US3835943A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drilling apparatus and adaptor assembly for such apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-02-22
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1993-02-22
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to drilling apparatus having an inner drill string and a surrounding outer drill string, which strings can be advanced simultaneously. Instead of these strings being rigidly coupled for simultaneous advance under a rotary percussive action, the inner drill string is connected to a first adaptor which is slidable but non-rotatable in a second adaptor to which the outer drill string is connected so that when the first adaptor is rotatively and percussively driven, the second adaptor and its associated outer drill string are rotatively driven. Percussion is preferably transmitted to the bit of the outer drill string by arranging the bit of the inner string to strike the outer bit, but alternatively or additionally the first adaptor may hammer the second adaptor.
Inventors
- 👤 R Bray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:42
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B17/00; E21B17/02; E21B17/04; E21B17/18; E21B21/00; E21B21/02; E21B7/00; E21B7/002; E21B7/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An adaptor assembly for use with drilling apparatus, the drilling apparatus including an outer drill string with an outer drill bit fixed at the drilling end thereof, an inner drill string disposed within said outer drill string and having an inner drill bit fixed at the drilling end thereof, and surface means for transmitting percussive forces from said inner drill bit to said outer drill bit, said adaptor assembly comprising: a first adaptor having means for connecting one end thereof with said inner drill string and means for connecting another end thereof with rotary and percussive drive mechanism, and a second adaptor having means for connecting one end thereof with said outer drill string and means at the other end thereof for slidably receiving and locating said first adaptor in rotary driving engagement exclusive of percussive drive engagement, such that percussive drive may be transmitted from the first adaptor to the outer drill bit by way of said surface means, independently of the second adaptor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
An adaptor assembly for use with drilling apparatus, the drilling apparatus including an outer drill string with an outer drill bit fixed at the drilling end thereof, an inner drill string disposed within said outer drill string and having an inner drill bit fixed at the drilling end thereof, and surface means for transmitting percussive forces from said inner drill bit to said outer drill bit, said adaptor assembly comprising: a first adaptor having means for connecting one end thereof with said inner drill string and means for connecting another end thereof with rotary and percussive drive mechanism, and a second adaptor having means for connecting one end thereof with said outer drill string and means at the other end thereof for slidably receiving and locating said first adaptor in rotary driving engagement exclusive of percussive drive engagement, such that percussive drive may be transmitted from the first adaptor to the outer drill bit by way of said surface means, independently of the second adaptor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
An adaptor assembly according to claim 1 wherein the means of said second adaptor for receiving said first adaptor comprises a bore; said bore and said first adaptor having non-circular cross-sections, with said first adaptor being receivable in the bore with a close sliding fit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
An adaptor assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which the said bore in the second adaptor is in an upper portion thereof, and in which the second adaptor has a lower portion provided with at least one aperture through which flushing medium may be supplied to the space between the inner and outer strings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
An adaptor assembly as claimed in claim 3, aNd including a flushing head for connection around the second adaptor to supply flushing medium to said at least one aperture, sealing means being provided between the adaptors to prevent undesired escape of such flushing medium between the adaptors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
An adaptor assembly as claimed in claim 3, and including a seal for connection around the second adaptor and being rotatable between a position in which said at least one aperture in the second adaptor is closed and a position in which said at least one aperture is open.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An adaptor assembly as claimed in claim 1, and including means which are operable selectively to prevent the first adaptor from being withdrawn from the second adaptor when it is desired to raise the second adaptor by raising the first adaptor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
Drilling apparatus comprising: an outer drill string having an outer drill bit rigidly mounted at a drilling end thereof; an inner drill string extending within said outer drill string and having an inner drill bit rigidly mounted at a drilling end thereof; a first adaptor connected to a connecting end of said inner drill string; means drivably connected to said first adaptor for rotatably and percussively driving said first adaptor and said inner drill string; a second adaptor connected to a connecting end of said outer drill string; said second adaptor including means for slidably receiving and locating said first adaptor to couple said first and second adaptors for rotary drive exclusive of percussive drive; and force transmitting surface means located remotely from said second adaptor for transmitting percussive energy from said first adaptor to said outer drill bit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
139 words
Drilling apparatus comprising: an outer drill string having an outer drill bit rigidly mounted at a drilling end thereof; an inner drill string extending within said outer drill string and having an inner drill bit rigidly mounted at a drilling end thereof; a first adaptor connected to a connecting end of said inner drill string; means drivably connected to said first adaptor for rotatably and percussively driving said first adaptor and said inner drill string; a second adaptor connected to a connecting end of said outer drill string; said second adaptor including means for slidably receiving and locating said first adaptor to couple said first and second adaptors for rotary drive exclusive of percussive drive; and force transmitting surface means located remotely from said second adaptor for transmitting percussive energy from said first adaptor to said outer drill bit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
Drilling apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said force-transmitting surface means comprises cooperating frusto conical shoulders on said inner and outer drill bits.
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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) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |