Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090260882 | BRAKING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR USE IN DRILLING OPERATIONS - A braking device for drilling operations in a borehole includes a brake retainer having a plurality of brake connector openings defined therein, a body member having a tapered surface having a first diameter and a second diameter, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter, at least one brake element positioned at least partially between the brake retainer and the body member and in communication with the tapered surface and at least one of the brake connector openings, and a bias member configured to exert a biasing force on the body member to move the body member toward the brake retainer to move the brake element from contact with the first diameter of the tapered surface toward contact with the second diameter. | 10-22-2009 |
20090283327 | JOINTED SPEARHEAD ASSEMBLY - A jointed spearhead assembly can include a base portion that is adapted to be connected to a down-hole object and a spearhead portion having a first end and a second. The second end includes a follower tab with a non-convex first follower interface. The spearhead portion can be pivotally coupled to the base portion. | 11-19-2009 |
20100126772 | HYDRO-PERCUSSIVE MECHANISIMS FOR DRILLING SYSTEMS - A down-the-hole assembly includes a housing assembly having a head end and a bit end. The housing assembly further includes an inlet joint having an inlet channel defined therein, a sealing portion positioned toward the bit end relative to the inlet joint, and an outlet portion positioned toward the bit end relative to the sealing portion. A hammer assembly including a piston has a piston channel defined therein that includes an inlet in fluid communication with the inlet channel and an outlet in fluid communication with the housing assembly. | 05-27-2010 |
20100243331 | HELICAL DRILLING APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - A down-the-hole assembly includes a housing having a central axis and a mechanical gear box positioned within the housing. The mechanical gear box is coupled to the housing such that rotation of the housing at a first rotational rate provides a rotary input to the mechanical gear box. A rotary cutting bit is coupled to the mechanical gear box. The mechanical gear box is configured to rotate said rotary cutting bit at a second rotational rate in response to that rotary input from the housing. The second rotational rate is greater than the first rotational rate. The mechanical gear box is also further configured to cause the rotary cutting bit to orbit about the central axis of the housing. | 09-30-2010 |
20110079433 | PUMP-IN SEAL - An assembly may be disposed within a drill string. The assembly may be moved within and along the drill string using hydraulic pressure. A core sample may be collected within the assembly, and the assembly may be retrieved to obtain the core sample. The assembly may include a seal that may be configured to form a seal with different inner diameters of a variable-diameter drill rod of the drill string. | 04-07-2011 |
20110079435 | DRIVEN LATCH MECHANISM - Implementations of the present invention include a core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism. The driven latch mechanism can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such driven latch mechanisms, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems. | 04-07-2011 |
20110079436 | CORE DRILLING TOOLS WITH RETRACTABLY LOCKABLE DRIVEN LATCH MECHANISMS - Implementations of the present invention include a core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism. The driven latch mechanism can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. The driven latch mechanism can further include a refracted groove adapted to lock the plurality of wedge members radially within the core barrel assembly, thereby allowing for faster travel within the drill string. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such driven latch mechanisms, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems. | 04-07-2011 |
20110083901 | CORE DRILLING TOOLS WITH EXTERNAL FLUID PATHWAYS - Implementations of the present invention include a core barrel assembly including external fluid pathways extending generally axially long the outer surface of the core barrel assembly. The one or more external fluid pathways can allow for increased fluid flow around a latch mechanism. The increased fluid flow around the latch mechanism can allow the core barrel assembly to travel faster within the drill string, can allow drilling fluid to pass by the latch mechanism when engaged. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including external fluid pathways, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems. | 04-14-2011 |
20110100718 | CORE LIFTER - A core lifter may be used in a drilling system. An exterior surface of the core lifter may include a plurality of longitudinally-oriented recesses. The core lifter may include a raised contact feature that may extend inwardly away from a gripping surface of the core lifter. The core lifter may include a flared skirt configured to limit movement of the core lifter relative to a core lifter case. The core lifter may be formed via stamping a sheet of material. | 05-05-2011 |
20110127086 | HELICAL DRILLING APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - A down-the-hole assembly includes a housing having a central axis and a mechanical gear box positioned within the housing. The mechanical gear box is coupled to the housing such that rotation of the housing at a first rotational rate provides a rotary input to the mechanical gear box. A rotary cutting bit is coupled to the mechanical gear box. The mechanical gear box is configured to rotate said rotary cutting bit at a second rotational rate in response to that rotary input from the housing. The second rotational rate is greater than the first rotational rate. The mechanical gear box is also further configured to cause the rotary cutting bit to orbit about the central axis of the housing. | 06-02-2011 |
20110198127 | METHODS OF BRAKING CORE BARREL ASSEMBLIES - A braking device for drilling operations in a borehole includes a brake retainer having a plurality of brake connector openings defined therein, a body member having a tapered surface having a first diameter and a second diameter, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter, at least one brake element positioned at least partially between the brake retainer and the body member and in communication with the tapered surface and at least one of the brake connector openings, and a bias member configured to exert a biasing force on the body member to move the body member toward the brake retainer to move the brake element from contact with the first diameter of the tapered surface toward contact with the second diameter. | 08-18-2011 |
20110198131 | CORE BARREL ASSEMBLIES WITH BRAKING DEVICES - A braking device for drilling operations in a borehole includes a brake retainer having a plurality of brake connector openings defined therein, a body member having a tapered surface having a first diameter and a second diameter, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter, at least one brake element positioned at least partially between the brake retainer and the body member and in communication with the tapered surface and at least one of the brake connector openings, and a bias member configured to exert a biasing force on the body member to move the body member toward the brake retainer to move the brake element from contact with the first diameter of the tapered surface toward contact with the second diameter. | 08-18-2011 |
20120273233 | DRILL STRING COMPONENTS RESISTANT TO JAMMING - Implementations of the present invention include drill string components having a thread extending around a body. The leading end of the thread can have a configuration that resists jamming and cross-threading. In particular, the leading end of the thread can include a planar surface normal to the body. The leading end of the thread can provide an abrupt transition to full thread depth that helps reduce or eliminate cross-threading. The leading end of the thread can be oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the drill string component. When mating male and female threads are similarly structured, the mating threads slide together along an interface at the thread start face and are drawn into a fully thread-coupled condition. The thread starts may have full circumference mating with no jamming positions. | 11-01-2012 |
20130105227 | HIGH PRODUCTIVITY CORE DRILLING SYSTEM | 05-02-2013 |
20130220615 | INTERNAL TUBING CUTTER - Implementations of the present invention include an internal tubing cutter including ramp surface(s) and roller that cause cutters to move linearly between retracted and deployed positions. The linear actuation of the cutters can allow for more robust cutting and increased cutting efficiency. Implementations of the present invention also include cutting systems including an internal tubing cutter, and methods of cutting tubular members, such as borehole casings and drill strings, using such drilling systems. | 08-29-2013 |
20130220636 | DRILL STRING COMPONENTS RESISTANT TO JAMMING - Aspects of the present invention include drill string components having a thread extending around a body. The leading end of the thread can have a configuration that resists jamming and cross-threading. In particular, the leading end of the thread can include a planar surface normal to the body. The leading end of the thread can provide an abrupt transition to full thread depth that helps reduce or eliminate cross-threading. The leading end of the thread can be oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the drill string component. When mating male and female threads are similarly structured, the mating threads slide together along an interface at the thread start face and are drawn into a fully thread-coupled condition. The thread starts may have full circumference mating with no jamming positions. | 08-29-2013 |
20130313024 | Core Drilling Tools With Retractably Lockable Driven Latch Mechanisms - Implementations of the present invention include a core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism. The driven latch mechanism can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. The driven latch mechanism can further include a refracted groove adapted to lock the plurality of wedge members radially within the core barrel assembly, thereby allowing for faster travel within the drill string. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such driven latch mechanisms, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems. | 11-28-2013 |
20140054093 | Latch Body Components Having Multiple Functions, And Drilling Head Assembly Incorporating Same - A latch body for use in a drilling head assembly including a fluid control subassembly, a check valve element, and/or a hollow spindle. A distal end portion of the latch body includes a port section that defines a chamber for receiving the check valve element and promoting movement of the check valve element between a blocking position and an open position. The hollow spindle of the fluid control subassembly is operatively coupled to the chamber of the port section and supports the check valve element in the blocking position. A proximal end portion of the latch body supports the fluid control subassembly of the drilling head assembly in an operative position. The latch body includes male protrusions extending inwardly toward and spaced from a longitudinal axis of the latch body. A plurality of channels extend radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the latch body, spanning between adjacent male protrusions. | 02-27-2014 |
20140102808 | DRILL STRING COMPONENTS HAVING MULTIPLE-THREAD JOINTS - Implementations of the present invention comprise drill string components having at least one thread extending around a body. The leading end of the thread can have a configuration having increased strength and resistance to jamming and cross-threading. In particular, the leading end of the thread can comprise a planar surface normal to the body. The leading end of the thread can provide an abrupt transition to full thread depth that helps reduce or eliminate cross-threading and can be oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the drill string component. The thread can further provide at least one of a variable thread width and a variable thread pitch configured to create an axial progressive fit. The thread can also provide a cylindrical thread root and a thread crest that circumscribes a frusta-cone over at least a portion of the axial length of the threads configured to create a radial progressive fit. | 04-17-2014 |
20140182945 | Engineered Materials for Drill Rod Applications - Implementations described herein comprise drill rods comprising an integral tubular metallic body having a first ends, an opposing second end, and an elongate midbody extending along a central axis between the first and second ends and where the metallic body defines a central bore that extends along the central axis and has a body inner surface and at least one body bore diameter. In further aspects, the drill rods further comprise an underlying tubular composite lining that has a lining outer surface that is connected to at least the body inner surface of the midbody of the metallic body, the composite lining defining an operative bore that extends along the central axis and has at least one operative bore diameter. | 07-03-2014 |