Horizontal Directional Drill Pipe Drive Connection With Locking Feature
AssigneeThe Charles Machine Works, Inc.
InventorsGreg L. Slaughter, JR., Floyd R. Gunsaulis, Max A. Metcalf
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a spindle assembly for connecting a drill string to a rotational drive for use in a horizontal directional drilling operation. The assembly comprises a saver sub attached to the rotational drive, and a drive chuck for connection to the drill string. The drive chuck and saver sub form a torque-transmitting connection by engaging through a seat in the saver sub and an engagement point on the drive chuck. Dowel pins may be used to rotationally lock and provide the engagement between the saver sub and the drive chuck. A collar may thread to the saver sub and cause an interference fit by engaging the drive chuck at a shoulder.
Claims24
A torque-transmitting assembly comprising:
- a saver sub;
- a drive chuck;
- an internal locking mechanism that maintains the drive chuck and saver sub in rotationally-fixed relationship;
- and
- a collar that surrounds at least a portion of the saver sub and drive chuck;
- wherein the saver sub and the drive chuck are in torque-transmitting engagement only at the internal locking mechanism and the collar.
A method for securing a drive chuck and a saver sub, the saver sub and the drive chuck each having a rim in which a plurality of concavities are formed, the method comprising:
- placing a plurality of keys between the rim of the saver sub and the rim of the drive chuck such that each of the plurality of keys engages one of the plurality of concavities;
- placing a collar about the rim of the saver sub and the rim of the drive chuck to maintain them in coaxial relationship.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.