about the axis, wherein from a substantially flat, substantially circular base of the core at a trailing end of the core, the side tapers to form a diameter smaller than that of the base and centered on the axis at a leading end of the core;

a shank centered about the axis and fixed to the base for connecting the auger to a collar;

at least two wings fixed to the core, wherein the base of the core is perpendicular to the axis and is circular and the wings extend radially from the circular base and along the tapered side of the core to at least the leading end of the core, wherein the wings are configured such that they wind at least partly around the core axis on the tapered side of the core.

2. The auger of claim 1, wherein each wing traverses one-quarter turn helically around the core axis.

3. The auger of claim 1, wherein the at least two wings each project out radially from the core at substantially equal radial wing widths extending along at least a portion of the tapered side of the core.

4. The auger of claim 1, wherein the at least two wings are tapered in radial width proximal to the leading end of the core, such that each wing forms a leading-end point for earth penetration distal to the core base.

5. The auger of claim 1, wherein the at least two wings extend longitudinally beyond the tapered side and the leading end of the core.

6. The auger of claim 5, wherein the at least two wings begin tapering in radial width where they extend longitudinally beyond the tapered side and the leading end of the core.

7. The auger of claim 4, wherein the leading end of the core and the points of the at least two wings define a chevron shape.

8. The auger of claim 1, wherein the smaller diameter is a vertex.

9. The auger of claim 1, wherein walls of the respective at least two wings have engaging sides facing in a direction for rotation of the auger when digging, wherein the engaging sides are cupped to provide flutes for directing matter cut away by the rotation to transfer cuttings upward during the rotation.

10. The auger of claim 1, wherein the circular base has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of a collar to which the auger connects for attaching the auger to a drill stem.

11. An auger comprising:

a substantially conical core having an axis and a side centered about the axis, wherein from a substantially flat, circular base of the core at a trailing end of the core the side tapers to form a diameter smaller than that of the base and centered on the axis at a leading end of the core;

a shank centered about the axis and fixed to the base for connecting the auger to a collar;

at least two wings fixed to the core, wherein the base of the core is perpendicular to the axis and is circular and the wings extend radially from the circular base and along the tapered side of the core to at least the leading end of the core, wherein the wings are configured such that they wind at least partly around the core axis on the tapered side of the core.

12. The auger of claim 11, wherein each wing traverses one-quarter turn helically around the core axis.

13. The auger of claim 12, wherein the at least two wings each project out radially from the core at substantially equal radial wing widths extending along at least a portion of the tapered side of the core.

14. The auger of claim 13, wherein the at least two wings are tapered in radial width proximal to the leading end of the core, such that each wing forms a leading-end point for earth penetration distal to the core base.

15. The auger of claim 14, wherein the at least two wings extend longitudinally beyond the tapered side and the leading end of the core.

16. The auger of claim 15, wherein the at least two wings begin tapering in radial width where they extend longitudinally beyond the tapered side and the leading end of the core.

17. The auger of claim 16, wherein the leading end of the core and the points of the at least two wings define a chevron shape.

18. The auger of claim 17, wherein walls of the respective at least two wings have engaging sides facing in a direction for rotation of the auger when digging, wherein the engaging sides are cupped to provide flutes for directing matter cut away by the rotation to transfer cuttings upward during the rotation.

19. The auger of claim 18, wherein the smaller diameter is a vertex.

20. The auger of claim 19, wherein the circular base has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of a collar to which the auger connects for attaching the auger to a drill stem.