US3722608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Well drilling
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1971-08-04
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1991-08-04
Abstract
Abstract A downhole drilling tool employing a downhole motor which drives a shaft carrying the drill bit, and thrust means both for causing a pressure drop in the drilling fluid in the vicinity of the shaft and for applying the force created by the pressure drop to the shaft thereby increasing the total force applied to the bit. A method for reducing bearing wear while drilling with a downhole motor when bit weight for drilling is applied to the shaft of the downhole motor from a housing, the shaft communicating with the housing through bearings, comprising passing drilling fluids between the shaft and housing, causing a pressure drop of the drilling fluid, and applying the force resulting from the pressure drop to the shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 J Faulk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:42
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B4/00; E21B4/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
In a well drilling device wherein a drill bit is rotated to drill a wellbore, the improvement comprising a downhole motor means, a shaft means operatively connected to said motor, the end of said shaft not connected to said motor being adapted o carry a bit, the longitudinal axis of said shaft extending from said motor to said bit, a housing carried concentrically with said shaft at least from said motor to the proximity of the bit end of said shaft, said housing being spaced from said shaft to define a chamber, said chamber being a passageway for at least part of the drilling fluid on its way to said bit, and trust means which is separate from said downhole motor means and which is not a downhole motor means, said thrust means being carried in said chamber but physically separate from said housing, said thrust means causing a pressure drop in said drilling fluid in said chamber and applying the force created by said pressure drop to said shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
In a well drilling device wherein a drill bit is rotated to drill a wellbore, the improvement comprising a downhole motor means, a shaft means operatively connected to said motor, the end of said shaft not connected to said motor being adapted o carry a bit, the longitudinal axis of said shaft extending from said motor to said bit, a housing carried concentrically with said shaft at least from said motor to the proximity of the bit end of said shaft, said housing being spaced from said shaft to define a chamber, said chamber being a passageway for at least part of the drilling fluid on its way to said bit, and trust means which is separate from said downhole motor means and which is not a downhole motor means, said thrust means being carried in said chamber but physically separate from said housing, said thrust means causing a pressure drop in said drilling fluid in said chamber and applying the force created by said pressure drop to said shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein sealed bearing means are carried in said chamber for transmitting forces between said shaft and housing, and means for passing drilling fluid around said bearing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said housing surrounds the outside of said shaft, the end of said housing nearest said motor is adapted to be joined to drill pipe, sealed bearing means is carried in said chamber intermediate said thrust means and said bit end of said shaft, said bearing means being spaced from said thrust means, conduit means carried by said shaft and operatively connected between the bit end of said shaft and said chamber at a point on said chamber which is intermediate said bearing means and said thrust means whereby drilling fluid after passing said thrust means bypasses said bearing means on its way to said bit end of said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said down thrust means comprises an annular shoulder carried by said shaft, said shoulder extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said shaft, said shoulder occupying a substantial lateral portion of said chamber but not the entire lateral portion so as to allow for the passage of drilling fluid thereby.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein said shoulder is substantially imperforate and extends laterally a substantial distance toward said housing, the outer circumference of said shoulder being spaced from said housing to allow drilling fluid to pass between said outer circumference in said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein said shoulder is perforate and extends laterally substantially to said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a method for reducing bearing wear while drilling a wellbore by rotating a drill bit with the shaft of a downhole motor, bit weight for drilling being applied to said shaft from a housing, said shaft communicating with said housing through bearings, the improvement comprising passing drilling fluid between said shaft and housing, causing a pressure drop of said drilling fluid while passing same between said shaft and housing, and applying the force resulting from said pressure drop to said shaft so that the weight applied to said shaft and bit from said housing is reduced thereby saving bearing wear.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a method for reducing bearing wear while drilling a wellbore by rotating a drill bit with the shaft of a downhole motor, bit weight for drilling being applied to said shaft from a housing, said shaft communicating with said housing through bearings, the improvement comprising passing drilling fluid between said shaft and housing, causing a pressure drop of said drilling fluid while passing same between said shaft and housing, and applying the force resulting from said pressure drop to said shaft so that the weight applied to said shaft and bit from said housing is reduced thereby saving bearing wear.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said pressure drop is at least about 200 psig.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |