US3603407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Well drilling apparatus
Assignee: CLARK AND ALBERT S GOLDSTEIN (JOINT)
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Filing: 1969-12-29
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1989-12-29
Abstract
Abstract Drilling apparatus in which the motive force for the drill bit comprises a fluid motor disposed relatively close to the drill bit, the fluid motor comprising a pair of helicaL gears fitted one within the other, the outer gear having internal helical threads and comprising the rotor to which the drill bit is connected, the inner gear having external threads and being fixed against rotation, the arrangement being such that the inner gear is free to gyrate when driving force flows between the gears so that the outer gear member and the attached drill bit will rotate in a concentric path. Apparatus in accordance with the invention may be used in land drilling operations or adapted for use in underwater drilling operations, such adaptations including the use of a drill support and a flexible connection to a platform or workboat situated above the drilling site.
Inventors
- 👤 Wallace Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:48
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/002; E21B17/00; E21B17/10; E21B25/00; E21B25/02; E21B7/00; E21B7/12; E21B7/124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
Drilling apparatus comprising a drill housing containing a fluid motor, said motor including inner and outer intermeshed helical gear members, means connected to said inner gear member to hold it against rotation, said outer member being free for rotative movement about said inner gear member, and means for mounting a drill bit operatively connected to said outer gear member for rotation therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
Drilling apparatus comprising a drill housing containing a fluid motor, said motor including inner and outer intermeshed helical gear members, means connected to said inner gear member to hold it against rotation, said outer member being free for rotative movement about said inner gear member, and means for mounting a drill bit operatively connected to said outer gear member for rotation therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The drilling apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said drill housing comprises a first section of casing rotatable with said outer gear member, a second section of casing overlying and operatively connected to said first casing section, bearing means mounting said first casing section for rotation relative to said second casing section, and means securing said second casing section against rotation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The drilling apparatus claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for holding said inner gear member against rotation comprises a connecting member extending between and operatively connecting said inner gear member to said second casing section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The drilling apparatus claimed in claim 3 including stabilizing means operatively connected to said first casing section adjacent said drill bit mounting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The drilling apparatus claimed in claim 3 wherein said connecting member comprises a connecting rod having universal joints.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The drilling apparatus claimed in claim 3 wherein said connecting member comprises a torsion bar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The drilling apparatus claimed in claim 3 wherein said connecting member comprises a wire cable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The drilling apparatus claimed in claim 3 wherein said inner gear member is rigidly connected to said second casing section, and wherein said bearing means mounts sAid second casing section for gyrating movement relative to said first casing section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The drilling apparatus claimed in claim 2 including a drill guide frame mounting said drilling apparatus for vertical movement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The drilling apparatus claimed in claim 9 wherein the means securing said second casing section against rotation comprises a fitting operatively connecting said second casing section to said drill guide frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The drilling apparatus claimed in claim 10 including a power source for driving said fluid motor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The drilling apparatus claimed in claim 11 wherein said power source is mounted on said drill guide frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The drilling apparatus claimed in claim 9 including guide means for positioning said drill guide frame relative to a remote operating platform overlying the drilling site.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
In combination in well drilling apparatus, a fluid motor having intermeshed inner and outer helical gear members, means mounting said outer gear member for rotation relative to said inner gear member, means mounting said inner gear member against rotation but permitting it to gyrate in a circular path eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of said outer gear member, and drill bit mounting means operatively connected to said outer gear member for rotation therewith.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
In combination in well drilling apparatus, a fluid motor having intermeshed inner and outer helical gear members, means mounting said outer gear member for rotation relative to said inner gear member, means mounting said inner gear member against rotation but permitting it to gyrate in a circular path eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of said outer gear member, and drill bit mounting means operatively connected to said outer gear member for rotation therewith.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination claimed in claim 14 wherein said outer gear member is fixedly secured to a first casing section, wherein said drill bit mounting means is operatively connected to said first casing section, and wherein the means mounting said inner gear member against rotation includes a second casing section which is held against rotation, said first casing section being rotatably journaled to said second casing section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination claimed in claim 15 wherein a concentric shaft is nonrotatively connected to said second casing section, and wherein said first casing section in part surrounds and is rotatably journaled to said concentric shaft by means of spaced sets of bearing interposed between said first casing section and said concentric shaft.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination claimed in claim 16 wherein the means mounting said inner gear member against movement also includes a connecting member operatively connecting one end of said inner gear member to said concentric shaft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination claimed in claim 17 wherein said connecting member is sufficiently flexible to permit gyrating movement of said inner gear member and yet sufficiently resistant to torque forces to prevent rotation thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |