Abstract: A reamer for use in underground drilling back-reaming operations. The reamer comprises a body comprising a plurality of pockets. The pockets are configured such that an arm, a rolling cutter, and a retainer may fit within each of the pockets. Each of the rolling cutters is connected to each of the arms via a spindle. The rolling cutters are held on the spindle and connected to each of the pockets via a retainer. Each of the arms is secured to each of the pockets via a plurality of fasteners. A mechanical lock is used to secure at least one of the fasteners in place. Each of the arms comprises a grease passage and a pressure compensation system. The rolling cutters are replaceable with rolling cutters of like size or rolling cutters of different sizes and shapes.

Abstract: A bidirectional stabilizer and a drill string wherein the bidirectional stabilizer reduces motion while rotating into and out of a wellbore. The bidirectional stabilizer can be coupled on a first shaft end to the drill string and on a second shaft end to a bottom hole assembly or other downhole equipment. The bidirectional stabilizer can have an annulus configured for maximum wellbore fluid flow. A cutting portion can be formed on a shaft with a plurality of blades between the first shaft end and the second shaft end. The plurality of blades of the cutting portion can be on a first plane and a plurality of cutting nodes can be on a second plane for smoothing a wellbore.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a cutting tool integrated in a drillstring for enlarging a borehole, where the cutting tool at least comprises: one or more side mills (12, 13, 14) arranged along the axis of said drillstring in a reamer housing (11), where the side mills (12, 13,14) are adapted to be rotated relative to the tool housing (11) by individual driving means. The self driven rotational side mills may be dome shaped cones where expand radially out of the reamer housing (11), or may be a special non-circular dome shaped cones where rotates without expanding.

Abstract: A hole opener having a hybrid reaming section for reaming subterranean wellbores may include a tubular reamer body having a longitudinal axis and upper and lower ends, a rolling cutter mount coupled to the body, a rolling cutter rotatably coupled to the mount, and a fixed blade coupled to the body adjacent the mount. A method of forming a hybrid reamer tool for downhole use may include providing a tubular stem having couplers on the upper and lower ends, coupling a reamer body having an outer periphery to the stem between the stem upper and lower ends, coupling a rolling cutter mount to the outer periphery of the reamer body, the mount having a rolling cutter rotatably coupled thereto, and coupling a fixed blade to the outer periphery of the reamer body adjacent the rolling cutter mount.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microtunnelling apparatus including a cutting apparatus adapted to be rotated by a drill shaft defining a central axis of rotation that extends along a length of the drill shaft. The cutting apparatus includes a front cutting rotor having a hub defining a shaft receiver that extends at least partially through the hub in a direction extending from a back side toward a front cutting side of the front cutting rotor. The shaft receiver is configured to receive the drill shaft. The drill shaft and the shaft receiver cooperate to define a torque transmitting mechanical interface for allowing torque to be transferred between the drill shaft and the front cutting rotor such that the drill shaft can be used to rotate the front cutting rotor about the central axis of rotation. The front cutting rotor also includes a plurality of cutting bars that project at least partially radially outwardly from the hub.

Abstract: An earth boring bit comprising, a bit body, a cantilevered bearing shaft depending from the bit body, a cutter mounted for rotation on the bearing shaft, a plurality of cutting elements disposed on the cutter, and hardfacing affixed to the bit, wherein the hardfacing comprises a mixture of carbide materials, a matrix of iron, nickel, cobalt and alloys thereof, and an amount of fullerene material. The amount of fullerene material added to the mixture may range from up to about 0.05 percent by weight to about 15 percent by weight.

Abstract: A rotary cutter assembly constructed in accordance with this method of securing a rotary cutter to a body has a cutter pocket with a first shoulder and a truncated second shoulder. A receptacle extends into the first shoulder. A first retainer retains a first axle end of the rotary cutter and engages the first shoulder to prevent axial movement in a first direction. A projection on the first retainer engages the receptacle to prevent removal of the first retainer radially from the cutter pocket. A second retainer retains a second axle end of the rotary cutter. The second retainer has a step down portion engaging the truncated second shoulder of the cutter pocket to prevent axial movement in a second direction. A locking ring overlies the truncated second shoulder and the step down portion of the second retainer to prevent removal of the second retainer radially from the cutter pocket.

Abstract: A hole opener (10) having a tubular body (11) with threaded ends (12, 14) for connection in a drill string. The hole opener provides slots or grooves (21, 21′) along its longitudinal axis (16) into which are inserted cutter arm support members (30, 30′, 60, 60′) which may be screwed, (43) pinned (68) or bolted (168) to the body (11) to permit easy replacement of the support arms (30). The grooves (21, 21′) in the body (11) of the hole opener (10) also provide a spindle (20) spatially aligned with the groove (21, 21′) to support the proximal end of a rotatable journal body (28) supporting the cutter body (25) providing hard facing for grinding of the bore hole to be enlarged. The support arms (30) at their distal end provide further support for the cutter journals (70). The hole opener (10) also may provide pressure compensated lubrication mechanism (71) to provide grease to the bearing surfaces to increase their service life and thereby extend the useful life of the tool.

Abstract: The roller reamer drilling tool includes an elongated body having a fluid circulation bore. A plurality of roller reamer units are mounted circumferentially about the body and are capable of being installed as units within a series of pockets machined within the body. The pockets include a central pocket to receive the roller reamer, a lower bearing block pocket and an upper bearing block pocket which has a width greater than the width of the roller so that the roller can be installed through the upper bearing block pocket, which allows the installation of the roller, shaft and upper bearing block as a unit.

Abstract: A drilling tool for use in drilling operations for providing shock absorption capability and lateral support to the rotary drill string. The telescoping axial load shock absorber is positioned immediately adjacent at least one lateral support provided by a reamer or stabilizer. The stabilizer preferably employs a removable fixed blade secured to the tool by an undercut groove. The roller cutter for a reamer is also mounted in a preferred unique manner with the mounting blocks secured in a recess having an undercut retainer portion in the event of bolting failure. The mounting's brackets may be formed integral of the tool body or attached by welding or the like. A preferred form of mounting a blade on a stabilizer tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drilling tool for use in drilling operations for providing shock absorption capability and lateral support to the rotary drill string. The telescoping axial load shock absorber is positioned immediately adjacent at least one lateral support provided by a reamer or stabilizer. The stabilizer preferably employs a removable fixed blade secured to the tool by an undercut groove. The roller cutter for a reamer is also mounted in a preferred unique manner with the mounting blocks secured in a recess having an undercut retainer portion in the event of bolting failure. The mounting's brackets may be formed integral of the tool body or attached by welding or the like. A preferred form of mounting a blade on a stabilizer tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: A roller-reamer structure wherein for each roller shaft, the shaft is tightly, but releasably secured, both radial and thrust bearings being provided for relatively moving roller and shaft surfaces. The shaft is held in the various embodiments within accommodating slots by an interference fit between the shaft and the accommodating slot, by a partially slotted longitudinal opening that allows squeezing of a block about the shaft end, by a tapered shaft end being wedgedly held or by a slotted block opening and tapered wedging block member tightly securing the shaft. Some combinations include a sealed and protected self-lubricating reservoir.

Abstract: A roller reamer/stabilizer tool is shown with rolling cutter assemblies removeably retained within elongated pockets in the body of the tool by cap members capturing opposing ends of the cutter axle pin. The cap members are received in sockets adjacent opposed ends of the pockets and secured thereon by balls, received within a passage defined by the mating faces of the socket and caps, and by threaded bolts. A countersunk bore in the cap members receives the bolts therethrough and provides an entry into a transverse opening through the cap to the passage for inserting or removing the balls. A shim plate between the cap and the body determine the gauge diameter of the tool.

Abstract: A roller-reamer structure wherein for each roller shaft, the shaft is tightly, but releasably secured, both radial and thrust bearings being provided for relatively moving roller and shaft surfaces. The shaft is held in the various embodiments within accommodating slots by an interference fit between the shaft and the accommodating slot, by a partially slotted longitudinal opening that allows squeezing of a block about the shaft end, by a tapered shaft end being wedgedly held or by a slotted block opening and tapered wedging block member for tightly securing the shaft. Some combinations include a sealed and protected self-lubricating reservoir.

Abstract: A roller reamer/stabilizer apparatus for use on a drill string assembly. The apparatus includes a reamer body which has a number of pockets formed in the body. A cutter assembly is anchored in each pocket. The cutter assembly includes a bearing pin on which two bearing blocks are mounted with a reamer cutter mounted in between the two bearing blocks. The entire cutter assembly is first assembled and is then placed in a corresponding pocket of the reamer body. The cutter assembly is secured within the pocket by means of pull pins which are inserted transversely through the reamer body so as to engage corresponding holes which are formed in the bearing blocks of the cutter assembly. The pull pins are secured by means of snap rings that can be easily removed so that the pull pins can then be retracted to permit the cutter assembly to be replaced after it is worn.

Abstract: A wall contacting device, such as a roller reamer used in earth boring, includes a block, e.g. supporting one end of a roller shaft, making an interference fit with a socket in the body of the device, there being tool passage means between the body and block; a disassembly tool is removably received in the passage and includes a pressure portion engaged with the block and a head portion to receive impact; and cooperating guide means on the body and tool includes coaxial cylindric surfaces on the body and tool for supporting the tool for rotation about a fixed axis, the pressure portion of the tool being a portion of an Archimedian spiral coaxial with the cylindric surfaces.

Abstract: A reamer used in earth boring by the rotary method includes a body having a plurality of sockets in its outer periphery. Upper and lower blocks are disposed in the socket for supporting a shaft. A roller is rotatably mounted on the shaft with the inner periphery of the roller and the outer periphery of the shaft providing bearings for the roller. The shaft has an upper annular shoulder with a downwardly facing sealing surface disposed above the bearings. Upper and lower seals are disposed above and below the bearings with the upper seals having a facing seal sealingly engaging the roller and the downwardly facing sealing surface on the shoulder of the shaft.

Abstract: A drilling fluid roller reamer-stabilizer includes a tubular body having threaded pin and box connectors at each end adapted to be connected in a drill string and providing a fluid passage connecting the upper part of the drill string with the lower part. Rollers having integral pins at their ends are mounted in pockets in the sides of the body. The pins extend into holes in arcuate cross section bearing blocks received in correlative sockets in the body at the ends of the pockets. Each block makes an interference fit with the sockets in the body. Tool access passages allow a tool to be inserted behind each block to drive or pry it out. Slotted, resilient bearing sleeves are provided in the holes in the blocks where the roller pins are received. The sleeves extend beyond the holes toward the rollers to take axial thrust. Flanges on the ends of the sleeves provide additional thrust area.

Abstract: A reamer and stabilizer assembly for rock drills having a substantially cylindrical body provided with a threaded end socket for connection to a drill stem, the body having circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending recesses for receiving reaming and stabilizer rollers mounted on axles extending parallel to the axis of the body, each reamer and roller assembly being removably retained in its recess by a keeper pin which can be inserted or retracted through a keeper pin passage opening into the threaded socket and into a longitudinal passage through each axle.

Abstract: A roller on reamer's rollers are rotatably mounted on shafts whose ends are supported by blocks inserted in the reamer body. One end of each shaft is welded, pinned, or otherwise nonrotatably anchored to its mounting block. Each block makes an interference fit with the body socket in which it is disposed. The blocks are stepped or tapered for quick release. Access openings to the backs of the blocks facilitates knockout. Knockout of the stepped blocks is achieved by wedge means.Drilling mud may have access to contacting surfaces of rollers and shafts to lubricate same. Protective seal means may be provided between each roller and shaft at the upper ends thereof so that the mud must flow upwardly to reach the space between shaft and roller and dense solids will be excluded by gravity. Grease lubrication may be provided, e.g. in conjunction with roller shafts mounted in stepped blocks, the rollers being sealed to the shafts at both ends.

Abstract: The present invention consists of an under reamer tool for enlarging, scraping or smoothing a well bore. The tool is attached to a conventional drill string above a conventional bit and involves cutting elements that have retractable cutters arranged for extension from the tool to engage the well bore wall, each cutter, when the drill string is turned, being urged outwardly by centrifugal force until it engages the well bore wall, continued turning thereafter, pulling that cutter into its extended cutting attitude, reaming the wall to the desired diameter, cutter retraction involving ceasing turning the drill string and the pulling of the drill string and connected tool from the well bore.