Boring or penetrating the earth – Automatic control – Of advance or applied tool weight
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-30
2001-05-15
Will, Thomas B. (Department: 3671)
Boring or penetrating the earth
Automatic control
Of advance or applied tool weight
C175S317000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230821
ABSTRACT:
FIELD
The present invention pertains to drilling rigs; more particularly, the present invention pertains to an apparatus used to control the force on a drill bit which is operated by a drilling rig.
BACKGROUND
In operations involving the drilling of vertical, directional, or horizontal wells, there is a need for accurately controlling the weight of the drill string on a drill bit.
The need to accurately control the weight of the drill string on the rotary drill bit is particularly critical when drilling either directional or horizontal wells. In directional or horizontal wells, the weight on the drill bit affects the angular deviation of the drilled hole away from the vertical. By obtaining an accurate time measurement of the duration of travel of the rotary drill bit within the well bore, together with providing a way of accurately limiting the loads that drillers can place on a rotary drill assembly, it is possible to execute delicate and sophisticated drilling operations while minimizing down hole tool failures and maximizing the life of the rotary drill bit.
While a variety of complex systems have been proposed for controlling the weight on a rotary drill bit, the need remains for a simple, easy-to-use, easy-to-maintain system that allows drillers to execute delicate and sophisticated drilling operations while at the same time minimizing down hole tool failures and maximizing the life of expensive drill bit assemblies.
SUMMARY
The simple easy-to-use, and easy-to-maintain drill bit weight control system of the present invention allows drillers to execute delicate and sophisticated drilling operations while minimizing down hole tool wear and maximizing drill bit life. The disclosed invention provides a controllable upward force on a drill string while at the same time enabling rotation of the drill string within the well bore. The controllable upward force is provided by a piston and cylinder assembly which is interposed between the power swivel, which provides rotary force for tuning the drill string, and the top of the drill string. The drill string is connected to the bottom of the piston which is slidable within the cylinder assembly. A hydraulic pressure system provides force on the bottom surface of the piston so that the piston will provide an upward force on the drill string. A profiled Kelly drive shaft extends through the piston and the downwardly extending piston rod. The profiled Kelly drive shaft provides rotary force from the power swivel to the drill string.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3550697 (1970-12-01), Hobhouse
patent: 3648783 (1972-03-01), Lackey
patent: 4660656 (1987-04-01), Warren et al.
patent: 5806611 (1998-09-01), Van Den Steen et al.
Forney Larry R.
Warren Jasper Newton
Goldrus Producing Company
Jenkens & Gilchrist
Petravick Meredith C.
Will Thomas B.
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