Patent US4339946A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4339946A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulic depth indicator for hydraulic drilling machines
Assignee: Hughes Tool Co
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Filing: 1979-12-05
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Granted: 1982-07-20
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Expires: 1999-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A hydraulically operated earth boring machine, improved with a flowmeter and indicator to show the instantaneous and the greatest depth of the drilling tool.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas F. Cole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:50
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/04; E21B19/00; E21B19/08; E21B19/086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A depth determining apparatus for an earth boring machine of the type having a cylinder, a piston carried in the cylinder, a rotatable drive kelly connected with the piston and adapted to support a drilling tool, the improvement which comprises in combination: a fluid source; a hydraulic line connecting the fluid source with the hydraulic cylinder; a pump connected with the hydraulic line to provide pressurized fluid to the hydraulic cylinder; valve means between the pump and the hydraulic cylinder in the hydraulic line to control fluid flow to the cylinder; a flowmeter in the hydraulic line between the valve and the hydraulic cylinder to measure fluid flow through the line; indicator means connected with the flowmeter, calibrated in terms of depth of hole reached by the drilling tool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A depth determining apparatus for an earth boring machine of the type having a cylinder, a piston carried in the cylinder, a rotatable drive kelly connected with the piston and adapted to support a drilling tool, the improvement which comprises in combination: a fluid source; a hydraulic line connecting the fluid source with the hydraulic cylinder; a pump connected with the hydraulic line to provide pressurized fluid to the hydraulic cylinder; valve means between the pump and the hydraulic cylinder in the hydraulic line to control fluid flow to the cylinder; a flowmeter in the hydraulic line between the valve and the hydraulic cylinder to measure fluid flow through the line; indicator means connected with the flowmeter, calibrated in terms of depth of hole reached by the drilling tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
128 words
A depth determining apparatus for an earth boring machine of the type having a cylinder, a piston carried in the cylinder, a rotatable drive kelly connected with the piston and adapted to support a drilling tool, the improvement which comprises in combination: a fluid source; a hydraulic line connecting the fluid source with the hydraulic cylinder; a pump connected with the hydraulic line to provide pressurized fluid to the hydraulic cylinder; valve means between the pump and the hydraulic cylinder in the hydraulic line to control fluid flow to the cylinder; flow detection means between the valve and the hydraulic cylinder to detect the flow through the line; indicator means connected with the flow detection means calibrated in terms of depth of hole reached by the drilling tool.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
128 words
A depth determining apparatus for an earth boring machine of the type having a cylinder, a piston carried in the cylinder, a rotatable drive kelly connected with the piston and adapted to support a drilling tool, the improvement which comprises in combination: a fluid source; a hydraulic line connecting the fluid source with the hydraulic cylinder; a pump connected with the hydraulic line to provide pressurized fluid to the hydraulic cylinder; valve means between the pump and the hydraulic cylinder in the hydraulic line to control fluid flow to the cylinder; flow detection means between the valve and the hydraulic cylinder to detect the flow through the line; indicator means connected with the flow detection means calibrated in terms of depth of hole reached by the drilling tool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
168 words
A depth determining apparatus for an earth boring machine of the type having a cylinder, a piston carried in the cylinder, a rotatable drive kelly connected with the piston and adapted to support a drilling tool, the improvement which comprises in combination: a fluid source; a hydraulic line connecting the fluid source with the hydraulic cylinder; a pump connected with the hydraulic line to provide pressurized fluid to the hydraulic cylinder; valve means between the pump and the hydraulic cylinder in the hydraulic line to control fluid flow to the cylinder; flow detection means between the valve and the hydraulic cylinder to detect the flow through the line; indicator means in the form of a dial with indicia corresponding to depth of hole reached by the drilling tool, the indicator means being positioned to measure flow to and from the cylinder; a first pointer means connected with the dial to indicate depth of the drilling tool; and a second pointer means to indicate the depth of the borehole.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
168 words
A depth determining apparatus for an earth boring machine of the type having a cylinder, a piston carried in the cylinder, a rotatable drive kelly connected with the piston and adapted to support a drilling tool, the improvement which comprises in combination: a fluid source; a hydraulic line connecting the fluid source with the hydraulic cylinder; a pump connected with the hydraulic line to provide pressurized fluid to the hydraulic cylinder; valve means between the pump and the hydraulic cylinder in the hydraulic line to control fluid flow to the cylinder; flow detection means between the valve and the hydraulic cylinder to detect the flow through the line; indicator means in the form of a dial with indicia corresponding to depth of hole reached by the drilling tool, the indicator means being positioned to measure flow to and from the cylinder; a first pointer means connected with the dial to indicate depth of the drilling tool; and a second pointer means to indicate the depth of the borehole.
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) | 1985-07-19 | 1986-01-18 | 1986-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-19 | 1990-01-18 | 1990-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-19 | 1994-01-18 | 1994-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |