US3670831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Earth drilling apparatus
Assignee: Smith International Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-31
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Granted: 1972-06-20
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Expires: 1990-12-31
Abstract
Abstract Earth drilling apparatus characterized by a wheel supported vehicle having a pivoted derrick or mast which is movable between substantially horizontal and vertical positions, the pivotal movement of the mast being utilized to transfer horizontal drill pipe, stacked vertically in a stationary magazine, to a reciprocable drilling head carried by the mast. The pipes in the magazine are incrementally moved vertically to align the uppermost drill pipe therein with the drilling head and a releasable tong device is employed to secure the drill pipe to the mast in fixed relation thereto during raising and lowering of the mast.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry A Winter Jr
- 👤 Arthur M Williams Jr
- 👤 Richard L Foss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:16
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/02; E21B7/027; E21B15/00; E21B15/04; E21B19/00; E21B19/14; E21B7/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
In a steerable vehicle of the type having an engine for propelling same and for supplying power to instrumentalities carried thereby and having an elongated mast pivotally carried by the vehicle for positioning same in a generally vertical position or a generally horizontal position at the top of the vehicle, the improvements, comprising: a. a pipe drilling head reciprocably carried by the mast for axial movement therealong and power means for moving same in opposite directions, the drilling head adapted to be detachably connected to one end of a series of pipes; b. a supply of stationary drill pipes carried by the vehicle in vertically stacked relation along generally horizontal axes adapted to be serially connected or disconnected to the drilling head when the mast is disposed in itS horizontal position; c. means for elevating and lowering the supply in increments corresponding to the diameters of the drill pipes, whereby the axis of the uppermost pipe may be disposed in alignment with the drilling head and may be connected or disconnected therewith; d. means carried by the mast for grasping the uppermost pipe of the supply for maintaining it in axial alignment with the drilling head and for maintaining such alignment while the mast is moved from its horizontal position to its vertical position, and thereafter adapted to be released from the pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
In a steerable vehicle of the type having an engine for propelling same and for supplying power to instrumentalities carried thereby and having an elongated mast pivotally carried by the vehicle for positioning same in a generally vertical position or a generally horizontal position at the top of the vehicle, the improvements, comprising: a. a pipe drilling head reciprocably carried by the mast for axial movement therealong and power means for moving same in opposite directions, the drilling head adapted to be detachably connected to one end of a series of pipes; b. a supply of stationary drill pipes carried by the vehicle in vertically stacked relation along generally horizontal axes adapted to be serially connected or disconnected to the drilling head when the mast is disposed in itS horizontal position; c. means for elevating and lowering the supply in increments corresponding to the diameters of the drill pipes, whereby the axis of the uppermost pipe may be disposed in alignment with the drilling head and may be connected or disconnected therewith; d. means carried by the mast for grasping the uppermost pipe of the supply for maintaining it in axial alignment with the drilling head and for maintaining such alignment while the mast is moved from its horizontal position to its vertical position, and thereafter adapted to be released from the pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mast, when in vertical position, is disposed centrally at the front end of the vehicle, and a control station adjacent the mast from which a drilling operation may be observed, the maneuverability of the vehicle also being controlled from said station, whereby a single operator may maneuver the apparatus to a drilling site and also control the drilling thereat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 including an internal combustion engine for propelling the vehicle including a power transfer box containing clutch means for selectively driving traction wheels of the vehicle or driving accessories, such as an air compressor and hydraulic pumps.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein all wheels of the vehicle are driven through the transfer box.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein all wheels are steerable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for elevating and lowering said supply comprises hydraulic rams, said drilling head and means for moving same being driven by hydraulic motors, and hydraulic pump means for operating same.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 including means for adjusting the incremental length of movement of the hydraulic rams.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including a guide secured to the vehicle for longitudinal adjustment relative thereto and for pivotal adjustment about a transverse axis whereby it may be fixed in alignment with the lower end of a drill pipe when the mast is tilted from but adjacent the vertical.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
206 words
In a vehicle of the type having means for propelling same and for supplying power to instrumentalities carried thereby and having elongated mast pivotally carried by the vehicle for positioning same in first position or a second position, the improvements, comprising: a. a pipe drilling head reciprocably carried by the mast for axial movement therealong and power means for moving same in opposite directions, the drilling head adapted to be detachably connected to one end of a series of pipes; b. a supply of stationary drill pipes carried by the vehicle in stacked relation adapted to be serially connected or disconnected to the drilling head when the mast is disposed in its first position; c. means for elevating and lowering the supply in increments corresponding to the diameters of the drill pipes, whereby the axis of the uppermost pipe may be disposed in alignment with the drilling head and may be connected or disconnected therewith; d. means carried by the mast for grasping the uppermost pipe of the supply for maintaining it in axial alignment with the drilling head and for maintaining such alignment while the mast is moved from its first position to its second position, and thereafter adapted to be released from the pipe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
206 words
In a vehicle of the type having means for propelling same and for supplying power to instrumentalities carried thereby and having elongated mast pivotally carried by the vehicle for positioning same in first position or a second position, the improvements, comprising: a. a pipe drilling head reciprocably carried by the mast for axial movement therealong and power means for moving same in opposite directions, the drilling head adapted to be detachably connected to one end of a series of pipes; b. a supply of stationary drill pipes carried by the vehicle in stacked relation adapted to be serially connected or disconnected to the drilling head when the mast is disposed in its first position; c. means for elevating and lowering the supply in increments corresponding to the diameters of the drill pipes, whereby the axis of the uppermost pipe may be disposed in alignment with the drilling head and may be connected or disconnected therewith; d. means carried by the mast for grasping the uppermost pipe of the supply for maintaining it in axial alignment with the drilling head and for maintaining such alignment while the mast is moved from its first position to its second position, and thereafter adapted to be released from the pipe.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a device of the type having means for supplying power to instrumentalities carried thereby and having an elongated mast pivotally carried thereby for positioning same in a generally vertical position or a generally horizontal position, the improvements, comprising: a. a pipe drilling head reciprocably carried by the mast for axial movement therealong and power means for moving same in opposite directions, the drilling head adapted to be detachably connected to one end of a series of pipes; b. a supply of stationary drill pipes carried by the device in stacked relation adaptEd to be serially connected or disconnected to the drilling head when the mast is disposed in its horizontal position; c. means for elevating and lowering the supply in increments whereby the axis of the uppermost pipe may be disposed in alignment with the drilling head and may be connected or disconnected therewith; d. means carried by the mast for grasping the uppermost pipe of the supply for maintaining it in axial alignment with the drilling head and for maintaining such alignment while the mast is moved from its horizontal position to its vertical position, and thereafter to be released from the pipe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a device of the type having means for supplying power to instrumentalities carried thereby and having an elongated mast pivotally carried thereby for positioning same in a generally vertical position or a generally horizontal position, the improvements, comprising: a. a pipe drilling head reciprocably carried by the mast for axial movement therealong and power means for moving same in opposite directions, the drilling head adapted to be detachably connected to one end of a series of pipes; b. a supply of stationary drill pipes carried by the device in stacked relation adaptEd to be serially connected or disconnected to the drilling head when the mast is disposed in its horizontal position; c. means for elevating and lowering the supply in increments whereby the axis of the uppermost pipe may be disposed in alignment with the drilling head and may be connected or disconnected therewith; d. means carried by the mast for grasping the uppermost pipe of the supply for maintaining it in axial alignment with the drilling head and for maintaining such alignment while the mast is moved from its horizontal position to its vertical position, and thereafter to be released from the pipe.
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) | 1975-06-20 | 1975-12-20 | 1976-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-20 | 1979-12-20 | 1980-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-20 | 1983-12-20 | 1984-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |