US3215214A - Drilling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 2, 1965 M. R. CARO DRILLING APPARATUS /A/VENTOR MICHAEL R C/mo ATTORNEYS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 6, 1962 Nov. 2, 1965 M. R. cARo 3,215,214

DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 //VVE/VTOR MICHAEL R CARD ATTOR/VA-"YS Nov. 2, 1965 M. R. CARO DRILLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 6, 1962 //VV/V7'0R MICHAEL R Ca o By Nov. 2, 1965 M. R. CARO 3,215,214

DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ILL. /91 q Wuuummm Tn /A/I/A/7'0/? M/ c HAEL. P- 6/3/90 United States Patent 3,215,214 DRILLING APPARATUS Michael R. Caro, 32200 Seneca St., Hayward, Calif. Filed Aug. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 215,000 4 Claims. (Cl. 175319) This invention relates generally to apparatus for drilling through rock and earth, and more particularly is directed towards a drilling head providing compound rotary movement to cutting tools mounted thereon.

A main object of the present invention is to provide novel and improved drilling apparatus having cutting tools operated with compound rotary movement for increasing the efficiency and speed of drilling operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide drilling apparatus of the character described suitable for reaming in addition to boring operations, and which is thus adapted for forming holes of a relatively large diameter.

A further object is to provide apparatus of the character described having retractable reaming cutters for easy withdrawal of the drilling head from the bore.

Still another object is to provide apparatus of the character described having chain mounted cutting tools for reducing the need for repair and replacement of the cutters.

An even further object is to provide drilling apparatus of the character described suitable for withdrawing core samples.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

FIGURE 1 is an elevation view of a drill head assembly comprising a preferred embodiment of the invention, and shows the assembly boring vertically into the earth.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along theplane 33 shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the retractable cutters of the present invention, and which are also shown in FIGURE 1 as a part of the assembly therein;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along the plane 5-5 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken alongplane 66 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane 7-7 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is a side view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein cutting tools are mounted on a sprocket driven chain;

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along theplane 99 in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is across-sectional view taken along plane 1010 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional side view of another alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional side view of a further alternative embodiment of the invention which is particularly suitable for reaming operations; and

FIGURE 13 illustrates still another alternative embodiment of the invention suitable for extracting core samples.

Referring now to the drawings, and to FIGURE 1 in particular, there is shown a drill assembly 11 secured to 3,215,214 Patented Nov. 2, 1965 the lower end of a rotationally fixeddrill stem 12 and disposed in abore 13 being drilled into theearth 14. Amotor 16 is mounted on thestem 12 and connected to the assembly 11 for operation thereof in the manner to be described. In broad terms, the assembly 11 includes amain housing 17 which is coupled to themotor 16 throughplanetary gearing 18 and is adapted for rotation within the bore. A plurality ofsuitable cutting tools 19 are mounted on the housing for rotation therewith, and, as will become evident, are adapted for powered rotation relative to the housing. Thus it will become apparent that thecutting tools 19 are provided with a compound rotary movement for increasing the speed and efiiciency of drilling operations in accord with the foregoing objects of the present invention. It is noted that expandableflexible balloons 21 or the like may be disposed within thebore 13 adjacent thedrill stem 12 for stabilization and guidance thereof as the drill descends within the bore.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 2 and 3 wherein is shown adrill head 22 which is depicted in FIGURE 1 as the lowermost portion of the assembly 11. In some detail now, the assembly includes amain shaft 23 which is coupled directly to themotor 16 for powered rotation. A generallytubular housing 24 is rotatably mounted on theshaft 23 concentrically therewith and coupled thereto through theplanetary gearing 18 for opposed rotation relative to theshaft 23. More particularly, theplanetary gearing 18 is seen to include asun gear 26 rigidly secured on theshaft 23 for rotation therewith. Aring gear 27 extends inwardly from the housing wall 28 and engages a plurality ofplanet gears 29 which engage and are actuated by thesun gear 26. The foregoing structure adapts theshaft 23 for rotation in one direction while driving thehousing 24 in the opposite direction.

A plurality of rotary cutting tools orcutters 19 are mounted on the housing for rotation therewith and relative thereto. More specifically, each cutting tool is mounted on acutter shaft 31 journalled for rotation in thebearings 32 and disposed along an axis extending radially relative to themain shaft 23. Aspur gear 33 is secured adjacent the end of theshaft 31 proximate themain shaft 23 and engages adrive gear 34 rigidly Secured on theshaft 23 for rotation therewith. The rotation of themain shaft 23 relative to thehousing 24 thus causes rotation of thecutters 19 relative to the housing. As is shown in FIGURE 3, thecutters 19 are preferably spaced circumferentially around the housing, each being similarly rotated relative to the housing through thegears 33 and 34.

In order to form a generally enlarged bore, it is preferable that thedrill head 22 bearranged in axially spaced sets of circumferentially disposedcutters 19, with each set being progressively spaced radially outwardly relative to the adjacent set nearest the end of the drill. More specifically, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, there are providedsets 36, 37, 38 and 39 of thecutters 19. Theset 37 is seen to be spaced radially outwardly relative to theset 36, which is closest to the lower end of the drill head. Theset 38 is similarly spaced relative to: theset 37, and likewise with theset 39. To accomplish the foregoing disposition of the cutters '19, thehousing 24 is provided with a centraltubular wall 41 in which thebearings 32 are disposed for mounting of thecutter shafts 31. Anouter housing wall 42 is spaced radially from theinner wall 41 and includes axially spaced steppedportions 43 joined by radially disposedannular portions 44. Thebearings 32 are mounted on thestepped portions 43 and the sets ofcutters 19 are each disposed respectively around one of the stepped portions. Thus the radial disposition of each set of cutters is seen to correspond to the radial spacing of thestepped portions 43. It will be appreciated that any number of sets of cutters may be utilized in the foregoing manner. Furthermore a centrally disposedboring drill bit 45 is preferably secured adjacent the lower end of theshaft 23.

In order that particles of earth cut away by the instant drilling apparatus be carried out of thebore 13suitable channels 46 are provided in thehousing 24 for discharging a fluid from the drill head adjacent thecutters 19, this technique being generally well known in the art. Suitable means for transporting the fluid (not shown) are brought down into the bore along with thestem 12 and are coupled to thechannels 46 in thehousing 24.

Another important feature of the present invention relates to aretractable cutter assembly 47 shown in detail in FIGURES 4 and 5. Theassembly 47, which serves primarily as a reamer for enlarging the bore, may be mounted on top of thedrill head 22 as shown in FIGURE 1.Cutters 19 similar to that of the previously describeddrill head 22 are provided with theassembly 47 but are retractable to a position as illustrated in FIGURE 1 for withdrawal of the drill assembly 11 from thebore 13. Theassembly 47 includes a generallytubular housing 48 which is rotatably mounted on acentral shaft 49. When used in combination with thedrill head 22 as shown in FIGURE 1 thehousing 48 is rigidly secured to thehousing 24 to form a substantially integral part thereof. Similarly, theshaft 49 links directly with theshaft 23 to form in effect a single integral shaft driven by themotor 16. In FIGURE 2 the housing wall 28 andshaft 23 proximate theplanetary gearing 18 are shown broken away from the lower portion of thedrill head 22. Accordingly, thehousing 48 andshaft 49 of theretractable cutter assembly 47 can be disposed intermediate theplanetary gearing 18 anddrill head 22 forming a I substantially integral part of the latter whereby the planetary gearing serves to create rotation of thehousing 48 oppositely of theshaft 49.

As regards the detailed structure of theassembly 47, it is seen that thecutters 19 are connected to pinions 33 which engage drive gears 34 secured to themain shaft 49, in generally the same manner as withdrill head 22. However, ashaft 51 extending radially from thepinion 33 has atubular sleeve 52 mounted concentrically thereon and adapted to move axially relative thereto. As shown in FIGURE 6 theshaft 51 is preferably of generally rectangular cross-section, and thesleeve 52 has its inner walls of complimentary rectangular configuration where by the shank is in effect keyed to theshaft 51 to rotate therewith. Thecutter 19 is connected to thesleeve 52 and thus rotates in accordance with thepinion 33 but is adapted to move radially relative to the housing as thesleeve 52 moves axially on theshaft 51. A pair of spaced confrontingcollars 53 are rotatably mounted around theshank 52, which has a circular periphery as shown in FIGURE 6, and are retained from axial movement relative to the sleeve by axially spacedannular ridges 54 extending radially outwardly on the sleeve. Anactuating arm 56 is pivotally secured to thehousing 48 and adapted to move in a plane parallel to the axes of theshafts 49 and 51, thearm 56 having an aperture 57 through which passes thesleeve 52. By having thearm 56 disposed intermediate the spacedcollars 53 pivotal movement of the arm imparts an axial movement to thesleeve 52 relative to theshaft 51, inasmuch as the collars are restrained by theridges 54 from axial movement on the sleeve. Thus the actuating arm is seen to provide means for imparting radial movement to thecutters 19 relative to thehousing 48.

Means for moving theactuating arm 56 include a plate 58 mounted on theshaft 49 for axial movement on a threadedportion 59 thereof. The plate 58 is restrained from rotation relative to thehousing 48 so that when engaging the threadedshaft portion 59 the rotation of theshaft 49 causes the plate 58 to move axially thereon. The

periphery of theplate 48 abuts radially against the inclined actuating arm, as shown in FIGURE 4, and downward movement of the plate forces the arm radially outwardly, which moves thecutters 19 accordingly. Preferably a plurality ofcutters 19 andarms 56 are disposed around theassembly 47, for example in the quadrant positions shown in FIGURE 5. Radially extending ridges 61 are provided on the plate 58, as shown in FIGURE 7, which extend intermediate thearms 56 whereby the plate is restrained from rotational movement relative to thehousing 48, as noted above, but is adapted to move axially relative thereto.

It will be appreciated that once thecutters 19 of theassembly 47 are in either their fully extended or fully retracted position the plate 58 must be adapted to remain axially stationary relative to theshaft 49. Accordingly, radially extendingannular flanges 62 are disposed on theshaft 49 adjacent each end of the threadedportion 59 and spaced therefrom to define unthreadedshaft portions 63. When the plate 58 has moved axially along theportion 59 from one end thereof to the other it then becomes disposed 'on one of theportions 63 about which it may rotate freely without stripping the threads. Spring means 64 are provided adjacent eachflange 62 for urging the plate 58 on to the threadedportion 59. However, notwithstanding the spring means 64, once the plate has moved axially along theportions 59 to become disposed on aportion 63, the plate cannot move back into threaded relationship with theportion 59 because of the direction of relative rotation thereof. When the direction of shaft rotation is reversed relative to the housing, as for example when the drill is to be removed from the hole, the plate 58 is urged back on to the threadedportion 59 and moves axially to the other end thereof where it again becomes disposed on theportion 63 until further reversal of shaft rotation.

Tension spring means 66 are connected between thecutter shafts 51 and thecutters 19 to urge the cutters into a retracted position when the member 58 is moved upwardly on theshaft 49. Further compression spring means 67 may also be provided to urge the actuating arms into their retracted position and assist the operation of the spring means 66.

An alternative embodiment of the invention having chain mounted cutting tools is shown in FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings. In this embodiment ashaft 68 has ahousing 69 rotatably mounted thereon similar to thedrill head 22, and planetary gearing (not shown) is likewise utilized to effect contra rotation of the shaft and housing. Adrive gear 71 is secured on theshaft 68 and engagespinions 72 which are connected toshafts 73 journalled in thehousing 69. Thehousing 69 is seen to include aninner wall 74 and a spacedouter wall 76 with theshafts 73 extending therebetween. A first drive sprocket 77 is mounted onshaft 73 for rotation therewith and is adapted to drive achain 78. Acutter sprocket 79 is disposed adjacent the lower end of the housing and mounted on astub shaft 81 journalled in thehousing 69. Thesprocket 79 is adapted to be driven by thechain 78, which engages the drive sprocket 77 as well as athird idler sprocket 82 mounted on astub shaft 85. By mounting a plurality of spacedcutting tools 83 along thechain 78 the instant embodiment of the invention is adapted for boring and reaming operations with the cutters having a compound rotary movement in the manner of the invention. By having a plurality of cutters along a relatively large chain in the foregoing manner the need for replacement or repair of the cutters is greatly reduced.

To provide for drilling of larger holes asecond cutting chain 84 similar to thechain 78 is spaced outwardly therefrom. As best seen in FIGURES 9 and 10 asecond drive sprocket 86 is mounted on theshaft 73 and spaced outwardly from the sprocket 77. A cuttingsprocket 87 of substantially the same diameter as thesprocket 79 is mounted adjacent thesprocket 79 on astub shaft 88 and spaced therefrom. Thesprocket 87, however, is disposed axially upwardly relative to thesprocket 79 whereby thechains 78 and 84 operate to cut into the earth to form a progressively larger hole in much the same manner as do thecutters 19 of the assembly 11. Thechain 84 similarly engages athird idler sprocket 89 mounted on theshaft 85. It is preferred thatsimilar cutting chains 78 and 84 be mounted on the diametrically opposed side of thehousing 69 as appears in FIG-URE 10.

Another alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGURE 11 and is seen to include ahousing 91 rotatably mounted on ashaft 92, the housing and shaft being adapted for contra rotation in the manner previously described. Drive gears 93 are secured to the shaft and engage pinions 94 which are secured tocutter shafts 96 journalled in thehousing 91.Ring cutters 97 circumscribe thehousing 91 and are adapted for rotation relative thereto. Thecutters 97 includering gear portions 98 which engage pinions 99 secured to theshafts 96 thus adapting the cutters for driven rotation relative to the housing.

A further alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGURE 12 and includes a generallytubular housing 101 rotatably mounted on ashaft 102 and adapted for contra rotation relative thereto in the manner previously described. Acircular drive gear 103 is secured to theshaft 102 and engagespinions 104 disposed circumferentially around thehousing 101. Thepinions 104 are adapted to drive a plurality ofcutter shafts 106 journalled in the housing for rotation about an axis parallel to that of theshaft 102. A plurality of circumferentially disposedcutters 107 are secured adjacent the lowermost ends of theshafts 106 proximate the lower end of thehousing 101. While the embodiment in FIG-URE 12 is shown without a central lowermostboring cutter 45 as included in the other embodiments it will be appreciated that such provision can be readily made as previously described. As shown the instant embodiment is particularly suitable for reaming operations wherein the central boring cutter is not needed. Preferably thecutters 107 are provided with alternate ones being longer than the others as is evident in FIGURE 12.

In FIGURE 13 there is shown a modification of the embodiment in FIGURE 12 whereby the instant apparatus is adapted for withdrawing a core sample from the bore. More particularly, thehousing 101 is seen to have aninner wall 108 defining acentral chamber 109. At least two core cutting blades 111 are disposed adjacent the lower end of the chamber and are adapted to move radially inwardly to close off the chamber. The blades 111 are preferably constructed of spring steel or the like and include flexibleupper portions 112 extending upwardly adjacent thewall 108 of the chamber. Theportions 112 are retained byguide members 113 secured to thewall 108 and are thereby adapted to move axially relative to the chamber. The blades 111 are secured to theupper portions 112 in a position normally extending radially inwardly as shown in FIGURE 13. However, as theportions 112 are moved upwardly in theguide members 113 the blades are retracted radially outwardly to open the lower end of the chamber. When theportions 112 are moved downwardly the blades accordingly move radially inwardly to close off the chamber and sever the lower end of any core of earth retained therein. Means for axially moving theupper portions 112 and thus the blades 111 include a centrally disposed axiallymovable plate 114 disposed within the chamber adjacent the upper end thereof. Spring means 115 are secured to thehousing wall 108 by means of clips 116 'or the like and are adapted to normally urge the plate downwardly in the chamber. Flexiblearcuate portions 117 extend integrally from adjacent theupper portions 112 and connect to theplate 114 for movement therewith. As thearcuate portions 117 are preferably integral with theportions 112 and also made of spring steel they are adapted to transmit upward force from theplate 114 into downward force on theportions 112. More specifically, thearcuate portions 117 are disposed adjacent an upper concave wall 118 of thehousing 101 and adapted to move flexibly therealong. Thus as theplate 114 urges one end of theportion 117 upwardly it moves arcuately along the wall 118 and results in downward movement of theportion 112. As thehousing 101 cuts into the earth a core of earth will be formed within thechamber 109, and when the top of the core engages theplate 116 the plate is moved upwardly relative to the housing. The force on the plate is then transmitted to the blades 111 as described in the foregoing whereby the blades move radially inwardly to sever off the core. The housing may then be removed from the bore and the core extracted by flexibly bending back the blades 111.

In the general operation of the apparatus of the present invention it will be appreciated that a compound rotary movement is imparted to variously disposed cutting tools of varied configurations. In the embodiments of FIG- URES 1 and 8 the cutters are generally adapted for rotary movement about an axis normal to that of the main drive shaft. By suitably gearing the transversely disposed cutter shafts with the main drive shaft the nature of cutter rotation relative to the housing may be predetermined. More specifically, referring to FIGURE 9, variations in the sizes of thedrive gear 71 andpinion 72 will accordingly vary the speed of the cutter chains relative to the housing. Also, by having thepinion 72 engage thedrive gear 71 adjacent the top thereof, instead of the bottom as shown, the direction of cutter rotation relative to the housing can be reversed. Accordingly it is apparent that variation in the cutter movement relative to the stationary earth can be achieved in the foregoing manner.

What is claimed is:

1. Drilling apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a shaft adapted for powered rotation, a tubular housing rotatably mounted concentrically on said shaft, planetary gear means connecting said shaft to said housing for opposed rotation thereof relative to said shaft, a plurality of rotary cutting tools rotatably mounted on said housing for rotation therewith, gear means connecting said shaft to said tools for rotation thereof relative to said housing, and said tools being of increasingly greater radial distance from said shaft while rotating about axes normal to the shaft.

2. Drilling apparatus comprising, in combination, a main shaft adapted for powered rotation, a tubular housing rotatably mounted concentrically on said shaft, planetary gear means connecting said shaft to said housing for opposed rotation thereof relative to said shaft, a plurality of drive gears mounted transversely on said shaft for rotation therewith, a plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted on said housing and engaging said drive gears, a plurality of cutter shafts rotatably mounted in said housing and each secured adjacent one end to said pinion gears for rotation therewith, and a plurality of rotary cutting tools disposed circumferentially around said housing and each connected respectively to said cutter shafts for rotation therewith.

3. Drilling apparatus comprising, in combination, a main shaft adapted for powered rotation, a generally tubular housing rotatably mounted concentrically on said shaft, planetary gear means connecting said shaft to said housing for opposed rotation thereof relative to said shaft, said housing including a central tubular wall and a plurality of tubular outer wall portions disposed axially along said central wall, said outer walls being spaced progressively at further radial distances from said central wall, a plurality of cutter shafts journalled for rotation in said housing a plurality of cutting tools disposed circumferentially around said housing and connected to said cutter shafts for rotation therewith, said cutting tools being disposed adjacent said outer Wall portions and spaced radially from said shaft in conformance with the radial spacing of said portions, a plurality of drive gears secured to said main shaft for rotation thereon, and a plurality of pinion gears secured respectively to said cutter shafts and engaging said drive gears for actuating said cutting tools for rotation relative to said housing.

4. Drilling apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a shaft adapted for powered rotation, a housing rotatably mounted on said shaft and connected thereto for rotation oppositely of said shaft, a plurality of rotary cutting tools rotatably mounted on said housing for rotation relative thereto about an axis substantially normal to that of said shaft, a first plurality of said cutting tools disposed circumferentially about said housing in a plane transverse to said shaft, a second plurality of said cutting tools disposed circumferentially about said housing in a second transverse plane axially spaced from said first plane, said second plurality of tools being radially spaced from said first plurality of References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,391,626 9/21 Gilthorpe 175-101 X 1,406,349 2/22 Corrigan 17590 X 1,643,549 9/27 Donnelly et a1. 17589 1,822,216 9/31 Hartson l75272 1,878,260 9/32 Bunker 175289 1,896,106 2/33 Simmons 175-97 1,904,522 4/33 Pippin 17596 2,563,913 8/51 Binney 175173 X 2,797,065 6/57 Houston 175-338 X 2,880,964 4/59 Straitiff 175-344 X 2,976,027 3/61 Allimann 175-319 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,216,546 11/59 France.

881,484 6/ 53 Germany.

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

BENJAMIN HERSH, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. DRILLING APPARATUS OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A SHAFT ADAPTED FOR POWERED ROTATION, A TUBULAR HOUSING ROTATABLY MOUNTED CONCENTRICALLY ON SAID SHAFT, PLANETARY GEAR MEANS CONNECTING SAID SHAFT TO SAID HOUSING FOR OPPOSED ROTATION THEREOF RELATIVE TO SAID SHAFT, A PLURALITY OF ROTARY CUTTING TOOLS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING FOR ROTATION THEREWITH, GEAR MEANS CONNECTING SAID SHAFT TO SAID TOOLS FOR ROTATION THEREOF RELATIVE TO SAID HOUSING, AND SAID TOOLS BEING OF INCREASINGLY GREATER RADIAL DFISTANCE FROM SAID SHAFT WHILE ROTATING ABOUT AXES NORMAL TO THE SHAFT.

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