US3903975A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drilling apparatus with down-the-hole motor
Assignee: Aardvark Corp
•
Filing: 1974-06-03
•
Granted: 1975-09-09
•
Expires: 1994-06-03
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus includes a piston-like means having a hammer mechanism thereon and an elongated excavation means suspended from the piston-like means. It also includes a rotary drill rod comprising an elongated pipe having a longitudinally extending bore therethrough and an annular bit at the distal end thereof. The piston-like means is slidably received in the bore of the pipe through the proximal end thereof, and there is an annular shoulder about the periphery of the bore to receive blows from the hammer of the mechanism adjacent the bit. Also, means define an annular seat about the periphery of the bore between the shoulder and the mouth of the bit, which is of lesser inside diameter than that of the shoulder. The excavation means is slidably received in the distal end portion of the bore through the opening of the shoulder and has one end thereof engaged with the seat. In addition, fluid passage means in the rod extend generally longitudinally of the bore between a point adjacent the shoulder and a point about the periphery of the seat, and porting in the body of the bit, extends generally axially thereof between the fluid passage means and the working face of the bit at the distal end thereof. Together, the fluid passage means and the porting form a passage about the excavation means through which fluid can be released into the working face of the bit from a point adjacent the opposite end of the excavation means. There are also means whereby the released fluid can discharge from the face of the bit toward the proximal end of the pipe on the opposite side of the pipe from the excavation means.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald T Sweeney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:08
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B4/00; E21B4/06; E21B25/00; E21B25/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
In combination, a piston-like means having a hammer mechanism thereon, an elongated excavation means suspended from the pistonlike means, a rotary drill rod comprising an elongated pipe having a longitudinally extending bore therethrough and an annular bit at the distal end thereof, the piston-like means being slidably received in the bore through the proximal end thereof and there being an annular shoulder about the periphery of the bore to receive blows from the hammer of the mechanism adjacent the bit, means defining an annular seat about the periphery of the bore between the shoulder and the mouth of the bit, which is of lesser inside diameter than that of the shoulder, the excavation means being slidably received in the distal end portion of the bore through the opening of the shoulder and having one end thereof engaged with the seat, fluid passage means in the rod extending generally longitudinally of the bore between a point adjacent the shoulder and a point about the periphery of the seat, and porting in the body of the bit, extending generally axially thereof between the fluid passage means and the working face of the bit at the distal end thereof, together forming a passage about the excavation means through which fluid can be released into the working face of the bit from a point adjacent the opposite end of the axcavation means, and means whereby the released fluid can discharge from the face of the bit toward the proximal end of the pipe on the opposite side of the pipe from the excavation means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
260 words
In combination, a piston-like means having a hammer mechanism thereon, an elongated excavation means suspended from the pistonlike means, a rotary drill rod comprising an elongated pipe having a longitudinally extending bore therethrough and an annular bit at the distal end thereof, the piston-like means being slidably received in the bore through the proximal end thereof and there being an annular shoulder about the periphery of the bore to receive blows from the hammer of the mechanism adjacent the bit, means defining an annular seat about the periphery of the bore between the shoulder and the mouth of the bit, which is of lesser inside diameter than that of the shoulder, the excavation means being slidably received in the distal end portion of the bore through the opening of the shoulder and having one end thereof engaged with the seat, fluid passage means in the rod extending generally longitudinally of the bore between a point adjacent the shoulder and a point about the periphery of the seat, and porting in the body of the bit, extending generally axially thereof between the fluid passage means and the working face of the bit at the distal end thereof, together forming a passage about the excavation means through which fluid can be released into the working face of the bit from a point adjacent the opposite end of the axcavation means, and means whereby the released fluid can discharge from the face of the bit toward the proximal end of the pipe on the opposite side of the pipe from the excavation means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the shoulder is disposed on the pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the excavation means takes the form of a core barrel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the fluid passage means takes the form of fluting in the peripheral wall of the bore.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the bit is rigidly connected to the distal end of the pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination according to claim 1 further comprising attachment means on the proximal end of the piston-like means for releaseable engagement by a wire-line retriever or the like.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the excavation means is relatively rotatably engaged with the seat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the excavation means is axially displaceable in relation to the piston-like means and yieldably biased into a stopped position relatively spaced therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the bit has a greater diameter than the pipe and the pipe forms the inner periphery of an annulus which is disposed between the pipe and the wall of the excavated hole, to discharge the released fluid therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination according to claim 9 wherein the outer periphery of the bit is adapted so that the released fluid can pass thereacross to an annulus formed by the pipe and the wall of the excavated hole.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the hammer mechanism is fluid operated and there are fluid transmission means for operating the hammer mechanism including means for passing fluid through the piston-like means and means for exhausting the fluid into the fluid passage means after the mechanism has operated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination according to claim 11 further comprising means on the piston-like means for generating a pressure differential thereacross longitudinally of the bore, to maintain the hammer mechanism in operative relationship to the shoulder during the application of the blows.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 12 wherein the proximal end portion of the bore is operatively fluid pressurized and the pressure differential generating means is operative to cause a pressure drop across the piston-like means in the direction of the distal end of the bore.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the piston-like means also has an anvil suspended therefrom and the anvil is interprosed in the bore between the hammer and the shoulder to receive and transmit the blows to the shoulder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination according to claim 14 wherein the excavation means is suspended from the anvil.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination according to claim 15 wherein the excavation means is axially and/or rotationally displaceable in relation to the anvil.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
74 words
The combination according to claim 14 wherein the hammer mechanism is fluid operated and there are fluid transmission means for operating the hammer mechanism including means for passing fluid through the piston-like means and means for exhausting the fluid into the fluid passage means after the mechanism has operated, and wherein the anvil defines a passage for the fluid and the fluid exhaust means is operative to exhaust the fluid through the anvil passage.
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) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |