Stabilizing drill collar

Claim 2

A stabilizing drill collar connectable in a drill string comprising: an elongated body having eight flat sides of substantially the same width extending longitudinally along the length thereof, with pairs of sides being diametrically opposite, and having a longitudinal internal flow passage extending therethrough; the elongated body having an effective diameter measured between the middle of opposing flat sides of said elongated body; a plurality of wear members welded to at least four alternating sides of said eight sides and extending longitudinally along at least a portion of said sides; a plurality of longitudinally extending rib members connecting said wear members along each side containing said wear members, whereby there is a longitudinally continuous combination of wear members and rib members; and said wear members being welded to said sides on portions outside said effective diameter wherein the area of said collar affected by the heat of welding said wear members thereto is outside said diameter of said elongated body.

Claim 3

The stabilizing drill collar of claim 1, including means for connecting said drill collar in a string of drilling members with a drill bit and wherein said longitudinal internal flow passage is of sufficient size to allow passage therethrough of fluids.

Claim 4

The stabilizing drill collar of claim 2, wherein said eight sides are essentially equal in width and extend longitudinally along said body with only a portion on each end of said body being round to provide means for connecting said drill collars in said string.

Claim 5

The stabilizing drill collar of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of wear members is replaceable.

Claim 6

The stabilizing drill collar of claim 1, wherein the wear members welded to the drill collar are shaped to have an essentially flat bottom surface in contact with a side of said drill collar.

Claim 7

A stabilizing drill collar connectable in a drill string comprising: an elongated body having eight flat sides of substantially the same width extending longitudinally along the length thereof, with pairs of sides being diametrially opposite, and having a longitudinal internal flow passage extending therethrough; the elongated body having an effective diameter measured between the middle of opposing flat sides of said elongated body; a plurality of sets of wear members welded to at least four alternating sides of said eight sides and extending longitudinally along a major portion of each of said alternating sides, and wherein a set of said wear members is positioned to terminate at essentially each end of said drill collar, with each set of wear members comprising at least four wear members welded on each of said alternating sides, said wear members being connected by rib members which are welded to said sides; and said wear members and said rib members being welded to said sides on portions outside said effective diameter wherein the area of said drill collar affected by the heat of welding said wear members and rib members thereto is outside said effective diameter of said elongated body.

Claim 8

A stabilizing drill collar connectable in a drill string comprising: an elongated body having eight flat sides of substantially the same width extending longitudinally along the length thereof, with pairs of sides being diametrially opposite, and having a longitudinal internal flow passage extending therethrough; the elongated body having an effective diameter measured between the middle of opposing flat sides of said elongated body; a plurality of sets of wear members welded to at least four alternating sides of said eight sides and extending longitudinally along a major portion of each of said alternating sides, and wherein a set of said wear members is positioned to terminate at essentially each end of said drill collar, with each set of wear members comprising at least four wear members welded on each of said alternating sides, said wear members being connected by rib members which are welded to said sides; and said wear members and said rib members being welded to said sides on portions outside said effective diameter wherein the area of said drill collar affected by the heat of welding said wear members and rib members thereto is outside said effective diameter of said elongated body.

Claim 9

The stabilizing drill collar of claim 6, wherein there are eight wear members in each set, with two wear members of each set positioned on alternating sides of said drill collar.

Claim 10

The stabilizing drill collar of claim 6, wherein there is welded to said drill collar a set of wear members positioned at essentially the middle thereof.

Claim 11

The stabilizing drill collar of claim 6, wherein the wear members welded to the drill collar are shaped to have an essentially flat bottom surface in contact with a side of said drill collar.

Claim 12

The stabilizing drill collar of claim 6, wherein the wear members welded to the drill collar are shaped to have a portion of the bottom surface thereof extending vertically therefrom with said extending portion being received and positioned in a matching cavity formed in the surface of said drill collar.