US4787465A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulic drilling apparatus and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-11-19
•
Granted: 1988-11-29
•
Expires: 2006-11-19
Abstract
Abstract Hydraulic drilling apparatus and method suitable for use in a variety of applications including the drilling of deep holes for oil and gas wells and the drilling of vertical, horizontal or slanted holes, drilling through both consolidated and unconsolidated formations, and cutting and removing core samples. The drill head produces a whirling mass of pressurized cutting fluid, and this whirling fluid is applied to a discharge nozzle to produce a high velocity cutting jet. The cutting action is enhanced by abrasive material in the drilling fluid. The direction of the borehole is controlled by controlling the discharge of the drilling fluid either in side jets directed radially from the distal end portion of the drill string which carries the drill head or in a plurality of forwardly directed cutting jets.
Inventors
- 👤 Ben W. O. Dickinson, III
- 👤 Robert W. Dickinson
- 👤 Richard R. Jensen
- 👤 Sherman C. May
- 👤 Charles S. Mackey
- 👤 Robert D. Wilkes, Jr.
- 👤 Paul S. Turin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:57
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/18; E21B10/00; E21B10/60; E21B47/00; E21B47/01; E21B7/04; E21B7/06; E21B7/065; E21B7/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
In apparatus for drilling a borehole in the earth: a drill head having means for discharging a cutting jet of drilling fluid in a generally axial direction to form the borehole, means for supplying pressurized drilling fluid to the drill head, and means responsive to orientation of the drill head for discharging a portion of the drilling fluid to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
In apparatus for drilling a borehole in the earth: a drill head having means for discharging a cutting jet of drilling fluid in a generally axial direction to form the borehole, means for supplying pressurized drilling fluid to the drill head, and means responsive to orientation of the drill head for discharging a portion of the drilling fluid to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for discharging a portion of the drilling fluid to control the direction in which the hole is cut includes a plurality of discharge openings and means for controlling the amount of drilling fluid discharged through each of said openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the discharge openings face in radial directions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the discharge openings face in axial directions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the drill head is mounted at the distal end of a tubular drill string, and the means for controlling the amount of drilling fluid delivered includes valve members movable between open and closed positions relative to the discharge openings in response to the curvature of the drill string.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the drill head is mounted at the distal end of a tubular drill string, and the means for controlling the amount of drilling fluid delivered includes valve members movable between open and closed positions relative to the discharge openings in response to a control signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drill head has a plurality of forwardly facing discharge nozzles for delivering cutting jets of drilling fluid toward the distal end of the borehole and means for controlling the discharge of fluid through each of the nozzles to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means for controlling the discharge of fluid through the nozzles includes means for controlling the relative amounts of drilling fluid delivered through respective ones of the nozzles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
In hydraulic drilling apparatus: a drill head having a discharge nozzle for delivering a cutting jet of drilling fluid in an axial direction, means for supplying pressurized drilling fluid to the drill head, a plurality of radially facing discharge openings, and means responsive to orientation of the drill head for selectively discharging a portion of the drilling fluid through the radially facing openings to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
In hydraulic drilling apparatus: a drill head having a discharge nozzle for delivering a cutting jet of drilling fluid in an axial direction, means for supplying pressurized drilling fluid to the drill head, a plurality of radially facing discharge openings, and means responsive to orientation of the drill head for selectively discharging a portion of the drilling fluid through the radially facing openings to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the means for selectively discharging a portion of the drilling fluid through the radially facing openings includes valve members movable between open and closed positions relative to the openings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
In hydraulic drilling apparatus: a drill head having a plurality of axially facing discharge nozzles spaced about an axis for delivering jets of drilling fluid in an axial direction, flow directors movable between axially advanced and retracted positions relative to the discharge nozzles for controlling the jets delivered by the nozzles, and means for moving the flow directors between their advanced and retracted positions to control the direction in which a hole is cut by the jets.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
In hydraulic drilling apparatus: a drill head having a plurality of axially facing discharge nozzles spaced about an axis for delivering jets of drilling fluid in an axial direction, flow directors movable between axially advanced and retracted positions relative to the discharge nozzles for controlling the jets delivered by the nozzles, and means for moving the flow directors between their advanced and retracted positions to control the direction in which a hole is cut by the jets.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
79 words
In hydraulic drilling apparatus: a drill head having a plurality of axially facing discharge nozzles spaced about the axis of the drill head for delivering jets of drilling fluid in an axial direction, and a pair of relatively rotatable throttle plates coaxially of the drill head and having flow control apertures which can be rotated into and out of registration with the discharge nozzles to control the relative amounts of drilling fluid delivered to respective ones of the nozzles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
79 words
In hydraulic drilling apparatus: a drill head having a plurality of axially facing discharge nozzles spaced about the axis of the drill head for delivering jets of drilling fluid in an axial direction, and a pair of relatively rotatable throttle plates coaxially of the drill head and having flow control apertures which can be rotated into and out of registration with the discharge nozzles to control the relative amounts of drilling fluid delivered to respective ones of the nozzles.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 12 including means responsive to the orientation of the drill head for controlling the relative positions of the throttle plates.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
81 words
In hydraulic drilling apparatus: a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drill fluid is supplied, a drill head at the distal end of the drill string for delivering an axially directed cutting jet of the drilling fluid, a side jet positioned near the distal end of the drill string for discharging a jet of fluid in a redial direction, and means responsive to orientation of the drill head for controlling operation of the side jet to steer the drill head.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
81 words
In hydraulic drilling apparatus: a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drill fluid is supplied, a drill head at the distal end of the drill string for delivering an axially directed cutting jet of the drilling fluid, a side jet positioned near the distal end of the drill string for discharging a jet of fluid in a redial direction, and means responsive to orientation of the drill head for controlling operation of the side jet to steer the drill head.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a method of drilling a borehole in the earth with a hydraulic drill head at the distal end of a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drilling fluid is applied, the steps of: discharging a high speed jet of drilling fluid from the drill head to cut into the earth in front of the drill head, discharging a side jet of pressurized fluid in a radial direction from the distal end portion of the drill string to steer the drill head within the earth, and controlling the discharge of the side jet in accordance with the orientation of the end portion of the drill string.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a method of drilling a borehole in the earth with a hydraulic drill head at the distal end of a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drilling fluid is applied, the steps of: discharging a high speed jet of drilling fluid from the drill head to cut into the earth in front of the drill head, discharging a side jet of pressurized fluid in a radial direction from the distal end portion of the drill string to steer the drill head within the earth, and controlling the discharge of the side jet in accordance with the orientation of the end portion of the drill string.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the discharge of the side jet is controlled from the surface of the earth.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a method of drilling a borehole in the earth with a hydraulic drill head at the distal end of a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drilling fluid is applied, the steps of: discharging a plurality of generally axially directed jets of the drilling fluid through nozzles spaced about the axis of the drill head, and controlling the cutting patterns of the respective jets to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a method of drilling a borehole in the earth with a hydraulic drill head at the distal end of a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drilling fluid is applied, the steps of: discharging a plurality of generally axially directed jets of the drilling fluid through nozzles spaced about the axis of the drill head, and controlling the cutting patterns of the respective jets to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the jets are controlled by axially advancing and retracting flow directors relative to the discharge nozzles to vary the shapes of the jets.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the jets are controlled by controlling the amount of drilling fluid discharged through respective ones of the jets.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the jets are controlled in accordance with the orientation of the drill head.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
88 words
In apparatus for drilling a borehole in the earth: a drill head having a plurality of forwardly facing discharge nozzles for delivering cutting jets of drilling fluid in a generally axial direction to form a borehole, flow directing vanes movable between axially advanced and retracted positions to control the widths of the jets delivered by the nozzles, and means for moving the vanes between their advanced and retracted positions to control the discharge of fluid through the nozzles to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
88 words
In apparatus for drilling a borehole in the earth: a drill head having a plurality of forwardly facing discharge nozzles for delivering cutting jets of drilling fluid in a generally axial direction to form a borehole, flow directing vanes movable between axially advanced and retracted positions to control the widths of the jets delivered by the nozzles, and means for moving the vanes between their advanced and retracted positions to control the discharge of fluid through the nozzles to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the means for moving the vanes between their advanced and retracted positions is responsive to the orientation of the drill head.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the means for moving the vanes between their advanced and retracted positions is responsive to a control signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
91 words
In apparatus for drilling a borehole in the earth: a drill head having a plurality of forwardly facing discharge nozzles for delivering cutting jets of drilling fluid in a generally axial direction to form the borehole, and a pair of relatively rotatable throttle plates positioned co-axially of the drill head and having flow control apertures adapted to be selectively positioned in or out of registration with the nozzles to control the amount of fluid delivered through respective ones of the nozzles to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
91 words
In apparatus for drilling a borehole in the earth: a drill head having a plurality of forwardly facing discharge nozzles for delivering cutting jets of drilling fluid in a generally axial direction to form the borehole, and a pair of relatively rotatable throttle plates positioned co-axially of the drill head and having flow control apertures adapted to be selectively positioned in or out of registration with the nozzles to control the amount of fluid delivered through respective ones of the nozzles to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 24 including means responsive to the orientation of the drill head for rotating the throttle plates to position the apertures to control the amount of fluid delivered to the respective nozzles.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
84 words
In apparatus for drilling a borehole in the earth: a drill head having a plurality of forwardly facing discharge nozzles for delivering cutting jets of drilling fluid in a generally axial direction to form the borehole, flow directing vanes adapted to rotate about the axes of respective ones of the nozzles, and means for controlling the rate at which each of the vanes rotates to control the direction in which the hole is cut by controlling the discharge of fluid through the respective nozzles.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
84 words
In apparatus for drilling a borehole in the earth: a drill head having a plurality of forwardly facing discharge nozzles for delivering cutting jets of drilling fluid in a generally axial direction to form the borehole, flow directing vanes adapted to rotate about the axes of respective ones of the nozzles, and means for controlling the rate at which each of the vanes rotates to control the direction in which the hole is cut by controlling the discharge of fluid through the respective nozzles.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the vane is rotated by the flow of the fluid, and the means for controlling the rate at which the vane rotates includes means for retarding the rotation of the vane.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
90 words
In a method of drilling a borehole in the earth with a hydraulic drill head at the distal end of a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drilling fluid is applied, the steps of: discharging a plurality of generally axially directed jets of the drilling fluid through nozzles spaced about the axis of the drill head, and rotating apertured throttle plates relative to the nozzles to control the amount of drilling fluid discharged through respective ones of the nozzles to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
90 words
In a method of drilling a borehole in the earth with a hydraulic drill head at the distal end of a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drilling fluid is applied, the steps of: discharging a plurality of generally axially directed jets of the drilling fluid through nozzles spaced about the axis of the drill head, and rotating apertured throttle plates relative to the nozzles to control the amount of drilling fluid discharged through respective ones of the nozzles to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a method of drilling a borehole in the earth with a hydraulic drill head at the distal end of a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drilling fluid is applied, the steps of: supplying the drilling fluid through rotating vaned flow directors to a plurality of nozzles spaced about the axis of the drill head, and controlling the speed at which the flow directors rotate to control the cutting patterns of the respective jets and thereby control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a method of drilling a borehole in the earth with a hydraulic drill head at the distal end of a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drilling fluid is applied, the steps of: supplying the drilling fluid through rotating vaned flow directors to a plurality of nozzles spaced about the axis of the drill head, and controlling the speed at which the flow directors rotate to control the cutting patterns of the respective jets and thereby control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the flow directors are rotatively driven by the drilling fluid, and braking forces are applied to flow directors to control the speed at which the directors rotate.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
73 words
In hydraulic drilling apparatus: a drill head having a discharge nozzle for delivering a cutting jet of drilling fluid in an axial direction, means for supplying pressurized drilling fluid to the drill head, a plurality of radially facing discharge openings, and valve members movable between open and closed positions relative to the radially facing openings in response to curvature of the drill string to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
73 words
In hydraulic drilling apparatus: a drill head having a discharge nozzle for delivering a cutting jet of drilling fluid in an axial direction, means for supplying pressurized drilling fluid to the drill head, a plurality of radially facing discharge openings, and valve members movable between open and closed positions relative to the radially facing openings in response to curvature of the drill string to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
85 words
In hydraulic drilling apparatus: a drill head having a plurality of axially facing discharge nozzles spaced about an axis for delivering jets of drilling fluid in an axial direction, flow directors movable between axially advanced and retracted positions relative to the discharge nozzles for controlling the jets delivered by the nozzles, and means responsive to the orientation of the drill head for moving the flow directors between their advanced and retracted positions to control the direction in which a hole is cut by the jets.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
85 words
In hydraulic drilling apparatus: a drill head having a plurality of axially facing discharge nozzles spaced about an axis for delivering jets of drilling fluid in an axial direction, flow directors movable between axially advanced and retracted positions relative to the discharge nozzles for controlling the jets delivered by the nozzles, and means responsive to the orientation of the drill head for moving the flow directors between their advanced and retracted positions to control the direction in which a hole is cut by the jets.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
87 words
In hydraulic drilling apparatus: a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drill fluid is supplied, a drill head at the distal end of the drill string for delivering an axially directed cutting jet of the drilling fluid, a side jet positioned near the distal end of the drill string for discharging a jet of fluid in a radial direction, means for sensing curvature of the drill string, and means responsive to the sensing means for controlling operation of the side jet to steer the drill head.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
87 words
In hydraulic drilling apparatus: a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drill fluid is supplied, a drill head at the distal end of the drill string for delivering an axially directed cutting jet of the drilling fluid, a side jet positioned near the distal end of the drill string for discharging a jet of fluid in a radial direction, means for sensing curvature of the drill string, and means responsive to the sensing means for controlling operation of the side jet to steer the drill head.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
86 words
In hydraulic drilling apparatus: a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drill fluid is supplied, a drill head at the distal end of the drill string for delivering an axially directed cutting jet of the drilling fluid, a discharge opening in the side wall of the drill string for discharging a jet of fluid in a radial direction, and a valve member movable between open and closed positions relative to the discharge opening for controlling operation of the side jet to steer the drill head.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
86 words
In hydraulic drilling apparatus: a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drill fluid is supplied, a drill head at the distal end of the drill string for delivering an axially directed cutting jet of the drilling fluid, a discharge opening in the side wall of the drill string for discharging a jet of fluid in a radial direction, and a valve member movable between open and closed positions relative to the discharge opening for controlling operation of the side jet to steer the drill head.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 34 including an axially movable control rod connected to the valve member and to the drill string for moving the valve member to its open position in response to curvature of the drill string.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a method of drilling a borehole in the earth with a hydraulic drill head at the distal end of a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drilling fluid is applied, the steps of: discharging a high speed jet of drilling fluid from the drill head to cut into the earth in front of the drill head, discharging a portion of the drilling fluid to control the direction in which the hole is cut, and controlling the discharge of the portion of the drilling fluid in accordance with curvature of the drill string to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a method of drilling a borehole in the earth with a hydraulic drill head at the distal end of a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drilling fluid is applied, the steps of: discharging a high speed jet of drilling fluid from the drill head to cut into the earth in front of the drill head, discharging a portion of the drilling fluid to control the direction in which the hole is cut, and controlling the discharge of the portion of the drilling fluid in accordance with curvature of the drill string to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a method of drilling a borehole in the earth with a hydraulic drill head at the distal end of a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drilling fluid is applied, the steps of: discharging a high speed jet of drilling fluid from the drill head to cut into the earth in front of the drill head, discharging a portion of the drilling fluid to control the direction in which the hole is cut, and controlling the discharge of the portion of the drilling fluid in accordance with the orientation of the drill head to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a method of drilling a borehole in the earth with a hydraulic drill head at the distal end of a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drilling fluid is applied, the steps of: discharging a high speed jet of drilling fluid from the drill head to cut into the earth in front of the drill head, discharging a portion of the drilling fluid to control the direction in which the hole is cut, and controlling the discharge of the portion of the drilling fluid in accordance with the orientation of the drill head to control the direction in which the hole is cut.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 37 wherein a portion of the drilling fluid is discharged through each of a plurality of discharge openings to control the trajectory of the drill string.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the portions of the drilling fluid are discharged in radial directions.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the portions of the drilling fluid are directed in a forward direction.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a method of drilling a borehole in the earth with a hydraulic drill head at the distal end of a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drilling fluid is applied, the steps of: discharging a high speed jet of drilling fluid from the drill head to cut into the earth in front of the drill head, discharging a side jet of pressurized fluid in a radial direction from the distal end portion of the drill string to steer the drill head within the earth, and controlling the discharge of the side jet in accordance with the curvature of the drill string.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a method of drilling a borehole in the earth with a hydraulic drill head at the distal end of a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drilling fluid is applied, the steps of: discharging a high speed jet of drilling fluid from the drill head to cut into the earth in front of the drill head, discharging a side jet of pressurized fluid in a radial direction from the distal end portion of the drill string to steer the drill head within the earth, and controlling the discharge of the side jet in accordance with the curvature of the drill string.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a method of drilling a borehole in the earth with a hydraulic drill head at the distal end of a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drilling fluid is applied, the steps of: discharging a high speed jet of drilling fluid from the drill head to cut into the earth in front of the drill head, discharging a side jet of pressurized fluid in a radial direction from the distal end portion of the drill string to steer the drill head within the earth, and controlling the discharge of the side jet by advancing and retracting a control rod in a direction parallel to the axis of the drill string in response to curvature of the drill string to open and close an orifice through which the side jet is discharged.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a method of drilling a borehole in the earth with a hydraulic drill head at the distal end of a tubular drill string to which a pressurized drilling fluid is applied, the steps of: discharging a high speed jet of drilling fluid from the drill head to cut into the earth in front of the drill head, discharging a side jet of pressurized fluid in a radial direction from the distal end portion of the drill string to steer the drill head within the earth, and controlling the discharge of the side jet by advancing and retracting a control rod in a direction parallel to the axis of the drill string in response to curvature of the drill string to open and close an orifice through which the side jet is discharged.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of monitoring the curvature of the drill string and moving the control rod with an actuator to open and close the orifice in accordance with the curvature.
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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) | 1991-11-29 | 1992-05-30 | 1992-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-29 | 1996-05-30 | 1996-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-29 | 2000-05-30 | 2000-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |