US1913752A - Drilling mechanism - Google Patents

Description

June 13, 1933. o. B. GOLDMAN 1,913,752

DRILLING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 21, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 13, 1933. o. B. GOLDMAN DRILLING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 21, 1931 mww Patented June 13, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Another object is to provide means for regulating the apparatus referred to, so as to maintain rotation of the drill stem at any desired rate.

. Another object of this invention is to provide means for automatically limiting the pressure of the bit on the bottom of the hole to any desired amount.

Another object of this invention is to provide dampening means or time interlock for preventing the feeding mechanism from operating due to variations in stress in the drill stem supporting cable that are due not to the digging-off of the bit, but only to bouncw ing of the bit caused by hard and rough (1i s g gtill another object of this invention is to r'ovide means for automatically lowering the drill stem at the proper rate to carry out the operation of reaming a hole previously drilled, and as an aid in drilling.

A more detailed object in this connection is the provision of means whereby the drill stem is lowered a predetermined distance at regular intervals which may be varied to suit different reaming and/or drilling conditions. This gives a regular step-by-step down-feed of the drill stem, the steps being small enough to prevent .thread cutting or s p1- raling through when reaming. In drilling this step-by-step down-feed occurs only in the upper part of the drill stem, owing to the fact that the lower end is supported by the bit on the bottom of the hole, and to the so inherent longitudinal elasticity of the drill ste Hence,

OTTO BEBGER GOLDMAN, OF WALNUT PARK, CALIFORNIA DRILLING MECHANISM Application filed January 21, 1931. Serial No. 510,190.

small steps of down-feeding.

predetermined speed.

a better and straighter hole.

of the specification.

Referring to the drawings:

vice.

the bit feeds down at practiconnected.

Another object is to prov1 automatically preventing down-feed of the drill stem at a rate in excess of a certain cally a constant rate and presses with a pract1cally constant pressure upon bottom, since the drill stem itself absorbs the relatively de means for 5 A still further object is to provide a power operated brake with a sensitive manual control for operating the brake during running the drilling tools into and out of the hole.

Another object is to provide a drilling, coring, and reaming device havin the features of automatic control herein efore set forth, and which is further provided with adjustment means which may be manipulated to vary the respective ranges within which they operate, thereby making it possible to meet substantially any conditions of drilling, reaming, and/or coring and cause my automatic device to perform much more accurate operations than can be done by hand, in a materially shorter time, and to produce The invention possesses other objects and advantageous features, some of which, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the following description of the inventions particular embodiment which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part Fig. l is an electromechanical diagram of the entire automatic drilling and reaming de- Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the power cylinders whereby the braking mechanism is operated. The plane of this view may be considered to have been taken upon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with the direction of view as indicated.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken upon the line 33 of Fig. 2, with 95 the direction of view as indicated.

Fig. 4 is 'an enlarged electromechanical diagram indicating the internal construction of each of the various portions of electrical apparatus and the manner in which they are 100 Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the construction of the manually operable valve and the manner of its interconnection to the brake lever.

The present invention resides in a novel combination and interrelation of several pieces of apparatus which are standard equipment, but which have not been called upon previously or which have not been combined with other devices to perform the functions for which the automatic drilling and reaming device of the present invention has been developed. Several of these pieces of apparatus are listed in Catalogue No. 600 A, copyrighted in 1930 by the General Electric Company, and include relays, indicated at 6 and 7, respectively, which bear the catalogue number 1331, a Time Interlock or tick-took. indicated in its entirety at 8, which bears the catalogue number CR2953-3, and a Definite Time Relay, indicated at 9, and bearing the catalogue number MC9A 1P4.

Whereas the actual construction of these pieces of electrical apparatus have not been illustrated, because of the fact that they are standard equipment whose construction and operation are well known to those skilled in the art to which they appert-ain, their working parts have been illustrated diagrammatically upon Fig. 4. The relay 6 includes a solenoid 11, one terminal of which is connected by a conductor 12 through a resistance 13 of suitable capacity, to a binding post 14. The other end of the solenoid 11 is connected by a conductor 16 to a binding post 17. vVh en the solenoid 11 is energized it is adapted to attract an armature 18, which is carried by a bell crank 19 mounted upon a pivot pin 21 in such a manner that energization of the solenoid 11 results in moving switch contacts 22 which are carried by the end 23 of the hell crank 19 opposite that which carries the armature 18, into circuit-closing engagement with fixed contacts 24 which are connected to another binding post 26. These contacts 22 and 24 constitute the main switch 27 of the relay 6. However, the relay 6 also includes a holding switch 28, which comprises a movable contact 29 carried by an extension 31 of the bell crank 19 in such position that movement of the armature 18 toward the solenoid 11 results in bringing the movable contact 29 into circuit-closing engagement with a fixed contact 32 which is connected by a conductor 33 to a binding post 34.

The relay 7 may be of identical construction with the relay 6, inasmuch as it includes a solenoid 41 and a bell crank 42 mounted upon a pivot pin 43, one arm of the bell crank 42 carrying an armature 44 adapted to be attracted when the solenoid 41 is energized, and the other arm of the bell crank carrying a movable contact 46 adapted to be moved into circuit-closing engagement with a fixed contact 47. However, the resistance and the holding switch may be omitted, inasmuch as one terminal of the solenoid 41 is connected directly by a conductor 48 to a binding post 49. The other terminal of the solenoid 41 is connected by a conductor 50 to a binding post 51, and the fixed switch contacts 47 are connected to a binding post 52. The movable contacts 46 are connected by a conductor 53 to a binding post 54.

The time interlock 8 includes a solenoid 56, which when energized is adapted to attract an armature 57 carried by a bell crank 58 which is mounted upon a pivot pin 59 in such a manner that when the armature 57 moves-toward the solenoid 56 the opposite end 61 of the bell crank 58 moves downwards, carrying with it a link 62 which is connected to a sector plate 63 having teeth 64 on its arcuate edge. The plate 63 and bell crank 58 are adapted to be returned to normal position by a counterweight 66 carried by a lateral extension 67 of the plate 63. The teeth 64 of the plate 63 engage the teeth 68 of a gear wheel 69 which is attached to a larger gear wheel 71 by a ratchet connection (not shown) which permits the wheel 69 to reversely rotate without carrying with it the larger gear 71. The gear 71 enmeshes a smaller gear 72 which is rigidly connected to a larger gear 73, the teeth of which are adapted to be engaged by an escapement mechanism 74 carrying a pendulum 76, the weight 77 of which may be adjusted to vary the periodicity of its swinging movement,

and thereby permit variation in the length of time required for the sector plate 63 to swing from one extreme position to the other. A rod 78 is connected at one end to the sector plate 63 in such a manner that it is adapted to be pushed axially when the sector plate 63 swings in that direction of motion which results from energization of the solenoid 56, and the other end of the rod 7 8 carries a conductor plate having switch contacts 79 thereon which are adapted to complete the circuit between fixed contacts 81 which comprise the main switch 82 of the time interlock 8. One of these contacts 81 is connected by a conductor 83 to the same binding post 84 as that to which one terminal of the solenoid 56 is connected. The other contact 81 of the switch 82 is connected by a conductor 86 to a binding post 87. The other terminal of the solenoid56 is connected by a conductor 88 to a binding post 89.

The definite time relay 9 includes an electric motor 91 which is connected through a chain of reduction gearing 92 to a wheel 93 having a plurality of pin holes 94 at spaced intervals therein adjacent its periphery. A

ably clamp the cam plate 96 to the wheel 93 in selected position. A pointer 99 rigid with the cam plate 96 cooperates with a dial 101 upon which numbers 102 are provided, these numbers being of such a nature that when the pointer 9.9, when in initial or starting position, points to any one of these numbers, that number indicates the number of seconds which will elapse after the motor 91 has been energized, and before the cam plate 96 will engage a cam follower 103 and cause it to be moved far enough to effect opening of the main switch 104 of the definite time relay 9. Preferably, however, the gear train 92 is subject to alteration, so that the wheel 93 may be caused to rotate at varying speeds, thereby making a wider range of time variation available than that which can be attained by adjustment of the cam plate 96 upon the wheel 93. The cam follower 103 is carried by an arm 106 which is pivotally mounted by a pin 105 in such a manner that when the cam plate 96 engages the follower 103 the arm 106 and an extension 107 thereof are swung upwards against the action of a coil spring 108 which is under tension between the extension 107 and a rigid pin 109. The outer end of the extension 107 engages the aduncate end 111 of a bell crank 112 which is pivotally mounted by a pin 113, and

to the other end 114 of which a link 116 is connected. This link 116 is also connected to the pivotally mounted armature 117 of 3. preferably double coil solenoid 118, the parts being so proportioned and arranged that when the solenoid 118 is energized the armature 117 tends to swing the bell crank 112 in counterclockwise motion, as viewed upon Fig. 4. This motion of the bell crank, however, is resisted by the extension 107 until the extension is moved out of the way by engagement of the cam plate 96 with the cam follower 103, after which the aduncate end 111 is free to move toward the left, as viewed upon Fig. 4, carrying with it a resilient arm 121 upon which a contact 122 of the switch 104 is carried, there being, however, an insertion 123 of insulating material between the contact 122 and the arm 121. This motion of the arm 121 and contact 122 serves to draw the contact 122 away from the other contact 124 of the main switch 104 of the definite time relay 9. Thus, it may be seen that the opening of the main switch is retarded through an interval of time determined by the selected arrangement of the reduction gearing 92, and also by the positioning ofthe cam plate 96 with respect to the wheel 93, as explained hereinabove. However, the bell crank 112 is not perfectly rigid, with the resultthat as soon as the solenoid 118 is energized the bell crank will be flexed sufficiently by the force exerted thereagainst by the link 116, to close an auxiliary switch 126, one contact-127 of which is connected by a conductor 128 to a binding post 129. The other contact 131 is connected by a conductor 132 to the contact 122 of the main switch 104. The other contact 124 of the main switch 104 is connected by a conductor 133 to one terminal of the motor 91, the other terminal of which is connected by a conductor 134 to a binding post 136. To this same binding post 136 one terminal of the solenoid 118 is connected by a conductor 137, and the other terminal of the solenoid 118 is connected by a conductor 138 to a binding post 139. Another conductor 141 leads from the binding post 139 to the conductor 132 which leads to the contact 122 of the main switch 104.

My invention contemplates the combination of the above described pieces of electrical apparatus and others which are to be described hereinbelow, with a preferably conventional drilling rig of the rotary type, portions of which are shown diagrammatically upon Fig. 1. Such a drilling rig includes a rotary table 151 which is connected to a drill stem 152 in the usual manner, so as to effect rotation of the drill stem 152 by rotation of the table 151, but to permit free vertical movement of the drill'stem 152 with respect to the table 151. Hence, the weight of the drill stern 152 is not supported upon the rotary table 151, but instead is carried in the usual manner by a traveling block (not shown), whichin turn is supported upon preferably several runs of a cable, only a portion of which is indicated at 153, and which is adapted to be controlled in the usual manner by the draw works drum, which is indicated in its entirety at 154. This drum is journaled upon a shaft 156 and is provided with a brake band 157 of any suitable nature. Hence, paying out of the cable 153, Whereupon the drill stem 152 is supported, may be controlled by means of a brake lever 158 pivotally mounted upon the drilling platform 159, and connected through a crank arm 161 to one end of the brake band 157 in such a manner that movement of the brake lever 158 downwards and to the right, as viewed upon Fig. 1, results in applying the brake and preventing rotation of the drum 154. Preferably, the brake lever 158 is continually urged to brake-applying position by means of a coil spring 162.

I have provided power operated means for applying and releasing the brake band 157. This preferably is in the form of a pair of axially alined cylinders 166 and 167 having pistons 168 and 169, respectively, reciprocably mounted therein. These pistons are rigidly interconnected by a common rod 171 having an annular groove 172therein, within whichthe bifurcated end 173 of a crank arm 174 is engaged. This arm 174 is connected by a rotatably mounted shaft 176 to a second crank arm 177 which is disposed exteriorly of the housing 178 upon which the cylinders 166 and 167 are carried. Moreover, the crank arm 177 is connected by a rod 179 vto the brake lever 158 in such a manner that when fluid such as steam under suflicient pressure is supplied to the cylinder 166 the brake 157 will be applied. The cylinder 167 is preferably materially smaller than the cylinder 166, and is constantly supplied with steam under full pressure, with the result that when pressure within the cylinder 166 is relieved, the pistons 168 and 169 will be moved to the left, as viewed on Fig. 3, and thus release the brake 157 without the necessity of opening the cylinder 167 to the atmosphere or otherwise relieving the pressure therein.

Flow of actuating fluid to and from the cylinder 166.is controlled by a solenoid valve, indicated in its entirety at 181. This valve includes a cylindrical plunger 182 having preferably a straight diametrical passage 183 and a curved passage 184 therein. \Vhen the plunger 182 is in its lower-most extreme of movement the straight passage 183 establishes communication between a supply pipe 186 and a port 187 which leads to the interior of the cylinder 166; and when the plunger 182 is in its uppermost extreme of movement the passage 184 is adapted to establish communication between the port 187 and the lower portion of the cylinder 188, withinwhich the plunger 182 is reciprocable. The bottom of this cylinder 188 is in communication by way of a port 189 with the atmosphere. Hence, when the plunger 182 is drawn upwards, for which purpose a solenoid 191 is provided, any pressure within the cylinder 166 will be relieved, as will readily be understood. The armature 192 for the solenoid 191 is connected to the plunger 182 by a rod 193, and a coil spring 194 encircling the rod 193 serves to quicken the action of the plunger 182 in moving to that position in which pressure is supplied to the cylinder 166. As indicated upon Fig. 4, one terminal of the solenoid 191 is connected by a conductor 196 to the binding post 87 of the time interlock 8, to which the conductor 86 thereof leads. The other terminal of the solenoid 191 is connected by a conductor 197 to the binding post 89 of the time interlock 8.

In order that the brake 157 may be applied and released bymanually controlled but power actuated means at such times when it is not desired to employ the automatic control (this being the case when the drill stem is being pulled from the well for the purpose of replacing the drill bit, reamer, or other drilling tool, and under various other circumstances), a manually operable threeway valve 198 is mounted in conveniently accessible position, this valve 198 comprising a housing 199 having a plunger 200 reciprocably mounted therein. The plunger has a straight passage 201 and a curved passage 202, the former of which is adapted, by movement of the plunger to its upper extreme of motion, to establish communication with a pipe 203 which leads to the pipe 204 whereby pressure is supplied to the cylinder 167, this pipe 204 in turn communicating with the supply pipe 186 whereby steam, compressed air, or other suitable actuating fluid is conducted to the system. When communieating with the pipe 203, the passage 201 also communicates with a pipe 205, which also leads to the supply pipe 186, but between the cylinder 188 and a manually operable valve 206. The other passage 202 is adapted to establish communication between the pipe 205 and an exhaust passage 207 communicating with the atmosphere. Hence, when it is desired to operate the brake 157 by hand, the valve 206 should be closed and the solenoid 191 de-energized, whereupon pressure may be supplied to the cylinder 167 by raising the plunger 200 to bring the passage 201 into communication with the pipes 203 and 205. This is accomplished by means of an operating handle 208, which is one leg of a bell crank pivoted to the valve housing 199. The other leg 209 is pivoted to a link 210, which in turn is pivoted to one end of a lever 211. The other end of the lever 211 is connected by a link 212 to the lever 158 of the brake 157, which of course is swung downwards as the brake is applied. The stem 213 of the valve plunger 199 is connected to the lever 211 intermediate its ends, with the result that when the link 210 is raised by means of the operating handle 208, the lever 211 is raised in pivotal movement about the end of the lever which is connected to the link 212. This raises the plunger 199, admitting pressure to the cylinder 186, and starting the brake lever 158 downwards. This instantly draws the link 212 downwards, swinging the lever 211 downwards in pivotal movement about that end thereof which is connected to the link 210, and lowering the plunger 199 until the passage 201 no longer registers with the pipes 203 and 205. Hence, the brake can be applied with full pressure only by continued movement of the handle 208 in the proper direction, and sufficiently far to compensate for the downward movement of the link 212. The function of this portion of the apparatus is to prevent sudden application of full pressure to the cylinder 188, which of course, would result in slamming of the brake into full engagement with the drum. Owing to the tremendous weight of the drill stem frequently supported by means of the cable, and lowered by unwinding rotation thereof, some portion of the apparatus would probably be overstressed and broken if the brake were applied with full pressure while the drum is unwinding at a rapid rate. This is prevented by the link and lever mechanism hereinabove described, because it causes pressure to be applied to the cylinder very gradually, or in a series of relatively small steps, according to the manner in which the operator mani ulates the handle 208.

Re ease of the brake 157 is accomplished by movement of the handle 208 in the opposite direction, to lower the plunger 199 and bring the passage 201 into re istry with the pipe 205, as illustrated upon ig. 5.

Another piece'of conventional apparatus which is employed as one of the units of my automatic control is a pressure controller 214, which includes a pointer 215 electrically connected by a conductor 216 to a binding post 217. This pointer 215 is rigidly mounted on a pivot pin 218 which is operatively attached to a Bourdon tube (not shown) so as to be rotated by variations in pressure in a tube 219, which communicates with the Bourdon tube. Rotatably mounted upon the pivot pin 218 is a block 220 of insulation, upon one side of which an arm 221 is pivotally mounted. This arm 221 is provided with a coil spring 222 whereby the arm is urged inwards towards the needle 215, this inward movement being limited by engagementof the arm 221 with the side of the block 220. Means are provided for adjusting the block 220, such as a threaded rod 223 pivotally connected to the block 220 and extending loosely slidably through a rigid abutment 224 to receive an adjusting nut 225. A coil spring 226 encircling the rod 223 retains the block 220 in that position which is determined by the adjustment of the nut 225. Hence, manipulation of the nut 225 determines the point at which a contact 227 carried by the needle 215 engages a contact 228 carried by the arm 221. It should be understood that the arm 221 is mounted upon that side of the block 220 toward which the needle 215 moves when pressure in the tube 219 decreases. The block 220 is also preferably provided with an indicating hand 229 which is visible exteriorly of the pressure controller 214, so that the operator may readily ascertain the range of operation thereof, it being understood that a suitable dial 231 is provided, with which both indicators 215 and 229 cooperate. As stated hereinabove, the pointer 215 is adapted to be swung across the dial 231 by mechanism (not shown) which is actuated by pressure conducted to a Bourdon tube by the tubing 219. This ti'be 2. -9 leads from a translating device 232 which is engaged upon the cable 153, and is lesponsive to variations in tension thereupon. Preferably, the specific design of translating device 232 which is employed in this connection is that which forms the subject matter of Patent No. 1,766,782, issued to me on June 24, 1930. Suffice it for the purpose of the present disclosure, therefore, to explain that as tension upon the cable 153 decreases, the translating device 232 will decrease the pressure within the tubing 219, causing the needle 215 of the pressure controller 214 to move toward the contact 228. Preferably, a pressure indicator 233 is also provided, whereby the pressure Within the tubing 219 may be ascertained, and this indicator 233 may be calibrated in such a manner that the operator may ascertain therefrom the actual tension upon the cable 153 and/or the weight which is supported upon the traveling block.

As is well known, a drill stem, to the lower end of which the drill bit is secured, usually is so heavy that only a small fractional part of its weight must be permitted to bear upon the bit, because otherwise, the drill stem will bend or buckle Within the Well, the diameter of which is greater than that of the drill stem. This condition is conducive to drilling away from the vertical, producing a crooked hole. Wherever a bend occurs in the drilled hole, the drill stem which is subsequently caused to rotate within that portion of the hole, is continually bent back and forth with each revolution, thus causing fatigue failures, or twist-offs. Also, the very flexing or buckling of the drill stem which causes the hole to' be drilled crooked, is responsible to a certain degree for fatigue failures. Hence, in order to avoid twist-offs and a crooked hole, only a small portion of the total Weight of the drill stem is permitted to press the bit upon the bottom of the hole when the drilling operation is being performed, the remainder of the weight being supported upon the derrick structure by means of the cable 153, upon a portion of which the translating device 232 is engaged, as explained. By means of this instrument, which is responsive to variation in stress in the cable 153, and which is connected to the pressure regulator 214 so as to actuate it in accordance with such variations, it is made possible automatically to limit the pressure of the bit on bottom to a safe amount, this being accomplished, moreover, without requiring the constant attention of a driller in watching the indicating gauge 233 and exerting muscular effort against the brake lever 153 in accordance with its Variations.

Other pieces of electrical apparatus which are employed in conjunction with those described hereinabove are centrifugal switches 234 and 235, the former of which is adapted to complete the circuit therethrough when its speed of rotation increases above a predetermined maximum. This centrifugal switch 234 is either carried by or is connected to the drum 154 of the'draw works in such a manher that when the drum 154 rotates faster than a predetermined maximum speed, the switch 234 will close its circuit and effect operation of the automatic device to set the brake and prevent paying out cable at too to set when the speed of rotation of the rotary table 151 decreases to a predetermined minimum or to complete a second circuit which causes the brake to be released and the drill stem to feed down when the speed of rotation of the rotary table 151 increases to a predetermined amount. This switch 235 is either carried by or connected to the rotary table 151, or a portion of the draw works which rotates at a speed proportional to the rotational speed thereof. The purpose of this device in drilling is to feed the drill stem down in such a manner that the speed of I'O tation of the drill stem will be maintained substantially constant. In reaming it prevents down-feed of the drill stem when the reamer is operating in a tight spot, until such time as the hole has been fully reamed out. When reaming in such a bind, the speed of rotation of the drill stem is slowed down, causing the brake to set and remain set until such time as the speed of rotation is again up to normal.

The switch 235 has a pivotally mounted arm 236, on the outer end of which a contact 237 is mounted. A coil spring 238 continually urges the arm 236 in the direction opposite to that in which the arm tends to swing as a result of the centrifugal action developed during rotation of the part on which the centrifugal switch 235 is mounted. However, the speed of rotation of the switch 235 necessary to cause the arm 236 to swing outwards 4 may be varied by means of an adjusting screw 239 and a coil spring 240 under tension between the arm 236 and the screw 239. A conductor 241 is electrically connected to the contact 237 and leads to a binding post 242. Contacts 243 and 244 are mounted upon the base of the centrifugal switch 235 on opposite sides of the arm 236, the parts being so proportioned and arranged that when the speed of rotation of the centrifugal switch i falls below that for which the adjusting screw 239 has been set, the contact 237 will engage the contact 243, whereas the contact 237 will engage the contact-244 when the speed of rotation of the centrifugal switch 235 increases beyond that for which the adjusting screw 239 has been set. The low speed contact 243 is connected by a conductor 245 to a binding post 246, and the high speed contact 244 is connected by a conductor 247 to the binding post 17 of the relay 6. Preferably, the spacing between the contacts 243 and 244 is such that relatively little motion of the contact 237 therebetween is permitted. This is conducive to accuracy of the automatic control, inasmuch as it results in relatively little variation in the rotational speed of the part on which the switch 235 is mounted before the control apparatus is actuated.

The centrifugal arm 248 of the switch 234, which, as mentioned hereinabove, is rotated proportionally with the draw works drum 154 and is adapted to complete the circuit controlled thereby when the drum rotates faster than a predetermined speed, is electrically connected to a binding post 249, and the fixed contact of the switch 234 is connected to a binding post 250.

A pair of commutator rings 251 and 252 are mounted for rotation with the draw works drum 154, preferably, upon the shaft 156 thereof. Each of these rings 251, 252 comprises alternate segments 253 and 254 of insulating and conducting material, respectively. The commutator ring 251 is provided with spaced contact brushes 256 and 257, whereas the commutator ring 252 is provided with similarly spaced brushes 258 and 259. The brushes of each of these pairs of brushes are so spaced from each other that they are adapted to simultaneously engage one of the segments 254 of conducting material when the drum 154 is turned to that position which results in positioning any one of the segments 254 across both brushes of that pair. Furthermore, the commutator ring 251 is slightly in advance of the commutator ring 252, so that the circuit between the brushes 256 and 257 will be broken slightly prior to the time at which the circuit is broken between the brushes 258 and 259.

Energizing current is supplied to the system from any suitable source, such as a pair of electrical conductors 266 and 267. From the conductor 267 a conductor 268 leads to the binding posts 242, 49, 249, 54., 217, 34, 136 and 89. The other main conductor 266 is connected by a conductor 271 with the brush 259 which is associated with the commutator ring 252. The other brush 258 of this air of brushes is connected by a conductor 2 2 with the binding post 129 to which. the conductor 128 of the definite time relay 9 is connected, and from this same binding post 129 another conductor 273 leads to the brush 257 of the other commutator ring 251. From the other brush 256 of this same pair a conductor 274 leads to the binding post 139, which is connected by the conductor 138 to the solenoid 118, and also by the conductor 141 with the contact 122 of the main switch 104 of the definite time relay 9.

The main conductor 266 is also connected by a conductor 276 with the binding post 14, with which the resistance 13 of the relay 6 is in communication. Also, a conductor 277 leads from the bindin post 14 to the contact 22 of the switch 27 o the relay 6.

The relay 6 is electrically connected with the time interlock 8 by means of a conductor 278, which leads from the binding post 26 to the binding post 84 with which both the solenoid 56 and the contact 81 are electrically connected.

The relay 7 and the definite time relay 9 are interconnected by a conductor 279 which extends from the contact 124 of the main switch 104 of the definite time relay 9, to the binding post 51 which is in communication with the other terminal of the solenoid 41 of the relay 7.

The fixed contacts 47 of the relay 7 are connected by a conductor 281 to a conductor 282 which connects with the conductor 12 between the resistance 13 and the solenoid 11 of the relay 6, with the result that whenever circuit is established by closing the switch contacts 46 and 47 the solenoid 11 will be shunted out, causing de-energization thereof. This results from the fact that the solenoid 11 is energized through the circuit including the conductors 266, 276, resistance 13, conductor 12, solenoid 11, conductor 16, and thence either through the holding switch 28 or through the binding post 17 and conductor 247 which leads to the high contact 244 of the centrifugal switch 235, whence the circuit includes the contact 237, arm 236, conduc-.

tor 241, binding post 242, conductor 268, and back to the other main conductor 267. Hence, if circuit is established by any means between the conductor 282 and the conductor 268 otherwise than through the solenoid 11, the solenoid 11 will be de-energized. This shunting out of the solenoid 11 is the function of the contacts 46 and 47 of the relay 7, inas-' much as the contacts 47 are connected by the conductor 281 to the conductor 282, and the contacts 46 are connected by the conductor 53 to the conductor 268.

The low contact 228 of the pressure controller 214 also has the same function of shunting out the solenoid 11 by completing the circuit from the conductor 268' through the conductor 216, needle 215, low contact 228, and thence through a conductor 289, which leads from the low contact 228, to the conductor 282. The centrifugal switch 234 also serves to shunt out the solenoid 11, as does also the centrifugal switch 235 when its contact 237 engages the low contact 243.

Operation when drilling stem will be imposed upon the cable 153, in

creasing the tension therein, and the translating device 232 will increase the pressure within the tube 219. \Vhen this occurs, the contact'227 of the needle 215 is held away from the contact 228, holding the associatedshunt circuit open. Likewise, the drill stem will be rotating at a speed greater than that for which the speed controlling centrifugal switch 235 is set, because the drill bit is not pressing against bottom with sufficient force to develop the resistance to rotation which is present when the bit presses on bottom with the desired force. Accordingly, the contact 237 of the arm 236 will be swung outward against the contact 244 by centrifugal force, with the result that the solenoid 11, of the relay 6 will be energized, its circuit being as follows: main conductor 266, conductor 276, resistance 13, conductor 12, solenoid 11, conductors 16 and 247, contacts 244 and 237, arm 236, conductors 241 and 268, and back to the other main conductor 267. Accordingly, the armature 18 will be drawn toward the solenoid, closing the main switch 27 and the holding switch 28. The holding switch merely shunts the contact 244 of the speed control switch 235 out of the circuit, so that the solenoid 11 will remain energized after the speed of rotation of the drill stem has dropped enough to cause the arm 236 to move inwards again, and until the coil 11 is itself shunted out.

Closing the switch 27 energizes the solenoid 56 of the time interlock 8, of which the circuit is as follows: main conductor 266, conductors 276 and 277, contacts 22 and 24, conductor 278, coil 56, conductors 88 and 26%, and back to the other main conductor 26 Energization of the solenoid coil 56 results in closing the switch 82 after the elapse of a predetermined period of time, as has been explained hereinabove, permitting current to flow from conductor 278 through conductor 83, switch 82, conductors 86 and 196, solenoid 191 of the valve 181, conductors 197 and 268, and back to main conductor 267. In this way the solenoid 191 is energized, drawing the plunger 182 upwards and relieving pressure within the cylinder 166, whereupon pressure within the cylinder 167 forces the pistons '169 and 168 to the left, as viewed on Fig. 3, and releasing the brake 157, thus permitting lowering of the drill stem. i

In this manner, the pressure of the bit on bottom is permitted to increase, with a'corresponding decrease in the tension imposed upon the cable 153. This decrease in tension in the cable 153 will result in decreasing the pressure in the tube 219, which will cause the needle 215 to move its contact into engagement with the contact 228. In this man ner, the solenoid 11 will be de-energized by the current being short circuited around solenoid 11, by means of the conductors 282, 289 and 216. The de-energization of solenoid 11 will cause opening of the switch 22 and immediate de-energization of solenoid 191, permitting the plunger 182 to drop, thus admitting pressure to the cylinder 166, whereupon the brake 157 will be applied, causing cessation of lowering of the drill stem, which, however, continues rotating. As the bit digs off, the pressure of the bit on bottom decreases, and the tension in'the cable 153 increases. This causes the pressure in the tube 219 to increase and the pointer 215 to move to the right, as viewed in the diagrams, and out of engagement with contact 228. The reduction in pressure of the bit on bottom causes the bit to take a finer cut, and the speed of rotation of the drill stem to increase until switch contact 237 of the centrifugal switch 235 engages the contact 244, when solenoid 11 will again be energized, closing switch 27 and energizing solenoid 56. After elapse of time for which the inerlock 8 has been set. the switch 82 will be closed, energizing solenoid 191, which will again cause the valve to move to that position where the brake will be released, whereupon the drill stem will move downward.

When the drill stem has moved downward a predetermined amount, conductor segments on the commutators 251 and 252 will short circuit brushes 256 and 257, and brushes 258 and 259, causing current to flow into the definite time interlock 9, from the main conductor 266, through the conductor 271, across the brushes 259 and 258, through the conductors 272 and 273, through the brushes 257 and 256, conductors 274 and 141, to the main switch 104 of the definite time relay 9, which is normally closed, with the result that the current will continue to flow through the conductors 279 and 50, through the solenoid 41, conductor 48, and thence by way of the conductor 268 back to the other main conductor 267. This will cause energization of the solenoid 41, as will readily be understood, attracting its armature 44 and causing closing of the switch contacts 46 and 47, thus shunting out the solenoid 11 of the relay 6, because the shunt circuit will be completed as follows: main conductor 266, conductor 276, resistance 13, conductor 12, and thence, in-

stead of flowing through the solenoid 11,

through the conductors 282 and 281, switch contacts 47 and 46, conductors 53 and 268, and thence back to the other main conductor 267. This sl :nting out of the solenoid 11 will cause de-energization of the solenoid 191 of the solenoid valve 181, thus setting the brake 157, as explained hereinabove.

This setting of the brake, which is effected substantially instantaneously upon energization of the solenoid 41 of the relay 7, will prevent further down-feeding of the drill stem, because the drum 154 will be caused to cease unwinding. Accordingly, both commutator rings 251 and 252 will also be brought to rest. remaining so until the definite time relay 9 has suflicient time to operate and effect opening of the main sw "ch 104,

whereby the solenoid 41 is controlled. Simultaneously with energization of the sole noid 4] the solenoid 118 of the definite time relay 9 is energized by current flowing from the commutator rings through the conductor 138, solenoid 118, conductor 269, and thence by way of the conductor 268 back to the second side 267 of the main source of current. At the same time, the motor 91 will be energized, inasmuch as one terminal thereof is connected by a conductor 134 to the binding post 136, which in turn is connected to one side 267 of the source of current by conductors 269 and 268. The other terminal of the motor 91 is connected to the other side 266 of the source of current, by way of the conductor 133 and the engaging switch contacts 124 and 122 of the main switch 104, conductors 141 and 272, brushes 258 and 259, and the conductor 271. Immediately upon energization of the solenoid 118, as hereinabove described, the armature 117 will be attracted theretoward, imposing sufficient tension upon the link 116 to flex the bell crank' 112 and close the switch 126. However, the aduncate end 111 of the bell crank 112 cannot be moved so as to open the main switch 104, because of the fact that the extension 107 of the arm 106 lies in the path of this end of the bell crank.

Therefore, the main switch 104 will be kept I closed until that period of time for which the definite time relay 9 has been set, has elapsed, it being remembered that the motor 91 has been energized, causing the cam plate 96 to start rotating in that direction which will ultimately bring about its engagement with the cam follower 103. As soon as this engagement takes place, the extension 107. will be lifted against the action of the coil spring 108, permitting the aduncate end 111 of the bell crank 112 to move to the left, as

viewed upon Fig. 4, carrying with it the movable contact 122 of the main switch 104, thus breaking not only the circuit whereby the motor 91 is energized, but also the circuit of the solenoid 41. Hence, after a predetermined time has elapsed subsequent to completing the circuit by the commutator rings 251 and 252, the solenoid 41 will become deenergized, permitting the switch contacts 46 and 47 toseparate, thus breaking the circuit which has been shunted around the coil 11,

which, therefore, will again become energizedthat commutators 251 and 252 rotate very' slowly, and the purpose in using switch 126 and the two commutators as shown is to give a fast instead of a slow arcing break in this circuit.

As soon as solenoid 118 is de-energized, all the mechanism in this time interlock 9 returns to the initial position including the closing of switch 104, so that when the commutators 251 and 252 have again moved the predetermined amount, the brushes are again shorted, the cycle of operation will be repeated. As the drill stem is fed down, preferably faster than the bit digs oil, the speed of rotation of the drill stem will decrease until contact 237 engages contact 243 when the brake will set and remain set until the speed of rotation of the drill stem has again increased suificiently to cause further downfe-ed of the drill stem, as hereinabove described.

Should the pressure of the bit on the bottom of the hole at any time increase to the limit set on the pressure controller 214, no further down-feed of the drill stem can occur until this pressure has sufiiciently decreased. If the digging is rough, so that the rotary table runs unsteadily, contact 237 of swich 235 may engage contact 244 but momentarily, and then again swing back until contact 237 engages contact 243. In that case,

solenoid 11 is energized, closing switch 27,

thereby energizing solenoid 56 and starting the time mechanism of the time interlock 8 into operation. Before switch 82 is closed, contact is made between contacts 237 and 243 of switch 235, de-energizing solenoid 11, and opening switch 27, thereby de-energizingsolenoid 56, and dropping the time mechanism of the interlock 8 back to its initial position without allowing valve 181 to operate, thus preventing the needless operation of the brake.

Due to the centrifugal switch 234, a fast down-feed of the drill stem is never permitted in either drilling or reaming, for such a fast movement would cause switch 234 to close, setting the brake. The brake will be released due to the automatic opening of switch 234 as soon as the down-feed is sufficiently retarded. It will be evident, therefore, that inldrilling or coring, the drill stem is fed down into the formation, so that the speed of rotation of the drill stem will remain substantially constant, this speed control being therefore the primary control with the other controls as secondary. The down-feed is always in steps, due to the definite time relay 9. and the parts associated therewith.

Operation when reaming When reaming, the definite time interlock 9 and associated parts become the primary control; the time interval between steps of the down-feed are set to suit, so that the proper average rate of down-feed is obtained. It is to he understood that all steps of downfeed are substantially equal, and thus the average rate of down-feed may be changed to suit merely by changing the [time interval between these steps, a short interval giving rap d average down-feed, and long intervals giving slow average down-feed. By means of this apparatus, therefore, the reamer is fed down at a substantially constant speed.

When reaming, the pressure controller 214 is set so that the brake will be setwith a relatively light pressure of the reamer on the formation being drilled. If, therefore, when reaming, the reamer strikes an obstruction, the resulting pressure of the'reamer on top of the obstruction causes a decrease in tension in the cable 153, causing the contact 227 of the pointer 215 of the pressure controller 214 to engage the contact 228, thereby setting the brake. Further down-feed of the reamer is permitted only after the obstruction is removed.

Again, if the reamer enters a bind, more power is required to rotate the reamer, causing the speed of rotation of the drill stem to decrease and contact 237 of switch 235 to energize contact 243, setting the brake. The

brake will be released only after the bind is reamed out when the speed of rotation will again reach the predetermined maximum.

It is to be understood that the details of the invention as herein disclosed, are subject to alteration within the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

justing means, said controlling means being actuated when the load on said supporting means varies, and means for delaying actuation of saidcontrolling means until a predetermined time after variation of said load.

2. In combination with a drilling rig including a drilling tool, means supporting said drilling tool, and means for adjusting said supporting means to efiect feeding of said drilling tool; a regulator comprising means operatively connected to said sup orting means and adapted to control said a justing means, said controlling means being actuated when the load on said supporting means varies, means for delaying actuation of said controlling means until a predetermined time after variation of said load, and means for adjusting said delaying means to vary the interval bet-ween said load variation and actuation of said controlling means.

3. In combination with a drilling rig comprising a drilling tool, a cable supporting said tool, and a revolubly mount-ed drum having said cable connected thereto; a regulator comprising braking means associated with said drum to control payin out or" said cable, means for setting said braking means when predete ined length of said cable has been paid out, and means for releasing said braking means at a predetermined time interval after setting thereof.

In combination with a drilling rig comprising drilling tool, a cable supporting said tool, and a revolubly mounted drum having said cable connected thereto; a regulator comprising bralring means associated with said drum to control paying out of said cable, means for setting said braking means when a predetermined length of cable has been paid out, means for releasing said braking means at a predetermined time interval after setting thereof, and means for adjusting said releasin means to vary said time interval.

a. In combination with a drilling rig comprising a drilling tool, supporting means therefor, and means for paying out said supporting means to lower said tool; a regulator comprising means for holding said paying out means inoperative, means for actuating said holding means when said paying-out means has paid out a predetermined length of said supporting means, and means for releasing said holding means at a predetermined time interval after actuation thereof.

In combination with a drilling rig comprising a drilling tool, supporting means therefor, and means for paying out said supporting means to lower said tool; a regulator comprising means for holding said payingout means inoperative, means for actuating said holding means when said paying-out means has paid out a predetermined length of said supporting means, means for releasing said holding means at a predetermined time interval after actuation thereof, and means for adjusting said releasing means to vary said time interval.

7. In combination with a drilling rig comprising a drilling tool, supporting means therefor, and means for paying out said supporting means to lower said tool; aregulator comprising means for holding said paying-out means inoperative, means for actuating said holding means when said paying-out means has paid out a predetermined length of said supporting means, means for releasing said holding means at a predetermined time interval after actuation thereof, and means for limiting the speed of said paying-out means to prevent lowering said tool faster than at a predetermined rate.

8. In combination with a drilling rig comprising a drilling tool, supporting means therefor, and means for paying out said supporting means to lower said tool; a regulator comprising means for holding sa d payingout means inoperative, means for actuating said holding means when said paying-out means has paid out a predetermined length of said supporting means, means for releasing said holding means at a predetermined time interval after actuation thereof, meanstor adjusting said releasing means to vary said time interval, and means for limiting the speed of said paying-out means to prevent lowering said tool faster than at a predetermined rate.

9. In combination with a drilling rig comprising a drilling tool, a supporting cable therefor, a drum having a cable wound thereupon, and a braking mechanism associated with said drum; a regulator comprisin a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, means for conducting fluid under pressure to said cylinder, a valve controlling fiow of said fluid to said cylinder, means operatively connecting said piston to said braking mechanism, a solenoid having an armature operatively connected to said valve, an energizing circuit for said solenoid, and a centrifugal switch carried by said drum and interposed into said circuit to break the circuit when the rotational speed of said drum exceeds a predetermined maximum.

10. in combination with a drilling rig comprising a drilling tool, a supporting'cable therefor, a drum having said cable partially wound thereupon, a braking mechanism associated with said drum, and means for rotating said tool; a regulator comprising a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, means for conducting fluid under pressure to said cylinder, a valve controlling flow of said fluid to said cylinder, means operatively connecting said piston to said braking mechanism, a solenoid having an armature operatively connected to said valve, an energizing circuit for said solenoid, and a centrifugal switch operatively associated with said rotating means and interposed into said circuit and adapted to complete the circuit when the speed of said rotating means decreases below a predetermined minimum.

11. In combination with a drilling rig comprising a drilling tool, a supporting cable therefor, a drum having said cable partially wound thereupon, a braking mechanism associated with said drum, and means for rotating said tool; a regulator comprising a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, means for conducting fluid under pressure to said cylinder, a valve controlling flow or" said fluid to said cylinder, means operatively connecting said piston to said braking mechanism, a solenoid having an armature operatively connected to said valve, an energizing circuit for said solenoid, and a centrifugal switch operatively associated with said rotating means and interposed into said circuit and adapted to complete the circuit when the speed of said rotating means decreases below a predetermined minimum, said centrifug l switch being adapted also to break the circuit when the speed of said rotating means increases above a predetermined maximum.

12. In combination with a drilling rig comprising a drilling tool, a supporting cable therefor, a drum having said cable partially Wound thereupon, a braking mechanism associated with said drum, and means for rotating said tool; a regulator comprising a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, means for conducting fluid under pressure to said cylinder, a valve controlling flow of said fluid to said cylinder, means operatively connecting said piston to said brakingmechanism, a solenoid having an armature operatively connected to said valve, an energizing circuit for said solenoid, a centrifugal switch opera tively associated with said rotating means and interposed into said circuit and adapted to complete the circuit when the speed of said rotating means decreases below a predetermined minimum, said centrifugal switch being adpted also to break the circuit when the speed of said rotating means increases above a predetermined maximum, and meansfor adjusting said switch to vary the speeds of said rotating means at which said switch will operate.

13. In combination with a drilling rig comprising a drum, a cable partially wound thereupon, a braking mechanism for said drum, a drilling tool suspended by said cable, and means for rotating said tool; a regulator comprising acylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, a valve associated with said cylinder, a solenoid having an armature connected to vsaid valve and adapted to open the valve when the solenoid is energized, means connecting said piston to said braking mechanism to release the brake when the valve is opened, means normally holding said braking mechanism set, an energizing circuit for 'said solenoid, a switch interposed into said circuit, means responsive to variations in speed of rotation of said tool for operating said switch, and means for delaying operation of said switch until a predetermined time after said variation of stress.

14. In combination with a drilling rig comprising a drum, a cable partially wound thereupon, a braking mechanism for said drum, a substantially elastic drill stem suspended by said cable, a drilling tool carried by said drill stem, and means for rotating Said drill stem; a regulator comprising a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, a valve associated with said cylinder, a solenoid having an armature connected to said valve and adapted to open the valve when the solenoid is energized, means connecting said piston to said braking mechanism to release the brake when said valve is opened, means normally holding said braking mechanism set, an energizing circuit for said solenoid, a switch interposed into said circuit, means for closing said switch, means for making said closing means lnoperative when said drum has paid out a predetermined length of said cable, and means for making said closing means again operative at a predetermined time interval after being made inoperative. Y

In combination with a drilling rig comprising a drum, a cable partially wound thereupon, a braking mechanism for said drum, a substantially elastic drill stem suspended by said cable, a drilling tool carried by said drill stem, and means for rotating said drill stem; a regulator comprising a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, a valve assoclated with said cylinder, a solenoid having an armature connected to said valve and adapted to open the valve when the solenoid is energized, means connecting said piston to said braking mechanism to release the brake .means for making said closing means again operative at a predetermined'time interval after being made inoperative, and means for yarying thelength of said time interval.

16. In a drilling mechanism, a drum, a cable partially wound thereu on, a drill stem suspended by said cable, a raking mechanism associated with said drum, a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, means interconnecting said piston and braking mechanism, a valve chamber associated with said cyhnder, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said valve chamber, a valve reciprocably mounted in said valve chamber and adapted to control flow of said fluid to said cylinder, manually operable means for moving said valve, and means interposed between said valve-moving means and said braking means, for replacing said valve to initial position by movement of said braking means.

17. In combination with a drilling rig comprising a drilling tool, a cable supporting said tool, and a revolubly mounted drum having said cable connected thereto; a regulator comprising braking means associated with said drum to control paying out of said cable, means for setting said braking means when a predetermined length of said cable has been paid out, means for releasing said braking means at a predetermined time interval after setting thereof, and means for setting said braking means when the tension upon said cable decreases to a predetermined minimum value.

18. In combination with a drilling rig comprising a drilling tool, a cable supporting said tool, and a revolubly mounted drum havms 1. .2 A means r01 settin ing sait. to; a regaiator comprisin d with said do in ni ans 5 I pr determin d anti means i at a predcte ting thereof I ing means to 121?};

the te sion an n ,nined pre '19. combination w iSlD a drilling tool supporting means tlierei or and 1 porting means tor comprising i -out means mop leans for paying out said suplower said tool; a regulameans for holding said pay- & erative, means for actuating said holding means when said paying-out means has paid out a predetermined length of said supporting means, means for releasin; said holding means at a predetermined time interval after actuation thereof, and means for setting said braking means when the tension upon said cable decreases to a predetermined minimum value.

20. in combination with a drilling rig comprising a drilling tool, supporting means therefor and means for paying out said supporting means to lower said tool; a regulator comprising means for holding said payingout means inoperativer means for actuating said holding means when said paying-out means has paid out a predetermined length of said supporting means means for releasing said holding means at a predetermined time interval after actuation thereof, means "for adjusting said releasing means to vary said time interval, and means for setting said braking means when the tension upon said cable decreases to a predetermined minimum value.

in testimony whereof i have signed my name to this specification.

OTTO BERGER GOLDMAN.

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