Abstract: A sand bypass separator is provided for separating particulate matter from a fluid mixture in a production well and directing the separated particulate matter away from a pump intake. The separator includes an outer tube, an inner tube positioned within the outer tube, and a bypass. The outer tube has a plurality of slots to allow the fluid mixture to enter the separator between the outer tube and the inner tube. As the fluid mixture moves downward, the fluid mixture reaches a downward velocity sufficient to allow the particulate matter in the fluid mixture to continue downward as the fluid is drawn into the inner tube through the pump intake. The bypass extends from above the pump intake to below the pump intake to collect and direct the separated particulate matter separated below the pump intake.

Abstract: Systems and methods for clearing a top drive from an operational area of the mast such that operations may be performed along the rail without interference from the top drive. Systems and methods of the present disclosure provide for arranging the top drive in a parked configuration outside of, or generally behind, the mast. A guide rail may be arranged within an operational area of a mast and may have a pair of interchangeable rail sections, each of which may be configured for arrangement in either an operating configuration, where the rail section may be positioned within the operational area of the mast to form part of the rail, or a parked configuration, where the rail section may be positioned outside of the operational area. Each interchangeable rail section may be pivotable about an axis and may be arranged on a pivotable gate of the mast.

Abstract: A system and method to reduce a whirl effect on a rotation of a drill string with an AC induction motor mechanically coupled to a rotary drilling system and configured to drive the rotary drilling system and the drill string attached thereto. Additionally, the system includes an electronic inverter to generate supplied power for the AC induction motor and a controller configured to drive the operation of the electronic inverter to impose a virtual drive characteristic relating a torque output of the motor with speed of the motor, determine a desired nominal operating point, and determine presence of whirl in the drill string from torque of the rotary drilling system and speed of the drill string.

Abstract: A method for servicing a top drive device of a wellbore drilling installation. The installation comprises a drilling tower, a drill floor having a well center through which a drilling tubulars string can pass along a firing line. A trolley is guided along a vertical trolley rail. A top drive device is attached to the trolley and comprises one or more top drive. A motion arm assembly comprises a base and an extensible and retractable motion arm, wherein the base is guided by a vertical motion arm rail. The motion arm has an operative reach that encompasses the firing line. The motion arm assembly is adapted to support at least one of a well center tool, e.g. an iron roughneck tool and a tubular gripper member, and allowing to bring said well center tool or tubular gripper member in the firing line.

Abstract: A sand bypass separator is provided for separating particulate matter from a fluid mixture in a production well and directing the separated particulate matter away from a pump intake. The separator includes an outer tube, an inner tube positioned within the outer tube, and a bypass. The outer tube has a plurality of slots to allow the fluid mixture to enter the separator between the outer tube and the inner tube. As the fluid mixture moves downward, the fluid mixture reaches a downward velocity sufficient to allow the particulate matter in the fluid mixture to continue downward as the fluid is drawn into the inner tube through the pump intake. The bypass extends from above the pump intake to below the pump intake to collect and direct the separated particulate matter separated below the pump intake.

Abstract: A drill coil includes a drill tube, a fluid conduit, a power or communication line, and at least one of a communication wire or a power line. The drill tube defines a longitudinal axis and includes a tubular wall forming a drill tube lumen along the longitudinal axis. The tubular wall defines at least one utility lumen along the longitudinal axis. The power or communication line is disposed in the at least one utility lumen. The fluid conduit is housed in the drill tube lumen and extends along the longitudinal axis and configured to convey a fluid therethrough. The at least one of the communication wire or the power line is housed in the drill tube lumen adjacent the fluid conduit.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a system having a first grip configured to couple to a first tubular, a second grip configured to couple to a second tubular, where the first and second tubulars are connected by a threaded connection, and a gear assembly coupling the first and second grips, wherein the gear assembly has a speed ratio greater than 1.

Abstract: An improved walking drilling rig is disclosed. The walking drilling rig includes a preassembled substructure that includes a first skid beam disposed parallel and spaced apart from a second skid beam. A plurality of crossbeams couple the first skid beam to the second skid beam, and a plurality of extendable legs are supported by the first and second skid beams. An elevateable drill floor is coupled to the plurality of extendable legs and includes a rotary table disposed between a pair of lateral platforms. Each lateral platform has a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A drill rig 10 has a drill tower 12, rotation head 14 and drill table 16. The rotation head 14 is supported on and linearly traversable along drill tower 12. A drill rig traverse system 20 provides pull back and pull down force to the rotation head 14 enabling the rotation head 14 to traverse along drill tower 12 and controlling contact force between a drill bit and toe of a hole being drilled. The system 20 is formed as a combination of a hydraulic ram traverse system 22 providing both pull back and pull down force; and a winch pull back system 24 providing pull back only. Both hydraulic ram traverse system 22 and winch pull back system 24 can traverse the rotation head for the full length of the tower 12 when simultaneously applying pull back to the rotation head 14.

Abstract: A drill rig (10) comprises a tower (12) and a drill head (14) that is able to travel linearly up and down the tower (12). The drill head (14) provides torque to a drill string (16) attached to the drill head (14) ad thus to a drill bit (18) coupled to a distal end of the drill string (16). The drill head (14) is traversed along the tower (12) by a plurality of rams (22a, 22b) and (22c) (hereinafter referred to in general as “rams 22”). The rams (22) provided hold back and pull down for the drill bit (18) via the drill head (14). The rams (22) are selectively operable to enable the hold back and pull down applied to the drill bit to be selectively varied. Thus for example a first of the rams (22a) is selected to operate when drilling to a first depth, then the rams (22b) and (22c) are selected to operate when drilling to a second greater depth; and finally all three rams (22a, 22b) and (22c) are selected to operate when drilling to a third greater depth.

Abstract: A horizontal auger garden tilling apparatus and method of use having an outer frame, an inner frame which pivots with said outer frame, and a rotating auger capable of tilling soil to depth which conventional tillers cannot begin to reach. The apparatus is moved and the method of use is performed via attachment with a tractor or other movable carriage which provides enough horizontal force to move the auger through the soil and provides auger rotational power. A trencher attachment prevents auger soil refilling and allows the apparatus and method of use to be utilized and performed in conjunction with trenching operations.

Abstract: An assembly for handling drill pipes includes a basket for drill pipes arranged in rows and columns, and a support table that has a drill pipe receiver. The support table moves laterally with respect to the drill pipe basket between a plurality of column alignment positions and an external position which locates the drill pipe receiver laterally outside of the basket. The support table also moves between the plurality of column alignment positions and the external position. The drill pipe handling assembly also includes a drill pipe elevator assembly and a loader arm assembly comprising a loader arm having a pipe gripper. The loader arm moves between a table alignment position in which the pipe gripper may grab or release a drill pipe when the support table is in the external position and a drilling alignment position in which the pipe gripper may grab or release a drill pipe.

Abstract: Embodiments provide safety features for a post hole digger, such as for attachment to a tractor or other utility device. The post hole digger has a boom and a yoke for pivotally connecting to the tractor or similar device, a driveline for transmitting rotational energy, and an auger for forming holes in a ground or floor surface. Rotating features of the post hole digger are isolated by various guard members, thereby enhancing the safety of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and method of, lowering items from a drilling rig to a well located below it through the use of a landing string comprised of drill pipe having an enlarged diameter section with a shoulder, in combination with upper and lower holders having wedge members with shoulders that engage and support the drill pipe at the shoulder of the enlarged diameter section, the shoulder of the drill pipe and the shoulders of the wedge members being rotatable with respect to each other.

Abstract: Cable guides for overhead support of drill line on a drilling rig during a slip and cut operation feature replaceable liners of wear material supported by a re-usable base. A tensioning roller added to the draw-works resides outward from the periphery of the draw-works drum and is spring-biased toward same into order to force the incoming drill line against the periphery of the drum.

Abstract: An excavator is provided, in which the excavator includes a head that is slidably mounted on a leader, and a position fixture assembly slidable along the leader via the head. The position fixture includes a support plate including a groove in it top surface, with a first rod slidable within the groove. The position fixture also including a locking unit that serves to engage a base member, allowing the base member to be elevated when the head is elevated.

Abstract: A top drive system with a plurality of top drive modules, which are configured to be quickly exchanged. The top drive modules may include any or all of the following: a main body module, a gearbox module, a drive motor module, a pipe handler module, an upper fluid module, a lower well control valve module, a block interface module, a retract system interface frame module, a cooling system module, a work platform guard module, and a quill saver sub module. Alternatively, the top drive may comprise a first top drive and a second top drive which are configured to be quickly exchanged.

Abstract: A torque measuring device for top drives, which includes plates mounted to a top drive. A torque measuring pin and a hinge pin can be engaged with the plates and a torque slide assembly. Bosses can be connected to the top drive, and can have the torque measuring pin engaged therethrough to restrain vertical and axial movement between the plates. A boss can be connected to the top drive and engaged with the torque measuring pin to bend the torque measuring pin when torque is applied to the top drive. One or more bosses can be connected to the top drive, and can have the hinge pin engaged therethrough to hinge the plates to the top drive. A strain gauge sensor can be engaged with the torque measuring pin. A controller can be in communication with the strain gauge sensor to receive signals therefrom.

Abstract: A support structure for use on a rig floor and for supporting a unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead comprises a support plate adapted to securely mount the support structure to said unit, a passage in the support plate of sufficient diameter to allow tubular components to pass therethrough, a plurality of rig engaging members and at least one tensile member mount. The unit used to manipulate tubular components through a wellhead may be a compact snubbing unit or may be a push/pull unit. The support structure may further comprise a worker platform to support a worker above the rig floor. Various push/pull system embodiments.

Abstract: A drilling rig with a top drive having a torque measuring load cell made from a strain gauged bending pin. When the unit torques up, the bending pin can be arranged to bend slightly in proportion to torque, and a strain gauge on the bending pin provides measurement that can be calibrated electronically in foot-lbs of torque.

Abstract: A transportable rig apparatus provides single operator control for moving pipe into and out of a wellbore. A transportable control van houses the operator. A rig carrier is utilized to transport the mast. A pipe tong is mounted in the mast and is remotely operable from the control van. Rig blocks which move up and down in the mast are remotely operable from control van. A skid mounted pipe moving member moves pipe to the mast assembly and away from the mast assembly. The pipe moving member remotely is operable from the control van. A pipe tub stores pipe and a pipe tub transfer system is operable for moving pipe from the pipe tub to the pipe moving member and for moving pipe from the pipe moving member to the pipe tub.

Abstract: A system and method for building and handling oilfield tubular stands while drilling operations are simultaneously and independently occurring with one drilling deck, one derrick, and one rotary system. An offline guided path horizontal to vertical arm lifts and moves in the same plane tubulars stored horizontally on the catwalk and positions the tubulars vertically directly into a preparation hole for assembling and disassembling tubular stands while online drilling operations are simultaneously being conducted. A stand arm lifts and lowers the tubulars into and out of the adjustable preparation hole, and transports the tubulars for storage to an auxiliary tubular racking station in the upper part of the derrick. A bridge racker crane moves tubular stands from the auxiliary tubular racking station to the top drive or another tubular racking station.

Abstract: A drive system (40) for a drilling has a housing (42) with an interior chamber (60), a stator (62) positioned within the interior chamber (60), a rotor (64) positioned in interior of the stator (62) and within in the interior chamber (60) of the housing (42), and a drive plate (66) affixed to the rotor (64). The rotor (64) has a plurality of permanent magnets in spaced relation around a periphery of the rotor. The stator (62) has a plurality of windings extending in spaced relation around an interior diameter of the stator so as to as be cooperative with the plurality of permanent magnets. The drive plate (66) has an interior passageway suitable for joining to a stem of the drill string.

Abstract: A substructure of a drill rig includes, among other things, a base and an intermediate section that is adapted to be raised above the base, wherein the intermediate section is further adapted to be laterally moved in a first lateral direction relative to the base and maintained substantially parallel to the base during the raising of the intermediate section above the base. The substructure further includes a rig floor section that is adapted to be raised above the intermediate section, wherein the rig floor section is further adapted to be laterally moved in a second lateral direction relative to the base and maintained substantially parallel to the base during the raising of the rig floor section above the intermediate section, the second lateral direction being opposite to the first lateral direction.

Abstract: A drawworks device on a drill floor includes an upper pulley assembly connected to a heave-compensated or fixed mounting. In addition, the drawworks device includes a main block connected to a pipe mount. The pipe mount is laterally movable in at least one direction relative to the drilling center of the drill floor. The pulley assembly is pivotal about a horizontal first axis oriented perpendicular to the direction of lateral movement of the pipe mount.

Abstract: A powered auger support device is provided having connection to a vehicle, a trailer hitch receiver on a vehicle, or the bed of a trailer, whereby a powered auger is slideably supported along an upright rail by way of a winch controlled by an operator. The device comprises a support structure having an upright rail, an auger support frame, and a pulley and winch system for raising and lowering the auger support frame. The auger support frame supports the handles of a stand-along auger and is pivotably supported along the rail, permitting the support frame to rotate with respect to the frame for placing the auger working end at different angles or in a horizontally stowed position. An embodiment of the upright rail contemplates a rotational hinge that places the auger support frame outside of the vehicle wheel tracks or outside of the bed of a trailer during use.

Abstract: A human-powered borehole drill bridges the gap between large drilling rigs and the other less-effective manual methods. Intended mainly for developing countries, the design is affordable and also extremely simple, as very little product support or spare parts will be needed. The drill uses conventional drill pipe and drill bits allowing the drill system to mimic more conventional methods of drilling and existing hardware to maintain uniformity in drilling and easier access to more drilling products.

Abstract: A well drilling head comprises a well drilling head housing, a bearing assembly, a first lubricant manifold and a second lubricant manifold. The well drilling head housing has a sidewall structure defining a central bore. The bearing assembly is configured for being removably seated within the well drilling head housing and for having a stripper rubber assembly attached to a lower end portion thereof. The bearing assembly includes a plurality of bearings and a bearing lubricant flow path configured for allowing bearing lubricant to be circulated through the bearings. The first lubricant manifold has a bearing lubricant passage coupled to the first end portion of the bearing lubricant flow path. The second lubricant manifold has a bearing lubricant passage coupled to a second end portion of the bearing lubricant flow path.

Abstract: A top drive system with a plurality of top drive modules, which are configured to be quickly exchanged. The top drive modules may include any or all of the following: a main body module, a gearbox module, a drive motor module, a pipe handler module, an upper fluid module, a lower well control valve module, a block interface module, a retract system interface frame module, a cooling system module, a work platform guard module, and a quill saver sub module. Alternatively, the top drive may comprise a first top drive and a second top drive which are configured to be quickly exchanged.

Abstract: There is provided a drilling rig for use on a drilling platform, comprising a drilling mast having at least two segments and a feed carriage, said drilling mast being adapted to be constructed in such a manner that at least one segment is displaced upwardly by means of the feed carriage. A mounting method in accordance with the invention for a drilling mast having at least two segments comprises the following steps: fixing of a feed carriage, providing of a mast segment below the feed carriage, and displacing the mast segment upwardly by means of the feed carriage. Due to this, additional auxiliary devices for constructing the drilling mast are not required, and space may be saved.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and method of, lowering items from a drilling rig to a well located below it through the use of a landing string comprised of drill pipe having an enlarged diameter section with a shoulder, in combination with upper and lower holders having wedge members with shoulders that engage and support the drill pipe at the shoulder of the enlarged diameter section, the shoulder of the drill pipe and the shoulders of the wedge members being rotatable with respect to each other.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning a drainage structure comprises a rod having a center longitudinal axis, a barrel housing having a proximal opening and a distal opening, the barrel housing having a center longitudinal axis and coupled coaxially to the rod, the barrel housing having an outside dimension that can be accommodated within the drainage structure, the distal opening of the barrel housing having a sinusoidal tearing contour. The tool further comprises a plurality of cutting implements radially coupled to and between the rod and the barrel housing, the cutting implements having a distal cutting edge and being angularly oriented to facilitate sweeping debris in a selected direction, and the barrel housing and cutting implements operable to rotate about the center longitudinal axis of the rod to dislodge and loosen debris inside the drainage structure.

Abstract: Well drilling and well casing placement are carried out by a process in which a drill string and surrounding casing are advanced while being rotated, preferably in opposite directions. The process is preferably carried out using a drill rig having a mast that is movable along its direction of elongation and a casing rotation table fixed to the mast.

Abstract: A wireless communication and drill string telemetry system. The communication system is used for communicating information along a drill string between a boring tool and a boring machine. An insulator assembly provides an electrically insulated gap between the drill string communication path and a soil engaging electrode for the electrical return path. A transmitter assembly includes a data transmitter for encoding and transmitting a data signal. A signal coupler couples the data signal to the drill string and provides a controlled electrical connection between the drill string communication path and the soil engaging electrode. The signal coupler comprises a transformer and a current regulating circuit to adjust a voltage across the transformer's primary winding. A receiver assembly is disposed proximate the drilling machine and includes a toroidal pickup coil and a signal processing assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for use by an operator in forming boreholes in an underground mine passage including ribs and a roof. The apparatus includes a base and first and second booms pivotally mounted to the base for swinging toward and away from the adjacent lib. A drill is mounted to the base independent of the first and second booms. An actuator including first and second independently movable rods may be used to move the drill relative to the boom.

Abstract: A system and method for building and handling oilfield tubular stands while drilling operations are simultaneously and independently occurring with one drilling deck, one derrick, and one rotary system. An offline guided path horizontal to vertical arm lifts and moves in the same plane tubulars stored horizontally on the catwalk and positions the tubulars vertically directly into a preparation hole for assembling and disassembling tubular stands while online drilling operations are simultaneously being conducted. A stand arm lifts and lowers the tubulars into and out of the adjustable preparation hole, and transports the tubulars for storage to an auxiliary tubular racking station in the upper part of the derrick. A bridge racker crane moves tubular stands from the auxiliary tubular racking station to the top drive or another tubular racking station.

Abstract: A top drive track and slide assembly for use in drilling wells having a torque track slide assembly configured to connect to a top drive, and a modular torque track assembly configured to engage the torque track slide assembly. The modular torque track assembly can connect on a drilling rig. The modular torque track assembly can have a top track, one or more middle tracks, and a bottom track. One of the middle tracks can connect to the top track, and one of the middle tracks can connect to the bottom track using locking devices and connecting pins. The modular torque track assembly can be configured to be various lengths for various applications. The torque track slide assembly can have inserts retained therein without fasteners, allowing the inserts to be completely worn down before requiring replacement.

Abstract: A top drive system with a plurality of top drive modules, which are configured to be quickly exchanged. The top drive modules may include any or all of the following: a main body module, a gearbox module, a drive motor module, a pipe handler module, an upper fluid module, a lower well control valve module, a block interface module, a retract system interface frame module, a cooling system module, a work platform guard module, and a quill saver sub module. Alternatively, the top drive may comprise a first top drive and a second top drive which are configured to be quickly exchanged.

Abstract: A drilling assembly for drilling pipe into a drilling surface using a drill bit. The drilling assembly comprises a power unit, a thrust frame, a means for moving the thrust frame, a rotary and carriage assembly and a microprocessor adapted to control the load on the drill based upon the level of mud pressure in the assembly. The drilling assembly is adapted to drill pipe at any angle relative to the drilling surface between substantially parallel to the drilling surface and substantially perpendicular to the drilling surface. The method comprises providing a such drilling assembly, placing a drill pipe onto the drilling assembly, moving the thrust frame to a desired drilling angle, moving the rotary and carriage assembly into direct contact with the drill pipe, applying rotational, thrust and pull-back forces to the drill pipe, drilling the pipe into the drilling surface and controlling the load on the drill bit.

Abstract: Excavation apparatus are provided that can include a fixed portion configured to couple with a first conduit, a rotatable extendible portion movably coupled to the fixed portion, and a coiled conduit associated with extendible portion and in fluid communication with the first conduit. Excavation methods are provided that can include extending an excavating tool from an excavation apparatus to within an excavation site while rotating the excavating tool in relation to a fixed portion of the excavation apparatus, and maintaining fluid communication between the fixed portion and the excavating tool.

Abstract: A compression enlarging driller comprises a vehicle body; a pole; an outer drilling rod; an inner drilling rod disposed within the outer drilling rod and moveable in a longitudinal direction; a windlass; a connecting lever having an upper end connected with a lower end of the inner drilling rod; a rotary digging bucket connected with a lower end of the connecting lever; a rotary enlarging device; a driving device; and a first hydraulic cylinder. When the driller bores a hoe, it can bore and enlarge the hole without changing a drill bit. A pile constructed by the driller has a high bearing capacity, the number of required piles is decreased, costs lower, and efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A well drilling apparatus (10?) (top drive) designed to be suspended from a travelling block (6?) in a drawworks and laterally supported by a dolly (9?) running together with the well drilling apparatus along tracks or rails fixed to a derrick. The drilling apparatus (10?) comprises at least one driving motor (5?), one power transmission (4?) powered by the at least one driving motor (5?), a drive shaft (70) driven from the power transmission (4?) and designed to be connected to a drill string, load transferring means, and a torque arresting device (3?) fixed to and depending from the power transmission (4?). The load transferring means is in the form of a load frame module (1?) that relieves the drive shaft (70) and the power transmission (4?) at the same time as the load frame module (1?) forms a central component module that the other main components of the well drilling apparatus are releasable connected to.

Abstract: A method for using a top drive is disclosed herein. The method can include: actuating a motor to provide power to the top drive, thereby rotating a stem with a saver sub mounted to a top drive housing having a bearing disposed about the rotatable stem; grabbing, lifting, and positioning tubulars using an elevator; and suspending weight of the top drive to prevent damage to threads of the tubulars during threadable engagement and disengagement of the tubulars using an airbag of an airlift thread compensator. The method can further include: positioning a torque wrench assembly along the tubulars for connecting the tubulars using a hydraulic cylinder disposed inside a torque supporting telescoping tubes; and movably positioning a single hollow cylinder rod of the hydraulic cylinder to extend into a first and second protected area, thereby preventing axial movement of a flexible hose during operation of the torque wrench assembly.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a feed unit (105) to be used with a mining and/or construction machine (100), said feed unit (105) comprising a feeder holder (106) and a feed beam (111) able to move relative to the feeder holder (106), said feed unit (105) further comprising a supporting unit to bear a drilling machine (121), wherein said supporting unit is arranged to bear said drilling machine (121) moveably in relation to said feed beam (111), and said feed unit (105) furthermore comprises driving means to move said feed beam (111) relative to said feeder holder (106) in operation. Said supporting unit is attached to said feeder holder (106) such that, when said feed beam (111) moves relative to said feeder holder (106) thanks to said driving means, the supporting unit is automatically moved at the same time along the feed beam (111). The invention also pertains to a rock drilling assembly and a rock drilling rig.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a drilling device which is compact and has good sliding properties. The object is achieved by an upper beam for use with a lower beam in a telescopic feeder for a drilling device for rock drilling. The upper beam extends along a longitudinal axis and has a generally U-shaped cross section comprising a bottom wall and a first and a second side wall. Each side wall has an inward surface and an outward surface. The upper beam comprises a cooperating member intended for sliding cooperation with the lower beam. The cooperating member comprises an attachment structure extending outwardly from each outward surface of each side wall. Each attachment structure is intended for fixed mounting of a crank block bracket, which crank block bracket faces the outward surface of each side wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and method of, lowering items from a drilling rig to a well located below it through the use of a landing string comprised of drill pipe having an enlarged diameter section with a shoulder, in combination with upper and lower holders having wedge members with shoulders that engage and support the drill pipe at the shoulder of the enlarged diameter section, the shoulder of the drill pipe and the shoulders of the wedge members being rotatable with respect to each other.

Abstract: A top drive apparatus for a well drilling head comprises a top drive structure, a seal body and a plurality of resilient members. The top drive structure is configured for being fixedly attached to an upper end portion of a bearing assembly and having a seal-carrying portion. The seal body has a mounting portion and a wiper portion extending from the mounting portion. The mounting portion is slideably disposed within a groove of the seal-carrying portion of the top drive structure. The plurality of resilient members are disposed within the groove between the mounting portion of the seal body and the top drive structure such that the entire seal body is resiliently displaceable with respect to the top drive structure.

Abstract: A device for an electromechanical hoisting machine (10) with driving gears (6) in engagement with rack rails (5) fixed to a steel structure (1). The hoisting machine is driven by electromotors (8) which transmit torque to the driving gears (6) through the gearing (11), the shaft (15) and further the bevel gear drives (14, 16, 17) and gears (18, 19) to the driving gears (6) in engagement with rack rails (5). To achieve flexible load distribution on the driving gears (6), differential gears (12) supported on projecting shaft journals (20) connected to the main shaft (15) are arranged between the bevel gear drives (16).

Abstract: A guide track system for a tool that can be raised and lowered within a telescoping drilling rig tower is provided. The system includes parallel guide rails mounted on a fixed lower tower section and on a movable upper tower section of the drilling rig tower. The lower and upper guide rails are parallel to one another and overlap one another when the lower tower section is nested with the upper tower section. Guide wheels rotatably attached to the tool can have parallel grooves to roll on the guide rails. The grooves can have sidewalls that flare outward so that they do not scuff against the guide rails as the tool travels up and down within the tower.

Abstract: A well drilling apparatus includes multiple, transportable, modular, pre-assembled sections which include a substructure and multiple mast sections. These pre-assembled sections allow for a quicker complete rig-up of the well drilling apparatus at ground level in a horizontal direction, without the use of a crane. Once the assembly has been completed at ground level, the mast is raised to its vertical operating position via mechanisms for raising and lowering dog tails. During transport, the guide rails are built-in to the mast sections and the crown block is attached to the traveling block, thereby facilitating the rigging-up process. The mast may be lowered after the drilling operation has been accomplished without interfering with any blow-out preventer devices that may have been placed on the wellhead while the structure was at its raised operational level.