With Suction Pump Inlet Communicating With Bore Bottom Patents (Class 175/213)
  • Publication number: 20030000744
    Abstract: A hand-held wand is disclosed for exposing buried objects such as utility lines or the like. The wand comprises an elongated, hollow tube having upper and lower ends with first and second water supply conduits being positioned adjacent the exterior surface of the tube. The lower end of the first water supply conduit has a digging nozzle mounted thereon. The lower end of the second water supply conduit extends upwardly into the lower end of the tube to create a vacuum or suction within the lower end of the hollow tube to remove muddy water from the hole being dug. A two-way valve is connected to the upper ends of the first and second water supply lines for alternately delivering water to the water supply conduits. The intake side of the two-way valve is in fluid communication with a source of high pressure water. The upper end of the hollow tube has a mud take-off hose connected thereto which may be utilized to convey the muddy water to a location remote from the hole being dug or to a container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Franklin J. Chizek
  • Patent number: 6457529
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling hydrostatic pressure in drilling fluid in a subsea well. A main pump forces drilling fluid down the drill pipe, out of the end of the drill pipe, and upward in an annulus surrounding the pipe. A rotating drilling head is attached to a wellhead assembly at the sea floor. The drilling head has an inner body rotatably carried in an outer body landed in a bore of a housing. An energizable gripper in a bore of the inner body grips an outer surface of the drill pipe. The drilling head diverts the drilling fluid into a lateral passage in the sidewall of the housing. An auxiliary pump forces seawater through a venturi into a conduit, creating a lower pressure to draw drilling fluid into the conduit to be carried back to the surface vessel. Pressure and flow rate measurements are sent to a control system that modulates the speed of each pump to control hydrostatic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Douglas Calder, Ready J. Johnson, John Nelson
  • Publication number: 20020104687
    Abstract: A suction drill unit for the installation of a drill dowel (2) into rock, concrete, masonry and similar materials has an insertion end (3) for insertion into an at least partially rotary and percussive acting hand tool drilling device, with a reduced diameter shank (7) having an open suction passageway (9) axially through the shank (7) towards a bit head (8) and a rearward radial communication passage (10) connected thereto for suction-tight communication with a non-rotary suction head (11), wherein the drill bit head (8) is formed with an eccentrically arranged bit head tip (12) for boring of a hole (14) having a diameter (D) greater than that of the drill bit head diameter (B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Hans-Werner Bongers-Ambrosius, Tim Prols
  • Patent number: 6405812
    Abstract: A drilling tool for drilling bore holes into the ground and for removing the drilled material using an air-lifting process. The drilling tool has a drilling head equipped at its lower surface with curing elements, whose upper surface is connected to hollow drilling rods having an inner conveying channel and from whose lower surface boring material mixed with a rinsing liquid is removed via the conveying channel. At the lower surface of the drilling tool head, inside a radial channel connected to the conveying channel, a cross-flow of the rinsing liquid, flowing radially inwards and having a high flow velocity, is produced for the purpose of carrying along the boring material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Wirth Maschinen-und Bohrgerate-Fabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Fritz Tibussek
  • Publication number: 20020066599
    Abstract: The invention concerns a reverse circulation rock drill having a backhead attached to a piston and cylinder assembly between the backhead and a drill bit assembly and around a sample tube with the outer walls of the sample tube and piston profiled to provide air paths for power and exhaust strokes of the piston, a O-ring seal being provided in the backhead as a check valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Bernard Lionel Gien
  • Publication number: 20020027023
    Abstract: A cooling and flushing arrangement (1) for a tool (10), has a coolant and flushing agent (2) in a closed storage tank (3), which is connected to a suction pump (4) and has a closed flushing circulation system (6) running from the storage tank (3) through a filter (8), connected via a pressure pump (7) and through a collecting member (11) associated with the tool (10), with a suction line (12) running back to the storage tank (3). A reservoir circulation system (13) for the coolant and flushing agent (2), contains a reservoir (14) connected to the storage tank (3) via a float valve (15) situated in the storage tank (3), and is connected at another location in the flushing circulation system (6) to the reservoir (14) via a valve (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventor: Rory Britz
  • Publication number: 20010052429
    Abstract: A hand-held tool including a housing, a rod-shaped stop secured on the housing and a dust collector (3) having a dust screen (4) for at least partially circumferentially surrounding a working tool (2) insertable into tool, a deflection-resistant, axially resiliently displaceable at a radial distance from a tool axis (A), suction conduit (6), and guide and connection elements (7) for securing the dust collector (3) on the depth stop (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Jens Frenzel, Helmut Nussrainer
  • Patent number: 6325159
    Abstract: A system for drilling a subsea well from a rig through a subsea wellhead below the rig includes a wellhead stack which is mounted on the subsea wellhead. The wellhead stack includes at least a subsea blowout preventer stack and a subsea diverter. A drill string extends from the rig through the wellhead stack into the well to conduct drilling fluid from the rig to a drill bit in the well. A riser which has one end coupled to the wellhead stack and another end coupled to the rig internally receives the drill string such that a riser annulus is defined between the drill string and the riser. A well annulus extends from the bottom of the well to the subsea diverter to conduct fluid away from the drill bit. A pump has a suction side in communication with the well annulus and a discharge side in communication with the rig and is operable to maintain a selected pressure gradient in the well annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Hydril Company
    Inventors: Charles P. Peterman, Riley G. Goldsmith, Keith C. Mott, John Mark Danna, Kenneth L. Pelata, Kenneth W. Colvin
  • Publication number: 20010006122
    Abstract: A tool for effecting drilling and/or chiseling and including a tubular shaft (2) provided, at its one axial end, with a cutting head (5), and a connection member (3) provided at another axial end of the shaft (2) and equipped with a shank (4), with the connection member (3) having a cross-bore (7) opening into the through-channel (8) formed in the shaft (2) and, with the connection member having, along a substantial portion of its axial extent, a diameter (d1) that at most corresponds to 1.6 of a diameter (d2) of the shank (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventors: Werner Kleine, Hans-Werner Bongers-Ambrosius
  • Publication number: 20010006121
    Abstract: A tool for effecting drilling and/or chiseling and including a tubular shaft (2, 22) having an axially extending through-channel (8, 28) and provided, at one of its axial ends, with a drilling or chiseling head (5), and a connection member (3, 23) connected with another of axial ends of the shaft and provided at its end remote from the shaft (2, 22) with a shank (4, 24), the through-channel (8, 28) being connected with the tool circumference by a cross-bore (7, 27), and the largest cross-sectional surface (A1, A4) of the connection member (3, 23) corresponding at least to 2.5 times of the largest cross-sectional surface of the shank (4, 24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventors: Werner Kleine, Hans-Werner Bongers-Ambrosius
  • Publication number: 20010006123
    Abstract: A tool for drilling and/or chiseling for use with a hand-held mechanized tool having a suction device (10) including a housing (11) surrounding the tool (1), with the tool (1) including a tubular shaft (2) and a connection member (3) located opposite a front end of the shaft (2) for connecting the shaft (2) with the housing (11) of the suction device (10) and having a diameter larger than a diameter of the shaft (2), and with the connection member (3) being formed of a core (5) surrounding the shaft (2), and an adapter (6) surrounding the connection member core (5) and having a cross-bore (7) opening into the through-channel (8) formed in the shaft (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventors: Werner Kleine, Hans-Werner Bongers-Ambrosius
  • Publication number: 20010004025
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the drilling, notably by percussion or rotary-percussion drilling, and draining of holes in soil or rock. A drill bit (2, 3) mounted on a drill rod (4) creates a bore hole and a jacket tube (6) is coupled to the drill rod (4) or the drill bit (2, 3). In the area adjacent to the drill bit (2, 3) the jacket tube (6) has at least one through hole which opens into an annular space embodied between the drill rod and the jacket tube. In the end area adjacent to the drill bit (2, 3) the jacket tube (6) is surrounded by at least one filter tube (7) having a plurality of through holes or slits (8) which are distributed especially evenly across its circumference. This allows for correspondingly safe and reliable drainage during boring, using simple measures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: Josef Mocivnik, Karl Bohm
  • Patent number: 6216800
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for substantially continuously drilling and disposing of drill cuttings and dust to minimize airborne contamination while providing protection against overload. A drill stem with a bit is advanced by a drill head to form the drill hole. A flushing mechanism utilizes vacuum or pressurized water for flushing the cuttings and dust from the drill hole for disposal. A transducer monitors the negative or positive gauge pressure. A controller is utilized to regulate the rate of drilling dependent on the signal level of the pressure being monitored. In the preferred embodiment utilizing air, the passage in the drill stem removes the cuttings/dust and is connected to a transfer duct, which in turn is connected to a filter and the intake side of a blower. The controller is programmable to establish the optimum rate of feed of the drill head. The rotary motion of the drill bit can also be regulated by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: J. H. Fletcher & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Henry E. Wilson, Gregory E. Hinshaw, William S. McIntyre, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6202765
    Abstract: A device for sucking off drillings during the drilling of boreholes, comprising a suction fan (9) and a filter (10) as well as an opening closeable by a lid for emptying the drillings reception space (8) preceding the filter (10), in which, for the simple cleaning of the filter (10), the lid (12) is connected with a vibrating mechanism for the filter (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Tamrock Voest-Alpine Bergtechnik Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Kurt Schaffer, Erich Brandl, Karl Schnedl
  • Patent number: 5860232
    Abstract: An integrated safe excavation apparatus utilizing supersonic air jets coupled with high flow, pneumatic vacuum transport and a unique separation system to excavate earth and other like material for the purpose of repairing, replacing or installing buried utility lines, remediating contaminated soils, uncovering buried objects containing discarded hazardous waste, safely exposing unexploded ordnance and other like operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Concept Engineering Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Nathenson, Jerome Apt, Jr., Paul M. Brumbaugh
  • Patent number: 5535836
    Abstract: A total recovery drill assembly for providing a flowable cutting material discharging from a multiple orifice nozzle with the nozzle rotating around the longitudinal axis of the drill is provided herein. This assembly includes an outer tube that is connected to a vacuum source on a proximal end and terminates with grooves on the distal end. Within the outer tube is an inner tube that rotates within the outer tube. The proximal end of the inner tube is connected to a high pressure source for discharging a flowable material that is either a gas, a liquid or a particulate solid. The distal end of the inner tube is connected to a nozzle. The nozzle has a cutting orifice and an agitating orifice. The cutting orifice discharges the flowable material towards the grooves of the outer tube. Drilling is achieved by aiming the discharged flowable material as a laminar flow. Additionally, the nozzle has an agitating orifice designed to agitate the cut substance for removal by the vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Ventura Petroleum Services , Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Cagianut, Joseph J. Bentley, Christopher J. Penza
  • Patent number: 5526887
    Abstract: A device for drilling holes (1) in the crust of the earth, especially for drilling oil wells, wherein a rotary bit (2) is fitted in a drill string (4), within which drilling fluid is pumped downwardly and, upon return, conveys cuttings to the surface. A piston (5) is mounted on the drill string (4) above the bit (2) and adapted to form a sliding seal against the wall of the hole (1). A seal (8) is mounted above the piston (5) within the hole (1) and adapted to seal against the wall of the hole (1), against the drill string (4), against a return line (6) adapted to conduct drilling fluid with cuttings from the under side of the piston (5) to the top of the seal (8), as well as against a pipe (9) communicating with a pump (10) adapted to pump liquid in between the seal (8) and the piston (5), whereby liquid pressure acting against the upper face of the piston (5) urges the bit (2) against the bottom of the hole (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Rogalandsforskning
    Inventor: Ola M. Vestavik
  • Patent number: 5497841
    Abstract: A masonry coring system for drilling vertical holes in a masonry wall comprises a drill bit in the form of a thin-walled cylinder having a cutting end face, a plurality of cutting elements fastened to the cutting end face, and a core breaker located within the interior of the cylinder. The coring system further comprises a driver plate fastened to the drill bit opposite the cutting end face, a driver shaft having a small axial hole therein fastened to the upper surface of the driver plate, a hydraulic motor to rotate the driver shaft, a non-rotating plastic pipe slightly larger than and surrounding the driver shaft, the plastic pipe resting on the driver plate and containing a plurality of holes located at the end near the driver plate. An air compressor forces compressed air through the axial hole in the driver shaft. An evacuation system withdraws the drilling dust through the annulus between the driver shaft and pipe and into a dust collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Inventors: Robert D. Cox, William Mohlenhoff
  • Patent number: 5259458
    Abstract: A subsea abandoned wellhead protection system which may be installed underwater without the need for underwater assistance from divers or the like, the system allowing full site preparation and installation from the surface. The present invention teaches a new and unique system for the lowering and centering of the shelter over the wellhead, as well as a new system for the preparation of the installation site, including the removal of debris from the site and excavation of the ground surface area about the abandoned wellhead via a remote, fluid actuated, integrated excavation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventors: Louis E. Schaefer, Jr., David G. Ross
  • Patent number: 5234294
    Abstract: A drilling device for producing drilled holes with an undercut has a drill bit having a drilling head, a depth stop, an enlargement provided between the the drilling head and the depth stop and acting as a swivel bearing, a suction bell rotatably mounted on the depth stop, a bearing washer, and a resilient, ring-shaped cushioning element provided on the depth stop. The cushioning element abuts against the bearing washer and is connected to the suction bell. The depth stop of the drill shank has a concavely curved end face and the bearing washer has a convexly curved sliding face which rests on the concavely curved end face of the depth stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: fischerwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hartmut Hoppe, Burkhard Mayer
  • Patent number: 5199515
    Abstract: A dry, vertical shaft drilling system including an inverted raiseboring cutterhead fitted with air nozzles and vacuum pickups. Weights are detachably stacked above the cutterhead. Cuttings are extracted through the weights into a swivel circumscribing the drill string. The swivel is a transition from the rotating cutterhead to the stationary extraction riser pipes disposed above the swivel. Non-rotating stabilizers stabilize the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Inco Limited
    Inventors: Kirk M. Sinclair, John R. England
  • Patent number: 5174394
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning layers of earth that contain noxious material via a cleaning medium that takes up the noxious material and is introduced into the layers of earth via a drilling tube. The cleaning medium is extracted by suction from the layers of earth and is subsequently processed. To achieve a precise cleaning on the spot in a continuous manner without the necessity for excavating the earth, the apparatus comprises a chamber that surrounds the drilling tube. The chamber can be lowered into the ground either together with or separately from the drilling tube. After termination of the cleaning process, at least parts of chambers used therefor are removed from the ground and shifted to a region that has not yet been cleaned, resulting in an advancement of the cleaning process in a horizontal direction. A sludge mixture can also be pumped from the chamber into a cleaning unit, with the clean, recovered earth again being introduced into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Philipp Holzmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim Fischer, Andreas Monning
  • Patent number: 5125464
    Abstract: The invention relates to the drilling of a hole for the study of the underground. The roto-percussion head acts on the drilling tube of which the base carries a cutter. The cutter is integral with the sleeve inside which drilling water is injected. The water and the rock debris go up and out through the evacuation opening. Application to the reverse flow drilling allowing to extract at the evacuation opening cores or rock debris which go up inside the axial tube as soon as they are taken without any risk of being contaminated by the previously traversed layers of ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Cogema
    Inventor: Gerard Sabatier
  • Patent number: 5016717
    Abstract: An excavation apparatus includes a suction system with a suction tank pneumatically connected to a blower through a filter subassembly. A suction hose is pneumatically connected to the suction tank. A liquid jet system includes a liquid reservoir fluidically connected to a liquid pump, which in turn is fluidically connected to a spray wand. The suction and liquid jet systems are mounted on a vehicle. An excavation method includes the steps of dislodging earthen material with a liquid jet from the spray wand and sucking it into the suction tank with the suction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Aqua-Vac Locators, Inc.
    Inventors: Billy R. Simons, Ben K. Turner, James T. Brell
  • Patent number: 4964475
    Abstract: A drilling device for producing drill holes with undercuts comprises a drill having a drill shaft with extending drill blades, a shoulder projecting from the drill shaft, and a guiding sleeve surrounding the drill shaft between the shoulder and the drill blades, the guiding sleeve having two ends provided with openings of different sizes, the guiding sleeve having a sleeve edge which forms a support for the shoulder and a wall abutment for the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: fischerwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Arthur Fischer
  • Patent number: 4964476
    Abstract: A drilling device for producing drill holes with undercuts and comprising a drill bit, a drill bit holder for receiving the drill bit and having a suction chamber, and a suction bell surrounding the drill bit holder and communicating with the suction chamber therein, the stem of the drill bit having a continuous axial bore communicating with the suction chamber and a plurality of slots arranged in a region of a cross-sectional enlargement of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: fischerwerke Artur Fischer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Artur Fischer
  • Patent number: 4911253
    Abstract: Core water and mud collector tool for use by a carrotting drill during the piercing of a concrete floor, said tool being connected as an adaptor between the motor shaft and the shoulder of the circular carrotting drill. Circulating through said tool is a liquid first applied at the exterior of the core drill, passing between the diamond bit segments, and being aspirated to the top between the carrot and the interior of the drill, to be evacuated through the interior of the above adaptor by holes of sizes increasing starting from the inside of the adaptor shaft, going through the wall of said shaft, the tunnel opening of the barrel and the suction tube. The suction has for effect to conserve the carrot in the interior of the carrotting drill when the concrete floor is pierced, such suction helping to exert a reaction in the direction of drilling which facilitates drilling as water is being aspirated, instead of being projected by jet, thus keeping the zone surrounding the punched hole clean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: Normand Cliche
  • Patent number: 4889196
    Abstract: A diverter apparatus for use in conjunction with earth drilling operations to divert cuttings from the area surrounding the bore hole, and including a pneumatically extensible and retractable ground-engaging skirt which surrounds the bore hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Inventor: Vaughn R. Johnston
  • Patent number: 4711609
    Abstract: A drilling tool for one of stationary and mobile use as, for example, a hand tool, and especially a motor powered tool capable of rotary drilling, percussion drilling, or hammer drilling for drilling into concrete, rock, or the like materials and/or in metals of various types. The drilling tool includes a drill head on a shank encompassing at least a bit shank and has a recess extending through the drill head coaxially to a longitudinal axis of the bit shank, which recess is adapted to receive a drilled core. The recess is constructed as a central bore and is provided at an end facing away from the drill head with an outlet or discharge orifice for the drilled core material collected in the recess. The outlet or discharge orifice of the recess in arranged in the shank zone provided outside of the drill head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Assignee: Sita Baulemente GmbH
    Inventor: U. Christian Seefluth
  • Patent number: 4711299
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for removing sand and debris from a well bore utilizes an elongated string which includes a pump functioning to pump debris into the string interior from the lower end of the well bore. The pump includes a stationary hollow piston with a hollow piston rod which is connected to the lower portion of the string, and a cylinder which is connected to the upper portion of the string. The cylinder is keyed to the piston rod to transmit rotary motion from the upper portion of the string via the pump to a lower portion of the string in which the debris is trapped. Check valves are provided below and above the pump in the string to prevent retrograde flow of liquid downwardly in the string. By reciprocating the upper portion of the string, debris is pumped into the lower portion of the string, along with well liquids. The liquid pumped into the string from the well continues upwardly in the string, passing through the interior of the piston rod and piston and into the pump cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Assignee: The Adaptable Tool Company
    Inventors: Donald B. Caldwell, Robert J. Spring
  • Patent number: 4667750
    Abstract: A vibratory earth penetrator employing a high pressure air distributor and an oscillating mechanism has the ability to dig down to underground utilities and contact those utilities without damaging them. The invention includes a hollow elongated tube having a plurality of air lances at the bottom end thereof. The air is preferably distributed to the air lances by an air distributor in a criss-cross sequence. An oscillating eccentric weight is synchronized with the air distributor to enhance the digging effect of the device. The penetrator is supported by a boom which includes an automatic tension device for providing sufficient upward force to keep the penetrator in the vertical attitude while allowing the weight of the penetrator to provide enough force to permit the device to dig into the ground. Since the digging action is accompanied by very little downward force, it is possible to contact underground utilities without hurting them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Boyd A. Wise, Stanley M. Miller
  • Patent number: 4630691
    Abstract: A pressure differential drilling tool and method of underbalanced pressure controlled well bore drilling, characterized by a modulating plug closely expanded to the well bore diameter to form an annulus for external bypass of well fluid immediately above the drill bit and through which the drill string continuously makes hole, and by an upwardly disposed peripheral nozzle jet pump with controlled suction of fluid from the bit so as to establish a reduced and/or underbalanced fluid pressure condition at the bit-to-bore bottom interface for operating the drill bit at an increased rate of penetration while maintaining a higher pressure condition in the well bore annulus above the modulating plug controllably expanded by hydraulic pressure applied to operate the jet pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Inventor: David W. Hooper
  • Patent number: 4621693
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for removing sand and debris from a well bore utilizes an elongated string which includes a pump functioning to pump debris into the string interior from the lower end of the well bore. The pump includes a stationary hollow piston with a hollow piston rod which is connected to the lower portion of the string, and a cylinder which is connected to the upper portion of the string. The cylinder is keyed to the piston rod to transmit rotary motion from the upper portion of the string via the pump to a lower portion of the string in which the debris is trapped. Check valves are provided below and above the pump in the string to prevent retrograde flow of liquid downwardly in the string. By reciprocating the upper portion of the string, debris is pumped into the lower portion of the string, along with well liquids. The liquid pumped into the string from the well continues upwardly in the string, passing through the interior of the piston rod and piston and into the pump cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: The Adaptable Tool Company
    Inventors: Donald B. Caldwell, Robert J. Spring
  • Patent number: 4558752
    Abstract: Device for obtaining dust from minerals. The device has an excitation part for mechanical ultrasonic vibrations combined with a chisel. A suction device is provided to collect the dust produced. The device serves in particular to produce dust samples rapidly for quick analysis of minerals in prospecting, in the reconnaissance and evaluation of deposits and in the mining of minerals for the purposes of quality control, monitoring and controlling the mining process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Luossavaara Kiirunavaara AB
    Inventors: Hans-Ulrich Freund, Wolfgang M. Heide, Rolf A. Sieglen
  • Patent number: 4505341
    Abstract: A tool (10) is disclosed which permits retrieval of an object (201) from within a bore hole having debris (210) surrounding the object. The tool (10) includes an upper assembly (12) and a lower assembly (14). The upper assembly (12) is secured to a drill or tubing string assembly (16) extending to the surface. The lower assembly (14) mounts the wash pipe (200). The lower assembly (14) includes a debris chamber (144) and a trap valve (148) for permitting one-way flow of debris and fluid therein. In hydrostatic operation, a lower valve assembly (126) is provided for opening to expose the upper portions of the tool (10) to the bore hole pressure and drive debris and fluid through the wash pipe and into the debris chamber. This activity permits the tool and wash pipe to move downwardly in the bore hole so that the wash pipe surrounds the object. Settling debris wedges the object within the wash pipe for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Inventors: Arlin R. Moody, Bobby J. Moody
  • Patent number: 4448267
    Abstract: This is a device for reverse flow drilling of water wells, elevator ram holes and other holes. It is constructed of a hollow metal tubing with doors to allow for the discharge of excavated materials. In operation the Kelly (drill stem) is rotated into the ground and an airlift is used to bring cuttings into the drill stem and then out the doors. The doors are usually hand opened and hand closed and are locked by turning the door locks with a wrench or other tool. As the Kelly is rotated into the ground each door is opened for discharge and then closed before submergence into the drilling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Inventors: Russell C. Crawford, III, George M. Crawford, Russell C. Crawford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4440450
    Abstract: A method of drilling and mining a subterranean ore deposit with a tool string having a drill bit and a combined mining nozzle and eductor section with the fluid flow being controlled to each valve by self-activating valves. Controlling the operation of the downhole valves by the pressure of the fluid pumped into the tool string.An apparatus is provided for actuating down-hole flow control valves in a borehole mining tool to change the tool function from drilling to mining while still in the borehole. Single or double-acting power cylinders are employed as actuators with the system pump pressure applied to one side of the piston while a resilient spring and pneumatic pressure are applied to the other side of the piston. The spring and pneumatic pressure provide sufficient force to maintain the actuator in the drilling mode during the application of drilling pressure while mining system pressure overcomes these forces and actuates the flow control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Slurry Mining Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Coakley
  • Patent number: 4436166
    Abstract: A drilling sub is provided in a drill string above a drill bit. The drilling sub includes a nozzle oriented to eject drilling fluid from said drill string into an annulus between the drill string and a well bore hole at an elevation above the drill bit with a horizontal velocity component tangential to said annulus to thereby impart a swirling motion to drilling fluid in the annulus. This creates a vortex extending down to the drill bit to enhance the cleaning of cuttings from the bore hole and to reduce a pressure differential thereby increasing a penetration rate of the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: Gill Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Asadollah Hayatdavoudi, Ladd M. Adams
  • Patent number: 4436167
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for excavating pile holes of various shapes, including a pile hole with a widened bottom and a pile hole with a widened top and widened bottom, by means of an excavating bit and widening bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: Okumura Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Masuda, Hironori Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 4422514
    Abstract: A pump for a reverse circulation rotary drilling rig is described which is designed to prevent drilling fluid from coming into contact with the pump bearing. A generally cylindrical-shaped housing is secured to the lower end of the Kelly bar and is in fluid communication with the interior thereof. The housing defines first and second spaced-apart compartment areas having a fluid passageway extending therebetween at one side of the housing. A rotatable shaft extends downwardly through the Kelly bar, through the first compartment area, through the space between the compartment areas and into the second compartment area. An impeller is mounted in the second compartment area and is designed, upon rotation of the shaft, to pump drilling fluid upwardly through the pipe string, outwardly through the second compartment area, through the fluid passageway and the first compartment area upwardly through the Kelly bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Inventor: Wayne A. Grosch
  • Patent number: 4421182
    Abstract: A tool (10) is disclosed which permits clean-out of a bore hole in either a hydrostatic or hydraulic operation. In addition, the tool (10) may be used to drill a formation within the bore hole without the need for circulation of fluid to the surface to remove cuttings from the formation. The tool (10) includes an upper assembly (12) and a lower assembly (14). The lower assembly (14) includes a debris chamber (144) and a trap valve (148) for permitting one-way flow of debris and fluid therein. In hydrostatic operation, a lower valve assembly, (126) is provided to prevent fluid entry into the spaces above the assembly in the tool and drill or tubing string assembly until the tool reaches the debris in the bore hole. Downward motion of a seal, guide and swab piston assembly (102) opens the valve assembly to drive the debris and fluid into the debris chamber. In hydraulic operation, the lower valve assembly (126) is removed and an upper valve assembly (40) is positioned within the upper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Inventors: Arlin R. Moody, Bobby J. Moody
  • Patent number: 4420187
    Abstract: An improved hydraulic mining tool apparatus for the recovery of minerals from subterranean formations is disclosed wherein the drill string, which extends from ground surface into the mineral deposit, is adapted to be maintained stationary during the mining operation while the mining tool, mounted to the lower end of the drill string, is adapted to rotate within the mineral formation. By maintaining the drill string stationary within the formation, frictional drag forces and tortional forces exerted on the apparatus are minimized thereby substantially reducing the input power requirements and reducing the possibility of a twist-off of the mining tool within the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Inventor: Everett L. Hodges
  • Patent number: 4401345
    Abstract: A hydraulic underground mining system for operating through a small diameter borehole into a subterranean body. An elongated mining tool includes a liquid jet nozzle that is movable in a vertical direction along the length of the mining tool for forming a directed jet stream to impact material in the ore body and convert the material into a slurry. An orifice is positioned below the jet so that slurry flows into the orifice, the latter being connected to a jet pump which returns generated slurry to the surface. Suitable hydraulic power means are provided for operating the jet pump and for moving the jet stream in vertical and circular directions. Means for monitoring and controlling the progress of mining and the condition of components of the system are provided to monitor and control the system from a centralized location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Flow Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Archibald
  • Patent number: 4348058
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for recovering deep subterranean ore deposits using conventional dual conduit pipe in the tool string. The drill cuttings and ore are returned to the surface by reverse circulation. A combination drilling and mining head is disclosed which permits the outer casing to be driven by the power swivel during both the drilling and mining operations. A hydraulic eductor pump located at the suction entrance to the inner conduit is used to raise drill cuttings to the surface; a separate slurry eductor pump within the inner conduit located only sufficiently below the slurry discharge of the tool to prevent cavitation at the jet is used to pump the ore slurry to the surface. Another embodiment of this invention employs both eductors to raise the drill cuttings and ore slurry to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Assignee: Slurry Mining Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Coakley, James J. Nolan
  • Patent number: 4296970
    Abstract: An improved hydraulic mining tool for recovering minerals, particularly bitumen, and other viscous crude oils, from subterranian formations is disclosed, composed generally of a radially directed cutting jet nozzle which discharges a high velocity liquid to dislodge bitumen, viscous crude oils, and sand particles from the formation and a venturi-type pump and jet nozzle which lifts the dislodged material upward to the surface. The mining tool includes a rock crushing mechanism having means to vary its impact force and reciprocation frequency and an Archimedes feed screw which provides a variable quantity, continuous feed of mined material into the jet pump inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Inventor: Everett L. Hodges
  • Patent number: 4275926
    Abstract: A tool for slurrying and recovering minerals, including bitumen, from a single bore hole by hydraulic mining and jet pumping to the surface in which the tool includes conduits for pumping water into a venturi throat, a generally concentric bottom inlet to the venturi throat and a collection device below the venturi for lifting mineral into the venturi. The tool additionally includes means for selectively adjusting the distance between the screw and venturi throat to vary the proportion of suction applied to the bottom and side inlets to the venturi thereby accommodating variations in slurry concentrations and density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1981
    Inventor: Everett L. Hodges
  • Patent number: 4240513
    Abstract: This drill bit comprises a plurality of rollers provided with cutting teeth or inserts.At least one vertical fluid flushing jet is directed towards the hole bottom between two adjacent rollers and at least one upwardly directed education jet is created. The nozzle delivering the flushing jet opens at a distance from between 1/3 H and 4/5 H from the hole bottom, H being the height of the cutters measured in a direction parallel to the bit axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1980
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Yvon Castel, Henri Cholet
  • Patent number: 4219087
    Abstract: The method is disclosed for drilling a pilot hole and subsequently enlarging the pilot hole in earth formation. A dual concentric pipe string is used for circulating air downwardly through the outer pipe, through a pilot bit and upwardly through the bore hole outside the pipe string to bail cuttings, during drilling of the pilot hole. The air pressure expands the cutters of an expansible bit while a milited portion of the air supplied cools the cutters. After the cutters are fully expanded, additional air is utilized to clean and cool the cutters. Air is returned through the inner pipe of the dual concentric pipe string. A venturi device is utilized to induce return flow through the inner pipe during enlargement of the hole and to vacuum residue when enlargement is completed. The dual concentric pipe string is made up of lengths of pipe providing threaded, sealed joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Assignee: Tri State Oil Tool Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4200160
    Abstract: A sweep pickup for a large diameter drill bit is disclosed. The drill bit includes a main bit body having a plurality of roller cutters rotatively mounted thereon. Drilling fluid is pumped down the annulus of the well bore, across the face of the bit and up a central passage located within the bit. A sweep pickup is connected to the central passage and includes a lower inlet having a semicylindrical chamber mounted adjacent the trailing side thereof. A flexible wiper blade is located on the leading edge of the sweep pickup tube adjacent the inlet and is adapted to contact the base of the well bore in order to agitate and project the drilled cuttings into the flow of the drilling fluid. The wiper blade also functions to block the fluid flow to the inlet of the sweep pickup from the leading side thereof, thereby creating a unidirectional fluid flow to the inlet of the sweep pickup from the trailing side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1980
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan L. Newcomb
  • Patent number: 4186808
    Abstract: An earth boring machine with a rotating cutter head having a multiple of individual cutters positioned at different distances from the center of rotation and angularly spaced from one another on the cutter head while the cutter head itself is shaped to direct the cuttings into a collecting area, which may be under the center of the rotary head or which may be concentric about the center area, has elevator means, which may be mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic, to remove the cuttings from the collection area, and has one or more crushing rollers thereon arranged to crush cuttings which are too large for effective removal by the elevator means into small chips or fragments together with barrier means for restraining such oversize pieces in the path of the crushing roll or rollers so as to prevent their entry into the collection area until they have been adequately crushed. The barrier means so provided are arranged to permit the smaller fragments and chips to move into the collection area with little impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Cox