AU784449B2 - Down hole drilling tool - Google Patents
Down hole drilling tool Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU784449B2 AU784449B2 AU54362/01A AU5436201A AU784449B2 AU 784449 B2 AU784449 B2 AU 784449B2 AU 54362/01 A AU54362/01 A AU 54362/01A AU 5436201 A AU5436201 A AU 5436201A AU 784449 B2 AU784449 B2 AU 784449B2
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- sleeve
- drill bit
- down hole
- head
- hole hammer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 title claims description 11
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 description 4
- UONOETXJSWQNOL-UHFFFAOYSA-N tungsten carbide Chemical compound [W+]#[C-] UONOETXJSWQNOL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000011010 flushing procedure Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 3
- 241000282472 Canis lupus familiaris Species 0.000 description 2
- 241000237503 Pectinidae Species 0.000 description 2
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000020637 scallop Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 229910000851 Alloy steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000003628 erosive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- -1 on wearing surfaces Chemical compound 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
Description
P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 32(2)
AUSTRALIA
Patents Act 1990
ORIGINAL
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: DOWN HOLE DRILLING TOOL The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us =*p 1 Down Hole Drilling Tool Field of the Invention This invention relates to down hole drilling and, in particular, to reverse circulation hammers useful in exploratory drilling.
Background to the Invention Reverse circulation drilling is a commonplace methodology for sampling of ore formations. Its strength is that cuttings of composition indicative of that of the formation at any given location are contained within a central tube that extends through a drill string made up of a number of components. These are the outer wear sleeve, the drill bit and the drive sub and drill bit retaining means.
The whole string is rotated while the hammer is driven in a reciprocating motion in response to the action of an internal piston to impact the formation.
Cutter inserts of tungsten carbide or similar material also assist in fragmenting the ore formation.
As disclosed in British Patent Application No. 2175941., published December 10, 1986, it is most important that hole cleaning occur during the drilling process. That is, it is important that cuttings and other debris not be allowed to accumulate at the bottom of the hole. There are two reasons for this.
First, such accumulation will result in a less accurate sampling of the formation.
Second, and more importantly, the efficiency of the drilling operation will be impeded if accumulation is allowed to occur.
In British Patent No. 2175941, pressurised air which drives the piston is exhausted through an annular passageway between the end of the wear sleeve and the drill bit. The exhaust air passes entirely around the periphery of the drill 25 bit head and to the bottom of the hole. Any accumulated cuttings are entrained in the air flow and driven through the central tube of the drill string.
Australian Patent Application No. 52436/86, published July 23, 1987, is **ol• another proposal in which pressurised air is exhausted through a passageway *oe extending between the drive sub and the drill bit. The passageway is formed in part by channels or grooves formed in the shank of the drill bit. The exhaust air flow is directed at the periphery of the drill bit head face such that bit face flushing or hole cleaning occurs.
2 Later proposals to achieve hole cleaning are described in Australian Patent Nos 638571 filed April 26, 1990 and 656724 filed April 19, 1990. In Australian Patent No. 638571 there is disclosed a sacrificial transmission sleeve located near an end of the down hole hammer proximate the drill bit. The transmission sleeve is a separate component from the drill bit and comprises a body and an annular flange. The flange is adapted to encircle a portion of the drill bit which defines longitudinal grooves forming the exhaust passages in the sides of the bit.
In this way a continuous shroud is formed around at least part of the grooves to assist in the downward passage of the exhaust air to the face of the drill bit. US Patent No. 5154244 which is the United States equivalent of Australian Patent No. 638571 underscores the nature of the shrouding feature through the recitation of its claims.
The transmission sleeve may be formed integral with the outer sleeve or the drive sub but neither option is preferred because the two parts mentioned are expensive components and it is not desirable to make either of them sacrificial.
Australian Patent No. 656724 is directed to very similar subject matter.
The outermost cover which also provides a shrouding action is not said to be sacrificial.
Australian Patent No. 704153 describes a down hole hammer assembly 20 comprising a support member receivable on the lower end of a bore hole casing.
The support member comprises a first part adapted to be fixed to the lower end of the casing and a second part rotatably and threadably received on the first part and capable of limited axial slidable movement. The second part is engageable with the drill bit to be rotatable with the drill bit on rotation of the drill bit in one .oi.
direction and to be moved axially with the drill bit. The drill bit is disengageable with the second part to move axially relative to the second part. Flow passageways are provided between the drill bit and the second part to deliver So fluid to the cutting face.
Summary of the Invention These down hole hammer designs are not exhaustive of the kinds of design which address the problem of hole cleaning. Furthermore, the erosion to which the components are subject is a problem that still requires to be addressed. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a down hole hammer that provides hole cleaning in a more efficient and less expensive manner than previously.
With this object in view, the present invention provides a down hole hammer for use in reverse circulation drilling operations and including an outer wear sleeve a drive sub, a drill bit retaining means, a drill bit which includes a head and shank and a sleeve that includes first and second sleeve portions, said drill bit and sleeve being arranged relative to each other to define a passageway between them for flow of exhaust air toward the periphery of the head of said drill bit such that the hole cleaning may be effected and said sleeve being arranged relative to said drive sub so .i that said second portion of said sleeve locates within said drive sub to allow said sleeve to move with respect to said drive sub while maintaining said passageways for flow of exhaust air to the periphery of the head of said drill bit.
°The drill bit may be non-threadably connected by convenient means to the sleeve such that a passageway is defined between them. The connection may be such that the drill bit and sleeve are in fixed position, one relative to another.
0 Alternatively, the drill bit and sleeve may be formed integrally with one another.
The sleeve may however be formed as a separate component which may be fixed or configured to slide relative to the drill bit.
The drill bit and sleeve may be connected together via an interference fit or may use a morse taper. For example, the sleeve may be connected to the drill bit by mating dogs or like means. Other connection means may be used.
Passageways may be formed between the drill bit and sleeve in various ways.
Either the drill bit, the sleeve or both may be fabricated with splines, scallops, channels or grooves to define the passageway between them.
The sleeve may include cylindrical portions of different diameter. A first cylindrical portion of greater diameter may have an outer diameter along its length substantially the same as the outer diameter of the head portion of the drill bit and a second cylindrical portion of lesser diameter may have an outer diameter along its length less than the inner diameter of the drive sub. Relative lengths of first and second cylindrical portions may be varied as may the total length of the second portion or sleeve of the drill bit at the fabricator's option.
The second lesser diameter cylindrical portion of the sleeve may taper inwardly toward the central tube at its upper end. A cavity formed in the first greater diameter portion of the second portion of the drill bit or sleeve may flare outwardly at its bottom end proximate the drill bit head. The flared end of the oo Ssecond lesser diameter portion may bear on the peripheral surface of the head of the drill bit thus to allow a degree of sealing engagement and formation of a passageway having a trajectory toward the periphery of the hole to optimise hole cleaning or flushing effects.
A cavity, forming part of the passageway between the bit and sleeve, may be disposed predominately or wholly within the first cylindrical portion of the sleeve.
The cavity may be frusto-conical with a parabolically shaped terminal wall formed with an opening or openings to at least one passage extending substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the hammer. This passage may communicate with grooves or passages in the drill bit head.
The sleeve may be formed with a sealing surface having substantially the same diameter as the head of the drill bit. The sleeve may be arranged relative to the head of the drill bit to at least partially shroud grooves in the drill bit head when in the operative position.
The sleeve may be made from a material which is highly wear resistant such as tungsten carbide. Alternatively, and preferably, the sleeve may include a wear resistant layer or zone formed by a suitable technique for making components wear resistant. Coating with a material such as tungsten carbide, particularly on wearing surfaces, is one such.
The sleeve may extend in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the hammer. The second portion or sleeve may be formed with splines, scallops, channels or grooves, of constant or variable profile, to form with the first portion a passageway for exhaust air having trajectory toward the head of the drill bit. In one embodiment, the passageway communicates with grooves or passageways within the drill bit head through one or more further passageways extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hammer.
However, it is also possible for the passageway to be configured simply to act to deliver air to grooves formed in the drill bit head.
In another aspect of the invention, the sleeve may be supplied as a separate component which, in use, is included in a down hole hammer of the invention. The sleeve may as described above, include cylindrical portions of different diameter, a first cylindrical portion of greater diameter having a diameter along its length •oC substantially the same as the outer diameter of the head of the drill bit and a second S cylindrical portion of lesser diameter having an outer diameter along its length less than the inner diameter of the drive sub or outer wear sleeve. This outer diameter may be selected to allow a neat sliding fit within a drive sub or outer wear sleeve of the down hole hammer.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a kit including a drill bit and a sleeve component as above described.
Brief Description of the Drawings The invention may be more fully understood from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof made with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a hammer of a first embodiment of the present invention in an operative position; Figure 2 shows the hammer of the first embodiment of the present invention in a drop out position; Figure 3 shows a hammer of a second embodiment of the present invention in a drop out position; Figure 4 shows a hammer of a third embodiment of the present invention in a drop out position; and :Figure 5 shows a hammer of a fourth embodiment of the present invention in a drop out position.
Detailed Description of the Drawings 9**S Referring to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, each shows the lower part of a down hole hammer 10 for use in reverse circulation drilling operations, particularly for sampling or exploratory purposes.
9 .o This part of the down hole hammer 10 includes an outer wear sleeve 11, a drive sub 13, a drill bit retaining means 15 and a drill bit 17 which includes a first 99 portion 18 and a sleeve 22. The first portion 18 comprises the head 19 and shank 0 of the drill bit 17. Central tube 70 for collection of cuttings extends through first portion 18.
The sleeve 22 is separate from the outer wear sleeve 11 and drive sub 13 and has channels, splines or grooves 23 formed therein to form at least part of a passageway for flow of exhaust air toward the periphery 19a of the head 19 of the drill bit 17 such that hole cleaning may be effected.
The sleeve 22, as shown, includes two cylindrical portions of different diameter, a first cylindrical portion 24 and a second cylindrical portion 27. The first portion 24 of greater diameter has a diameter along its length substantially the same as the outer diameter of the head 19 of the drill bit 17. The second cylindrical portion 27 of lesser diameter has an outer diameter along its length slightly less than the inner diameter of the drive sub 13 to allow a neat sliding fit of second portion 27 within drive sub 13 during operation. The sleeve 22 may be manufactured and supplied as a separate component.
The second cylindrical portion 27 forms the upper portion of sleeve 22 and may taper inwardly at its upper end 27a. The inner cylindrical surface of upper end 27a may bear on the shank 20 of drill bit 17 thus providing sealing from chamber of the hammer The first cylindrical portion 24 of sleeve 22 forms the lower portion of sleeve 22 and the inner cavity 24a may have walls 24aa which flare outwardly at the bottom end 32 proximate the head 19 of the drill bit 17. The walls 24a may, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, bear on the peripheral surface of the head 19 of the drill bit 17 0* allowing a degree of sealing engagement to form a passageway having trajectory 0.
toward the periphery of the hole. This creates, during operation, a flow of exhaust S air which promotes hole cleaning or flushing effects.
o0000 00o0 Alternatively, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the bottom end 32 of first cylindrical portion 24 may bear, in operation, on the upper weight bearing surface 19b of the head 19 of drill bit 17. In addition, an internal wall 60 of large diameter portion 24 may bear on shank 20 of drill bit 17.
Sleeve 22, though made of alloy steel, is coated with tungsten carbide.
However, it will be appreciated that other low wearing or resistant materials for this application are available. Any technique of forming a wear resistant layer or zone known in the art of making materials wear resistant can be used. The coating may be formed on the wearing surfaces including surface 22a of sleeve 22 located radially outward from central longitudinal axis 10a of the hammer 10 and on the base surface 22b of sleeve 22.
Sleeve 22 is formed with a sealing surface 26 having diameter substantially the same as the head 19 of drill bit 17. Head 19 includes cutter inserts or cutter faces for cutting a formation, these being the only cutter faces provided in this embodiment.
The sealing surface 26 will be formed on the greater diameter portion 24 of sleeve 22.
This surface 26 will, in operation, be located only a very short distance a matter of a few millimetres away from the hole wall. In this way, the hole is effectively sealed and most cuttings may be recovered for sampling purposes or otherwise.
:0°15 The inner wall 22a of sleeve 22 is shown formed with channels or grooves of constant or variable profile so as to allow exhaust air to flow downward toward the periphery of the head 19 of the drill bit 17. The sleeve 22 need not be formed with such channels and grooves 30 which may be formed only in the shank 20 or head 19 of the drill bit 17. More preferably, the channels or grooves 30 formed in 0 shank 20 or head 19 of the drill bit 17 may co-operate with channels or grooves or splines 23 formed in sleeve 22. In all cases, the object is to define a passageway between drill bit 17 and sleeve 22 that directs exhaust air toward the periphery 19a of the head 19 of drill bit 12 for hole cleaning.
Sleeve 22 may be connected to the drill bit 17 by interference fit or otherwise.
Sleeve 22 may co-operate with the first portion 18 of drill bit 17 during operation, so as to at least partially shroud grooves or channels 19b formed about the periphery 19a of the head 19 of drill bit 17. First cylindrical portion 24 of sleeve 22 directly serves this purpose and its inner and outer diameters are selected accordingly.
Sleeve 22 slides with the drill bit 17 within the cavity of the drive sub 13 as shown in the drop out positions illustrated in Figures 2 to 5. Movement relative to the drill bit may be permitted or constrained by suitable design as desired.
A number of different configurations are possible for the sleeve 22 as shown in each of Figures 1 to 5. The greater and lesser diameter cylindrical portions 24 and 27 may be substantially equal in length but the overall length as well as the relative lengths of each portion to the other may vary at the option of the fabricator. Those configurations shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5 have already been described. The sleeve 22 shown in Figures 3 and 4 differs in the shape of the grooves or channels although the purpose of each is the same.
Figure 4 shows a sleeve 22 in which a substantially frusto-conical cavity 122 is formed predominately in the interior of first cylindrical portion 24. The cavity 122 has a parabolically shaped terminal wall 123 formed with openings 123a to a number of passages 124 which extend substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis 10a of the hammer 10. The passages 124 could be of other trajectory provided that ooo* S° the aim of directing exhaust air toward the periphery of the face of the head 19 of the drill bit 17 is achieved.
It may also be noted that the terminal wall 123 may have a portion 123c bearing on the base 20a of the shank 20 of drill bit 17.
Sleeve 22 may be integrally formed with the drill bit 17. More typically, the 0oo° sleeve 22 will be connected to the drill bit 17 by either an interference fit or a morse taper. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the lesser diameter portion 27 is formed with mating dogs 40 which connect sleeve 22 to the drill bit 17 by an interference fit in a non-threaded connection.
Modifications and variations to the down hole hammer and non-sacrificial sleeve component of the present invention may be apparent to the skilled reader of this disclosure. Such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the invention as herein described.
S
S
5*
S
5O S. S S. 55 S S
S
S
S.
S S
S.
S S S S
S
S
S S 5*
S
S
S
*SS
S
Claims (10)
1. A down hole hammer for use in reverse circulation drilling operations and including an outer wear sleeve, a drive sub, a drill bit retaining means, a drill bit which includes a head and shank and a sleeve that includes first and second sleeve portions, said drill bit and sleeve being arranged relative to each other to define a passageway between them for flow of exhaust air toward the periphery of the head of said drill bit such that the hole cleaning may be effected and said sleeve being arranged relative to said drive sub so that said second portion of said sleeve locates within said drive sub to allow said sleeve to move with respect to said drive sub while maintaining said passageways for flow of exhaust air to the periphery of the head of said drill bit. o•
2. The down hole hammer of claim 1 wherein said drill bit and said sleeve are non-threadably connectable so that said sleeve is held in position on said drill bit. ooo0 9*
3. The down hole hammer of claim 2 wherein said drill bit and said sleeve are 09 connected by an interference fit.
4. The down hole hammer of any one of the preceding claims wherein said passageway has trajectory to direct exhaust air toward a periphery of a hole when in use.
5. The down hole hammer of any one of the preceding claims wherein said first and second portions of said sleeve include cylindrical portions of different diameters, a first cylindrical portion of greater diameter having a diameter along its length substantially the same as an outer diameter of said head of said drill bit and a second cylindrical portion of lesser diameter having an outer diameter along its length less than an inner diameter of said drive sub or outer wear sleeve.
6. The down hole hammer of claim 5 wherein a cavity is disposed within said first cylindrical portion and said cavity is frusto-conical in shape with a parabolically shaped terminal wall formed with an opening to at least one passage extending substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of said hammer for directing exhaust air toward a periphery of said head of said drill bit.
7. The down hole hammer of any one of the preceding claims wherein cutter faces are disposed on said first portion of said drill bit.
8. The down hole hammer of claim 1 to 6 wherein cutter faces are disposed solely on said first portion of said drill bit.
9. A sleeve which, in use, is included in a down hole hammer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims. 0 *h>C 0*O S:
10. A kit including a drill bit and a sleeve component which, in use, are included in a down hole hammer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8. "20 DATED this 7 t h day of February 2006 AZUKO PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys MADDERNS Cr-L
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU54362/01A AU784449B2 (en) | 2000-07-14 | 2001-07-13 | Down hole drilling tool |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUPQ8760 | 2000-07-14 | ||
| AUPQ8760A AUPQ876000A0 (en) | 2000-07-14 | 2000-07-14 | Down hole drilling tool |
| AU54362/01A AU784449B2 (en) | 2000-07-14 | 2001-07-13 | Down hole drilling tool |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU5436201A AU5436201A (en) | 2002-01-17 |
| AU784449B2 true AU784449B2 (en) | 2006-04-06 |
Family
ID=25630420
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU54362/01A Expired AU784449B2 (en) | 2000-07-14 | 2001-07-13 | Down hole drilling tool |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU784449B2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUPR879901A0 (en) * | 2001-11-13 | 2001-12-06 | Sds Digger Tools Pty Ltd | An improved transmission sleeve |
| AU2003903831A0 (en) * | 2003-07-24 | 2003-08-07 | Sparr Drilling Equipment Pty Ltd | Downhole hammer drill |
| CN112392405B (en) * | 2020-12-28 | 2022-06-21 | 西南石油大学 | A special drill bit for reverse circulation drilling |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU7170596A (en) * | 1995-10-26 | 1997-05-01 | Azuko Pty Ltd | Improved drill string assembly |
| AU4276297A (en) * | 1996-10-22 | 1998-04-30 | Sandvik Mining And Construction Australia (Production/Supply) Pty Ltd | Wear sleeve |
| WO1999057412A1 (en) * | 1998-05-05 | 1999-11-11 | Gien Bernard L | Down-hole hammer drill having reverse circulation and sample tube |
-
2001
- 2001-07-13 AU AU54362/01A patent/AU784449B2/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU7170596A (en) * | 1995-10-26 | 1997-05-01 | Azuko Pty Ltd | Improved drill string assembly |
| AU4276297A (en) * | 1996-10-22 | 1998-04-30 | Sandvik Mining And Construction Australia (Production/Supply) Pty Ltd | Wear sleeve |
| WO1999057412A1 (en) * | 1998-05-05 | 1999-11-11 | Gien Bernard L | Down-hole hammer drill having reverse circulation and sample tube |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU5436201A (en) | 2002-01-17 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6659173B2 (en) | Downhole tool | |
| US6983811B2 (en) | Reamer shoe | |
| US9103165B2 (en) | Down-the-hole hammer | |
| US8051927B2 (en) | Percussive drill bit for rock drilling and method for the manufacture of such a drill bit | |
| US8887836B2 (en) | Drilling systems for cleaning wellbores, bits for wellbore cleaning, methods of forming such bits, and methods of cleaning wellbores using such bits | |
| GB2333542A (en) | Tubing shoe with reaming members | |
| US20170058611A1 (en) | Cutting Structure With Blade Having Multiple Cutting Edges | |
| US20160177630A1 (en) | Extended or raised nozzle for pdc bits | |
| US20090057030A1 (en) | Mining claw bit | |
| JP4014380B2 (en) | Rock drilling drill | |
| CN113631793B (en) | Rock drill bits for impact drilling | |
| US9605485B1 (en) | Percussion drilling assembly and hammer bit with gage and outer row reinforcement | |
| CN112969838A (en) | DTH Hammer Bit Assembly | |
| AU784449B2 (en) | Down hole drilling tool | |
| EP1735520B1 (en) | Improvements in or relating to rock drilling equipment | |
| AU730523B2 (en) | Wear sleeve | |
| EP4219880B1 (en) | Drill bit assembly for percussion drill tools | |
| EP1438477B1 (en) | Down-the-hole drill hammer | |
| CA2391192C (en) | Rock drill bit | |
| CN121866389A (en) | drill | |
| AU2002339225A1 (en) | Down-the-hole drill hammer | |
| ZA200403540B (en) | Down the hole drill hammer |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK14 | Patent ceased section 143(a) (annual fees not paid) or expired |