US 7,243,739 B2 · Coiled tubing directional drilling apparatus

Abstract

A coiled tubing directional drilling apparatus which is operated by a mud motor and is characterized by a fixed housing and a rotary steerable bent housing or sub which is selectively rotatable with respect to the fixed housing at a fixed angle bend by a shifting mechanism, typically operated by a reversible electric motor. The motor and shifting mechanism rotate with the drive shaft and employ a lead screw in a cross-nut arrangement that selectively engages and disengages a castle lock or power take-off drive system responsive to the direction of rotation of the motor, for effecting 360-degree rotation of the bent housing with respect to the fixed housing. A sun gear and pinion gear planetary gear system facilitate rotation of the bent housing with respect to the fixed housing at a slower speed than the drive train and bit box components of the device.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A coiled tubing directional drilling apparatus comprising a fixed housing for connection to a length of the coiled tubing;

a bent housing rotatably connected to said fixed housing;
a drive train rotatably extending through said fixed housing and said bent housing;
a drill bit connected to said drive train for drilling a hole responsive to rotation of said drive train;
an access provided in said fixed housing;
and a shifting apparatus carried by said drive train for rotation in said access with said drive train, said shifting apparatus also selectively engaging said fixed housing and said bent housing for selectively causing said bent housing to rotate with respect to said fixed housing.

2 more elements

A coiled tubing directional drilling apparatus for attachment to coiled tubing, comprising a fixed housing;

a bent housing rotatably carried by said fixed housing;
a drive train extending through said fixed housing and said bent housing;
a mud motor provided in said fixed housing, said mud motor connected to said drive train;
a drill bit connected to said drive train for drilling a hole responsive to operation of said mud motor and rotation of said drive train;
and a shifting apparatus disposed for rotation in said drive train, said shifting apparatus selectively engaging said fixed housing and said bent housing for selectively causing rotation of said bent housing with respect to said fixed housing at a selected rotational speed of said bent housing.

2 more elements

A coiled tubing directional drilling apparatus for attachment to coiled tubing, comprising a fixed housing;

a bent housing rotatably carried by said fixed housing;
a drive train extending through said fixed housing and said bent housing;
a mud motor provided in said fixed housing, said mud motor connected to said drive train;
a drill bit connected to said drive train for drilling a hole responsive to operation of said mud motor and rotation of said drive train;
and a clutch apparatus disposed for rotation in said drive train, said clutch apparatus selectively engaging said fixed housing and said bent housing for selectively causing rotation of said bent housing with respect to said fixed housing at a selected rotational speed.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Coiled tubing directional drilling apparatus

Life of this patent

Coiled tubing directional drilling apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20