US3840078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stress wave drill
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1973-10-01
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Granted: 1974-10-08
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Expires: 1993-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for drilling a hole in rock. An openended, hardened, drilling head containing a means for creating high-intensity stress waves capable of spalling rock is utilized to drill the hole. A fluid is passed through the drilling head which removes the spalled rock from the drilling head.
Inventors
- 👤 J Allgood
- 👤 R Odello
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:20
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/14; E21B7/15; E21B7/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A stress wave drill for drilling a hole in rock comprising: a drill stem having a first and a second end; a hardened drilling head having a first and a second open end, said first open end being connected to said second end of said drill stem; means located in said hardened drilling head and said drill stem for generating high-intensity stress waves in said hardened drilling head capable of spalling the rock at the bottom of the hole; means for dividing said drill stem into a plurality of compartments, each of which extends the entire length of said drill stem; and interconnection means between said compartments for injecting and retrieving a fluid, said fluid passing through said hardened drilling head, thereby carrying the spalled rock from the hole.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A stress wave drill for drilling a hole in rock comprising: a drill stem having a first and a second end; a hardened drilling head having a first and a second open end, said first open end being connected to said second end of said drill stem; means located in said hardened drilling head and said drill stem for generating high-intensity stress waves in said hardened drilling head capable of spalling the rock at the bottom of the hole; means for dividing said drill stem into a plurality of compartments, each of which extends the entire length of said drill stem; and interconnection means between said compartments for injecting and retrieving a fluid, said fluid passing through said hardened drilling head, thereby carrying the spalled rock from the hole.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The drill of claim 1 wherein said second open end of said hardened drilling head is flared, thereby preventing said drill stem from jamming in the hole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The drill of claim 1 wherein said means for generating stress waves is capable of controlled movement with respect to said drill pipe and said hardened drilling head about the longitudinal axis of said drill stem and said hardened drilling head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The drill of claim 1 wherein said means for dividing said drill stem into a plurality of compartments comprises a single block of material dividing said drill stem into two compartments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The drill of claim 1 wherein said means for generating stress waves comprises an electrohydraulic pulser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The drill of claim 5 wherein said electrohydraulic pulser comprises: a high voltage electrode; a first ground electrode; a second ground electrode; means for electrically insulating said electrodes from said drilling head, said drill stem, and said fluid, except adjacent to the bottom of the hole, whereby said stress waves are created only in said hardened drilling head; and said electrodes are supported and protected by said means for dividing said drill stem into a plurality of compartments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
The drill of claim 6 wherein said means for electrically insulating said electrodes includes: a solid block of insulating material located in said hardened drilling head through which said electrodes extend, said electrodes protruding downward from said solid block of insulating material adjacent to the bottom of the hole, thereby preventing short-circuiting of the discharge, said solid block of insulating material only partially filling said hardened drilling head so that the flow of said fluid is not impeded.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-07 | 1978-04-08 | 1978-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-07 | 1982-04-08 | 1982-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-07 | 1986-04-08 | 1986-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |