US3923109A

US3923109A - Drill tool

Info

Publication number: US3923109A
Application number: US552447A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Edward B Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1975-02-24
Filing date: 1975-02-24
Publication date: 1975-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 1992-12-02

Abstract

An improved drill tool for drilling earth, rock, and the like as in oil industry operations includes a body member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms or lugs extending generally longitudinally from the body member and each having an axle portion thereon for rotatably mounting a cutting cone. The drill tool has a first flow passage with a nozzle member mounted in the end thereof and having a plurality of orifices each positioned to direct drilling fluid toward and across a bottom of the drill hole and between respective pairs of adjacent cutting cones. The drill tool has a second plurality of flow passages each having an upwardly extending portion adapted to induce upwardly flow of drilling debris dislodged by drilling fluid from a respective one of the orifices in the nozzle member. The drill tool has a third plurality of flow passages each having an end portion thereof positioned to direct drilling fluid toward an intersection of a side and the bottom of the drill hole in a manner to join with the flow of drilling fluid from respective orifices in the nozzle member and respective passages of the second plurality of flow passages.

Description

United States Patent Williams, Jr.

l 5l Dec. 2, 1975 l l DRILL TOOL [57] ABSTRACT [76] Inventor: Edward B. Williams, Jr., PO. Box

648, 103 Mummcy Road An improved drill tool for drilling earth. rock. and the Greenville 75401 like in oil industry operations includes a body member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms 2 Flled: 24,1975 or lugs extending generally longitudinally from the [21 I APPL 552,447 body member and each having an axle portion thereon for rotatably mounting a cutting cone. The drill tool J52} US. Cl. 175/340; l75/343; 175/353; has a first flow passage with a nozzle member l75/376 mounted in the end thereof and having a plurality of [SI lnt. Cl. E21B 9/10 orifices each positioned to direct drilling fluid toward [58] Field of Search 175/339, 340, 343, 337, and across a bottom of the drill hole and between rel75/353, 376; 308/82 spective pairs of adjacent cutting cones. The drill tool [56] References Cit has a second plurality of flow passages each having an upwardly extending portion adapted to induce up- 2634101 Z ZS PATENTS 175/340 X wardly flow of drilling debris dislodged by drilling I5 [/1957 H 175/3) fluid from a respective one of the orifices in the nozzle 2,805,045 9 1957 Goodwin...... 175/3 10 member The has a P' of 3.070.182 l2/l962 Runte l 175/339 Passages each havmg an end Pomo hereof PO51 111 171 19 3 Albers ct 175/340 X tioned to direct drilling fluid toward an intersection of 3.1131630 12/1963 Williams 175/340 21 Side and the bottom of the drill hole in manner to 3,144,087 8/l964 Williams 175/339 join with the flow of drilling fluid from respective ori- 3.844;363 10/1974 Williams 175/340 X fices in the nozzle member and respective passages of Primary Examiner-David H. Brown Attorney, Agent, or FirmFishburn, Gold & Litman the second plurality of flow passages.

10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 48 I 0 o I US. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 1 of 3 3,923,109

t Dec.21975 of3 3,923,109

U.S. Paten DRILL TOOL The present invention relates to earth drilling tools and more particularly to a drill tool for use in oil industry operations having a plurality of flow passages adapted to direct drilling fluid in paths effective to clean a drill hole and induce upwardly flow of drilling debris.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a drill tool for use in oil industry operations having a plurality of flow passages adapted to direct drilling fluid in paths effective to substantially clean a bottom of a drill hole and to induce upward flow of drilling debris; to provide such a drill tool having a plurality of flow passages therethrough positioned to direct drilling fluid into the drill hole to hydraulically sweep the bottom of the hole whereby teeth of each of the cutting cones are engaging new material rather than working in drilling debris; to provide such a drill tool wherein only one cutting cone has teeth positioned to engage an intersection of a side and a bottom of the drill tool whereby the drill hole is larger than the drill tool; to provide such a drill tool having flow passages adapted to direct drilling fluid into the drill hole and hydraulically sweep drilling debris ahead of the gauge cutting cone engaging the intersection of the side and bottom of the drill hole; to provide such a drill tool having a nozzle member in the end of a flow passage and having a plurality of orifices positioned to direct drilling fluid toward and across a bottom of the drill hole and between respective pairs of adjacent cutting cones; to provide such a drill tool having a plurality of upwardly directed flow passages with two passages positioned adjacent a leading portion and a trailing portion respectively of the arm having thereon the cutting cone engaging the intersection of the side and bottom of the drill hole; and to provide such a drill tool which is durable in use, balanced for smooth working, constructed for long operating life, economical to manufacture, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features of the drill tool.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a drill tool embodying features of the present invention and showing one flow passage for directing drilling fluid into a corner of the drill hole and an other flow passage having an upwardly directed portion to induce upward flow of drilling debris.

FIG. 2 is a second side elevational view of a drill tool showing a flow passage having an upwardly directed portion to induce upward flow of drilling debris.

FIG. 3 is a third side elevational view of the drill tool showing a flow passage having a portion for directing drilling fluid into another corner of the drill hole and an other flow passage having an upwardly directed portion FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the drill tool taken on line 5-5, FIG. 1 and looking downwardly toward the bottom of the drill hole.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 6-6, FIG. 5 and showing a first body portion and a cutting cone thereon.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 77, FIG. 5 and showing a second body portion and cutting cone thereon.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 88, FIG. 5 and showing a third body portion and cutting cone thereon.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a nozzle member showing a plurality of orifices positioned to direct drilling fluid between adjacent cutting cones.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 1 generally designates an improved drill tool for drilling earth, rock, and the like as in oil industry operations. The drill tool 1 includes a body member 2 having a passage 3 extending longitudinally thereof and between an open or fluid receiving end 4 and a closed end 5 of the body member 2. The drill tool 1 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms or

lugs

6, 7, and 8 each extending generally longitudinally from the body member 2 adjacent the closed end 5 of the passage 3 in the body member 2. The arms or

lugs

6, 7, and 8 have axle portions 9, l0, and 11 respectively extending therefrom and rotatably mounting thereon

cutting cones

12, 13, and 14 respectively each rotating about a respective axis which intersects a longitudinal axis of the body member 2 thereby defining a respective acute angle between the respective axis and the longitudinal axis of the body member 2.

The drill tool 1 has a first flow passage with a nozzle member mounted in an end thereof and having a plurality of orifices each positioned to direct drilling fluid toward and across a bottom 15 of the drill hole 16 and between respective pairs of adjacent cutting cones. The drill tool 1 has a second plurality of flow passages each having an upwardly extending portion adapted to induce upwardly flow of drilling debris dislodged by drilling fluid from a respective one of the orifices in the nozzle member. The drill tool 1 has a third plurality of flow passages each having an end portion thereof positioned to direct drilling fluid toward an intersection of a respective side 17 and the bottom 15 of the drill hole 16 in a manner to join with the flow of drilling fluid from respective orifices in the nozzle member and from respective passages of the second plurality of flow passages.

The body member 2 is illustrated as being of a generally cylindrical shape having a pin portion 18 of a selected length and with an exterior surface having threads for mounting in a box or lowermost tool joint of a tubular drill stem (not shown) which extends into the drill hole 16.

The drill tool 1 may have any number of cutting cones thereon, however, it has been found that three cutting cones can be arranged in a manner to provide teeth extending substantially the full transverse dimension of the drill tool 1. The

cutting cones

12, 13, and 14 are circumferentially spaced and positioned on one hundred twenty degrees (120) centers.

The first arm or lug 6 extends generally longitudinally from the body member 2 and has an outwardly and downwardly inclined exterior surface 19 whereby the arm or lug 6 is substantially larger adjacent the axle portion 9 thereof than at the closed end 5 of the passage 3, as best seen in FIG. 6. The first arm 6 is adapted to rotatably support the gauge cutting cone of the drill tool 1.

The axle portion 9 on the first arm or lug 6 extends downwardly and inwardly toward a longitudinal axis of the body member 2 and defines an axis of rotation of the gauge cutting cone 12 mounted thereon. The axis of rotation of the cutting cone l2 intersects the bottom 15 of the drill hole 16 at the center thereof. The axis of rotation is positioned to define an acute angle between the longitudinal axis of the body member 2 and the axis of rotation of the cutting cone 12. The first cutting cone 12 is positioned and adapted to define the gauge of the drill hole 16.

The illustrated axle portion 9 has a larger or first portion 20 extending from the first arm or lug 6 and a smaller or second portion 21 having a reduced diameter thereby defining a shoulder 22 between the larger and

smaller portions

20 and 21 respectively of the axle portion 9.

The second arm or lug 7 is illustrated as being substantially similar to the first arm or lug 6 except that the second arm or lug 7 has an exterior surface 23 which is sized to be spaced away from an adjacent side 17 of the drill hole 16, as best seen in FIG. 7.

The third arm or lug 8 as illustrated as being substantially similar to the second arm or lug 7 except that the third arm or lug- 8 has a flow passage 24 extending longitudinally therethrough and from the passage 3 in the body member 2 and substantially laterally centered in the third arm or lug 8, as best seen in FIG. 8. The flow passage 24 extends from the walls defining the passage 3 in the body member 2 and defines a generally L- shaped path having an end portion 25 thereof extending along an axis of rotation of the cutting cone 14. The end portion 25 of the flow passage 24 is positioned to direct drilling fluid toward and across the bottom 15 of the drill hole 16 and into a space between the first and second cutting cones l2 and 13.

Means 26 are mounted in an opening in the end portion 25 of the flow passage 24 to direct the drilling fluid toward the bottom 15 of the drill hole 16 and across the bottom 15 and between respective pairs of adjacent cutting cones.

The flow directing means 26 is illustrated as a nozzle mounted in the end portion 25 of the flow passage 24 and positioned in an end of the axle portion 11. The nozzle 26 has a first orifice 27 with an axis thereof in alignment with the axis of the axle portion 11 and positioned to direct the drilling fluid toward the second cutting cone 13 prior to flow across the bottom 15 of the drill hole 16 and between the first cutting cone l2 and the second cutting cone 13. The first orifice 27 and the

cutting cones

12, 13, and 14 are arranged in a manner such that the flow between the first and second cutting cones l2 and 13 is behind the first cutting cone l2 and ahead of the second cutting cone 13 in a manner to clear a space ahead of the second cutting cone l3 and move drilling debris toward the side 17 of the drill hole, for a purpose later described. The first orifice 27 of the nozzle 26 is thereby adapted to increase the'velocity of flow from the end portion 25 of the flow passage 24 and to direct same across the bottom 15 of the drill hole 16 ahead of the second cutting cone 13 as the flow enters the drill hole 16.

The nozzle 26 has a second orifice 28 with a flow path therethrough positioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between the second cutting cone 13 and the third cutting cone 14 in a manner to clear a space ahead of the third cutting cone and move drilling debris toward the side 17 of the drill hole 16, for a purpose later described.

The nozzle 26 has a third orifice 29 with a flow path therethrough positioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between the first cutting cone l2 and the third cutting cone 14 in a manner to clear a space ahead of the first cutting cone l2 and move drilling debris toward the side 17 of the drill hole 16, for a purpose later described.

The drill tool 1 includes a first body member extension 30 extending between the first and

second arms

6 and 7 of the body member 2. A first flow passage 31 of the second plurality of flow passages communicates with the passage 3 in the body member 2 and is substantially laterally centered in the first body member extension 30 and is thereby positioned between the adjacent first and

second arms

6 and 7. The first flow passage 31 of the second plurality of flow passages has an end portion 32 extending generally upwardly to induce upward flow of drilling debris dislodged by drilling fluid from the first orifice 27 of the nozzle member 26 and a first flow passage 33 of the third plurality of flow passages.

The drill tool 1 includes a second body member extension 34 extending between the second and

third arms

7 and 8 of the body member 2. A second flow passage 35 of the second plurality of flow passages communicates with the passage 3 in the body member 2 and is substantially laterally centered in the second body member extension 34 and is thereby positioned between the adjacent second and

third arms

7 and 8. The second flow passage 35 of the second plurality of flow passages has an end portion 36 extending generally upwardly to induce upward flow of drilling debris dislodged by drilling fluid from the second orifice 28 of the nozzle member 26.

The drill tool 1 includes a third body member extension 37 extending between the first and

third arms

6 and 8 of the body member 2. A third flow passage 38 of the second plurality of flow passages communicates with the passage 3 in the body member 2 and is substantially laterally centered in the third body member extension 37 and is thereby positioned between the adjacent first and

third arms

6 and 8. The third flow passage 37 of the second plurality of flow passages has an end portion 39 extending generally upwardly to induce upward flow of drilling debris dislodged by drilling fluid from the third orifice 29 of the nozzle member 26 and a second flow passage 40 of the third plurality of flow passages.

The first flow passage 33 of the third plurality of flow passages extends from the passage 3 in the body member 2 and through the second arm 7 and the first flow passage 33 of the third plurality of flow passages has an end portion 41 extending toward an intersection of the side 17 and the bottom of the drill hole 16 for directing the drilling fluid toward said intersection. The end portion 41 of the first flow passage 33 of the third plurality of flow passages is positioned on the leading side of the second arm-7 and is operative to direct the drilling fluid from theleadi'ng side of the second arm 7 and toward theintersection of the side 17 and bottom 15 of the'drill hole 16. The flow from the end portion 41 engages'the intersection of the-side 17 and bottom 15 at a position below the upwardly extending end'portion 32 of the first flow passage 31 of the second plurality of flowpassages and is directed behind the first cutting cone '1 2 to assist in the upward flow of drilling' debris.

The second flow passage 40 of the third plurality of flow passages extends frointhe passage 3 in the body member 2 and extends through the first arm 6 and has an end portion'42 thereof extending toward an intersection of the'side l7- and the bottom 15 of the drill hole 16 for directing drilling fluid toward the intersection of the side and bottom of the drillhole 16. The end portion 42 of the second flow passage of the third plurality of flow passages is positioned on the leading side of the first arm 6 to thereby direct drilling'fluid from the leading side and toward the intersection of the side 17 and bottom 15 of the drill hole 16 and thereby ahead of the first or gauge cutting cone l2 and behind the third cutting cone 14 in a manner to assist in the upward flow of drilling debris. v r i The first cutting cone 12 is the gauge cutting cone of the drill tool 1. The paths of the flow of drilling fluid toward the respective intersection of the side 17 and bottom 15 of the drill hole 16 from the first flow passage 33 and the second flow passage 40 ot the third plurality of flow passages is effective to hydraulically sweep drilling debris from behind and ahead of respectively of the gauge cutting cone l2. a g

Flow from the first orifice 27 of the nozzle member 26 removes drilling debris ahead of the second cutting cone 13. Flow from the second orifice 28 of the .nozzle member 26 removes drilling debris ahead of the third cutting cone 14.; Flow from the third orifice 29 of the nozzle member 26 removes drilling debris 'ahead of the first orgauge cutting cone 12. Flow from the first flow passage 33 of the third-plurality of flow passages removes drilling debris from behind the gauge cutting cone l2 and flow froimthe secondflow passage 40 of the third plurality of flow passages removes-drilling debris ahead of the firstor'gaug'e cutting cone 12 whereby flow from the

orifices

27, 28, and 29 and'from the flow passages 33 arid 40 of the third plurality of flow passages hydraulically sweep the-bottom of the drill hole l6 and the flow passages 31, 3 5, and 38 of the second plurality offlow passages induce upwardly flow'of drilling fluid and drilling debris.

- It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described one form of my invention, it isn otj to be limited to the specific form Qr'arrangement of parts herein described and shown. I i

I claim: 7

l. A drill tool comprising: i

a. a body member having a longitudinal axis and a fluid receiving end and a closed end and a'passage extending therebetween and along the longitudinal axis of said body member;

' b. three circumferentially spaced arm s extending from said body member adjacentthe closed end of said passage, eachof said arms having a leading side and a trailing side; I

c;-three body member extensions each positioned bet tween 'a respective-pair of adjacent arms;

d. three axle portions ,each extending from a respective one of said arms and downwardly and inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of said body member;

e, three cutting cones each rotatably mounted on a respective one of said axle portions;

2 f. a first. flow passage communicating with the passage in 'said body member and extending through jacent thebottbm of the drill hole; g. a nozzle member mounted in the end of the end portion of said flow passage through said one arm, said nozzle member having a first orificepositioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between a first cutting cone and a second cutting cone in a manner to clear a space ahead of the second cutting conejsaid nozzle member having a second orifice positioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between the second cutting coneand a third cutting cone in a manner to clear a space ahead of i the third cutting cone, said'nozzle member having a third orifice positioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between the first cutting cone and the third cutting cone and in a manner to clear a space ahead of the first cutting cone;

h. three second flow passages each communicating with the passage in said body member and each ex- 1 tending through a respective one of the three body member extensions and having an upwardly extending portion to induce ,upward flow of drilling debrisdislodged by drilling fluid from a respective one of saidfirst orifice and second orifice and third orifice of said nozzle membereand a pair of third flow passages each communicating with the passage in said body member and each having anend portionthereof extending toward a respective intersection of a side and a bottom of the drill holefor directing the drilling fluid toward said intersection; the end portion of a first one of said thirdflowpassages is positioned on the'leading side of said arm having the second cutting cone thereon-and adjacent the trailing side of said arm having the first cutting cone thereon whereby the drilling fluid therefrom is adapted to effect flow of drilling debris effected by the first cutting cone prior to joining upward flow of drilling debris and fluid induced by said second flow passages, the end portion of a second one of said third flow passages is positioned on the leading side of 'said arm having the first cutting cone thereon whereby the drilling 2, A drill tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said first orifice of said nozzle is'positioned to direct the drilling fluid toward the second cutting cone prior to flow between the first cutting cone and the second cutting cone;

b. said three cutting cones are arranged in a manner suchthat the flow between the first and second cutting cones is behind the first cutting cone and ahead of the second cutting cone; and

c. the first cutting cone is positioned and adapted to define the gauge of the drill hole whereby the end portion of the first one of said third flow passages is positioned adjacent the trailing side of said arm having said gauge cutting cone thereon so that the drilling fluid therefrom is adapted to dislodge drilling debris effected by said gauge cutting cone and the end portion of the second one of said third flow passages is positioned on the leading side of said arm having said gauge cutting cone thereon so that the drilling fluid therefrom is adapted to effect flow of drilling debris ahead of said gauge cutting cone.

3. A drill tool comprising:

a. a body member having a passage therein, said passage extending along a longitudinal axis of said body member and between a fluid receiving end and a closed end;

b. a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms extending from said body member adjacent the closed end of said passage in said body member, each of said arms having a leading side and a trailing side;

c. a plurality of axle portions each extending from a respective one of said arms and along a respective axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of said body member in a manner to define a respective acute angle between the axis of the respective axle portion and the longitudinal axis of said body member;

. a plurality of cutting cones each rotatably mounted on a respective one of said axle portions, said cutting cones each having surfaces in engagement with respective exterior surfaces of said respective axle portions;

e. a flow passage communicating with the passage in said body member and extending through one of said arms with an end portion of said flow passage extending along the axis of rotation of the cutting cone mounted on said axle portion of said one arm, the end portion of said flow passage through said one arm having an end positioned adjacent the bottom of the drill hole;

f. means mounted in the end of the end portion of said flow passage through said one arm for directing drilling fluid toward and across a bottom of the drill hole and into respective spaces between adjacent cutting cones and including:

1. a nozzle member mounted in the end of the end portion of said flow passage through said one arm;

2. means in said nozzle member for defining a first orifice postitioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between a first cutting cone and a second cutting cone in a manner to clear a space ahead of the second cutting cone;

3. means in said nozzle member for defining a second orifice positioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between the second cutting cone and a third cutting cone in a manner to clear a space ahead of the third cutting cone; and 4. means in said nozzle member for defining a third orifice positioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between the first cutting cone and the third cutting cone in a manner to clear a space ahead of the first cutting cone;

g. a plurality of body member extensions each posi tioned between a respective pair of adjacent arms; and

h. means including a plurality of second flow passages each communicating with the passage in said body member and each extending through respective body member extensions and having an upwardly extending portion to induce upward flow of drilling debris dislodged by drilling fluid from said means for directing drilling fluid into respective spaces between adjacent cutting cones.

4. A drill tool as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

a. the upwardly extending portion of a first one of said second flow passages is positioned in the body member extension between the arms having the first cutting cone and the second cutting cone mounted thereon; Y

b. the upwardly extending portion of a second one of said second flow passages is positioned in the body member extension between the arms having the second cutting cone and the third cutting cone mounted thereon; and

c. the upwardly extending portion of a third one of said second flow passages is positioned in the body member extension between the arms showing the first cutting cone and the third cutting cone mounted thereon.

5. A drill tool as set forth in claim 4 including a plurality of third flow passages each communicating with the passage in said body member and each having an end portion thereof extending toward a respective intersection of a side and a bottom of the drill hole for directing the drilling fluid toward said intersection, the end portionof each of said third flow passages being positioned on the leading side of a respective one of said arms to thereby direct the drilling fluid from said leading side' and toward said intersection of the side and'bottom of the drill hole and below the upwardly extending portion of a respective one of said second flow passages and ahead of the cutting cone on said respective arm to assist in the upward flow of drilling debris.

6. A drill tool as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

a. the first cutting cone is positioned and adapted to define the gauge of the drill hole;

b. the end portion of a first one of said third flow passages is positioned adjacentthe trailing side of said arm having said gauge cutting cone thereon whereby the drilling fluid therefrom is adapted to effect flow of drilling debris effected by said gauge cutting cone prior to joining upward flow of drilling debris and fluid induced by said first one of said second flow passages; and i c. the end portion of a second one of said third flow passages is positioned on the leading side of said arm having said gauge cutting cone thereon whereby the drilling fluid therefrom is adapted to effect flow of drilling debris ahead of said gauge cutting cone prior to joining upward flow of drilling debris and fluid induced by said third one of said second flow passages.

7. A drill tool as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

a. one of said cutting cones is positioned and adapted to define the gauge of the drill hole; and

b. the end portion of one of said third flow passages is positioned adjacent the trailing side of said arm having said gauge cutting cone thereon whereby the drilling fluid therefrom is adapted to effect flow of drilling debris effected by said gauge cutting 9 cone prior to joining upward flow of drilling debris and fluid included by said second flow passages.

8. A drill tool as set forth in claim 7 wherein the end portion of an other one of said third flow passages is positioned on the leading side of said arm having said gauge cutting cone thereon whereby the drilling fluid therefrom is adapted to effect flow of drilling debris ahead of said gauge cutting cone prior to joining upward flow of drilling debris and fluid induced by said second flow passages.

9. A drill tool comprising:

c. a plurality of axle portions each extending from a respective one of said arms and along a respective axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of said body member in a manner to define a respective acute angle between the axis of the respective axle portion and the longitudinal axis of said body member; a'plurality of cutting cones each rotatably mounted on a respective one of said axle portions, said cutting cones each having surfaces in engagement with respective exterior surfaces of said respective axle portions;

f. a nozzle member mounted in the end portion of said flow passage through said one arm;

g. means in said nozzle member for defining a first orifice positioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between a first cutting cone and a second cutting cone in a manner to clear a space ahead of the second cutting cone;

h. means in said nozzle member for defining a second orifice positioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between the second cutting cone and a third cutting cone in a manner to clear a space ahead of the third cutting cone; and

i. means in said nozzle member for defining a third orifice positioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between the first cutting cone and the third cutting cone in a manner to clear a space ahead of the first cutting cone.

10. A drill tool as set forth in claim 9 including:

a. a plurality of body member extensions each posi tioned between a respective pair of adjacent arms;

b. means including a plurality of second flow passages each communicating with the passage in said body member and each extending through respective body member extensions and having an upwardly extending portion to induce upward flow of drilling debris dislodged by drilling fluid from said nozzle member; and

c. a plurality of third flow passages each communicating with the passage in said body member and each having an end portion thereof extending toward a respective intersection of a side and a bottom of the drill hole for directing the drilling fluid toward said intersection, the end portion of each of said third flow passages being positioned on the leading side of a respective one of said arms to thereby direct the drilling fluid from said leading side and toward said intersection of the side and bottom of the drill hole and below the upwardly extending portion of a respective one of said second flow passages and ahead of the cutting cone on said respective arm to assist in the upward flow of drilling debris.

Claims

1. A drill tool comprising: a. a body member having a longitudinal axis and a fluid receiving end and a closed end and a passage extending therebetween and along the longitudinal axis of said body member; b. three circumferentially spaced arms extending from said body member adjacent the closed end of said passage, each of said arms having a leading side and a trailing side; c. three body member extensions each positioned between a respective pair of adjacent arms; d. three axle portions each extending from a respective one of said arms and downwardly and inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of said body member; e. three cutting cones each rotatably mounted on a respective one of said axle portions; f. a first flow passage communicating with the passage in said body member and extending through one of said arms with an end portion of said flow passage extending along the axis of rotation of the cutting cone mounted on said axle portion of said one arm, the end portion of said flow passage through said one arm having an end positioned adjacent the bottom of the drill hole; g. a nozzle member mounted in the end of the end portion of said flow passage through said one arm, said nozzle member having a first orifice positioned to direct thE drilling fluid into a space between a first cutting cone and a second cutting cone in a manner to clear a space ahead of the second cutting cone, said nozzle member having a second orifice positioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between the second cutting cone and a third cutting cone in a manner to clear a space ahead of the third cutting cone, said nozzle member having a third orifice positioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between the first cutting cone and the third cutting cone and in a manner to clear a space ahead of the first cutting cone; h. three second flow passages each communicating with the passage in said body member and each extending through a respective one of the three body member extensions and having an upwardly extending portion to induce upward flow of drilling debris dislodged by drilling fluid from a respective one of said first orifice and second orifice and third orifice of said nozzle member; and i. a pair of third flow passages each communicating with the passage in said body member and each having an end portion thereof extending toward a respective intersection of a side and a bottom of the drill hole for directing the drilling fluid toward said intersection, the end portion of a first one of said third flow passages is positioned on the leading side of said arm having the second cutting cone thereon and adjacent the trailing side of said arm having the first cutting cone thereon whereby the drilling fluid therefrom is adapted to effect flow of drilling debris effected by the first cutting cone prior to joining upward flow of drilling debris and fluid induced by said second flow passages, the end portion of a second one of said third flow passages is positioned on the leading side of said arm having the first cutting cone thereon whereby the drilling fluid therefrom is adapted to effect flow of drilling debris ahead of said first cutting cone prior to joining upward flow of drilling debris and fluid induced by said second flow passages.

2. A drill tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said first orifice of said nozzle is positioned to direct the drilling fluid toward the second cutting cone prior to flow between the first cutting cone and the second cutting cone; b. said three cutting cones are arranged in a manner such that the flow between the first and second cutting cones is behind the first cutting cone and ahead of the second cutting cone; and c. the first cutting cone is positioned and adapted to define the gauge of the drill hole whereby the end portion of the first one of said third flow passages is positioned adjacent the trailing side of said arm having said gauge cutting cone thereon so that the drilling fluid therefrom is adapted to dislodge drilling debris effected by said gauge cutting cone and the end portion of the second one of said third flow passages is positioned on the leading side of said arm having said gauge cutting cone thereon so that the drilling fluid therefrom is adapted to effect flow of drilling debris ahead of said gauge cutting cone.

3. means in said nozzle member for defining a second orifice positioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between the second cutting cone and a third cutting cone in a manner to clear a space ahead of the third cutting cone; and

3. A drill tool comprising: a. a body member having a passage therein, said passage extending along a longitudinal axis of said body member and between a fluid receiving end and a closed end; b. a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms extending from said body member adjacent the closed end of said passage in said body member, each of said arms having a leading side and a trailing side; c. a plurality of axle portions each extending from a respective one of said arms and along a respective axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of said body member in a manner to define a respective acute angle between the axis of the respective axle portion and the longitudinal axis of said body member; d. a plurality of cutting cones each rotatably mounted on a respective one of said axle portions, said cutting cones each having surfaces in engagement with respective exterior surfaces of said respective axle porTions; e. a flow passage communicating with the passage in said body member and extending through one of said arms with an end portion of said flow passage extending along the axis of rotation of the cutting cone mounted on said axle portion of said one arm, the end portion of said flow passage through said one arm having an end positioned adjacent the bottom of the drill hole; f. means mounted in the end of the end portion of said flow passage through said one arm for directing drilling fluid toward and across a bottom of the drill hole and into respective spaces between adjacent cutting cones and including:

4. means in said nozzle member for defining a third orifice positioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between the first cutting cone and the third cutting cone in a manner to clear a space ahead of the first cutting cone; g. a plurality of body member extensions each positioned between a respective pair of adjacent arms; and h. means including a plurality of second flow passages each communicating with the passage in said body member and each extending through respective body member extensions and having an upwardly extending portion to induce upward flow of drilling debris dislodged by drilling fluid from said means for directing drilling fluid into respective spaces between adjacent cutting cones.

4. A drill tool as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. the upwardly extending portion of a first one of said second flow passages is positioned in the body member extension between the arms having the first cutting cone and the second cutting cone mounted thereon; b. the upwardly extending portion of a second one of said second flow passages is positioned in the body member extension between the arms having the second cutting cone and the third cutting cone mounted thereon; and c. the upwardly extending portion of a third one of said second flow passages is positioned in the body member extension between the arms showing the first cutting cone and the third cutting cone mounted thereon.

5. A drill tool as set forth in claim 4 including a plurality of third flow passages each communicating with the passage in said body member and each having an end portion thereof extending toward a respective intersection of a side and a bottom of the drill hole for directing the drilling fluid toward said intersection, the end portion of each of said third flow passages being positioned on the leading side of a respective one of said arms to thereby direct the drilling fluid from said leading side and toward said intersection of the side and bottom of the drill hole and below the upwardly extending portion of a respective one of said second flow passages and ahead of the cutting cone on said respective arm to assist in the upward flow of drilling debris.

6. A drill tool as set forth in claim 5 wherein: a. the first cutting cone is positioned and adapted to define the gauge of the drill hole; b. the end portion of a first one of said third flow passages is positioned adjacent the trailing side of said arm having said gauge cutting cone thereon whereby the drilling fluid therefrom is adapted to effect flow of drilling debris effected by said gauge cutting cone prior to joining upward flow of drilling debris and fluid induced by said first one of said second flow passages; and c. the end portion of a second one of said third flow passages is positionEd on the leading side of said arm having said gauge cutting cone thereon whereby the drilling fluid therefrom is adapted to effect flow of drilling debris ahead of said gauge cutting cone prior to joining upward flow of drilling debris and fluid induced by said third one of said second flow passages.

7. A drill tool as set forth in claim 5 wherein: a. one of said cutting cones is positioned and adapted to define the gauge of the drill hole; and b. the end portion of one of said third flow passages is positioned adjacent the trailing side of said arm having said gauge cutting cone thereon whereby the drilling fluid therefrom is adapted to effect flow of drilling debris effected by said gauge cutting cone prior to joining upward flow of drilling debris and fluid included by said second flow passages.

9. A drill tool comprising: a. a body member having a passage therein, said passage extending along a longitudinal axis of said body member and between a fluid receiving end and a closed end; b. a plurality of circumferentially spaced arms extending from said body member adjacent the closed end of said passage in said body member, each of said arms having a leading side and a trailing side; c. a plurality of axle portions each extending from a respective one of said arms and along a respective axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of said body member in a manner to define a respective acute angle between the axis of the respective axle portion and the longitudinal axis of said body member; d. a plurality of cutting cones each rotatably mounted on a respective one of said axle portions, said cutting cones each having surfaces in engagement with respective exterior surfaces of said respective axle portions; e. a flow passage communicating with the passage in said body member and extending through one of said arms with an end portion of said flow passage extending along the axis of rotation of the cutting cone mounted on said axle portion of said one arm, the end portion of said flow passage through said one arm having an end positioned adjacent the bottom of the drill hole; f. a nozzle member mounted in the end portion of said flow passage through said one arm; g. means in said nozzle member for defining a first orifice positioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between a first cutting cone and a second cutting cone in a manner to clear a space ahead of the second cutting cone; h. means in said nozzle member for defining a second orifice positioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between the second cutting cone and a third cutting cone in a manner to clear a space ahead of the third cutting cone; and i. means in said nozzle member for defining a third orifice positioned to direct the drilling fluid into a space between the first cutting cone and the third cutting cone in a manner to clear a space ahead of the first cutting cone.

10. A drill tool as set forth in claim 9 including: a. a plurality of body member extensions each positioned between a respective pair of adjacent arms; b. means including a plurality of second flow passages each communicating with the passage in said body member and each extending through respective body member extensions and having an upwardly extending portion to induce upward flow of drilling debris dislodged by drilling fluid from said nozzle member; and c. a plurality of third flow passages each communicating with the passage in said body member and each having an end portion thereof extending toward a respective intersection of a side and a bottOm of the drill hole for directing the drilling fluid toward said intersection, the end portion of each of said third flow passages being positioned on the leading side of a respective one of said arms to thereby direct the drilling fluid from said leading side and toward said intersection of the side and bottom of the drill hole and below the upwardly extending portion of a respective one of said second flow passages and ahead of the cutting cone on said respective arm to assist in the upward flow of drilling debris.