US2013070A - Oil well drilling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

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Sept. 3., 1935. D. R. SHERIDAN OIL WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2, Q1954 4 SheetsSheet l Sept. 3, 1935. D. R. SHERIDAN 2,013,070

OIL WE'LL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2, 1954 4 Sheets- Sheet 2 I i I 2:1 2. l 34 64'- l 3 e .100 3 29 1? .99 673 1 8 29 22 22 .3l f 28 "I f 1 I 4: I

Sgpt. 3, 1935. D. R. SHERIDAN OIL WELL; DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept, s, was.

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Patented Sept. 3, 1935 PATENT OFFICE on. wELr. DRILLING APPARATUS Donald R. Sheridan, Los Angeles, Calif. Application October 2, 1934, Serial No. 746,525

8 Claims.

ratus and is an improvement over the so-called frotary well drilling system.

" In drilling a well with the rotary system it is not only necessary to stop drilling operations each time it becomes necessary to add another length or stand of drill pipe to that in the hole but the parts forming the apparatus are very heavy and expensive to operate especially so in drilling wells to great depth.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a well drilling apparatus wherein the drill bit is rotated by means arranged within a casing which is adapted to be lowered in well hole.

Another obiect is to provide a well drilling apparatus including a, rotary member and a bit secured thereto and fluid operated reciprocating means associated therewith for imparting rotation to the bit. I

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a front elevation of the complete well drilling apparatus and a section taken through a well hole with the drilling mechanism disposed therein.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken through the drill bit rotating mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2 parts being broken away and shown in section.

Fig. 4 is horizontal section taken on line L-ii of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is horizontal section taken on line t-5 of Fig. 2.,

Fig. 6 is a section taken through the piston reverse valve as indicated by line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 is a section taken through the drum and hose for conveying the circulating mud or water to the bit as indicated by line of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a detail section taken on line 8-4 of Fig. -7.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9--9 of Fig. 1 showing the weight regulating mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a section taken on line lilili oi! Fig. 1.

Referring more specifically to the drawings it generally designates the actual drilling or bit rotating mechanism. Mechanism ill comprises a hollow cylindrical casing ii through which extends and is rotatably mounted a tubular member 12 to which is removably secured at its lower end a drill bit It.

The drill bit is preferably of conical shape having a duct i5 therein communicating with the bore it in the member 52 and branch ducts i'l through which the circulating water or mud is discharged while drilling. It will be understood however that any of the usual types of bits employed in the rotary well drilling system may be employed in lieu of the bit shown if desired.

Arranged within the casing II is a pair of cylinders ill in which are operatable pistons is having rods that extend through usual stuffing boxes 2| on the lower ends of said cylinders, the upper ends of the cylinders being closed by heads 22.

Secured to the lower ends of piston rods 20 are blocks 23 that carry pivotally mounted tongues 2| which slidably engage spiral cross grooves 25 formed in the face of member l2, rotary movement being imparted to the member i2 and bit it (through thetongues 24) during reciprocation of the pistons l9.

Cylinders l8 are preferably cast integral at their upper ends as shown in Figs. 2 and 4,- the portion 26 Joining the same having an annular recess therein for the reception of packing 21 that is compressed by a gland 28 formed on a fitting 29.

Fitting 29 is secured by screws or the like 30 to a cap 3i that is removably connected to the upper end of the casing il, said fitting having a. bore 32 therein communicating with the bore of member i2.

Connected to the projecting portion 33 of fitting 29 is a flexible conduct or hose 34 through which the circulating fluid is conveyed to the drill bit.

Member 52' is journaled in anti-friction bearings 35 mounted in a recess formed in lower portion of the casing ll.

Casing ii is tapered at its lower end and terminates in a screw threaded portion upon which is threaded a fitting 36 having a gland 3? thereon that enters and compresses packing 38 dis-' posed in a recess'formed in said casing.

Packing 38 prevents mud or water in the well hole from entering the casing while the packing it prevents water passing through member it from entering it.

Disposed in the casing is a four way valve it that serves to alternately admit fluid under pressure to each end of the cylinders for. imparting reciprocatory movement to the pistons i9 therein.

Valve 40 consists of a housing M and a valve member 42 rotatably mounted therein provided Slidably mounted in bearings 40 secured to one of the cylinder walls is a rod 00 having stops or abutments iI thereon that are engaged by an arm 52 rigidly connected to one of the blocks 23.

Projecting from rod 50 into a slot 53 in the valve operating arm 42 is a pin 04 which serves to actuate the valve member 4I during movement oi said rod.

One end of a retractile coil spring 55 is connected to arm 43 while its opposite. end is connected to an eye bolt 56 threaded in the wall of easing II as shown in Fig. 4. Spring 55 is provided to impart a quick movement to the valve member 52 as the pistons I0 approach the limit of each stroke or effect a reversal of the valve member when the inlet and outlet ports in valve body are closed.

Projecting from the wall of easing II are radially disp osed studs 5: which carry a plurality oi shoes 59 that engage the walls oi the well hole and serve to prevent rotation of the casing.

Secured to shoes 59 adjacent each end thereof are sleeves 00 that slidably engage studs 58 and encircling the sleeves and studs are expansion coil springs SI that urge said shoes into engagement with the wall of the well hole as shown in Fig. 1

Mounted on closure cap 3| is a guard member 62 preferably of irusto-conical shape which is provided to prevent damage to the parts in the event that portions or the formation should become dislodged and drop down the well hole during drilling operations.

Secured to the closure cap ii is a pair of diametrical disposed eye' bolts 83 to which are connected cables 64.

Referring to Fig. l, the cables 44 extend upwardly through the well hole over sheaves 65 and are wound upon drums 65 that are removably secured to shafts 61 iournaled in bearings 08 mounted on the platform 69. 4

Cables 64 serve to suspend the drilling mechanism I0 so that its dead weight will not bear directly upon or be transmitted to the bit I4 also to remove said mechanism from the well hole after completing a drilling operation.

Downward movement of the drilling mechanism is adapted to be controlled by any suitable means such as the fluid operated apparatus designated at 10 in Fig. 9.

Apparatus l0 consists of a cylinder I! in which is operable a piston i2 having a rod 10 that is inter-connected through a cross head 14 and connecting rod I5 to the pi l5 oi cranks l1 secured to the inner ends of th cable dmm shafts 61.

Communicating with interior of cylinder 1I adjacent each end thereof are pipes I8 that are connected to a valve it through which liquid in the cylinder flows back and forth during each stroke or the piston.

From the above it will be apparent that by manipulating valve I0 the rate oi rotation of the cable drum. and downward movement of mechanism i0 may be regulated at will due to checking or retarding the flow of liquid through the valve.

Conduct :4 extends upwardly through the well hole over a sheave 80 and is wound upon a drum BI, said drum 8| being removably and rotatably mounted on a spindle 82 which in turn is held against rotation in a standard 83 mounted on the platform 69.

The inner or dead end of conduct 34 is removably connected to a fitting 84 (see Fig. 8) that enters a duct 85 formed in a drum ill. The duct 85 communicates with an annular recess at which in turn communicates with ducts 81 and 88 formed.

in spindle 82. Duct 88 communicates with a pipe '02 that is adapted'to be connected to the discharge end of a circulating pump not shown.

Packing rings 80 disposed ingrooves forms" in bore of drum 8i serve to prevent escape of the circulating mud or water around the spindle dur ing drilling operations.

iii

As cables serve to suspend the drilling mechanism 60 in the well hole all tensile strain on the spring 96 that serves to transmit pressure to the friction disk 02. By adjusting ring 93 more or less tension may be applied to the conduct for the purpose i'above referred to.

Referring to Fig. 3 the inlet and outlet pipes leading to reverse valve 40 extend through packlng glands 08 threaded in the closure cap 3! and are connected through suitable couplings 99 to flexible conducts I00 and NH respectively.

Conducts I00 and MI extend through the well hole around sheaves I03 and are wound on a drum m, the dead ends of the cables being connected to flttingsinot shown) that communicate with ducts I05 and I06 formed in the drum I04.

Duct I05 enters an annular recess I06 (formed in drum I04) which in turn communicates with ports I01 formed in a spindle I08 upon which the drum is rotatably mounted. Communicating with ports I0! is a pipe I09 which leads to a receiver IIO which in turn is adapted to be interconnected with an air compressor not shown.

Conduit I M in-a like manner communicates with ports III formed in the spindle through which the exhaust air from the cylinder i8 may escape to atmosphere.

Drum. I04 is mounted on the spindle I08 in the same manner as drum 8| in order that tension may be applied to the conduits I00 and HM.

Secured to drums 66, BI and I04 are sheaves or pulleys 68a and 8Ia. and Ma respectively which are adapted to receive endless belts or the like passing over sheaves on shafts (not shown) whereby the drilling mechanism I0 may be removed from the well hole.

Operation:--Drilling mechanism I0 is lowered into a shallow hole, compressed air is then admitted to cylinders i8 through conduct I00 and water to the bit I4 through conduct 34. Admission oi compressed air to the cylinders through valve 40 imparts reciprocatory movement to pistons I9 the action of which through engagement of tongues 24 with the grooves 25 in member I2 will result in rotation of bit I4. During rotation of bit I4 water passing through member I2 will flow through ducts I6 into the well hole and induce an upward current therethrough which will carry the cuttings of the bit to the surface in the form of mud in a similar manner to the usual rotary well drilling system.

Drilling of the hole may be carried'on until cables 64 and conducts 34, I00, and liil have been unwound from their respective drums. Thereafter ii it is necessary to drill to greater depth the drums above referred to are adapted to be removed from the spindles, the conducts disconnected therefrom and other drums wound with conducts thereon placed on the spindles and the conducts connected to those previously removed from the drums. The above procedure may be repeated until the oil or water bearing strata has been penetrated.

I claim:

1. A well drilling apparatus comprising 9. casing, a tubular member having spiral cross grooves formed therein extending through said casing, a drill bit secured to said tubular member, cylinders mounted in said casing, pistons operable in said cylinders and having rods projecting therefrom, tongues pivotally mounted onthe piston rods and slidably engaging the grooves in said tubular member for imparting rotation thereto and valve operated means for alternately admitting fluid under pressure to each end of said cylinders for efiecting reciprocation of the pistons therein.

2. A well drilling apparatus comprising a casing, a tubular member having spiral cross grooves formed therein extending through said casing, a drill bit secured to said tubular member, cylinders mounted in said casing, pistons operable in said cylinders and having rods projecting therefrom, tongues pivotally mounted on the piston rods and slidably engaging the grooves in said tubular member for imparting rotation thereto, valve operated means for alternately admitting fluid under pressure to each end of said cylinders for effecting reciprocation of the pistons means including a plurality of shoes connected to said casing for centering and holding the same against rotation in a well hole.

3. A well drilling apparatus comprising 9. casing, a tubular member having spiral cross grooves formed therein extending through said casing, a drill bit secured to said tubular member, cylinders mounted in said casing, pistons operable in said cylinders and having rods projecting therefrom, tongues pivotally mounted on the piston rods and slidably engaging the grooves in said tubular member for imparting rotation thereto, a four way reverse valve including a housing and a-valve member rotatably mounted therein disposed in said casing, pipes leading from the valve housing to the opposite ends of said cylinders and meansoperable by the piston rods for actuating said valve member whereby to effect reciprocation of said pistons and impart rotation to said tubular member and drill bit.

4. A well drilling apparatus comprising a. casing/a tubular member having spiral cross grooves formed therein extending through said casing, a drill bit secured to said tubular member cylinders mounted in said casing, pistons operable in said cylinders and having rods projecting therefrom, tongues pivotally mounted on the piston rods and slidably engaging the grooves in said tubular member for imparting rotation thereto, valve operated means for alternately admitting fluid under pressure to each end of said cylinders for eifecting reciprocation of the pistons means including a plurality of shoes connected to said casing for centering and holding the same against rotation in a well hole, and means for suspending and controlling the downward movement of said casing in the well hole.

5. A well drilling apparatus comprising a casing, a tubular member having spiral cross grooves formed therein extending through said casing, a drill bit secured to said tubular member cylinders mounted in said casing, pistons operable in said cylinders and having rods projecting therefrom, tongues pivotally mounted on the piston rods and slidably engaging the grooves in said tubular member for imparting rotation thereto, valve operated means for alternately admitting fluid under pressure to each end of said cylinders, means including aplurality of shoes connected to said casing for centering and holding the same against rotation in a well hole, means for suspending and controlling the downward movement 01' said casing in the well hole, flexible conduits for admitting and discharging fluid under pressure to said valve operated means and a flexible conduit for supplying water through said tubular member and drill bit.

6. A well drilling apparatus comprising a casing, a tubular member having spiral grooves therein rotatably mounted in said casing, cylinders mounted in said casing and having pistons therein, means interconnecting the pistons with the grooves in said tubular member, and valve operated means for alternally admitting fluid under pressure to each end of said cylinders for effecting rotation of said tubular member.

7. A well drilling apparatus comprising a casi a tubular member having spiral grooves therein rotatably mounted in said casing, cylinders mounted in said casing and having pistons therein, means interconnecting the pistons with the grooves in said tubular member, valve operated means for alternally admitting fluid under pressure to each end of said cylinders for effecting rotation of said tubular member, and means carried by said casing for centering and holding said casing against rotation in a well hole.

8. A well drilling apparatus comprising a casing, a tubular member having spiral cross grooves formed in its outer face extending through and rotatably mounted in said casing, a drill bit secured to and having ducts therein communicating with the bore of said tubular member, a pair of cylinders mounted in and held against movement in said casing, \pistons operable in said cylinders and having rods projecting therefrom, a tongue pivotally connected to the projecting end of each piston rod and slidably engaging the grooves in said tubular member, a tour way reverse valve including a housing, a valve member rotatably mounted therein having ,a stem and an arm secured thereto, a slide rod interconnected with the arm of said valve member and having abutments adjacent each end thereof, an arm secured to one of said piston rods and arranged to alternally engage the abutments on said slide rod to actuate the valve member, wherebyto eifect reciprocation of the pistons and impart rotation to said tubular member and drill bit.

DONALD R. SHERIDAN.

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