Horizontal directional drill pipe drive connection with locking feature
AssigneeThe Charles Machine Works, Inc.
InventorsGreg L. Slaughter, Jr., Floyd R. Gunsaulis, Max A. Metcalf
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spindle assembly for connecting a drill string to a rotational drive for use in a horizontal directional drilling operation. The assembly comprises a saver sub attached to the rotational drive, and a drive chuck for connection to the drill string. The drive chuck and saver sub form a torque-transmitting connection by engaging through a seat in the saver sub and an engagement point on the drive chuck. Dowel pins may be used to rotationally lock and provide the engagement between the saver sub and the drive chuck. A collar may thread to the saver sub and cause an interference fit by engaging the drive chuck at a shoulder.
Claims35
A torque-transmitting assembly for use in a horizontal directional drilling operation, the assembly comprising:
- a saver sub having an end;
- a drive chuck having an end;
- an external collar that surrounds at least a portion of the saver sub and drive chuck and maintains their respective ends in coaxial and non-contacting relationship;
- and
- an internal locking mechanism that maintains the drive chuck and saver sub in rotationally-fixed relationship.
A spindle assembly for rotating a drill string, the spindle assembly comprising:
- a saver sub;
- a drive chuck;
- a collar at least partially surrounding the saver sub and the drive chuck;
- and
- a key disposed between the saver sub and the drive chuck;
- wherein the saver sub and drive chuck are in torque-transmitting engagement solely at the collar and the key.
A kit comprising:
- a collar configured to surround interfacing ends of a saver sub and a drive chuck to maintain them in coaxial and non-contacting relationship;
- and
- a plurality of dowel pins configured to lock the collared saver sub and drive chuck in rotationally-fixed relationship.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.