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
  • E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
  • E21B7/02—Drilling rigs characterised by means for land transport with their own drive, e.g. skid mounting or wheel mounting
• • 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
  • E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
  • E21B19/08—Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables; Apparatus for increasing or decreasing the pressure on the drilling tool; Apparatus for counterbalancing the weight of the rods
• • 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
  • E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
  • E21B7/04—Directional drilling

Definitions

• This invention relates to directional drilling apparatus, in particular but not solely to directional drilling apparatus which can be used in confined spaces or utilised in locations close to such obstacles such as fences, houses, buildings, etc.
• Directional drilling (also referred to as boring, thrusting and horizontal drilling) is a technology which allows services such as power cables, ducts, water pipes, gas lines, drainage pipes, etc, to be placed underground without the need to cut open the ground surface as is required in cut and cover methods.
• the drill gains its directional ability through the use of an angled steering blade on the drill head.
• a transmitter Immediately behind the drill head is a transmitter (sonde) which relays information to an above ground operator, such information may include how deep the drill head is, the direction in which the drill is heading and the orientation of the drill head such as the angle it is pointing up or down.
• Such devices are normally bulky and incorporate means to rotate and push forward or advance the drill head to as well means rotate it.
• the present invention consists in directional drilling apparatus comprising: a directional drill head(that is a drill head whose direction of advancement can be controlled by a user); an extendable drill; means to rotate said extendable drill and drill head; means to advance said extendable drill and drill head such that said drill moves in the direction of said directional drill head; characterised in that said means to advance and rotate said drill and directional drill head are unitary and are capable of being articulated from a prime mover or source of power such that said unitary unit can be articulated relative to said prime mover or source of power.
• Preferably means are provided to monitor the location of said directional drill head. Preferably said means are provided to monitor the orientation (and hence advancement direction when not rotating) of directional drill head.
• prime mover or power source is a digger or excavator.
• said directional drilling apparatus is powered by said prime mover.
• said directional drilling apparatus is powered by power transferred by hydraulic means.
• the present invention may broadly be said to consist in directional drilling apparatus comprising a drill head used direction of in advancement can be controlled by the user; an extendable drill; means to rotate and advance said extendable drill and drill head, said means capable of advancing said drill and drill head without rotation such that the direction of advancement of said directional drill head can be controlled; characterised in that said directional drilling apparatus can be held from a remote location.
• said powering of said directional drilling apparatus is from a prime mover such as a digger or excavator.
• said directional drilling apparatus are articulated from said prime mover.
• Preferably said means are provided to monitor the orientation and hence advancement direction when not rotating of the directional drill head.
• the present invention may broadly be said to consist in: an extendable drill; means to rotate said extendable drill and drill head; means to advance said extendable drill and drill head such that said drill moves in the direction of said directional drill head; characterised in that said means to advance and rotate said drill and directional drill head are unitary and are capable of being articulated from a prime mover or source of power such that said unitary unit can be articulated relative to said prime mover or source of power when articulated from a prime mover.
• Preferably means are provided to monitor the location of said directional drill head.
• Preferably said means are provided to monitor the orientation of directional drill head.
• said prime mover or power source is an hydraulic digger.
• the present invention may broadly be said to consist in a method of directional drilling comprising providing as a unit means to rotate and advance or push directional drill head, means to power said unitary device, characterised in that said unitary means can be articulated relative to said means to power said device.
• the present invention may broadly be said to consist in directional drilling apparatus as described in any of the preceding paragraphs wherein stabilising means are provided which under control of an operator can be actuated to bear against the interior and opening of a pit, or excavator blade or other solid object, thus stabilising the drilling apparatus.
• the present invention may broadly be said to consist in drilling apparatus as herein described wherein actuating means are provided to enable the sideways cant of the drilling apparatus to be adjusted by user.
• the present invention may broadly be said to consist in directional drilling apparatus comprising: a directional drill head (that is a drill head whose direction of advancement can be controlled by user); said drill head being attached to an extendable drill; means to rotate said extendable drill and drill head; actuating means mounted on or adjacent said means to rotate said extendable drill said actuating means oriented such when actuated a thrust as provided in the forward direction, that is in a direction towards the drill head; second actuating means, said actuating means being attachable to said extendable drill and capable of providing a forward thrust to said extendable drill; characterised in that the drill head is advanced in the following manner, first and second actuating means are placed in a non-actuated state; the actuating means are then placed in a state of actuation; thereafter said second actuating means are placed in a state of actuation, thereafter said actuating means returned to a state of non- actuation.
• said actuation means comprises a pair of actuating devices substantially parallel to each other.
• said actuation means and said second actuation means comprise an hydraulic ram.
• said second actuation means includes means to selectively hold said drill and thereby thrust forward.
• Figure 1 shows directional drilling apparatus according to a preferred form of the present invention
• the directional drilling device is articulated from a prime mover or other source of power 2, such articulation may be achieved by means of a linkage arrangement 3, suitable linkage arrangements will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates
• the present invention provides for the advancement of a drill rod 7 in a desired direction
• the advantage of the present invention over the prior art (“prior art” will be described shortly) is that the useful length 5 of the drill rod 7 is greater than that of the prior art as it is easier to commence drilling at the level required, the provision of a relatively small hole 4 allows the apparatus 1 to be placed at or near the desired drilling depth;
• FIG. 2 shows a prior art arrangement in which the drill rod 7 is advanced by a unit 10 such a unit incorporates a source of power and means to rotate and change direction of the drill rod 7 together, such a unit is obviously bulky and the angle 11 which the drill must enter the ground limits the useful length 5 of the drill rod 7;
• FIG. 3 shows a drill head 20 such a drill head incorporated into the present invention
• drill heads are known in the art to which the invention relates
• the prime function of such a drill head is that when it is rotated in the correct direction it advances in a substantially straight manner, however as the drill head 20 has an angled cutting blade 21 at the cutting surface thereof, if the rotation of the drill head 20 is stopped and the drill head itself pushed forward in the direction labelled 22 the drill head 20 changes direction along that indicated by 23, rotation of the drill head thereafter be commenced said drill advancing upon its new direction
• such known drill heads incorporate means are by which an operator or user can ascertain the orientation of the angled blade 21, the orientation can of course be varied by means of rotating the drill head 20 once the drill head 20 is in the desired orientation it can be advanced thus changing the direction of the drill;
• Figure 4 shows a directional drilling apparatus according to a preferred form of the present invention such a device incorporates means to rotate the extendable drill and drill head 7 and 20 said means comprises 30, said apparatus also incorporates means to advance said extendable drill and drill head such that the direction of directional drill head can be varied;
• the means to rotate said drill rod 7 may comprise means to grip the outside of said drill rod 7 and rotate it means to rotate and advance said drill rod 7 may comprise articulated means to push forward the drill preferably using any means to grip the outside of the drill rod 7 provided by the means to rotate the drill 30;
• Figure 5 shows a specially preferred form of the present invention in which actuators are provided to increase the stability of the drilling apparatus 1 in use, this preferred form of the apparatus is attached to the prime mover or digger by means of a quick fit bucket fastening 54, a bearing 57 is provided to allow for 360° ⁇ 80 rotation of the drilling apparatus 1, an actuator 56 is provided to allow for the sideways cant of the drilling apparatus 1 ;
• the stabilisers 50, 51 and 52 are extendable
• Figure 6 shows an end elevation of directional drilling apparatus 1 according to a preferred form of the present invention
• Figure 7 shows another end elevation of directional drilling apparatus 1 according to a preferred form of the present invention
• Figure 8 shows a top view of directional drilling apparatus 1 according to a preferred form of the present invention
• Figure 9 shows a side elevation of directional drilling apparatus 1 of a preferred form of the present invention
• Figure 10 shows a perspective view of directional drilling apparatus 1 according to a preferred form of the present invention, said directional drilling apparatus 1 being attached to a prime mover 2 by means of an articulated arm;
• Figure 11 shows a partial perspective view of directional drilling apparatus 1 according to a preferred form of the present invention showing the drill rod 7 entering the ground;
• Figure 12 shows a diagrammatic view of the thrust sequence of actuating devices 200 and 201 and second actuation device 300 according to a preferred form of the present invention, those skilled in the art to which the invention relates will realise that a variety of actuating devices such as hydraulic or air rams can be utilised, the bearing surfaces 50, 51 and 52 of the actuating devices may be frictionally enhanced by means for example roughening or spikes.
• actuating devices such as hydraulic or air rams
• the bearing surfaces 50, 51 and 52 of the actuating devices may be frictionally enhanced by means for example roughening or spikes.
• Preferred forms of the present invention provide directional drilling apparatus 1 said directional drilling apparatus as articulated by are known in the art to which invention relates 3 from a prime mover or other source of power 2.
• the source of power or prime mover 2 is preferably but not necessarily easily moveable.
• prime mover 2 provides power and perhaps control of the directional drilling apparatus 1 and preferred forms the power is provided by means of a hydraulic circuit or connection. Such connections will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
• the apparatus itself may comprise means 30 to rotate the drill rod 7.
• Such means may comprise a hydraulic motor and may incorporate jaws or clamping devices which hold the outer surface of the drill rod 7.
• the directional drilling ability of a drill is achieved through the use of an angled steering blade on the drill head.
• a transmitter relays information to the operator above ground. Information transmitted may consist of a variety of types such as how deep the drill head is, the direction in which it is heading, the orientation, ie angle up or down of the drill head. This information is used by the operator to steer or control the drill. For example if the operator requires the drill to steer to the right to avoid an existing underground service the aboveground locator operator would instruct the drill operator to rotate the drill head to 3 o'clock and push (thrust) the drill head forward which will cause the drill to flex and head to the right.
• the drill operator spins or rotates (a combination of pushing and rotating) the required distance until another change of direction is required.
• the use of a combination of spinning and pushing or thrusting and rotating makes it possible to steer under, over or around obstacles and arrive at the desired end point with a great deal of accuracy.
• the level of accuracy is of course dependant upon the ground conditions encountered.
• the drill head Once the drill head is at its end point, for example drilling may have occurred from one side of the road to the other, the drill head would ordinarily be removed and a cutter and/or packer attached to the drill or drill pipe or string with the service, for example power cable, duct, water pipe, gas line or drainage pipe attached.
• the drill or drill rods would then be pulled out of the ground while the drill is rotating, thus giving the cutter and/or packer a cutting action in allowing a hole of sufficient diameter to be formed for the pipe or cable duct line or service to be installed.
• Preferred forms of the present invention can be used in particular in residential areas where the distance required to be drilled is often no more than 100 metres. Access to the site is often difficult and it is quite often the case that there is no lead-in room.
• Drills according to these preferred forms of the invention can be of a compact size and this can increase the number of sites which can be used.
• drills according to preferred forms of the present invention can be launched both up and down hill.
• At least some prefe ⁇ ed forms of the present invention can be set up to drill at right angles to a road thereby limiting the disruption to traffic.
• One example of the present invention generates 800 pounds of thrust and approximately 10,500 pounds of pull-back from an 18 horse power source.
• Preferred forms of the present invention have a drive mechanism which utilises no thrust chains, cogs or pulleys. This limits the amount of maintenance required.
• Preferred hydraulic pump forms of the invention utilise a fluid supply which comprises a main pressure water source such as a garden hose.
• a main pressure water source such as a garden hose.
• at least preferred forms of the present invention can be launched above or below ground pointing up or down. Up to ⁇ 80 degrees of launch angle are possible.
• the unitary drilling apparatus itself can swivel through 360° ⁇ 80 when utilised with an excavator or prime mover with an ability to rotate through 360° ⁇ 80 and the ability to offset the boom of said excavator a great deal of flexibility is provided.
• the unitary drilling apparatus is attached or attachable to a prime mover or excavator or digger.
• a user requires less specialised equipment and can lower costs.
• it would control the direction of the drill rod 7 the orientation of the cutting blade 22 one must be ascertained and then the drill advanced without rotation.
• the preferred form of the present invention thus advancement is provided by means 30 to advance the drill and drill head.
• Such means may comprise an hydraulic ram or may utilise chains and suitable gear wheels to provide for the forward articulation of the drill.
• the monitoring of the orientation of the cutting blade 21 may be achieved by radio transmission or a utilised communication means which may be provided up a hollow centre of the drill rod 7.
• the drill rod 7 made up of links of either solid bar or preferably tube.
• Said tube of course having a aperture there through and preferred forms of the invention the aperture there through may be used to provide either a cutting fluid or simply water to the drill head 20. Such provision of water facilitates the washing away of material at the drill head.
• the drill rod 7 is made up of links of drill which are screwed one into the other by means of a threaded portion.
• Prior art directional drilling apparatus utilise links of drill rod 7 of 3! 2 and sometimes 4 metres in length.
• Preferred forms of the present invention utilise drill rod 7 which are made up of links of bar or tube which are less than 3 l ⁇ metres in length.
• the present invention provides for the addition of additional links to the drill rod 7 by means of releasing the device gripping the outer surface of the drill retract the means to rotate the drill 30 facing an additional length of drill rod 7 into the unit attaching said additional length of drill to the preceding length of drill and then reclamping the device to grip the other surface of drill rod 7 to a rearward portion of the additional drill link.
• Preferred forms of the present invention allow for the quick fitting of the drilling apparatus 1 to the prime mover. Also present, in this preferred form of the invention is a bearing 57. This bearing allows a
• An actuator 56 allows for the sideways cant of the drilling apparatus 1.
• the actuator may be hydraulically powered.
• Preferred forms of the present invention utilising a floating ram system as shown in Figure 12 provide a system whereby the actuating devices 200 and 201 are first extended, moving the device into position 2 as shown in Figure 12; then the second actuating device 300 is extended to its actuated position or condition, bringing the device into the position 3 as shown in Figure 12; the actuating devices and second actuating devices are then retracted, reverting the device into the position 1 as shown in Figure 12. In position 12 a new drill rod 7 can be added and the process described above repeated.
• Devices incorporating this preferred form of the present invention enable the length of the drill rod 7 to be reduced in some cases for example to 2.1 metres and use a lm drill rod.
• the weight of the device can be reduced perhaps by 30%, that is maybe down to 210 kilos giving an improved power to weight ratio.
• the drive train is believed to be more reliable than those utilising gears, cogs or cables. Comparing the performance of such a system with previous technology it has been found that 8,000 pounds of thrust and 10,500 pounds of pull-back can be generated from an 18 horse power engine using the abovementioned preferred form of the present invention whereas using known drive train techniques only 7,200 pounds of thrust and 8,000 pounds of pull-back are generated from an engine rated at 55.4 horse power for example.
• stabilises 50, 51 and 52 are present said stabilisers are advanced by means of actuators for example hydraulic actuators and bear against the internal surfaces of the hole 4.
• the stabilisers have the effect of locking the drilling apparatus 1 into the hole 4 thus increasing the accuracy of the drilling.
• the stabilisers 50, 51 and 52 are preferably remotely controllable by an operator.
• the present invention provides a unitary directional drilling device which can be placed into a small hole 4 or above ground.
• the use of the length of drill is maximised.
• the present invention provides directional drilling apparatus and/or methods therefore which will at least provide the public a useful choice.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Geology (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
• Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Earth Drilling (AREA)
• Processing Of Stones Or Stones Resemblance Materials (AREA)
• Drilling Tools (AREA)

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• 1998
  • 1998-05-08 ES ES98923228T patent/ES2271997T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-05-08 AU AU75566/98A patent/AU765817B2/en not_active Expired
  • 1998-05-08 AT AT98923228T patent/ATE337466T1/de active
  • 1998-05-08 DE DE69835669T patent/DE69835669T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-05-08 EP EP98923228A patent/EP0980461B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-05-08 CN CNB98806541XA patent/CN100360762C/zh not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-05-08 WO PCT/NZ1998/000055 patent/WO1998050667A2/en not_active Ceased

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