CA1122200A
Expired / Lapsed
CA
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Down hole well drilling tool
Assignee: Maurer Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1981-02-02
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Granted: 1982-04-20
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Expires: 2001-02-02
Abstract
Abstract ABSTRACT A down hole well drilling tool, e.g., a turbodrill, which is connected to a string of drill pipe as a rotating shaft for driving a drill bit which may be a rotary bit or a high speed solid head diamond bit. The turbine section has rotor and stator blades which are crescent-shaped in cross section. The bearing shaft is provided with chevron rotary seals positioned below the rotary bearings carrying both radial and vertical thrust. Fluid lubricant fills the space from the rotary seals to a predetermined level above the bearings. A piston seals the lubricant chamber and is pressurized by drilling fluid (i.e., mud) flowing through the tool. A layer of lubricant fluid over-lies the first piston and has a second piston covering said fluid and transmitting pressure from the drilling fluid to the lubri-cant fluid surrounding the bearings. Means is provided to give an indication, at the well surface, of loss of lubricant in the turbodrill. Means is provided to cause the vertical thrust to be carried on the bottom vertical thrust bearings, after the top vertical thrust bearings are worn, and thus extend the drilling life substantially. Another optional feature provides for bal-ancing the pressure across the bearing seals. This is accom-plished in one form of the invention by providing pump means operated by the drilling motor to pump drilling mud away from the bearing seals. In another form of the invention, the flow of drilling fluid is divided into two streams, one of which rotates the drill bit, and the other of which passes through the drill bit. The pressure drop across the drilling motor equals the pressure drop across the drill bit, thus balancing the pressure on the bearing seals.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Maurer
- 👤 William J. Mcdonald, Jr.
- 👤 Larry J. Remont
- 👤 Charles E. Ward
- 👤 William A. Rehm
- 👤 Albert R. Sinclair
- 👤 Jeddy D. Nixon, Jr.
- 👤 Lawrence W. Matson, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
CA
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:10
CPC Classifications
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Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
A bearing pack for a downhole well drilling tool comprising a bearing housing adapted to be connected to the housing of a well drilling fluid actuated downhole motor having a rotary shaft, a rotary bearing shaft positioned in said bearing housing having one end adapted to support a drill bit and another end adapted to be driven by the rotary shaft of a well drilling fluid actuated downhole motor when assembled thereon, bearing means in said bearing housing comprising a plurality of bearing members spaced longitudinally of and supporting said bearing shaft against radial and longitudinal thrust loads, rotary seal means positioned below the lowermost of said bearing members in said bearing housing, lubricant fluid filling the space around said bearing shaft from the level of said rotary seal means to a predetermined level above the uppermost of said bearing members, piston means sealing the space between said bearing means and shaft at the upper surface of said lubricant fluid and adapted to be actuated by drilling fluid pressure to maintain said lubricant fluid under pressure to lubricate said bearing means, rotary sealing means positioned above and spaced from said piston means to prevent contact of drilling fluid there-with, and hydraulic means applying pressure from drilling fluid above said sealing means to said piston means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
A bearing pack for a downhole well drilling tool comprising a bearing housing adapted to be connected to the housing of a well drilling fluid actuated downhole motor having a rotary shaft, a rotary bearing shaft positioned in said bearing housing having one end adapted to support a drill bit and another end adapted to be driven by the rotary shaft of a well drilling fluid actuated downhole motor when assembled thereon, bearing means in said bearing housing comprising a plurality of bearing members spaced longitudinally of and supporting said bearing shaft against radial and longitudinal thrust loads, rotary seal means positioned below the lowermost of said bearing members in said bearing housing, lubricant fluid filling the space around said bearing shaft from the level of said rotary seal means to a predetermined level above the uppermost of said bearing members, piston means sealing the space between said bearing means and shaft at the upper surface of said lubricant fluid and adapted to be actuated by drilling fluid pressure to maintain said lubricant fluid under pressure to lubricate said bearing means, rotary sealing means positioned above and spaced from said piston means to prevent contact of drilling fluid there-with, and hydraulic means applying pressure from drilling fluid above said sealing means to said piston means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A bearing pack for a downhole well drilling tool according to Claim 1 in which said hydraulic means is a layer of lubricant fluid overlying said piston means and said rotary sealing means is a second piston means supported on said last named layer of lubricant fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
211 words
A downhole well drilling tool adapted for connection at one end to the lower end of a drill string and at the other end to a drill bit to be driven thereby, the drilling tool comprising tubular housing means and rotary shaft means supported therein and extending therefrom and adapted to support a drill bit, motor means in said housing means actuated by flow of drilling fluid therethrough and operable to rotate said shaft means, bearing means in said housing means com-prising a plurality of bearing members spaced longitudinally of and supporting said rotary shaft means against radial and longitudinal thrust loads, lubricant fluid filling the space between said housing means and said shaft means around said bearing means and for a predetermined distance above the uppermost of said bearing members, piston means sealing the space between said shaft means and said housing means above said lubricant fluid and moveable longitudinally of said housing means, said piston means being operable by pressure of drilling fluid to maintain said lubricant fluid under pressure to lubricate said bearing means, rotary sealing means positioned above and spaced from said piston means to prevent contact of drilling fluid therewith, and hydraulic means applying pressure from drilling fluid above said sealing means to said piston means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
211 words
A downhole well drilling tool adapted for connection at one end to the lower end of a drill string and at the other end to a drill bit to be driven thereby, the drilling tool comprising tubular housing means and rotary shaft means supported therein and extending therefrom and adapted to support a drill bit, motor means in said housing means actuated by flow of drilling fluid therethrough and operable to rotate said shaft means, bearing means in said housing means com-prising a plurality of bearing members spaced longitudinally of and supporting said rotary shaft means against radial and longitudinal thrust loads, lubricant fluid filling the space between said housing means and said shaft means around said bearing means and for a predetermined distance above the uppermost of said bearing members, piston means sealing the space between said shaft means and said housing means above said lubricant fluid and moveable longitudinally of said housing means, said piston means being operable by pressure of drilling fluid to maintain said lubricant fluid under pressure to lubricate said bearing means, rotary sealing means positioned above and spaced from said piston means to prevent contact of drilling fluid therewith, and hydraulic means applying pressure from drilling fluid above said sealing means to said piston means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A downhole well drilling tool according to Claim 3 in which rotary seal means is positioned between said shaft means and said housing means below the lowermost of said bearing members, to restrict the loss of lubricant fluid there-from.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A downhole well drilling tool according to Claim 3 in which said hydraulic means is a layer of lubricant fluid overlying said piston means, and said rotary sealing means above said piston means is a second piston means supported on said last named layer of lubricant fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
A downhole well drilling tool in accordance with Claim 3 in which rotary seal means is positioned between said shaft means and said housing means below the lowermost of said bearing members to restrict the loss of lubricant fluid there-from, said hydraulic means is a layer of lubricant fluid overlying said piston means, and said rotary sealing means above said piston means is a second piston means supported on said last named layer of lubricant fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A downhole well drilling tool according to Claim 6 in which each of said piston means is a piston supported on a layer of lubricant fluid and having seals engaging the out-side of said shaft means and the inside of said housing means to function as a rotary seal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
A downhole well drilling tool according to Claim 7 in which said housing means is provided with vertically spaced apertures adjacent to the upper end of the uppermost of said bearing members for introduction of lubricant fluid separately into the space between the lower piston and said bearing means and the space between said pistons.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
A downhole well drilling tool according to Claim 3 in which said bearing members include upper and lower thrust bearings positioned around said shaft means within said housing means to support said shaft means against vertically extending forces, said upper thrust bearings supporting said shaft means against upward thrust during drilling operation, said lower thrust bearings supporting said shaft means when lifted out of drilling operation, and means operable to shift the relationship of said thrust bearings and said shaft means to cause said shaft means to be supported on said lower thrust bearings during drilling operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A downhole well drilling tool according to Claim 3 including means actuated by predetermined downward movement of said piston means to effect a change in pressure or flow rate of drilling fluid to indicate at the well surface the loss of lubricant from said tool.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A downhole well drilling tool according to Claim 10 in which rotary seal means is positioned between said shaft means and said housing means below said bearing means to restrict the loss of lubricant fluid therefrom.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A downhole well drilling tool according to Claim 10 in which indicating means includes means operable to obstruct the flow of drilling fluid whereby a sudden change in pressure or flow rate of drilling fluid indicates loss of lubricant from said tool.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
A downhole well drilling tool according to Claim 10 in which said indicating means includes means operable to obstruct the flow of drilling fluid for a short time whereby a sudden change in pressure or flow rate of drilling fluid for a short time indicates loss of lubricant from said tool.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A downhole well drilling tool according to Claim 12 in which said obstructing means comprises a plug member engageable by said piston for movement to a position obstructing flow of drilling fluid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
A downhole well drilling tool according to Claim 13 in which said obstructing means comprises a friable plug member engageable by said piston for movement to a position obstructing flow of drilling fluid and operable to be dis-integrated by flow of drilling fluid past said plug member when in said obstructing position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
61 words
A downhole well drilling tool according to Claim 14 or 15 in which said shaft means has a longitudinal passageway for flow of drilling fluid therethrough, said plug member is positioned on said shaft means adjacent said passageway, and said piston is engageable with said plug member to dislodge the same into said passageway to obstruct flow of drilling fluid therethrough.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
148 words
A downhole well drilling tool according to Claim 3 including a first rotary seal positioned between said shaft means and said housing means below said bearing means, said piston means comprising a second rotary seal positioned between said shaft means and said housing means above said bearing means, lubricant fluid filling the space around said bearing means between said seals, a first passageway opening from the inlet side of said motor means through said motor means and said rotary shaft means to a point outside said housing means adjacent to a drill bit, a second passageway opening from the outlet side of said motor means to a point outside said housing means, and said first and said second passageways being connected in parallel and of a relative size such that the pressure drop through said motor means is substantially equal to the pressure drop along said first passageway.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
A downhole well drilling tool according to Claim 3 including pump means operated by said motor means positioned in said housing means to pump drilling fluid away from at least one of said rotary sealing means to reduce the fluid pressure applied thereto.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
286 words
A turbodrill adapted for connection at one end to the lower end of a drill string and at the other end to a drill bit to be driven thereby, said turbodrill comprising a tubular housing having an upper stator portion and a lower bearing portion, a stator comprising a plurality of fixed stator blades in said stator portion, a rotor shaft extending through said stator portion rotatably supported therein, a plurality of rotor blades fixed on said rotor shaft and cooperable with said stator blades to direct the flow of drilling fluid through said turbodrill to rotate said rotor shaft, a bearing shaft operatively connected to said rotor shaft at its upper end adapted to support a drill bit at its lower end, a plurality of bearings supported in said housing bearing portion and on said bearing shaft and spaced longitudinally thereof supporting said bearing shaft for rotation and providing support for thrust in both radial and vertical directions, a rotary seal positioned below the lowermost of said bearings between said bearing shaft and housing to retain lubricant on said bearings, lubricant fluid in the annular space around said bearing shaft extending from said rotary seal to a predetermined upper level above said bearings, a piston positioned at the upper level of lubricant providing a rotary seal between said bearing shaft and housing and operable by pressure of drilling fluid flowing through said turbodrill to apply pressure to said lubricant, said piston being moveable longitudinally of said housing with changes in lubricant level, rotary sealing means positioned above and spaced from said piston to prevent contact of drilling fluid therewith, and hydraulic means applying pressure from drilling fluid above said sealing means to said piston means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
286 words
A turbodrill adapted for connection at one end to the lower end of a drill string and at the other end to a drill bit to be driven thereby, said turbodrill comprising a tubular housing having an upper stator portion and a lower bearing portion, a stator comprising a plurality of fixed stator blades in said stator portion, a rotor shaft extending through said stator portion rotatably supported therein, a plurality of rotor blades fixed on said rotor shaft and cooperable with said stator blades to direct the flow of drilling fluid through said turbodrill to rotate said rotor shaft, a bearing shaft operatively connected to said rotor shaft at its upper end adapted to support a drill bit at its lower end, a plurality of bearings supported in said housing bearing portion and on said bearing shaft and spaced longitudinally thereof supporting said bearing shaft for rotation and providing support for thrust in both radial and vertical directions, a rotary seal positioned below the lowermost of said bearings between said bearing shaft and housing to retain lubricant on said bearings, lubricant fluid in the annular space around said bearing shaft extending from said rotary seal to a predetermined upper level above said bearings, a piston positioned at the upper level of lubricant providing a rotary seal between said bearing shaft and housing and operable by pressure of drilling fluid flowing through said turbodrill to apply pressure to said lubricant, said piston being moveable longitudinally of said housing with changes in lubricant level, rotary sealing means positioned above and spaced from said piston to prevent contact of drilling fluid therewith, and hydraulic means applying pressure from drilling fluid above said sealing means to said piston means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
A turbodrill according to Claim 19 in which said hydraulic means is a layer of lubricant fluid overlying said piston and said rotary sealing means above said piston is a second piston supported on said last named layer of lubricant fluid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
186 words
A bearing pack for a downhole well drilling tool comprising a bearing housing adapted to be connected to a housing of a well drilling fluid actuated downhole motor, a rotary bearing shaft positioned in said bearing housing having one end adapted to support a drill bit and another end adapted to be driven by the rotary shaft of a well drilling fluid actuated downhole motor when assembled thereon, bearing means in said bearing housing supporting said bearing shaft, rotary seal means positioned below said bearing means in said bearing housing, lubricant fluid filling the space around said bearing shaft from the level of said rotary seal means to a predetermined level above said bearing means, piston means sealing the space between said bearing housing and shaft at the upper surface of said lubricant fluid and adapted to be actuated by drilling fluid pressure to maintain said lubricant fluid under pressure to lubricate said bearing means, and means actuated by downward movement of said piston means to effect a change in pressure or flow rate of drilling fluid to indicate loss of lubricant from said bearing pack.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
186 words
A bearing pack for a downhole well drilling tool comprising a bearing housing adapted to be connected to a housing of a well drilling fluid actuated downhole motor, a rotary bearing shaft positioned in said bearing housing having one end adapted to support a drill bit and another end adapted to be driven by the rotary shaft of a well drilling fluid actuated downhole motor when assembled thereon, bearing means in said bearing housing supporting said bearing shaft, rotary seal means positioned below said bearing means in said bearing housing, lubricant fluid filling the space around said bearing shaft from the level of said rotary seal means to a predetermined level above said bearing means, piston means sealing the space between said bearing housing and shaft at the upper surface of said lubricant fluid and adapted to be actuated by drilling fluid pressure to maintain said lubricant fluid under pressure to lubricate said bearing means, and means actuated by downward movement of said piston means to effect a change in pressure or flow rate of drilling fluid to indicate loss of lubricant from said bearing pack.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
346 words
A turbodrill adapted for connection at one end to the lower end of a drill string and at the other end to a drill bit to be driven thereby, said turbodrill comprises a tubular housing having an upper stator portion and a lower bearing portion, a stator comprising a plurality of fixed stator blades in said stator portion, a rotor shaft extending through said stator portion and rotatably supported therein, a plurality of rotor blades fixed on said rotor shaft and cooperable with said stator blades to direct flow of drilling fluid through said turbodrill to rotate said rotor shaft, a bearing shaft operatively connected to said rotor shaft at its upper end adapted to support a drill bit at its lower end, a plurality of bearings supported in said housing bearing portion and on said bearing shaft supporting said bearing shaft for rotation and providing support for thrust in both vertical and radial directions, a rotary seal positioned below said bearing shaft and housing to retain lubricant on said bearings, lubricant fluid in the annular space around said bearing shaft extending from said rotary seal to a predetermined level above said bearings, a piston positioned at the upper level of lubricant providing a rotary seal between said bearing shaft and housing and operable by pressure of drilling fluid flowing through said turbodrill to apply pressure to said lubricant, said piston being movable longitudinally of said housing with changes in lubricant level, said bearing shaft having a longitudinal passage for conducting drilling fluid passing from said stator and rotor blades, said bearing shaft having an aperture opening into said passageway at a level just above said bearings, a plug member positioned in said aperture and having a portion engageable with said piston, and said piston being operable upon movement to the level of said plug member to engage and dislodge the same into said bearing shaft passageway to provide an obstruction to the flow of drilling fluid which indicates by a change in drilling fluid flow rate or pressure the loss of lubricant from the turbodrill.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
346 words
A turbodrill adapted for connection at one end to the lower end of a drill string and at the other end to a drill bit to be driven thereby, said turbodrill comprises a tubular housing having an upper stator portion and a lower bearing portion, a stator comprising a plurality of fixed stator blades in said stator portion, a rotor shaft extending through said stator portion and rotatably supported therein, a plurality of rotor blades fixed on said rotor shaft and cooperable with said stator blades to direct flow of drilling fluid through said turbodrill to rotate said rotor shaft, a bearing shaft operatively connected to said rotor shaft at its upper end adapted to support a drill bit at its lower end, a plurality of bearings supported in said housing bearing portion and on said bearing shaft supporting said bearing shaft for rotation and providing support for thrust in both vertical and radial directions, a rotary seal positioned below said bearing shaft and housing to retain lubricant on said bearings, lubricant fluid in the annular space around said bearing shaft extending from said rotary seal to a predetermined level above said bearings, a piston positioned at the upper level of lubricant providing a rotary seal between said bearing shaft and housing and operable by pressure of drilling fluid flowing through said turbodrill to apply pressure to said lubricant, said piston being movable longitudinally of said housing with changes in lubricant level, said bearing shaft having a longitudinal passage for conducting drilling fluid passing from said stator and rotor blades, said bearing shaft having an aperture opening into said passageway at a level just above said bearings, a plug member positioned in said aperture and having a portion engageable with said piston, and said piston being operable upon movement to the level of said plug member to engage and dislodge the same into said bearing shaft passageway to provide an obstruction to the flow of drilling fluid which indicates by a change in drilling fluid flow rate or pressure the loss of lubricant from the turbodrill.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
A turbodrill in accordance with Claim 22 in which said plug member is of a friable material which in an obstructing position is eroded by said drilling fluid and thus provides only a temporary obstruction to the flow of drilling fluid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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