US 6,173,796 B1 · Sleeve for orientating a tool

Abstract

A sleeve (10) comprises a cylindrical member (12) provided at one end (14) with a pair of opposing tapered peaks (16) and (18). Peak (16) is higher (longer) than peak (18). Sleeve (10) is retained within a drive sub (26) of a ground drill and is constrained to move linearly along the drive sub (26). The peaks (16) and (18) cooperate with latch dogs (20) and (22) which are evenly spaced about and extend radially from a running tool (24). When the running tool (24) travels down the drive sub (26) and enters the sleeve (10), one of the latch dogs (20, 22) will strike one of the peaks (16) and (18) causing the tool (24) to rotate toward a predetermined rotational position. Because the peaks (16) and (18) are at different heights, latch dogs (20) and (22) cannot simultaneously contact the very top of each peak (16) and (18). If latch dog (20) strikes the top of peak (16), it will then slide down one of the sides of that peak causing the tool (24) to rotate. Memo other latch dog (22) will then contact an opposite or most distant side of the peak (18). This ensures that latch dogs (20) and (22) cannot slide down adjacent sides of the peaks which would cause the tool (24) to jam.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A sleeve for orientating a tool provided with at least one abutment surface, said sleeve comprising:

a substantially cylindrical member provided at one end with two or more tapered peaks extending in the axial direction of said cylindrical member with one of the peaks being a highest peak extending furthest in the axial direction;
said substantially cylindrical member having an interior shaped to receive therein the tool travelling axially with respect to the sleeve;
said highest peak having sides sloped to slidably contact the at least one abutment surface of the tool as the tool travels through the interior of said substantially cylindrical member, forcing the tool to rotate about a longitudinal axis of said substantially cylindrical member to orientate said tool into one of one or more predetermined rotational positions;
and
wherein said two or more tapered peaks are circumferentially spaced such that, when the at least one abutment surface contacts and slides along one of said sides of said highest peak, any other abutment surface of the tool contacts respective others of said tapered peaks on a side distant said one of said sides.

2 more elements

A sleeve for orientating a tool travelling through said sleeve into one of one or more predetermined rotational positions, the tool provided with at least one abutment surface, said sleeve being retainable within a tubular member through which said tool can travel, said sleeve comprising:

a substantially cylindrical member provided at one end with two or more tapered peaks extending in the axial direction of said cylindrical member with one of the peaks being the highest of all the peaks, each of said two or more tapered peaks being configured to engage an abutment surface of the tool;
and
guiding means for guiding said sleeve to move linearly in the direction of a longitudinal axis of said tubular member while preventing rotation of said sleeve relative to said tubular member.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sleeve for orientating a tool

Life of this patent

Sleeve for orientating a tool

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20