Method and apparatus for transferring drilling energy to a cutting member
OwnerJack W. Romanoinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A continuous congruent length of stranded flexible Drilling Energy Transfer Member (DETM) constructed to transfer and balance action/reaction forces between an energy source and a working tip such that torque, tensile, compression and self supporting forces are constrained while the DETM operates in multiple positions of tight curvature and straight run and while translating into and out of such extremes, the balance being maintained between the extensor/torque outer configuration and an inner tensile/compressor configuration.
Claims22
A flexible DETM comprising;
- a core load cell comprising a first plurality of strands sized and layed at a helical angle sufficient for transmitting predetermined tensile and compression loads under rotary drilling pressure, and
- an outer wrap load cell comprising a second plurality of strands sized and layed at a helical angle sufficient for transmitting predetermined torque loads under rotary drilling pressure,
- the force fields and mass distribution of said load cells being balanced in function such that said first load cell structurally supports said second load cell against destruction by axially directed forces and said second load cell structurally supports said first load cell against destruction by rotationally directed torque forces and maintains longitudinal support therefor.
A multi stranded flexible DETM for tight radius rotary drilling comprising;
- a core construction composed of a first plurality of strands comprising a first load cell for transmitting tensile and compression loads while under rotary drilling pressure,
- said first plurality of strands being generally axially directed and layed at a flat helical angle,
- an outer wrap construction surrounding said core and composed of a second plurality of strands comprising a second load cell for transmitting rotational torque loads while under rotary drilling pressure,
- said second plurality of strands being generally circumferentially directed and layed at a steep helical angle,
- the force fields and mass distribution of said first and second load cells being balanced in function such that said first load cell structurally supports said second load cell against destruction by axially directed forces and said second load cell structurally supports said first load cell against destruction by rotationally directed torque forces and maintains longitudinal support therefor.
A method for constructing a DETM comprising;
- forming a first wrap of a plurality of wire strands about a single wire mandrel at helical angle of 10°-15° in a first direction,
- laying a second wrap of a plurality of wire strands on a said first wrap at a helical angle of 10°-15° in a first direction,
- laying a third wrap of a plurality of wire strands on said second wrap at a helical angle of 60°-68° in said first direction, and
- laying a fourth wrap of a plurality of wire strands on said third wrap at a helical angle of 68°-72° in said opposite direction.
A flexible DETM comprising;
- a core load cell for transmitting axial tensile and compression loads during drilling pressure, and outer wrap torque transmitting load cell,
- said core load cell including a single strand mandrel, a first six strand right hand layed wrap and a second twelve strand left hand layed wrap,
- said outer wrap load cell including a first five strand outer wrap layed on said twelve strand wrap in a right hand direction and a second seven strand outer wrap layed on said five strand wrap in a left hand direction.
A rigid construction for connecting a cutter head to the terminal end of a flexible rotary shaft having a given diameter comprising;
- a hollow cylindrical stem on said cutter head,
- said hollow stem having an internal diameter sized to snugly receive a portion of the terminal end of said shaft;
- and
- at least one fused weld extending through the body of said stem into the center area of said shaft.
A rigid construction for connecting a cutter head to the end of a flexible rotary shaft having a given diameter comprising;
- a hollow cylindrical stem on said cutter head,
- said stem having an internal diameter sized to snugly receive a portion of the terminal end of said shaft,
- a shoulder on said cutter head located immediately adjacent the bottom of said hollow stem, and
- at least one fused weld extending obliquely through said shoulder into the center area of said shaft.
A rigid construction for connecting a cutter head to the terminal end of a flexible rotary shaft having a given diameter comprising;
- a stem on said cutter head having a diameter equal to the diameter of said shaft and
- adapted to abuttingly engage the terminal end thereof,
- a hollow cylindrical sleeve having an internal diameter sized to receive said shaft and said stem thereon with a snug fit, and
- at least one fused weld extending through the body of said sleeve into the center area of the abating end faces of said stem and said shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.