US2655344A

US2655344A - Rotary bit operating mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2655344A
Application number: US194295A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry W Mcdonald
Original assignee: MCDONALD HYDRAULIC DRILLING CO
Current assignee: MCDONALD HYDRAULIC DRILLING CO; MCDONALD HYDRAULIC DRILLING CO Inc
Priority date: 1950-11-06
Filing date: 1950-11-06
Publication date: 1953-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 1970-10-13

Description

4 Sheets-Sheet l H. W. M DONALD ROTARY BIT OPERATING MECHANISM Oct. 13, 1953 Filed Nov. 6, 1950 INVENTOR. HON] W Mpo/w/o A TTOJE/VEYZS.

Oct. 13, 1953 Filed Nov. 6, 1950 H. W. M DONALD ROTARY BIT OPERATING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

/Z ATTO/PNEYS.

0a. 13, 1953 H. w. MCDONALD 2,655,344

ROTARY BIT OPERATING MECHANISM Filed NOV. 6, 1950 4 Sheets-Shad 3 INVENTOR.

ATTO/FJVEYJ.

Oct. 13, 1953 H. w. M DONALD ROTARY BIT OPERATING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 6, 1950 I'll z 13 My l/ a INVENTOR.

Harry M fl/Uono/o BY /27 ATTO/PA/EKS,

Patented Oct. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY BIT OPERATING MECHANISM Application November 6, 1950, Serial No. 194,295

3 Claims.

This invention relates to rotary bit operating mechanisms, and more particularly to mechanism including a rotary motor and stator adapted for use in connection with drill bits or other earth boring tools.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide hydraulic means including a rotor having vanes pivoted on trunnions for rotation or oscillation of an earth boring tool connected to a drill pipe, the oscillation or rotation being accomplished by pressure of drilling fluid through the tool while the barrel remains stationary and for release of some of the fluid upwardly through the barrel thereby relieving pressure partially at the drill bit should the pressure become too great at that point; to provide passageways through the barrel and rotary mechanism whereby fluid will be forced therethrough to the earth boring tool and pressure will be relieved at the lower portion of the turbine and bit, thereby providing release of pressure in the barrel to facilitate rotation of the mechanism; and to provide for passage of fluid through the mechanism and deposit the same at the end of the drill bit and to conduct the earth formation loosened by the bit from the bore hole. The water courses are so arranged in the barrel that there are restricted outlets at the top of the barrel. The lower outlets through the drill bit are larger and there will be some resistance to water therethrough due to the mud and other material in the bottom of the well hole entering the face of these holes. This resistance and pressure building up at the drill bit and bottom of the hole and lower part of the rotor will cause some of the fluid to pass upwardly through the barrel and out the restricted pipes through the top thereof. The water leaves the restricted outlets with great force and will cause a suction action on the fluid around the drill bit and lower part of the barrel and will facilitate removal of such fluid through the casing to the top of the well hole.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide means above the barrel for spacing the same from the wall of the bore hole so that the barrel will not contact the bore hole in the drilling operation; to provide the spacing means with vanes so that the action of the drilling fluid returning from the bottom of the hole upwardly through the bore hole will pass therethrough at an angle to cause rotation of the spacer and thus clean the bore hole of loosened earth material, tending to help keep the drill bit on a straight angle and help to seal off cave-ins, water formations, rocks, etc. from the bottom of the 2 hole; and to provide a bearing support for the rotor including a trunnion for mounting pinion gears for rotation of the drill bit.

Still further objects of the invention are to provide a lining for the rotor chamber forming a cam along one side, the cam surrounding one of the water outlets; to provide means on the vanes for urging the same outwardly to contact the wall of the rotor chamber; to provide the vanes with a coating material to form a contacting surface with the lining of the barrel, said coating or lining being removable and replaceable; to provide a tube through the cam side of the rotor chamber for returning fluid to the top of the barrel; and to provide a device of this character simple, economical to manufacture, and eflicient in operation.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of my rotary bit operating mechanism carrying a drill bit and attached to a drill pipe with parts broken away to better illustrate the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational longitudinal section of the upper part of the rotor particularly illustrating the water courses to and from the barrel.

Fig. 2A is a longitudinal section of the lower part of the rotor and drill bit.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on a line 3-3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken on a line |--4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken on a line 5-5, Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section taken on a line 66, Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a cross-section taken on a line !-1, Fig. 2A.

Fig. 8 is a cross-section taken on a line 8-8, Fig. 2A.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the valve for release of excessive pressure on the lubricant.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on a line Ill-l0, Fig. 2A.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the spacing mean-s taken on a line ll--l I, Fig. 2, illustrating the vanes for rotating the same.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a rotary bit operating mechanism embodying the features of my invention attached to a drill pipe 2 and having a drill bit 3 secured to the lower end of the turbine. The mechanism consists of a cylindrical casing or barrel 4 internally threaded at its upper end as at and adapted to receive a coupling member or head 6 provided with external threads 1 for receiving the lower end of a tubular coupling member 3. The coupling member has a reduced neck 9 and enlarged upper end IE1 internally threaded and adapted to receive'the. drill pipe-2.

The head 6 has a central opening H counterbored as indicated at [2, the upper end of which is provided with threads l3 adapted to receive an externally threaded inverted .cup [4. The top l5 of the inverted cup is centrally'bored and provided with a threaded-plug l6 :for purpose later described. ll designatessazrotm,atherupper end of which is provided with a-trunnion.-or5shaf.t 1

I8 extending into the central bore -l l 'of the heafd 6. A roller bearing is is providedior the-trunnions and engages the side walls of the counterbore [2 of the head, the upper end :of --which bears against the lower edge of the inverted cup .memberasindicatedat 2%, Fig. 2. Packing-2| is provided below the rollerbearingand 2:2 designates a packing glandas is the usual practice. .Lubricantz z is inserted through-the-opening in ,theinvertedcup lay-removal ,of thethreaded plug l-B forlubricatingthebearing parts and is sealed thereinzbythe packing '2 l.

The .lower end of the barrel .is internally threadedcas indicated at 24 and adapted to .be screw-threadedly attached thereto is a bearing support or coupling-member 25:for a trunnion 25 .lforz'anchoringthe-lower end of'the rotor IT. The bearing support'2-4 is. centrally bored as indicated .at .2! :andcounterbored at=28 throughwhich the trunnion i-zfiiextends. Thezupper end of'the trun- .-.nioniis provided withathreaded shank 12-9 adapted to engage in a threaded bore 30 of the lower .endtof itheirotor I1. .End plates :3] and 32 are providedsatthe respectiveupper and lower .ends cofthe rotor :and adapted to engage over the itrunnionsd asand-ifi respectively. .Therespective ends of the rotor are provided with threaded bore "openings .33 adapted -to receive the threaded shanks 3 4.of bolts 35 which extend throughthe plates-:31 and -32 for securing the plates to the rotor.

.The barrel "4 provides-a chamber 36 in which :the: rotoruotates and the inner wall ofzthebarrel iis-providedwith a lining SI-preferably of a-hard material such'asplastic,hardrubber or the like. One side of thelining is=thickened as indicated sat-.38 (Fig. 5) .toprovide. apcam surface forapurpose later described. The inside of the barrel'is provided with .longitudinal grooves 36' and the lining with longitudinal ribs 31' for engagement Lthereinttdhold thelliningin place.

39 designates a duct for exhaust of fiuidzupavardly,.:also .as will. later the described. The duct 39 is provided with straps 40 extending a substantial way around the side of the chamber .fifiand the thickened lining extends on the inner faces of the :straps as best illustrated in Fig. '5, .the straps forming a support and making a morerigid-structure forthe .duct 3.9 aswell as stabilizing the cam plasticlining.

'The rotor ll is substantially. cylindrical in form and is provided with a plurality :oflongitudinal recesses or grooves M running the entire length roi the .rotor. The plates :31 "and :32 at the :re-

spective ends of the rotor are provided with aligning :apertures -42 :forrning :bearing pportions for trunnions "43, the trunnions'being journalled in the'recesses of theiplates. Formed integrally with the inner ends ofthe trunnion 43' are vanes 14 adapted to selectively "retract'within the longitudinal grooves 41 when the rotor is rotated. The integrally formed end of the vanes are substantially cylindrical in shape and are tapered outwardly and turned laterally as indicated at- 45 forming recesses or pockets 4B for catching the fluid as the rotor rotates and as it passes over the "cam surface, the fluid will :be -:disp1aced to .the watercourses as later'described.

The main body of the vanes are ofiset at sub- ..stantially flush with the end of the rotor forming shoulders 44 which will engage against the body-of the-rotor to form a stop and prevent their :beingxurged tooiar -:by the action of the fluid.

.Thebackof curved portion of the vanes are :cut;awayz.aszindicated at 4'5 and secured to this :cu-rved outer side 'of the vanes by suitable means is a lining .material 46' such as plastic, rubber orthe like. 'The'inner end engages against the route-away portion of the vane and engages the edge of the vane as indicated at 46".

:countererecesses- 4.1.- are formed in the longitu- -dinal -grooves M and .1 preferably provide. twoiof .such counter-recesses ,in each .groove although number may be employed as desired. .The counter-recesses 41 are :provided with threaded bores ABadapted to receive the threaded shanks of-bolts 49 ifor securing .flat springs 59 .in.the longitudinal recesses. ."Ihe springs: 5 0 havearms .5! set at .a slight .angle .to .the base .52 .thereof and-thelongitudinal grooves ,are provided with longitudinal ribs 53 against which the back of the; springs will; be urged when the .vanes contact .thecam.38 and will. actas astop for.the springs .fora purposelater-described. The .vanes are -.provided with webs .54 t0:act -as-a bearingsurface against which vthe,.armsi5l .oi the springs will vengageior ,exertingoutward pressure on the vanes as the rotor rotates Withinthechamber as. It will .be-notedthe vanes run.longitudinally of the rotorandthegendsextendbeyond the end of the :mainbodyof therotor-and are substantially=flush .withthe outer sides of the endplates .3! -.and.32. The :head fiand-bearingsupportqfi for theirotor ll .form bearing surfaces against .whichthe respective-ends of the rotor-ro,tate, and also the respective-ends of the vanes, it being understood that .the plates .3 I and 32 .are. secured toand area part of the rotor.

.The trunion .26 has {a reduced end forminga drive shaft 5.5 .upon which .is.mounted .a drive pinion gear :56 .which .meshes with a plurality rof pinion gearsidl mountedonboltsfill .having their threaded ends engaging in threaded bores :59 in .the bearing support .25 .for the rotor .trunnion. .The .bolts are provided with washers ,60 .as bestillustratedin FigPizA. The trunnion .26 is providedwithroller-bearings- 6 l a packingring '62-.beingprovided atthe upper. end. of thebearing :support and. a packingring 63- of a packing. gland .94 is-ralso provided above the roller bearing ,to .i'orm,a sealatthe upper end of .the trunnion. Ball bearings :65 :are provided on the .shaft .55 and are held in placezbyianrupper race-66 anda lower race-Bl. The-lowenracefil-hasan upwardly extending flange which is externally threaded as indicated at .53 and forms a retainer for the :ball bearings -65. vA collar s9 is ,provided above the upper race .65 to hold the roller bearings .in place and toexert pressureon thepacking gland "$4. The collar 68 "has openings-to allow lubricant topass-therethrough to the roller bearingsas-will later bedescribed.

The bearing-support25 for the rotor has a-substantiallyN-shapedextensionas indicated at 7%] (Fig.imi) which forms ducts H and 12 for the flowing of fluid through the mechanism, the duct 1I being connected at its upper end with the chamber 36. The duct H has a connection with duct 12 through a port as indicated at 13 (Fig. 2A). The duct 12 extends upwardly through the bearing support 25 and connects with the duct 39, extending through the cam portion of the liner 31. The leg 15 of the Y-shaped extension of the bearing support for the rotor trunnion is substantially cylindrical in shape and is concentric with the rotor trunion 26 and with the chamber 36.

The barrel 4 is formed in three parts and the lower part is designated 4. Located within the barrel 4 is a tubular member 16 upon the upper end of which is integrally formed a ring gear 11 having internal teeth 18 meshing with the pinion gears 51. The tubular member 16 forms the lower portion of the chamber 36 and has a neck portion 19 externally threaded and connected with a rotatable tubular drive shaft 89 which connects with the drill bit 3 as later described.

The neck 19 of the tubular member 16 is counterbored as indicated at 9| (Fig. 2A) and engages the leg portion 15 of the Y-shaped extension 10. Located between the neck 19 and leg 15 of the Y-shaped extension is a packing ring 82 which is held in place by a bushing 83 and retains the packing in sealing relation with the cylindrical leg 15 of the Y-shaped extension and the leg of the tubular member 16. The tubular neck 19 of the member 16 is internally threaded to receive the threads of the bushing 83 as indicated at 84.

The lower end of the barrel 4' is provided with internal screw threads 85 adapted to receive a sleeve 86 having threads 81 on its outer periphery adapted to engage the threads 85 on the barrel. The lower portion of the tubular member 16 to which the ring gear is attached is provided with external threads 89 adapted to receive a screw threaded upstanding flange 89 of the rotatable tubular shaft 80 which extends below the end of the barrel 4'. The rotatable tubular shaft 86 has a passage 96 through substantially the center thereof which leads from and connects with the leg 15 of the Y-shaped extension 19.

The tubular shaft 89 has ball and roller bearing engagement with the sleeve 85 and with the tubular member 16 to which the main ring gear is attached, which preferably consists of a raceway in the upper portion of the sleeve adapted to receive ball bearings 9| between the tubular member 16 and the sleeve 86. The ball bearings 9| are retained in place by suitable cylindrical rings 92 and 93 which provide the raceway for the ball bearings. The sleeve 86 is provided with an enlarged upper portion having a longitudinal cylindrical recessed portion 94 providing a shoulder 95 adapted to receive roller bearings 96.

The tubular shaft 80 is formed with an annular shoulder 91 providing a raceway 98 for ball bearings 99 held in place by retaining rings I99 and IOI. The shank of the rotatable tubular shaft is oifset inwardly providing a shoulder I62 and a raceway I63 for roller bearings I64 between the sleeve 86 and the tubular shaft. A packing ring I engages the lower end of the roller bearings and is held in place by a bushing I66 externally threaded to engage internal threads I61 on the lower end of the sleeve 86.

The drill bit 3 may be of any suitable construction, but is here shown to have a shank I98 having a screw threaded bore opening I09 adapted to receive the external threads III) on the lower end of the rotatable tubular shaft forming the lower portion of the rotor for attaching the bit to the rotor. The bit is provided with a head III having teeth II 2 of suitable construction. Ports II3 are provided in the bit head in communication with the passage to provide for flow of drilling fluid from the chamber 36 to the bit head and thence to the teeth for a purpose later described.

The duct 39 extends the full length of the chamber 36 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The upper end of the duct 39 connects with a duct II4 extending through the head 6 and is suitably connected to a tube II5 which extends through the wall of the coupling member 8 and is open to atmosphere as illustrated in Fig. 2. The lower end of the duct 39 connects with the duct 1| of the Y-shaped extension as previously described.

The duct 12 of the Y-shapecl extension 10 extends upwardly through the bearing support 25 for the rotor trunnion and connects with the chamber 36 substantially to one side of the chamber and substantially at the edge of the cam surface of the hard rubber or plastic liner 31 farthest removed from the duct 39 for a purpose later described. I prefer the lining for the barrel and the removable face of the vanes 46' to be of different material. If one is plastic the other may be hard rubber or the like.

The head 6 is provided with a duct II 6 in substantial alignment with the upper end of the duct 12, just above described. The duct II6 has a reduced portion forming a port II1 adapted to receive the lower end of a tube I I8 extending through an opening H9 in the upper portion of the coupling member 8 opposite the tube II5, the opening II9 being threaded and adapted to receive threads I20 on the tube II 8. The upper portion of the head 6 is counterbored as indicated at I2I and the tube H8 is pressed thereinto, the tube 5 being similarly connected to the head and coupling member. The tubes H5 and H8 are made removable so as to disengage the head from the coupling member when desired.

An elongated passageway I22 is provided in the head 6 substantially opposite from the port I I6 and has its lower end connected with the chamber 36 and its upper end connecting with the tubular coupling member 8 for a purpose later described.

Loosely secured to the coupling member 8 below the enlarged portion I!) so that it will rotate freely thereon is a spacer or mudder I25 of greater diameter than the barrel I which is adapted to engage the walls of the bore hole made by the drill bit. The spacing member is made in two pieces and comprises substantially semi-circular members I26 and I21. Each member has spaced inner and outer rings I28 and I29 having radial arms I39 therebetween. The arms are provided with blades or fins I3I formed integrally therewith. The two semi-cylindrical members are secured together by bolts I32 and I33. The spacer is made in two pieces for assembly or disassembly for attachment to the coupling member. The blades or fins are spaced apart to provide openings I34 therebetween so that drilling fluid and loose material from the bottom of the hole passing upwardly will flow through said openings. The blades are set at an angle in the rings so that the fluid passing upwardly will cause the spacer to rotate and the ring will engage the bore hole and mud up the same and hold the barrel of the turbine spaced therefrom. The

7 openings in the spacer are in. substantial alignment with the: tubes: H and H8; respectively, so that fluid dischargedupwardly therefrom will also flow upwardly through the spacer.

The chamber formed by the lower portion 3' of the barrel surrounding the substantially Y- shaped extension 1o sealingly contains a. lubricant as indicated at I35 for supplying the same to the ring and pinion gears and roller and ball bearings contained in the mechanism.

In assembling a device constructed. as described, the plastic lining 3'! with its cam 38 is first assembled in the barrel 4. The springs 5! are secured in the counter-recesses 41 of the rotor, and the vanes 44 are pivotally mounted in the grooves i l of the rotor I! by securing the end plates 3-! and 32 to the respective end of the rotor by bolts 34, the end plates containing the bearings 42 for trunnions 43 of the vanes 44. The rotor i? with the vanes 44 attached thereto is then inserted in the barrel 4. The head 6 is then threadedly secured to the upper end of the barrel 4, thus engaging the'trunnion I8, the head 6 containing the packing and. roller bearings in the centrally bored portion, the latter of which are-held in place by the inverted cup 14.

The trunnion 26 is then secured in the lower end of the rotor and the bearing support 25 for the rotor with its roller and ball bearing assembly, as Well as the packing gland inserted therein, is placed over the trunnion and threadedly secured to the lower end of the barrel 4, the substantially Y-shaped extension it being formed integrally with the bearing support for the trunnion member will extend therefrom as above described. The pinion 56 is placed on the reduced end 55 of the trunnion, and pinions 5? are placed on the bolts 58 and the bolts secured to the bearing support for the rotor trunnion so that the pinions will engage with the teeth of the main drive pinion 56'.

The ball bearings 9| and roller bearings 9-6 are then assembled and the sleeve 86 screwthreadedly engages with the lower end of the barrel 4. The ball bearings $9 with the retaining rings Hi9 and Nil, are then assembled and the rotor tubular shaft 89 then screw-threadedly engages with the depending neck 79 of the tubular supporting or'coupling member'lt. The sealingrin 82- isthen inserted in the recess between the depending neck 19, and the packing bushing 83 is screw-threadedly engaged with the depending neck '53. Holes or the like Mil are provided in the packing nut with which a tool may be engaged for tightening the packing nut. Also I preferably provide sockets l4l around the rotatable tubular' shaft 80 to be engaged by a tool for tightening the rotor with respect to the coupling member.

The roller bearings I04 are then placed in the groove I42 provided between the sleeve 86 and the rotatable shaft Bil, the recesses forming race- Ways for the roller bearings, and the roller bearings are held in place by a packing ring I05 held in place by the bushing H36, also provided with holes to which a tool may be engaged for tightening the packing nut.

The entire assembly just above described is then moved into threaded engagement with the bearing support for the rotor 25 so that the teeth 18 of the ring gear ll will mesh with the teeth on the pinion gears 57. The tubular supporting member 76 upon which the ring gear is mounted together with the tubular drive shaft 80 connectedthereto just above described is then rotated 8 to screw-threadedly engage the bearing support for the rotor to connect the entire assembly together so that the tubular shaft will. rotate with the rotor while the barrel and sleeve 86 remain stationary.

The coupling 8 is screw-threadedly attached to the upper portion of the head 6 as best illustrated in Fig. 2, and the spacing member may then be inserted around the neck 8 of thecoupling member. The coupling member is' then attached to, the drill pipe 2; The tubes H5 and H8 are then inserted through the openings in the top of the coupling member 8' and the lower end engages in the respective ducts or ports in the head 5 and are secured therein by threadedly engaging with the threaded opening I20 in the coupling member. The drill bit 3 may then be attached to the lower end of the tubular drive shaft by screw-threadedly engaging the same therewith.

Operation of a device constructed and assem bled as described is as follows:

Drilling fluid, such as water or the like, may be forced through the drill pipe 2 by a pump (not shown) and will enter the elongated passageway I22 through the head 6 and then through the rotor chamber 36 where it will contact the pockets oithe extended vanes 4'4- of the rotor. As the water contacts the vanes on the rotor, the rotor will be caused to rotate thus causing rotation of the drive pinion gear 5%, pinions 51 and ring gear T! secured in the lower end of the barrel t and the ring gear being attached to the tubular drive shaft 8b will cause the shaft to rotate and thus rotate the drill bit at the bottom of the bore hole.

By referring to Fig. 6, it will be noted that I have provided a cam 38 along the inner wall of the barrel which engages in the stator. When the rotor is rotated the outer edges of some of the vanes 45 will contact the cam member and be depressed against the springs 58 so that not more than two of the vanes contact the wall of the barrel at one time. It will be noted that the spring 5%! only contacts the vanes when they are depressed by the cam to urge them outwardly when they become depressed as the centrifugal force due to rotation of the rotor will extend the vanes and together with the force of the drilling fluid thereon will hold them in extended position. It is important in applicants invention that not more than two of the vanes contact the barrel at one time so as to not allow fluid.- to

pass between the rotor and the cam.

The substantially Y-shaped extension 10- consisting of ducts H and 12 extends upwardly through the ring gear and through the bearing support for the rotor trunnion and the duct 12 has connection with the chamber 36 substantially at the shallow end of the cam 38. Most of the drilling fluid from the rotor will pass downwardly through the enlarged portion 12 of duct 12 to the leg portion of the Y-shaped extension and enter the tubular drive shaft and then on through the openings H3 to the drill bit. Due to the resistance met by the mud and other matter at the bottom of the hole, back pressure will be encountered and some of the fluid will bypass through port [3 some of which will pass upwardly through port 39 and out through tube H5 at the top of the coupling member and part of which will flow downwardly through duct H to the leg portion 75 of the Y-shaped extension 10. In normal operation, some of the fluid from the rotor will also flow upwardly through duct I I6 in the head 6 and out through tube IIB, the tubes H and H8, being in substantial alignment with the openings I34 in the spacer I25, will direct flow of said fluid up around the drill pipe, carrying the loose material and debris therewith and contacting the angled vanes or blades I3l will cause the spacer to rotate giving a swirling action to the fluid to carry the material up through the bore hole to the surface. The reduced size of the tubes H5 and H8 causes the fluid to be exhausted at considerable pres sure causing a suction action in the fluid around the drill bit to increase the rate of now from the bottom of the well hole and thereby cause faster rotation of the drill bit.

In some instances, there may be a gas pressure built up in the chamber for the lubricant I35 due to rotation of the rotor and drill shaft in the barrel and in order to relieve this pressure, I provide an opening I5I in the wall of the barrel 4 and adapted to engage in the opening is a valve I52 comprising a head I53 having a seat portion I5-l and stem I55. A spring I56 is provided for engagement around the stem having its inner end engaging the valve head I53 and its other end engaging against a retaining ring I51 pressed into the opening I5I. The valve stem I54 has a groove I58 so that the gas may pass through the opening in the barrel to the chamber I59 and out through the groove I58 in the valve stem.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that l have provided an improved rotary bit operating mechanism for an earth boring device in which the bit will be rotated solely by fluid pressure and which provides for release of fluid pressure in the device upwardly therefrom should the pressure become too great at the bottom of the well hole, and thus relieve bottom hole pressure and for fast release of the fluid after passing the rotor and facilitating rotation of the mechanism,

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A rotary motor of the character described adapted to be attached at its upper end to a drill pipe and at its lower end to a drill bit having apertures therein comprising, a barrel, a coupler having a head for attaching said barrel to the drill pipe, a rotor in said barrel, a transmission means within the barrel spaced from said head forming a chamber for the rotor, said barrel having a lining and a cam surface at one side thereof extending the length of said rotor, said rotor having grooves longitudinally thereof, vanes piv- 'otally mounted in said grooves, said grooves having recesses therein, fiat springs mounted in said recesses and adapted to engage said vanes to urge the same outwardly as they are depressed by said cam, said transmission means having operative connection with said bit, means forming an enclosing chamber for the transmission means, a shaft extending from the rotor into the last named chamber and having operative connection with said transmission means, an outlet at the upper end of the barrel communicating with the upper end of the rotor chamber, a substantially Y-shaped duct extending through said transmission chamber in spaced relation to said shaft and communicating with the apertures in the hit, one leg of said Y-shaped duct having connection with said rotor chamber, a second duct extending upwardly through said barrel and having an outlet at the upper end thereof, the other leg of said Y-shaped duct having connection with said second duct, and means for passing fluid under pressure through "the coupler to the upper end of the rotor chamber in spaced relation to the first named outlet to contact the vanes and effect rotation of the rotor and bit whereby some of the fluid from the rotor will pass upwardly through the first named outlet and some of the fluid will pass through said second duct connected with the other leg of the Y-shaped duct and throughthe outlet thereof and some will pass downwardly through the Y- shaped duct to said bit for releasing pressure at the bottom of the well hole and facilitating passage of the fluid from the rotor.

2. A rotary motor of the character described adapted to be attached at its upper end to a drill pipe and at its lower end to a drill bit comprising, a barrel forming a chamber, a coupler having a head for attaching said barrel to the drill pipe, a rotor in said chamber, a transmission means within the barrel spaced from said head, said barrel having a lining and a cam surface at one side thereof extending the length of said rotor, said rotor having grooves longitudinally thereof, vanes pivotally mounted in said grooves, said vanes having curved portions at their outer edges forming pockets along their inner surfaces, the outer surfaces of said curved portions of the vanes having a removable lining for contacting the lining of the barrel, said grooves having recesses therein, flat springs mounted in said recesses and adapted to engage said vanes to urge the same outwardly as they are depressed by said cam, said transmission means having operative connection with said bit, means forming an enclosing chamber for the transmission means, a shaft extending from the rotor into the last named chamber and having operative connection with said transmission means, a fluid outlet duct communicating with the lower end of the rotor chamber, a second duct connected with the outlet duct and extending to the upper end of the barrel, and means for passing fluid medium through said coupler to the upper end of said rotor chamber to contact the pocket portion of the vanes and effect rotation of the rotor and bit, said fluid passing from the rotor chamber through the outlet duct and second duct and discharging at the upper end of the barrel.

3. A rotary motor of the character described adapted to be attached at its upper end to a drill pipe and at its lower end to a drill bit comprising, a barrel, spaced end members secured in the barrel and forming a chamber therebetween, said end members having bores extending longitudinally therethrough, a rotor in said chamber and coextensive therewith, shafts fixed on the ends of the rotor and extending longitudinally therefrom, bearing members in the bores of the end members spaced from the ends of the rotor and rotatably mounting said shafts, packing means in said bores surrounding said shafts between the bearings and rotor, means for compressing said packing means to effect seals between the shafts and the end members, a coupler having a head for attaching said barrel to the drill pipe, a transmission means within the barrel below the lower end member, said barrel having a lining and a cam surface at one side thereof extending the length of said rotor, said rotor having grooves longitudinally thereof, vanes pivotally mounted in said grooves, said vanes having curved portions at their outer edges forming pockets along their inner surfaces, the outer surfaces of said curved portions of the vanes having a removable lining for contacting the lining of the barrel, said 11 grooves having recesses therein, flat springs mounted in said recesses and adapted to engage said vanes to urge the same outwardly as they are depressed by said cam, said transmission means having operative connection with said hit, means forming an enclosing chamberfor the transmission means, a shaft extending from the rotor into the last named chamber and having operative connection with said transmission means, a fluid outlet duct communicating with the lower end of the rotor chamber, a second duct connected with the outlet duct and extending to the upper end of the barrel, and means for passing fluid medium throughsaid coupler to the upper end of said rotor chamber to contact the pocket portion of the vanes and effect rotation of the rotor and hit, said .fluid passing from the rotor 1'2 chamber through-theoutlet duct and secondfluct anddischarging at the upper end of the barrel. .HARRY W. MCDONALD.

References Cited in the file of this patent STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,265,193 Guinn May'7, I918 1.3653836 Leverett Jan. 18,1921 1,453,683 Kochendarfer 'May 1,1923 1,790,460 .Capelinschnicoff Jan. 27,, 1931 1,804,193 Winther i .May 5, 1931 1350,403 Lee Mar. 22, .1932 2,002,387 Bannister May 21, :1935 2,473,537 McDonald June 21,1949