US2232995A

US2232995A - Drilling apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2232995A
Application number: US221531A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter T Caldwell
Original assignee: GEORGE E FAILING SUPPLY COMPAN
Current assignee: GEORGE E FAILING SUPPLY Co; GEORGE E FAILING SUPPLY COMPAN
Priority date: 1938-07-27
Filing date: 1938-07-27
Publication date: 1941-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 1958-02-25

Description

Feb. 25, 1941. w. T. CALDWELL DRILLING APPARATUS `Film1 July 27; 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Wa/el' T fa/owe/l A'rroRNEY Feb. 245, 19417. l w. 1'. CALDWELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed July 27, 193e s sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR Mze/f Ta/dwell A ORNEY Feb. 25, 1941. w. T. CALDWELL 2,232,995 A DRILLING APPARATUS Filed July 27, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 'Wa/fer 7' `a/awe// l ATTORNE Patented Feb. 25, 1941 PATENT OFFICE DRILLING APPARATUS Walter 'l'. Caldwell, Enid, kla., asslgnor to The George E. Falling Supply Company, Enid, Gkla., 4a corporation of Oklahoma Application July' 21, 193s'. serial No. 221,531

` ,s *(cl. zas-22) l This invention relates to apparatus for drilling earth formations and particularly to a portable unit including a derrick, a rotary for actuatinga-v string of drill pipe, mechanism for selectively 5 applying pressure on the drill pipe,` a hoisting mechanism for handling the drilling string, a

packer unit, and other necessary mechanisms used in drilling operations.

Units of this character must-have a high "i strength weight ratio and be exceptionally compact to permit of portability and conveyance to remote fields of operation as in taking of cores or drilling shot-holes for use in seismic surveying in the prospecting for oil, gas, and the like.

M l While the parts of the" apparatus must be com-.

pact, they must be arranged so that one mechanism will notinterfere with another mechanism, `or with running in and withdrawal of the drilling string. l

` It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide a unit of this characterA having a high strength weight ratio which is compact in arrangement and capable of rapid, l vefficient drilling of earth formations. ,-Affurther object of the invention is to provide ran improved mounting ofthe pressure control mechanism so that it may be readily moved to and from an out-of-the-way position with respect to the rotary, thereby leaving a clear working space about the` rotary when running in and pulling the drilling string, running casing, and

performing other operations incidental to drilling.'

A further object of the invention is to provide In accomplishing these and otherobjects of 45 the invention, as hereinafter pointed out, I have provided .improved details of structure, the preferred formof whichis illustrated in -the accompanying drawings, wherein: l

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portable drilling unit `constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing the pressure control mechanism in retracted position. y

, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the unit v 5'. on'the line 2`2 of Fig. ,1. showing the pressure 'positiOlL through a drive shaft l.

control mechanism being moved to retracted Fig;- 3 is an end elevational view of the unit,

.the rotary being shown ln section to better illus- `trate the driving connection therefor andthe 5 pressure control or feed mechanism being shown in operative position relatively to a drilling string which is indicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line .-4 of Fig. 3. V 10 Referring more in detail tothe drawings:

I designates the rear portion of a motor vehicle chassis including a frame 2 having its rear portion r mounted on wheels 3 which are driven The opposite end of 15 the frame is supported by the usual *steering` wheels (not shown) and carries the power unit for operating the shaft 4, as in conventional automotive practice.

The frame 2 supports a platform 5 on which 20 is mounted a power unit 6, which may consist of an ordinary internal combustion engine arranged transversely of the platform and having a multiple `speed transmission l operating a driving member `8. I The driving member 8 may con- 25 sist of a sprocket as shown, to drive chain belts 9 running over a sprocket member I0 on` a shaft II which is operatively connected by means of a flexible coupling I2 with a multi-speed transmission I3 located alongside the power unit 5 and 30 arranged so that its driving shaft I4 and driven shaft or power output I5 extend transversely of the platform. l

The shaft Il is supported on the respective sides of the sprocket member III in spaced bearing brackets I6 and I'I that are anchored on the platform. The driven shaft I5 is supported at one end by the housing of the transmission I3 and at its opposite end in a bearing bracket I8 carried on the platform at the side opposite the bearing brackets I6 and I'I.

Slidably Splined on the shaft I5 are spaced clutch members I9 and 20 having teeth 2| and 22 adapted to respectivelyV engage corresponding teeth 23 and 24 on the hubs 25 and 26 of sprocket 45 members 21 and 28, the-sprocket members 21 and 25 being rotatably mounted on the shaft I5 but adapted to be connected therewith upon engagement of the respective clutches as later described.

Mounted on the sides of the platform, adjacent the rear edgethereof, are posts 29 and 30 having bearings 3I and 32 at their upper ends pivotally supporting a `derrick or mast 33.V The derrick 33 includes spaced legs 134 and 35 having adjustable foot members 36 and 31 adapted to engage mud 55 sills or the like 36 when the derrick is in erect position. The derrick also includes legs 39 cooperating with the legs 39 and 35 to support the usual crown pulleys (not shown), and which suspend the tackle mechanism for handling the drilling string through a hoisting mechanism 49, later described. The derrick is thus mounted on the platform so that it may be swung forwardly of the vehicle to horizontally overlie the mechanism on the platform when in transport position. When the derrick is moved to erect position, las shown in Fig. 2, it is rigidly secured by suitable clamps 4I and 42 that are attached to a downset portion 43 of the frame and which clampingly engage the

legs

34 and 35.

The hoisting mechanism 40 includes a-spooling drum 44 which is operated to rotate in either direction by sprocket members 45 which are driven from the sprocket members 21 through a chain belt connection 46. 'I'he hoisting mechanism also includes a cathead 41 which is selectively driven through the operating mechanism of the hoist as in customary practice. The hoisting drum is thus mounted so that the axis thereof extends parallel with the axes of the driving and driven shafts II and I5 and with the power unit 6, so that it may be directly driven therefrom at any one of a plurality of speeds either forward or reverse that are provided in the respective transmissions 1 and I3. 'Ihe hoisting drum is mounted on the platform so that it is spaced forwardly of the rear edge a suflcient distance to provide ample floor space 48 within the derrick for convenience of the drillers in making up and breaking the joints of the drill pipe incidental to running in and withdrawing the drilling string.

The part of the frame constituting the floor space 48 preferably projects to the rear of the wheels 3 and carries depending brackets 49 suspending the down-set portion of the frame to mount a rotary platform 50 that is positioned below the level of the platform 5. Carried on the platform 50 is a rotary 5| including a collar 52 aligning with van axial opening 53 in the platform 50 and having a radial flange 54 secured to the down-set portion of the frame by fastening devices such as bolts 55. Rotatably mounted within the collar on suitable antifriction bearings 56 is a driving sleeve 51 carrying a tapered slip seating ring 58 for mounting slips 59, the slips 59 having seats 60 adapted to drivingly engage the kelly rod of the drilling string to effect rotation thereof upon operation of the driving sleeve. The driving sleeve 51 has a ring gear 6| which meshes with a pinion 62 fixed to a shaft 63 rotatably journalled within a trunnion 64 extending laterally of the collar 52, later described. The outer end of the'shaft is rotatably supported in spaced

bearing brackets

65 and 66 fixed to the platform 50 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Fixed to the shaft 63 between the bearing brackets is a sprocket member 61 aligning with the sprocket member 28 previously mentioned, and which is driven therefrom through a chain belt connection 68 operating through an opening 69 in the platform 5, Fig. 1.

The clutches I9 and 20 may be operated by any suitable mechanism but are here shown as controlled by push and pull rods 10 and 1| extending longitudinally of the side of the platform 5 and slidingly supported at the rear ends in a bracket 12,` The opposite ends of the rods are pivotally connected to the arms 13 and 14 of bell-cranks v15 and 16 respectively, the bell-cranks being mounted on a common pivot 11 carried on the platform adjacent the clutch member 29. The otherarm 18 of the bell-crank 16 is pivotally connected, as at 19, with a shifting yoke Sii-having engagement with the 'clutch 20. The other arm 8| of the bell-crank 15 is connected through a link 82 with a rocker arm 83 pivotally mounted;

as at 84, on the platform 5 and connected with `a shifting yoke 86 operatively engaged with the clutch I9. The push and pull rods are actuated adjacent the drillers station by hand levers 81 and 88, Figs. 1 and 3.

In drilling certain formations, it is desirable to exert a downward pressure on the drilling string to promote cutting action of the drill bit and in drilling through other formations, particularly when the drilling has progressed to a substantial depth, it may be desirable to relieve pressure of the drilling string upon the bit. The unit therefore includes a pressure operated mechanism 89 for selectively applying pressure through the drilling string or to relieve pressure of the drilling string on the bit as now to be described.

Extending from the rotary collar 5I on the side opposite the trunnion 641s a trunnion 90 and pivotally mounted on the respective trunnions are cylinders 9| and 92 of the pressure control mechanism. In the illustrated instance the lower ends of the cylinders are shown as having lugs 93 provided with arcuate seats 94 engaging the trunnions and which are retained by caps 95 extending around the opposite side of the trunnions and secured by cap-screws or the like 96.y The cylinders are retained in operative position on the trunnions by nuts or equivalent retainers 91 which are threaded on the outer ends of the trunnions. The upper ends of the cylinders are connected by a yoke 98 having a connecting portion 99 curved forwardly to provide a rearwardly opening recess |00 to accommodate the drilling string. The cylinders are provided with pistons l |0I and |02 carried on piston rods |03 and |04 movable through stuffing boxes |05 and |06 closing the upper ends of the cylinders. The projectI ing ends of the piston rods extend through sleeves |01 and |08 on arms |09 projecting radially from a slip supporting collar of va gripping device |I0. The piston rods are rigidly secured to the sleeves |01 and |08 and are guidingly supported to move in a perpendicular direction upon vactuation of the pistons by guide rods ||I and ||2, fixed to the arms |09 in forwardly spaced relation with respect to the cylinders and having their lower ends slidably journaled in bearing openings I|3 provided in the connecting yoke 98.

kThe collar |I0 rotatably mounts a gripping device 4 that is retained therein against relatively axial movement and which is provided with gripping devices ||5 adapted to be moved into gripping engagement with the kelly rod of the drilling string. 1

A pressure medium is supplied to the respective ends of the cylinders to selectively act against the upper or lower sides of the pistons through exible connections II6 and |I1 which are connected to a four-way valve IIB having connection through conduits I |9 and I 20 with the intake and discharge connections of a pump |2 I.

The pump |2| is mounted on the platform 5 and is operated by means of a chain |22 running over a sprocket |23 on the shaft I|. It is thus obvious that the discharge and intake connections of the pump may be selectively connected ing upon the upper sides of the pistons, pressure is applied to the drilling string through the gripping device to promote cutting action of the drill bit as it is being rotated by the rotary mechanism. When the pump pressure is applied to the under side of the pistons, the pistons are raised to support the drilling string, thereby relieving weight thereof upon the drilling bit so as to control the cutting action when penetrating s oft, cavy for- In running in and pulling the string, it is necessary to move the pressure control mechanism out of alignment with the rotary mechanism. This is accomplished by swinging the pressure control unit on the trunnions so that it is passed through an opening |24 of the platform to be positioned therebelow, the opening in the platform being normally closed by trap doors |25 and. |26 hinged to the side edges thereof as indicated at |21 and 2o |28 so that they may be moved to and from covering relation with the opening. When the pressure unit is in retracted position and the door is closed the platform space below the derrick is entirely free and clear of obstructions and provides ample space necessary in breaking and making up of the joints `of the drill string.

In using a drilling unit constructed and assembled as described, it is moved to the location 50 of drilling as an ordinary motorvehicle with the pressure control cylinders supported under the platform, with the trap doors |25 and |26 in closed position, and with the derrick supported horizontally on its pivotal mountings 3| and 32 55 with the upper end extending forwardly of the vehicle. Upon reaching the drilling location, the derrick is erected and secured in perpendicular position by the clamps 4| and 42, and the foot members 36 and 31 are adjusted against supw porting sills. The doors |25 and |26 are opened and the pressure control mechanism is raised to operative position over the rotary. This is effected by starting the power unit 6 to drive the pump |43, the valve |40 being adjusted so that 55 the discharge of the pump is connected with the cylinder |23 through the flexible conduit |39 to establish pressure against the bottom of the piston. When the pressure control mechanism is in perpendicular position the valve |40 is adjusted 70 so as to retain pressure in the cylinder |29. The pump may then be shut down by provision of a suitable clutch.

The drilling string is suspended by the tackle mechanism from the crown pulleys kso that it 75 passes through the gripping device II4 and `operators upon closing of the trap doors.

through the slips 59 of the rotary. The drilling string is actuated by engaging the clutch 2l with the hub 2i of the sprocket member 2l, the transmissions |3 and 'I having been manipulated to select the desired speed of rotation. The chains l drive the sprocket member 6l and rotate the shaft 53 to eifect' rotation of the slip carrier through the ring gear' 6|. `If desired the slips of the gripping device may be moved into gripping engagement with the drilling string and the pump |2| actuated so that upon proper adjustment of the valve ill pressure will be admitted through the conduits ||6 to the upper sides of the pistons. This will effect downward movement of the piston rods to exert downward pressure of the drilling string upon the drill bit.

When it becomes necessary to pull the drilling string, it is raised through the hoist 40 upon engagement of the clutch I9 with the hub 25 of the sprocket member 21 so as to remove the kelly rod -from driving relation with therotary. The drilling" string below the kelly rodv is supported on the rotary bythe usual spider as in conventional practice and the` kelly rod disconnected The kelly rod may then be removedfrom the gripping device ||4 whereupon the pressure control mechanism may be moved to retractive position below the platform upon actuating the valve |40 so as to apply pressure medium to the cylinder |29 `through the conduit |38. When the pressure position leaving the platform space for use of the It is also obviousthat the power for the pressure control mechanism is independent of the power used in moving the mechanism to and from operative position. n i. i y y What I claim and. desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a drilling apparatus, a platform, a trap door in the platform, drilling mechanism carried on the platform` including drill pipe rotating mechanism, a pressure actuated mechanism for axially feeding the drill pipe, and means supporting said feeding mechanism on the platform for movement from a position in registry with the axis of said rotating mechanism and through said door to a position substantially Lbelow said platform.

2. In a drilling apparatus, a mobile platform, drilling mechanism carried on the platform including drill pipe rotating mechanism, pressure mechanism for exerting axial pressure on the drill pipe, a lateral compartment under said platform, and pivotal means mounting said pressure mechanism for movement from an erect position over said rotating mechanism to a reclining position in said compartment.

3. In a drilling apparatus, a mobile support having a platform provided with upper and lower offset portions, drilling mechanism carried on the support including drill pipe rotating mechanism mounted upon said lower onset portion of the platform, pressure actuated mechanism pivotally supported en said lower offset portion, and means for moving said pressure mechanism on its pivotal support to a reclining position laterally of said lower offset portion and below said upper offset portion.

4. In a drilling apparatus, a platform having an opening therein, a door` covering said opening, drilling mechanism carried on the platform including drill pipe rotating mechanism offset below said platform, pressure mechanism for exerting axial pressure on the drill pipe, and means pivotally mounting saidI pressure mechanism at saidV offset for movement from a position over said rotating mechanism to a position under said platform and laterally of said rotating mechanism.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a support, a drill pipe rotating mechanism on the support including a sleeve member, slips carill ried by the sleeve member, means rotatably mounting the sleeve member for rotation about a fixed axis on the support, a ring gear on the sleeve member, a pinion gear meshing with the ring gear, a shaft rotatably mounting the pinion gear, -means for actuating said shaft, pressure actuated means including a gripping device for engaging the drill pipe, and means pivotally supporting said pressure actuated means relatively to the rotating mechanism whereby said pressure actuated means is adapted for movement about the axis of said shaft from a position parallel to said axis of rotation to a reclining position relatively to said rotating mechanism and at substantially right angles to said axis of rotation.

6. In a drilling apparatus, a platform, drilling mechanism carried on the platform including drill pipe rotating mechanism offset below said platform, pressure mechanism for exerting axial pressure on the drillA pipe, pivotall means connected with a lower portion of said pressure mechanism and mounting said pressure mechanism for movement from a position over said rotating mechanism to la position under said platform, a hydraulic actuator for eiecting movement of said pressure mechanism to and from its respective positions, and means supportpaisanos ing said hydraulic actuator 'below platform.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a mobile' frame, a drill pipe rotating mechanism having :xed support on said frame, a driving shaft rotatably connected with said rotating mechanism, pressure actuated means including a gripping device for engaging the drill pipe, means pivotally supporting said pressure actuated means relatively to said rotating mechanism whereby said pressure actuated means is adapted for movement about the axis of said shaft from a position in engagement with said pipe to a position laterally of said rotating mechanism.

and hydraulic means for shifting said pressure actuated means on its pivotal supporting means.

8. In a drilling apparatus, a mobile frame, drill rod rotating mechanism carried on the frame, pressure augmenting means pivotally mounted on the frame, a compartment carried by the frame laterally of said rotating mechanism, a bracket carried by the frame, a hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected with the bracket, a piston in the cylinder, rods connected with the piston and having pivotal connection with the pressurev augmenting means, and means for admitting fluid medium to the respective ends of the hydraulic cylinder to eifect movement of the pressure augmenting means to and from said compartment.

9. In a drilling apparatus, a mobile frame having offset portions at diierent elevations, a drill rod rotating mechanism ixed on the lower offset portion, a compartment formed in the upper of said offset portions, pressure augmenting means pivotally mounted over said drill rod rotating mechanism, a bracket suspended from the upper of said offset portions, a hydraulic cylinder pivoted to said bracket, a piston slidable in the cylinder, a piston rod connected with the piston, means pivotally connecting the piston rod with the pressure augmenting means, and means for admitting a pressure medium to the respective ends of the cylinder for moving the pressure augmenting means to and from the compartment. I

WALTER T. CALDWELL.