US3887020A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for geological drilling and coring
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-01-15
•
Granted: 1975-06-03
•
Expires: 1993-01-15
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for complete reverse air vacuum drilling by entrainment of chips and dust in a high velocity air stream created by applying a vacuum to the drill stem or the annulus of a drilled hole, removing the drilled particles by entrainment in the flow of air created by the vacuum and collection of the drilled particles for visual or other analysis.
Inventors
- 👤 John D Chaffin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:27
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/01; E21B21/06; E21B21/07; E21B21/16; E21B49/00; E21B49/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for drilling and recovering geological samples comprising: A. rotary drilling means having a hollow drill stem and a drill bit secured to the lower end thereof for forming continuous bore holes in the earth; B. means for raising and lowering said drill stem and means for rotating said drill stem and bit; C. means for creating a vacuum in said hollow stem whereby a current of air is sucked down through an annulus formed between the drill stem and the earth and is drawn up the inside of said drill stem while entraining the drilled material from the bore hole: D. separator means for removing the drilled material from the air stream; E. means for guiding the air and entrained material from the top of the drill stem to the separator means; and F. means selectively positionable for disconnecting the vacuum means, the separator means and the entrained material guiding means aNd for connecting a drilling fluid pump to the drill stem for pumping drilling fluid down the drill stem.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for drilling and recovering geological samples comprising: A. rotary drilling means having a hollow drill stem and a drill bit secured to the lower end thereof for forming continuous bore holes in the earth; B. means for raising and lowering said drill stem and means for rotating said drill stem and bit; C. means for creating a vacuum in said hollow stem whereby a current of air is sucked down through an annulus formed between the drill stem and the earth and is drawn up the inside of said drill stem while entraining the drilled material from the bore hole: D. separator means for removing the drilled material from the air stream; E. means for guiding the air and entrained material from the top of the drill stem to the separator means; and F. means selectively positionable for disconnecting the vacuum means, the separator means and the entrained material guiding means aNd for connecting a drilling fluid pump to the drill stem for pumping drilling fluid down the drill stem.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for drilling and recovering geological samples comprising: A. rotary drilling means having a hollow drill stem and a drill bit secured to the lower end thereof for forming continuous bore holes in the earth; B. means for raising and lowering said drill stem and means for rotating said drill stem and bit; C. means for creating a vacuum in said hollow stem whereby a current of air is sucked down through an annulus formed between the drill stem and the earth and is drawn up the inside of said drill stem while entraining the drilled material from the bore hole: D. separator means for removing the drilled material from the air stream; E. means for guiding the air and entrained material from the top of the drill stem to the separator means; and F. means selectively positionable for disconnecting the vacuum means, the separator means and the entrained material guiding means aNd for connecting a drilling fluid pump to the drill stem for pumping drilling fluid down the drill stem.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for drilling and recovering geological samples comprising: A. rotary drilling means having a hollow drill stem and a drill bit secured to the lower end thereof for forming continuous bore holes in the earth; B. means for raising and lowering said drill stem and means for rotating said drill stem and bit; C. means for creating a vacuum in said hollow stem whereby a current of air is sucked down through an annulus formed between the drill stem and the earth and is drawn up the inside of said drill stem while entraining the drilled material from the bore hole: D. separator means for removing the drilled material from the air stream; E. means for guiding the air and entrained material from the top of the drill stem to the separator means; and F. means selectively positionable for disconnecting the vacuum means, the separator means and the entrained material guiding means aNd for connecting a drilling fluid pump to the drill stem for pumping drilling fluid down the drill stem.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, including collection means associated with said separator means for collecting the drilled material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a surge chamber on the drill stem drive means for reducing the velocity of the air and entrained material as it leaves the drill stem.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for guiding the air and entrained material includes a fast-acting valve assembly for switching from a first collector means to a second collector means and back again when one of said collector means becomes full.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drill bit is a roller cone drill bit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the center portion of the roller cone drill bit has the same internal diameter as the drill stem.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including a seal means for sealing off the annulus and means for pumping air down the annulus to assist the vacuum in lifting the drilled material up the drill stem.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 and further including means for connecting a vacuum means to the seal means to thereby create a vacuum in the annulus and means for disconnecting the vacuum means from the drill stem and means for guiding the air and entrained material from the annulus to the separator means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for drilling and recovering geological samples in wet or dry formation at depths of more than 5,000 feet, comprising: A. rotary drilling means having a hollow drill stem; B. vacuum pump or blower means for creating a vacuum in the drill stem for sucking the drilled material from the formation; C. separator and collecting means for separating and collecting the drilled material from the air being sucked up the drill stem; D. drilling fluid pump means for forcing drilling fluid down the drill stem; and E. valve means for selectively connecting the vacuum pump and separator and collecting means and the drilling fluid pump means to the drill stem.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for drilling and recovering geological samples in wet or dry formation at depths of more than 5,000 feet, comprising: A. rotary drilling means having a hollow drill stem; B. vacuum pump or blower means for creating a vacuum in the drill stem for sucking the drilled material from the formation; C. separator and collecting means for separating and collecting the drilled material from the air being sucked up the drill stem; D. drilling fluid pump means for forcing drilling fluid down the drill stem; and E. valve means for selectively connecting the vacuum pump and separator and collecting means and the drilling fluid pump means to the drill stem.
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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) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |