US1891416A

US1891416A - Well drilling machine

Info

Publication number: US1891416A
Application number: US381328A
Authority: US
Inventors: Irving C Harris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1929-07-26
Filing date: 1929-07-26
Publication date: 1932-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 1949-12-20

Description

Dec. 20, 1932. 1. c. HARRIS WELL DRILLING MACHINE 4 Sheefs-Sheet l Filed July 26, 1929 Dec. 20, 1932. 1. c. HARRIS WELL DRILLING MACHINE Filed July 26, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR.

WTNESSES F/as Dec. 20, 1932. 1. c. HARRIS WELL DRILLING MACHINE Filed July 26, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Dec. 20, 1932. 1. c. HARRIS WELL DRILLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July, 26, 1929 Wange /N VE' /V TOR w/T/vsssL-'s C@ r A Patented Dec. 20,v 1932 UNITED STATES IBVING C. HARRIS, l' LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. I

WELL DBILLING `IIIAGHINE Application led July 26,

This invention particularly relates to a method of drilling, in an effective and eilicient manner, holes in the earth of large ldiameter to great depths, such for example as U holes from six inches to three feet or more in diameter and several thousand feet in length, for the purpose of obtaining oil, gas, or water, or for any other purpose.

An object of this invention is to provide a drilling mechanism which is so constructed and may be so operated as to insure the drilling of hard, soft, and variable formations rapidly and with a minimum of drift or departure of the bore from a straight line.

Another object is to provide a mechanism that is so constructed that it may be operated with a minimum of mechanical torque and axial pressure transmitted through the drill-stem, or drill-pipe, from the turn-table at the surface of the ground to the cutting tools at the bottom of the hole, in order to eliminate, or greatly reduce, the number of occasions when drilling tools have to be fished out of the hole because of the twisting off of the drill-pipe, or drill-stem, by the application of excessive torque and pressure.

Another object is to provide a mechanism so constructed that cutting tools may be operated by the flow of compressed air, compressed gas, or any other fluidconveyed to and from the drilling mechanism at the bottom ofthe hole without mingling with or being effected by the uid filling the hole being bored, which latter fluid may also be used for scavenging, or removing the cuttings made by the drilling operation by circulating it through a conduit for the purpose in the drill-pipe and upward outside of the same.

Another object is to provide a mechanisml so constructed that the cutting tools and their actuating mechanisms may be operated in a {luid-filled hole under great hydrostatic pressure and be fully rotected from loss of efficiency or stoppage y leakage of the said fluid into the mechanisms and the conduits conveying the actuating fluid to and from the mechanism at the bottom of the hole.

Another object is to provide a mechanism 50 so constructed that, in case a limited amount 1929. Serial N0. y381,328.

of leakage of the scavenging fluid does take place, the leakage must first encounter the outgoing actuating Huid and be by the latter ejected from the drill-pipe in considerable quantities before it is possible for the leakage iiuid to press upon the walls of the conduit or the packings enclosing the ingoing actuating Huid, the contamination of which fluid would cause the most damage.

Another object is to provide a mechanism so constructed that the cutting tools and their actuating mechanisms ma be relieved of the great weight of the rill-pipe, or drill-stem, in deep holes, and the pressure of the cutting tools on the bottom of the hole and the feeding of the said tools forward as drilling progresses may be Aaccurately regulated by means independent of the weight and downward pressure of the drill-pipe, or drill-stem.

Another object is to provide a method and machine such that indicating signals may be automatically transmitted from the cutting tools and actuating mechanisms at the bottom of the hole to the operator at the surface of the ground, which signals will indicate the position and progress of the cutting tools and enable the operator to properly regulate the pressure on the cutting tools and the feeding of the same forward as drilling progresses.

Another object is to provide a drilling mechanism so constructed that the entire mechanism within the bore being formed may be very quickly withdrawn and replaced within the bore when it is necessary to sharpen or replace cutting tools or repair other parts of the mechanism.

Another object is to provide a drilling mechanism possessing certain rugged details in the cutting tools and their mountings, in combination with other advantages set forth herein, which will enable them to withstand the heavy stresses imposed both in normal operation and by accident or errors of operation, to the end that withdrawals for sharpening, replacement or repair may be made a minimum.

Another object is to provide a drilling mechanism of the above character which posl sesses theb following parts and features, to

wit:

First-A tubular, revolvable stem, in common usage and hereinafter called a drill-pipe, which drill-pipe has a plurality of conduits, or passageways, throughout its length, through which fluids may be passed, which drill-pipe is adapted to be lowered into the bore being formed and be rotated about its axis, by means of a turn-table at the surface of the ground, carrying the drilling mechanism attached at its lower end. Second. A telescopic pressure control unit, attached to or near the lower end of the drill-pipe, and incorporating within it means for providing a limited, axial, telescopic movement and, at the same time, a means of insuring the simultaneous rotation of all of its parts on the axis of the unit regardless of the axial position, means of preventing the mingling of the fluids in the several conduits in passage through the unit, means of utilizing the, relative pressures of the fluids in the several conduits in controlling the axial movement of the telescopic `ioint of the unit and the downward pressure of the parts below the said telescopic oint, and means for transmitting indicating signals through the fluids along the length of the drill-pipe, which signals will indicate to the operator the position and movement of the pressure control unit. Third-A drilling unit connected below and, through the pressure control unit, to the drill-pipe, and consisting of one or more cutting tools, actuated bythe actuating fluid.

A further object is to provide a construction whereby the parts may be readily assembled and disassociated.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention resides in parts, and in the construction. combination and arrangement of parts and their equivalents, and in methods of operating the same, hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a view showing a drilling unit having three drilling bits, as 1t appears in section in a plane through the axis of thc unit, through the axis of one of the drilling bits and through the axis of one of the scav-` enging iuid conduits.

The position of the'plane of the section is indicated by section line 1 1 on Fig. 3

Fig. 2 is a view showing a pressure control unit as it appears in side elevation and axial section. The portion of this View to the left of the centerline shows a cross-sectional view in a plane through the axis of the unit; and that portion to the right of the centerline shows a view in side elevation.-

Fig. 3 is a view of the drilling unit shown in Fig. 1 as it appears when viewed from the bottom, looking upward.

Fig. 4 is a view of the drilling unit shown in Fig. 1 as it appears in cross-section in a plane at right angles to the axis of the drilling unit, at an elevation indicated by the section 1line 4 4 in Fig. 1, and looking down-' wart.

Fig. 5 is a view of the drilling unit shown in Fig. l as it appears in cross-section in a plane at right angles to the axis of the drilling unit, at an elevation indicated by the section line 5 5 of Fig. 1, and looking downward. Fig. 6 is a view of the drilling unit shown 1n Fig. 1 as it appears in cross-section in a plane at right angles to the axis of the drilling unit, at an elevation indicated by section line 6 6 in Fig. l, and lookingdownward.

Fig. 7 is a view of the pressure control unit shown in Fig. 2 as it appears in crosssection ina plane at right angles to the axis of the pressure control unit and through the interlocking splines at the elevation indicated by section line 7 7 in Fig. 2, and looking downward.

Fig. 8 is a view of' a tool-joint, or coupling, used in connecting the sections of the drillpipe together, as the tool-joint appears in cross section in two planes intersecting in the axis of the tool-j oint as indicated by section line 8 8 in Fig. 9. The planes of the section are so chosen that the portion of Fig. 8 to the left of the center-line shows a crosssection through the fluid passages, and the portion to the right of its centerline shows a cross-section through the supporting and centering lugs which connect the concentric tubes together.

Fig. 9 is a view of the tool-joint shown in Fig. 8 as it appears in cross-section in a plane at right angles to its axis, through the supporting and centering lugs as indicated by section-line 9 9 in Fig. 8, and looking downward.

Fig. 1 0 is a view of thetool-joint shown in Fig. 8 as it appears in cross-section in a plane at right angles to its axis, through the supporting and centering lugs as indicated by section-line 10 10 on Fig. 8 and looking downward.

Fig. 11 is a view of the tool-joint shown in Fig. 8 as it appears' in cross-section in two, parallel off-set planes at right angles to the axis of the tool-joint, through two sets of supporting and centering lugs as indicated by the off-set section-line l1 11 in Fig. 8, and looking upward.

Fig. 12 is a view of the tool-joint shown in Fig. 8 as it appears in cross-section in a plane at right angles to its axis, through the supporting and centering lugs, as indicated Athe tool-oint shown in Fig. 8, as 1t appears in side e evatlon when the upper portion isdisconnected from it.l

Fig. 14 is a view of a portion of the upper portion of the tool-joint shown in Fig. 8, as it,

' appears in side elevation when it is disconnected from the lower portion of the tooljoint. A partial section indicates the position of the two inner, concentric sleeves.

Fi 15 is an enlarged cross-section showing e type of packing used in the tool joint 1 shown in Fig. 8 and in the drilling and pressure control units. A

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic representation of a drilling unit such as shown in Fig, 1 and a pressure control unit such as shownin rig. 2 as theyappear in operation in drilling a well, showing a cross-section throtlgh` the axis of the two units. 1

Fig. 17 is a view of a part of member 54 ofthe pressurejcontrol unit shown in Fig. 2,

as it appears. in axial section and showing the splines as they appear when cut as spiral splines anddis-aembled from the matchinsplines shown in Fig. 18.

ig. 18 is a view of a part of the pressure control unit shown in Fig. 2, as it appears in axial section and showing the splines as they appear when cut as s iral splines and dis-assembled from the mate ing splines shown in Fig. 17.

The mechanism illustrated in Figs. 1 to 15 both inclusive, in eneral, consists of a drillpipe in sections o any desired length, commo y forty feet, joined together by tooljoints, as shown in Figs. 8 to 15 both inclusive, to the lower end of which is connected the pressure control unit, as shown in Fig. 2, and the drillin unit as shown in Fig. 1. The two units may e virtually integrahas shown Y in Figs. 1 and 2, where they unite on sectionline 2-2, or they may be separated by one or more lengths ofdrill-pipe.

The assembly of parts named in the above paragraph is rotated slowly in the hole being drilled, by means of a turn-table or rotary table, as indicated by 82 in Fig. 16; and the cutting tools or bits, shown projecting at the bottom of Fig. l and in end view i-n Fig. 3 and designated as part 18, detach the material from the bottom of the hole by being actuated by fluid pressure mechanisms of the hammer type, within the drilling unit, so as to strike very rapid, shattering blows on the material at the bottom of the hole with which the cutting tools are held in contact by the action of the pressure control unit as hereinaftcr described, as the assembly of parts is rotated slowly. A

Water, carr ing considerable quantities of clay, mud an detrital material, commonly called mud, slusl1, wash-water, or cirunlt, conduits for the urpose, to the noz'-l zles 19 at the bottom o the drilling unit,` where the scave i fluid impin -es at high pressure on the bo l m of the hole and cary ries the detrital material 'away from the cutters and upjthe bore between the walls and the drill-pipe to the surface, where the coarser detrital material is deposited, or preci itated from the water; and the scavenging uid is .pumped back through the same circuit again. The mechanism is described as follows:

In Fig. 1, part 20 is the assembly head, which connects with the tubular casing 21 and through it to the pressure controlv unit.

All of thc excavating mechanisms are assembled upon the assembl head 20; and these include the cutting too s 18, three in number in `this illustration butv from one to six, or more, in other designs and sizes involving the same basic princ1ples.

' The cutting tools 18 restin rectangular sockets, to prevent rotation away from'their proper posltions, and are prevented from bcing lost incase of breakage of bit stems by j retainer block 22. Packing 23 is an auxiliary ofv member 68- packing; and 24 is the main packing. Sleeves 25 act as retaining sleeves for the packin s and as guide bearings for the stems of tle bits. Packing 24 is of an automatic typc actuated by the pressure of the luid bein excluded, acking against both the stem an the Wall o the opening in which it is installed and not dependent upon gland pressure for its functionin A.- large scale cross-section of this t e o packing is shown in Fig.- 15.

The pac lng may be of rubber, fabric, im-

pregnated fabric, leather, metal or any other material. The combination of the two packings and the sleeves is used for the purpose of excluding from the interior of the drilling .unit the scavenging fluid in the hole bein drilled, it having a Very high ressure te (E ing to pass upwardly alon t e stem. The

interior of the drilling unit will be at the l pressure of the exhaust actuating fluid.

. Above the main packing 24, is an essembly of parts including a recoil spring 26 for the purpose of' holding the cuting too against its shoulder in the rectangular seat at the bottom of the assembly head 20 when the hydrostatic pressure is not suilicient to do so.

One type of hammer for actuating the cutting tools is shown, in which 27 is the cylinder in which the hammer piston 28 is reciprocated rapidly by the actuating fluid, striking anvil block 29 which in turn transmits the blow to the end of the cutting tool or bit 18.

The actuating fluid, such as compressed air, is admitted to the cylinder by a valve mechanism, or equivalent, of which one type is indicatedj in Fig. 1, in which. 30 is the moving member. In another type, the hammer of each actuating mechanism may be the moving member of the valve mechanism servin"r it.

The valve mechanisms and conduits fhr distributing the incoming actuating fluid to the cylinders are contained within cylinder headk a. which, also, serves to hold the cylinders 1n place, being secured in place by the nuts', 31 on the pipes 32 which .convey the scavenging fluid to the nozzles 19.

The actuating fluid is brought from the surface of the ground through the drill-pipe and pressure control unit, through distributor head 33 to screen chamber 34 and thence through the valve mechanisms to the cylinders. A screen, not detailed, in 34 excludes foreign particles from passing to the valve mechanisms and cylinders. The exhaust actuatin g fluid discharges through ports in the cylinders, through reverse-flow check valves, not shown, into the interior of the casing of the drilling mechanism at 35, fromvwhence it passes upward through tube 36 to the distributor head 33 and thence through the pressure control unit and drill-pipe to the surface of the ground.

The distributor head 33 is attached to the which are threaded into the assembly head I and locked by the nuts 42. Packing 37 and a copper gasket 38, when casing 21 is in place, seal the interior of the drilling unit against the entry of scavenging fluid at these points.

The How of the fluids is indicated by arrows in the drawings. The scavenging fluid used in removing the cuttings is brought downward through the drill-pipe, pressure control unit and drilling unit in passageways Jfor the purpose, as indicated by the arrows, to nozzles 19. Except in parts of the drilling unit, the conduit or passageway for the scavenging fluid is outside of and concentric with the other two conduits.

' The specified relation of the three conduits is an important feature claimed for this combination of mechanisms and the invention itself, in that any disturbing leakage of scavenging fluid inwardly must pass through the walls of two conduits or through two packings in series before reaching the compressed air going to the hammers Where the consequences would be the greatest. Furthermore, the exhaust air going upward at high velocity and with some agitation will carry out considerable quantities of leakage. For

f this reason, tube 36 is led to a point near the bottom of the space Within the casing in order to provide the equivalent of an air lift to carry out any condensation or leakage accumulating therein.

The various parts are indicated by the numbers on Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 which show crosssections of the drilling unit at the indicated points.

The details ofthe pressure control unit are shown in Figs. 2 and 7; and the basic principles of its operation with respect to the pres'- sure on the cutting tools and the feeding of the same, also the transmission of signals indicating its position, are illustrated by a diagrammatic represensation in Fig. 12. In this latter figure, part A represents an assembly of all of the parts of the drilling unit and the pressure control unit which are rigidly connected with each other and which, in operation, are free to move in an axial direction as an assembled unit with respect to the other parts hereinafter described. The parts constituting part A are indicated by hatching in one direction.

Part B in Fig. 16 represents an assembly of all of the parts of the pressure control unit and the drill-pipe reaching to the turn-table or rotary-table, represented by 82 in Fig. 16, and the draw-Works and water-swivel, represented by the swivel 81 in Fig. 16 at the surface of the ground, which are rigidly connected to each other and, in operationmove in an axial direction only when moved by the draw-Works at the surface of the ground when manipulated by the operator. The parts constituting part B are indicated by hatching in a direction opposite to the hatching of part A. The positions of various parts making up the parts A and B are indicated by the numbers used for the corresponding parts in the other figures.

In operation, the hole being drilled is filled with scavenging fluid, the circulation of which down through the boring mechanism and upwards in the space outside of the same, as indicated by arrows, is maintained by pressure pumps at the surface of the ground. There is a resistance, or loss of pressure through the pipes and orifices represented by 32 and 19 respectively, which may be regulated as to amount by the construction and proportioning of these parts, and made large or small as desired. Due to this resistance, the pressure of the scavenging fluid within the pressure control unit, indicated by chamber 60, is higher than the pressure of the scavenging fluid in the hole outside of the pressure control unit at the same elevation.

The irregular space, or chamber, designated by the number 61, is in effect a differential cylinder, or plunger, formed by the two

packings

44 and 45, and, also, contains a set of inlterlocking splines so constructed as to form a telescopic joint including a jaw-clutch which permits movement of the interlocking members in an axial direction Within limits fixed by the shoulders at 57, 58 and 59, but causes all parts to rotate about the axis of the unit simultaneously. The pressure in this space or chamber is maintained at the pressure of the exhaust actuating fluid by a port 56, connecting with the exhaust actuating fluid conduit. v

The scavenging fluid in the Well being bored has a lifting effect upon all of the equipment in the well e ual to the weight of the fluid displaced. T e wei ht of the equipment represented by part may be from one to one hundred tons, always exceeds the lifting effect; and part B may be considered as lfixed in this connection. Since part B is fixed in position and part A is free to movc within limits fixed by the

shoulders

57, 58 and 59, in an'axial direction with respect to part B, part A will move one way or the other, or transmit thrust at the limits of travel according to the resultant direction and amount of the com onent forces acting upon part A as hereina ter described.

The buoyant effect of the fluid in the hole outside ofthe drill acts upon part A in an upward direction; and its amount as a thrust in an upward direction is computed from the area upon which the thrust is effective, it being the. area of the plunger formed by the packin where it slides upon part 55, and the hy rostatic pressure of the fluid in the well at that elevation. This thrust in an upward direction is opposed bythe pressure of the scavenging fluid within the pressure control unit, represented by the chamber and the amount of this o position is computed from the pressure an the area upon which this pressure is effective, it being the area of the plunger formed b packing 44 where it slides in sleeve 53, wit in part 52, minus the area of the plunger formed by packing 43 where it slides on sleeve 46. The subtraction of this latter area is due to the fact that the scavenging fluid in the hole outside acts `upward upon this area while the scavenging fluid within the unit can not act upon the same area.

The differential cylinder represented by chamber 61 is kept at the ressure of the exhaust actuating fluid; an there is a thrust upon part `A in an upward direction which may be computed fromthe area of the plunger formed by packin 44 where it slides within sleeve 53, within part 52,l minus the area of the plunger formed by packing 45 where it slides on part 55. Since the pressure of the exhaust actuating fluid is low with respect to the other pressures, this thrust is unimportant in itself; but the im-y ortant function of this differential plunger is due to the fact that theV pressure in chamber 61 is lower than the pressure of the scavenging fluid either within chamber 60 or in the well outside, thus yincreasing the downward thrust due to the pressure of the scavenging fluid within chamber 60 by an amount that may be computed from the difference in pressures in chambers 60 and 61 and the area of the, differential plunger represented by chamber 61.

There are thrusts in a downward direction due to the pressure of the exhaust actuating fluid acting on the plunger formed by sleeve 46 where it slides in packing 43, an due to the pressure of the compressed actuating fluid acting upon the plunger formed by sleeve 49 where it slides in sleeve 48; but these thrusts are small in proportion to the others.

The resultant of these various forces will cause movement of A upward or downward, or cause variations in pressure'on the bottom when the parts represented by A are resting on the bottom, according to the relative pressures, and the areas upon which they act, of the several fluids and the force of gravity upon part A. The direction and ma 'tude of the resultant may be controlled y the proportioning of the areas of the various plungers and the range of pressures used, in designing and assembling the pressure control unit, and by variation of the pressure Aof the fluids, particularly the scavenging iiuid at the pumps, in operation. i

The net result of this is that the downward pressure upon the cutting tools is equal to the weight of the parts below the telescopic joint plus or minus a pressure due principally to the dierence in pressures of the column of scavenging fluid within the drill-pipe and the scavenging fluid in the well outside, acting upon plungers. This latter pressure upon the tools may be varied within limits by varying the pressure of the scavenging fluid at the pumps. This is an important feature of this invention, in that the pressure on the tools at the bottom may be re lated by means independent of the great weight of the drill-pipe above the telescopic joint.

In Fig. 16, a port, or orifice, is indicated at 50, in sleeve 49, which port is so disposed that it will be uncovered by sleeve 48, which slides over sleeve 49, when the parts A and B approach their open position, as when the

shoulders

57 and 58 are in contact. This ort will allow the by-passing, or escape, o the compressed actuating fluid into the'exhaust fluid conduit without passing through the hammers. The effect of this by-passingv will be to cause an increase in the flow and a dro in pressure of the compressed actuating lui Y, which changes in liow and pressure will be observable on the pressure gauge 88 and flow meter 89, in Fig. 16, installed in the pipe line from the source ofcompressed actuatinc fluid to the drilling machine. Another e ect will be an increase in flow and an'increase in Apressure of the exhaust actuating fluid which will-be observable on the flow meter 87 and the pressure gauge 86 installed in the exhaust line from the drilling machine.

This by-passing action and the effects that it produces, as indicated by the gauges and meters named, will convey to the operator the information that the telescopic joint is approaching, or has reached, its extended position, and will be an indication that he should lower the drill-pipe by manipulation of the draw-works, represented by the swivel 81, in Figc 16| Vclosed position, as shown in Fig. 16, and

throttle, either wholly or in part, as desired, the compressed actuating luid Going downward to the drilling unit. This throttling will cause a reduction of ilow and a rise of pressure of the compressed actuating fluid which will be indicated on flow meter 89 and pressure gauge 88, and a reduction in low` and a drop in pressure of the exhaust actuating fluid which will be indicated on flow meter 87 and pressure auge 86. This throttling action and the e ects produced by it, as indicated by the instruments named, will convey to the operatorv the information that the telescopic joint is approaching, or has reached, its closed position and will be a signal to him to cease lowering, or raise slightly, the drill-pipe by manipulation of the drawworks.

The normal operating position of the telesco ic-j oint will be between the two extremes; an the si als described are to guide him in keeping e joint away from the extremes and in the desired position.

In Figs. 2 and 7, 17 and 18, are shown details of a speciic illustration of the type of pressure control unit used with a drilling machine using lluid-pressure actuated cutting tools. The three

important packings

43, 44 and 45 are shown with their associated parts. The ackings are of the type shown in Fig. 15. acking 43 slides upon sleeve 46. Packing `44 slides within sleeve 53 which is renewable. Packing .45 slides upon 55. The port 56 keeps the pressure in chamber 61 at the pressure of the exhaust actuating liuid.

The telescopic joint has a travel which is .limited by the shoulders indicated at 57 and 58 and the shoulders at the opposite end, shown in 'contact at 59. A cross-section on section-line 7 -7 is shown in Fig. 7 and this shows the yinterlocking

splines connecting parts

68 and 69 and requiring them to rotate on their axis together. lThe splines may be cut spirally in either direction in order to allow a limited'rotation of the two parts with respect to each other as the telescopic joint opens `or closes; or, the splines may be cut parallel to the axis.

Fig. 17 shows a view of a portion of part 54 as it appears in axial section, and shows splines cut in a spiral direction. Fig. 18 shows a view of a. portion of part 68 as it appears in side elevation, and shows splines cut spirally to match those in the companion member in Fig. 17. The splines may be cut at any angle in either direction; or they may be cut parallel with the axis, i. e. with the

lines

90 and 91 parallel with the axis. It may be seen that when torque is being transmitted through the telescopic joint from part 54 to part 68 there is a resultant thrust tending to move 68 upward with respect to 54, as in screwing a nut on a bolt, the amount of the thrust increasingas the pitch of the spirialincreases or the angle is made greater. Ifthe spiral has the opposite direction, the thrust will be downward on part 68 with respect to 54. If the splines are cut parallel with the axis, there is no resultant thrust from the torque being transmitted through the telescopic joint.

The cutting of the splines in a direction to produce a downward thrust as a resultant of the rotative torque provides an automatic means of assisting the downward movement or pressure as the rotative torque increases; since the down thrust increases with increasing torque; and this action may be desired under some conditions of operation. The cutting of the splines in a direction to produce an up-thrust as a resultant of rotative torque provides an automatic means of decreasing the downward pressure and assisting upward movement as the rotative torque increases; and this action may be desired when drilling in certain formations in order to relieve the pressure o the tools on the bottom when striking hard spots that might cause excessive torque.

Plug valve 51 is indicated in its closed position against a seat in the end of the sleeve 49; and the port of valve 50 is shown in its closed position, covered by sleeve 48 which slides on sleeve 49.

An essential part of the drilling mechanism, herein called a tool-joint, is illustrated in Figs. 8 to 15 both inclusive, and is used to connect together all sections of the drillpipe; and portions of a tool-joint are used to connect the drill-pipe to the pressure control unit. The details of construction are quite fully disclosed in the drawings; and the courses of the fluids in their passage through the joint are indicated bv arrows. Important members are the packings, 70

(which may be alternately as shown at 72) and 71 (which ma be alternately as shown at 73). The pac rings are to prevent the mingling ofthe fluids betweenl the several passages under all conditions of operation.

Particular attention is called to an important feature claimed for this invention, viz: the concentric arrangement and order of the fluids and their conduits. The scavenging fluid is in the outer conduit and may have a pressure of thousands of pounds per square inch in very deep bores; and the exhaust actuating fluid is in the intermediate conduit and will have a pressure of only a few pounds per square inch above atmospheric pressure. Packing 70 (or 72) prevents the higher pressure from entering the intermediate conduit; but, occasionally, it

may be less than 100% effective, in which case, any limited'leakage may be carried upward by the rapidly moving exhaust actuating fluid. The compressed actuating fluid may have a pressure in excess of 100 pounds per square inch; and leakage into the innermost conduit can not take place except in case of comple-tc breakdown of the packings and flooding of the intermediate conduit.

Another important feature claimed for this combination lies in the fact that'y the joints, with their packings or equivalents, which prevent the interniingling of the fluids in the several conduits and the hole outside, are all made up in one simple operation by screwing up the tapered-thread, tool joint. The metal-t0metal shoulder oint 74 and the two packings 70 (or 72) and- 71 (or 73) which are automatic packings of the t-yple `ndicated in Fig. 15, completely isolate t e fluids in the several conduits.

Another feature claimed for this combination lies in the fact that, in withdrawing the drill-pipe from the bore under occasonal conditions, the outer conduit may be filled with scavenging fluid above the joint being taken apart, due to stoppage of the nozzles in the drilling unit, in which case, the tapered joint is unscrewed and arted only enough to allow the scavenging uid to drain out while a portion of packing 70 (or 72) remains in contact with sleeve 7 6 and effective at the low pressure. then involved. By this means, the scavenging fluid is prevented from entering the actuating fluid conduits;

f and, after the scavenging fluid has stopped running, the outgoing section of pipe is tal:- en away.

Another important feature claimed is the manner of centering and supporting the three concentric conduits with respect to each other, in which the intermediate tube is supported under slight tension against shoulders on the outer tube and the inner tube is supported and centered against shoulders on the intermediate tube, all in such a manner that the walls of the three vconduits will divide the axial stresses which resultfrom the weight of the drill-pipe hanging in the well below the section considered.

The tool-joints may be welded to the pipe sections in the shop or mill; and the pipe sections with their attached companion tooljoint members virtually constitute integral pipe units each with three .conduits throughout its length; and the assembly of the same is herein designated as the drill-pipe.

Fig. 13 shows the outside appearance ofthe lower part of a tool-joint with the upper part taken away from it; and Fig. 14 shows a portion of the upper part. A partial cross-section indicates the position of the two sleeves 7 5 and 76 which engage the the'two packings and 71. i

Details of the centering and supporting lugs are indicated by cross-sections shown in Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12, which are taken on the section-lilies 9 9, 10-10, 11-11, and 12-12, respectively, in Fig. 8.

Having described the various component parts, it 1s pointed out that a drilling mechanism employing a drilling unit using fluid pressure operated cuttin tools, a ressure control unit and a drill-plpe of the c aracter described, excavate'sthe material b rapid, shattering blows struck on the. ottom,

and not by shear, crushing by stead pressure,

or by abrasion or wearing away o the material with tools requiring heavy downward pressure and heavy rotative torque. The steady downward pressure is onl that required to overcome the recoil of t e percussion tools; and the torque is only that required to traverse the cutting edges about the bottom. The pressure control unit enables the pressure to be controlled within the required limits; and the net result is that the s drilling is carried on without heavy pressure and heavy torque; which are the factors that cause frequent twisting-off of the drill-pipe,

and which are the greatest controllable faclating, scavenging fluid, and that the keepj in of this scavenging fluid out of the actuating-fluid conduits and mechanisms, and the control of the pressure of the cutting tools on the bottom of the well and the feeding of them downward,'by means of the apparatus and method of use disclosed and claimed v herein, are vital factors in accomplishing that result.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of the invention, I do not limit myself to the exact details in construction disclosed, but may employ such changes in conlstructionand arrangement of parts, and such modifications and equivalents as come within the scope ofthe appended claims.

I cla1m:-

1. In a drilling machine of the character described, a rotatable drill-pipe containing a pluralrty of conduits for the conveyance of fluid; a drilling mechanism, operated by fluid,

connected to the drill-pipe and rotatable with it means of regulating the operation of the drilling mechanism; means of conveyin to and from the drilling mechanism the flghids required in its operation; one or more cutting tools proJecti-n through openings in the bottom of the dril ing mechamsm and supported which the packing is installed by the pressure of the uid which the packing 1s intended to prevent from passing through the opening for the cutting tool; liuid o erated means of actuating the cutting tools y means of percussive blows; means of returning and holding each cutting tool in position to receive the following blow after the force of the preceding blow has been spent; means of removing the cuttings made by the cutting tools.

2. In a drilling machine of the character described, a rotatable drill-pipe having a plurality of passageways for the conveyance of luid; a drilling mechanism, operated by fluid, connected to the end of the driil-pipe and rotatable with it; means of regulating the operation of the drilling mechanism;

' means of conveying the fluids to and from the themselves so as to exclude any and all pressures of fluid outside of the drilling mechanism from entering the interior of the same, upward along the stem or along the contact of the packing with the. wall of the opening in which it is installed ;`recoil-spring mecha-4 nisms to hold the heads ofthe cutting tools against their seats in the sockets at the bottom of the drillin mechanism.

3. In a driling machine of the character described, the combination of a drill-pipe in sections; a plurality of conduits for the transmission o iuid through the drill-pipe; tooljoints connecting the sections of drill-pipe together; a combined drilling and pressure control mechanism connected to the drill-pipe and rotatable with it, the said combined mechanism comprising a series of superimposed and telescopic sections joined together generally by threaded joints, the lower section being'an assembly-head. to which is connected a framework of tubing and other parts, upon which is assembled the cutting tools and their actuating mechanisms, the next section a tubular casing enclosing the assembly-head and framework and the tools and mechanisms mounted on the same, the next section a long tubular section connected to a shorter section, the two enclosing an assembly of telescopic, tubular members disposed in two groups in such a manner as to have a limited, telescopic movement axially between the two groups, and interlocking members which cause the two groups to rotate upon their common axis together regardless of the relative axial position of the two groups, and the next section a tubular section included as amember of one of the two groups aforesaid and connected by means of a tool-joint to the drill-pipe.

4. In a drilling machine of the character described, a drilling mechanism, operated by fluid, connected to, and rotated in the hole being drilled by, a drill-pipe containing a plurality of conduits for the conveyance, to and from the drillingmechanism, of the i'luids required in its operation; a control mechanism forming the upperl section of the drilling mechanism and comprising an assembly of tubular members disposed in two groups which are interlocked by means which permit a limited, relative movement between the two groups, in a spiral direction about the axis of the drilling mechanism, but compels the two groups to rotate upon the axis together as a unit regardless of the relativeposition of the two groups in an axial direction, the interlocking means being so constructed that the rotative torque,'transmitted through the control mechanism from the drill-pipe, in the operation of the drilling mechanism, vproduces a resultant thrust tending to shorten the drilling mechanism and lift its cutting tools from the bottom of the hole being drilled; means by which the shortening and lifting effect may be opposed or assisted, as desired, and the relationship between the said veffect and the opposition or assistance may be regulated by adjustment of the pressures of the iiuids used in the opera-tion of the drilling mechanism.

5. In a drilling machine of the character described, a drilling mechanism, operated by iluid, connected to, and rotated in the hole being drilled by, a drill-pipe containing a plurality of conduits for the conveyance of fluid to and from the drilling mechanism, as required in its operation; a control mechanism forming the upper section' of the drilling mechanism and comprising an assemblyI of tubular members disposed-1n, two groups which are interlocked by means which rmit a limited, relative movement between t e two groups, in a spiral direction about the axis of the drilling mechanism, but' compels the two groups t0 rotate. .11P`Q11,. the-asis.. tbvetheras. a unit regardlessef the relative position ofthe two groups 'inf a1i'exie1. 1;re =tit the .isterlocking rmeans being so constructed that the rotative torque, transmitted through the control mechamsm from the drill-pipe, in the operation of the drilling mechanism, produces a resultant thrust tending to lengthen the drilling'mechanism and press the cutting tools upon the'bottom o the hole being drilled; means by whichthe len thening and pressing of the tools downwar may be op- 10 p0sed or assisted, as desired, and the relationship between the said .eect upon the drilling mechanism and cutting tools, and the osition or assistance, may be regulated by a )ustment of the ressures of the fluids used in the operation o the drillin mechanism.

6. In a drilling machine o the character described, a drilling mechanism, operated by iluid, connected to, and rotated in the hole being drilled by, a drill-pipe containing a plurality of conduits for the conveyance, to

`and froml the drilling mechanism, of the fluids required in its operation; a control mechanism vforming the upper section of the drillin mechanism and com rising an assembly o tubular members isposed in two groups which are interlocked by means which permit a limited, relative movement between the two groups, in a spiral direction about the axis of the drilling mechanism, but compels the two groups to rotate upon the axis together as a unit regardless o the relative position of the two groups in an axial direction, the interlocking means being so constructed that the rotative torque, transmitted through the control mechanism from the drill-pipe, in the operation of the drilling mechanlsm, producesa resultant thrust tendin to shorten the drilling mechanism and li t its cuttin tools from the bottom of the hole being dri led means by which the shortening and lifting effect may be opposed or assisted, as desired, and the relationship between the said effect and the opposition or assistance may be regulated.

7. In a drilling machine of the character described, a drilling mechanism, operated by fluid, connected to, and rotated in the hole being drilled by, a drill-pipe containing a plurality of conduits for the conveyance, to

I. and from the drilling mechanism, of the tion, the interlocking means being so constructed that the rotative torque, transmitted through the control mechanism .from the drill-pipe, in the operation of the drilling mechanism, produces a resultant thrust tend- 1ng to len en the drilling mechanism and press its cutting tools upon the bottom of the hole being drilled; means by which the stated effect may be opposed or assisted, as desired and the relationship between the said eEect intddthe opposition or assistance may be regua e v 8. In a drilling machine of the character described, the combination of a drill-pipe; a iluid-pressure-actuated, drilling mechanism, connected to the drill-pipe and rotatable with the same; means of conveying to and from the drilling mechanism the fluids required in lts operation; a control section of the drilling mechanism, comprising a subdivision of the parts forming the upper portion of the drilling mechanism into two groups of members, of generally tubular form, concentrically disposed and telescopically intermeshed, each with the companion member of the other group, the two groups having interlocked splines and shoulders, in such a manner as to permit the two groups to have a limited, relative movement in a spiral direction with respect to each other, and to compel the two groups'to rotate on their-common axis together, as the drilling mechanism is rotated, regardless of the relative position of the two groups in a spiral direction, and the said two .groups of members being provided with packings and associated parts, so constructed, proportioned and disposed as-to form with the said members a pluralityv of concentric passageways for the conveyance of Huid from one group to the other and, also, to form a plurality of annular pistons upon which may act the pressures of the fluidsy in a manner tending to cause thrust and movement in a spiral dI- rection between the two groups; means of controlling the said thrusts by adjustment of the pressures of the fluids supplied for the operation of the drilling mechanism; valves, operable upon the relative movement between the two groups aforesaid, so constructed as to cause a reduction in flow of one of the fluids as one limit of the said relative movement is approached and an increase in low of one of the iuids as the yother limit` of the said relative movement is approached means by which the said changes of flow may be made observable at the station of the operator of the drilling machine; cutting tools projecting from the bottom of the drilling mechanism tluid-pressure-operated means of actuating the cutting tools in a manner to cause each cutting tool to receive, transmit and deliver upon the material at the bottom of the hole being drilled a succession of percussive blows; means of returning and holding each cutting tool in position to receive the following blow after the force of the preceding 'blow is spent; nozzles and connecting ducts for directing upon the bottom of the hole a fluid used in removing the cuttings made by the cutting tools.

9. In a drilling machine of the character described, the combination of a drill-pipe; a luid-pressure-operated drilling mechanism, connected to the drill-pipe and rotatable with the same; means of conveying to and from the drilling mechanism the fluids required in its operation; means of adjusting the over-all, axial length of the drilling mechanism, the said means comprising a separation of the parts forming the upper portion of the drilling mechanism into two groups of members of generally tubular form, concentrically and telescopically intermeshed, one group attached to the lower portion of the drilling mechanism and the other group attachable to the drill-pipe, the two groups having interlocking splines and shoulders, in such a manner that the two groups may have a limited, relative axial movement between them, and, also, that they must rotate together on the axis regardless of the said axial movement; packings and retaining members so constructed, proportioned and disposed with reference to the two groups of members aforesaid as to form with the said members a plurality of concentric passageways for the conveyance of fluid from one group to the other and, also, to form a plurality of annular pistons upon which the pressures of the uids may eXert axial thrusts tending to cause relative, aXial movement between the two groups; means of controlling the said thrusts by adjustment of the pressure of the fiuids supplied for the cperation of the drilling mechanism; valves, operable upon the relative movement between the two groups aforesaid, so constructed as to cause a'reduction in How of one of the fluids as one limit of the said relative movement is approached and an increase in fiow of one of the fluids as the other limit of the said relative movement is approached; means by which the said changes in iiow may be made observable at the station of the operator of the drilling machine; cutting tools projecting from the bottom of the drilling mechanism; fluid-pressure-operated means of actuating the cutting tools in a manner to cause each cutting tool to receive, transmit, and deliver upon the material at the bottom of the hole being drilled a succession of percussive blows; means of returning and holding each cutting tool in position to receive the following blow after the force of the preceding blow is spent; nozzles and connecting ducts for directing upon the bottom of the hole a fluid used in removing the cuttings made by the cutting tools.

10. In a drilling machine of the character described, the combination of a drill-pipe; a fiuid-pressure-actuated drilling mechanism, connected to the drill-pipe and rotatable with the same; means of supplyin g the fluids to the tached to the remainder of the drilling mechanism, and interlockin splines and shoulders, so constructed an disposed as to permit the said group of members` including the means of attachment to the drill-pipe, to have a limited, telescopic movement with reference to the remainder of the drilling mechanism in a manner to change the axial length of the said drilling mechanism from the bottom thereof to the attachment to the drillpipe' and, also, to compel the said group of members and the remainder of the drilling mechanism to rotate together, as the drilling mechanism is rotated with the drill-pipe, regardless of the relative, axial position of the 4said group and the balance of the drilling mechanism; packings and retaining members installed between the intermeshed members aforesaid and so constructed, proportioned, and disposed with reference to the said members as to form a plurality of concentric passageways for the conveyance of fluid between the drill-pipe and the lower part of the drilling mechanism and, also, a plurality of annular pistons upon which the pressures of the iuids used in operating the drilling mechanism may act to produce axial thrust tending to cause relative movement of the said group of members attached to the drill-pipe with reference to the remainder of the drilling mechanism; means of controlling the said relative movement by adjustment of the pressures of the fluids; valves, operable. upon the relative movement described, so constructed as to throttle the flow of one of the fiuids as one limit of the said rela tive movement is approached and so as to divert the fiow of one of the fluids from its regular course, into a passageway normally having a lower pressure, as the other limit of the said relative movement is approached, the described changes in How being of sufficient amount and of a character to be recognizable at the station of the operator ofthe drilling machine at the surface of the ground; a fluid-pressure-actuated mechanism within the drilling mechanism for actuating the cutting tools; means of directing jets of a fluid on the bottom of the hole for the purpose of washing away the cuttings made by the cutting tools.

11. In a drilling machine ofthe character describedfthe combination of a drill-pipe; a fluid-pressure-operated drilling mechanism, connected to the drill-pipe and rotatable with the sam-e; means of supplying to the drilling mechanism the fluids required in its operation; means of regulating the feeding of the 5 being connected to the drill-pipe and having a plurality of tubular members, concentrically disposed and intermeshed with companion members of the other section, which section contains the cutting tools, actuating mechanism and associated parts, the two component sections aforesaid being so constructed that the lower section may slide upward and downward with reference to the upper section through a distance limited by limiting collars but must rotate with the upper section when it is turned by the drill-pipe, and the concentrically disposed and intermeshed members being equipped with packings and so constructed, proportioned, and disposed as to form with the tubular members aforesaid three concentric passageways for the conveyance of fluid through the upper section from the drill-pipe to the lower section, and, also, to form a combination of annular plungers upon which the pressures of the fluids in the three passageways may be caused, by regulation of the said pressures, to exert thrusts by which the lower section of the drilling mechanism may be raised and lowered with reference to the upper section; valves, operable by the relative movement between the two sections, which will cause changes in the flow of the fluids such as to be recognizable by the operator when each extreme of the relative movement is approached; cutting tools projecting through the bottom of the drilling mechanism; packings installed in the openings for the cutting tools; means situated between the packings and the cutting edges of the cutting tools for the purpose of holding them from turning away lfrom their proper position; retaining keys for preventing the heads of the cutting tools from separating from the drilling mechanism in cases of breakage of the stems of cutting tools; fluid-pressure-operated means of actuating the said tools and means of removing the cuttings made by the 0 same.

12. In a drilling machine of the character described, a drilling mechanism, operated by fluid, connected to and rotated in the hole being drilled by a drill-pipe containing a plurality of conduits for the conveyance of fluid to and from the drilling mechanism; a control section forming the upper part of the drilling mechanism and comprising a telescopic joint providing means of changing the length of the drilling mechanism in an axial direction, the telescopic joint comprising a plurality of members of generally tubular form. concentrically and telescopically disposed in two groups between which relative, axial move- CJ ment may take place, and equipped with packings and auxiliary parts, and forming a plurality of concentric passageways for the conveyance of. fluid through the telescopic joint from the drill-pipe to the drilling section of the drilling mechanism and forming a plurality of annular pistons so disposed and proportioned that the pressures of the several fluids being conveyed will tend to cause thrust and movement in an axial direction between the two groups of members aforesaid; means of adjusting the said thrust and axial movement by adjusting the pressure of the fluids; means of limiting the relative axial movement; means of causing both groups of members aforesaid to rotate together on the common axis, as the drilling mechanism is rotated, regardless of the relative axial position of the two groups of members; a valve mechanism so constructed and' connected that it will throttle the flow of one of the fluids as the telescopic joint approaches its closed position, in a manner to produce a reduction in flow of the fluid at thestation of the operator of the drilling machine; a valve mechanism so constructed and connected that it will bypass and divert from its regular course the flow of one of the fluids, as the telescopic joint approaches its extended position, in a manner to produce an increase in flow of the fluid. at the station of the operator.

13. In a drilling machine of the character described, a drilling mechanism, operated by fluid, connected to and rotated in the hole being drilled by a drill-pipe containing a plurality of conduits for the conveyance of fluid to and from the drilling mechanism; a control section forming the upper part of the drilling mechanism and comprising a telescopic joint providing means of changing the length of the drilling mechanism in an axial direction, the telescopic joint comprising a plurality of members o-f generally tubular form, concentrically and telescopically disposed in two groups between which relative, axial movement may take place, and equippcd with packings and auxiliary parts, and forming a plurality of concentric passageways for the conveyance of fluid through the telescopic joint from the drill-pipe to the drilling section of the drilling mechanism and forming a plurality of annular pistons so disposed and proportioned that the pressures of the several fluids being conveyed will tend to cause thrust and movement in an axial direction between the two groups of members aforesaid; means of adjusting the said thrust and axial movement by adjusting the pressures of the fluids; means of limiting the relative axial movement; means of causing both groups of members aforesaid to rotate together on the common axis, as the drilling mechanism is rotated, regardless of the relative, axial position of the two groups of members.

IRVING C. HARRIS.