Boring or penetrating the earth – Bit or bit element – Bit with leading portion forming smaller diameter initial bore
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-10
2003-02-25
Bagnell, David (Department: 3672)
Boring or penetrating the earth
Bit or bit element
Bit with leading portion forming smaller diameter initial bore
C175S078000, C175S320000, C175S426000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06523624
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to drive systems for transmitting rotational power to an output and more particularly, to a sectional drive system which is characterized by multiple, splined, interlocking drive segments that each include truncated and tapered exterior splines extending from one surface of a round segment base and interior splines extending from the opposite surface of the segment base and having interior spline seats located between the interior splines, which interior spline seats are substantially complementary to the configuration of the exterior splines. The drive segments are nested and interlocked by inserting the exterior splines of one drive segment in the congruent interior spline seats between adjacent interior splines of the adjacent drive segment, and are rotated in concert as a drive string in a selected path. The path may be straight or curved and in the latter case, the interlocking drive segments are capable of slight angular shifting on each other while maintaining a drive configuration of high integrity to dampen the drive vibration, define the chosen curved drive path and facilitate transmission of rotation from a drive mechanism to an output device with considerable torque and thrust. The nested drive segments can be interconnected interiorly by means of a cable or rod or exteriorly by floating collars and therefore, can be used as a drive train in any application in which a transfer of rotation is required in a straight line or at substantially any angle or deviation from a straight line. The sectional drive system may, for example, be used to effect horizontal drilling or coring of producing hydrocarbon intervals in oil and gas wells, utilizing the multiple, stacked and tapered, interlocking drive segments driven by a downhole drilling motor at one end of the drive string to operate a drill bit connected to the opposite end of the drive string. Retrieval of the drive string from the interval may be typically facilitated by a cable extended through openings in the drive segments. Consequently, the sectional drive system of this invention can be used in a downhole drilling apparatus to more efficiently effect drilling deviation in a controlled manner from a vertical well bore and provide a primary horizontal deviation or a lateral deviation from an existing vertical well bore. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a drill bit having a removable center bit insert is mounted on the bottom one of the drive segments on the drive string, and is characterized by multiple interior splines which engage the companion exterior splines of the drive segment.
While capable of being operated in an extremely efficient manner to permit horizontal or angular drilling of drain hole perforations in oil wells, the sectional drive system of this invention can also be implemented to transmit rotational power from substantially any drive system to an output apparatus, drive or other system under circumstances where the rotational power is to be transmitted in an offset or a curved line. Accordingly, the sectional drive system of this invention is preferably designed with truncated drive segments and is capable of being used to transmit rotation from an engine, motor or other power source to automobiles, mud motors and like apparatus and equipment, as well as to dental drills, robotic devices and material-handling equipment, in non-exclusive particular.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventional techniques for effecting the transmission of rotational power between a power source and an output under circumstances where the power is to be transmitted in an offset or curved manner, includes the use of coupling mechanisms such as a universal or “CV” joint which are well known to those skilled in the art. For example, many devices have been designed for lowering into an oil or gas well for the purpose of boring and drilling holes at right angles to the well bore at the production interval, but many problems have been encountered using these systems. Typically, the relatively low bit rotational speed generally necessitated by using curved shafts of various design sometimes requires excessive time to achieve significant penetration, and increasing the bit rotational speed and torque load frequently causes failure of the shafts. Accordingly, these conventional horizontal drilling devices have not proved capable of sustaining the high compressive loads necessary to penetrate the well casing, concrete sheath, rock and producing interval in a well within an economical time frame without failure. Other problems have been encountered, such as impediments to bit retrieval and reduced freedom of rotation of the drilling string in such application.
Among the directional drilling apparatus designed to achieve this function are those detailed in the following U.S. Patentes: U.S. Pat. No. 1,367,042, to Granville; U.S. Pat. No. 2,516,421, to Robertson; U.S. Pat. No. 2,539,047, to Arutunoff; U.S. Pat. No. 2,726,847, to McCune; U.S. Pat. No. 2,778,603, to McCune; U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,556, to Henderson; U.S. Pat. No. 3,903,974, to Cullen; U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,649, to Bull et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,051,908, to Driver; U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,705, to Bullard; U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,986, to Cousins; U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,908, to Stenbock; U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,353 to Schuh et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,815, to Spies; U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,916, to Bond; U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,224, to Burton; U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,067, to Felsma; U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,839, to Warren et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,906, to Braddick; U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,858, to Peters et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,184, to Landers; U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,866, to James E. Cousins et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,283 to James E. Cousins.
It is an object of this invention to provide a sectional drive system for transmitting rotational power in a straight path or a deviated, curved or offset path to an output of selected character.
Another object of this invention is to provide a sectional drive system for transmitting rotational power in a straight path or in a curved path offset from a source of power to an output, which sectional drive system includes multiple, splined, interlocking drive segments that are stacked and nested to rotate as a drive string responsive to application of rotational power to one end of the drive string in order to rotate the output at the opposite end of the drive string.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a sectional drive system of selected length and size, the drive system including multiple, splined, interlocking drive segments which each includes a round segment base having multiple protruding, tapered and truncated exterior splines, as well as alternating interior splines and interior spline seats in the base for receiving the projecting, tapered and truncated exterior splines of an adjacent drive segment. Multiple exterior base splines provided at the bases of the exterior splines on one drive segment engage multiple interior base splines provided on the adjacent drive segment. The drive segments are stacked and nested as a drive string within or without a guide path such as a tube, with the segments typically interconnected by a cable, rod or floating “collar” for dampening drive mechanism vibration and transmitting rotational power between the drive system and an output.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a sectional drive system having drive segments with asymmetrical splines and coupled to a drill bit for drilling one or more drain holes of selected depth and angle into a producing interval of an oil or gas well to increase the flow of hydrocarbons or gas from the interval into the well bore.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a self-contained sectional drive system characterized by multiple, splined and interlocking drive segments which can be stacked and nested, optionally on a cable, shaft or rod as a drive string, or fitted with locking grooves and cooperating external floating collars, in a straight or curved guide path. On
Boyter Ruben C.
Cousins James E.
Bagnell David
Harrison John M.
Walker Zakiya
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