Below-ground (1) Generation Of Motive Fluid, Or (2) Storage Of Motivating Energy Patents (Class 175/93)
  • Patent number: 4928775
    Abstract: A manually operated downhole for an underground earth boring apparatus having a pneumatically operated earth boring tool. A drill pipe is connected to the tool and to a source of pneumatic fluid. A valve is positioned in the drill pipe substantially adjacent to the tool between the tool and the source of pneumatic fluid. This downhole valve controls the flow of pneumatic fluid to the tool. The valve is operable in response to pushing or pulling on the drill pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventor: Douglas W. Lee
  • Patent number: 4883133
    Abstract: A percussion drilling apparatus for drilling bore holes into subterranean formation in which a plurality of drill rods are arranged in concentric rows in a drill bit housing, each rod having an impact tooth at its lower ends and the rods arranged either to converge inwardly adjacent to the center of the housing or to diverge outwardly at progressively increased angles in each row toward the outermost row. The impact teeth are fired sequentially by concentric combustion chambers arranged above the drill rods and where the pattern and rate of firing can be controlled by cam operated intake and exhaust valves associated with the combustion chambers. The drill bit housing is arranged at the lower end of the drill string with an umbilical cord which carries all necessary cables and lines between the surface controls and the drill bit housing for the purpose of controlling combustion in each chamber and of carrying away the cuttings as the drilling operation proceeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Inventors: Gerald L. Fletcher, Gregory T. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 4711309
    Abstract: A drilling apparatus has a rotatable drilling rod (15) on the leading end of which is mounted a bit assembly including a bit (10) and a bit driver (12) for reciprocating the bit. The bit driver is powered by a high pressure fluid supplied from a fluid pressurizing apparatus interposed between the rod and bit assembly and including a device (16,18/114) for raising the pressure of fluid in a closed circuit into which said bit driver is connected, the said device being driven from a power source remote from it, for example, on the surface of the ground in which a hole is being drilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Assignee: Nytol Enterprises Limited
    Inventors: Robert G. Knight, Samir R. Klat, Kenneth Unwin
  • Patent number: 4531593
    Abstract: A method is provided for substantially self-powering turbines by expanding compressed gases released downhole or in adjacent formations. These gases do work in the turbines as the gases expand toward atmospheric pressure at the earth's surface. The method offers alternative and supplemental approaches to recovering hydrocarbon gases, water vapor, carbon dioxide, other gases, and petroleum from watered out wells and from deep or hot wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Inventors: Guy R. B. Elliott, Milton W. McDaniel, Barton L. Houseman
  • Patent number: 4515225
    Abstract: A drilling instrument adapted to be positioned in a conduit for the flow of mud. The instrument has a passage sealing a fluid from the mud. Means is responsive to energy derived from the mud for causing the sealed fluid to flow. An electrical generator derives energy from the flowing fluid to provide electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick E. Dailey
  • Patent number: 4483394
    Abstract: A hydraulic power unit is provided for a downhole instrument of a measurement while drilling system for a well drilling. The hydraulic power unit is enclosed within a drill collar that is connected in the drill string of a rotary drilling rig. An outer body sleeve is rigidly mounted in the instrument drill collar. A fixed inner sleeve is connected to the outer body sleeve in a concentric relation with a longitudinally movable plunger assembly supported therebetween and movable in the telescopic fashion between an extended position and a retracted position to provide hydraulic power fluid for the hydraulically powered circuits of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Peppers, Farhat A. Shaikh
  • Patent number: 4462469
    Abstract: A motor for driving a rotary drilling bit within a well through which mud is circulated during a drilling operation, with the motor being driven by a secondary fluid which is isolated from the circulating mud but derives energy therefrom to power the motor. A pressure drop in the circulating mud across a choke in the drill string is utilized to cause motion of the secondary fluid through the motor. An instrument which is within the well and develops data to be transmitted to the surface of the earth controls actuation of the motor between different operating conditions in correspondence with data signals produced by the instrument, and the resulting variations in torque in the drill string and/or the variations in circulating fluid pressure are sensed at the surface of the earth to control and produce a readout representative of the down hole data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: AMF Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Brown
  • Patent number: 4431064
    Abstract: An hydraulic drive apparatus for use in downhole tools is described. The apparatus provides rotational and translational movement to a cutting tool element disposed in a downhole tool or sonde automatically adjusting advancing motion of the cutting tool to the rate of rotational movement or cutting. The apparatus is controllable from the surface through a wireline and is capable of operating in various modes to facilitate unjamming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Standard Oil Company (Indiana)
    Inventor: Gary R. Bright
  • Patent number: 4378850
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid supply apparatus for a downhole tool includes a first annular zone adapted to be filled with hydraulic oil and a second annular zone adapted to be filled with a pressurized second fluid. The first and second zones are separated by a floating annular piston for transmitting fluid pressure from the second zone to the first zone. A control valve is connected between the first zone and a hydraulically powered component of the downhole tool for directing hydraulic fluid under pressure from the first zone to the hydraulically powered component of the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1983
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Burchus Q. Barrington
  • Patent number: 4278136
    Abstract: A down-the-hole rock drill including a drill bit provided at the lower end of a drill rod, which is rotatably driven by an above-the-ground motor. To increase the drilling efficiency and facilitate drilling of large-diameter holes a machine casing is positioned between the drill rod and the drill bit, said casing enclosing a hydraulic pump which is rotatably driven by the drill rod. The hydraulic pump delivers pressurized liquid to and drives the percussion unit including a hammer, the latter delivering blows against the drill bit at regular intervals. The machine casing also encloses at least one hydraulic motor driven by the pressurized liquid and arranged to rotate the drill bit. Hydraulically controllable blocking means prevent the machine casing from rotating relative to the drill hole wall while the drill bit is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Inventor: Gote I. Hansson
  • Patent number: 4256191
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the rapid and efficient drilling of oil well and other types of bore holes through tough abrasive underground formations, which methods and apparatus utilize high drag intermittent contact and cooling techniques to provide good rates of penetration with low wear and heat deterioration on the drilling tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Reed Tool Company
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Jones
  • Patent number: 4226285
    Abstract: An improved magnetic junk retriever arranged to magnetize a drill bit just prior to its removal from the bottom of the well bore. A wound, electromagnet subassembly is connected between the drill bit and the drill collar. A battery-pack tool is used to energize the electromagnet by lowering the tool through the bore of the drill pipe and collars to contact pins projecting into the bore of the sub. Energizing the electromagnet causes the drill bit to be magnetized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Inventor: Meekie D. Moseley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4211291
    Abstract: A drill fluid powered hydraulic system used for driving a shaft connected to a drill bit is disclosed. The apparatus includes a hydraulic fluid powered motor actuated and controlled by hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic fluid powered motor through an intermediate drive system actuated by drill fluid. The intermediate drive system is provided with two rotary valves and two double sided accumulators. One of the rotary valves routes the hydraulic fluid to and from the accumulators and respectively from and to the hydraulic fluid powered motor. The other valve routes the drill fluid to the accumulators from the drill fluid supply and from the accumulators to the drill bit. The rotary valves are indexed by a gear system and Geneva drive connected to the motor or drill shaft. A heat exchanger is provided to cool the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jackson M. Kellner
  • Patent number: 4211292
    Abstract: The advancement angle of a borehole cut by a rotary drill bit of the type which forms a cylindrical sidewall, a drill face and a circumferentially extending gage corner, is controlled by removing a different amount of the gage corner material over a selected partial arc of the gage corner circumference during each rotation of the drill bit. The different amount of material removed causes the remaining arc of the gage corner circumference to apply a slight lateral force on the drill bit, thus forcing the drill bit in a desired direction. Gage corner removal apparatus include selectively extendable cutter devices, a hinged connector hingeably connecting the drill bit to the end of the drill string, a pivotable single cutting wheel member, a hydraulic fluid jet impinging upon the gage corner, and apparatus for delivering additional drillable particles to the gage corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Inventor: Robert F. Evans
  • Patent number: 4098359
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor for use in a drill string is disclosed. The motor incorporates a closed hydraulic system having a piston exposed to variations in mud flow pressure. The piston reciprocates and by its movement pumps hydraulic fluid in a closed hydraulic circuit. A motor is driven. The motor is supported on a hollow drive shaft. The drive shaft extends through the tool. It is hollow to permit mud flow to continue to the drill bit attached therebelow. The motor is attached to the exterior and rotates the shaft. The hydraulic fluid from the motor is returned to a reservoir and flows in a closed circuit from it. All of the equipment is in a closed elongate housing threading into the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Inventor: J. C. Birdwell
  • Patent number: 4051909
    Abstract: A drilling device is disclosed which comprises a tubular drilling lance adapted to being lowered to great depths in the earth's surface and being raised therefrom. Disposed within the drilling lance is an energy generating system which comprises a fluid vaporizing system and a turbine coupled to the vaporizing system by a closed fluid circuit. Coupled to the turbine and extending outwardly from the drilling lance is a drill bit. The drilling device is configured such that vaporized fluid activates the turbine, which in turn, makes the drill bit operable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1977
    Assignee: P.E.I. Incorporated
    Inventor: Werner Baum
  • Patent number: 4004642
    Abstract: Processes and apparatus in the field of Terradynamics, e. g. projectile penetration into soils and rocks, employing "open chamber" firing systems using "Trounds" (triangular rounds of ammunition). Included are salvo firings of small calibre projectiles for "shock wave" interaction drilling application of residual gun gases to actuate drill heads and/or reamers; a continuous self-contained feed system for feeding ammunition to be fired and removing and storing the used cases; remote self contained powering of the ammunition feed and storage by recoil of the gun, residual gun gases, electrical batteries, and/or combinations thereof; absorption of excess residual gun gas in an ambient environment of over 5000 psi external to the gun; and automatic clearing of the gun barrels from mud and or debris when embedded in a high pressure drilling mud external to a gun drill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1977
    Inventor: David Dardick
  • Patent number: 3934659
    Abstract: The apparatus is a rocket with a drill head provided with a group of jet nozzles. One nozzle of this group is the face-forming one, while the plurality of the rows of the rest of the nozzles belong to imaginary circles concentric with the longitudinal axis of the rocket. The spacing of the nozzles in each row equals 4 to 7 critical diameters of the jet nozzle of the respective row, while the spacing of any pair of the adjacent rows of the nozzles in a projection of the drill head upon a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rocket is 4 to 7 times greater than the mean diameter of the nozzles of the said pair of rows of nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1976
    Inventor: Mikhail Ivanovich Tsiferov
  • Patent number: RE30246
    Abstract: .[.A method and at least one mechanism for carrying out the method is disclosed. A method of (1) generating time modulated torque pulses by engaging and disengaging a mud turbine driven rotating torque generator in the bottom of a wellbore, and (2) monitoring the top of the drill string for the torque pulses therein may be practiced by a mud driven turbine inertial wheel for being momentarily and precisely braked or decelerated relative to a drill collar on the lower end of a drill string in a wellbore while drilling for generating the time modulated torque pulses in the drill string for being monitored at the surface. Mechanical, electrical, and fluid operated brakes and a mud turbine driven motor are disclosed for providing power to a motor at the bottom of the drill string or for being intermittently braked rapidly for generating the torque pulses..]. .Iadd.Methods and apparatuses for driving a means, as a power generator in a drill string while drilling, in a well are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Albert P. Richter, Jr., William R. McEvers, Jr.