US3675729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bit lubrication system
Assignee: Smith International Inc
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Filing: 1970-05-08
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A raise type of earth boring drill for drilling upwardly from an adit or other tunnel is described. The bit is rotated by a drill pipe in a vertical pilot hole, and bores through the earth by means of rolling cutters mounted on the drill bit. Lubrication for the bearings supporting the cutters is provided from a reservoir of lubricant through lubricant manifolds to the individual cutters. A piston in the reservoir is intermittently actuated by pneumatic pressure for giving each of the bearings a small injection of lubricant, thereby obviating any need for complex and troublesome metering systems in the drill bit.
Inventors
- 👤 William J Neilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:20
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B10/00; E21B10/26; E21B10/28; E21B10/08; E21B10/22; E21B10/24; E21B10/246; E21B7/00; E21B7/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A raise drill comprising: a drill bit frame; a pilot shaft mounted on the frame; means for connecting the shaft to a drill support string; means for mounting a plurality of roller cutters on the frame; a roller cutter mounted for rotation on each means for mounting for collectively cutting rock over the face of a raise; a lubricant reservoir; a plurality of tube means between the reservoir and each of the means for mounting for conveying lubricant therebetween, the tube means having substantially less restriction to lubricant flow than the means for mounting; a lubricant displacing piston in the reservoir; and a fluid passage through the shaft and in fluid communication with the piston in the lubricant reservoir.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A raise drill comprising: a drill bit frame; a pilot shaft mounted on the frame; means for connecting the shaft to a drill support string; means for mounting a plurality of roller cutters on the frame; a roller cutter mounted for rotation on each means for mounting for collectively cutting rock over the face of a raise; a lubricant reservoir; a plurality of tube means between the reservoir and each of the means for mounting for conveying lubricant therebetween, the tube means having substantially less restriction to lubricant flow than the means for mounting; a lubricant displacing piston in the reservoir; and a fluid passage through the shaft and in fluid communication with the piston in the lubricant reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A raise drill as defined in claim 1 wherein the lubricant reservoir comprises a cylindrical chamber in the lower end of the pilot shaft and further comprising: a cylindrical guide passage in the pilot shaft aligned with the lubricant reservoir and having a diameter smaller than the reservoir; and wherein the piston includes a cylindrical extension fitted in the guide passage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A raise drill as defined in claim 2 further comprising: a lubricant manifold in fluid communication with the tube means; and a conduit in fluid communication between the lubricant reservoir and the lubricant manifold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A raise drill as defined in claim 3 further comprising: a cover plate closing the lower end of the lubricant reservoir; and aperture means through the cover plate for replenishing lubricant in the reservoir.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A raise drill as defined in claim 1 further comprising: a lubricant manifold in fluid communication with the tube means; and a conduit in fluid communication between the lubricant reservoir and the lubricant manifold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
161 words
In a raise earth boring drill comprising a shaft for connection to a drill string, a mounting frame on the shaft, a plurality of roller cutter yokes mounted on the frame, a roller cutter mounted on each roller cutter yoke for collectively cutting earth over the face of a raise, and a bearing between each roller cutter and its respective yoke, the improvement comprising means for lubricating the bearings during periods of use of the drill comprising: a lubricant reservoir; a piston in the lubricant reservoir having a side in contact with lubricant in the reservoir; a plurality of tubes substantially free of flow restriction, each having a first end in fluid communication with the lubricant reservoir and a second end in fluid communication with one of the bearings; a passage through the drill shaft in fluid communication with the opposite side of the piston from the lubricant in the reservoir; and means for intermittently applying pneumatic pressure in the passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
161 words
In a raise earth boring drill comprising a shaft for connection to a drill string, a mounting frame on the shaft, a plurality of roller cutter yokes mounted on the frame, a roller cutter mounted on each roller cutter yoke for collectively cutting earth over the face of a raise, and a bearing between each roller cutter and its respective yoke, the improvement comprising means for lubricating the bearings during periods of use of the drill comprising: a lubricant reservoir; a piston in the lubricant reservoir having a side in contact with lubricant in the reservoir; a plurality of tubes substantially free of flow restriction, each having a first end in fluid communication with the lubricant reservoir and a second end in fluid communication with one of the bearings; a passage through the drill shaft in fluid communication with the opposite side of the piston from the lubricant in the reservoir; and means for intermittently applying pneumatic pressure in the passage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
192 words
In a raise earth boring drill comprising a shaft for connection to a drill string, a mounting frame on the shaft, a plurality of roller cutter yokes mounted on the frame, a roller cutter mounted on each roller cutter yoke for collectively cutting earth over the face of a raise, and a bearing between each roller cutter and its respective yoke, the improvement comprising means for lubricating the bearings during periods of use of the drill comprising: a lubricant reservoir; a piston in the lubricant reservoir having a side in contact with lubricant in the reservoir; a plurality of tubes substantially free of flow restriction, each having a first end in fluid communication with the lubricant reservoir and a second end in fluid communication with one of the bearings; a passage through the drill shaft in fluid communication with the opposite side of the piston from the lubricant in the reservoir; means for intermittently applying pneumatic pressure in the passage; and a lubricant manifold having an inlet connected to tube means for conducting lubricant from the reservoir and a plurality of outlets connected to tube means for conducting lubricant to the bearings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
192 words
In a raise earth boring drill comprising a shaft for connection to a drill string, a mounting frame on the shaft, a plurality of roller cutter yokes mounted on the frame, a roller cutter mounted on each roller cutter yoke for collectively cutting earth over the face of a raise, and a bearing between each roller cutter and its respective yoke, the improvement comprising means for lubricating the bearings during periods of use of the drill comprising: a lubricant reservoir; a piston in the lubricant reservoir having a side in contact with lubricant in the reservoir; a plurality of tubes substantially free of flow restriction, each having a first end in fluid communication with the lubricant reservoir and a second end in fluid communication with one of the bearings; a passage through the drill shaft in fluid communication with the opposite side of the piston from the lubricant in the reservoir; means for intermittently applying pneumatic pressure in the passage; and a lubricant manifold having an inlet connected to tube means for conducting lubricant from the reservoir and a plurality of outlets connected to tube means for conducting lubricant to the bearings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a raise earth boring drill comprising a shaft for connection to a drill string, a mounting frame on the shaft, a plurality of roller cutter yokes mounted on the frame, a roller cutter mounted on each roller cutter yoke for collectively cutting earth over the face of a raise, and a bearing between each roller cutter and its respective yoke, the improvement comprising means for lubricating the bearings during periods of use of the drill comprising: a lubricant reservoir; a piston in the lubricant reservoir having a side in contact with lubricant in the reservoir; a plurality of tubes substantially free of flow restriction, each having a first end in fluid communication with the lubricant reservoir and a second end in fluid communication with one of the bearings; a passage through the drill shaft in fluid communication with the opposite side of the piston from the lubricant in the reservoir; and means for intermittently applying pneumatic pressure in the passage; and wherein the lubricant reservoir comprises a cavity in the pilot shaft, the passage comprises an axial bore in the pilot shaft, and the piston further comprises a reduced diameter guide piston aligned with the piston for preventing cocking thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a raise earth boring drill comprising a shaft for connection to a drill string, a mounting frame on the shaft, a plurality of roller cutter yokes mounted on the frame, a roller cutter mounted on each roller cutter yoke for collectively cutting earth over the face of a raise, and a bearing between each roller cutter and its respective yoke, the improvement comprising means for lubricating the bearings during periods of use of the drill comprising: a lubricant reservoir; a piston in the lubricant reservoir having a side in contact with lubricant in the reservoir; a plurality of tubes substantially free of flow restriction, each having a first end in fluid communication with the lubricant reservoir and a second end in fluid communication with one of the bearings; a passage through the drill shaft in fluid communication with the opposite side of the piston from the lubricant in the reservoir; and means for intermittently applying pneumatic pressure in the passage; and wherein the lubricant reservoir comprises a cavity in the pilot shaft, the passage comprises an axial bore in the pilot shaft, and the piston further comprises a reduced diameter guide piston aligned with the piston for preventing cocking thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
In an improved combination as defined in claim 7, means for replacing lubricant in the reservoir from the lower side of the drill as used in a raise.
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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) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |