Retractable bit system

A drill stem transverse outer barrel assembly comprising an outer barrel having a central axis, an axial outer end, an axial inner end, and an inner peripheral wall, a drill bit drive lug mounted on the outer barrel inner end to extend axially inwardly thereof, a locking sleeve rotatably mounted in the outer barrel and having an axial outer end portion and an axial inner end portion adjacent the outer barrel inner end, said locking sleeve inner end portion having a drill bit engagable locking portion, said outer barrel and locking sleeve having cooperating means for selectively retaining the locking sleeve in a drill bit engagable locking portion locked position relative the outer barrel and a drill bit engagable locking portion unlocked position angularly spaced from the locked position.

Drilling apparatus comprising a drill bit and a drill string transverse outer barrel assembly that includes an axially elongated transverse outer tube having a circular outer peripheral surface, an axial inner end portion, operable first means rotatably mounted by the outer tube that is rotatable operable between a drill bit release position and a drill bit locking position for supportingly holding the drill bit, and second means mounted by outer tube inner end portion for drivingly engaging the drill bit, the drill bit being of a size to move through the outer tube and having a central axis, a circumferential outer peripheral surface portion of a radius of curvature emanating from the bit central axis that is about the same as the radius of curvature of outer tube peripheral surface, a surface for being driveningly engaged by the second means, and third means for lockingly receiving the first means in its bit locking position.

A drill stem surface tool for controlling the movement of an axially elongated wire line comprising an axially elongated tool housing having an axial inner end, an axial outer end and means for mountingly engaging a drill stem, a first clamp subassembly mounted on the housing for releasably clampingly engaging a wire line, a second clamp subassembly mounted on the housing for releasably clampingly engaging a wire line in axial spaced relationship to the first clamp subassembly and manually operated means mounted by the housing for mounting the second clamp subassembly and selectively moving the second clamp subassembly axially toward and away from the first clamp subassembly.

A safety release tool for couplingly engaging a drilling tool comprising detent means for couplingly engaging a drilling tool, a detent mounting member for mounting the detent means for movement between a drilling tool coupled position and a release position, the mounting member having an axial outer end, an axial inner end portion, and an axially extending bore opening to the detent means, plunger means mounted by the mounting member for movement in said bore between an axial inner position for retaining the detent means in its coupled position and an axial outer position permitting the detent means moving to its release position, said plunger means having an axial outer overshot coupling portion, a plunger member joined to the head portion to extend axially inwardly thereof and mounted by the mounting member for movement between an axial outer position and an axial inner position, and means movably retained between the plunger member and the detent means for retaining the detent means in the drilling tool coupled position when the plunger member is in its axial inner position and moving relative to the detent means as the plunger member is moved to its axial position to permit the detent means moving to the release position, and resilient means acting between the plunger means and the mounting member for resiliently urging the plunger means axially inwardly.

A safety release tool for couplingly engaging a drilling tool comprising detent means for couplingly engaging a drilling tool, an annular detent means mounting member having an inner peripheral wall portion, an axial inner end and an axial outer end, and mounting the detent means for movement between a drilling tool coupled position and a release position, a wall portion joined to mounting member inner end axially inwardly of the detent means, plunger means extending within the mounting member and movable between an axial inward position abutting against said wall portion to retain the detent means in a drilling tool coupled position and an axial outward position permitting the detent means moving to the release position, and resilient means acting between the mounting member and the plunger means for constantly urging the plunger means to its axial inner position, the plunger means having an axial outer overshot couplingly engagable portion.

An annular drill bit replacement tool comprising a head tube having a central axis, detent first means mounted by the head tube for movement between a drill stem latch seat engaging position and a release position, operative second means on the head tube for moving the detent means between the detent means release and latch seat engaging positions, operative third means having a central axis for releasably mounting an annular drill bit and being operative between an annular drill bit locking position and a drill bit release position, operative fourth means connected to the drill bit mounting means for rotating it about its central axis and an axis generally perpendicular thereto, moving the drill bit mounting means in the general direction of the extension of the head tube central axis, and when the drill bit is locked against axial movement along the head tube central axis, operate the third means between its locking and release positions, and fifth means mounted by the head tube for movement relative thereto for operating the detent operative means between its positions and the fourth means to move the third means between its positions.

A drill bit replacement tool comprising a head tube having an axial outer end and an axial inner end, operative first means for lockingly engaging a drill bit and alternately for releasing the drill bit, second means for being coupled to an overshot assembly, operative third means connected to the first means for moving the first means between a drill string bit mounted position and a drill bit pass through the drill string position and operate the first means between a drill bit lockingly engaging condition and a drill bit release condition, and fourth means mounted by the head tube for axial movement relative thereto and connected between the overshot coupling means and the third means for operating the third means when the overshot coupling means is moved axially outwardly relative the head tube.

In a drilling tool, a head tube having a central axis, an axial inner end and an axial outer end, detent means mounted by the head tube for movement between a drill string latching engagement first position and a release second position, an axially elongated member axially movably extended into the head tube and having an axial inner end portion and an axial outer end portion, cooperating means on the elongated member and the head tube for moving the detent means from its second position to its first position as the elongated member moves axially, an overshot coupling head portion, and means for connecting the head portion to the elongated member for moving the elongated member axially, the cooperating means including a cam member mounted by the head tube for rotation relative thereto for moving the detent means and means for rotating the cam member relative to the head tube as the elongated member is moved axially relative the head tube.

A drilling tool comprising a head tube having a central axis, an axial inner end and an axial outer end, detent first means mounted by the head tube for movement between a drill string latching engaging position and a release position, second means movable relative the head tube between a first position permitting the detent means moving to its release position, a second position for moving the detent means to its latching engaging position and a third position permitting the detent means moving to its release position, third means mounted by the head tube for moving the second means between its position, the third means including fourth means axially movable relative the head tube for moving the second means, the fourth means being movable relative the head tube from a datum position that the second means is in its first position, a second axial position extending axially inwardly of the datum position that the second means is in its second position, and a third axial position extending axially outwardly of datum position that the second means is in its third position, piston means connected to the fourth means for moving the fourth means from its datum position to its second position when an axial inward fluid force is applied thereto and overshot coupling means connected to the fourth means for moving it from its second position to its third position.

In a method of mounting a drill bit having a central axis and diametrically opposed portions of about the same diameter as the outer diameter of a drill string that has operative bit locking mechanism thereon without withdrawing the drill string from a drill hole, comprising passing the drill bit through the drill string and axially inwardly of the drill string with the drill bit central axis extending generally perpendicular to the drill string central axis, then while moving the drill bit axially outwardly, rotate the bit about the drill string central axis and about an axis generally perpendicular to the drill string axis to align the drill bit central axis with the drill string axis and thereafter mechanically operate the lock mechanism to lock the drill bit to the drill string.

In a method of removing a drill bit that will pass through a drill string and has a central axis and diametrically opposed portions of about the same diameter as the outer diameter of the drill string that has operative bit locking mechanism thereon without removing the drill string from a drill hole, the steps of mechanically lockingly engaging the drill bit while it is locked to the drill string, than mechanically operating the bit locking mechanism to release the bit from the drill string, thence moving the bit axially inwardly of the drill string and rotating the entire bit to a position to pass through the drill string and thereafter retracting the bit through the drill string.

A tool for couplingly engaging a drilling tool comprising an axially elongated annular mounting portion having a central axis and a latch slot extending axially therethrough, a plunger extended into the mounting portion and axially movable relative thereto between an axial inner latch means coupling position and an axial outer latch means release position, coupling means joined to the plunger for moving the plunger to its axial outer position, means acting between the plunger and the annular mounting portion for resiliently urging the plunger to its axial inner position, a roller, and latch means for retaining the roller in abutting relationship to the plunger and movable relative the roller between a roller abutting first position to extend transversely outwardly of the mounting portion to a drilling tool coupling position when the plunger is in its axial inner position and a roller abutting drilling tool release second position when the plunger is in its axial outer position, said latch means being pivotally mounted by the mounting portion to extend within the slot.

A drill bit comprising a single piece member having a central axial axis, an inner peripheral wall defining a central bore extending axially therethrough, an axially inner transverse surface, an axially outer transverse surface, a transversely outer, axially extending first side surface, a transversely outer, axially extending second side surface diametrically opposite the first side surface, the first and second side surfaces being generally planar and converging in an axial direction from the axial inner transverse surface toward the axial outer transverse surface, each side surface having first and second axially extending edges, an outer peripheral, generally circular surface portion extending between the first side surface first edge and the second side surface second edge, and an outer peripheral, generally circular surface portion extending between the first side surface second edge and the second side surface first edge, the minimum diametric spacing between the first and second side surfaces being substantially less than the diametric spacing of the outer peripheral circular surface portions.

A drill bit having a central axial axis, an inner peripheral wall defining a central bore extending axially therethrough and a plurality of circumferentially spaced detent recess opening transversely to the bore, an axially inner transverse surface, an axially outer transverse surface, a transversely outer, axially extending first side surface, a transversely outer, axially extending second side surface, each of the side surfaces having axially extending first and second side edges, wall portions defining a lock recess opening transversely outwardly through each of the first and second side surfaces, the lock recess being of increasing radial depths in the same circumferential direction, and an outer peripheral, generally circular surface portion extending between the first side surface first edge and the second side surface second edge, each of the first and second side surfaces being generally planar and extending axially from the inner transverse surface to the outer transverse surface, the minimum radial spacing of each of the first and second side surfaces from the central axis being substantially less than the radial spacing of the circular surface portion from the central axis, and the planar surfaces converging toward the central axis in a direction from the inner transverse surface toward the outer transverse surface.

A drill stem transverse outer barrel assembly comprising an outer barrel having a central axis, an axial outer end, an axial inner end, and an inner peripheral wall, a drive lug mounted on the outer barrel inner end to extend axially inwardly thereof, a locking sleeve rotatably mounted in the outer barrel and having an axial inner end adjacent the outer barrel inner end and an axial outer end, the locking sleeve outer end having an axially extending camming edge, a locking key mounted on the locking sleeve inner end, said outer barrel and locking sleeve having cooperating means for selectively retaining the locking sleeve in a locking key locked position relative the outer barrel and a locking key unlocked position angularly spaced from the locked position, and a stationary sleeve mounted on the outer barrel and having an axial inner end adjacent the locking sleeve outer end and an axial outer end remote from the locking sleeve, said stationary sleeve inner end having an axially extending camming edge circumferential adjacent the locking sleeve camming edge.

A drill stem transverse outer barrel assembly comprising an outer barrel having a central axis, and an inner peripheral wall, a drive lug mounted on the outer barrel inner end to extend axially inwardly thereof, means for lockingly engaging a drill bit, and operative means mounted by the outer barrel for mounting the lock means axially inwardly of the outer barrel and moving the lock means between a drill bit locking position and a drill bit release position, the operative means comprising means rotatably mounted by the outer barrel for mounting the lock means for movement between its position, the outer barrel and rotatably mounted means having cooperating means for resiliently retaining the rotatable means in each of the lock means positions.

Drilling apparatus for drilling a drill hole to extend axially inwardly, a rotatably drivable drill stem having a central axis and an outer barrel assembly at its axial inner end, the outer barrel assembly including an axially elongated outer barrel having an axial inner end portion, and a drill bit drive lug mounted on the outer barrel inner end portion, a drill bit of a size to pass axially through the drill stem and having a drive lug abuttable surface, said outer barrel assembly and drill bit having cooperating means for lockingly retaining the drill bit on the outer barrel without imparting any significant drive force to the bit when the bit is in the bottom of the drill hole and an axially inwardly and rotatable drive force is applied to the drill stem, said cooperating means including a drill bit lock member engageable portion, an outer barrel assembly lock member movable between a lock member engagable portion locking position to lock the drill bit to the outer barrel and a drill bit release position, an outer barrel assembly operative means mounted by the outer barrel for mounting the lock member and moving it between its positions, and means on the outer barrel for mounting the operative means for rotary movement about said axis while retaining the operative means in a substantially fixed axial position relative the outer barrel.

Drilling apparatus comprising a drill bit having a central axis and an inner peripheral wall defining a bore extending axially therethrough and centered with reference to said central axis and a drill string transverse outer barrel assembly that includes an axially elongated transverse outer tube having a circular outer peripheral surface, an axial inner end portion, operable first means mounted by the outer tube that is operable between a drill bit release position and a drill bit locking position for supportingly holding the drill bit, and a second means mounted by the outer tube inner end portion for drivingly engaging the drill bit, the drill bit being of a size to move through the outer tube and having a circumferential outer peripheral surface portion of a radius of curvature emanating from the bit central axis that is about the same as the radius of curvature of outer tube peripheral surface, a surface for being drivenly engaged by the second means, and third means for lockingly receiving the first means in its bit locking position.

Drilling apparatus comprising a drill bit and a drill string transverse outer barrel assembly that includes an axially elongated transverse outer tube having a circular outer peripheral surface, an axial inner end portion, operable first means mounted by the outer tube that is operable between a drill bit release position and a drill bit locking position for supportingly holding the drill bit, and second means mounted by outer tube inner end portion for drivingly engaged the drill bit, the drill bit being of a size to move through the outer tube and having a central axis, a circumferential outer peripheral surface portion of a radius of curvature emanating from the bit central axis that is about the same as the radius of curvature of the outer tube peripheral surface, a surface for being drivenly engaged by the second means, and third means for lockingly receiving the first means in its bit locking position, said bit being of a single piece unitary construction.

Drilling apparatus comprising a drill bit and a drill string transverse outer barrel assembly that includes an axially elongated transverse outer tube having a circular outer peripheral surface, an axial inner end portion, operable first means mounted by the outer tube that is operable between a drill bit release position and a drill bit locking position for supportingly holding the drill bit, and second means mounted by outer tube inner end portion for drivingly engaging the drill bit, the drill bit being of a size to move through the outer tube and having a central axis, a circumferential outer peripheral surface portion of a radius of curvature emanating from the bit central axis that is about the same as the radius of curvature of outer tube peripheral surface, a surface for being drivenly engaged by the second means, and third means for lockingly receiving the first means in its locking position, the first means including a lock key, and fourth means rotatably mounted by the outer tube for moving the lock key between a bit release position and a bit locking position, and the third means comprising drill bit wall portions that define a lock key recess.

A drill stem surface tool for controlling the movement of a wire line comprising an axially elongated tool housing having an axial inner end, an axial outer end and means for mountingly engaging a drill stem, a first clamp subassembly mounted on the housing for releasably grippingly engaging a wire line, a second clamp subassembly for releasably gripping a wire line, and manually operated means mounted by the housing for mounting the second clamp subassembly and selectively moving the second clamp subassembly axially toward and away from the first clamp subassembly, the housing having opposite stud receiving recessed portions

In a drilling tool, a head tube having a central axis, an axial inner end and an axial outer end, detent means mounted by the head tube for movement between a drill string latching engagement first position and a release second position, an axially elongated member axially movably extended into the head tube and having an axial inner end portion and an axial outer end portion, the elongated member comprising a second tube, cooperation means on the elongated member and the head tube for moving the detent means from its second position to its first position as the elongated member moves axially, an overshot coupling head portion, and means for connecting the head portion to the elongated member for moving the elongated member axially, the cooperating means including a cam member mounted by the head tube for rotation relative thereto for moving the detent means, a second tube wall portion defining a cam track, means for rotating the cam member as the second tube is moved axially, and cam follower means mounted by the head tube and extended into the cam track for rotating one of the head tube and the second tube relative the other during at least part of the axial movement of the elongated member relative the head tube.

A drill bit having a central axial axis, an axially inner transverse surface, an inner peripheral wall defining an axially extending central bore opening through the axial inner transverse surface, wall portions defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced bit replacement tool detent receiving recesses opening transversely to the bore, an axially outer transversely surface, a transversely outer, axially extending first side surface, a transversely outer, axially extending second side surface, each of the side surfaces having axially extending first and second side edges, an outer peripheral, generally circular surface portion extending between the first side surface first edge and the second side surface second edge, and means defining spaced drill stem outer barrel locking portion receiving recesses, the minimum spacing of the side surfaces from the central axis being less than the radius of curvature of the circular surface portion.

Drilling apparatus for drilling a drill hole to extend axially inwardly, a rotatably drivable drill stem having a central axis and an outer barrel assembly at its axial inner end, the outer barrel assembly including an axially elongated outer barrel having an inner end portion, and a drill bit drive lug mounted on the outer barrel inner end portion, a drill bit of a size to pass axially through the drill stem and having a drive lug abuttable surface, said outer barrel assembly and drill bit having cooperating means for lockingly retaining the drill bit on the outer barrel, the cooperating means including a drill bit lock member engagable portion, an outer barrel assembly lock means movable relative the outer barrel and the drill bit between a lock member engagable portion locking position to lock the drill bit to the outer barrel and a drill bit release position, and outer barrel assembly operative means mounted in the outer barrel for movement relative thereto and joined to the lock means for moving the lock means between its positions.

Drilling apparatus comprising a drill bit and a drill string transverse outer barrel assembly that includes an axially elongated transverse outer tube having a circular outer peripheral surface, an axial inner end portion, operable first means movably mounted by the outer tube that is operable between a drill bit release position and a drill bit locking position for supportingly holding the drill bit, and second means mounted by outer tube inner end portion for drivingly engaging the drill bit, the drill bit being of a size to move through the outer tube and having a central axis, a circumferential outer peripheral surface portion of a radius of curvature emanating from the bit central axis that is about the same as the radius of curvature of outer tube peripheral surface, diametrically opposed generally planar surfaces for being drivenly engaged by the second means, and third means for lockingly receiving the first means in its bit locking position, the second means comprising a pair of drive lugs that have diametrically opposed, generally planar drive surfaces and diametrically opposed circumferential outer peripheral surface portions that each is of a radius of curvature that is about the same as the radius of curvature of the outer tube peripheral surface.