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US 2012/0267170 A1Published application
Tapered thread configuration with improved durability
AssigneeVermeer Manufacturing Company
InventorsMichael D. Langenfeld, Randy R. Runquist
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Underground drilling operation often requires connecting a drill tool (e.g., drill bit, backreamer, etc.) to a drill string. It is desirable to connect the drill tools to a drill string in a manner that facilitates quick and easy assembly and disassembly. Low torque coupling, commonly referred to as “torque-less” connection, can provide such functionality. The useful life and strength of such connections can be improved upon. The present disclosure provides a low torque coupling with improved strength and durability.
Claims29
A method of connecting a drill tool to a drill rod comprising:
- contacting threads located at an end of a drill tool member with threads located at an end of a drill rod member;
- threading the drill tool member to the drill rod member by relatively rotating the drill rod member and the drill tool member;
- wherein the step of threading the drill tool member to the drill rod member simultaneously inserts a boss on the distal end of the drill tool member with a first aperture on the drill rod member and inserts a boss on the proximal end of the drill tool member with a second aperture on a distal end of the drill rod member;
- aligning structural features on an external surface of the drill tool member with structural features on an external surface of the drill rod member;
- sliding a collar over a portion of the drill tool member and drill rod member, wherein the collar is configured to engage the structural features on the external surface of the drill tool member and drill rod member thereby preventing relative rotation between the drill tool member and the drill string member;
- wherein the boss on the distal end of the drill tool includes a maximum cross-sectional dimension that is between 0.003-0.006 inches (0.076-0.150 millimeters) less than a maximum cross-sectional dimension of the first aperture on the drill rod member and wherein the boss on the proximal end of the drill tool member includes a maximum cross-sectional dimension that is between 0.003-0.006 inches (0.076-0.150 millimeters) less than a maximum cross-sectional dimension of the second aperture of the drill rod member.
3 more elements
An adaptor assembly for connecting a drilling tool to a drill string, the adaptor assembly comprising:
- a first member including a driving end and a driven end, the driven end of the drill tool assembly including a threaded connection for attaching to the drill string:
- the driving end comprising
- a tapered protrusion or recess including threads thereon,
- a first land adjacent a distal end of the tapered protrusion or recess,
- a second land adjacent a proximal end of the tapered protrusion or recess, and
- an external surface with a non-circular cross-section;
- a second member including a drive end and a driven end, the drive end including a threaded connection for attaching to a cutting tool and the drive end adapted for connection with the driving end of the first member comprising:
- a tapered recess or protrusion including threads thereon,
- a third land portion adjacent a distal end of the tapered recess or protrusion, and
- a fourth land portion adjacent a proximal end of the tapered portion;
- wherein the first land is configured to engage the fourth land and the second land is configured to engage the third land when the tapered threads on the first member are engaged with the tapered threads on the second member, and
- wherein the first land and the fourth land are cylindrical having diameters that are within 0.003-0.006 inches (0.076-0.150 millimeters) of each other.
9 more elements
A coupling for connecting a sonde housing to a pilot drill rod comprising:
- a first end portion including a threaded tapered portion positioned between a first unthreaded portion and a second unthreaded portion;
- a second end portion opposite the first end portion including a tapered threaded portion configured to engage mating threads of a sonde housing to toque level in excess of 50 foot pounds;
- wherein the first unthreaded portion of the first end portion includes a constant maximum cross-sectional dimension;
- wherein the second unthreaded portion of the first end portion includes a constant maximum cross-sectional dimension which is larger than the maximum cross-sectional dimensions of the first unthreaded portion;
- and
- wherein the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the first unthreaded portion and the second unthreaded portion is predetermined to be at least 0.003 inches (0.076 millimeters) less than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the features that they are configured to be received within.
3 more elements
A method of connecting a drill tool to a drill rod comprising:
- contacting threads located at a proximate end of a drill tool member with threads located at a distal end of a drill rod member;
- threading the drill tool member to the drill rod member by relatively rotating the drill rod member and the drill tool member;
- wherein the step of threading the drill tool member to the drill rod member simultaneously inserts a boss on the distal end of the drill rod member with an aperture on the drill tool member and inserts a boss on the proximal end of the drill rod member with an aperture on a distal end of the drill tool member;
- aligning structural features on an external surface of the drill tool member with structural features on an external surface of the drill rod member;
- sliding a collar over a portion of the drill tool member and drill rod member, wherein the collar is configured to engage the structural features on the external surface of the drill tool member and drill rod member thereby preventing relative rotation between the drill tool member and the drill string member;
- wherein the boss on the distal end of the drill rod member and the boss on the proximal end of the drill rod member includes a maximum cross-sectional dimension that is between 0.003-0.006 inches (0.076-0.150 millimeters) less than a maximum cross-sectional dimension of the apertures that they are configured to be receive in.
3 more elements
An adaptor assembly for connecting various drilling tools to a drill string, the adaptor assembly comprising:
- a starter rod including a driving end and a driven end, the driven end of the drill tool assembly including a threaded connection for attaching to the drill string:
- the driving end comprising:
- a tapered protrusion or recess including threads thereon,
- a first land adjacent a distal end of the tapered protrusion or recess,
- a second land adjacent a proximal end of the tapered protrusion or recess, and
- an external surface with a non-circular cross-section;
- a tool adaptor including a drive end and a driven end, the drive end including a threaded connection for attaching to a cutting tool and the drive end adapted for connection with the driving end of the starter rod comprising:
- a tapered recess or protrusion including threads thereon,
- a third land portion adjacent a distal end of the tapered recess or protrusion, and
- a fourth land portion adjacent a proximal end of the tapered portion;
- wherein the first land is configured to engage the fourth land and the second land is configured to engage the third land
- wherein the first land and the fourth land have maximum cross-sectional dimensions that are within 0.003-0.006 inches (0.076-0.150 millimeters) of each other, and wherein the second land and the third land have maximum cross-sectional dimensions that are within 0.003-0.006 inches (0.076-0.150 millimeters) of each other.
9 more elements
A coupling for transferring torque, tension, thrust and bending forces between a drill string and a drill bit that can be connected and disconnected by an operator using hand tools comprising:
- a first member including a first cylindrical aperture, a second cylindrical aperture, and a tapered internal aperture positioned between the first and second cylindrical apertures, wherein the tapered internal aperture includes internal threads and an annular load distribution notch at a transition between the first cylindrical aperture and the tapered internal aperture;
- a second member including a first cylindrical projection, second cylindrical projection, and a tapered projection positioned between the first and second cylindrical aperture, wherein the tapered projection includes external threads;
- wherein the first cylindrical projection of the second member is received within the first cylindrical aperture of the first member with a radial clearance of at least 0.038 millimeters and is configured to transfer at least bending forces between the first member and the second member;
- and
- wherein the tapered projection of the second member is received within the tapered internal aperture of the first member and is configured to transfer at least tension forces between the first member and the second member;
- wherein the second cylindrical projection of the second member is received within the second cylindrical aperture of the first member with a radial clearance of at least 0.038 millimeters and is configured to transfer at least bending forces between the first member and the second member.
3 more elements
A coupling for transferring torque, tension, thrust and bending forces between a drill string and a drill bit that can be connected and disconnected by an operator using hand tools comprising:
- a first member including a first cylindrical aperture, a second cylindrical aperture, and an internal aperture positioned between the first and second cylindrical apertures;
- a second member including a first cylindrical projection, second cylindrical projection, and a projection positioned between the first and second cylindrical aperture;
- wherein the first cylindrical projection of the second member is received within the first cylindrical aperture of the first member with a radial clearance of at least 0.038 millimeters and is configured to transfer at least bending forces between the first member and the second member;
- and
- wherein the projection of the second member is received within the internal aperture of the first member and is configured to transfer at least tension forces between the first member and the second member;
- wherein the second cylindrical projection of the second member is received within the second cylindrical aperture of the first member with a radial clearance of at least 0.038 millimeters and is configured to transfer at least bending forces between the first member and the second member.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.