Using a rotating inner member to drive a tool in a hollow outer member
AssigneeThe Charles Machine Works, Inc.
InventorsRichard Felix Sharp, Matthew L. Dock
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rotating inner member is used to drive a downhole tool housed within the hollow outer member of a dual-member drill string. The downhole tool preferably will be adapted to receive rotational energy from the inner member. In a preferred embodiment, the downhole tool is an electric generator connected to a downhole electric device. In another preferred embodiment the downhole tool is a mechanical transmission that uses the rotational energy from the inner member to drive a non-electric tool, such as a downhole hammer. This invention will increase the consistency and efficiency of downhole energy production.
Claims26
A horizontal directional drilling machine comprising:
- a rotary drive system;
- a dual-member drill string operatively connected to the rotary drive system;
- wherein the dual-member drill string comprises a hollow outer member and an inner member positioned longitudinally therein, wherein the inner member is movable independently of the outer member;
- and
- at least one downhole tool supported within the outer member of the dual-member drill string so that movement of the inner member will drive operation of the downhole tool.
A method for drilling a borehole using a horizontal directional drilling machine, the machine including a rotary drive system attached to a drill string having a hollow outer member and an inner member positioned longitudinally therein, wherein the inner member is movable independently of the outer member, the method comprising:
- moving the inner member;
- and
- converting movement of the inner member into an output power within the hollow outer member of the drill string.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.