Patent US3774701A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3774701A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for drilling
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-07
•
Granted: 1973-11-27
•
Expires: 1991-05-07
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for rotary drilling an earth formation with a cutting tool using air as a non-polluting circulating drilling fluid including expansion of cooled and compressed air to cool and clean the cutting tool, to remove cuttings from the drill hole and to freeze the moisture in the formation adjacent the drill hole to prevent sloughing of the walls into the drill hole. Side ports on the cutting tool provide additional cooling to the circulating air for cooling the walls of the drill hole. An anti-freeze solution is added to the circulating air to prevent freezing of water in the well hole. The method may also be used in obtaining core samples having the moisture therein frozen.
Inventors
- 👤 C Weaver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:57
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/16; E21B36/00; E21B36/001; E21B49/00; E21B49/02; E21B7/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S166/00; Y10S166/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of drilling through an earth formation with a drill string having a bore communicating with a ported cutting tool at the formation engaging end including: a. lowering the temperature of a supply of air; b. communicating the air into the bore of the drill string; c. reducing the pressure of the air adjacent the ports of the cutting tool to cool the cutting tool; d. directing the air about the cutting tool; e. flowing the reduced pressure air upwardly along the outer surface of the drill string away from the cutting tool; and f. venting a portion of the air in the bore of the drill bit into the flowing reduced pressure air to cool the flow of air circulating from the drill bit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of drilling through an earth formation with a drill string having a bore communicating with a ported cutting tool at the formation engaging end including: a. lowering the temperature of a supply of air; b. communicating the air into the bore of the drill string; c. reducing the pressure of the air adjacent the ports of the cutting tool to cool the cutting tool; d. directing the air about the cutting tool; e. flowing the reduced pressure air upwardly along the outer surface of the drill string away from the cutting tool; and f. venting a portion of the air in the bore of the drill bit into the flowing reduced pressure air to cool the flow of air circulating from the drill bit.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of drilling through an earth formation with a drill string having a bore communicating with a ported cutting tool at the formation engaging end including: a. lowering the temperature of a supply of air; b. communicating the air into the bore of the drill string; c. reducing the pressure of the air adjacent the ports of the cutting tool to cool the cutting tool; d. directing the air about the cutting tool; e. flowing the reduced pressure air upwardly along the outer surface of the drill string away from the cutting tool; and f. venting a portion of the air in the bore of the drill bit into the flowing reduced pressure air to cool the flow of air circulating from the drill bit; and g. adding a water freezing temperature depressant to the air injected in the bore of the drill string to enable removal of the water in the drill hole.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of drilling through an earth formation with a drill string having a bore communicating with a ported cutting tool at the formation engaging end including: a. lowering the temperature of a supply of air; b. communicating the air into the bore of the drill string; c. reducing the pressure of the air adjacent the ports of the cutting tool to cool the cutting tool; d. directing the air about the cutting tool; e. flowing the reduced pressure air upwardly along the outer surface of the drill string away from the cutting tool; and f. venting a portion of the air in the bore of the drill bit into the flowing reduced pressure air to cool the flow of air circulating from the drill bit; and g. adding a water freezing temperature depressant to the air injected in the bore of the drill string to enable removal of the water in the drill hole.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method as set forth in claim 2, including: a. rotating a drill bit cutting tool while moving the bit into the formation to produce a drill hole; b. cooling the cutting edges of the drill bit and the formation adjacent the bit with the reduced pressure air; and c. removing the formation cuttings from the drill hole with the flowing reduced pressure air circulating from the drill bit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the flowing reduced pressure air cools the walls of the drill hole to freeze the moisture adjacent the drill hole to prevent sloughing of the drill hole walls into the drill hole.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as set forTh in claim 2 including: a. rotating the cutting tool while moving the cutting tool into the formation to produce a core sample; and b. cooling the core sample in place to freeze the moisture within the sample.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for circulating a drilling fluid in an earth formation boring operation including: a. a rotary ported cutting tool for moving into the formation; b. a supply of compressed air; c. means for cooling the supply of compressed air; d. means for communicating the supply of cooled compressed air to the ports of the cutting tool wherein the cooled compressed air flows through the ports in the cutting tool to expand to a lower pressure for lowering the temperature of the air to clean and cool the cutting tool; and e. means for venting a portion of the supply of compressed air into the lower pressure air enabling the vented portion to expand to a lower pressure for cooling the lower pressure air and cuttings below the freezing temperature of water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for circulating a drilling fluid in an earth formation boring operation including: a. a rotary ported cutting tool for moving into the formation; b. a supply of compressed air; c. means for cooling the supply of compressed air; d. means for communicating the supply of cooled compressed air to the ports of the cutting tool wherein the cooled compressed air flows through the ports in the cutting tool to expand to a lower pressure for lowering the temperature of the air to clean and cool the cutting tool; and e. means for venting a portion of the supply of compressed air into the lower pressure air enabling the vented portion to expand to a lower pressure for cooling the lower pressure air and cuttings below the freezing temperature of water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein the lower pressure air cools and circulates formation cuttings from the cutting tool.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein a core sample cut by said cutting tool is cooled in place by the lower pressure air below the freezing temperature of water wherein the moisture in the core is frozen.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of drilling through an earth formation with a drill string having a bore communicating with a ported cutting tool at the formation engaging end, including: a. compressing a supply of air; b. cooling the supply of compressed air; c. communicating the supply of air into the bore of the drill string; d. cooling the cutting tool by expanding the air through the ports of the cutting tool; e. freezing the moisture in the formation by expanding the air through the ports of the cutting tool to prevent sloughing of the formation into the drill hole; f. removing formation cuttings produced by the cutting tool with the expanding air; and g. cooling the expanding air from the cutting tool ports by expanding an additional portion of the compressed air from the bore of the drill string into the expanding air from the cutting tool ports.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of drilling through an earth formation with a drill string having a bore communicating with a ported cutting tool at the formation engaging end, including: a. compressing a supply of air; b. cooling the supply of compressed air; c. communicating the supply of air into the bore of the drill string; d. cooling the cutting tool by expanding the air through the ports of the cutting tool; e. freezing the moisture in the formation by expanding the air through the ports of the cutting tool to prevent sloughing of the formation into the drill hole; f. removing formation cuttings produced by the cutting tool with the expanding air; and g. cooling the expanding air from the cutting tool ports by expanding an additional portion of the compressed air from the bore of the drill string into the expanding air from the cutting tool ports.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of drilling in arctic regions through an earth formation with a drill string having a bore communicating with a ported cutting tool at the formation engaging and including: a. lowering the temperature of a supply of air; b. communicating the air into the bore of the drill string; c. reducing the pressure of the air adjacent the ports of the cutting tool to cool the cutting tool; d. directing the air about the cutting tool; e. flowing the reduced pressure air upwardly along the outer surface of the drill string away from the cutting tool; and f. venting a portion of the air in the bore of the drill bit into the flowing reduced pressure air to cool the flow of air circulating form the drill bit.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of drilling in arctic regions through an earth formation with a drill string having a bore communicating with a ported cutting tool at the formation engaging and including: a. lowering the temperature of a supply of air; b. communicating the air into the bore of the drill string; c. reducing the pressure of the air adjacent the ports of the cutting tool to cool the cutting tool; d. directing the air about the cutting tool; e. flowing the reduced pressure air upwardly along the outer surface of the drill string away from the cutting tool; and f. venting a portion of the air in the bore of the drill bit into the flowing reduced pressure air to cool the flow of air circulating form the drill bit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method as set forth in claim 10, including: a. rotating a drill bit cutting tool while moving the bit into the formation to produce a drill hole; b. cooling the cutting edges of the drill bit and the formation adjacent the bit with the reduced pressure air; and c. removing the formation cuttings from the drill hole with the flowing reduced pressure air circulating from the drill bit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the flowing reduced pressure air cools the walls of the drill hole to freeze the moisture adjacent the drill hole to prevent sloughing of the drill hole walls into the drill hole.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as set forth in claim 10, including: a. rotating the cutting tool while moving the cutting tool into the formation to produce a core sample; and b. cooling the core sample in place to freeze the moisture within the sample.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the step of lowering the temperature of a supply of air includes: vaporizing a supplY of cryogenic liquid for cooling the supply or air.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as set forth in claim 14, including the step of: communicating the vaporized supply of cryogenic fluid into the bore of the drill string.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 14, including the step of: using the vaporized supply of cryogenic fluid as a source of energy for the drilling operation.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of drilling in arctic regions through an earth formation With a drill string having a bore communicating with a ported cutting tool at the formation engaging end including: a. lowering the temperature of a supply of air; b. communicating the air into the bore of the drill string; c. reducing the pressure of the air adjacent the ports of the cutting tool to cool the cutting tool; d. directing the air about the cutting tool; e. flowing the reduced pressure air upwardly along the outer surface of the drill string away from the cutting tool; and f. venting a portion of the air in the bore of the drill bit into the flowing reduced pressure air to cool the flow of air circulating from the drill bit; and g. adding a water freezing temperature depressant to the air injected in the bore of the drill string to enable removal of the water in the drill hole.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of drilling in arctic regions through an earth formation With a drill string having a bore communicating with a ported cutting tool at the formation engaging end including: a. lowering the temperature of a supply of air; b. communicating the air into the bore of the drill string; c. reducing the pressure of the air adjacent the ports of the cutting tool to cool the cutting tool; d. directing the air about the cutting tool; e. flowing the reduced pressure air upwardly along the outer surface of the drill string away from the cutting tool; and f. venting a portion of the air in the bore of the drill bit into the flowing reduced pressure air to cool the flow of air circulating from the drill bit; and g. adding a water freezing temperature depressant to the air injected in the bore of the drill string to enable removal of the water in the drill hole.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |