CA1125270A - Enlarged bore hole drilling apparatus - Google Patents

Enlarged bore hole drilling apparatus

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Publication number
CA1125270A
CA1125270A CA380,472A CA380472A CA1125270A CA 1125270 A CA1125270 A CA 1125270A CA 380472 A CA380472 A CA 380472A CA 1125270 A CA1125270 A CA 1125270A
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CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
cutters
air
pipe
bit
bore hole
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA380,472A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Gary R. Johnson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tri State Oil Tools Inc
Original Assignee
Tri State Oil Tools Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from CA341,673A external-priority patent/CA1111833A/en
Application filed by Tri State Oil Tools Inc filed Critical Tri State Oil Tools Inc
Priority to CA380,472A priority Critical patent/CA1125270A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1125270A publication Critical patent/CA1125270A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

Apparatus is disclosed for drilling a pilot hole and subsequently enlarging the pilot hole in earth formation.
A dual concentric pipe string is used for circulating air downwardly through the outer pipe, through a pilot bit and upwardly through the bore hole outside the pipe string to bail cuttings, during drilling of the pilot hole. The air pressure expands the cutters of an expansible bit while a limited portion of the air supplied cools the cutters.
After the cutters are fully expanded, additional air is utilized to clean and cool the cutters. Air is returned through the inner pipe of the dual concentric pipe string.
A venturi device is utilized to induce return flow through the inner pipe during enlargement of the hole to vacuum residue when enlargment is completed. The dual concentric pipe string is made up of lengths of pipe providing threaded, sealed joints.

Description

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1 In the forming of bore holes in the earth, more particularly enlarged bore holes, for example, blast holes used in bench mining or quarrying, it has become the practice to drill a pilot hole to a given depth and enlarge the hole to form a large chamber for receiving a blas,ting explosive.
Such bore holes are also useful in connection with in-situ - fragmentation for chemical mining and coal gasification techniques. In the drilling of other bore holes or into or through the earth, such as oil or gas wells, it is sometimes necessary or desirable to enlarge the well bore for a given distance.
Accordingly, hole openers, including expansible drill bits have evolved. Some of the expansible drill bits have -included a pilot bit in combination with expansible cutters ;
to drill a pilot hole and also drill out an enlarged chamber. When drilling with liquid or mud as a drilling fluid to cool the cutters and flush cuttings from the bore hole, it is customary to circulate the drilling fluid down a length of drill pipe or tubular conduit, and the fluid returns through the annulus between the pipe and the bore hole to flush cuttings from the hole.
In the case of certain bore hole drilling operations, -~
both in the formation of blast holes and other bore holes, air or gas is employed as the drilling fluid to cool the cutters and remove the cuttings from the bore hole. However the effective removal of cuttings by air requires a relatively high bailing velocity as compared with liquid drilling fluids. According to most authorities, air bailing velocities on the order of 5,000 feet per minute oE air are ; 30 required.

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1 When large bore holes are being drilled, using air as a drilling fluid, therefore, it will be appreciated that such bailing velocity of the air through the annulus, outside the drill pipe may be difficult to accomplish or may require compressor capacity at the drilling rig in excess o~ that available or economically practical to obtain. Moreover, even if added compressors can supply sufficient air to cause the effective balling of cuttings through the bore hole annulus, the velocity of air returning to the reduced annular space above the enlarged chamber or bore hole would be objectionably noisy at the outlet, and the abrasive nature of the cuttings and dust would be damaging to the drill pipe and the integrity of the enlarged bore hole. In the case of blast holes, particularly, erosion of the shoulder at the beginning of the enlarged chamber is undesirable in that the blasting effectiveness is reduced.
So called reverse circulation of drilling fluid has been resorted to in an effort to suppLy drilllng fluid at ade~uate bailing velocity. ~he reverse circulation involves circulating air downwardly through the bore hole annulus and upwardly through the bit and drill pipe, the velocity in the relativeLy small bore of the pipe being quite high due to the small cross-sectional area of the flow passage.
In addition, circulation of the drilling fluid tnrough so-called dual concentric pipe strings has been resorted to ; in som~ drilling operations. Dual concentric pipe strings involve providing concentrlc inner and outer pipes having connections which provide flow passages establishing communication with the annular space between the pipe sections as well as through the central pipe bore. However, providing '. ., -~2~Z7~

1 a good seal at the pipe connections and adequate wrench areas or tool slots for making up and breaking out the connections, while maintaining adequate flow area, are problems in dual concentric drill pipe.
When expansible, pivoted cutter supporting arms on drill bits are actuated outwardly by air pressure to initiate an enla~ged bore hole, the flow of air to the cutters, in air cooled cutter bits, may be so great that inadequate pressure is present to effect expansion of the cutters in a reasonably short period of drilling, so that a long tapered side wall is formed on which the back or outer surfaces of the pivoted cutter arms may drag and wear. Thus, it is desirable that the expansive force be maintained on the arms which carry the cutters, while not depriving the cutters of sufficient cooling air during the early staces of bore hole enlargement.
Air cooled expansible cutters currently available are both complicated in the structure permitting the flow of air through the cutter support arms and inefficient in terms of the cleaning and cooling effect of the air on the cutter elements.
- In the formation of blast holes in mining or quarrying operations, it has been found that a two-pass method of first drilling a pilot hole with a first drill bit and drilling string, and then, in a second pass, enlarging the hole with an expansible bit run on a second drill string, produces a superior blast hole shape, if the bore hole enlargement is continued substantially to the bottom of the pilot hole.
Since the annular bore hole space outside the drill string, when drilling the pilot hole is not lar~e in cross-sectional flow area, the drilling fluid or air can be normally ~ ' ~ 3 .

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1 circulated down the drill string and up the anrlulus, and the bailing velocity of the fluid or air in the annulus may be adeguate. Thereafter, however, when the second hole enlarging pass is being made, the enlargement of the bore hole may so increase the annular flow area that the necessary air bailing velocity may not be obtained with exîsting compressors. If an expansible bit is used which is expanded by reverse circulation, even through a dual concentric pipe string, a different set up of equipment at the rig is necessary to supply the air through the annulus. On the other hand, the pilot bit could be used on the dual pipe with the dual pipe rig equipment which supplies air through the dual pipe annulus. Thus, two separate pipe strings for the pilot drilling pass and the enlarging drilling pass would be required in the case of existing equipment.
When forming blast holes by the two-pass method to provide a more-or-less flat bottomed enlarged chamber, as more particularly disclosed in United States patent 4,189,185, issued February 19, 1980 to A.W. Kammerer et al, it is desirable that the ~ottom of the hole be relatively free from cuttings and accumulated dust at the conclusion of the drilling. Accumulated debris at the bottcm of the hole can cushion the explosive effect and interfere with bench removal or effective fragmentation. However, residual cuttings and dust 1n the hole have continued to be a problem.
; The present invention relates to improved reverse circulation, pilot hole and enlarged hole drilling which obviates the problems referred to above.
More particularly, the present invention provides for forming enlarged bore holes or blast hoLes utilizing a two-~527~

1 pass method and reverse circulation through a dual concentricpipe string during the bore hole enlargement drilling, the dual concentric pipe string also being utili~ed during the drilling of the pilot hole.
A dual concentric pipe string is provided, according to the invention, made up in lengths of pipe having threaded pin and box ends providing sealed connections or joints between the lengths of pipe. One length of pipe utili~ed in the pipe string during drilling of the pilot hole has a cross-over structure which blanks off the center pipe above the pilot bit and allows air flow from between the center and outer pipes to the air passage of the pilot bits, so that return flow of air is upwardly in the annulus between the pipe string and the bore hole wall. A sealed swivel structure provides for the supply of air to the space between the center pipe and the outer pipe, from a source of drilling air, and includes a rotaty mandrel connected to the pipe string by one of the sealed dual pipe joints.
Also, in accordance with the in-7ention, the expansible bit for enlarging the bore hole has a piston and cylinder structure to which air is supplied from the space between the center and outer pipes for effecting outward expansion oi ; cutter arms in response to longitud1nal movement of an outer arm support with resect to an inner body and rotaty drive mandrel for the arm support. ~uring initial movement of the ; arm support and expansion of the cutter arms, a relatiely small amount of the total air pressure is allowed to be bled off from the piston and cylinder structure and to flow through passages in the arm supports and to the cutters to cool the cutters; while the greater porl:ion of the air .

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l pressure is maintained in the piston an~ cylinder structure to effect expansion of the cutters. When the cutters are in fully expanded condition, they are mechanically locked expanded and additional passage means are opened to allow a greater volume of the air to pass through the piston and cylinder means and flow through the cutters. Still further passage means in the cutter support are also opened to allow air from the piston and cylinder structure to flow through the outer cutter support body to noz~les which are directed towards the cutters, to blow cutting therefrom and assist in cooling the cutters, while the cutters are fully expanded and mechanically locked in the expanded condition.
A simple structure is provided for conducting air from the piston and cylinder structure to the cutters, through the cutter support body and arms. The arms have fluid passages connected with additional passages in the support body by a flexible connector conduit enabling pivotal movement of the arms. The passages in the arms lead 1:o bearing supports for roller cutters revolvable on the supports, and the air flows through the bearings and bearing races.
In order to assure adequate return air flow through the center pipe during the enlargement of the bore hole, means are provided to induce such return air flow. More particularly, venturi means are associated with the discharge line or conduit from the top drive unit which rotates the drill pipe, The venturi means has an air supplied to the `- pipe string. Thus, effective bailing or removal of cuttings is assured. In addition, the venturi means is preferably capable of inducing continued air flow 1:hrough the center pipe to remove ~esidual cuttings and dust which settle in the hole 1 when the driling of the enlargement is complete. Such residual material can be agitated by continued rotation of the expanded cutters, but without applying thrust to the drill pipe.
This invention posseses many other advantages and has other purposes which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form and method embodying the invention.
The form and method are shown and described in the present specification in connection with the drawings accompanying and constituting a part thereof. Such form and method will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it will be understood that such detailed description is not to be ta'~en in a limiting sense.
Referring to the drawings: Figs. la and lb, together, constitute a view diagrammatically showing the drilling of a pilot bore hole into earth formation, utilizing the dual drill pipe string of the invention, Fig. lb being a downward continuation of Fig. la;
Figs. 2a and 2b, together, constitute a vi~w diagrammatically showing the enlargement of the pilot bore hole of Figs. la and lb utilizing the expansible bit of the invention and reverse circulation through the ~ual pipe string, Fig. 2b being a downward continuation of Fig 2a.
Figs. 3a and 3b, together, constitute an enlarged longitudinal seation through the swivel structure, Fig. 3b being a downward continuation of Fig. 3a;
Fig. 3c i8 a fragmentary vertical section on the line ` 3c-3c of Fig. 3b;
Fig 4 is a transverse section throuah the swivel, as '`~
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1 taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3a;
Figs. 5a and 5b, together, constitute an enlarged vertical section, as taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, showing a typical dual pipe joint, Fig. 5b being a downward continuation of Fig. 5a;
Fig. 6 is a transverse section as taken on the line 6-6 of Fig 5a;
Fig. 7 is a transverse section as taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 5b;
Figs. 8a and 8b, together, constitute an enlarged vertical section, as taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1, showing the crossover unit in the dual pipe string used to drill the pilot bore hole; Fig. 8b being a downward continuation of Fig. 8a;
Fig. 9 is a transverse section as taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8b;
Figs. lOa, lOb and lOc, together, constitute a vertical section, as taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 2, showing the expansible bit used to enlarge the bore hole with the cutters in retracted condition, Fig. lOb and lOc being successive downward continuations of Fig. lOa;
Fig. 11 is a transverse section as taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. lOb;
Fig. 12 is a transverse section as taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. lOb;
Fig. 13 is a transverse section as taken on the line 13-13 of Fig lOc;
Fig. 14 is a transverse section as taken on the line 14-14 of Fig. lOc;
Fig~. lSa and l5b, together, constitute a vertical ;

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1 section corresponding to Figs. lOb and lOc, but showing th~
cutters expanded as in Fig. 2;
Fig. 16 is a bottom plan of the expansible bit, with the cutters expanded as in Fig. 15b; and Fig. 17 is an enlarged section, as taken on the line - 17-17 of Fig. 16, showing the details of one of the air cooled cutters.
As seen in the drawings, referring first to Figs. la and lb, and Figs. 2a and 2b, apparatus is diagrammatical~y illustrated for first drilling a pilot bore hole P~l ~Figs. la and lb) by drilling through the earth formation F with the usual drill bit B, secured to the lower end of a string of rotatable drill pipe P, adapted to be rotated by a suitable rotary drive unit D, whereby the cutters C on the bit B
progressively drill the bore or pilot hole PH as the drill pipe P is rotated, and drilling fluid is supplied through a swivel S from a suitable source of drilling fluid, such as a compressor for air in the case of drilling with air, via a supply conduit 10. As illustrated, the drill pipe string P
is a dual concentric drill pipe having an inner pipe IP and an outer pipe OP made up in appropriate lengths or sections secured together at ~oints J and defining an annular space A
therebetween communicating through the respective joints, whereby drilling fluid or air supplied through the swivel S, from the pipe 10 throuyh the annular space A to a crossover unit CO ln which the annular space A communicates through lateral passages 11 with a central bore 12 at the lower end of the crossover unit. The bit B is connected to the lower end of the crossover unit by the usual t:hreaded connection 13 and has a central passage 14 therethrough, through which ~5~

1 the drilling fluid or air passes from the crossover passage 12, exiting into the bore hole PH through the bit B and returning to the surface of the earth or to the starting end of the bore hole through the annular space 15 defined between the bore hole wall and the drill pipe string P. The flow of the drilling fluid or air is operative to cool the cutters C
of the bit B and to flush or bail cuttings from the bore hole as the drilling progresses.
It is generally known that the velocity of air upwardly through the annular space 15 between the drill pipe and the bore hole wall must be on the order of 5000 feet per minute in order to bail the cuttings from the bore hole. When as shown in Fig. lb, the gauge of the bit B is only slightly larger than the diameter of the drill pipe string P, the annular cross-sectional area of the annulus 15 can enable the air to flow with sufficient velocity, for example, if the alr is suppIied from a compressor through the annulus A of the drill pipe string at 1300 SCFM, the d ameter of the drill pipe is 5 3/4" and the gauge of the b t is 7 7/8", and the bore hole is fairly regular, having no large cavities or enlargements therein, the bailing velocity of the air returning through the annulus 15 will be on the order of in - excess of 8000' per minute, or well in excess of the m~inimum velocity required for removing the cuttings. With this in mind, the drilling of bore holes using air, generically including other gas, as the drilling fluid supplied through the drill pipe string, either of the ordinary type or of the dual concentric type, has been ~idely used as a drilling fluid in drilling bore holes for blasting or other mining operations, as well as in the drilling of well bore.

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1 As seen in Figs. 2a and 2b, the same drill pipe string P, but without the crossover structure CO, has been connected to a hole opener or bore hole enlarging bit EB of the expansible cutter type, having pivoted cutter supporting arms 16 provided with the cutters C at the lower free ends thereof, adapted to form the enlarged bore hole or chamber EH, as the expansible cutters are swung outwardly and the drilling progresses. If air were to be supplied through the swivel S to the drill pipe string P in the same manner as described with respect to Figs. la and lb in an `effort to flush or bail the cuttings from the enlarged bore hole or chamber EH, the bailing velocity would be below the minimum value required. For example, if the enlarged bore hole El~ is 13" in diameter, and drilling air is supplied at 1300 SCFM, the air velocity within the enlarged bore hole would only be slight more than 1700' per minute. In accordance with the present invention however, the air is supplied through the swivel S to the annulus A between the inner and outer pipes IP and OP, as shown by the arrows, flowing downwardly into the bore hole, and then entering the centre pipe IP and flowing upwardly therethrough, exiting from the top thereof.
If it is assumed that the bore of the inside pipe is 2" in dia_eter, and all oE the air returned to the surface through the 2" bore, sopplied throagh the annulus A at 1300 SCFM, then the bailing velocity would be on the order of 60,000' per minute. Thus, if merely 10~ of the air entering the bore hole return~ through th~ inner pipe, the bailing velocity ` - would still be on the oxder of 6000' per minute, which is in excess of the minumum velocity required to bail the cuttings.
As is known, baffles bstween the piE~e string P and the 11 , .
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1 wall of the bore hole PH may be employed to assure adequate flow of air up the center of the drill pipe string. However, in accordance with the present invention, as seen in E~ig. 2a, the flow of air up through the center pipe is enhanced by the provision of means V for drawiny air through the inner pipe IP. The drive unit D is shown diagrammatically as having an inner drive pipe 17 driven by gearing 18 which is powered by suitable motors, such as hydraulic motors M. Fluid and cuttings flow upwardly through the drive pipe 17 into a discharge chamber 17a in the drive unit housing, the pipe 17 having a packing 17b engaged therewith to prevent entry of dust into the drive unit housing. An outlet connection 19 is connected to the housing by fasteners l9a and establishes a flow path from the housing chamber 17a to a discharge hose l9b.
The venturi means V is associated with the discharge hose l9b so as to induce flow through the hose and thus induce flow upwardly through the center of the drill string.
The venturi includes a housing l9c in-talled in the discharge hose l9b and having a flow passage l9d therethrough. A
flange l9e on the housing l9c has an annular space or passage l9f to which air is supplied by an inlet conduit l9g. An annular gap l9h opens from the annular passage l9f into the flow passage l9d upstream of the gap, thereby inducing f:Luid flow from the bore hole upwardly through the inner drill pipe and through the discharge hose, as air is supplied through the swivel S and flows down the annulus A between the inner and outer pipes and enters the bore hole through the bit.
The venturi or vAcuum producing means V provides a further advantage after the completion of the enlargement of ~ .

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1 the bore hole, when the supply of drilling air is discontinued. When the drilling operation is concluded, ~he - bore hole will contain a quantity of cuttings and dust which have been lifted within the annular space wthin the bore hole outside of the drill pipe and which will set-tle to the bottom of the hole. The continued application of air to the venturi will induce flow through the discharge conduit which continues to draw air up the center pipe and will continue to lift the cuttings from the bottom of the bore in a vacuuming operation. During the vacuuming operation, the drill pipe P
can be rotated to cause the cutters on the bit to agitate the cuttings as the bottom of the hole.
Referring to Figs. 3a, 3b, 3c and 4, the swivel structure S is shown in greater detail. Internally, the swivel structure includes an elongated body or mandrel 20 having a central flow passage 21 therethrough. At its upper end the body 20 has an externally threaded pin 22 threaded into an internally threaded box 23 of the rotary drive member 17, which is adapted, as described above, to be rotated by drive unit D. The rotary drive member 17 has a central passage 25 therethrough which communicates with the swivel passage 21 and with the discharge conduit and venturi means V. At its lower end, the swivel body or-mandrel 20 has an internally threaded box section 26 connected to an externally threaded pin 27 forming a joning J therewith.
A tubular outer body section 2~ is disposed about the - body of mandrel 20 and welded thereto at appropriate locations to rigidly unite the inner and outer body sections ~; ` together. As shown, the outer body 28 has an upper weld 29 securing it to the upper portion of the inner body section, 7~

1 and a suitable number of longitudinally and circumferentially spaced welds 30 formed in drilled holes in the outer body - section are also provided to secure the body sections together. Prior to assembly of the outer body section 28 on the inner body, the inner body is provided with a number of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extended milled slots 31 which communicate with further downwardly extending and circumferentially spaced slots 32 ~Fig. 3c), through which slots air is adapted to flow downwardly between the mandrel body sections. The slots 32, as seen in Fig. 3c, are narrower than the slots 31 and 33, but of greater depth so as to have approximately the same effective air flow areas.
Reduction in the width of the slots 32 enables the formation in the swivel body at a number of circumferentially spaced locations, of outwardly opening ~rench slots 34 which extend longitudinally of the body and provide a downwardly facing shoulder 35, whereby a vertical supporting tool and holding tool can be applied to the body by the drilling rig, as is also well known. The wrench slots 34 are partially formed by external slots 36 formed in the exterior of the inner body section 20, and preferably a bead of weld 37 is formed about the interface of the body parts within the wrench slot 34.
~Disposed about the rotatable swiveI body structure is an outer swivel housing structure 38, adapted to be held stationary in ah appropriate supporting arrangement which allows downward movement of the swivel assembly during the drilling operation. The supporting arrangement is not illustrated herein since it is not germane to the present invention and various supporting arrangements can be utilized as well known in the use of apparatus o~ the type here 1 involved.
More particularly, the outer stationary swivel - structure 38 comprises a central annular section 39 disposed about the rotatable internal body structure and carrying suitable internal side ring seals 40 and 41 in axially spaced relation. The seals 40 and 41 are preferably elastomer seals and are adapted to confine the air from the air inlet conduit 10 ag'ainst leakage from the swivel assembly~ As seen in Fig.
3a, the conduit 10 opens into an annular space 42 defined by companion annular grooves 43 and 44 in opposed relation in the cylindrical walls of the swivel member 39 and outer body section 28 of the swivel mandrel. Leading between the annulus 42 and the respective longit`udinally extended flo;~
passages or slots 31 in the mandrel is a number of circumferentially spaced radial ports 45. Upper bearing means 46'and lower bearing means 47 rotatably support the inner mandrel structure within the outer swivel structure.
The uppe`r bearing means 46 includes an inner bearing race 48 searing on a shoulder 49 provided on the outer mandrel body section 28 having an inwardly and upwardly inclined race or surface 50 engaged by bearing elements or rollers 51. An outer race member 51' is engaged by the bearing rollers 51 and engages ln a seat 52 provided within a bearing retainer and sealing sleeve 53. This slee~ve 53 is threaded at 54 onto an upwardly extended annular flange 55 provided on the central swivel housing member 39 and has an upper circumferentially,extended and inwardly projecting flange 55' which carries an internal sealing ring structure 56 slidably and sealingly engaglng with the outer cylindrical surfac`e of the mandrel body section 20, so as to protect the bearing - ~' 5~

1 means 46 from erosive dust and dirt. Correspondingly, the lower bearing means 47 has an inner race 57 seating in a seat 58 provided on the mandrel body structure and having a downwardly and inwardly inclined surface or raceway 59 engaged by bearing elements or rollers 60 which also engage the opposing upwardly and outwardly inclined raceway 61 of an outer bearing race 62 disposed in a seat 63, which is provided by a lower bearing retainer sleeve 64. This sleeve is threadedly connected at 65 to a downwardly extended annular flange 66 provided on the mandrel housing central member 39 and has a circumferentially extended and inwardly projecting lower flange 67, which carries an internal seal assembly 6~ slidably and sealingly engaging with the outer cylindrical surface of the mandrel structure to prevent the entrance of foreign matter into the lower bearing assembly 47. It will be seen that the outer swivel housing structure 33 can be easily assemb.led about the'swivel mandrel structure ::
and disass.embled for service or repair by threadedly disconnecting the respective bearing retainer sleeves 53 and 64 from the central housing member 39. In addition, when the bearing retainers 53 and 64 are removed, the central housing member 39 can be moved axially upwardly from the end oE t:he swivel mandrel to allow service and replacement of the seal rings 40 and 41.
Referring to Figs. 5a and 5b, as well as to the - sectlonal views of 6 and 7, a typical jo'int.J is illustrated.- Each joint J includ'es a box end 70 and a pin : end 71. The box end 70 comprises an inner tubular member 72 having a'suitable number of circumferentialy spaced and longitudinally extended flow passages 73 milled therein and ' ';

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1 having a central flow passage 74 therethrough. At its lower end, the member 72 has a downwardly and outwardly tapered internal thread 75 adapted to receive the complimental external thread 76 on the pin section. At its upper end, the box member 72 has an annular seat 77 circumscribing the flow passage 74 and receiving a downwardly extended cylindrical end portion 78 of an elongated pipe section 79, which i~
welded to the box member 72 as by a circumferentially continuous weld 80. Disposed about the pipé 79 and defining therewith the annular space A is an outer elongated pipe 81 which is welded by a suitable number of circumferentially spaced welds 82 in radial openings 83 to the upper end of the box body member 72. Also welded to the box body member 72 is a downwardly extended connector sleeve 84 which extends downwardly about the box body 72 and provides a downwardly facing end or shoulder 85 projecting downwardly below the lower end 86 of the threaded box section. The sleeve 84 is welded to the box body section 72 by neans of a suitable number of circumferentially spaced welds 87 pxovided in radial openings 8~ in the sleeve 84. In addition, a circumferentially continuous weld 89 is provided between th~
opposing ends of the upper pipe section 81 and the downward]y extended sleeve 84. The outer connector sleeve 84 and the inner box member 72 are also united adjacent their lower ends by a weld 90 which extends circumfexentially at the juncture - of the lower end of the inner body 72 with the internal -periphery of the connector sleeve above the lower end shoulder 85. As seen .n Fig. 5b, the upper end of each length of pipe, having the pin end 71 of the respective joints J, hss the external thread 76 on the upwardly and inwardly . .

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1 tapered pin section 91 which is provided on a pin body section 92 having a longitudinally extended bore or fluid passage 93 therethrough adapted to be aligned with the passage 74 through the box end 70 of the coupling. At its lower end, the pin body section 92 has an internal annular seat 94 receiving an upwardly extended cylindrical end section 95 of the center pipe 79 which is welded to the body section 92 by a circumferentially continuous weld 96. Formed in the outer periphery of the pin body section g2, adjacent the upper end thereof, is a number of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extended slots 97 which communicate with relatively narrower but deeper longitudinally extended slots 98, which at their lower ends communica'te with further longitudinally extended slots 99. The slots 97 communicate with an annualar space'100 between the lower extremity of the box end 86 and an upwardly faciny surface or shoulder 101 at the upper end of an outer pin connector sleeve 102. The lower slots 99 communicate with the annular space A between the lower pipe 81 and the inner pipe 79 of the subjacent unit.
As in the case of the slots 32 and 33 described above, the cross-sectional area of the slots 97 and 99, by reason of their relatively greater circumferential exter,t than the narrower slots 98, have substantially the same cro'ss-sectional air flow ar,ea as the slots 98. The outerpin sleeve 102 is welded to the inner pin body section 92 by a suitable number of circumferentially spaced welds 103 formed , in radial openings 104 in the sleeve 102, as well as by a weld 105 formed at the upper end of the sleeve 102 and the upper outer edge of the pin body 92.
As seen in Fig. 7, the relatively narrow circum-~2527C~

1 ferentially spaced slots 98 provide a substantial segrnent of the body 92 wherein the circumferentially spaced or diametrically opposed wrench slots 10~ can be formed, these slots 106 extending longitudinally and circumferentially to provide opposed longitudinally extended shoulders 107 and a downwardly facing horizontal face 108 engageable with the usual holding and supporting members of the drilling rig.
With the pin end held by the projections provided on the rig and engaged in the wrench slots, the superjacent pipe length can be rotated by the rig to make up the threaded connection between the pin and the box.
Referring to Figs. 8a and 8b, the crossover sub or assembly CO is illustrated in detail. The assembly comprises an elongated center section having a flow passage 110 extending therethrough and inclucing an upper inner body section lIl having a threaded pin end 112 engaged in the box thread 75 at the lower end of the pipe section thereabove.
At its lower end, the inner body member 111 has an annular seat 113 receiving the end projection 114 of a lower, elongated crossover body section 115, welded to the body section 111 by a circumferentially continous weld 116. The upper body section 111 has elongated slots 11, milled therein, opening at their lower ends into the annular space A
between the inner body section 115 and the outer tubular body 118, which is welded at 119 to the upper, outer body section 120 which provides the upwardly facing shoulder 121 engageable with the downwardly facing shoulder 85 at the upper pipe section, wh~n the connection is threaded together~ Also, as previously described, the pin 112 carries in its upper end surface an annular resiliently deformable or
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1 elastomeric seal ring 122 which prevents air flow from the annulus A into the central passage through the assembly. The upper, outer body section 120 is welded to the inner body section 111 by a suitable number of welds 123 formed in holes 124 in the outer body section, and the lower outer body section 118 is also welded to the inner upper body section 111 by a suitable number of welds 125 formed in holes 126 in the body section 118 below the weld 119.
At the lower end of the crossover assembly CO, the inner tubular body member 115 and the outer tubular body member 118 are joined to a crossover and connector member 127 which has an internally threaded box 128 connected to the externally threaded pin 129 of the bit B. The crossover and connector member 127 has-a cylindrical body 130 providing an annular seat 131 which receives a downwardly extended cylindrical end portion 132 of the inner body section 115, the two parts being welded together by circumferentially continuous weld 133. It will be seen that the connector body 130 blanks off the lower end of the fluid passage 110 in the centxe of the upper body section. The outer tubular body 118 is rigidly connected to the crossover and connector body 127 by a number of circumferentially spaced welds 13~ formed in hole 135 in the portion of the body 118 which surrounds the cylindrical crossover body 130. Another circumferentially continuous weld 136 is provided between the lower end of the body section 118 and the crossover connector 127.
: A number of circumferentially spaced elongated milled slots 137 in the side of the.crossover body 130 communicates ` I
`~ .with the annular space A and with a num~er of radial ports 139 forned in the crossover body 130 and extending between " .

' ` 20 .

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1 the slots 137 and a central bore 140 in the connector body 130. The bore 140 opens downwardly into the central flow passage 141 through the bit B, whereby air flowing downwardly through the annular space A finds access to the bit s and discharges into the bore hole, as previously described with respect to Fig. la.
Referring to Figs. lOa through lOc, the expansible cutter hole opener or hole enlarging bit of the invention is shown in detail. The bit EB includes an elongated tubular body 150 having an upper pin end 151 threadedly engaged in the thread 75 at the lower end of a length of the drill pipe P and shouldering at 152 with the lower end of the drill pipe section, the pin 151 carrying at its uper end an elastomeric or resilient seal ring 153 engageable within the box 70 to provide a seal between the outer flow path and the inner flow passage 154 which extends through the body of the hold opening bit.
Extending along the bit body 15~) in circumferentially spaced locations is a number of elongated milled slots 155 which communicate through the connection at the upper end of the body with the annulus of the drill pipe string, the outer body sleeve or member 156 of the bit body beirg welded at a number of circumferentially spaced locations by welds 137 formed in holes 148 in the body member 156 in angularly spaced relation to the slots 155.
At the lower end, the fluid passages 155 communicate through lateral openings 157 ~Fig. 11) in the outer body member 156 with an annular piston chamber 158 provided by piston and cylinder means 159. This piston and cylinder means 159 is adapted to longitudinally shift an outer cutter .

:
.

,'2'7~

1 carrying support section 160 of the bit upwardly with respect to an inner drive or mandrel section 161 of the bit, betwsen the positions shown in Fig. lOb and lOc, in which the cutter arms 16 are retracted, and in Figs. 15a and lSb, in whihch the cutter arms 16 are expan~ed.
The outer, cutter arms supporting structure 160 comprises a tubular member 162 having at circumferentially spaced locations elongated fluid passages or slots 163 milled therein and then closed by elongated closure strips 164 welded into an elongated seat 165. At alternate angularly spaced locations about the member 162 are additional passage ways are slot.s 166 which are somewhat shorter than the slots 163 and which are closed by elongated closure strips 167 welded in seats 167' in the member 162. As will be described hereinafter, the passage ways 163 are adapted to supply air to the cutters C on the cutter arms 16, and the passages 166 communicate with passages 168 in the lower end section 169 of the outer body member 162, these passnges 168 leading to nozzles 170 which are carried in the :Lower end of the body and directed towards the bits' cutters, whereby the air discharging from the nozzles is caused to blow over the cutters to remove cuttings therefrom and assi~t in maintaining the bit in a cool operating condition.
Carried by-the lower end section 169 of the body member 162 in a pluraity of circumferentially spaced elongated slots 171 are the respectlve cutter support arms 16t Pivot pins ; 172 extend through the upper ends 173 of the cutter arms 16 and into aligned bore holes 174 at opposite sides of the slots. The pins engage at one end with a stop 175 and are retained in place by auitable screw members 176 threaded into 22`

. .. . . . . . . . .
: , .. . .

1 the body as seen in Fig. 14.
As previously indicated, air from passages 163 in the body member 162 is adapted to be directed to the cutters C.
Thus, the passages 163, at the lower ends, open into a bore 177, and a flexible, preferably metallic, fluid connector 178 has a fitting 179 connected in the bore 177 and another fitting 180 which communicates with an elongated passage 181 formed in the bit support arm 16. In the illustraded embodiment, the bit arm 16 }s a two part structure, including 10 the pivot end 16a and the cutter support end 16b joined together by a weld 16c with a tubular insert 16d providing for continuity of the fluid passage 181. Air supplied to the passages 181 is adapted to cool the cutters C in a manner to be described below.
The inner body or drive member 161 extends reciprocably within the outer member 162 and has at its lower end a tubular member 182 having a head 183 disposed in a seat 184 at the lower end of the body member lfil and retained in place by a suitable means such as a split retainer ring 185, which 20 is in turn retained in place by balls 186 engaging in opposed arcuate surfaces provided about the outer periphery of the split ring 185 and about the inner peripheral wall of the seat 184. The tubular member 182 extends downwardly within - the center of the outer body section 162 and through a bushing 187, which is retained in place by snap rings 188 within a bore 189 provided in a web 190 at the lower end of the outer body member 169. Extending through the tubular member 182 is a fluid passage 191 which is in communication with the central passage 154 through the inner bit body member 30 161. Since the air flowing through the tubular member 182 is . .

-5iZ7~

1 laden with cuttings and abrasive dust, the member 182 is preferably provided at its lower end with a wear resistant ring insert 192.
In the operation of the structure to expand the cutter supporting arms outwardly from the position of Fig. lOc to the position of Fig. 15b, an outward projection 193 at one side of the tubular member 182 is formed to engage a downwardly and inwardly, arcuately extended camming surface 194 provided on the inside of the respective support arms 16. At the lower end of the camming surface 194 is a locking surface 195 which, when ~he arm 16 is fully pivotally extended as seen in Fig. lSb is engaged by the cam member 193 to mechanically lock the arms in the expanded positions until - reverse motion of the bit body members occurs. Upon such reverse motion of the bit body sections, a shoulder 196 projecting outwardly and facing upwardly on the tubular member 182 is provided for engagement with a downwardly facing lug or projection 197 upon the upper end 173 of the respective support arm 16, whereby to pivotally shift the support arms 16 from the extended positon of Fig. 15b back to the retracted position of Fig. lOc, enabling the bit structure to be removed from the hole on the drill pipe.
As previousIy indicated, the inner bit body member 161 ;
is a rotary drive member which is adapted to rotatably drive the outer bit body section 162 in response to rotation of the drill pipe string, so that the bit cutters are rotated or revolved about the axis of the bit. The rotary drive between the bit body sections is provided as shown in Fig. 13, wherein it wili be seen that at opposite sides oE the inner ~0 body section 161 are chordal flats 198 disposed in opposed 7~

1 relation and slidably engageable with segmental torque transmitting members 199, which are carried within the oucer body member 162 and suitably fixed in place as by weldments.
As previously indicated, the piston and cylinder means 159 which form the piston chamber 158 act to move the outer body structure 160 upwardly with respect to the inner body structure 161 when the cutter arms 16 are to be extended.
Referring to Fig. lCb, it will be noted that the piston and cylinder structure comprises an upper annular head 200 secured within the upper end of the outer body member 162 by means such as retained screws 201 carried by the body member 162 and extending into an opening or groove 202 formed about the outer periphery of the head 200. An external sealing ring 203 is disposed between the body member 162 and the outer periphery of the head 200, and an internal side ring seal or piston ring 203' is carried by the head and slidably and sealingly engaged with the outer cylindrical surface of the upper and outer body member 156. Another wiper or resilient seal 204 is carried by the upper end of the head 200 and slidably engages the cylindrical outer surface of the body member 156. In addition, a lubricant is adapted to be supplied to an annular space 205 above the piston ring seal 203' and the wiper ring seal 204 through a suitable grease fitting 206 to lubricate the slidable connection between the head 200 and the body member 156. Below the head 200, and carried by the inner body member 161, is another head member or ring 207 disposed about the outer periphery of the body member 161 and seating on a stop ring 208, the ring being held in place by means of a number of circumferentially spaced retainer screws 209 threaded lnt~ the inner body ~5~7~ .

1 member 161. A static seal ring 210 is clisposed between the body member 161 and the inner periphery of the head 207, and a slicling and resilient ring seal 211 is carried by the head ring 207 adjacent its lower end and slidably ancl sealingly engaging within the inner cylindrical surface of the outer body member 162. ~nother external ring seal 212 is carried by the head ring 207 and slidably engages the inner periphery of the outer body member 162 at the upper end of the head ring 207. Thus, it will be seen that air supplied through the swivel to the annular space A between the inner and outer pipe sections can flow downwardly through the respective joints finding access to the air passages 155 provided in the bit mandrel. Ports 157 at the lower end of the passages 155 ~.
provide communication between the passages 155 and the piston chamber 158, so that the pressure of air in the piston .
chamber acts upwardly across the annular cross-sectional area of the head 200 between the outer periphery of the bit mand:rel 156 and the inner periphery o:- the outer bit member 162, providing an upward force to lif~ the outer body member 162 and consequently the bit support arms 16 upvardly with . respect to the inner body member 161 and the camming member 19~ on the mandrel tube 182. Such upwardly movement causes the progressive expansion of the bit arms 16 outwardly, as rotation of the drill pipe causes the cutter C to form the downwardly facing upper shoulder within the enlarged bore hole EH, A suitable number of circumferentially spaced small :
ports 2i3 communicate between the piston chamber 158 : immediately below the head 200 and the air passages 163 in ~ 30 the outer body member 162, whereby a portion of the air .

. ~ , '.

7~

1 supplied to the piston chamber finds access to the passages 163, and then through the fle~ible connectors 178 to the 3ir passages 181 in the bit arm 16.
Referring to Fig. 17, it will be seen that the cutter arms passages 181 are adapted to supply air to the cutters C
to cool the same. The passages 181 communicate via passage 181a with a bore 181b, and from the bore 181b air can flow through a further passage 181c, which extends through the journal or mount 220 for the rotary conical cutter element 221,which carries suitable hard cutting inserts 222 arranged in an appropriate cutting pattern, as is well known. Between the journal or hub 220 of the cutter and the conical cutter element 221 are suitable roller bearings 223 engaging opposed parallel bearing surfaces 224 within the conical member 225 on the hub. In addition, ball bearing elements 226 are disposed between opposed arcuate seats 227 on the hub and 228 within the conical cutter element 221, these balls being supplied initially through the bore 1~31b and serving to rotatably retain the cutter element 221 on the hub. After the bearing balls 226 are installed, they are retained in place by a retainer 229 disposed in the bore 181b and providing an inner arcuate surface 230 corresEonding to the surface 227 within the journal, and retainer 229 is then secured in place as by a weld 231. In addition, an end bearing or sleeve 232 is disposed between the reduced end of the journal 220 and the end bore within the conical member 221. The air passage 181c opens through the inner end of the journal 220, so that all of the air supplied through the passage `181 passes about the bearings 232, 226 and 223 as the air exits between the cutter cone and the journal.
~ ~ .

.
:

~2~27~

1 When, as previously indicated, the relatively small ports 213 leading from the piston chamber 158 to the fluid passages 163 and thence to the cutters allow sufficient flow to effectively cool the cutters during the initial hole opening operation, it is desired that after expansion of the cutters to the positions of Fig. 15b, where they are mechanically locked in the outwardly extended position, a large volume of air be supplied to the cutters to cool them.
Accordingly, again referring to Fig. lOb, it will be seen that additional fluid ports 213a are provided in the boby member 162 and communicating with the air passages 163 therein. These ports 213a are initially closed by virtue of the lower side ring seal 211 and the upper side ring seal 212 between the head member or sleeve 207 and the inner periphery of the body member 162. However, as the body member 162 moves upwardly, to the position of Fig. 15a, it will be seen that the relatively larger ports 213a communicate with the piston chamber 158 after the ports 21:3a pass above the upper head seal 212, whereby additional air is supplied to the passage ways through the cutter supporting arms and to the cutters.
In addition, it will be seen, again referring to Fig.
lOb, that the body member 162 had additional circumferentially spaced ports communicating with the passage ways 166 extending therethrough and leading to the nozzles 170 at the lower end of the outer bit body section 169.
These additional ports 213b are also initially located between the lower seal 211 and the upper seal 212 between the body 162 and the head ring 207, so that communication between these ports 213b and the fluid passage i55 is lnitially .

`, , 7~

1 precluded. Here again, however, as the outer body of the bit moves upwardly and the bit arms 16 are fully expanded, these additional ports 213b are also in communication with the piston chamber 15~ so that a share of the air supplied to the piston chamber can now flow to the nozzles which are, as seen in Fig. 16, directed towards the cutters C so as to create an air blast against the cutters to blow the cuttings therefrom and also assist in maintaining the cutters cool.
In the use of the apparatus described above to first form a pilot hole P~ as in Fig. 1 and to form the enlarged bore hole E~, the components of the apparatus are preferably carried by a drilling rig having a compressor for supplying air to the drilling operation, suitable supports for the various components so that they can be made up in a string during the drilling operations, and engaging and holding tools for the respective components so that they can be torqued together. Initially, the crossover sub CO is made up together with the usual drilling bit B and the swivel S, together wlth an appropriate length of intermediate dual concentric pipe. Rotation is applied to the pipe string as the drilling air is supplied to the conduit 10. The air flows down the annulus A of the pipe string, crossing cver through the crossover to the central bit passage and return to the surface through the annulus 15 outside of the drill pipe. This is, except for the use of the dual concentric ~ pipe and crossover, a fairly standard bore hole drilling ; operation ~hich could be conducted with ordinary drill pipe instead of the dual concentric pipe. After the pilot hole P~
has been drille;d to the desired depth, the drilling string is removed from the bore hole and the bit and crossover assembly . ~

-~25'~7~

1 remov~d. Then the expansible bit EB ls applied to the pipe string and lowered in the bore hole to the location at which the formation of the enlarged chamber or hole EH is to com~ence.
Air is supplied simultaneously to the drilling fluid conduit 10 as well as to the venturi V, and rotation of the drill pipe string is effected to commence the cutting action of the cutter C against the pilot hole wall. The cuttings, together with the portion of the air circulated to the cutter C through the expansible arms will reversely flow upwardly through the center pipe assisted by the induced flow produced by the venturi device V. Since the flow of drilling air tO
the cutter C is initially restricted by the relatively small ports 213 communicating between the cutter expanding piston chamber 158 and the cutters, high air pressure is available to forcefully move the cutters outwardly to rapidly undercut the formation, preventing the outer surfaces of the cutter arm 16 from dragging on the formation at the undercut shoulder. When the expansible cutters are fully expanded and locked in pIace by the camming action of the mandrel on the support arms and more air is allowed to circulate through the cutters~to cool and cleanse them, the balance of the air is ~etted through the nozzles 170 in the direction of the bits to further blow the bits clean and further cool them~ The drilling operation can then be continued until, for example, the enlarged hole is drilled to the same depth as the depth of the original pilot hole, as in the two pass blast hole forming method of the atove-identified United States patent 4,189,285. Then the circulation of air ~:hrough the drill pipe and the application of drilling thrust can be ceased .

2,7~

1 while the application of air to the venturi continues. Any cuttings and dust which have been carried upwardly through the bore hole annulus will then settle to the bottom of the bore hole. The continued rotation of the drill pipe can cause the cutters to agitate the settlng dust and cuttings, and the flow of air downwardly through the annulus and upwardly through the center of the drill pipe, under the influence of the venturi will vacuum the hole relatively clean.

~0 ;` 31

Claims (3)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Apparatus for enlarging a bore hole drilled into an earth formation comprising: a rotatable dual drill pipe string having an inner pipe and an outer pipe defining an inner fluid path and an outer fluid path between the pipes; a bit having normally retracted expansible cutters connected to said drill pipe string and having an opening for communicating between the bore hole and said inner fluid path; fluid pressure actuated means for expanding the cutters of said bit; passage means for communicating said fluid pressure actuated means and said bore hole with said outer fluid path; and means for connecting said outer fluid path to a fluid source while permitting rotation of said drill pipe string; said passage means including first passage means leading from said fluid pressure actuated means through said expansbile cutters and second passage means leading from said fluid pressure actuated means and having nozzles directed towards said expansible cutters, said first passage means including one port leading from said fluid pressure actuated means to said expansible cutters when said cutters are retracted and another port leading to said expansible cutters when said cutters are expanded.
2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said another port being of larger flow area than said one port.
3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, and means responsive to expansion of said cutters by said fluid pressure actuated means to initially close said second passage means during expansion of said cutters and opening said passage means when said cutters are expanded.
CA380,472A 1979-12-11 1981-06-23 Enlarged bore hole drilling apparatus Expired CA1125270A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA380,472A CA1125270A (en) 1979-12-11 1981-06-23 Enlarged bore hole drilling apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA341,673A CA1111833A (en) 1979-12-11 1979-12-11 Enlarged bore hole drilling method and apparatus
CA380,472A CA1125270A (en) 1979-12-11 1981-06-23 Enlarged bore hole drilling apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1125270A true CA1125270A (en) 1982-06-08

Family

ID=25669012

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA380,472A Expired CA1125270A (en) 1979-12-11 1981-06-23 Enlarged bore hole drilling apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1125270A (en)

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