EP0106701A2 - Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Schmieren eines Bohrmeissels - Google Patents

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Schmieren eines Bohrmeissels Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0106701A2
EP0106701A2 EP83306325A EP83306325A EP0106701A2 EP 0106701 A2 EP0106701 A2 EP 0106701A2 EP 83306325 A EP83306325 A EP 83306325A EP 83306325 A EP83306325 A EP 83306325A EP 0106701 A2 EP0106701 A2 EP 0106701A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
drill pipe
lubricating fluid
flow
drill
conduit means
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP83306325A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0106701A3 (de
Inventor
Donald David Drummond
Roy Wilbert Wood
Walter Frank Johnsey
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.)
DRUMCO
Original Assignee
DRUMCO
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 US06/435,239 external-priority patent/US4541494A/en
Priority claimed from US06/482,907 external-priority patent/US4508183A/en
Application filed by DRUMCO filed Critical DRUMCO
Publication of EP0106701A2 publication Critical patent/EP0106701A2/de
Publication of EP0106701A3 publication Critical patent/EP0106701A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B10/00—Drill bits
    • E21B10/08—Roller bits
    • E21B10/22—Roller bits characterised by bearing, lubrication or sealing details
    • E21B10/23—Roller bits characterised by bearing, lubrication or sealing details with drilling fluid supply to the bearings
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B10/00—Drill bits
    • E21B10/08—Roller bits
    • E21B10/18—Roller bits characterised by conduits or nozzles for drilling fluids
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B21/00—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
    • E21B21/16—Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor using gaseous fluids

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for lubricating rotary drill bits during a drilling operation and, more particularly, to such a method and apparatus for lubricating the bearings of such a drill bit having a plurality of bearing-mounted rotary cutting cones.
  • the upper end of the adapter sub is adapted to be coupled to a rotary drill, either directly or through the use of a suitable drill pipe extension when drilling deep holes.
  • the adapter sub includes a central conduit which extends from the rotary drill (or the extension drill pipe) to the drill bit, which has a mating conduit extending to the vicinity of the cutting cones. Pressurized air from the rotary drill flows through the central conduit of the adapter sub and is discharged at the drill bit through nozzles positioned between the cutting cones for impingement upon the rock or other material being drilled, the air acting as a scavenging medium to pick up dust and cuttings and carry them upwardly out of the drill hole. Water or other such wetting agents are often added to the airflow to help control the dust generated by the drilling operation.
  • the lubrication system described and claimed in our co-pending patent application has achieved success in improving the service life of the cutting cone bearings of the drill bit, that lubrication system may prove to be somewhat inconvenient during certain operational applications due to the limited size of the fluid reservoir within the adapter sub of the drill bit assembly. More specifically, the lubricating fluid reservoir disclosed in our co-pending application must be periodically refilled in order to provide the relatively continuous flow of lubricating fluid necessary to cool and lubricate the cutting cone bearings for longer service life. In order to refill the lubricating fluid reservoir within the drill bit assembly, the drilling operation must be stopped and the drill bit assembly must be temporarily withdrawn from the drill hole. If the drill hole is substantial in length, the periodic interruption of the drilling process for refilling the reservoir can result in a substantial time delay, which is not cost effective for the drilling operation.
  • the present invention provides a method and apparatus for a continuous flow of lubricating fluid to the cutting cone bearings to lubricate and cool the bearings without interruption of the drilling operation.
  • the present invention involves a method and apparatus for providing a flow of lubricating fluid from a surface-mounted lubricating fluid source through a rotatable drill pipe to the rotary cutting cones of a rotary drill bit used in drilling in an underground formation.
  • Pump means provides a flow of lubricating fluid from the lubricating fluid source to the drill pipe.
  • Drill pipe conduit means extends along the drill pipe for receiving the flow of lubricating fluid and for directing the lubricating fluid flow to the drill bit.
  • Distribution conduit means extends from the drill pipe conduit means to the cutting cones for receiving the flow of lubricating fluid from the drill pipe conduit means and directing the lubricating fluid flow to the cutting cones for the lubrication thereof.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a schematic illustration of an apparatus, generally designated 10, for providing a flow of lubricating fluid to a drill bit assembly 12 in accordance with the present invention.
  • the drill bit assembly 12 is of the type used in conjunction with a standard rotary drill or pipe drive mechanism (not shown in detail) for drilling into an underground formation 14 of relatively hard material, such as rock or the like.
  • the drill bit assembly 12 may be supported in the underground formation 14 by a rotatable drill pipe 16, which may comprise a plurality of individual drill pipe sections (16a, 16b, etc.) of a standard or uniform, length or of various lengths which are coupled together in end-to-end relationship in accordance with techniques well known in the art to form a generally continuous drill pipe of a length sufficient to drill or bore a hole of necessary or desired depth.
  • a surface-mounted drilling rig or derrick 18 is employed during the drilling operation to support the drill pipe 16 and the rotary drill (not shown) in a manner well known in the art.
  • a portable drill rig such as a truck mounted drill rig (not shown) may be employed to support the drill pipe 16 and drill bit assembly 12.
  • the apparatus 10 is employed to provide a flow of lubricating fluid from a surface-mounted lubricating fluid source 20 to the rotary cutting cones (not shown on Fig. 1) of the drill bit assembly 12 during the drilling operation.
  • the lubricating fluid which is provided to the drill bit cutting cones may be a standard fluid lubricant or oil of a suitable type well known in the drilling art and the lubricating fluid source 20 may comprise any suitable storage facility containing a desired quantity of such lubricant or oil, such as, for example, a 190 litre drum which may be conveniently replaced or refilled as needed.
  • Pump means shown generally as 22, is employed for providing a flow of lubricant from the lubricating fluid source 20 to an oiling gland adapter 23 (not shown in detail in Fig. 1) located at or along the exposed portion of the drill pipe 16 for subsequent delivery to the drill bit assembly 12 in a manner described more fully hereinafter.
  • the pump means 22 may comprise a standard pneumatic positive displacement pump 24 of a type well known in the art or any other suitable pump, a first lubricant conduit means or intake pipe 26 for connecting the lubricating fluid source 20 to the intake side of the pump 24 and a second lubricant conduit means or supply pipe 28 for providing fluid communication between the output side of the pump 24 and the oiling gland adapter 23 located at the upper end of the drill pipe 16.
  • the supply pipe 28 is provided preferably by a flexible pipe with excess length or a loop, as shown in Fig. 1, in order to be able to travel up and down with the pipe drive mechanism (not shown) during the drilling operation.
  • the pump 24 is employed during the drilling operation to provide a flow of lubricant or oil from the lubricating fluid source 20 into the upper end of the drill pipe 16 for delivery to the drill bit .assembly 12.
  • the pump means 22 further includes a control means 30 for controlling the operation of the pump 24.
  • the control means 30 preferably comprises a timer for cycling the pump 24 on and off at predetermined time intervals.
  • the timer 30 may cause the pump 24 to operate 30 seconds out of every minute in order to provide a 30-second flow of lubricating fluid to the upper end of the drill pipe 16 every minute.
  • the timer 30 may also be adjustable to vary the predetermined on and off time intervals depending upon the characteristics of the drill bit assembly 12, and/or the type of the underground formation in which the drill is being operated. For example, if the underground formation is particularly hard, such as, for example, granite-type rock, it may be desirable to provide a flow of lubricating fluid at more frequent intervals or even continuously.
  • the flow of lubricating fluid may be provided less frequently such as, for example, one 30-second flow of lubricating fluid every three to five minutes.
  • Timers having operating characteristics of the type described above, which are well known in the art, may be either electrically or mechanically operated and may be conveniently purchased commercially from a variety of different manufacturers.
  • the drill pipe 16 preferably comprises a standard drill pipe employed in the art but with certain modifications hereinafter to be described.
  • Each section of the drill pipe may be of any standard length, such as, 20 feet and includes a standard frustoconically-shaped threaded nipple portion 32 on one end and a complimentary sized and shaped threaded socket portion 34 within the other end to permit a plurality of such drill pipe sections to be conveniently joined together in an end-to-end relationship to form a continuous drill: pipe of a desired length for a particular drilling operation.
  • the drill pipe 16 includes a central generally cylindrical conduit 36 extending along the length thereof from end to end as shown in Fig. 3.
  • the conduit 36 receives pressurized fluid or air from a source of air under pressure (not shown), which is maintained or located near the upper end of the drill pipe 16.
  • the pressurized air passes through the conduit 36 and is provided to the drill bit assembly 12 for purposes which will hereinafter be described.
  • the use of such air source with the drill pipe is well known in the art.
  • a galley line or drill pipe conduit means 38 is included within the wall 40 of the drill pipe 16 of each section of the drill pipe.
  • the galley line extends from the upper end 42 to the lower end 44 of each drill pipe.
  • the galley line 38 is formed by casting or machining a keyway or slot 46 along most of the length of the drill pipe section as shown.
  • a suitably sized elongated cover member 48 is fixed welded in place along the surface of the drill pipe wall 40 to fill in a portion of the slot 46 and to turn the slot 46 into an enclosed conduit as shown.
  • the outer surface of the cover member 48 is suitably curved to conform to the curvature of the drill pipe in order to provide a generally continuous smooth outer surface once the cover member 48 is installed within the slot 46.
  • the inner surface of the cover member 48 may also be suitably curved as shown in Fig. 4 to provide the galley line 38 with a generally smooth inner surface.
  • the upper and lower six inches of the galley line 38 is preferably formed by drilling a suitably sized hole within the drill pipe wall 40, as indicated in Fig. 3. In this manner, the galley line 38 may be provided without significantly affecting the structural integrity of the pipe wall 40.
  • the galley line 38 in each pipe section further includes a check valve 50 at one end thereof, and in the present embodiment shown at the bottom end.
  • the check valve 50 may be of any suitable type known in the art.
  • the check valve 50 comprises a ball 52 which is urged upwardly against a suitably sized and shaped seat 54 by the force of a compression spring 56.
  • the compression spring 56 is strong enough to urge the ball 52 into full engagement against the seat to block off the downward leakage flow of lubricant through the galley line 38 during periods of time when the lubricant in the galley line is not under pressure.
  • the spring 56 will allow the ball 52 to disengage the seat 54 upon sufficient pumping pressure of the lubricant line.
  • the galley line 38 further includes an annular distribution groove 58 cut within lower facing surface 60 of the drill pipe 16.
  • the annular distribution groove 58 is cut in the lower end 44 of the drill pipe 16 just below the check valve 50.
  • the annular distribution groove 58 is provided to permit the lubricant to flow around the end of the drill pipe 16 to facilitate the flow of lubricant between interconnected drill pipe sections without having to be concerned with direct alignment of the galley line 38 in each drill pipe section. In this manner, the galley line 38 may be conveniently extended along the entire length of the drill pipe no matter how many pipe sections are employed for a particular drilling operation.
  • the oiling gland adapter means is preferably provided at or along the upper or pipe drive head end of the drill pipe 16.
  • the oiling gland adapter means 23 may be incorporated into and may comprise a part of the floating drive head (not shown).
  • the oil gland adapter means receives the flow of lubricant from the pump 24 and directs the lubricant into the galley line 38 of the drill pipe 16, which is adapted to rotate during the drilling operation.
  • the oiling gland adapter means 23 includes a generally annular or cylindrical adapter housing 64 having a standard, frustoconically-shaped threaded nipple portion 66 on one end 64a, (the upper end as shown on Fig. 2) for engaging a complimentary sized and shaped socket portion (not shown) of a pipe drive head (not shown), a rotary drill (not shown) or other suitable driving connection.
  • the other end 64b (the lower end as shown on Fig. 2) of the oil gland adapter housing 64 includes a frustoconically-shaped threaded socket portion 68 for engaging a complimentary sized and shaped nipple 32 of drill pipe 16 for interconnecting the oiling gland adapter housing 64 with the drill pipe 16.
  • the oiling gland adapter means 23 further includes an annular cylindrical slip ring member 70 which generally surrounds and is spaced slightly apart from a portion of the oiling gland adapter housing 64 to provide an annular cavity 71 for oil therebetween.
  • the slip ring member 70 is retained in position with respect to the oiling gland adapter housing by an annular retaining nut 72 and a pair of annular steel piston rings 74 and 76.
  • the piston rings 74 and 76 are installed within suitable annular grooves 78 and 80 around a portion of the the oiling gland adapter housing 64 and function to maintain the proper radial clearance between the rotating oiling gland adapter housing 64 and the non-rotating or relatively stationary slip ring member 70.
  • the annular retaining nut 72 cooperates with suitable threading 82 on the oiling gland adapter housing 64 to hold the slip ring in fixed relation to a radially outwardly extending annular shoulder 84 on the upper end 64a of the oiling gland adapter housing 64 to maintain the axial position of the slip ring member 70 relative to the oiling gland adapter housing 64.
  • the supply pipe 28 from the lubricant pump 24 is attached to the slip ring member 70, as shown in Fig. 2.
  • a suitable cylindrical opening or conduit 86 is provided radially through the slip ring member 70 to permit fluid communication between the lubricant supply pipe 28 and the annular oil cavity 71 formed between the slip ring member 70 and the oiling gland adapter housing 64.
  • a recess or notch 88 is provided around the circumference of the oiling gland adapter housing 64 as part of the annular oil cavity 71 shown in Fig. 2.
  • the notch 88 is provided to receive at least part of the flow of lubricant from the slip ring member conduit 86.
  • An annular notch or distribution groove 90 is also provided in the lower surface 64b of the oiling gland adapter housing 64.
  • the annular distribution groove 90 is of an appropriate radial diameter so as to communicate with the galley line 38 in the drill pipe 16 when a drill pipe 16 and the oiling gland adapter housing 64 are coupled together, so that the galley line 38 is assured of communication with the distribution groove 90 without having to be concerned with any direct alignment of oil lines.
  • a suitable connecting conduit of line 92 extends between the annular oil cavity 71 and the annular distribution groove 90 to provide fluid communication therebetween.
  • the drill pipe 16 and the oiling gland adapter housing 64 rotate together in the arrangement for providing rotational action to the drill bit assembly 12.
  • the slip ring member 70 remains stationary relative to the rotating parts.
  • Lubricant from the lubricating fluid source 20 is pumped by pump 24 through the supply pipe 28 and the slip ring conduit 86 and enters the annular cavity 71 between the rotating oiling gland adapter housing 64 and the slip ring member 70.
  • the oil flows circumferentially around the oil cavity 71, including notch 88, in the oiling gland adapter housing and passes downwardly through the connecting conduit 92 into the annular distribution groove 90.
  • Once the lubricant enters the annular distribution groove 90 it flows around the groove 90 and enters the galley line 38 for flowing downwardly through the drill pipe. Thereafter, the lubricant passes from drill pipe section to drill pipe section along the entire length of the drill pipe 16 until it reaches the drill bit assembly 12.
  • Fig. 5 there is shown a sectional view of the drill bit assembly 12.
  • the drill bit assembly 12 is generally comprised of two major assemblies; an adapter subassembly or adapter sub 102 and a drill bit 104, as previously noted, the lubrication fluid source being surface mounted.
  • the drill bit 104 comprises an irregularly shaped housing 106 having a frustoconically-shaped threaded nipple 108 at one end for engaging a complimentary sized and shaped tapered threaded socket 110 of the adapter sub 102 to secure the two assemblies together, as shown in Fig. 5.
  • the drill bit housing 106 is adapted to support three rotary cutters or cutting cones 112 (only one of which is shown in Fig. 5 for purposes of clarity).
  • Each.of. the cutting cones 112 is journalled for independent rotation by bearings 114 which, in the present embodiment, comprise suitable anti-friction bearings.
  • the exterior surface of each of the cutting cones 112 includes a plurality of cutting teeth 116 which are employed for cutting into rock and other hard materials upon rotation of the drill bit assembly 12 during the drilling operation.
  • the adapter sub 102 comprises a generally cylindrically-shaped elongated housing 118 having a frustoconically-shaped threaded nipple portion 120 at the end remote from the drill bit 104 for engagement with the drill pipe 16.
  • the adapter sub housing 118 also includes a generally cylindrically axial bore or passageway 122, which extends longitudinally through the center of the housing 118 from end to end.
  • the bore 122 receives pressurized fluid or air from the central conduit 36 within the drill pipe 16.
  • the pressurized air enters a plenum chamber 124 within the passageway 122.
  • the air flowing through plenum chamber 124 is divided into three primary flows, in a manner similar to that described in the aforementioned co-pending patent application.
  • a first flow of pressurized air is directed downwardly from the chamber 124 (toward the right on Fig. 5) through a restriction into a drill bit conduit 126 and is discharged therefrom between the cutting cones 112 for impingement upon the material being drilled.
  • the purpose of the first air flow is to cool the surface of the cutting cones 112 and to serve as a circulating medium to pick up and exhaust or remove dust and material cuttings from the drill hole in the vicinity of the cutting cones 112.
  • the force of the first air flow serves to convey the cuttings and dust upwardly past the cutting cones 112 and around the outer surface of the drill bit assembly 12.
  • the second flow of pressurized air from chamber 124 is directed through three generally circular openings 128 disposed generally equidistantly from each other around the circumference of the plenum chamber 124 (only one of which is shown on Fig. 5).
  • the openings 128 extend radially outwardly and slightly downwardly (to the right in Fig. 5) through the adapter sub housing 118 to form generally cylindrical conduits 130.
  • the conduits 130 provide fluid or air communication between the plenum chamber 124 and three corresponding jet nozzle assemblies 132.
  • the jet nozzle assemblies 132 (only one nozzle assembly is shown on Fig.
  • the third flow of pressurized air from the plenum chamber 124 is mixed with the incoming lubricant in a manner as described hereinafter.
  • the lubricant flows through the galley line 38 in the various sections of the drill pipe 16 until the lubricant flow reaches the annular distribution groove 58 on the section of drill pipe 16 which is coupled to the drill bit assembly 12, as shown in Fig. 5.
  • lubricant flows around-the annular distribution groove 58 and into three adapter sub distribution conduits 134 (only one of which are shown on Fig. 5), which are generally equally spaced around the adapter sub housing 118 and extend generally axially therethrough as shown.
  • Each conduit 134 extends generally axially along the adapter sub housing 118 until it intersects with a second conduit means 140, where the lubricant is mixed with a third flow of pressurized air in a manner which will hereinafter become apparent.
  • a metering means for example, a flow restricter 136, may be placed within each conduit 134 in order to provide a controlled flow of lubricant into the adapter sub housing 118.
  • the restriction 136 may be variable in size to provide for differeing lubricant flows depending upon operating conditions of the drill bit assembly 12.
  • the air and lubricant Upon reaching the lower end of the adapter sub housing 118 (the right end as viewed on Fig. 5),.the air and lubricant enters an annular conduit or groove 138, which is formed in the drill bit housing 106 to' provide a lubricant reservoir between the adapter sub and drill bit.
  • the groove or lubricant reservoir 138 is divided by suitable partition means 139 (as shown in Fig. 6) into three arcuate reservoir segments 138a, 138b and 138c. Each of the reservoir segments 138a, 138b, and 138c provides an individual supply of lubricant and air for each of the individual cutting cones 112.
  • a generally cylindrical distribution conduit 142 in the drill bit housing 106 is provided for fluid communication between the reservoir segment 138a and the cutting cone bearings 114, so that the lubricant and air mixture may flow from the reservoir 138a, through the drill bit distribution conduit 142 and into contact with the cutting cone bearings 114 for lubrication and cooling thereof.
  • a different drill bit distribution conduit, such as distribution conduit 142 as shown in Fig. 5, is generally in registry with conduit means 140 by means of one of the reservoir segments 138a, 138b or 138c, to provide lubrication to each of the three cutting cones, such as shown for cutting cone 112 in Fig. 5.
  • any water or other wetting agent in the air is effectively separated from the air when the air changes flow direction to mix with the lubricant and enter conduit 140.
  • the lubricant and air mixture flowing through the conduit 140 for the eventual cooling and lubrication of the cutting cone bearings 114 remains relatively free of moisture despite the addition of water to the pressurized air flowing through the center of the drill pipe. It should also be apparent that the pressurized air entering port 144 prevents oil from flowing out air entry port 144 into the plenum chamber 124.
  • FIGs. 7 and 8 there is shown an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
  • the alternate embodiment as shown on Figs. 7 and 8, is substantially the same structure as the above-described embodiment with the exception of certain below-described modifications which permit the mixing of pressurized air with the lubricant prior to the introduction of the lubricant into the lubricant galley line or conduit means in the drill pipe. In this manner, the lubricant and air are mixed on the surface, rather than being mixed underground within the adapter sub as described above.
  • the reference numerals used to. identify the various components will be the same as those used to identify the equivalent component in the above-described embodiment but with the addition of primes (') thereto.
  • components which are the same or substantially the same as those described above will not be described in detail again hereinafter.
  • FIG. 7 there is shown a schematic illustration of the alternate embodiment of the apparatus generally designated 10' for providing a flow of lubricating fluid and pressurized air to a drill bit assembly 12' supported in an underground formation 14' by a surface-mounted derrick 18' and a rotatable drill pipe 16'.
  • pump means 24' is employed for providing a flow of lubricant from a lubricating fluid source 20' to an oiling gland adapter 23' through a supply pipe 28'.
  • the present embodiment further includes a pressurized air source 21', for example, an air compressor, which is connected via a suitable connecting conduit or pipe 29' to the supply pipe 28'.
  • the pressurized air from the pressurized air source 21' is introduced into the oiling gland adapter 23' along with the lubricant. Thereafter, the mixture of air and lubricant flows down through the various sections (16a', 16b', etc.) of the drill pipe 16' through its galley line in the same manner as is set forth in detail in connection with the above-described embodiment for the lubricant alone.
  • drill bit assembly 12' is generally comprised of two major assemblies; an adapter sub assembly or adapter sub 102' and a drill bit 104'.
  • the drill bit 104' is substantially the same as the above-described drill bit 104 except that each of the three distribution conduits 142' (only one of which is shown) within the drill bit housing 106' includes an additional check valve 143' (only one of which is shown) which is not present in the above-described embodiment.
  • the three equally spaced connecting conduits 140' extend directly between the flow restrictors 136' (only one of which is shown) and the annular conduit or groove 138' and the air entry port 144 in Fig. 5 is eliminated.
  • the lubricant and air mixture flowing down the drill pipe galley line 38' passes through the flow restrictor 136' directly along the connecting conduits 140', around the annular groove 138', through the check valves' 143' and directly into the cutting cone bearings 114' by way of the distribution conduits 142'.
  • the check valves 143' As long as the lubricant and air mixture is flowing under pressure to the cutting cone bearings 114', the check valves 143' remains open. However, once the flow of the pressurized air/lubricant mixture ceases, the check valves 143' closes to prevent any water, mud or the like, which may seep into the space between the cutting cones 112' and the supporting bit housing 106', from backing up through the distribution conduits 142' and into the adapter sub reservoir 138' and conduit 140'.
  • the operation of the alternate embodiment is substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment.
  • Pressurized air still flows down the central conduit within the drill pipe 16' and enters the plenum chamber 124'. Thereafter, the air is divided into only two flows (as opposed to three flows in the Fig. 5 embodiment), the first flow passing downwardly through conduit 126' for discharge between the cutting cones 112' and the second flow passing into port 128' and conduit 130' for discharge through jet nozzle assemblies 132'.
  • there is no need to have a third flow of pressurized air from the plenum chamber 124' since, as described above, pressurized air has already been mixed with the lubricant at the surface level.
  • the present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for lubricating drill bits of the type having a plurality of bearing-mounted rotary cutting cones. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the above-described apparatus without departing from the broad inventive concepts disclosed herein. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover all modifications which are within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
EP83306325A 1982-10-19 1983-10-18 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Schmieren eines Bohrmeissels Withdrawn EP0106701A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/435,239 US4541494A (en) 1982-10-19 1982-10-19 Drill bit assembly
US435239 1982-10-19
US482907 1983-04-07
US06/482,907 US4508183A (en) 1983-04-07 1983-04-07 Method and apparatus for lubricating a drill bit

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0106701A2 true EP0106701A2 (de) 1984-04-25
EP0106701A3 EP0106701A3 (de) 1986-02-05

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EP83306325A Withdrawn EP0106701A3 (de) 1982-10-19 1983-10-18 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Schmieren eines Bohrmeissels

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0230129A1 (de) * 1986-01-13 1987-07-29 Drumco Bohrmeisselschmiersystem

Citations (9)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1025360B (de) * 1956-02-07 1958-03-06 Boleslaw Petuch Verfahren zur stetigen Gewinnung von Bohrkernen bzw. Gesteinsproben und zur gleichzeitigen indirekten Spuelung beim Turbobohren und Vorrichtung zur Durchfuehrung des Verfahrens
DE1060817B (de) * 1957-10-24 1959-07-09 Masch Und Bohrgeraete Fabrik Lufthebebohrgestaenge fuer indirekte Spuelung
GB979984A (en) * 1962-09-19 1965-01-06 John A Court Bergne Improved means for mineral sampling of gravels and other submerged or water bearing strata
US3198267A (en) * 1963-05-17 1965-08-03 United States Steel Corp Method and apparatus for controlling dust in a rotary drilling operation
US3244256A (en) * 1963-11-08 1966-04-05 Cutler Hammer Inc Unattended lubrication system
US3897836A (en) * 1973-10-18 1975-08-05 Exotech Apparatus for boring through earth formations
US3964554A (en) * 1974-12-30 1976-06-22 Smith International, Inc. Temperature-regulated, sealed bearing system for rock drill bits
US4158394A (en) * 1977-02-15 1979-06-19 Skf Kugellagerfabriken Gmbh Mechanism for lubricating the bearings of the cutting rollers of a roller bit
US4187920A (en) * 1977-11-23 1980-02-12 Tri-State Oil Tool Industries, Inc. Enlarged bore hole drilling method and apparatus

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1025360B (de) * 1956-02-07 1958-03-06 Boleslaw Petuch Verfahren zur stetigen Gewinnung von Bohrkernen bzw. Gesteinsproben und zur gleichzeitigen indirekten Spuelung beim Turbobohren und Vorrichtung zur Durchfuehrung des Verfahrens
DE1060817B (de) * 1957-10-24 1959-07-09 Masch Und Bohrgeraete Fabrik Lufthebebohrgestaenge fuer indirekte Spuelung
GB979984A (en) * 1962-09-19 1965-01-06 John A Court Bergne Improved means for mineral sampling of gravels and other submerged or water bearing strata
US3198267A (en) * 1963-05-17 1965-08-03 United States Steel Corp Method and apparatus for controlling dust in a rotary drilling operation
US3244256A (en) * 1963-11-08 1966-04-05 Cutler Hammer Inc Unattended lubrication system
US3897836A (en) * 1973-10-18 1975-08-05 Exotech Apparatus for boring through earth formations
US3964554A (en) * 1974-12-30 1976-06-22 Smith International, Inc. Temperature-regulated, sealed bearing system for rock drill bits
US4158394A (en) * 1977-02-15 1979-06-19 Skf Kugellagerfabriken Gmbh Mechanism for lubricating the bearings of the cutting rollers of a roller bit
US4187920A (en) * 1977-11-23 1980-02-12 Tri-State Oil Tool Industries, Inc. Enlarged bore hole drilling method and apparatus

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0230129A1 (de) * 1986-01-13 1987-07-29 Drumco Bohrmeisselschmiersystem

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EP0106701A3 (de) 1986-02-05

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