US3907044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Geopenetrator system
Assignee: United Research & Dev Co
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Filing: 1974-09-19
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1994-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A geopenetrator system is provided comprising an earth boring drill which is particularly adapted to be employed to perform a drilling operation under temperature conditions and at depths wherein ordinary drilling devices are inoperable. The drill includes a penetrator head, an extendible pipe casing means operable in the nature of a shaft which is connected at one end to the penetrator head and is capable of being extended so as to have a length sufficient to reach the surface of the hole being drilled, and power means operatively connected to the penetrator head for supplying the power thereto required thereby to perform the drilling operation. The penetrator head includes a housing, a forerunner, energy transmitting means, and means operable for purposes of causing withdrawal of the drill from a hole. The housing is composed of an upper feed casing and a lower feed casing which is operatively connected at one end to the upper feed casing and at the other end to the forerunner. The upper feed casing of the housing is in turn operatively connected to one end of the extendible pipe casing, i.e., shaft, the other end of which extends to the surface of the drilled hole. The circumference of the upper feed casing at the point of connection with the lower end of the shaft is greater than that of the shaft. As a result, there is an over lock established at the point of connection between the lower end of the shaft and the upper end of the housing which is operable to inhibit the passage of volumes of liquids and gases trapped below the surface of the earth up the drilled hole which in turn if permitted to flow up the drilled hole could pose a potential hazard to personnel working on the drilling rig. Preferably, the shaft at spaced intervals along the length thereof is provided with a multiplicity of sets of outwardly extending members embodying a configuration which is similar in nature to that of skis. Each set preferably consists of three skis projecting radially outwardly from the outer surface of the shaft and being movable between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the free end of each ski engages the sidewall of the drilled hole in substantially equally spaced relation around the circumference thereof whereby the weight of the shaft is at least partially supported by means of the interengagement of the skis with the sidewalls of the hole. The energy transmitting means extends down the shaft and through substantially the center of the housing, and includes an electrode connected at one end to the forerunner and at the other end to the power means. The electrode, at least a portion thereof which is surrounded by insulation thereby to be insulated from the housing, is operable to heat the forerunner to a temperature wherein the latter becomes molten. The housing of the penetrator head is provided with slag escape means operable to permit the escape of the slag formed during the drilling operation. The means for causing withdrawal of the drill includes a longitudinally extending opening formed in the upper feed casing through which pressure is capable of being applied to cause the drill to be withdrawn by being pushed back to the top of the hole.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan L Robertson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:39
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/14; E21B7/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
A geopenetrator system operable for drilling a hole into the earth several miles deep comprising: a. a penetrator head for forming a hole in a substance by burning including a housing, a forerunner affixed to one end of said housing, energy transmitting means extending through said housing into engagement with said forerunner and operable for heating said housing and forerunner, and means formed in said housing operable for use in withdrawing the geopenetrator system from a hole thereof by pushing the geopenetrator system therefrom; b. extendible pipe casing means having a lesser diameter than the diameter of said housing and being extendible in length so as to be capable of reaching from said housing of said penetrator head to the top of the hole being drilled; c. overlock means interconnecting one end of said extendible pipe casing means to the other end of said housing so as to form a smooth transition between the larger diameter of said housing and the smaller diameter of said extendible pipe casing means, said overlock means cooperating with a portion of the sidewalls of the hole being drilled located above said penetrator head so as to form an overlock therewith operable to inhibit the passage of trapped liquids and gases encountered while drilling the hole from passing upwardly through the hole to the top thereof whereat these liquids and gases could pose a danger to the personnel working the drilling rig during the drilling operation; and d. power means operatively connected to said energy transmitting means providing a source of power thereto to cause said energy transmitting means to become heated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
267 words
A geopenetrator system operable for drilling a hole into the earth several miles deep comprising: a. a penetrator head for forming a hole in a substance by burning including a housing, a forerunner affixed to one end of said housing, energy transmitting means extending through said housing into engagement with said forerunner and operable for heating said housing and forerunner, and means formed in said housing operable for use in withdrawing the geopenetrator system from a hole thereof by pushing the geopenetrator system therefrom; b. extendible pipe casing means having a lesser diameter than the diameter of said housing and being extendible in length so as to be capable of reaching from said housing of said penetrator head to the top of the hole being drilled; c. overlock means interconnecting one end of said extendible pipe casing means to the other end of said housing so as to form a smooth transition between the larger diameter of said housing and the smaller diameter of said extendible pipe casing means, said overlock means cooperating with a portion of the sidewalls of the hole being drilled located above said penetrator head so as to form an overlock therewith operable to inhibit the passage of trapped liquids and gases encountered while drilling the hole from passing upwardly through the hole to the top thereof whereat these liquids and gases could pose a danger to the personnel working the drilling rig during the drilling operation; and d. power means operatively connected to said energy transmitting means providing a source of power thereto to cause said energy transmitting means to become heated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The geopenetrator system as set forth in claim 1 wherein conductor means are supported in said pipe casing means having one end connected in electrical circuit relation with said power means and the other end connected in electrical circuit relation with said energy transmitting means, and said energy transmitting means comprises an electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The geopenetrator system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pipe casing means comprises a plurality of individual sections of pipe casing interconnected together to form a continuous length thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
142 words
The geopenetrator system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing includes an upper feed casing and a lower feed casing, said lower feed casing having an opening formed therethrough substantially at the center thereof receiving therein one end of said upper feed casing and the other end of said lower feed casing having depending sidewalls formed thereat operable to encircle at least a portion of said forerunner, and said overlock means comprising a cone-shaped portion having a first end corresponding in diameter to the diameter of said upper feed casing and a second end corresponding in diameter to the diameter of said extendible pipe casing means, said coneshaped portion having said first end thereof joined to the other end of said upper feed casing and said second end thereof joined to said one end of said extendible pipe casing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
125 words
The geopenetrator system as set forth in claim 4 wherein conduit means are supported in said pipe casing means extending the length thereof, and said means formed in said housing operable for use in withdrawing the geopenetrator system from a hole comprises an opening formed in said upper feed casing extending longitudinally the length thereof and having one end connected to said conduit means to form a continuous passage extending from the upper end of said pipe casing means to the base of said upper feed casing operable to enable a fluid to be pumped under pressure therethrough for applying an upward force to the base of said upper feed casing effective to push the geopenetrator system to the top of a hole under compression.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
397 words
A geopenetrator system operable for drilling a hole into the earth several milEs deep comprising: a. a penetrator head for forming a hole in the earth by burning including a housing comprising an upper feed casing and a lower feed casing, a forerunner affixed to one end of said housing, energy transmitting means extending through said housing into engagement with said forerunner and operable for heating said forerunner, and means formed in said upper feed casing for use in withdrawing the geopenetrator system from a hole upon completion of the drilling thereof by pushing the geopenetrator system therefrom; b. extendible pipe casing means having a lesser diameter than the diameter of said housing and being extendible in length so as to be capable of reaching from said housing of said penetrator head to the top of the hole being drilled; c. support means mounted on said extendible pipe casing means along the length thereof for movement between a retracted position relative to said extendible pipe casing means and an extended position relative to said extendible pipe casing means wherein said support means engages the sidewalls of the hole being drilled and is operable to provide at least a partial support for the weight of said extendible pipe casing means; d. overlock means interconnecting one end of said extendible pipe casing means to the other end of said housing so as to form a smooth transition between the larger diameter of said housing and the smaller diameter of said extendible pipe casing means, said overlock means cooperating with a portion of the sidewalls of the hole being drilled located above said penetrator head so as to form an overlock therewith operable to inhibit the passage of trapped liquids and gases encountered while drilling the hole from passing upwardly through the hole to the top thereof whereat these liquids and gases could pose a danger to the personnel working the drilling rig during the drilling operation; e. power means for providing a source of supply of power to said energy transmitting means to cause said energy transmitting means to become heated; and f. conductor means supported in said pipe casing means having one end connected in electrical circuit relation with said power means and the other end connected in electrical circuit relation with said energy transmitting means for transmitting power between said power means and said energy transmitting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
397 words
A geopenetrator system operable for drilling a hole into the earth several milEs deep comprising: a. a penetrator head for forming a hole in the earth by burning including a housing comprising an upper feed casing and a lower feed casing, a forerunner affixed to one end of said housing, energy transmitting means extending through said housing into engagement with said forerunner and operable for heating said forerunner, and means formed in said upper feed casing for use in withdrawing the geopenetrator system from a hole upon completion of the drilling thereof by pushing the geopenetrator system therefrom; b. extendible pipe casing means having a lesser diameter than the diameter of said housing and being extendible in length so as to be capable of reaching from said housing of said penetrator head to the top of the hole being drilled; c. support means mounted on said extendible pipe casing means along the length thereof for movement between a retracted position relative to said extendible pipe casing means and an extended position relative to said extendible pipe casing means wherein said support means engages the sidewalls of the hole being drilled and is operable to provide at least a partial support for the weight of said extendible pipe casing means; d. overlock means interconnecting one end of said extendible pipe casing means to the other end of said housing so as to form a smooth transition between the larger diameter of said housing and the smaller diameter of said extendible pipe casing means, said overlock means cooperating with a portion of the sidewalls of the hole being drilled located above said penetrator head so as to form an overlock therewith operable to inhibit the passage of trapped liquids and gases encountered while drilling the hole from passing upwardly through the hole to the top thereof whereat these liquids and gases could pose a danger to the personnel working the drilling rig during the drilling operation; e. power means for providing a source of supply of power to said energy transmitting means to cause said energy transmitting means to become heated; and f. conductor means supported in said pipe casing means having one end connected in electrical circuit relation with said power means and the other end connected in electrical circuit relation with said energy transmitting means for transmitting power between said power means and said energy transmitting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
The geopenetrator system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said overlock means comprises a cone-shaped portion having a first end corresponding in diameter to the diameter of said upper feed casing and a second end corresponding in diameter to the diameter of said extendible pipe casing means, said cone-shaped portion having said first end thereof joined to one end of said upper feed casing and said second end thereof joined to said one end of said extendible pipe casing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The geopenetrator system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said upper feed casing is of a lesser diameter than said lower feed casing thereby to provide a space between said upper feed casing and the sidewalls of the hole being drilled for receiving therein the slag formed during the drilling operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The geopenetrator system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said upper feed casing includes means operable for use in removing the slag formed during the drilling operation from the hole being drilled.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
163 words
The geopenetrator system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said support means comprises a multiplicity of sets of supports, each of said sets of supports includes a plurality of members mounted in equally spaced relation in substantially the same plane around the circumference of said extendible pipe casing means, each of said plurality of members includes a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having one end thereof pivotable connected to said extendible pipe casing means and the other end thereof pivotably connected to one end of said second portion, said second portion having a foot attached to the other end thereof capable of being mOved into engagement with the sidewalls of the hole, and a spring having one end attached to said first portion intermediate the ends thereof and the other end of said spring being attached to said second portion intermediate the ends thereof, said spring being operable to bias said first portion and said second portion apart.
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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) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |