US3645343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotary drilling machine
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-05-11
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Granted: 1972-02-29
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Expires: 1990-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A rotary drilling machine has first and second frames connected by rotary bearing means to rotate on a first axis perpendicular to the frames. A mast assembly is carried by the second frame and rotates on the first axis. In the mast assembly is a moveable platform carrying a drill pipe and casing fixture. The casing fixture releasably supports a casing. Supports in the mast assembly permit the drill pipe and casing to move up and down together, or to permit the casing to move independently of the pipe and core or vice versa. A hollow core in the drill pipe rotates with the pipe and feeds fluid to a drilling area. The fluid is drawn up between the casing and drill pipe. A rotary joint structure connects the first frame to rotatable carrier of a gantry and draw works to rotate on a horizontal second axis. Moveable supports in the first and second frames permit the mast assembly and second frame to move longitudinally with respect to the first frame.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon E Mays
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:15
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/02; E21B15/00; E21B15/04; E21B7/20; E21B7/208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A rotary drilling machine, comprising a first rectangular frame; a second rectangular frame; rotary bearing means interconnecting the frames so that the second frame is rotatable with respect to the first frame on a first axis perpendicular to the two frames; a first movable support in said first frame carrying the bearing means to move the same longitudinally in the first frame, so that the second frame and mast assembly are movable longitudinally with the bearing means with respect to the first frame; and a drilling mast assembly secured to the second frame to rotate therewith, said drilling mast assembly having a longitudinal drilling axis perpendicular to said first axis so that the drilling mast assembly can be rotated to drill in any direction in a plane perpendicular to said first axis and including the drilling axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A rotary drilling machine, comprising a first rectangular frame; a second rectangular frame; rotary bearing means interconnecting the frames so that the second frame is rotatable with respect to the first frame on a first axis perpendicular to the two frames; a first movable support in said first frame carrying the bearing means to move the same longitudinally in the first frame, so that the second frame and mast assembly are movable longitudinally with the bearing means with respect to the first frame; and a drilling mast assembly secured to the second frame to rotate therewith, said drilling mast assembly having a longitudinal drilling axis perpendicular to said first axis so that the drilling mast assembly can be rotated to drill in any direction in a plane perpendicular to said first axis and including the drilling axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising a crossbeam attachable to a platform of a carrier of a gantry and cable draw works; and a rotary joint structure connecting the first frame to the crossbeam for rotation on a horizontal second axis, so that the mast assembly can be rotated with the first and second frames on both the first and second axes to dispose the drilling axis at any angle with respect to a horizontal plane for drilling at said angle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising a mounting and lifting apparatus operatively arranged to carry said mast assembly at one end thereof, said apparatus including a hoist drum; a hoist line carried by said hoist drum; anchoring means on said mast assembly; and means operatively carrying said hoist line over and above said mast assembly to said anchoring means for changing said apparatus from a lifting apparatus to a holddown apparatus for said mast assembly by weight transfer from the other end of said apparatus to said one end where the mast assembly is mounted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising mounting apparatus for said mast assembly, said apparatus including a load line drum operated by said apparatus to lift and handle loads such as drill pipes, casings, drilling tools, and the like.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame and mast assembly comprise a plurality of subassemblies arranged so that the frame and mast assembly can be taken apart into said subassemblies for easy shipment from one site to another, for convenience in storage of parts and the like.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame and mast assembly comprise a plurality of subassemblies arranged so that any one of the subassemblies can be removed or broken apart for servicing or to promote versatility of the machine without disturbing or dismantling others of said subassemblies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for self-erecting the machine under its own power.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising mounting apparatus for said mast assembly; and means slidably mounting the mast assembly so that the maSt assembly can be elevated above ground level to bring a lower guide mechanism in close proximity to the earth''s surface whether the spot to be drilled is either lower or higher than the particular area upon which the mounting apparatus rests.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising a second moveable support in the second frame engaging said rotary bearing means so that the second frame and drilling mast assembly are moveable longitudinally with respect to said first frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
A rotary drilling machine, as defined in claim 9, further comprising a crossbeam attachable to a platform of a carrier of a gantry and cable draw works; and a rotary joint structure connecting the first frame to the crossbeam for rotation on a horizontal second axis, so that the mast assembly can be rotated with the first and second frames on both the first and second axes, and so that the mast assembly can be moved laterally in a plane perpendicular to the first axis while the first frame remains stationary.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 10, further comprising a carrier platform rotatable on a vertical third axis; and a gantry and cable draw works mounted on said platform and connected to said first frame and rotary joint structure for rotating the frames and mast assembly on said horizontal second axis and for rotating the frames and mast assembly on said vertical third axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
80 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said drilling mast assembly comprises a rectangular frame structure; a platform moveably supported to move longitudinally inside said frame structure; a drill pipe rotatably carried at one end by said platform and extending longitudinally of said frame structure; drill bits carried by said drill pipe at its other end for drilling in an earth formation; and means for raising and lowering said platform for raising and lowering the drill pipe.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
82 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 12, further comprising a hollow drill core inside the drill pipe, said core having an open bottom end adjacent the drill bits; means for supplying fluid to the drill core; means for drawing the fluid upwardly between the casing and drill pipe and out of said casing fixture; and motor means on said platform operatively connected to said drill pipe and drill core for rotating the same inside of and independently of the casing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 12, further comprising a casing concentric with drill pipe; and a casing fixture releasably carrying the casing and carried by said platform so that the casing and drill pipe both move longitudinally of frame structure with the platform.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 14, further comprising means to permit the casing to be removed from the mast assembly to permit drilling without the casing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 14, having means arranged so that a pile driving hammer may be placed thereon to apply a vibratory or impact action upon the upper end of said casing in addition to normal pressure which may be applied to advance said casing when required.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 14, further comprising means for installing the casing along with drill bit mechanism, and means for selectively applying downward pressure of the entire machine only on the bit cutters or only on the casing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 14, further comprising longitudinally expansible and retractible support means connecting the casing fixture to said platform so that the casing and casing fixture are moveable longitudinally of the frame structure independently of the drill pipe.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 18, a hollow drill core inside the drill pipe, said core having an open bottom end adjacent the drill bits; means for supplying fluid to the drill core; and means for drawing the fluid upwardly between the casing and drill pipe and out of said casinG fixture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
A rotary drilling machine as defined in claim 19, further comprising means for applying the entire available downward pressure of the machine to advance selectively either the drill pipe and bits or the casing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-28 | 1975-08-30 | 1976-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-28 | 1979-08-30 | 1980-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-28 | 1983-08-30 | 1984-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |