With Tool Shaft Detail Patents (Class 175/320)
  • Patent number: 8393820
    Abstract: A rotationally locked drive assembly for a VSI crusher comprises a drive shaft 52 rotatably securable in a bearing cartridge assembly 60, the drive shaft having a tapered upper end portion 62 for forming a taper joint in cooperation with the tapered central opening 72 of a flywheel 54, a top opening key receptor 81 formed on the top surface 76 of the flywheel for receiving a locking key 56, whereby tightening of fasteners 58 secures locking key 56 in key receptor 81, presses flywheel 54 onto drive shaft 52, thereby fortifying the taper joint between the flywheel 54 and drive shaft 52, and locking drive shaft 52, flywheel 54 and locking key 56 in rotational alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Damian Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20130056282
    Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a housing running tool including an inner sleeve having a first mating surface configured to engage a second mating surface of a housing to rigidly couple the inner sleeve to the housing. The housing running tool also includes an outer sleeve disposed about the inner sleeve and configured to support the inner sleeve in an axial direction. The outer sleeve includes a first mounting feature configured to engage a second mounting feature of the housing such that substantially all torque applied to the housing running tool in a circumferential direction is transferred to the housing via the outer sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gavin Paul Robottom
  • Patent number: 8387693
    Abstract: Systems and methods usable to urge a passageway through subterranean strata, place protective lining conduit strings between the subterranean strata and the wall of said passageway without removing the urging apparatus from said passageway, and target deeper subterranean strata formations than is normally the practice for placement of said protective lining conduit strings by providing apparatuses for reducing the particle size of rock debris to generate lost circulation material to inhibit the initiation or propagation of subterranean strata fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Bruce A. Tunget
  • Publication number: 20130037326
    Abstract: A device for uncoupling a drill string, the device including, in a longitudinal direction: a first structure that is intended to be attached to a drill string tube; a second structure that is intended to hold a cutting tool for drilling and is translatable relative to the first structure; and a thruster assembly between the first structure and the second structure. The thruster assembly is configured to exert a thrusting force on the second structure to separate the second structure from the first structure, the thrusting force being constant for every position of the second structure relative to the first structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Philippe Essel, Jean-Marc Loriot, Christian Salesse, Sabastian Desmette
  • Publication number: 20130032411
    Abstract: A composition including a high temperature thermoplastic polymer and a filler material is disclosed. A method for forming a coating upon a wellbore tool includes forming a powder composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a filler material and applying the composition on the body surface. Wellbore tools having components coated with such compositions are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Hendrik John, Erik Bartscherer, Andreas Krafczyk
  • Patent number: 8360174
    Abstract: A drilling assembly comprises a drill bit that includes a bit body intermediate a working face and a shank. An indenting member adapted to guide the drill bit protrudes from the working face. A flexible portion is disposed above the bit body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Paula Turner, David Lundgreen, Scott Woolston
  • Publication number: 20130000983
    Abstract: Shock tools can include a rotary top drive box in threaded connection with an outer tube. A center plate tube can run through the center of the shock tool to provide a pathway for drilling fluid and/or mud to flow to the drill bit. A bottom tube socket box holding head can be attached to the outer tube and the center plate tube can be connected to a bottom drive socket. The bottom tube socket box holds a portion of the bottom drive socket within the outer tube. The center plate tube can be slidably engaged with the rotary top drive box. Multiple compression plates separated by compression pads are located in the tool to dampen the shock load by distributing the load across each of the multiple pads, thereby minimizing the load on any individual pad. This arrangement allows for higher load dampening lower failure rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventor: Sheldon Hansen
  • Patent number: 8336644
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rod coupling for rod segments for use in horizontal earth boring, wherein the ends of the rod segments can be interconnected and are fixed by means of a cross pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Tracto-Technik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Franz-Josef Püttmann
  • Publication number: 20120312600
    Abstract: A rotary joint for use in directional control of a subterranean rotary steerable drilling apparatus. The rotary joint is formed by mated spherical-shaped sockets, each of which is connected with a hollow rod. By virtue of this arrangement, a continuous passageway is provided for fluid to flow through the rotary joint, which fluid may be used for cooling the rotary joint during operation of the rotary steerable drilling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Hamid Ali ABBASI
  • Publication number: 20120305319
    Abstract: A joint assembly, including a first member including an indicator; a second member operatively arranged to sealingly engage the first member via a seal element, the indicator operatively arranged to provide an indication when the first member has been engaged with the second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Jacob M. Zachry
  • Publication number: 20120298355
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a system, method, and tool for logging while pulling. The disclosed system includes a tool and a bottom hole assembly, and the tool engages with the bottom hole assembly. The tool includes an elongated body, a retarder positioned on the elongated body, and a locking ring positioned on the elongated body. The retarder has at least one point of contact with an interior surface of a drill pipe. The disclosed method includes assembling the tool, providing a landing ring on a bottom hole assembly, free dropping the tool to the bottom hole assembly, and engaging the landing ring of the bottom hole assembly with the locking ring of the tool so that a portion of the tool extends below the bottom hole assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Adrian John Digby
  • Patent number: 8302708
    Abstract: A drill wrench for driving drill steels, drill bits, and bolts during drilling and bolting operations is disclosed. The drill wrench may include an internal driver for driving a drill steel. The internal driver may be inserted in an internal-drive recess defined within an end of the drill steel. When the drill wrench is rotated, the internal driver may drive the drill steel by engaging at least one surface within the end of the drill steel. The drill wrench may also include an external support member that supports the drill steel during drilling. The external support member may also drive the drill steel by engaging an outer peripheral portion of the drill steel when the drill wrench is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Dover BMCS Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: E. Sean Cox, Russell Roy Myers
  • Patent number: 8286733
    Abstract: A rotary steerable tool is provided for use with a drilling apparatus. The rotary steerable tool includes at least a first portion that includes an outer housing, a rotary shaft extending through the outer housing, a drive clutch coupled to the rotary shaft, and a sensor coupled to the rotary shaft. The drive clutch is movable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. The sensor is configured to identify whether the drive clutch is in at least one of the engaged configuration and the disengaged configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rory McCrae Tulloch, Colin Robert Blair, John Oates
  • Patent number: 8287005
    Abstract: A lightweight and durable drill pipe string capable of short radius drilling formed using a composite pipe segment formed to include tapered wall thickness ends that are each defined by opposed frustoconical surfaces conformed for self-aligning receipt and intimate bonding contact within an annular space between corresponding surfaces of a coaxially nested set of metal end pieces and a set of nonconductive sleeves. The distal peripheries of the nested end pieces and sleeves are then welded to each other and the sandwiched and bonded portions are radially pinned. The composite segment may include imbedded conductive leads and the axial end portions of the end pieces are shaped to form a threaded joint with the next pipe assembly that includes contact rings in the opposed surfaces of the pipe joint for contact together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Composite Products & Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Leslie, James C. Leslie, II, James Heard, Liem V. Truong, Marvin Josephson
  • Patent number: 8286702
    Abstract: A string of drill pipe, for example, is assembled with a severing sub in anticipation of a possible need to cut the string at some point in the operation. The severing sub includes a thin wall tube that links opposite end tool joint bosses. The tin wall tube is easily cut by a shaped charge cutter. Rotary drive torque is transmitted between the sub tool join bosses by a concentric external torque tube having a torque transmitting assembly at each boss. The torque tube connection to the upper boss has an inseparable circumferential shoulder engagement with the boss. The lower boss engagement of the torque tube is axially separable. When the thin wall tube is cut, the upper boss and torque tube is withdrawn from the well with the upper pipe string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventors: Don Umphries, Gabe Williger
  • Publication number: 20120255790
    Abstract: A dual pipe drill string system having increased fluid flow. The dual pipe system comprises a plurality of pipe sections, each pipe section having an inner rod and an outer pipe. The inner rod and the outer pipe of each pipe section may be coupled to the inner rod and outer pipe of an adjacent pipe section. An annulus between the inner rod and the outer pipe defines a fluid flow path through the dual pipe system. The outer pipe defines a shoulder at each end of an individual pipe section. The inner rod defines at least one stop for maintaining the inner rod within the outer pipe. A spacing assembly disposed around the circumference of the inner rod defines paths for fluid flow and maintains a minimum distance between the stop and the shoulder at one end of outer pipe of the pipe section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam R Hall, Richard F. Sharp
  • Patent number: 8281879
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore comprises arranging a drill string and an expandable tubular in the wellbore such that a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded section extending around a remaining section of the tubular, drill string extending through the remaining section, and axially extending the expanded section by moving the remaining section downward relative to the expanded section so that the lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction, wherein the expanded section covers the wellbore wall in an upper portion of the wellbore. The drill string is operated so as to drill a lower wellbore portion, and a compound is transferred between the lower wellbore portion and a layer of the earth formation surrounding the lower wellbore portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: David Allan Elliott, Petrus Cornelis Kriesels
  • Publication number: 20120241221
    Abstract: A microtunnelling apparatus and system that includes an external drive system having rotational and linear thrust drive means, a drill head section having drill rotor and drill rod and connecting to intermediate drill rods allowing extension of the boring hole created by the drill head section driven by the drive system. The drill head includes a modular construction having a plurality of circular disc like elements, a bearing module, a steering module, a spacer module, and a mounting module, for axial alignment and abutment and mounting within a cylindrical steering shell. Directional steering of the drill head includes a plurality of substantially radially extending channels in steering module, each with an hydraulically movable protuberance movable by control means to redirect the outer steering casing and thereby redirect the drill head section mounted on the distal end of the drill rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Andis SALINS, Stuart HARRISON
  • Patent number: 8267203
    Abstract: Earth-boring drill bits include a bit body, an erosion-resistant extension, and a shank. The erosion-resistant extension includes a generally tubular body, and an erosion-resistant material lining the generally tubular body within a fluid passageway. The erosion-resistant material lining the generally tubular body within the fluid passageway exhibits an erosion resistance greater than an erosion resistance exhibited by a material of the generally tubular body. Methods of forming an erosion-resistant extension include lining at least a portion of a wall of a generally tubular body within a fluid passageway extending through the generally tubular body with an erosion-resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James Andy Oxford
  • Publication number: 20120228034
    Abstract: A rotary drill stem component for exploration of a hydrocarbon well with drilling mud in movement around the component from a bottom of the well towards the surface includes a central tubular element having an axis of revolution and extended on either side respectively by a first and a second tool joint each respectively and successively including a first cylindrical portion connected to the tubular element, a second tapered portion, a third cylindrical portion with a radius greater than that of the tubular element, and a threaded end which can connect the component to another component, the component including a first shell provided with one or more functional zones, the first shell being mounted on one of the tool joints in a cohesive and removable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: VAM DRILLING FRANCE
    Inventors: Gabriel Roussie, Christophe Rohart
  • Patent number: 8245798
    Abstract: A female part intended for top hammer-drilling equipment includes a thread in the form of a ridge in a wall. The ridge is delimited by a crest and two flanks between which a likewise helical groove having a bottom runs. An end the of the groove is defined by a borderline, which separates the groove bottom from a part surface formed in the inside of the wall, the width of which part surface successively decreases in the peripheral direction, and which has a rotationally symmetrical shape essentially similar to the rotationally symmetrical basic shape of the thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventors: Peter Nava, Peter Sörensen
  • Publication number: 20120199400
    Abstract: A drillpipe for a drill stem to drill a hole. The drill stem includes a drill string and a bottom hole assembly. The drillpipe includes a first end having a first inertia, a second end having a second inertia, a first intermediate zone adjacent to the first end, a second intermediate zone adjacent to the second end, and a central substantially tubular zone with an external diameter smaller than the maximum external diameter of at least the first or the second end. A casing is fixed on the pipe over a portion of the external surface thereof, at least one physical parameter sensor is disposed in the casing, and at least one data transmission/storage mechanism is connected to the sensor output, the casing being disposed at a distance from the first and second ends, the casing being integral with the central zone at a distance from the first and second intermediate zones and having a smaller inertia than the first and second inertias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicants: ASSN POUR LA RECH ET LE DEV DE METH ET PROCESS IND, VAM DRILLING FRANCE
    Inventors: Jean Boulet, Stéphane Menand
  • Patent number: 8235148
    Abstract: A threaded element for connection with a housing of an earth boring device includes a body having an inner bore and a slot. The slot extends inwardly from a perimeter of the body and terminates in the inner bore of the body. The body of the threaded element has a receptacle in the area of the slot for insertion of a locking bolt, with the body having an outer diameter which undergoes an enlargement, as the locking bolt is inserted in the receptacle. The body has an outer thread for threaded connection with a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tracto-Technik GmbH
    Inventor: Franz-Josef Püttmann
  • Publication number: 20120193148
    Abstract: A method for applying a non-magnetic, abrasive, wear-resistant hardfacing material to a surface of a drill string member includes providing a non-magnetic drill string member formed of a non-magnetic material, the drill string member having an outer surface. It also includes providing a non-magnetic hardfacing precursor material comprising a plurality of non-magnetic, sintered carbide pellets and a non-magnetic matrix material; heating a portion of the non-magnetic hardfacing precursor material to a temperature above the melting point of the matrix material to melt the matrix material. It further includes applying the molten non-magnetic matrix material and the plurality of non-magnetic, sintered carbide pellets to the exterior surface of the drill string member; and solidifying the molten non-magnetic matrix material to form a layer of a non-magnetic hardfacing material having a plurality of non-magnetic, sintered carbide pellets dispersed in the hardfacing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James L. Overstreet, Jimmy W. Eason, Travis Puzz
  • Patent number: 8232892
    Abstract: A system for automating service operations at a well includes a service rig having at least one input device, an engine connected to an engine electronic control unit having a engine controller area network, a plurality of crown sheeves, a cable, an output device, a communication infrastructure, and at least one of a computer and an operator station; at least one remote server in electronic communication with the communication infrastructure; and a web portal in electronic communication with the at least one remote server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Tiger General, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Overholt, Torrence Cambridge, Mark Scott
  • Patent number: 8220563
    Abstract: Provided are drill stem assemblies with ultra-low friction coatings for subterraneous drilling operations. In one form, the coated drill stem assemblies for subterraneous rotary drilling operations include a body assembly with an exposed outer surface including a drill string coupled to a bottom hole assembly or a coiled tubing coupled to a bottom hole assembly and an ultra-low friction coating on at least a portion of the exposed outer surface of the body assembly, wherein the coefficient of friction of the ultra-low friction coating is less than or equal to 0.15. The coated drill stem assemblies disclosed herein provide for reduced friction, vibration (stick-slip and torsional), abrasion and wear during straight hole or directional drilling to allow for improved rates of penetration and enable ultra-extended reach drilling with existing top drives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Narasimha-Rao Venkata Bangaru, Swarupa Soma Bangaru, legal representative, Adnan Ozekcin, Hyun-Woo Jin, Erika Ann Ooten Biediger, Jeffrey Roberts Bailey, Vishwas Gupta, Mehmet Deniz Ertas, William Curtis Elks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8215419
    Abstract: A variable frequency down hole drill, includes a drill bit, a reciprocating piston operable to deliver an impact load to the drill bit, and means for changing the frequency with which the piston delivers impact loading to the drill bit, also resulting in a change in overall power of the drill. The means for changing frequency and overall power may operate during continuous operation of the drill. The means for changing the frequency and overall power may include a valve for selectively changing the effective volume of a drive or return chamber, an actuator for changing the timing of placing the drive or return chamber in communication with exhaust, or a system for changing the frequency in response to sensing an predetermined operating parameter of the drill, such as pressure or piston position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Secoroc LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Plunkett, Dale R. Wolfer, Paul Campbell
  • Patent number: 8210282
    Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing slippage and rotation of components installed along a rotatable tubular shaft and/or in a tubular housing member during drilling operations are disclosed herein. The housing and/or rotatable shaft include a shoulder disposed proximate to one end. An adjustable member is secured proximate to the opposite end. One or more components are installed, covering a first portion of the surface between the adjustable member and shoulder. One or more spacing members are installed to cover substantially all of the remaining surface. The adjustable member is tightened such that the adjustable member and the shoulder apply a compressive axial load to the components and spacing members, causing frictional forces between adjacent objects greater than the torque acting on the housing and/or tubular shaft, causing each component to remain stationary with respect to the surface to which it is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Strata Directional Technology, LLC
    Inventors: John A. Salzer, III, Michael Louis David, Douglas Dewayne Eggleston, Paul Freeman Noe
  • Publication number: 20120160571
    Abstract: A drilling tool that has a flexible shaft so as to be able to make short radius curves while still being able to transmit torque and axial loads. The drilling tool includes a drill shaft for transmitting axial load, comprising a series of coaxial ring members connected together such that adjacent ring members are flexible in an axial plane relative to each other; each ring member being connected to an adjacent ring member by connecting member arranged to transmit torque therebetween; and axial supports extend between adjacent ring members so as to transmit axial loads therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Jacques Orban
  • Patent number: 8201645
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a downhole tool string component has a first and second threaded end on a mandrel, the first threaded end attached to a first sleeve and the second threaded end attached to a second sleeve. An intermediate sleeve assembly is disposed circumferentially around the mandrel and intermediate the first and second threaded ends, and the intermediate sleeve assembly is primarily isolated from stress of the first or second sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Nathan Nelson, Scott Woolston, Scott Dahlgren, Jonathan Marshall
  • Patent number: 8201644
    Abstract: A dual pipe drill string system having increased fluid flow. The dual pipe system comprises a plurality of pipe sections, each pipe section having an inner rod and an outer pipe. The inner rod and the outer pipe of each pipe section may be coupled to the inner rod and outer pipe of an adjacent pipe section. An annulus between the inner rod and the outer pipe defines a fluid flow path through the dual pipe system. The outer pipe defines a shoulder at each end of an individual pipe section. The inner rod defines at least one stop for maintaining the inner rod within the outer pipe. A spacing assembly disposed around the circumference of the inner rod defines paths for fluid flow and maintains a minimum distance between the stop and the shoulder at one end of outer pipe of the pipe section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: The Charles Machines Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam R. Hall, Richard F. Sharp
  • Patent number: 8157002
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a slip ring assembly deployed radially between a shaft and a housing. The slip ring assembly may be configured as a stand-alone assembly and is further configured to provide a plurality of distinct electrical communication channels between the shaft and housing. These communication channels are suitable for transmitting electrical power and/or electronic data. Electrical connection is made between the housing and the slip ring assembly via a connector block that is fastened to a plurality of stator rings in the slip ring assembly. The connector block extends radially outward from the stator rings and physically engages an opening in the housing thereby rotationally coupling the stator rings to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Smith International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Clarkson, Pralay Das, Al Jerabek, Hector R. Guzman
  • Patent number: 8141634
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for selectively releasing a first wellbore component to a second wellbore component using a disconnect device. The method includes coupling a disconnect device to a workstring and a downhole tool; performing a downhole operation using the downhole tool, and selectively releasing an upper portion of the disconnect device from a lower portion of the disconnect device, thereby releasing the downhole tool from the workstring. The method may also include reconnecting the upper portion of the disconnect device to the lower portion of the disconnect device. The disconnect device is capable of transferring torque to the wellbore component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry W. Fisher, Thomas M. Redlinger, Carl J. Wilson, Mary L. Laird
  • Publication number: 20120067649
    Abstract: A drill pipe includes a pin-type connector part, a box-type pipe connector part, a tube part attached to the pin-type pipe connector part, and an intermediary pipe part disposed between and attached to the box-type pipe connector part and the tube part. The intermediary pipe part has a shoulder for engagement with a handling tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: Gerald E. Wlson
  • Publication number: 20120043132
    Abstract: An adapter for connecting drilling components having an elongate tubular member with a non-circular exterior surface profile and a connector. A ground engaging member generally characterized as a reamer has a non-circular inner surface profile whereby the ground engaging member is slidably mounted on and engages the non-circular exterior surface of the tubular member. A flange assembly is connected to the ground engaging member and the tubular member to restrict axial movement of the ground engaging member relative to the tubular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Earth Tool Company, LLC
    Inventor: Robert F. Crane
  • Patent number: 8118116
    Abstract: An elongated percussive rock drilling element comprises at least one thread portion and a flush channel. At least the thread portion is made of a corrosion resistant steel having a structure with a martensite content greater than about 50 wt-% and less than about 100 wt-%, in which the steel comprises C+N greater than about 0.1 wt-% and less than or equal to about 0.8 wt-% and Cr greater than or equal to about 11 wt-% or Cr greater than or equal to about 5 wt-%, Mo less than or equal to about 5 wt-%, W less than or equal to about 5 wt-%, Cu less than or equal to about 2 wt-%, Mo+W+Cu greater than about 0.5 wt-% or Cr+3.3 (Mo+W)+16N greater than about 10 wt-%. The surface of said at least one thread portion of said corrosion resistant steel is ball blasted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventor: Johan Lindèn
  • Patent number: 8113302
    Abstract: A drilling tool that has a flexible shaft so as to be able to make short radius curves while still being able to transmit torque and axial loads. The drilling tool includes a drill shaft for transmitting axial load, comprising a series of coaxial ring members connected together such that adjacent ring members are flexible in an axial plane relative to each other; each ring member being connected to an adjacent ring member by connecting member arranged to transmit torque therebetween; and axial supports extend between adjacent ring members so as to transmit axial loads therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jacques Orban
  • Publication number: 20120018229
    Abstract: A drill pipe (10) having an elongate tubular body (12) with an interior surface enclosing a main bore (14) which extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis (A) of the tubular body (12) from a first end to a second end of the tubular body (12), a side port (16) provided in an exterior surface of the tubular body (12), a side bore (18) extending through the body (12) from the main bore (14) to the side port (16), and a valve assembly (20, 22) which is operable to substantially prevent flow of fluid along the main bore (14) and to substantially prevent flow of fluid along the side bore (18), wherein the valve assembly (20, 22), side port (16) and side bore (18) are provided in a first connection portion (10a) of the drill pipe (10) at the first end thereof, the first connection portion (10a) comprising a thickened portion of the tubular body (12) in which the separation of the interior surface and the exterior surface is substantially greater than the adjacent portion of the tubular body (12), the length
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Managed Pressure Operations PTE LTD
    Inventors: Christian Leuchtenberg, James Ronald May
  • Publication number: 20110284291
    Abstract: The present invention provides drilling assembles and methods that are especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling/reaming/ or other operations related to drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly utilizes standard drill collars which are modified to accept force transfer sections. In another embodiment, the drilling assembly comprises a tension inducing sub which creates a force that may be used to place the bottom hole assembly or portions thereof in tension. In another embodiment, a reaming assembly is held in tension to provide a stiffer reaming assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Richard A. Nichols, Bruce L. Taylor, Roger Pierce
  • Patent number: 8061450
    Abstract: A percussion drilling assembly for drilling through earthen formations and forming a borehole. In some embodiments, the drilling assembly includes a retainer sleeve having an upper end with an outer diameter and a tubular casing engaging the retainer sleeve. The tubular casing includes a first, second, and third tubular portion. The first tubular portion engages the upper end of the retainer sleeve at a first end having an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the retainer sleeve. The second tubular portion is connected to the first tubular portion at a first end and has a second end with an outer diameter that differs from the outer diameter of the retainer sleeve. The third tubular portion is coupled to the second tubular portion. The first and third tubular portions each have a length configured to enable gripping of the tubular casing using tongs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan J. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20110272139
    Abstract: A system is provided for drilling a borehole into an earth formation, comprising a casing arranged in the borehole, a drill string extending through the interior of the casing to a lower end portion of the borehole, and a body of drilling fluid extending into the casing, the casing having an inner surface susceptible of wear due to frictional contact with an outer surface of the drill string during drilling of the borehole with the drill string. The system further comprises means for reducing wear of the inner surface of the casing, the means including at least one of a hardened layer at the inner surface of the casing, a friction-reducing layer at the outer surface of the drill string, and a lubricating compound contained in the body of drilling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Bernardus Johannes Henricus Van Den Brekel, Grigoriy Grinberg, Matthew Martin Shade, Mark Michael Shuster, Antonius Leonardus Wubben, Djurre Hans Zijsling
  • Patent number: 8051927
    Abstract: A drill bit for percussive rock drilling of the type that comprises a front head and a tubular skirt, which extends rearward from the head to a rear, ring-shaped end and includes an internal thread for the transfer of combined impact and rotary motions to the drill bit is disclosed. The rear end of the skirt is, via an unelastic joint, e.g., a friction weld, united to a front end of a sleeve having an envelope surface, from which a plurality of projections are peripherically spaced-apart from each other project, e.g., ridges, having the purpose of guiding the drill bit in the drill hole. By assembling the drill bit of two parts, the internal thread can be turned with high accuracy and smoothness, at the same time as the drill bit is given an inherent good controllability. In an additional aspect, a method for the manufacture of such a drill bit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventor: Peter Nava
  • Patent number: 8051928
    Abstract: This invention relates to a downhole assembly and to a cutter assembly, and in particular to a downhole assembly including an apparatus for breaking up large-scale material which is present behind a drill bit, and to a cutter assembly for use in such a downhole assembly. The downhole assembly is suitably for use in a drillstring, the downhole assembly comprising a drill bit, a sensitive component, and at least one rotatable set of cutter blades located between the drill bit and the sensitive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Smart Stabilizer Systems Limited
    Inventors: Daryl Richard Henry Stroud, Robert Donald John Sedgeman, Colin Walker
  • Publication number: 20110259645
    Abstract: A rotary steerable tool is provided for use with a drilling apparatus. The rotary steerable tool includes at least a first portion that includes an outer housing, a rotary shaft extending through the outer housing, a drive clutch coupled to the rotary shaft, and a sensor coupled to the rotary shaft. The drive clutch is movable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. The sensor is configured to identify whether the drive clutch is in at least one of the engaged configuration and the disengaged configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Rory McCrae Tulloch, Colin Robert Blair, John Oates
  • Publication number: 20110220415
    Abstract: Provided are drill stem assemblies with ultra-low friction coatings for subterraneous drilling operations. In one form, the coated drill stem assemblies for subterraneous rotary drilling operations include a body assembly with an exposed outer surface including a drill string coupled to a bottom hole assembly, a coiled tubing coupled to a bottom hole assembly, or a casing string coupled to a bottom hole assembly and an ultra-low friction coating on at least a portion of the exposed outer surface of the body assembly, hardbanding on at least a portion of the exposed outer surface of the body assembly, an ultra-low friction coating on at least a portion of the hardbanding, wherein the ultra-low friction coating comprises one or more ultra-low friction layers, and one or more buttering layers interposed between the hardbanding and the ultra-low friction coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Hyun Woo Jin, Srinivasan Rajagopalan, Adnan Ozekcin, Tabassumul Haque, Mehmet Deniz Ertas, Bo Zhao, Jeffrey Roberts Bailey, Terris Field Walker
  • Publication number: 20110209920
    Abstract: An insertion coupling for a boring rod assembly with at least two coupling elements is disclosed. The coupling elements include at least one corresponding tapered coupling face pair constructed to produce play-free clamping when pressing forces are applied to the insertion coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: Tracto-Technik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: FRANZ JOSEF PÜTTMANN
  • Publication number: 20110198126
    Abstract: A downhole device comprising a mandrel (21) suitable for connection to a drilling assembly (3), a housing (22) surrounding said mandrel said housing being suitable for connection to the alternate end of a drilling assembly and a compensating mechanism (25) configured to adjust an axial force applied to said mandrel by changing the relative position of the mandrel with respect to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: George Swietlik, Stephen John McLoughlin
  • Patent number: 7980331
    Abstract: A drill string component includes a downhole power assembly and a center mandrel with a through-bore adapted to accommodate a flow of drilling fluid. The downhole power assembly includes a tubular battery cage disposed around the center mandrel. At least one battery is disposed in at least one bay formed in the tubular battery cage and a tubular sleeve is adapted to slide over and cover the tubular battery cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Paula Turner, Nathan Nelson
  • Publication number: 20110168443
    Abstract: Deep drillholes of 2 or more meters diameter down to 14-20 km and more, are with current technology extremely expensive and often not possible. Such wells are needed to run almost anywhere old nuclear/coal powerstations cheaply by geothermal steam: Water/cool steam down and hot steam up. As by-product energy is CO2-free. Steel and rock can be cut by heat of any type: conductive, radiative and heat-transmission by contact. This principle is used in the steel industry by (translated from German) “burning-cutting machines”. In addition rock can be cut by heat-induced evaporation. A ring with radii and segments that carry one to hundreds heat-generating elements moves through the rock. This way, with fairly low energy-consumption, coring is done at a high speed at almost (any) diameter. Stafette-type core- and equipment transport ensures the speed of the drilling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Peter Paul Smolka
  • Publication number: 20110155470
    Abstract: A drill string element including an elongate tubular body delimiting an interior surface longitudinally including at least one portion of revolution and including a first hole provided in the elongate tubular body. That first hole includes a first end opening at the portion of revolution, and in a vicinity of the first end a longitudinal axis intersecting the interior surface at an intersection location. The longitudinal axis, in projection into a first plane passing through the central axis of the portion of revolution and containing the intersection location, forms a first angle of a value that is not zero and in projection into a second plane tangential to the interior surface at the intersection location forms a second angle of a value that is not zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: VAM DRILLING FRANCE
    Inventor: Jean Boulet