US2752121A

US2752121A - Well drilling apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2752121A
Application number: US314121A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fred H Marcotte
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1952-10-10
Filing date: 1952-10-10
Publication date: 1956-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 1973-06-26

Description

June 26, 1956 F. H. MARcoTTE 2,752,121

WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. l0, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 26, 1956 F. H, MARCOTTE 2,752,121

WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. l0, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 sq E O T52 iLo 2G /Q LUZ L2 2 Lo ea a, 3o L32 7 O2 Les i8 2a I 12 C1 img Bq 32 se,

1718.5 Los,

/ A LOL .LOQ

La n@ 2" -LOL .U26 "la La@ 82 Iq Q2 q@ @o io v Q2 ce@ '8G 90% CkO 5B L 36 lo@ qiv sa o 1 :L2 LOC) 38 @(5 lg' o vr- Vw /-|/f` \\\\:1\ ik H LBO P' IN V EN TOR. Faso H Mnzco'rrE I BY y l )gew/Mm Mm/Mean ATTOE MEYS United States Patent WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Fred H. Marcotte, Zurich, Kans.

Application October 10, 1952, Serial No. 314,121

2 Claims. ((1255-19) This invention relates to Well drilling apparatus, and more particularly, has reference to a portable apparatus adapted to be moved to selected sites at which wells are to be drilled, the apparatus being particularly designed for, but not necessarily being restricted to, the drilling of water wells.

One important object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the type described which will be so designed as to increase substantially the number of feet that can be drilled in a given time, above that possible with the use of more conventional equipment.

Still another object of importance is to provide an apparatus of the type stated which, while discharging eiciently the function given above, will still be designed to permit its operation with a minimum number of workers.

Still another object of importance is to provide an apparatus as stated which, while capable of drilling a well with more rapidity than has heretofore been the case and with a minimum number of attendants, will still be adapted for manufacture at a minimum cost.

Yet another object of importance is to provide a well drilling apparatus of the type stated wherein a prime mover will be so linked, in a driving relationship to a drill stem, as to shift the drill stem vertically while causing rotation of the same, the linkages extending from the prime mover being controllable independently of one another, thus to vary the speed of rotation of the drill stem relative to the rate of descent thereof, within a wide range.

Still another object of importance is to provide a well drilling apparatus of the character referred to in which the prime mover will also be adapted for controlling movement of a sand bucket cable, with the prime mover being adapted to be selectively linked either to the sand bucket cable or to the cable controlling descent of the drill stem.

A further object of importance is to provide means associated between the drill stem and a derrick from which the drill stem-is suspended, adapted for adding to the gravitational movement of the drill stem should the formation being drilled resist said gravitational movement.

Yet another object of importance is to provide a well drilling apparatus in which eicient control means are provided adapted, respectively, for controlling the speed of the prime mover, braking the drum powered by the prime mover on which the stem support cable is wound, controlling the rate of descent of the drill stem, and controlling the rate of rotation of the drill stern, with all of said remote control means being operable from a single location readily accessible to a single operator.

Other objects will appear from the following description, the claims appended thereto, and from the annexed drawings, in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure l is a top plan view of a well drilling apparatus formed in accordance with the present invention;

ICC

Figure 2 is a side elevational view in which the front portion of the apparatus hasbeen broken away;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 3 3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a sectional view, on anenlarged scale, taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a sectional View, the scale being enlarged still further, taken substantially on line 5 5 of Figure 4.

The well drilling apparatus which I have devised includes a rollable frame designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The frame 10 is relatively elongated, and includes a pair of side rails 12 of channeled formation, extending the f'ull length of the frame at opposite sides thereof, said side rails being disposed in spaced, parallel relation. Rear wheels and front wheels are rotatably mounted on the side rails, the front wheels being designated by the reference numeral 14 and being of the steerable type, and the rear wheels being designated by the reference numeral 16. A draw bar l' is provided, at the front end of the frame, whereby the apparatus can be attached to a suitable traction vehicle, not shown.

At the front end of the frame, I provide a motor support platform 1S, said platform comprising a plurality of boardsor plates extending transversely of and between the respective side rails 12. A prime mover 20 is mounted upon the platform 18, and powers a drive shaft 22 (Figure 3) to which is keyed a drive sprocket 24 about which is trained a drive chain 26. The chain Z6 is in engagement with driven sprockets 23, 30 respectively, disposed at opposite sides of the frame adjacent the prime mover, and keyed to shafts extending into

transmissions

32, 34 mounted upon the respective side rails 12.

The transmission 32 is part of a linkage extending from the prime mover to a turntable, for rotating' a drill stem to be described hereinafter, and this linkage will be iirst described. The shaft extending from the transmission 32 is connected by a suitable universal joint to an elongated shaft 36, extending longitudinally of the frame 10 adjacent one of the side rails 12, the shaft 36 being connected at its rear end, by means of a universal joint, to a differential 38. A driven shaft extends upwardly from the differential 38, and keyed thereto is a sprocket 40 about which is trained a turntable drive chain 42, meshing with a peripheral series of teeth 44 (Figure 5) integrally or otherwise rigidly connected to the marginal portion of a turntable 46 of substantial diameter. The turntable 46 is mounted to rotate in a horizontal plane, adjacent the rear end of the frame 10, and for the purpose of supporting the turntable for rotation in said plane, I provide a turntable support bar 4S extending transversely between and rigidly secured at its opposite ends to the respective side rails 12. Mounted upon the support bar 48, at locations spaced transversely of the frame 10, are anged rollers 5t, the anged portions of said rollers being disposed at the lower ends thereof and extending within a circumferential groove 49 provided in the turntable at the underside thereof. The reduced upper end portions of the rollers are in rollable engagement with the periphery of the turntable 46, and cooperate with the reduced upper end portions of a second pair of rollers, the second pair of rollers being mounted upon a second turntable support bar 52 extending transversely between the side rails 12v. The second pair of rollers has been designated by the reference numeral 54, the rollers`54 being formed identically to the rollers 5t) and having ilanged lower ends of increased diameter engaging in the peripheral groove 49 of the turntable.

The second bar 52 is mounted for bodily adjustment longitudinally of the frame 10, andto this end, slots 56 are provided in the side' rails 12 (Figure 4), receiving hereinafter.

bolts 58 extending upwardly from the opposite ends of the bar 52.

In this way, the turntable is mounted for rotatable movement upon the rear end portion of the frame 10.

For the purpose of holding theY chain 42 under a desired amount of tension, the bar 52 can be adjusted longitudinally of the frame v10, carrying with it the rollers 54. These will urge the turntable away from sprocket 40, thereby to tension the turntable drive chain. It may be noted, in this connection, that the rollers/50 will be so disposed as to provide Vsuflcient clearance between their anges and the adjacent portion of the turntable, thereby to permit the tension-adjusting movement of the turntable.

As shown in Figure 5, upon the upper surface of the turntable 46 I provide a pair of hinged lids adapted to releasably engage a drill stem bushing to be described The lids 60 are at steel plates, hinged directly to the flat surface of the turntable.

The linkage extending from the transmission 34 is adapted particularly for controlling vertically shifting Vmovement of the drill stem embodied in the apparatus,

and includes an elongated shaft 62 having a universal connection at one end to the transmission shaft extending from transmission 34, the elongated shaft 62 having a universal connection at its other end to a shaft extendking into a differential 64 bolted to that side rail 12 support cable drum 68, with which is associated a brake 70. The brake 70 is provided with a handle 72 (see Figure 2), and connected at one end to said handle is a brake control cable 74. The cable 74 is extended rearwardly from the brake, and is passed over a transversely extending guard rail 76, the guard rail 76 being connected at its opposite ends to side guard rails 78 extending longitudinally of the frame at the rear end thereof, the side guard rails 78 being integral at their rear ends with depending legs 82. Support legs 80 are secured to the front Vends of the side rails 78, and there is thus provided a framework, extending about an operators platform 83. The platform 83 is comprised of a plurality of boards extending transversely between and supported upon the respective side rails 12 of the frame 10, at theV rear end of the frame 10.

It will thus be seen that one standing upon the platform 83 is adapted to grasp the free end of the brake control cable 74, thus to set the brake 70 whenever desired, and provide a brake control for the drum 68.

Keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 66 for rotation therewith is a sprocket 84, disposed adjacent a sprocket 88 secured to one end of a shaft 90. It will be readily appreciated that a chain, not shown, can be passed about the

sprockets

84, 88, thus to permit the shaft 90 to be rotated whenever desired.

At its opposite ends, the shaft 90 is journaled in bearings carried by the respective side rails 12, and intermediate the opposite ends of the shaft 90 there is provided a sand bucket cable drum 92, secured to shaft 90 to rotate therewith.

Ordinarily, the shaft 90 would not be linked to the shaft 66 for rotation simultaneously therewith. If, however, it is desired to lower a sand bucket rope into a hole being drilled, a stem support cable 94 wound about the drum 68 is detached from the drum 68, and a sand bucket cable, not shown, is secured to the sand bucket drum 92. A chain is then passed about the

sprockets

84, 88, and as a result, the lowering of a sand bucket cable can be accomplished, without causing vertical movement of the drill stem of the apparatus.

The stem support cable 94, as shown in Figure 2, is trained intermediate its ends about a pulley or sheave 96 rotatably mounted upon the upper ends of lupwardly converging derrick arms 98, said derrick arms 98 being rigidly secured, at their lower ends, to the intermediate portion of a rock shaft 100 (Figure 4) journaled at its opposite ends in the respective side rails 12. In this way,

the derrick 98 can be swung upwardly to the opposite longitudinally of the respective arms 98 and rigidly secured Vat their opposite ends to said arms.

Fixedly secured to the arms 98, Vadjacent the upper ends of said arms, are brackets 102 pivotally connected to the upper ends of braces 104, said braces 104 being pivotally connected, at their lower ends, to the side rails 12 by means of brackets 106. The braces 104 rigidify the derrick, in the upstanding position of the arms 98. It will be understood that the pivotal connections of the braces 104 to the side rails 12 can be removed, when the derrick is to be lowered, with said braces being supported upon the A frame and extending longitudinally of the derrick arms in the lowered position of the derrick arms.

To prevent longitudinal exing of the derrick arms 98, truss rods 108 can be provided (see Figure 2).

That end of the stem support cable 94 remote from the drum 68, is provided with a swiveled hook 110, engaging in a swivel bracket 112 carried by the upper end of a drill stem section 114. It will be Vunderstood that when the cable 94 is wound off from the drum 68, the stern section 114 will be lowered. Retractile movement of the cable 94, on the other hand, raises the stem 114. At the same time, the stem section 114 is free to rotate during its upward or downward movement, and rotation of the stem section will not wind the cable 94, due to the swiveled connection of the stem section to said cable.

The stem section 114 is part of a drill stem, and slidably circumposed on said drill stem is a bushing 1,16 (see Figures 4 and 5). The bushing 116 has a bore extending axially thereof, said bore being non-circular and the drill stem being formed to a complementary nonfcircular cross section, thus to cause joint rotation of the bushing 116 and the drill stem. Externally, the bushing 116 is of noncircular cross section, and is received between the hinged lids 60, which deline, in the closed position thereof, an opening complementary to the cross sectional shape of the bushing 116.

The drill stem, as will be understood, is shiftable vertically of and within the bushing 116, and during the vertically shifting movement of the drill stem, said drill stem can be rotated, by rotation of the turntable 46. The Vhinged lids 60 engage under a ange formed upon the upper end of the bushing 116, and whenever tools are to be lowered through the center opening of the turntable 46, the lids 60 can be swung outwardly.

Formed in the stem section 114, at locations spaced longitudinally thereof, are openings 118, either of which is adapted to receive a cross pin 120, `engaging under a collar 122 circumposed about the stem section 114. A lever 124 has an opening intermediate its ends passing the drill stem section 114. The intermediate part of the lever 124 rests upon the collar 122, with one end of the lever engaged under a selected'cross brace 101 of the derrick, and its other end face. Inthis.way,r downward pressure exerted upon the free end of the levernl24, shown in Figure 2 at the left, Awill beeffective to force the drillstem downwardly, should gravitational movement of the drill stern within a hole being drilled be resisted by a particularly hard formation encountered within said hole. Ordinarily, the lever 124 would not be used, however.

The drill stem has been designated generally by the reference numeral 125, and comprises a plurality of drill stem sections, the uppermost section being the section 114. A lower section has been designated by the reference numerm 128, and is detachably coupled to the section 114 by means of a coupling 126. It will be understood that as the drilled hole increases in depth, additional sections can be added, at the upper end of the drill stem.

Secured to the lowermost section 128 is an auger 130, said auger being connected to the lowermost section for rotation jointly therewith.

Each stem section has a band 132 circumposed thereabout. A forked slip, not shown, would be positioned to straddle each section, engaging under the band 132 while resting on the turntable when an additional section is being added.

A sand bucket cable pulley has been shown at 134, said pulley being rotatably mounted between the arms 98 a short distance below the pulley 96. A sand bucket cable, not shown, is adapted to extend over said pulley 134, from the drum 92. As previously noted herein, whenever the sand bucket cable is to be used, the stem support cable 94 is detached from its drum 68, and a chain is extended between the sprockets 84, S8.

For the purpose of providing control means for the several parts of the apparatus, a throttle control rod 138 is extended longitudinally of the frame 10, from the throttle of the prime mover 20, said throttle control rod or cable 138 being hung over the transverse guard rail 76 adjacent the brake control cable 74. The throttle control cable 138 can be gripped by an operator standing upon the platform 83, for controlling the speed of the prime mover. There is also provided a control cable 140 extending to the gear shift handle of the transmission 32, a control cable 142 extending to the gear shift handle of the transmission 34. The cables 140, 142 are extended to and are passed over the transverse guard rail 76. In this way, the operator of the apparatus can selectively control the speed of the prime mover 20, and can also control the shifting in one direction of the

transmissions

32, 34 respectively. At the same time, a control is atforded for the brake of the drum 68.

By reason of this arrangement, the operator of the equipment can cause rotation of the drill stem 128 while holding the drill stem against vertical movement. Or, conversely, vertical movement of the drill stem is permitted while rotation of the same is prevented. Of course, rotation of the drill stern, simultaneously with vertical movement of the drill stem is possible and will be the usual practice. The speed of rotation of the stem can be varied selectively, relative to the speed of ascent or descent of the stem, by selective shifting of the

transmissions

32, 34 to different gears.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to the specific use or uses thereof described above, since it may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention to be necessarily limited to the specic construction illustrated and described, sinee such construction is only intended to be illustrative of the principles of operation and the means presently devised to carry out said principles, it being considered that the invention comprehends any minor change in construction that may be permitted within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In well drilling apparatus, an elongated horizontal frame having a first end and a second end, a derrick mounted on and rising from said trarne on said rst end of the frame, a rotary turntable mounted on the frame at said first end of the frame, a drill stem depending from the derrick and non-rotatably engaging and traversing the turntable, a rst differential mounted on said frame near said derrick, said first diferential being operatively connected to the turntable, a first drive shaft connected to said rst differential and extending toward the said second end of the frame, a second differential mounted on said frame between said rst differential and said second end or the frame, a second drive shaft connected to said second differential and extending toward said second end of the frame, a cable drum mounted on said frame in the region of said second differential and operatively connected to said second diiierential, a cable Wound on said drum, trained over the derrick and secured to the drill stem, a single prime mover mounted on said frame at said second end of the frame, rst and second manually operated transmissions mounted on said frame in the region of said prime mover, said rst and second drive shafts being operatively connected to the rst and second transmissions, respectively, and means operatively connecting both of said transmissions to said prime mover.

2. In well drilling apparatus, an elongated horizontal frame having a rst end and a second end, a derrick mounted on and rising from said frame at said rst end of the frame, a rotary turntable mounted on the frame at said rst end of the frame, a drill stem depending from the derrick and nonrotatably engaging and traversing the turntable, a first dilerential mounted on said frame near said derrick, said rst differential being operatively connected to the turntable, a rst drive shaft connected to said first differential and extending toward the said second end of the frame, a second differential mounted on said frame between said rst differential and said second end of the frame, a second drive shaft connected to said second differential and extending toward said second end of the frame, a cable drum mounted on said frame in the region of said second dilerential and operatively connected to said second differential, a cable wound on said drum, trained over the derrick and secured to the drill stem, a single prime mover mounted on said frame at said second end of the frame, first and second manually operated transmissions mounted on said frame in the region of said prime mover, said trst and second drive shafts being operatively connected to the first and second transmissions, respectively, and means operatively connecting both of said transmissions to said prime mover, an operators platform on said frame at said rst end of the frame, and individual transmission control means leading from said first and second transmissions to said platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 503,051 MacEachen Aug. 8, 1893 1,486,247 Hunter Mar. 11, 1924 1,556,107 Hamilton Oct. 6, 1925 1,738,101 Graham Dec. 3, 1929 2,098,173 Baldry Nov. 2, 1937

Claims

2. IN WELL DRILLING APPARATUS, AN ELONGATED HORIZONTAL FRAME HAVING A FRIST END AND A SECOND END, A DERRICK MOUNTED ON AND RISING FROM SAID FRAME AT SAID FIRST END OF THE FRAME, A ROTARY TURNTABLE MOUNTED ON THE FRAME AT SAID FIRST END OF THE FRAME, A DRILL STEM DEPENDING FROM THE DERRICK AND NONROTATABLY ENGAGING AND TRAVERSING THE TURNTABLE, A FIRST DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME NEAR SAID DERRICK, SAID FIRST DIFFERENTIAL BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE TURNTABLE, A FIRST DRIVE SHAFT CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST DIFFERENTIAL AND EXTENDING TOWARD THE SAID SECOND END OF THE FRAME, A SECOND DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME BETWEEN SAID FIRST DIFFERENTIAL AND SAID SECOND END OF THE FRAME, A SECOND DRIVE SHAFT CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND DIFFERENTIAL AND EXTENDING TOWARD SAID SECOND END OF THE FRAME, A CABLE DRUM MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME IN THE REGION OF SAID SECOND DIFFERENTIAL AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND DIFFERENTIAL, A CABLE WOUND ON SAID DRUM, TRAINED OVER THE DERRICK AND SECURED TO THE DRILL STEM, A SINGLE PRIME MOVER MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AT SAID SECOND END OF THE FRAME, FIRST AND SECOND MANUALLY OPERATED TRANSMISSIONS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME IN THE REGION OF SAID PRIME MOVER, SAID FIRST AND SECOND DRIVE SHAFTS BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE FIRST AND SECOND TRANSMISSIONS, RESPECTIVELY, AND MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING BOTH OF SAID TRANSMISSION TO SAID PRIME MOVER, AN OPERATOR''S PLATFORM ON SAID FRAME AT SAID FIRST END OF THE FRAME, AND INDIVIDUAL TRANSMISSION CONTROL MEANS LEADING FROM SAID FIRST AND SECOND TRANSMISSIONS TO SAID PLATFORM.