US2807441A

US2807441A - Portable drilling rig assembly

Info

Publication number: US2807441A
Application number: US414693A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ben W Sewell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-03-08
Filing date: 1954-03-08
Publication date: 1957-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 1974-09-24

Description

To L 1, .gqa'gg' 5/ /00 195 99 Sept. 24, 1957 w, 2,807,441

V PORTABLE DRILLING RIG ASSEMBLY Filed March 8, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l 7 MULTIPLE /5 J *esmw Z6 HYDRAULIC RE URE 295w mm w I DR 5 o /4 7a. 7 7 I TRUICZIK EZ E\ I -o m 74 i 3 F p 7/ I HYDRAUUC on. Rig- 59 PUMP RESERVOIR on. sue-mom 7 I I ag 3 '8 44 84' on fi o 1 T 83 a2 FILTER J F a /7 H DRAULIC HYDRAULIC u YMOTOR M2 mo-roa M, (i i-6% --2 t 7 #93 TANK AUXILLIARX AUXILLIARY '35 ,7 WATER. PUMP ATER. PUMP *mrcn VOLUME) (3.2" PRESSURE) 94 1 4 PE 8 AUCER DRILLING ARR-IER FLUID 4 TANK HIGH VOLUME PUMP on. TANK man PRESSURE PUMP HYDRAULIC CONTRbL VVALVIE BANK I INVENTOR BEN W. 55 WELL ATTORNEY Sept. 24, 1957 B. w, SEWELL PORTABLE DRILLING RIG ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 8, 1954 oalLLmd FLUID INVENTOR E/V W. SEWLL BY M 3 W ATTORNEY LiTi EZII T -1 ll INVENTOR ATTORNEY Sept. 24, 1957 B. w. SEWELL PORTABLE DRILLING RIG ASSEMBLY Filed March 8, 1954 BY 3B United States Patent PORTABLE DRILLING RIG ASSEMBLY Ben W. Sewell, Tulsa, Okla.

Application March 8, 1954, Serial No. 414,693

22 Claims. (Cl. 25522) This invention is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 406,191, filed January 26, 1954, now Patent No. 2,797,066, and relates to improved earth boring apparatus.

More particularly, this invention relates to several improved structural features which in combination form an improved drilling rig for earth boring. The improved structural elements specifically, and in combination, allow such earth boring rig to be portably mounted as on a truck to allow rapid movement to and installation at the site of a bore, to compactly carry all essential drilling elements for operation with multiunit drill bits for rapid erection to operative boring position and subsequent folding for ready portability.

One feature of this invention is a portably mounted drilling rig designed to have a vertically traversable rotary table from which a multiunit drilling stem depends for boring of holes of varying but sufficient depth to generally require a multiunit drill stem, the drilling rig itself being rapidly set up for quick assembly for the drilling operation and rapid disassembly or folding to knockdown position for removal to a new drilling site with optimum features of portability therefor. A primary object in this construction is the pivotal mounting for ready erecting and lowering for transportation to carry an elongated mast balanced at its center of gravity thereby allowing both raising to boring position and lowering to horizontal position for portability, manually.

Another feature of the construction of the drilling rig hereof is in the slidable assembly of a rotary table and hydraulic lift for vertical traverse Within the mast to allow raising or lowering of these drill stem operating units to a center of gravity position compacted about a pivot upon which the mast is supported for either vertical or horizontal positioning, whereby the entire mast and operating mechanism balanced about its center of gravity may be raised or lowered manually, to greatly simplify the construction and avoid use of extraneous raising and lowering equipment for such mast, rotary table and hydraulic lift carried thereby.

A further feature of the construction hereof is in the mounting of the hydraulic lift cylinder for raising and lowering of the rotary table, to which the drill stem is attached, to allow the hydraulic mechanism to function further to lower itself and the rotary table into compact position, thereby to adjust the center of gravity of the mast and equipment thereon to allow manual folding and raising thereof.

While the drilling rig of the present invention allows use of any multiunit drill stem such for example as the conventional smooth wall pipe assembled by screw-threaded coupling through tapered male and female screw-threaded joints, it is preferred for rapid coupling and uncoupling v to use an auger type drill stem and such construction together with a rapid coupling and uncoupling tool, termed a power breakout tool, is shown in my parent application. Such auger type drill stem assembled to multiunit length by similar screw-threaded coupling of tapered male and female joints has additional advantages for use herein. For example, in conventional earth boring with an auger type bit, no drilling fluid is usually used. This has been because an auger is generally used for shallow hole boring. Where multiple angers are continuously coupled into a multiunit length, the drill stem is practical for earth boring to substantially great depths, It is found that the efficiency of the boring with the multiple auger both to aid in cooling of the bit and flushing of cuttings from the bore, is greatly increased if a drilling fluid is used therewith. Moreover, since such bit substantially fills the bore and requires little cooling, such decreased quantity, compared to ordinary drilling fluid use, is needed with the multiple auger bit that the supply of drilling fluid may be carried on the truck with the portable rig hereof. For cooperation therewith the multiple auger hereof is made tubular with a relatively small bore passed through the center longitudinally of the entire multiunit auger length to convey the small quantity of drilling fluid needed downward into the bore without impairing the strength of the auger unit, the fluid supply as well as auger units being carried by the truck on which the entire rig is mounted.

Accordingly, an improved feature of this invention is in the combination of a specially constructed hollow or tubular auger having continuous flights mating for screw coupling into a continuous auger through which drilling fluid carried by the truck may be pumped rapidly or slowly depending upon the needs of the particular drilling operation, as the drilling is proceeding. That improved combination of a portably mounted supply of drilling fluid with a continuous flight multiunit hollow auger is a further object of this invention. Pumps are required for forced passage of drilling fluid from its supply source through the multiunit drill stem as it is being rotated in earth boring and to fill each hollow auger length as it is added to the multiunit string. Where fluid is merely circulated into and out of the bore as in conventional tubular drill pipe, rapid flow of fluid is required, but not high pressures, since the balanced fluid columns within and withoutthe casing have their pressures balanced. This requires a high volume but relatively low pressure pump. Even when the preferred multiunit auger of this invention is used, it is necessary for rapid operations when a new auger length has been added to the string to operate the pump for rapid fluid flow to fill the bore of the new length with drilling fluid. However, in most of the boring operations with an auger, since fluid is generally not circulated to balance fluid column pressures and very little fluid is required which must be supplied at high pressures to the boring tip, a small volume high pressure pump is needed. An additional feature of this invention is the portable mounting of a large volume low pressure pump and low volume high pressure pump coupled to the supply of drilling fluid and to the hollow drill stem for use in combination.

As compactly mounted for substantial rapid mobility in transportation to and from the drilling site upon a truck, the truck itself forms a desirable source of power useful in drilling. The most eflicient use of such power is in the driving of fluid pumps on a conventional power ofltake from the truck motor and accordingly all the operating units or" the system hereof are designed to be hydraulic. Thus the rotary table is operated by hyraulic fluid driven by a fluid pump. Hydraulic fluid from the same power source is used in the hydraulic lift to raise and lower the rotary table in the drilling operation, including coupling and uncoupling of the multiunit drill stem, and further for allowing the hydraulic lift cylinder itself to be lowered to proper balanced center of gravity position for manual lowering of the mast. Moreover, fluid supplied for lubrication and cooling of the drilling bit, particularly the auger, taken from the source of supply of drilling fluid as portably mounted upon the truck, is most effectively done with a pump as mentioned above taking theirpower from the truck motor itself. Accordingly, the entire portably mounted elements for the drilling rig hereof is directed to the useof hydraulic equipment for each of the several operating features. For this purpose the flow of fluid is regulated by suitable lines and multiway valves to direct the flow of power fluid to such units from a source of fluid for power; or for lubricating the bit as needed, the fluids being carried in supply tanks portably mounted on the truck. It is, accordingly, a further object to compactly design the hydraulic equipment for optimum operation for the drilling rig hereof.

Other objects are in the combination of these apparatus elements in the total earth boring assembly for more effective operation and earth boring.

Still further objects and features of my invention will be apparent in the description which now follows taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the drilling rig in knockdown form on the back of the truck illustrating parts of the truck and the distribution of some of the operating elements thereon for ready portability and use;

Fig. 2.is a side view of the truck showing the mounting of the drilling rig in vertical position on the hack thereof and the folded position of the mast and drilling rig in dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is an end view elevation of the mast, rotary table and hydraulic lift mounted therein;

Fig.4 is a side view in elevation of that of Fig. 3 with one mast leg removed;

Fig. is a flow diagram illustrating the hookup of tanks, pumps and valves for operation of the drilling rig;

Fig. 6 illustrates the manner of movement of the rotary table cooperative with the hydraulic lift for feeding drill stem while boring;

Fig. 7 illustrates the manner of lowering of the hydraulic lift cylinder and rotary table for compacting these operating units to a center of gravity position, ready for manual folding of the mast; and

Fig. 8 is a detail of the end of an anger illustrating the manner of coupling into multiunit links.

Fig. 9 is a detail of the structure supporting the hydraulic lift cylinder.

The truck body 1 has mounted next to the cab a tank 2 for drilling fluid and a tank or reservoir 3 for power fluid such as oil in the after part of the track beneath the carrier platform 4. A main power takeoff illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 5 comprises conventionally a pulley drive 5 from the power output of the engine mounted to drive a hydraulic pump 6 mounted beneath the platform 4, drawing power fluid from the oil' reservoir 3 through a line 7 for suitable operation of hydraulic operated mechanical units as will appear. The hydraulic pump 6 is coupled in tandem with a second hydraulic pump 8 which supplies fluid power to fluid motors M1 and M2 for passage of drilling fluid from the tank 2 to the drilling stem as will appear, the pumps 6 and 8 and drive coupling therefor from the truck engine being mounted beneath the truck body.

In folded position a latching member 9 mounted on the tank'2 receives and secures for fastening in transit the upper end of a rectangular drilling mast 10.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the mast 10 has vertical side legs 11 and upper and lower horizontal cross braces comprising upper channels 12, intermediate channels 63, andfllower channels 13, the channels 12 and 13 being assembled at each joining corner into a rigid, preferably rectangular, frame work as shown, by bolting or welding. The intermediate channels 63 centrally support between them a hydraulic cylinder 14 containing in slidable, fluid-tight fit therein, a piston 15 carrying on its underside a piston, rod 16, which extends downward through the bottom of said cylinder, through a stufling box (not shown), whereby the piston may be hydraulically raised or lowered by admission and withdrawal of power fluid to both sides of the piston through

ducts

17 or 17a to raise or lower the piston rod 16.

The elongated piston rod 16 has fastened to the lower end thereof a yoke and carriage frame 18 fastened thereto comprising a pair of vertical bars or hangers 19 secured at their upper ends to a cross bar 20 and at their lower ends to a swivel 21. The hangers 19 are further fastened to a pair of horizontal cross angle irons 22 which support and brace side guiding bars 23 mounted vertically close to but slidingly separated from mast legs 11 at each vertical side. The guiding bars 23 further carry four pairs of earlike guides 24 vertically disposed in pairs on each side of a bar 23 to slidingly fit around each mast leg 11, for slidingly guiding the entire assembly in vertical movement in the plane of the mast 10. An additional plate bracket 25 is mounted below-the swivel 21 to support the rotary table 30 to immediately transfer reactive torque from the rotary to the bars 23 and serves as a lower bracing member therefor.

Cross angles 22 further have rigidly mounted thereon a motor 26, actuated hydraulically, which terminates its output drive through reducing gears (not shown) in the housing 27 thereof, the output shaft being coupled to drive a spur gear 28 through a coupling member 29. The rotary driving head or table 30 comprises a main tubular shaft 31 having its upper end mounted for rotation and vertical support in the bearings 32 within swivel 21 and having its central portion drivingly intertitted within a large ring gear 33 which is meshed with spur gear 28 for driving rotation thereby. The rotary table is surrounded by a housing 34. The lower end of the driving shaft 31 merges into a shaft 36 of reduced diameter which terminates in a tapered screw threaded pin 37 to which the drill stem is coupled for support and driving rotation.

The shaft 31 extending through pin 37 is internally hollow and tubular to form a duct communicating with fluid inlet 35 for supplying a drilling fluid and for this purpose the auger itself will have a continuous internal bore 45 (see Fig. 8) communicating therewith for passage of the fluid down to the boring tip.

The bottom wall of the housing 34 of the rotary table is reinforced by a boss 38 in which is mounted a bearing (not shown) which supports the rotation of shaft 31 in friction reducing manner. The shaft 31 terminates in a protruding shoulder or collar 39 which extends below the rotary table housing. A power breakout tool 59 is adjustably fixed upon collar 39 and mounted for rotation therewith as described in detail in my parent application.

As shown in detail in Fig. 8 the auger 41 has a tapered threaded plug 42 at one end in each of its multiple sections and a tapered female joint 43 (Fig. 4) at the opposite end, both threaded for secure coupling into a multiunit drilling auger and, as coupled in continuous joints such as 44, the helical flights of each auger section cooperate to form a continuous flight multiunit auger. As shown at 45 each of the angers are bored axially through the center even through each coupling pin 42 for continuoussupply of fluid down through the multiunit auger bit, the fluid entering the string at 35 and passing downward through the center of the auger by way of the bore 45 to be emitted at the boring tip (not shown).

The mast 10 is mounted on the after step 46 at the end of the truck for portable conveyance thereof by folding over the back of the truck as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. It is supported from the step 46 by upright vertical braces 47 sturdily secured by side braces 48 and 49 rising from the back of the truck step 46 to hold the braces 47 in vertical position. To allow lowering to horizontal position the mast is pivoted to the vertical braces 47 at their upper ends in pivots 50 secured therein by hearing caps 51. The lower ends of themast legs 11 have shoulders 52 which are integral therewith but protrude laterally therefrom and extend to about the height of the back end of the truck step 46. In the erected position of the mast for drilling, these shdulders 52 pass beneath the step 46 alignedly with supports 47 thereon. In this vertical mast position the shoulders are securable by inserting latching bars 53'through straps or cleats 54 mounted on the lower end of the braces 47,

' whereby lower ends of the bars 53 bear against the shoulders 52 for latching the mast in vertical position. The lower end of the mast legs-11 further bear against stops 55 in the vertical latched position for secure retainment.

As described in my parent application, the multiunit auger bit is positioned to pass between both lower horizontal frame channels 13. Such positioning of the auger bit to pass vertically between both channels 13 has a vertical aligning effect upon the positioning of the bit. That vertical aligning effect is made even more accurate by securing between the two lower channels 13 a short pipe length 13a. The channels 13 are further secured transversely together by cross angle irons 56. These cros angle irons 56 receive a slip plate which acts as a backup wrench useful for support and to allow uncoupling of the multiunit auger as described in detail in my parent application. An alternate type of backup wrench 57 may be used, mounted horizontally with its outer handle end bearing against an extension 58 of the mast leg for uncoupling of the bit as desired.

Moreover, as described in detail in my parent application the multiunit auger may be coupled at its upper end to a power breakout tool 59 which drivingly couples the rotary table and auger, the power breakout tool comprising a coupling sleeve having a manually operably pawl member 60 which allows driving engagement and locking of the rotary table 30 by wedging against a flight portion of the auger in reverse rotation to prevent uncoupling at the uppermost auger joint when a lower joint 44, in cooperation with a backup wrench 57, is preferably first uncoupled.

In normal operation of the drilling rig, power fluid is fed to hydraulic motor 26 to rotate rotary table 30 through its meshed spur and ring gears 28 and 33 to rotate the multiunit drill stem screw coupled thereto. Drilling fluid in small quantity, as needed, is simultaneously fed under high pressure from its source of supply in tank 2 through the bore 45 of the multiunit stem. As drilling proceeds the hydraulic lift power fluid is pumped to the upper side of piston 15 into the cylinder 14 through inlet 17 to move the piston rod 16 downwardly at a desired rate and under desired pressure, the entire rotary table assembly and its carriage slidingly following the multiunit bit downwardly until one unit of the multiunit drill stem has substantially passed into the earth by boring in the manner illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, the carriage then being at the lower dotted position of Fig. 6. The rotary table is then reversed with the coupling pawl 60 in inoperative position to uncouple the upper joint in cooperation with the backup wrench 57. The uncoupled rotary table 30, its carriage and hydraulic lift rod 16 are then raised by passing power fluid through lower cylinder 14 inlet 17a (Fig. 3) to raise the same to the upper position of Fig. 6 and a new length of auger is then coupled tothe string and rotary table, and the boring is then continued. When the anger is to'be withdrawn from the bore, the operation is reversed, reversing the rotary table while lifting the same continuously by power fluid passed through duct 17a of the hydraulic lift cylinder 14, uncoupling the multiunit auger length by length as the auger is raised. In the withdrawal operation .the locking pawl '60 is used in operative position shown in Fig. 3 in cooperation with the backup wrench 57 to efiect uncoupling first at a lower joint 44 and then at the upper joint 43 with the power breakout tool 59, as described in my parent application.

After removing the bit from the earth and for purposes of folding the mast 10 to portable position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it is desirable to lower the rotary table 30 and its carriage together with the hydraulic lift cylinder 14 and its piston 16,- to its lower position for compacting the unit. The entireslidable assembly of operating units on the mast when moved to the lower position act as a balance with respect to the remainder of the mast, the entire lower assembly being so balanced with respect to the mast that the mast is now readily turned manually on its pivots 50 in the upper end of braces 47 to folded position.

For this purpose the hydraulic cylinder 14 is mounted on a base plate 62 which rests upon, and is fixed to an additional pair of cross angle irons 63, each secured at its outer ends to opposite mast legs ll by removable tapered pins 64. These manually operable pins 64 pass through aligned but tapered bores passing entirely through each angle 63 and leg 11 for remova-bly securing the upper angle irons 63-to a leg 11 a short distance below the top of the mast. The pins 64 have small cross head pins 65 pasing transversely the outer shank end to allow manual gripping, twisting and thereby ready removal from the tapered bores to unfasten the securement thereby of the cross angles 63 secured to mast legs 11. The hydraulic cylinder 14- passes through a large bore of an alignment plate 66 secured to the top channels 12 of the mast for slidably guiding and additionally supporting the elongated hydraulic cylinder 14 in vertically erect position during boring operations. The hydraulic cylinder while compacted and broken to illustrate mounting in Figs. 3 and 4 is substantially elongated about the length of. a section of multiunit auger such as from 5 to 20 feet more or less, as desired. This allows vertical traverse of such distance by movement of the piston 15 and rod 16 attached thereto in boring. Thus the cylinder 14 towers abovethe mast 10 in use as illustrated in Figs. 2, 6 and 7.

For retracting and compacting the cylinder 14 from its extended position above the mast and the rotary table 36 together with its carriage 18, not only to its center of gravity position for manual folding as illustrated in Fig. l, but also to retract such cylinder to considerably shorter length, within the mast frame 10, the entire hydraulic lift mechanism and carriage 18 and rotary table 13 may be lowered within the mast using the power of the hydraulic lift cylinder itself for mechanically effecting this. When the elongated cylinder is to be retracted for folding operations, assuming that the mast is raised and the carriage and rotary table attached hereto are in the upper dotted line position A of Fig. 6, and with the multiunit auger entirely detached therefrom ready for folding of the mast as shown in Fig. 7, the carriage 18 and rotary table attached thereto are reciprocated to the lower dotted line position B of Fig. 6. This is done by pumping hydraulic fluid to the upper fluid inlet duct 17 above the piston 15 to extend the piston and rod 16 downwardly therefrom to its lowermost position, the piston rod then being in the full line position of Fig. 6 and the cylinder 14 likewise being in its full line position of that figure. Thereafter the pins 64 are withdrawn from their bores in the ends of the channels 63 by grasping the ends and twisting the cross rods 65. This releases the supporting channels 63 together wtih the entire hydraulic cylinder 14 from the mast legs 11 fordownward movement. Hydraulic fluid is then pumped to the underside 17a of the piston 15 While allowing the fluid on the upperside to flow out of the upper portion of the cylinder chamber through duct 17. Since the cylinder 14 and channels 63 are no longer supported, thecylinder and channels 63 will slide through its guiding plate 66 in the top of channels 12 downwardly as the piston 15 is reciprocated with the flow of hydraulic fluid to its underside, the piston rod 16, carriage 18 and rotary 7 table 30 attached thereto remaining stationary in the lowered position B so that the cylinder 14 together with its supporting channels 63 will be lowered to the full line position of Fig. 7. With this operation the hydraulic cylinder 14 thereby has been entirely retracted within the mast 10.

In this lowermost compacted position, the carriage 18 i and rotary table 30 rest upon stops 67 positioned at a point which just balances the entire mast hydraulic cylinder 14, carriage 18, and rotary table 30 at the center of gravity position about the pivots 50 in the upper ends of supporting braces 47. In this center of gravity balanced position, the latching bars 53 may be withdrawn from cleats 54 by removal of securing pegs 68, thus freeing the mast and its compacted operatingunits for rotation on pivots 50 and themast is then readily folded manually to horizontal position of Fig. 1, also shown in dotted line position of Fig. 2. In view of the balance about the center of gravity of all units compacted in the mast, merely sufficient effort to overcome friction may be readily applied manually to lower the mast to horizontal folded position. In the folded position the upper end of the mast legs 11 are gripped between cooperative spring bars 9 for securing the same in horizontal position but other conventional latching means may be used therefor.

Fig. illustrates a suitable flow diagram for distribution of fluids for operation of the drilling rig hereof. As illustrated diagrammatically therein, power taken from the truck engine through a belt 5 coupled to a rotary shaft of the engine rotates a main hydraulic pump 6 which draws a supply of oil from an oil reservoir 3 via line 7 and passes the fluid under pressure through a main inlet 69 of a valve control bank 70. Power fluid under pressure of the hydraulic pump 6 may be passed through the hydraulic bank by a valve unit 71, as controlled by a manual operating lever 72, through a line 73 suitably a pressure resistant flexible hose to the hydraulic motor 26 conducting power fluid thereto for rotating the rotary table. As operated by the level 72, the valve 71 is reversible for operation of the motor 26 in either direction, the reverse flow passing to the motor 26 through a line 74. The power fluid from the hydraulic pump 6 in the multiple valve bank 70 may also pass through valve controls 75 or 76 which reversibly supply fluid under controlled pressure to both sides of piston 15 in hydraulic cylinder 14 for raising and lowering the piston rod 16 attached to the piston 15 as hereinabove described.

For purposes of varying the pressure upon the top of the piston, for added or reduced pressure without varying the quantity of fluid, a conventional pressure regulator unit 77, is inserted in the flow line 78 to pass fluid to the duct 17 in the upper side of the hydraulic lift cylinder. For purposes of controlling the volume of fluid passed and emitted from the lower side of the piston, primarily to control the-rate of movement of the cylinder 14 when being lowered and raised to operative or inoperative folding position, a needlevalve 79, allowing restriction of the quantity of fluid passing through line 80 is inserted. Thus hydraulic pump 6, supplying fluid in substantial vol ume is controlled to operate a rotary motor for rotary boring operations or the hydraulic lift at variable flows and pressures through the valve bank 70 controlled, as desired, manually through several levers 72 in each. valve unit 71, 75 and 76 which are of standard multiway valve construction.

An independent fluid circuit which, however, derives power from the same rotary drive of the truck engine, is used tosupply drilling fluid under variable flow rates and pressures. For this purpose the hydraulic pump 6 has directly coupled thereto the auxiliary hydraulic pump 8 through a direct coupling 81. For power fluid the hydraulic pump 8 also draws fluid from the oil reservoir 3 through line 7 and passes it under substantial pressure through a line 82 which leads to a pair of four-way valves 83 and 84 coupled for cooperative action through a line 85.

' The valve 83 may supply fluid for power to a hydraulic motor M1 through a line 86 returning it through a line 87 to the conduit 85, ,or the four-way valve 83 may bypass the fluid from line 82 directly into line to bypass the hy draulic motor M1. Similarly, the four-way valve 84 may pass fluid to hydraulic motor M2 through line 88 returning it through line 89 and thence to output line 90 through which it may pass in return either to line 7 for recycling to the pump 8, or to the oil reservoir 3 through line 91, preferably through an oil filter 92 to maintain the purity of the power fluid. In this hookup, the four-way valves 83 and 84 control both motors M1 and M2 through the single fluid power supply of hydraulic pump 8 to operate both of themotors M1 and M2 or either of them as desired.

The hydraulic motor M1 is coupled through coupling 93 to an auxiliary water (or other drilling fluid) pump 94 which draws a supply of drilling fluid from storage tank 2 through a line 95. The pump 94 is preferably of the reciprocating type which, while, as normal for such pump, is of low capacity ranging from a fraction to a gallon or two per minute, will force the fluid through line 61 into the drill stem inlet 35 at this low rate of flow, but under great pressure required not only to pass the fluid down through the boring tip of the multiunit anger,

but to be emitted therefrom under the great pressures required. Hydraulic motor M2 is similarly coupled by coupling 97 to an auxiliary water pump 98 which preferably is of the rotary type which, while it may pass fluid under relatively low pressure, does so at a high flow rate. The high flow rate pump 98 similarly draws fluid from the drilling fluid tank 2 through a line 99 passing the same into duct 61 communicating with inlet 35 of the tubular multiunit auger for rapid flow of drilling fluid thereto, both pumps being protected by check valves 100 for flow of fluid outwardly.

As mentioned above for use of the multiunit auger bit only a small quantity of fluid is necessary but such is usually desirably supplied under great pressures and for this purpose the pump 94 will be operated. However, where a different type of bit such as a smooth walled pipe is used in the boring, or where a multiunit auger bit is used but a new length of auger has been added to require more rapid flow of. fluid to fill the empty bore 45 thereof with drilling fluid, the pump 98 of relatively high volume is preferably used. Thus the combined use of the two pumps for high flow and low pressure and low flow with high pressure is desirable depending upon the cycle, i. e. the requirements of flow at the moment as the drilling proceeds.

As thus described, a portably mounted drilling rig is designed for foldably mounting the entire mast and auxiliary earth boring apparatus on the back of a truck. Such truck carries a plurality of pumps and tanks for supply of drilling fluid and hydraulic power fluid, the entire unit being hydraulically operated from the power derived from the truck motor. The truck further carries multiple units of an improved auger bit which are readily coupled into a multiunit length for earth boring to which a drilling fluid may be supplied in such small quantity necessary as may be carried by the truck itself. The drilling rig itself is foldable for portability and for this purpose it carries a rotary table and hydraulic liftfor raising and lowering the same. That hydraulic lift uses the same hydraulic power to lower itself together with the attached rotary table to a more compact position about the pivots upon which the mast is fixed to the truck,

thereby allowing manual raising and lowering of the mast.

The hydraulic system for operation of the unit is completely integrated for ready operation of the unit simply by controlling the valves of the hydraulic system. The plurality of the hydraulic pumps include, in desirable combination, a pump for feeding drilling fluid to the auger 9 bit at a high flow rate as well as a pump to feed such fluid at a low flow rate but at high pressure.

Certain modifications will occur to those skilled in the art and it is accordingly intended that the description herein be illustrative and not limiting except as defined in the claims appended thereto.

I claim:

1. A drilling rig comprising a mast, pivots carried by said mast at a point intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof said pivots being secured in a support whereby said mast may be rotated on said support about said pivots between vertical and horizontal positions, a hydraulic lift cylinder removably secured near the upper end of said mast unbalancing the weight of the mast about its pivots in horizontal position and means for moving said hydraulic lift cylinder upon releasing its upper position securement toward the pivotal point of said mast for lowering the center of gravity to compact the combined Weights about said pivots.

2. A drilling rig comprising a mast, pivots carried by said mast at a point intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof, said pivots being secured in a vertical support whereby said mast may be rotated on said support about said pivots between vertical and horizontal positions, a hydraulic lift cylinder removably secured near the upper end of said mast, said hydraulic cylinder having a piston slidably mounted for vertical reciprocation therein and a piston rod vertically depending from said piston, said cylinder extending a substantially great distance above said mast in vertical position unbalancing its weight in horizontal position about said pivots, means for supporting and rotating a drill stem slidably mounted for vertical movement within said mast, said means being fixed to the lower end of said piston rod for vertical reciprocation therewith said means being adapted through said piston and rod to slidably support said hydraulic cylinder, upon release of its upper position securement, in a lower compacted center of gravity position within said mast and substantially balanced about said pivots.

3. A drilling rig comprising a mast, a relatively fixed support, pivots interconnecting said mast and support about which the mast may be manually rotated between vertical and horizontal positions, a rotary table slidably secured to said mast for vertical reciprocation therein, an elongated hydraulic lift releasably secured near the upper end of said mast and extending in operative position substantially above said mast coupled to said rotary table for raising and lowering the same within said mast, said hydraulic lift being adapted upon release of its securing means to be lowered within said mast to a balanced center of gravity position about said pivots.

4. A drilling rig comprising a substantially rectangular mast, a relatively fixed support for said mast, pivots interconnecting said mast and support about which the mast may rotate between vertical and horizontal positions, a hydraulic lift comprising an elongated cylinder, a piston slidably mounted in said cylinder, an elongated piston rod depending from said piston through the bottom of said cylinder and means for supplying hydraulic power fluid to both sides of said piston to etfect reciprocation thereof within said cylinder, said cylinder being releasably fastened near its lower end to an upper portion of said mast to extend substantially above said mast and thereby unbalance the weight of the mast and hydraulic lift above said pivots, a rotary table slidably mounted between the sides of said mast fastened to the lower end of said piston rod and adapted to be raised and lowered slidably within said mast as said piston is hydraulically reciprocated, said rotary table and hydraulic lift cooperating, upon release of said cylinder fastening when the piston rod is extended whereby the rotary table is at the lower end of said mast and while passing hydraulic fluid to the underside of said piston, to hydraulically lower said elongated cylinder upon the piston to a compacted position within said mast, thereby to substantially balance the weight of said hydraulic lift, the rotary table and said mast about said pivots.

5. A portably mounted drilling rig comprising a truck, a substantially rectangular frame comprising a mast, said mast being pivotally mounted in braces supported from the after end of said truck whereby the mast may be rotated on said pivots between horizontal portable carriage position on the back of said truck and vertical earth boring position, means for securely latching said mast alternately in horizontal portable position and in vertical earth boring position, a rotary table slidably secured to said mast for vertical reciprocation therein, a hydraulic lift releasably secured near one end of said mast and coupled to said rotary table for raising and lowering the same within said mast, said hydraulic lift being adapted upon release of its securing means to be hydraulically lowered within said mast to'a lowered center of gravity position nearer said pivots.

6. A portably mounted drilling rig comprising a truck, a mast pivotally supported upon said truck for manual raising and lowering to operative vertical earth boring and horizontal folded portable positions, means for securing said mast alternately in both of said positions, said mast having a rotary table vertically slidable therein in earth boring position from approximately one end to the other, a hydraulic lift removably secured to the upper end of said mast, said hydraulic lift comprising an elongated cylinder projecting substantially above said mast when secured in vertical earth boring position, said cylinder having a piston and rod depending and extensible therefrom as said piston is reciprocated, said rod being secured to said rotary table for reciprocation thereof, means to supply hydraulic power fluid alternately to both sides of said piston to effect reciprocation thereof, said cylinder and said rotary table being sized for balance with respect to said mast whereby, upon lowering of both the rotary table and said cylinder, upon release of its securing means to said mast, to reciprocated lower position within said mast, the mast hydraulic cylinder and rotary table are substantially balanced about said pivots as a center of gravity whereby said mast is manually foldable to horizontal portable position upon said truck or raised to vertical operative earth boring position.

7. A portably mounted drilling rig comprising a truck, a mast pivotally supported upon said truck for manual raising and lowering to operative vertical earth boring and horizontally folded portable positions, said mast having a rotary table vertically slidable therein in earth boring position from approximately one end to the other, a hydraulic lift securable to one end of said mast having an elongated cylinder projecting substantially above said mast when secured in vertical earth boring position, said cylinder having a piston and piston rod depending therefrom and secured to said rotary table for reciprocation thereof, a hydraulic pump and source of power fluid therefor mounted on said truck and means for passing fluid to either side of said piston for reciprocating said hydraulic piston to raise and lower said rotary table in earth boring position, said cylinder being adapted upon release of its securement to said mast to be reciprocated upon said piston held in lower position supported by said rotary table, to an intermediate position within said mast, said intermediate position of said hydraulic cylinder as coupled to said rotary table comprising a compacted center of gravity position near said pivots, whereby said mast may be raised to vertical earth boring position and folded to horizontal portable position on said truck manually.

8. A portably mounted drilling rig comprising a vehicle, a supply tank for drilling fluid mounted on said vehicle, hydraulic pumps mounted on said vehicle having means coupled with the vehicle motor for driving said pumps, a mast pivotally supported on said vehicle for raising and lowering the same between horizontal portable position and operative vertical earth boring position,

a rotary table slidably supported within said mast having a fluid power motor coupled for rotary drive thereof in circuit with one of said hydraulic pumps, a multiunit continuous flight hollow auger drill stem coupled to the lower part of said rotary table in said mast, a hydraulic lift mounted on the upper end of said mast coupled to said rotary table for raising and lowering the same said hydraulic lift having operating elements comprising an elongated cylinder, piston in said cylinder and piston rod attached" to said piston supported from the upper end of said mast to extend when operating in vertical earth boring position a substantial distance above said mast, said hydraulic lift, rotary table and fluid power motor coupled thereto, being mounted for lowering entirely within said mast for compacting the center of gravity and balancing the mast assembly about the pivotal support of said mast for manual lowering and raising between horizontal and vertical positions, a supply tank for hydraulic fluid mounted on said vehicle, ducts leading from saidhydraulic power fluid supply tank supplying fluid to said hydraulic lift from said pumps, and means for passing fluid from said drilling fluid supply tank to said multiunit earth boring stem.

9. A portable mounted drilling rig comprising a truck, a supply tank for drilling fluid mounted on said truck, hydraulic pumps mounted on said truck having means coupled with the truck motor for driving said pumps, a mast .pivotally supported on said truck for raising and lowering the same between horizontal portable position and operative vertical earth boring position, a rotary table, slidably supported within said mast having a fluid power motor coupled thereto for rotary drive thereof in circuit with one of said hydraulic pumps, means for coupling a tubular multiunit drill stem to the lower part of said rotary table in said mast, a hydraulic lift mounted near the upper end of said mast coupled to said rotary table for raising and lowering the same, ducts supplying fluid to said hydraulic lift from one said pumps, and means forpassing fluid from said drilling fluid supply tank to said multiunit earth boring stern, said hydraulic cylinder being slidably secured to said mast whereby it may be slidably lowered from its mounting near the end of the mast to a compacted center of gravity position within said mast with respect to said pivots to allow manualimovement of said mast for balanced rotation between horizontal and vertical positions.

10. In a drilling rig a mast, a multiunit continuous flight tubular auger drill stem vertically supported therefrom in earth boring positionextending a substantial distance into the earth for boring thereof combined with means for supplying a drilling fluid to said continuous flight tubular auger drill stem, said means for supplying drilling fluid comprising a pair of hydraulic pumps in circuit to draw drilling fluid from a supply source thereof and pass the same to said continuous flight tubular auger drill stern, said pumps comprising a high pressure low fluid volume pump and a low pressure high fluid volume pump interconnected by multiway valves whereby a small quantity of fluid under high pressure may be passed to said drill stem or a large quantity of fluid under low pressure may be supplied to said drill stern alternately.

11. The combination defined in claim wherein the drill stem is a tubular multiunit auger bit, the high and low pressure pumps are portably mounted upon a vehicle and derive their power from the vehicle engine for rotation thereof, the drilling rig is pivotally mounted upon said vehicle for raising to vertical earth boring position and lowering to horizontal portable position and the source of drilling fluid is a tank carried by said vehicle.

12. A drilling rig comprising a mast, a hydraulic lift comprising an elongated cylinder having the bottom thereof removably fastened near the top of said mast whereby in working position said cylinder extends substantially, above said mast to greatly increase the height thereof, a piston having a rod dependent therefrom mounted within said cylinder for hydraulic reciprocation through the length thereof, a rotary table connected to said piston rod mounted for vertical reciprocation within said mast whereby upon release of the fastening of said cylinder to said mast, with said table in its lower reciprocated position, said cylinder may be hydraulically lowered within said mast.

13. A portably mounted earth boring rig comprising in combination a motor driven vehicle, a pivotally mounted drilling mast horizontally foldable thereon and vertically erectable from the body of said vehicle at a drilling site to earth boring position, a hydraulic motor coupled to a rotary table mounted for vertical traverse within said must in vertical earth boring position, a hydraulic cylinder carried by said mast adapted as a hydraulic lift for raising and lowering said rotary table in earth boring operations, independent sources of drilling fluid and hydraulic power fluid carried by said vehicle, a multiunit tubular auger type earth boring stem mountable to said rotary table in vertical earth boring position, duct means, and a hydraulic motor driven pump in circuit therein interconnecting said source of drilling fluid with said tubular drilling stem, independent duct means interconnecting said supply of power fluid to said hydraulic lift and to said hydraulic motor for rotation of said rotary table, a pair of fluid power hydraulic pumps coupled for rotary drive thereof to said vehicle engine, one of said fluid power hydraulic pumps being in circuit with said hydraulic lift cylinder and with said hydraulic motor on said rotary table for supply of power fluid to each for hydraulic actuation thereof, and the second said fluid power hydraulic pump being in circuit with the hydraulic motor drive for the pumping means in said drilling fluid circuit for hydraulic actuation thereof.

14. Drilling rig comprising a base, a mast vertically supported upon said base, means within said mast for supporting and rotating a drilling stem in vertical position, said supporting means comprising an elongated hydraulic lift extending vertically above said mast for raising and lowering said rotating means within said mast and means for lowering said extended hydraulic lift from its secured position above said mast to a compacted position within said mast.

15. A drilling rig comprising a base, a mast vertically supported upon said base, hydraulic power means mounted upon said base near said mast, a hydraulic lift mounted upon said mast near the top thereof, a hydraulic actuated rotary table connected to said hydraulic lift for vertical reciprocation within said mast, hydraulic conduits connecting said hydraulic power means to said hydraulic lift and to said hydraulic rotary table actuating means, said hydraulic lift being releasably fixed to said mast whereby in fixed position the hydraulic power ap plied to said hydraulic lift raises and lowers said rotary table, and in released position on said mast, the hydraulic power applied to said hydraulic lift raises and lowers the same to and from said fixed position upon said mast.

16. A drilling rig comprising a base, a mast vertically supported upon said base, power means mounted upon said base near said mast, a hydraulic lift mounted upon said mast near the top thereof, a hydraulic actuated rotary table connected to said hydraulic lift for vertical reciprocation within said mast, hydraulic conduits connecting said hydraulic power means to said hydraulic lift and to said hydraulic rotary table actuating means, hydraulic pumping means on said base actuated by said power means in circuit to pass hydraulic power fluid through said conduits, said hydraulic lift being releasably fixed to said mast whereby in fixed position the hydraulic power applied to said hydraulic lift raises and lowers said rotary table, and in released position on said mast, the hydraulic power applied to said hydraulic lift raises and lowers the same to and from said fixed position upon i m st.

17. A drilling rig comprising a mast, a relatively fixed support, pivots interconnecting said mast and support, about which the mast including associated parts may be manually rotated between vertical and horizontal positions when balanced about said pivot, a rotary table slidably secured to said mast for reciprocation therein, an elongated hydraulic lift secured near the upper end of said mast coupled to said rotary table for raising and lowering the same within said mast, said hydraulic lift and rotary table being weighted with respect to said mast whereby upon lowering within said mast a balanced center of gravity position about said pivots is effected.

18. A drilling rig including a support, a mast comprising vertical legs pivoted to said support to swing between vertical and horizontal positions, transverse spacing means fixed to the tops of said legs, a rotary table, means on the mast on which the table is guided in vertical movement, hydraulic means connected to the table for raising and lowering the same, said hydraulic means comprising a cylinder, a piston and piston rod, means connecting said piston rod to the table, said connecting means passing vertically adjacent said transverse spacing means and means for supplying fluid under pressure to the cylinder to raise and lower the piston and rotary table.

19. Drilling rig as defined in claim 14, wherein the mast carries pivots at points intermediate to the ends thereof for support and pivotal movement of said mast between horizontal and vertical positions.

20. The combination of a vehicle comprising a motor, an operating cab at the forward end thereof and a body extending to the rear thereof, and a drilling rig pivotally mounted to a relatively fixed support mounted on the rear end of said vehicle body, said mast comprising a substantially rectangular frame work secured by pivots at an intermediate point thereof to said fixed support to extend from a point behind said vehicle cab at the upper mast end to a point to the rear of said fixed support in balanced horizontal portable position, whereby on rotation of said mast to vertical earth boring position about said pivots, the portion of the mast extending to the rear of said vehicle is secured by said pivots and fixed support from said vehicle body a short distance above the ground and behind said vehicle, a rotary table mounted for vertical reciprocation within said mast for supporting, raising, lowering and for rotating a drill stem in vertical earth boring position, a hydraulic lift comprising an elongated cylinder, piston and piston rod attached to said piston reciprocable within said cylinder mounted to the top of said mast, said piston rod being coupled to said rotary table for raising and lowering the same, said hydraulic lift in operation extending vertically a substantial distance above said mast, said hydraulic lift and rotary table being weighted with respect to said mast whereby upon reciprocation of said piston within said cylinder and lowering of said rotary table below said pivot position Within said mast, the mast assembly becomes compacted and balanced about said pivots allowing manual rotation of said mast assembly between horizontal portable position and vertical earth boring position.

21. A drilling rig comprising a mast, a relatively fixed support for said mast, pivots interconnecting said mast at an intermediate point thereof to said support about which the mast may be rotated manually from vertical to horizontal positions, a rotary table mounted for reciprocation within said mast, means for reciprocating said rotary table within said mast between positions above and below said pivots, said reciprocating means comprising an elongated cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, a piston rod attached to said piston at one end and to said rotary table at the other end of said rod, said cylinder being mounted near one end thereof to the top of said mast with at least part of the assembled reciprocating means elements extending substantially above said mast in vertical operating position, said reciprocating means and rotary table attached thereto being weighted with respect to said mast whereby upon lowering said rotary table to substantially the lower end of said mast and hydraulically retracting the elements of said reciprocating means which extend above the mast substantially entirely within the mast, the assembly comprising the mast, reciprocating means and rotary table becomes balanced about said pivots for manual rotation between horizontal and vertical positions.

22. A portable drilling rig comprising a vehicle and motor drive therefor, a supply tank for drilling fluid on said vehicle, a supply tank for hydraulic power fluid on said vehicle, hydraulic pumps on said vehicle having conpling means with said vehicle motor for driving said pumps, an elongated drilling rig mast, a fixed support for said mast on said vehicle, pivots interconnecting an intermediate portion of said mast and fixed support whereby said mast may be lowered to horizontal portable position and raised to relatively vertical earth boring position about said pivots, a rotary table and fluid power motor coupled for rotary drive of said table supported for reciprocation within said mast, a hollow tubular continuous flight multi-unit auger drill stem coupled for rotation to a lower side of'said rotary table, a hydraulic lift coupled to said rotary table and mast for raising and lowering the table, and fluid power motor and drill stern when coupled thereto in earth boring operation, duct means interconnecting said hydraulic fluid supply tank with a hydraulic pump and with the hydraulic lift, duct means interconnecting said hydraulic fluid supply tank with a hydraulic pump and with the fluid power motor, duct means interconnecting the drilling fluid supply tank with at least one hydraulic pump and with the hollow tubular anger in coupled position to said rotary table, said hydraulic lift comprising operating elements including an elongated cylinder, a piston in said cylinder and a piston rod coupling said cylinder to said rotary table, said cylinder being attached to the upper end of the mast supporting at least a part of the operating elements of the hydraulic lift assembly to extend a substantial distance above said mast in vertical earth boring operating position, said rotary table, fluid power motor and hydraulic lift assembly, after uncoupling from said drill stem, being weighted with respect to said mast whereby upon lowering said rotary table to substantially the lower end of said mast and hydraulically retracting operating elements of said hydraulic lift which extend above the mast substantially entirely within said mast, the assembly comprising the mast, the rotary table, fluid power motor and the hydraulic lift becomes balanced about said pivots for manual rotation of said mast between horizontal and vertical positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,412,069 Stevenson Apr. 11, 1922 1,846,177 Bascom et a1. Feb. 23, 1932 2,200,075 Caldwell May 7, 1940 2,210,296 Kittrell et al. 1- Aug. 6, 1940 2,440,060 Page Apr. 20, 1948 2,516,182 Bury July 25, 1950 2,594,098 Vanderzee Apr. 22, 1952 2,610,031 Bradley Sept. 9, 1952