US1391626A - Drill-head for well-driling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

S. C. GILTHORPE. DRILL HEAD FORAWELL DRILLING APPARATUS. APPLICATION 111.50 AP11.21, 1920. RENEwED FEB. 24.1921.

1,391,626, PatentedSept. 20, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

S. C. GILTHORPE.

DRILL HEAD FOR WELL DRILLING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED APR.21.1920. RENEwED FEB. 24,1921.

Patenaspt. 20,1921..

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented Sept. 20, 1921.

S. C. GILTHORPE. DRILL HEAD FOR WELL DRILLING APPARATUS. APPLICATION man APR.21,1920. RENEwED FEB. 24,1921.

m. WC

ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES Pa'rlezNTA OFFICE.

STANLEY C. GILTHORPE, 0F NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD T0 RICHARD J'. BEQUETTE AND ONE-THIRD TO HUNTER C. LEAXE, BOTH OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

DRILL-HEAD FOR I WELL-DRILING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led April 27, 1920, Serial No. 377,039. Renewed February 24, 1921. Serial No. 447,555.

T 0 all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, STANLEY C. GIL- 'rHonPE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New-Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented a new and Improved Drill-Head for `VVellDrilling Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

. duction.

The principal object therefore of the present invention is to provide an improved means for efficiently and expeditiously sinking wells to eatly'increase the production and reduce t e labor incident thereto, to a minimum.

An other object of the invention is to provide a well drilling vapparatus which includes means for constantly playing streams of water on the cutting elements in order to minimize the danger and consequent loss by re which might be generated by sparks due to the contact of said elements with rock or other solid substances.

A further object of he invention is to provide a drill head which is`insertible throu h and removable from a well casing for wor ingassociation therewith, without the necessity of removing the casin A still further object o the invention is to provide a drill head which reduces the probability of broken casings to a minimum practically resulting in the elimination of costly fishing tools and the extra labor incident to their use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a comparatively simple and inexpensive apparatus which includes means for effectively controlling the drill head from the ground surface.

With the above recited and other objects in view some of which will appear hereafter as the nature, purpose and o ration of the apparatus is more clearl un erstood reference 1s made to the fol owing detaiied de- 'is positioned at the top scription, claims and accompanying drawings which form a part of this application, and in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus positioned in a Well vfor working operation.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the drill head illustrating the same operativel associated with the lower portion of a we l casing.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through a portion of a well casing illustrating the manner of removing or inserting the drill head therein.

Fig. 4 is an enlargedv detail horizontal sectional view therethrough, taken approximately on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a similar sectional view taken approximately on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2.

ig. 6 is a like view taken approximately on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view through one of the side bits or cutters, illustrating the relation of the scraper blades thereto.

Referring to the drawings in detail, similar characters of reference denote like parts throughout the several views thereof. In Fig. 1 a well casing is provided which consists of a plurality of casing sections 10, said sections being addedas the depth of the well increases. The casing sections are secured together in any well knownmanner and the casing is adapted to be continuously rotated -by the usual turn-table or any other suitable mechanism of this character which of the well.

In order to adapt e Well casing for use in connection with the improved drill head provided, the lowermost casing` section is formed with an annular fiange 11 on its inner periphery and a pluralit of radial openings 12 immediately therea ve. A reamer 13 of substantially frusto-conical formation is provided and is formed with a vertical bore 14 having a restricted portion 15 at its lower end, the juncture of said bores forming a shoulder 15. The enlarged portion of the .bore 14 is of substantially the same diameter as the outer diameter of the well casing section and the restricted portion 15 of the bore is substantially ofthe same diameter as the inner periphery of the ange 11." The enlarged portion of the bore is prendo@ wlth head 23. A rectangular bo member 18 is built up from a p radial recesses 16 which are adapted to aline with the openings 12 to constltute keeper openings for a purpose to be hereafter described. The outer frusto-conical surface of the reamer is preferably rovided with a pluralit of vertical rows o cutting teeth 17.

A dI l head is provided for detachable association with the lowermost casing section and the same comprises a permanent member 18 and a rotary member 19. The ermanent urality of cyllndrical sections including an upper section 20, an intermediate section lower section 22. A head 23 is threadedly engaged over the upper open extremity of the u permost `section 20 and said head is provi ed with a peripheral flange 24- which 1s of substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter 0f the well casing. The iange 24 is designedto rest upon the flange 11 of the lowermost casing section, said flange 11 serving as a means for limiting the passage of the drill head through the lower end o the casing. The head 23 is provided with a plurality of radial rectangular bores 24* the innerportions of which terminate in reduced round bores 25. 4A vertical openin 26 centrally of the head communicates wit the bores 25, and' a yoke 27 straddles the opening 26 and projects u wardly from the duced stem-29 at its inner end, is arranged for sliding movement in each radial bore 24. The inner end of each stem is apertured as at 30 for the reception of the end link of a chain section, 31.- The innermost link of a hoistin chain 32 is received by the yoke 27 and sald link serves as a common connection l for the opposite end ofv each chain section 31. n expansion spring 33 surrounds the stem 29 of each bolt and 1s disposed between the shoulderv formed at the juncture of the stem with the bolt and the shoulder formed at the juncture of the bores 24 and 25. The

springs 33 normally efect radial projection of the bolts 28 from the head, through 'the openings 12 in the casing section and into the recesses 16 of the reamer in order to lock the drill head, casing and reamer for simultaneous movements. From this construction it will be seen that when it is desired to remove thel drill head from the well casing the initial lift-0n the hoisting chain a2 will exert a pull on the chain sections 31 to retract thebolts 28 within the bores 24'` of the' head and disengage the same from the openin y12 and 16. Further upward ul on the chainwill effect engagement ofe lowermost link vwith theyoke to liftthedrill head .for withdrawing-.fthe same from the casmg-v e head 23 is vertically apertured for the reception-of a pipe section 34 which passes therethrough and constitutes a. supply manifold for the reception of vwater supplied 21, and a t 28, having are? thereto f rom the top of the well through the well caslng. The uppermost section 20 of the permanent section 18 is providedwith a horizontal wall 35 adjacent its lower end and said wall is ape-rtured for the passage of a plurality of water supply pipes 36. The intermediate section' 21 is provided with spaced horizontal walls 37 and 38 adjacent its lower end, said walls defining a water .reservoir 39 for the reception of water supplied thereto by the pipes 36 which communicate with said reservoir through openings in the wall 37. The space defined between the horizontal walls 35 and 37 constitutes a motor housing 40 in which is supported by means of brackets 41,` a suitable 'motor 42 of either the electric or compressed air type.

The supply of lcurrent or air to the motor is and the head 23 res ectively, to a source of supply at the top of t e well. The lowermost section 22 ofthe permanent drill head member 18 is provided with spaced horizontal walls 44 and 45, the space between the walls 38 and 44 providin a fly wheel housing 46. The horizontal wal s 37, 38, 44 and 45 are centrall apertured for the reception of the motor rive,- shaft 48 which passes therethrough, the said openings being provided with any suitable packin (not shown) to prevent leakage. A fly w eel 49 is mounted on the drive shaft 48 and operates in thefly wheel housing 46 which is provided with a filling openin 50 having a removable plug to permlt of 51e insertion of lubricating o1l thereto. A gear 51 is keyed to the drive shaft and is dis osed within the transmission illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawmgs. A p urality of verticalstub shafts 52 havin gears 53 keyed thereto, are disposed radial y with respect to the main drive shaft and are extended through the horizontal wall 45. The gears 53 of said housing 4 7 as c earl stub shafts respectively meshpwith the gear 51 on the drive shaft. The lower extremities of the stub shafts have keyed thereto they .pinions 54 which are disposed below the "lower extremity of the lowermost .section of the member 22 is provided with a number of inwardly projecting trunnions 60, which are 'adapted to o eratey in the'groove 59 wherebythe rotata le member '19 ofthe drill head is revolubly 'associated with the rmanent section 18. The upper end wall e57 ofthe Outer member is apertured for the reception of the drive shaft and a ring gear 61 meshing with the pinions is secured to said upper wall 57, whereby power from the drive shaft is transmitted through the gears 51 53, 54 and 61 to the rotatable lsection 19 o the drill head. -The inner member 55 is provided with a vertical bore 62 through which the lower end of the drive shaft extends. A conical pilot bit 63 having spirally arranged cutting teeth 64 is carried by the free extremit of the drive shaft and is disposed centrally of the outer end of the inner member, said pilot bit being detachably associated with the drive shaft to permit of its ready removal or application thereto. The inner member is provided with a plurality of radially disposed recesses 65 for the reception of the side frusto-conical bits or cutters 66 which are mounted upon the stubshafts 67. The outer surfaces of the side bits or cutters are provided with annular rows of cutting teeth 66E. The stub shafts 67 have their bearing in both the inner and outer members of the rotary head as illustrated. The drive shaft is provided with a beveled gear 68 which is keyed thereto and is disposed directly above the u per extremity of the inner member. Radlally disposed stub shafts 69 having threaded inner extremities 7 0 extend through apertures 71 in the outer member and are anchored in the threaded sockv ets 72 of the inner member, thereby functioning as an auxiliary means for securing the inner and outer sections 55 and 56 toether. A gear having oppositely beveled aces provided'with beveled gear teeth 73 and 74 is mounted for rotation upon each stub shaft 69, with the teeth 73 thereof meshing with the beveled ear 68 on the drive shaft. The gearteeth 4 mesh with a beveled pinion 75 on the stub shaft 67 for transmitting rotations to the side bits orcutters 66.

In order to provide means for playing streams of water on the cutters or bits, to prevent the generation of sparks thereby, a water receiving chamber 76 is provided Iin the inner member 55- and is provided with ports 77 communicatingv with the recesses 65. In order to establish communication between the water reservoir 39 and the water receiving chamber 76, the drive shaft is provided with a central opening 78 which extends from the water reservoir 39 to the water receiving chamber 76. The said opening 78 is provided with branch ports 79 at its opposite ends which extend throughl the shaft to its outer periphery to permit of the passage of water to and from the same.

The upper portion of the recess in the `outerl member 56 constitutes an oil reservoir 80 which receives its supply of lubricatin oil through an opening 81 in its up rc ose end, said opening being normally c osed by a- 6 removable plug 82. The lubricatingoil feeds by gravity the bearings of the different gears as will be readily understood from the showing in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

In order to provide means for freeing the teeth 66a o f the cutters 66 from particles of earth or rock which might adhere thereto, use is made of scraper blades 83 which are adjustably mounted on the inner member 55 at opposite sides of thev recesses 65 by means of set screws 84. The blades 83 also serve as means for preventing the entrance of particles of earth or rock into the recesses which might clog orhinder the operation of the side cutters. Y

In use and operation of the apparatus, the drill head is initially locked to the lower casing section by the engagement of the bolts 28 in the openings and' recesses 12 and 16, and the motor 42 is started. The pilot bit 63 is driven at motor speed due to the fact that it is keyed directly to the motor drive shaft 48. The revoluble member 19 being driven at a relatively reduced rate of speed through the gear train. The side bits while rotating with the revoluble section are each driven through their train of gears from the master gear 68 at an increased rate of speed. The pilot bit initially breaks the ground and the side bits widen the opening. The well casing which is constantly revolving by .a turntable or other suitable mechamsin at the surface still further enlarges the well through the medium of the reamer 13. Should the drill head fail to operate or should any of its elements become broken, it is readily removable throughthe casing by the hoisting chain 32 and when repaired is as readily replaced by reinserting the same through the casing. To reassociate the drill head with the lower extremity of the lower casing section, the same is lowered by the hoisting chain until the iange 24 contacts with the flange 11.` As the flange 24 of the drill head contacts with the flange l11 of the casing, the springs 33 will function to project the bolts 28 into the openings 12 in the casing and the radial keeper openings 16 of the reamer.

While there has been shown and described a single and preferred embodiment of the d casing for rotation therewith, and a rotary section carried by the permanent section forindependent' relative rotation.

easing for rotation therewith, a rotary section carriedr by the permanent section for inde endent relative rotation, means carried by t e permanent section for driving the rotar section.

3. n a well drilling apparatus, a drill head comprising a permanent section adapted to be detachably associated with the well casing, a rotary section carried by the permanent section for independent relative rotation, a motor carried by the permanent section, a pilot bit extending from'the rotary section and driven directly by the motor, a

plurality of side bits mounted in the movhavin able section and mechanism for transmitting power from the motor to the sidebits for driving thev same at a different speed from the pilot bit.-

4. In a well drilling apparatus, the combination with a casing having a reamer mounted on its lower end, of a drill head va plurality of drill bits, said drill head eing movable through said casing and adapted to be detachably associated with the lower end thereof to dispose the drill bits from the lower end thereof.

5. In a well drilling apparatus, the combination with a casing having a reamer mounted on its lower end, of a drill head having a plurality of drill bits, saidl drill head being movab e through said casing and adapted to be detachably associated with the lower end thereof to dispose the drill bits from the lower end thereof, and means for driving'said drill head from the upper end of the casing.

vbination with a casing having 6. In a well drilling apparatus, the eom\ a reamer mounted on its lower end, of a drill head havin a plurality of drill bits, said drill head eing movable through said casing and adapted to be detachably associated with the lower end thereof to dispose the drill bits from` the lower end thereof, means for driving said drill head from the upper end of the casing, and means for playing streams of water onto the drill bits while in operation.

7. In a well drilling apparatus, the combination with a casing having a reamer mounted on its lower end, of a drill head havin a plurality of drill bits, said drill head eing movable through said casing and adapted to be 'detachably associated with the lower end thereof to dispose the drill bits from the lower end thereof, means for driving said drill head from the upper end of the casing, means for playing streams of water onto the drill bits while in operation, and means for effecting disen agement of the drill head from the casing rom a point at the upper end of the casing.

8. In a well drilling apparatus, a drill head one end, means for detachably supporting the drill head from the lower end of a well casing with its cutting elements exposed therefrom, and a reamer adapted to embrace said well casing adjacent the lower end. thereof, the said means for supporting the drill head from the well casing also serving as a means for locking the reamer thereto.

STANLEY C. GILTHORPE.

having cutting elements arranged at

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