US4850440A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for making a hole in the ground
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-08-10
•
Granted: 1989-07-25
•
Expires: 2007-08-10
Abstract
Abstract The head is carried by two flexible continuous drill pipes which surround each other and which are flexible enough to be uncoiled from a reel but which are still rigid enough almost not to get twisted in the ground on themselves or relative to each other during the operation of the head. The head is directed in the ground by means of fluid which is pumped through one of the pipes and wherewith the head is repelled relative to the wall of the already formed portion of the hole. One of the pipes connects to one or more directable spray nozzles on the front end of the head, the other one connects to one or more sidewise-issueing openings wherein preferably a directable spray nozzle is mounted.
Inventors
- 👤 Nic H. W. Smet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:02
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B17/00; E21B17/20; E21B17/203; E21B19/00; E21B19/22; E21B21/00; E21B21/12; E21B7/00; E21B7/04; E21B7/06; E21B7/065; E21B7/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A method for making a hole in the ground, according to which a head,- having at least one spray opening which opens outside said head on that end lying forward in the direction of the hole to be made and at least one sidewise-issueing opening, which head is connected to two somewhat flexible continuous drill pipes which are connected to said heads and which are flexible enough to be coiled on a reel and uncoiled therefrom, but which are still rigid enough almost not to get twisted in the ground on themselves or relative to one another during the operation of the head, one of said pipes communicating with said spray opening on the forward end of the head, the other pipe communicating with said sidewise-issueing opening, is driven into the ground notably by pumping fluid under a first high pressure through that pipe which opens on the opening in the forward-lying head end, fluid being at least temporarily pumped under another second pressure through the other pipe, the head being directed in the ground by means of fluid which is pumped through at least one of the pipes and wherewith the head s repelled relative to the wall of the already-formed portion of the hole, until said head has the required direction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
213 words
A method for making a hole in the ground, according to which a head,- having at least one spray opening which opens outside said head on that end lying forward in the direction of the hole to be made and at least one sidewise-issueing opening, which head is connected to two somewhat flexible continuous drill pipes which are connected to said heads and which are flexible enough to be coiled on a reel and uncoiled therefrom, but which are still rigid enough almost not to get twisted in the ground on themselves or relative to one another during the operation of the head, one of said pipes communicating with said spray opening on the forward end of the head, the other pipe communicating with said sidewise-issueing opening, is driven into the ground notably by pumping fluid under a first high pressure through that pipe which opens on the opening in the forward-lying head end, fluid being at least temporarily pumped under another second pressure through the other pipe, the head being directed in the ground by means of fluid which is pumped through at least one of the pipes and wherewith the head s repelled relative to the wall of the already-formed portion of the hole, until said head has the required direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1, wherein use is made of a head which comprises at least in one spray opening on the front end, a directable spray nozzle and the head is directed by adjusting the direction of said spray nozzle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 1, wherein use is made of a head which comprises in a spray opening on the front end, a spray nozzle adjustable in itself relative to the head, and said spray nozzle is adjusted in direction by adjusting same in itself relative to that portion of the spray head it is mounted on.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 1, wherein use is made of a head which comprises at least in one spray opening on its front end a spray nozzle, and which has a rotatable portion whereon said spray nozzle is provided, said spray nozzle being adjustable in direction notably by revolving that portion of the head with said spray nozzle relative to the head remainder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1, wherein use is made of a head which comprises at least two spray openings on the front end, whereby the flow rate of at least one of them is adjustable, and the head is directed by adjusting the flow rate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, wherein use is made of a head which comprises in at least one sidewise-issueing opening, a directable spray nozzle and the head is directed by adjusting the direction of said spray nozzle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1, wherein use is made of a head, which comprises at least two sidewise-issueing openings, whereby the flow rate from one of which at least is adjustable, and the head is directed by adjusting said flow rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1, wherein use is made of a head which comprises one or a plurality of sidewise-issueing spray openings lying asymmetrically over the circumference, whereby the head proper is rotatable or comprises a part which is rotatable about the axis thereof, in which part said latter spray openings lie, and the head is directed by revolving same or the rotatable part thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible pipes are uncoiled from or coiled on a reel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the pipes are straightened before feeding same to the hole in the ground.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1, wherein use is made of two flexible pipes which surround each other, and thus fluid under one pressure is pumped through the innermost pipe and fluid under the other pressure through the space between the outermost pipe and the innermost pipe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the fluid with the higher pressure is pumped through the innermost pipe, and the fluid under the lower pressure is pumped through the outermost pipe, around the innermost pipe.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid under the first pressure is being pumped under a pressure higher than 300 kg/cm 2 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid under the first pressure is being pumped with a first flow rate which is larger than 10 liters per minute.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid under the first pressure is being pumped with a first flow rate which lies between 100 and 150 liters per minute.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid under the second pressure is being pumped in the corresponding pipe with a pressure of about 200 kg/cm 2 .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2548616A
Cited
US3424255A
Cited
US3856095A
Cited
FR2493907A1
Cited
US4534427A
Cited
BE902391A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-24 | 1993-01-23 | 1993-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-24 | 1997-01-23 | 1997-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-24 | 2001-01-23 | 2001-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |