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US 5,862,871 AGranted
Axial-vortex jet drilling system and method
AssigneeCcore Technology & Licensing Limited, A Texas Limited Partnership
InventorHarry B. Curlett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drill bit with a housing and roller cones has a high-speed fluid jet erosion system utilizing dual discharge, high-velocity, jet streams that is directed at the surface to be eroded. The jet streams are developed from a dual discharge nozzle adapted to form a first, swirling liquid jet and a second, axial liquid jet in combination therewith. When used in a shale-like formation, the bit includes a nozzle in a bowl area of the housing that sends a vortex shaped spray against the roller cones.
Claims121
A method of drilling a surface with a drill bit utilizing a high velocity liquid jet, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a drill bit with a drill bit housing having at least one bore formed therein;
- forming a dual-discharge nozzle for generating a first, swirling liquid jet and at least one second, axial liquid jet in combination therewith;
- securing said nozzle in said housing in flow communication with said bore;
- injecting liquid into said bore and into said nozzle and generating said first swirling liquid jet and a said second, axial liquid jet therewith;
- discharging said liquid jets from said nozzle and against said surface;
- constructing said drill bit housing for mechanical cutting of said surface;
- and
- providing said drill bit housing with at least one roller cone and securing said nozzle adjacent said roller cone for use in conjunction therewith for the erosion of said surface.
5 more elements
A method of drilling a surface with a drill bit utilizing a high velocity liquid jet, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a drill bit with a drill bit housing having at least one bore formed therein;
- forming a dual-discharge nozzle for generating a first, swirling liquid jet and at least one second, axial liquid jet in combination therewith;
- securing said nozzle in said housing in flow communication with said bore;
- injecting liquid into said bore and into said nozzle and generating said first swirling liquid jet and a said second, axial liquid jet therewith;
- discharging said liquid jets from said nozzle and against said surface;
- constructing said drill bit housing with at least one roller cone and providing said drill bit housing with at least one fixed cutter;
- and
- securing said nozzle adjacent said fixed cutter for use in conjunction therewith for the erosion of said surface.
5 more elements
A method of drilling a surface with a drill bit utilizing a high velocity liquid jet, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a drill bit with a drill bit housing having at least one bore formed therein;
- forming a dual-discharge nozzle for generating a first, swirling liquid jet and at least one second, axial liquid jet in combination therewith;
- securing said nozzle in said housing in flow communication with said bore;
- injecting liquid into said bore and into said nozzle and generating said first swirling liquid jet and a said second, axial liquid jet therewith;
- discharging said liquid jets from said nozzle and against said surface;
- providing a liquid swirl inducer within said nozzle and wherein said step of generating said first swirling liquid jet includes the step of passing liquid across said liquid swirl inducer;
- forming said liquid swirl inducer with a central aperture for generating said second, axial jet therein in conjunction with said first swirling jet;
- and
- forming said liquid swirl inducer with internal flow vanes disposed about said central aperture for generating a swirling liquid flow propagating about said axial flow extending therethrough.
6 more elements
A method of drilling a surface with a drill bit utilizing a high velocity liquid jet, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a drill bit with a drill bit housing having at least one bore formed therein;
- forming a dual-discharge nozzle for generating a first, swirling liquid jet and at least one second, axial liquid jet in combination therewith;
- securing said nozzle in said housing in flow communication with said bore;
- injecting liquid into said bore and into said nozzle and generating said first swirling liquid jet and a said second, axial liquid jet therewith;
- discharging said liquid jets from said nozzle and against said surface;
- mounting said nozzle in a position recessed from the end of said bit;
- forming said nozzle with a single discharge orifice for said first and second jets;
- and
- recessing said nozzle orifice from the end of said bit a distance on the order of one-half of the diameter of said orifice.
6 more elements
A method of drilling a surface with a drill bit utilizing a high velocity liquid jet, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a drill bit with a drill bit housing having at least one bore formed therein;
- forming a dual-discharge nozzle for generating a first, swirling liquid jet and at least one second, axial liquid jet in combination therewith;
- securing said nozzle in said housing in flow communication with said bore;
- injecting liquid into said bore and into said nozzle and generating said first swirling liquid jet and a said second, axial liquid jet therewith;
- discharging said liquid jets from said nozzle and against said surface;
- mounting said nozzle in a position recessed from the end of said bit;
- and
- constructing said bit with at least first and second opposed roller cones adapted for mechanical cutting of said surface.
5 more elements
A method of drilling a surface with a drill bit utilizing a high velocity liquid jet, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a drill bit with a drill bit housing having at least one bore formed therein;
- forming a dual-discharge nozzle for generating a first, swirling liquid jet and at least one second, axial liquid jet in combination therewith;
- securing said nozzle in said housing in flow communication with said bore;
- injecting liquid into said bore and into said nozzle and generating said first swirling liquid jet and a said second, axial liquid jet therewith;
- discharging said liquid jets from said nozzle and against said surface;
- mounting said nozzle in a position recessed from the end of said bit;
- and
- providing said bit with a plurality of nozzles and a plurality of roller cones and positioning at least one of said nozzles between said roller cones.
5 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing adapted for movement relative to a surface;
- means associated with said housing for the flow of liquid therethrough;
- at least one dual discharge liquid jet nozzle disposed in said housing and positioned in flow communication with said liquid flow means for the discharge of a first, swirling liquid jet and a second, axial jet in combination therewith;
- means for moving said housing relative to said surface;
- and
- said housing comprises a drill bit having at least one roller cone.
3 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing adapted for movement relative to a surface;
- means associated with said housing for the flow of liquid therethrough;
- at least one dual discharge liquid jet nozzle disposed in said housing and positioned in flow communication with said liquid flow means for the discharge of a first, swirling liquid jet and a second, axial jet in combination therewith;
- means for moving said housing relative to said surface;
- a liquid swirl inducer secured within said nozzle for forming said first swirling jet;
- said liquid swirl inducer includes a central aperture formed therethrough for generating said second, axial jet therein in conjunction with said first swirling jet;
- and
- said swirl inducer is formed with internal flow vanes disposed about said central aperture for generating a swirling liquid flow propagating about said axial flow extending therethrough.
5 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing adapted for movement relative to a surface;
- means associated with said housing for the flow of liquid therethrough;
- at least one dual discharge liquid jet nozzle disposed in said housing and positioned in flow communication with said liquid flow means for the discharge of a first, swirling liquid jet and a second, axial jet in combination therewith;
- means for moving said housing relative to said surface;
- said nozzle is mounted in said housing in a position recessed from the end thereof;
- and
- said nozzle is formed with a discharge orifice and is recessed from the end of said housing a distance on the order of one-half of the diameter of said orifice.
4 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a liquid jet nozzle adapted for the discharge of jet streams therefrom;
- means associated with said nozzle for forming a localized depressurized fluid region adjacent said nozzle and discharging an axial jet stream therethrough;
- and
- means for directing said depressurized fluid region and jet stream discharged by said nozzle toward a surface.
1 more element
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing adapted for movement relative to said surface and having a nozzle mounted therewith;
- means associated with said nozzle for forming a swirling liquid jet discharging a vortex jet stream;
- means associated with said nozzle for forming an axial jet stream passing through said vortex jet stream;
- at least one liquid jet nozzle secured to said housing and positioned for the discharge of said dual jet streams therefrom;
- said swirling jet means includes a generally cylindrical chamber disposed within said nozzle and a liquid flow passage disposed in flow communication therewith for the axial injection of fluid into said chamber and the generation of a swirling flow therein;
- and
- said swirling jet means further includes a vane structure secured within said cylindrical chamber for inducing said liquid to swirl therein.
4 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing adapted for movement relative to a surface and having a nozzle mounted therewith;
- means associated with said nozzle for forming a swirling liquid jet discharging a vortex jet stream;
- means associated with said nozzle for forming an axial jet stream passing through said vortex jet stream;
- at least one liquid jet nozzle secured to said housing and positioned for the discharge of said dual jet streams therefrom;
- said housing comprises a drill bit for the drilling of a bore hole;
- and
- said drill bit is of the type having roller cones formed thereon for the mechanical engagement of said surface and the penetration thereof.
4 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a liquid jet nozzle adapted for the discharge of dual jet streams therefrom;
- means associated with said nozzle for forming a swirling liquid jet and an axial jet stream passing therethrough;
- means for causing said swirling liquid jet and said axial jet stream to meet before exiting said liquid jet nozzle;
- and
- means for directing said dual jet streams discharged by said nozzle toward a surface.
2 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a liquid jet nozzle adapted for the discharge of dual jet streams therefrom;
- means associated with said nozzle for forming a swirling liquid jet and an axial jet stream passing therethrough;
- means for directing said dual jet streams discharged by said nozzle toward a surface;
- wherein said swirling jet means includes a generally cylindrical chamber disposed within said nozzle and a liquid flow passage disposed in flow communication therewith for the injection of fluid into said chamber and the generation of a swirling flow therein;
- and
- wherein said axial jet means includes a central bore formed in said nozzle facilitating the axial flow of liquid therethrough and through said vortex stream.
3 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a liquid jet nozzle adapted for the discharge of dual jet streams therefrom;
- means associated with said nozzle for forming a swirling liquid jet and an axial jet stream passing therethrough;
- means for directing said dual jet streams discharged by said nozzle toward a surface;
- wherein said swirling jet means includes a generally cylindrical chamber disposed within said nozzle and a liquid flow passage disposed in flow communication therewith for the injection of fluid into said chamber and the generation of a swirling flow therein;
- and
- wherein said swirling jet means further includes a vane structure secured within said cylindrical chamber for inducing said liquid to swirl therein.
3 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a liquid jet nozzle adapted for the discharge of dual jet streams therefrom;
- means associated with said nozzle for forming a swirling liquid jet and an axial jet stream passing therethrough;
- means for directing said dual jet streams discharged by said nozzle toward a surface;
- wherein said directing means comprises a drill bit for the drilling of a bore hole into an earth formation;
- and
- wherein said drill bit is of the type having roller cones formed thereon for the mechanical engagement of said surface and the penetration thereof.
3 more elements
A method of drilling a surface utilizing a fluid jet stream, comprising the steps of:
- providing a fluid jet nozzle adapted for the discharge of at least one jet stream therefrom;
- forming means associated with said nozzle for creating a localized depressurized fluid region adjacent said nozzle during discharge of at least one jet stream;
- passing fluid through said nozzle to form said depressurized fluid region;
- discharging an axial jet stream from said nozzle through said depressurized fluid region;
- and
- directing said depressurized fluid region and said axial jet stream toward a surface.
3 more elements
An apparatus comprising
- a drill bit having a housing and at least one roller cone adapted for movement relative to a surface;
- means associated with said housing for the flow of liquid therethrough;
- and
- a dual discharge liquid jet nozzle disposed in said housing and positioned in flow communications with said liquid flow means for discharge of a first, swirling liquid jet and a second, axial jet in combination therewith, said first, swirling liquid jet and said second, axial liquid jet being directed toward at least one roller cone of said drill bit.
1 more element
A fluid nozzle for use in a drill bit, said nozzle comprising:
- a nozzle housing have a central bore therethrough with a nozzle inlet and an exit orifice, said central bore for the passage of fluid through said nozzle housing;
- means for generating a low pressure region adjacent to said exit nozzle;
- means for discharging a portion of fluid passing through said central bore as an axial stream passing through the low pressure region generated by said means for generating a low pressure region.
A fluid nozzle for use in a drill bit, said nozzle comprising:
- a nozzle housing having a central bore therethrough with a nozzle inlet and an exit orifice, said central bore for the passage of fluid through said nozzle housing;
- means for discharging a portion of fluid passing through said central bore as a swirling stream;
- means for discharging a portion of fluid passing through said central bore as an axial stream passing through the swirling stream discharged by said means for discharging a swirling stream;
- and
- said means for discharging an axial stream comprises a flow divider having a central aperture therethrough.
2 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing adapted for movement relative to a surface;
- means associated with said housing for the flow of fluid therethrough;
- means associated with said housing for imparting a mechanical force to the surface;
- at least one dual discharge fluid nozzle disposed in said housing and positioned in fluid communication with said fluid flow means for the discharge of a first, swirling fluid stream and a second, axial fluid stream in combination therewith;
- wherein said at least one dual discharge fluid nozzle is disposed in said housing such that said second, axial fluid stream discharges against said surface;
- wherein said at least one dual discharge fluid nozzle is disposed in said housing such that said first, swirling stream discharges against said surface;
- and
- further comprising at least one cleaning fluid nozzle disposed in said housing and positioned in fluid communication with said fluid flow means for the discharge of fluid against said means for imparting mechanical force to the surface.
5 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing adapted for movement relative to a surface;
- means associated with said housing for the flow of fluid therethrough;
- means associated with said housing for imparting a mechanical force to the surface;
- at least one dual discharge fluid nozzle disposed in said housing and positioned in fluid communication with said fluid flow means for the discharge of a first, swirling fluid stream and a second, axial fluid stream in combination therewith;
- wherein said at least one dual discharge fluid nozzle is disposed in said housing such that said first, swirling fluid stream engages said means for imparting mechanical force to the surface.
2 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing adapted for movement relative to a surface;
- means associated with said housing for the flow of fluid therethrough;
- means associated with said housing for imparting a mechanical force to the surface;
- at least one dual discharge fluid nozzle disposed in said housing and positioned in fluid communication with said fluid flow means for the discharge of a first, swirling fluid stream and a second, axial fluid stream in combination therewith;
- wherein said at least one dual discharge fluid nozzle is disposed in said housing such that said first, swirling fluid stream engages said means for imparting mechanical force to the surface.
2 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing adapted for movement relative to a surface;
- means associated with the housing for the flow of fluid therethrough;
- means associated with said housing for imparting mechanical force to the surface;
- at least one dual discharge nozzle disposed in said housing and positioned in fluid communication with the fluid flow means for the discharge of a first, swirling fluid stream and a second, axial fluid stream in combination therewith;
- and
- wherein said means for imparting mechanical force comprises at least one roller cone.
3 more elements
A method of drilling a surface with a drill bit utilizing a high velocity liquid jet, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a drill bit with a drill bit housing having at least one bore formed therein;
- forming a dual-discharge nozzle for generating a first, swirling liquid jet, a second, axial liquid jet, said first, swirling liquid jet meeting said second, axial liquid jet before exiting said nozzle;
- securing said nozzle in said housing in flow communication with said bore;
- injecting liquid into said bore and into said nozzle and generating said first swirling liquid jet and a said second, axial liquid jet therewith;
- and
- discharging said liquid jets from said nozzle and against a surface.
3 more elements
A method of drilling a surface with a drill bit utilizing a high velocity liquid jet, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a drill bit with a drill bit housing having at least one bore formed therein;
- forming a dual-discharge nozzle for generating a first, swirling liquid jet with a tapered annulus chamber, and for generating at least one second, axial liquid jet in combination therewith, wherein;
- securing said nozzle in said housing in flow communication with said bore;
- injecting liquid into said bore and into said nozzle and generating said first swirling liquid jet and a said second, axial liquid jet therewith;
- and
- discharging said liquid jets from said nozzle and against said surface.
3 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing adapted for movement relative to a surface;
- means associated with said housing for the flow of liquid therethrough;
- at least one dual discharge liquid jet nozzle disposed in said housing and positioned in flow communication with said liquid flow means for the discharge of a first, swirling liquid jet and a second, axial jet in combination therewith, said first, swirling liquid jet meeting said second, axial jet before exiting said nozzle;
- and
- means for moving said housing relative to said surface.
2 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing adapted for movement relative to a surface;
- means associated with said housing for the flow of liquid therethrough;
- at least one dual discharge liquid jet nozzle disposed in said housing and positioned in flow communication with said liquid flow means for the discharge of a first, swirling liquid jet and a second, axial jet in combination therewith, said nozzle having a tapered annulus in which liquid for the first, swirling liquid jet passes prior to exiting said nozzle;
- and
- means for moving said housing relative to said surface.
2 more elements
A fluid nozzle for use in a drill bit, said nozzle comprising:
- a nozzle housing having a central bore therethrough with a nozzle inlet and an exit orifice, said central bore for the passage of fluid through said nozzle housing;
- means for discharging a portion of fluid passing though said central bore as a swirling stream;
- means for discharging a portion of fluid passing through said central bore as an axial stream passing through the swirling stream discharged by said means for discharging a swirling stream;
- and
- means for causing said swirling stream to meet with said axial stream prior to exiting said nozzle.
2 more elements
A fluid nozzle for use in a drill bit, said nozzle comprising:
- a nozzle housing having a central bore therethrough with a nozzle inlet and an exit orifice, said central bore for the passage of fluid through said nozzle housing;
- means for discharging a portion of fluid passing though said central bore as a swirling stream including a tapered annulus chamber;
- and
- means for discharging a portion of fluid passing through said central bore as an axial stream passing through the swirling stream discharged by said means for discharging a swirling stream.
1 more element
A fluid nozzle for use in a drill bit, said nozzle comprising:
- a nozzle head having an central aperture therethrough;
- a central body with a central bore therethrough, said central body positioned within said central aperture of said nozzle head to form a tapered annulus chamber;
- a swirl inducer positioned to induce a portion of a liquid passing through said fluid nozzle to propagate in a swirling direction before passing through the tapered annulus chamber between said nozzle head and said central body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.