Abstract: A high pressure fluid jet drilling system operable to produce the same drilling effect as a rotating nozzle, but without utilizing a high pressure rotary seal or coupling. The drilling effect is obtained by mounting a non-rotating drilling nozzle within a rotatable case eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the case.

Abstract: A drill bit having a lower formation engaging face thereon and a plurality of radially spaced apart slots which communicate the face with an upper reduced part of the bit body so that drilling fluid can be returned to the surface of the earth. The bit has an internal counterbore which terminates short of the face and forms a passageway through which drilling fluid can flow. A plurality of radially spaced apart lateral passageways communicate the axial counterbore with the slots. A nozzle passageway communicates the face of the bit with the outer marginal end of the lateral passageways, and the lateral passageways are plugged adjacent to the slots. A nozzle is placed within the outer marginal end of the nozzle passageways. Drilling fluid is forced to flow down through the axial counterbore, and through the nozzles which are affixed to the face of the bit.

Abstract: A rotary drilling bit is provided which includes means for providing a protective stream of a high pressure fluid for its cutting edges fed parallel to the drilling axis directed perpendicular to the cutting edges. The drilling bit also includes means for providing a stream of low pressure fluid for flushing away pulverized rock cut by the drilling bit. The drilling bit is mounted on the end of boring tubing made up of a pair of coaxially positioned tubings, the innermost one supplies the high pressure fluid and the outermost one supplies the low pressure fluid. A drilling process which employs the drilling bit and boring tubing efficiently drills through both soft and non-abrasive rock and hard or abrasive rock.

Abstract: A bit breaker and handle for use in conjunction with a drill bit. The bit breaker is in the form of a plate member which is provided with an outside edge having a configuration to be drivingly received within the kelly drive of a drilling rig turntable. The plate is apertured to telescopingly receive a marginal length of the main body of the bit therethrough. A plurality of lugs are circumferentially placed about the aperture. The lugs are slidably received within an enlarged marginal length of the external bit passageways, and abuttingly engage a shoulder formed at the outlet end of the passageway. The drill tubing is held while the turntable is rotated in the appropriate direction to "make up" or "break out" the tubing threads respective to the threads of the bit. The external passageways are further provided with radially extending counterbores which receive the marginal end of a handle therewithin so that the bit can be easily lifted respective to the plate member.

Abstract: A jet rotary drill bit confirming a first strainer element allowing the passage of mud carrying small-sized particles, but preventing relatively coarse particles from passing to the jet nozzles. The first strainer element is self-cleaning and the relatively coarse particles are passed on to a second strainer on which they remain trapped.

Abstract: A strainer is shown for use with a downhole tool through which drilling fluid is circulated during the drilling of deep oil wells and the like. The strainer provides a plurality of narrow slots which prevent the passage of material therethrough that might be entrained with the fluid and which otherwise would plug ports or nozzles or restrict flow passages below the strainer.

Abstract: A one piece diamond drag bit is disclosed that utilizes individual diamond insert studs strategically placed into the face of the bit. Each insert is pinned in a "keyway" formed between a groove in the bit body and a complementary groove in the insert stud. A hollow locking pin locks each insert in place. Each pin communicates with a fluid chamber formed by the drag bit body and directs fluid over the cutting disk of each insert during operation of the drag bit.

Abstract: A new and improved drill bit for connection on a drill string has a hollow tubular body with an end cutting face and an exterior peripheral stabilizer surface with cylindrical sintered carbide inserts positioned therein. Nozzle passages extend from the interior of the bit body through the cutting face, preferably at an angle of about 10.degree.-25.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis of the body, and consist of a passage in the bit body and a removable and interchangeable nozzle member. The nozzle member is secured in place either by peripheral grooves and snap rings or aligned smaller passages in the nozzle member and the bit body having a retaining pin positioned therein.

Abstract: Diamond drag bits with a multiplicity of individual diamond insert studs standing-off from the face of the bit require fluid over and around each separate insert to cool and clean the stud. An axially aligned fluid passage formed within the insert stud communicates with a fluid-filled chamber formed by the drag bit. The fluid exits the passage in the stud in front of the diamond cutting face of the stud to assure cooling and cleaning of each insert stud inserted in the face of the drag bit.

Abstract: The invention concerns down-the-hole drilling, where there is a persistent problem in providing an adequately controlled flow of flushing fluid to the face of the drill bit. In known down-the-hole drills turbulence and closed circuits of the flushing fluid tend to erode the bit and reduce its lifespan. The invention seeks to lessen these drawbacks by providing for the flow of flushing fluid to be divided into a component directed along a first cavity which terminates at the face of the bit and another component directed along a second cavity which terminates above the face and is deflected up the drill hole. Weakening of the bit is avoided if there is at most one bore through the bit for flushing fluid.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ablatible drill comprising a soft or frangible matrix having embedded therein a multiplicity of hard inclusions which act as cutting teeth. During drilling, the matrix gradually wears away so that worn inclusions are circulated out of the hole and fresh inclusions are exposed as new cutting teeth. A plurality of joints of the ablatible drill are interconnected on the bottom of a drill string. The comminuted material of each joint of the ablatible drill provides a characteristic distinguishable from the comminuted material of adjacent joints so that in examination of the circulated returns provides an indication of which joint is then being drilled.

Abstract: A percussive tool, particularly a chisel for percussive working in rock, has a body portion, and a nozzle arrangement in the body portion, which is operative for forming a high-speed flow of a high-pressure fluid, particularly liquid, and directing the same to a working region of the body portion. The nozzle arrangement may include a plurality of nozzle holes which are open into the working region. It may also include at least one nozzle hole and at least one nozzle directing the flow of fluid into the nozzle hole. The nozzle may be supported by a supporting member which has an inner passage and extends from an inner chamber of a head section of the body portion into a receiving recess of a shaft section of the latter. The supporting member may be adjustable in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the chisel.

Abstract: A drill bit and a method for deep-hole drilling in which the drill bit has mechanical cutting means located on its lower cutting face for cutting a solid surface upon rotation of the bit and a plurality of cavitating liquid jet nozzles spaced around the face of the bit to assist in the drilling action, the nozzles being located so as to discharge a plurality of downwardly directed and concentric liquid jets that cavitate to fracture the surface to be drilled in a series of non-overlapping slots as the bit is rotated.

Abstract: A diamond studded insert drag bit is disclosed having a multiplicity of individual diamond insert cutter blanks inserted in the face of the bit. The diamond insert blanks are so positioned to maximize penetration of the bit in a borehole. The bit further includes fluid passages strategically located in the bit face to provide uniform flow, cooling and continuous cleaning of each of the diamond cutter insert blanks. The fluid passages are so sized to cause minimum bit pressure drop. Bits with minimum pressure losses from fluid flow are best suited for positive displacement mud motors that cannot tolerate downstream pressures in excess of 50 to 500 pounds per square inch.

Abstract: A hammer drill bit has an axis, a shaft and a crown and a plurality of hard metal circumferential studs carried by the crown and distributed along a circumference thereof. Each circumferential stud has an axis inclined at an acute angle with respect to the bit axis and a conical cutting tip oriented obliquely away from the bit axis. The acute angles of the axes of consecutively viewed circumferential studs alternate between a relatively large magnitude and a relatively small magnitude differing by 10.degree. to 25.degree. from one another.

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.

Abstract: An improved sweep pickup for large diameter bits is disclosed in which the flow rate of drilling fluid through the pickup tube is constant, thereby enhancing its lifting capacity. The sweep pickup comprises an elongated tube extending radially across the bottom face of the drill bit. The pickup tube is truncated longitudinally on the bottom side thereof by a horizontal plate having the pickup inlet opening formed therein. The plate truncates the tubular portion of the pickup at an angle to provide an increasing vertical cross-section in the direction of the pickup outlet which is toward the center of the drill bit body. In the preferred configuration, the vertical cross-sectional area with the pickup tube at any point is equal to the area of the inlet opening from that point radially outward to the outer extremity thereof. As a result, the flow rate of drilling fluid through the sweep pickup is constant and equal to the flow rate through the interior of the drill string.

Abstract: Means for emitting high-pressure jets of fluid such as water, and mechanical rock breaking wheels, are positioned on a rotary drill bit for cooperatively cutting an axially extending bore hole through earth material. A center core opening is cut into the drill face material of the bore hole by a jet of fluid crossing the axis of the bore hole at an acute angle. The material of the drill face annularly surrounding the center core opening is removed by cutting concentric slots in the material and by applying radially inward directed force for breaking each ring defined by the slots cut. At any given axial position or level, the slots are cut and the rings are broken in sequence from the radially innermost position to the radially outermost position of the bore hole.

Abstract: A three cone rock bit includes an improved circulation system for drilling fluid which increases the horizontal flow vector of the fluid adjacent the bottom surface of the hole being drilled. A pair of nozzles, located near the hole perimeter and between adjacent pairs of drilling cones, inject drilling fluid at one side of the hole. An extended pickup tube terminating between the remaining pair of drilling cones and close to the bottom of the hole being drilled channels fluid from the bottom of the hole to the annulus between the hole and the drill string.

Abstract: A shroud for a submerged jet cutting nozzle is described which separates the jet from surrounding fluid environment and enhances the cutting effect.

Abstract: A hydromechanical drilling tool which combines a high pressure water jet drill with a conventional roller cone type of drilling bit. The high pressure jet serves as a tap drill for cutting a relatively small diameter hole in advance of the conventional bit. Auxiliary laterally projecting jets also serve to partially cut rock and to remove debris from in front of the bit teeth thereby reducing significantly the thrust loading for driving the bit.

Abstract: An assembly for drilling a hole in a roof to a greater depth than the height of the chamber therebelow includes a starter-driver bar having a first end adapted to be driven by a motor and a second end having a female socket therein, a rod extension including a male end shaped to be received in said female socket and a female socket at its other end of the same cross-sectional size and shape as the first named female socket, and a bit having a male shank of the same general cross-sectional shape as said male end. The male shank which is received in the socket has a pair of opposed longitudinal grooves in its outer surface extending from its lower end to a point beyond the socket. The starter-driver bar and rod extensions have axial holes therethrough so that a suction or water can be provided at the lower end of the assembly. When a suction is to be applied the sockets have at least one hole through its wall which is not covered by the drill shank, but which is covered by the male end of the rod extension.

Abstract: A jetting apparatus is provided to be a part of a drill string used in drilling a well. The apparatus functions to reduce the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling mud on the bottom of the hole to approach or attain optimal drilling conditions. The apparatus has a body with a plurality of upwardly facing shoulders. A jet nozzle is placed in each of the shoulders to direct or discharge mud vertically upwardly along and parallel to the lower part of the drill string to provide a jet lifting action which reduces the hydrostatic mud pressure on the bottom of the bore hole.

Abstract: An auger for use in a continuous mining operation having an elongate tubular member in communication with a fluid pressure source and a scroll mounted on the tubular member with spray mechanisms for spraying fluid into the air adjacent the peripheral edge of the scroll for preventing suspension of mined undesired contaminate particulate matter within the air adjacent to the continuous mining operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drill bit for use in percussion drilling. The drill bit has a solid bit body, has cutting members on its face and a centrally disposed rod-receiving hole in its rear portion. The hole has, in part, a conical internal surface and a cylindrical internal surface in front of said conical internal surface. Said cylindrical internal surface is provided with an internal thread at a distance remote from the bottom of the hole. A cooperating drill rod has a forwardly tapering portion with a conical exterior face complementary to the conical interior surface in the hole of the drill bit and an external thread on its forepart.

Abstract: An assembly for drilling a hole in a roof to a greater depth than the height of the chamber therebelow includes a starter-driver bar having a first end adapted to be driven by a motor and a second end having a female socket therein, a rod extension including a male end shaped to be received in said female socket and a female socket at its other end of the same cross-sectional size and shape as the first named female socket, and a bit having a male shank of the same cross-sectional shape as said male end. A starter hole is first drilled using the starter-driver with the drill bit in its top and a motor connected to its lower end. Drilling then is continued with an assembly consisting of a first rod extension between the bit and starter-driver. Additional rod extensions are inserted between the starter-driver and the bottom rod extension until a hole of the desired depth is obtained.

Abstract: A drill bit for use in concentrically arranged dual drill strings. The bit has an outlet eccentrically arranged respective to its longitudinal axial centerline, and a formation engaging surface made of a plurality of spiraling faces which diminish in area as the cutting face curves about and toward the outlet. The area located between the spiraling faces form fluid conveying passageways through which a jet of fluid is directed toward the outlet, thereby carrying therewith cuttings formed by the spiral faces of the bit.