US4256191A — Intermittent high-drag oil well drilling methods …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 172 words

A high-drag, intermittent contact drilling bit comprising: a generally cylindrical housing assembly having an inner bore passage and an upper connection means for connection to a drill string; a transverse cutting assembly mounted in the lower end of and extending downwardly from said housing assembly; said cutting assembly comprising a transversely mounted cutting wheel rotatably mounted on a horizontal motor shaft and being adapted to receive input power and convert it to rotational movement on said shaft; said cutting wheel being generally cylindrical in shape and having a plurality of hard metal cutting elements protruding from the outer surface thereof; power generating means in said housing assembly adapted to be connected to a downhole motor in a drilling string and further adapted to convert rotary power from a downhole motor into drive power, said generating means being interconnected with said cutting assembly to supply drive power thereto; and, a cooling system adapted for communicating cooling fluids from the upper end of said inner bore passage to the exterior of said cutting assembly.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 172 words

A high-drag, intermittent contact drilling bit comprising: a generally cylindrical housing assembly having an inner bore passage and an upper connection means for connection to a drill string; a transverse cutting assembly mounted in the lower end of and extending downwardly from said housing assembly; said cutting assembly comprising a transversely mounted cutting wheel rotatably mounted on a horizontal motor shaft and being adapted to receive input power and convert it to rotational movement on said shaft; said cutting wheel being generally cylindrical in shape and having a plurality of hard metal cutting elements protruding from the outer surface thereof; power generating means in said housing assembly adapted to be connected to a downhole motor in a drilling string and further adapted to convert rotary power from a downhole motor into drive power, said generating means being interconnected with said cutting assembly to supply drive power thereto; and, a cooling system adapted for communicating cooling fluids from the upper end of said inner bore passage to the exterior of said cutting assembly.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 51 words

The drilling bit of claim 1 wherein said cutting assembly comprises a hydraulic motor having a rotating housing which is said cutting wheel, and a fixed shaft which is said horizontal motor shaft, said rotating housing adapted to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid and rotate on said fixed shaft in response thereto.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

The drilling bit of claim 2 wherein said generating means comprises a hydraulic pump adapted to receive rotary mechanical power and to pressurize hydraulic fluid.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 27 words

The drilling bit of claim 1 wherein said generating means comprises an electrical generator and said cutting assembly comprises an electrical motor electrically connected to said generator.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 32 words

The drilling bit of claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said cutting elements comprise compound inserts having a base of hard metal and a cutting tip formed from a hard gem material.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 109 words

A downhole oilwell drilling bit comprising: a cylindrical tubular housing assembly having an upper threaded end; a rotatable motor-driven cutting assembly having a cutter wheel with inserted hard metal cutting elements protruding therefrom, and a motor drive system mounting said cutter wheel on a motor shaft; a power generator in said tubular housing having input transmission means adapted for operable drive connection with a drilling motor in a drilling string, said power generator also having power output means operably connected to said motor drive system; and, a cooling system in said housing assembly arranged to receive cooling fluid from a drill string and communicate it to said cutter wheel.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 109 words

A downhole oilwell drilling bit comprising: a cylindrical tubular housing assembly having an upper threaded end; a rotatable motor-driven cutting assembly having a cutter wheel with inserted hard metal cutting elements protruding therefrom, and a motor drive system mounting said cutter wheel on a motor shaft; a power generator in said tubular housing having input transmission means adapted for operable drive connection with a drilling motor in a drilling string, said power generator also having power output means operably connected to said motor drive system; and, a cooling system in said housing assembly arranged to receive cooling fluid from a drill string and communicate it to said cutter wheel.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

The drilling bit of claim 6 wherein said power generator is a hydraulic pressurizer and said motor drive system is a hydraulically actuated system.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 23 words

The drilling bit of claim 6 wherein said power generator is an electric generator and said motor drive system is an electric motor.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 47 words

The drilling bit of claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said cutting elements further comprise a plurality of compound cutting elements, each connected to and protruding outward from said cutter wheel and comprising a hard metal base and a cutting tip formed from a hard gem material.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1984-03-16	1984-09-15	1985-03-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1988-03-16	1988-09-15	1989-03-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1992-03-16	1992-09-15	1993-03-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Intermittent high-drag oil well drilling methods and apparatus

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