US4220213A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for self orienting a drill string while drilling a well bore
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-12-07
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Granted: 1980-09-02
•
Expires: 1998-12-07
Abstract
Abstract The low side of a well bore drilled by a rotary drill string with a drill bit thereon is instrumentally determined as to direction and inclination. An eccentric tubular member is rotatably supported on the drill string and is provided with projection means extending beyond the drill bit diameter and lowered into the well bore. The eccentric tubular member rotates so that the heavy side thereof rests on the low side of the well bore and positions the projection thereon in a predetermined circumferentially spaced and angular relationship relative to the low side of the well bore so that the projection engages the well bore wall during drilling operations and urges the bit laterally of the well bore. During drilling operations, the projection means assumes authority over the drill bit since it extends beyond the diameter of the drilling bit and thus positions the drilling bit laterally in the well bore in a predetermined manner as the drill string is rotated to drill the well bore. The self orienting directional drilling control arrangement includes the eccentric member, support means to support the member in the drill string for relative rotation therebetween and the projection means on the eccentric member which is circumferentially spaced relative to the heavy side thereof and extends radially beyond the drill bit diameter which is secured in the drill string.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack E. Hamilton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:32
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/04; E21B7/06; E21B7/062; E21B17/00; E21B17/10; E21B17/1057; E21B17/1064; E21B7/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of maintaining movement of a rotary drill string and drill bit thereon in a predetermined manner in a well bore comprising the steps of: a. instrumentally determining the low side of the well bore; b. securing on the drill string above the drill bit an eccentric tubular member which accommodates rotational movement between the drill string and the member and which member includes a heavier wall portion with projection means offset circumferentially relative to the heavier wall portion and extending beyond the drill bit diameter for engaging the well bore wall at a position circumferentially spaced from the low side of the well bore to urge the drill bit and drill string in a predetermined manner; and c. lowering the drill string with the eccentric tubular member and drill bit into the well bore whereupon the heavier portion of the tubular member rotates to the low side of the well bore to engage the projection means with the well bore wall for positioning the drill bit in a desired manner as it is rotated by the drill string to drill the well bore.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of maintaining movement of a rotary drill string and drill bit thereon in a predetermined manner in a well bore comprising the steps of: a. instrumentally determining the low side of the well bore; b. securing on the drill string above the drill bit an eccentric tubular member which accommodates rotational movement between the drill string and the member and which member includes a heavier wall portion with projection means offset circumferentially relative to the heavier wall portion and extending beyond the drill bit diameter for engaging the well bore wall at a position circumferentially spaced from the low side of the well bore to urge the drill bit and drill string in a predetermined manner; and c. lowering the drill string with the eccentric tubular member and drill bit into the well bore whereupon the heavier portion of the tubular member rotates to the low side of the well bore to engage the projection means with the well bore wall for positioning the drill bit in a desired manner as it is rotated by the drill string to drill the well bore.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of controlling the direction of a well bore as a drill string with a drill bit is rotated comprising the steps of: a. instrumentally determining the low side of the well bore; b. lowering a drill string in the well bore with an eccentric tubular member thereon having a heavier wall portion and radial projection means extending beyond the drill bit diameter offset circumferentially relative to the heavier wall portion; c. positioning the eccentric tubular member in the well bore whereby its heavy wall portion seeks the low side of the well bore while the projection means engages the well bore wall in circumferentially spaced relation to low side of the well bore; and d. rotating the drill string while maintaining the tubular member in the above stated position whereby the drill bit is urged laterally of the well bore as it and the drill string are rotated relative to the eccentric tubular member.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of controlling the direction of a well bore as a drill string with a drill bit is rotated comprising the steps of: a. instrumentally determining the low side of the well bore; b. lowering a drill string in the well bore with an eccentric tubular member thereon having a heavier wall portion and radial projection means extending beyond the drill bit diameter offset circumferentially relative to the heavier wall portion; c. positioning the eccentric tubular member in the well bore whereby its heavy wall portion seeks the low side of the well bore while the projection means engages the well bore wall in circumferentially spaced relation to low side of the well bore; and d. rotating the drill string while maintaining the tubular member in the above stated position whereby the drill bit is urged laterally of the well bore as it and the drill string are rotated relative to the eccentric tubular member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
147 words
A self orienting drilling control arrangement for use with a rotary drill string having a drill bit thereon to drill a well bore including: a. an eccentric member said eccentric member being formed by a tubular member having a longitudinal bore which is eccentric to the longitudinal axis of the member to form a circumferential portion on the member which is heavier than the remainder of the circumferential portion of the member; b. support means supporting said member in the drill string for relative rotation therebetween; c. projection means on said member projecting radially beyond the drill bit diameter for contacting the well bore and urging the drill bit in a predetermined manner as the drill string is rotated to drill the well bore; and d. said projection means being a single longitudinally extending member offset circumferentially a predetermined amount in relation to said heavier circumferential portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
147 words
A self orienting drilling control arrangement for use with a rotary drill string having a drill bit thereon to drill a well bore including: a. an eccentric member said eccentric member being formed by a tubular member having a longitudinal bore which is eccentric to the longitudinal axis of the member to form a circumferential portion on the member which is heavier than the remainder of the circumferential portion of the member; b. support means supporting said member in the drill string for relative rotation therebetween; c. projection means on said member projecting radially beyond the drill bit diameter for contacting the well bore and urging the drill bit in a predetermined manner as the drill string is rotated to drill the well bore; and d. said projection means being a single longitudinally extending member offset circumferentially a predetermined amount in relation to said heavier circumferential portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said projection means is removably secured to said member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said projection means is provided with wear resistant surface means for engaging the well bore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said projection means is in the form of roller means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said support means includes a longitudinally extending mandrel for connection in the drill string.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein the longitudinal extent of said mandrel is greater than that of said member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein couplings are threadedly secured to said mandrel for engagement with the drill string.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein said mandrel is provided with a member at one end and a female member at the other end for threadedly connecting said mandrel into the drill string.
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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) | 1983-09-02 | 1984-03-03 | 1984-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-02 | 1988-03-03 | 1988-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-02 | 1992-03-03 | 1992-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |