WO2022038470A1 - Ensemble raccord pour appareil de forage - Google Patents

Ensemble raccord pour appareil de forage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022038470A1
WO2022038470A1 PCT/IB2021/057459 IB2021057459W WO2022038470A1 WO 2022038470 A1 WO2022038470 A1 WO 2022038470A1 IB 2021057459 W IB2021057459 W IB 2021057459W WO 2022038470 A1 WO2022038470 A1 WO 2022038470A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
drive
carrier structure
connector assembly
formation
connector
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2021/057459
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Juan GOUWS
Original Assignee
Mammoth Plant And Equipment Proprietary Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mammoth Plant And Equipment Proprietary Limited filed Critical Mammoth Plant And Equipment Proprietary Limited
Publication of WO2022038470A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022038470A1/fr
Priority to ZA2022/13324A priority Critical patent/ZA202213324B/en

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/02—Couplings; joints
    • E21B17/03—Couplings; joints between drilling rod or pipe and drill motor or surface drive, e.g. between drilling rod and hammer
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/02—Couplings; joints

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a connector assembly for use with a drilling apparatus.
  • the drill pipe segments and the output of the drill motor conventionally define complementary thread formations whereby they are releasably connected in line with one another, the segments generally defining a passage therethrough through which a cooling fluid under pressure, such as compressed air or liquid, can be conveyed to the working end of the drill pipe, for cooling purposes during drilling and/or for displacing dust particles formed as a result of drilling, commonly referred to as chippings, from a hole being drilled.
  • the cooling fluid exits via holes in the drill bit and travels up an annular space defined between the drill pipe and the wall of a hole being drilled by the drill bit. In this manner, chippings are conveyed by the cooling fluid upwardly and out of the hole.
  • a connector assembly that serves as a shock absorbing assembly, acts between the drill pipe and the output of the drill motor, the present invention relating specifically to such a connector assembly.
  • a known connector assembly providing for shock absorption is disclosed in the applicant’s South African Patent Application ZA2013/08143 includes an input connector unit connectable to the output of a drill motor of a drilling apparatus and an output connector unit connectable to a drill pipe string.
  • the input connector unit includes a number of circumferentially spaced downwardly extending drive bodies and the output connector unit includes a number of circumferentially spaced upwardly extending driven bodies.
  • the driven bodies are located in spaces defined between the drive bodies in an arrangement wherein torque exerted by the drill motor is transmitted to the drill string via rotational engagement of the drive bodies with the driven bodies.
  • a chamber defined between the input and output connector units is filled with a settable resiliently deformable material providing for absorption of shock forces between the input and output connector units during a drilling operation.
  • the input and output connector units have threaded spigot and socket connector formations respectively, for connection with the drill motor and a drill pipe of a drill string, respectively.
  • the damage occurs when an operator lowers the connector assembly onto the uppermost drill pipe of the drill string, too quickly.
  • the impact forces are known to cause damage to the threads of the connector formations of the relevant drill pipe of the drill string and the output connector unit of the connector assembly, often resulting in a need to repair or replace damaged components and consequently downtime of the drilling apparatus.
  • a connector assembly for use with a drilling apparatus for connecting a drill motor of the drilling apparatus to a drill pipe
  • the connector assembly including: a top drive unit including: a) an upper carrier structure and an input shaft which is fixedly connected to the upper carrier structure, the upper carrier structure including at least one drive formation, the input shaft having an open upper end and an open lower end and an internal passageway extending between the upper and lower ends, the upper end of the input shaft having a connector formation which is connectable to a power output of the drill motor of the drilling apparatus; b) a lower carrier structure which includes at least one driven formation which is arranged for engagement by the drive formation of the upper carrier structure for transmitting torque applied to the upper carrier structure by the drill motor to the lower carrier structure; an open-ended central conduit segment which is fixedly connected to the lower carrier structure and which defines an internal passageway which is aligned with the internal passageway of the input shaft of the upper carrier structure; and a lower drive assembly comprising a number of circumferentially-spaced, downwardly-extending drive
  • the connector formation of the input shaft may comprise an externally-threaded spigot for screw-threaded engagement with a complementary internally-threaded socket of the power output of the drill motor.
  • the at least one driven formation of the lower carrier structure may comprise a number of circumferentially-spaced driven bodies which extend upwardly from the lower carrier plate, the driven bodies being located in spaces defined between the drive bodies of the upper carrier structure in an arrangement wherein torque applied to the upper carrier structure by the drill motor is transmitted to the lower carrier structure via rotational engagement of the driven bodies by the drive bodies.
  • the top drive unit may include a top cover extending between the upper carrier plate and the lower carrier plate, the upper and lower carrier plates and the top cover defining an internal chamber within which the drive bodies and the driven bodies are housed.
  • the shock absorbing formation may be in the form of a shock absorbing body which is formed within the internal chamber by filling the internal chamber with a settable shock absorbing material while in a flowable form and allowing the shock absorbing material to set and cure within the internal chamber, the shock absorbing body acting between the drive bodies and the driven bodies for absorbing rotational shocks acting between the drive bodies and the driven bodies during use of the drilling apparatus.
  • the connector formation of the output shaft of the lower floating connector assembly may comprise an internally threaded socket for screw-threaded engagement with a complementary externally-threaded spigot of the drill pipe.
  • the driven member may comprise a flange plate defining the guide apertures.
  • the flange plate may define a central aperture within which the output shaft is fixedly located.
  • An upper end of the output shaft may be slidably displaceable relative to a lower end region of the central conduit segment of the lower carrier structure. More specifically, the lower end region of the central conduit segment may be slidably received within the internal passageway at an upper region of the output shaft.
  • Figure 2 shows a sectional three-dimensional view of the connector assembly of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 shows an exploded three-dimensional view of the connector assembly of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 shows an exploded sectional side view of the connector assembly of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 5 shows a sectional side view of the connector assembly of Figure 1 , in a first mode of operation of the connector assembly, wherein the lower floating connector is in a raised position;
  • Figure 6 shows a sectional side view of the connector assembly of Figure 1 , in a second mode of operation of the connector assembly, wherein the lower floating connector unit is in a lowered position;
  • Figure 7 shows a sectional plan view of the connector assembly of Figure 1 , sectioned along section line VII-VII of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 8 shows a sectional plan view of the connector assembly of Figure 1 , sectioned along section line VIII-VIII of Figure 1 ;
  • Figures 9A-9C show sectional side views of the connector assembly of Figure 1 and a fragmentary upper end region of a drill pipe of a drill string, illustrating, in sequence, the manner in which the drill pipe is connected to the connector assembly and showing the modes of operation of the lower floating connector unit;
  • Figure 10 shows an exploded three-dimensional view of a second embodiment of a connector assembly in accordance with the invention.
  • Figure 11 shows an exploded sectional side view of the connector assembly of Figure 10
  • Figure 12 shows a sectional side view of the connector assembly of Figure 10, in a first mode of operation of the connector assembly, wherein the lower floating connector is in a raised position
  • Figure 13 shows a sectional plan view of the connector assembly of Figure 10, sectioned along section line XIII - XIII of Figure 12.
  • a first embodiment of a connector assembly in accordance with the invention for use with a drilling apparatus used for drilling holes in a rock substrate, for connecting a drill motor of the drilling apparatus to a drill pipe of a drill string, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.
  • the connector assembly 10 comprises, broadly, a top drive unit 12 and a lower floating connector unit 14.
  • the top drive unit 12 is of a steel construction and includes an upper carrier structure including an upper carrier plate 16 having a central aperture 18 and an input shaft 20 which is located within the central aperture of the upper carrier plate and welded thereto.
  • the upper carrier structure includes four circumferentially-spaced drive bodies 22 which extend downwardly from the upper carrier plate 16.
  • the input shaft 20 has an open upper end 24 and an open lower end 26 and an internal passageway 28 extending between the upper and lower ends.
  • An upper end region of the input shaft 20 which projects above the upper carrier plate 16 has a connector formation in the form of an externally-threaded spigot 30 for screw-threaded engagement with a complementary internally-threaded socket of a power output shaft of the drill motor of the drilling apparatus.
  • the top drive unit 12 further includes a lower carrier structure including a lower carrier plate 32 which defines a central aperture 34 and four circumferentially-spaced holes 35.
  • the lower carrier structure includes four circumferentially-spaced driven bodies 36 which extend upwardly from the lower carrier plate and which are located in spaces defined between the drive bodies 22 of the upper carrier structure in an arrangement wherein torque applied to the upper carrier structure by the drill motor is transmitted to the lower carrier structure via rotational engagement of the driven bodies by the drive bodies.
  • the lower carrier structure includes an open-ended central conduit segment 38 which is located within the central aperture 34 of the lower carrier plate 32 and welded thereto.
  • the central conduit segment 38 defines an internal passageway 40 which is aligned with the internal passageway 28 of the input shaft of the upper carrier structure.
  • the lower carrier structure further includes a lower drive assembly comprising four circumferentially-spaced downwardly-extending drive rods 42 which are located in the holes 35 provided therefor in the lower carrier plate 32 and welded thereto.
  • An O-ring seal 44 and a sealing sleeve 46 are located between the input shaft 20 and the central conduit segment 38 providing a fluid-tight sealing system between the input shaft and the central conduit segment.
  • the top drive unit 12 incudes an outer cylindrical cover 48 which extends between and is welded to the upper carrier plate 16 and the lower carrier plate 32.
  • the upper and lower carrier plates and the cover define an internal chamber 50 within which the drive bodies 22 and the driven bodies 36 are housed.
  • a lock ring 49 is provided which locks the upper carrier plate 16 in position.
  • the lower floating connector unit 14 is of a steel construction and is configured for connection with an externally-threaded spigot 60 of a drill pipe 62 of a drill string.
  • the lower floating connector unit 14 includes a driven member in the form of a flange plate 64 defining four guide apertures in the form of round guide holes 66 within which the drive rods 42 of the top drive unit, are slidably received in an arrangement wherein torque transmitted to the lower drive assembly of the top drive unit is transmitted to the flange plate 64 while allowing for sliding displacement of the drive rods within the guide apertures of the flange plate.
  • the driven member includes an output shaft 68 which is integrally formed with the flange plate and which defines an internal passageway 70 which is aligned with the internal passageway 40 of the central conduit segment 38 of the lower carrier structure. More specifically, a lower end region of the central conduit segment is slidably received within the internal passageway 70 at an upper region of the output shaft 68. O-ring seals 72 provide fluid-tight seals acting between the output shaft and the central conduit segment.
  • the output shaft has a threaded socket 74 within which the externally-threaded spigot 60 of the drill pipe 62 is screw-threadingly received for connecting the drill string to the connector assembly.
  • the lower floating connecting unit 14 includes a lower cover 76 defining a central aperture through which the output shaft 68 extends, the lower cover extending upwardly to the lower carrier plate 32 of the top drive unit where it is welded to the lower cover plate.
  • the lower cover 76 forms a housing around a lower end region of the central conduit segment, the flange plate 64 and the drive rods 42.
  • a bottom ring 78 is provided which closes off a space between the output shaft 68 and a lower end of the lower cover plate 76.
  • Figure 5 shows the lower floating connector unit 14 in a raised position
  • Figure 6 shows the lower floating connector unit in a lowered position.
  • the lower floating connector unit Prior to the connector assembly contacting the drill pipe, the lower floating connector unit is in a lowered position.
  • the operator of the drilling rig lowers the connector assembly onto the drill pipe while rotating the connector assembly.
  • Impact forces upon contact with the drill pipe are attenuated by upward displacement of the lower floating connector unit relative to the top drive unit when contact is made with the drill pipe as is illustrated in Figure 9B.
  • the lower floating connector unit returns to its lowered position after threaded connection between the connector assembly and the drill pipe has been completed.
  • the floating ability of the lower floating connector unit absorbs impact due to contact between the connector assembly and the drill pipe thereby reducing damage to the threads of both the output shaft of the connector assembly and the drill pipe.
  • the guide slots 166 are in the form of radially-extending cut-outs in the flange plate which are open at a peripheral outer edge of the flange plate.
  • the drive rods 42 of the connector assembly 100 are slidably received within the guide slots 166.
  • those features of the connector assembly 100 which are the same as and/or similar to those of the connector assembly 10 are designated in Figures 10 - 13 by the same and/or similar reference numerals.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Drilling And Boring (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)

Abstract

Un ensemble raccord pour un appareil de forage destiné à raccorder un moteur de forage à un tube de forage comprend une unité d'entraînement supérieure pouvant être raccordée au moteur de forage et une unité de raccord flottante inférieure pouvant être raccordée à un tube de forage. L'unité d'entraînement supérieure comprend des structures de support supérieure et inférieure comprenant des corps d'entraînement et des corps entraînés espacés, respectivement, le couple appliqué par le moteur de forage étant transmis à la structure de support inférieure par l'intermédiaire d'une mise en prise rotative des corps entraînés et d'entraînement. Un matériau amortisseur est situé entre les corps d'entraînement et les corps entraînés pour absorber les chocs agissant entre eux. La structure de support inférieure comprend en outre des tiges d'entraînement espacées s'étendant vers le bas reçues coulissantes dans des trous de guidage dans la plaque de bride pour transmettre un couple à la plaque de bride tout en permettant un mouvement à l'intérieur des trous de guidage, ce qui permet d'atténuer les forces d'impact lors du raccordement de l'unité de raccord flottante à un tube de forage.
PCT/IB2021/057459 2020-08-17 2021-08-13 Ensemble raccord pour appareil de forage WO2022038470A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA2022/13324A ZA202213324B (en) 2020-08-17 2022-12-08 A connector assembly for a drilling apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA202005061 2020-08-17
ZA2020/05061 2020-08-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2022038470A1 true WO2022038470A1 (fr) 2022-02-24

Family

ID=80323451

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2021/057459 WO2022038470A1 (fr) 2020-08-17 2021-08-13 Ensemble raccord pour appareil de forage

Country Status (2)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2022038470A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA202213324B (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3746330A (en) * 1971-10-28 1973-07-17 W Taciuk Drill stem shock absorber
US4109488A (en) * 1976-11-22 1978-08-29 Bj-Hughes Inc. Shock absorbing rotary drive coupling
US6332841B1 (en) * 1997-09-25 2001-12-25 Foremost Industries, Inc. Floating cushion sub
US20110294583A1 (en) * 2008-05-05 2011-12-01 Montrae Mining Pty. Ltd. Drilling apparatus
US20200131859A1 (en) * 2017-02-07 2020-04-30 Petrus Christiaan Gouws Connector assembly for a drilling apparatus

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3746330A (en) * 1971-10-28 1973-07-17 W Taciuk Drill stem shock absorber
US4109488A (en) * 1976-11-22 1978-08-29 Bj-Hughes Inc. Shock absorbing rotary drive coupling
US6332841B1 (en) * 1997-09-25 2001-12-25 Foremost Industries, Inc. Floating cushion sub
US20110294583A1 (en) * 2008-05-05 2011-12-01 Montrae Mining Pty. Ltd. Drilling apparatus
US20200131859A1 (en) * 2017-02-07 2020-04-30 Petrus Christiaan Gouws Connector assembly for a drilling apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ZA202213324B (en) 2023-10-25

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