# US 7,607,498 B2 · Assembly and method for discharging fluid into a drill string of a rotary-vibratory drill > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,498 B2 - Document ID: US7607498B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/478,851 - Filed: 2006-07-03 - Published: 2008-01-03 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2006-07-03 - Inventors: Raymond J. Roussy - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607498B2 ## CPC - E21B 7/24: Drilling using vibrating or oscillating means, e.g. out-of-balance masses (percussion drilling E21B1/00) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a rotary-vibratory drilling apparatus. The drilling assembly is comprised of a vibratory apparatus, a rotary drive apparatus, a drill string, a first conduit and a second conduit. The first conduit communicates with the second conduit and the second conduit communicates with the drill string. The drilling assembly may further include a fluid reservoir communicating with the first conduit. Fluid may be discharged from the fluid reservoir into the first conduit, fluid may be discharged from the first conduit into the second conduit, and fluid may be discharged from the second conduit into the drill string. The first conduit may be threadedly connected to the second conduit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sonic drilling apparatus comprising: a drill head comprising a drill head housing, a top having an inlet conduit constructed and arranged to permit communication with a fluid reservoir, and a bottom; a drill string extending from the bottom of the drill head; a vibratory apparatus disposed in the drill head housing and operatively connected to the drill string, the vibratory apparatus comprising a vibratory apparatus housing and first and second counter-rotating rollers rotatable in respective cavities of the vibratory apparatus housing to generate sonic range vibrations which are imparted to the drill string; a first conduit extending into the top of the drill head housing and communicating with the inlet conduit for receiving fluid from the fluid reservoir and transmitting the fluid to a second conduit, the first conduit being in direct fluid communication with the fluid as the fluid passes therethrough; the second conduit extending between the first conduit and the drill string, the second conduit being substantially disposed in the drill head housing and in communication with both the first conduit and the drill string for receiving fluid from the first conduit and transmitting the fluid to the drill string; a rotary drive apparatus disposed in the drill head and operatively connected to the drill string for rotating the drill string, the first conduit, and the second conduit; and a seal assembly sealing the first conduit with respect to the drill head. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a bearing assembly for isolating rotational movement generated by the rotary drive apparatus from the drill head housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vibratory apparatus further comprises: a motor; and first and second crankshafts operatively connected to the first and second counter-rotating rollers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first conduit and second conduit are threadedly engaged. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first conduit and the second conduit are integral with respect to one another so as to constitute a unitary conduit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotary drive apparatus comprises: a motor; a pinion drivable by the motor; a ring gear operatively engaging the pinion to cause rotation of the driven pinion; a first annular member rotatable with the ring gear; a hollow shaft operatively connecting the first annular member to the drill string. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal assembly comprises a reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene seal assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal assembly is a lubricated low pressure seal assembly capable of sealing up to 450 psi. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal assembly is a lubricated high pressure seal assembly capable of sealing at least 3,500 psi. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a mounting member operatively connecting the drill head housing to the top of the drill head to maintain the top of the drill head, the inlet conduit of the top of the drill head, and the seal assembly stationary. ### Claim 11 A sonic drilling apparatus comprising: a drill head comprising a drill head housing, a top having an inlet conduit constructed and arranged to permit communication with a fluid reservoir, and a bottom; a drill string extending from the bottom of the drill head; a vibratory apparatus disposed in the drill head housing and operatively connected to the drill string; a first conduit extending into the top of the drill head housing and communicating with the inlet conduit for receiving fluid from the fluid reservoir and transmitting the fluid to a second conduit, the first conduit being in direct fluid communication with the fluid as the fluid passes therethrough and having an upper end terminating below the inlet conduit so as to avoid any obstruction of the inlet conduit when the first conduit is rotating; the second conduit extending between the first conduit and the drill string, the second conduit being substantially disposed in the drill head housing and in communication with both the first conduit and the drill string for receiving fluid from the first conduit and transmitting the fluid to the drill string; a rotary drive apparatus disposed in the drill head and operatively connected to the drill string for rotating the drill string, the first conduit, and the second conduit; and a seal assembly sealing the first conduit with respect to the drill head. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a bearing assembly for isolating rotational movement generated by the rotary drive apparatus from the drill head housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first conduit and second conduit are threadedly engaged. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first conduit and the second conduit are integral with respect to one another so as to constitute a unitary conduit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the rotary drive apparatus comprises: a motor; a pinion drivable by the motor; a ring gear operatively engaging the pinion to cause rotation of the driven pinion; a first annular member rotatable with the ring gear; a hollow shaft operatively connecting the first annular member to the drill string. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the seal assembly comprises a reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene seal assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a mounting member operatively connecting the drill head housing to the top of the drill head to maintain the top of the drill head, the inlet conduit of the top of the drill head, and the seal assembly stationary. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first conduit and the inlet conduit extend perpendicularly to one another. ### Claim 19 A sonic drilling apparatus comprising: a drill head comprising a drill head housing, a top having an inlet conduit constructed and arranged to permit communication with a fluid reservoir, and a bottom; a drill string extending from the bottom of the drill head; a vibratory apparatus disposed in the drill head housing and operatively connected to the drill string, the vibratory apparatus comprising a vibratory apparatus housing and first and second counter-rotating rollers rotatable in respective cavities of the vibratory apparatus housing to generate sonic range vibrations which are imparted to the drill string; a first conduit extending into the top of the drill head housing and communicating with the inlet conduit for receiving fluid from the fluid reservoir and transmitting the fluid to a second conduit, the first conduit being in direct fluid communication with the fluid as the fluid passes therethrough and having an upper end terminating below the inlet conduit so as to avoid any obstruction of the inlet conduit when the first conduit is rotating; the second conduit extending between the first conduit and the drill string, the second conduit being substantially disposed in the drill head housing and in communication with both the first conduit and the drill string for receiving fluid from the first conduit and transmitting the fluid to the drill string; a rotary drive apparatus disposed in the drill head and operatively connected to the drill string for rotating the drill string, the first conduit, and the second conduit synchronously; and a seal assembly sealing the first conduit with respect to the drill head. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The sonic drilling apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first conduit and the inlet conduit extend perpendicularly to one another.