U.S. patent application number 09/761985 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-21 for boring apparatus.
Invention is credited to Baird, Billy Carr.
Application Number | 20020020562 09/761985 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27094230 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020020562 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baird, Billy Carr |
February 21, 2002 |
BORING APPARATUS
Abstract
Apparatus for boring a hole from an inside of a casing outwardly
at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the casing comprises
a drill shoe having a longitudinal axis and being positionable in
the casing, the shoe having first and second passageways which
converge into a third passageway exiting the shoe, a torsional load
transmitting element and a cutting element connecting to one end of
the torsional load transmitting element, the torsional load
transmitting element and cutting element being positioned in the
first passageway during non-use and in the third passageway during
use, and a fluid conduit and a nozzle connected to one end of the
fluid conduit, the fluid conduit and nozzle being positioned in the
second passageway during non-use and in the third passageway during
use.
Inventors: |
Baird, Billy Carr; (Sturgis,
KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, HERRON & EVANS, L.L.P.
2700 Carew Tower
Cincinnati
OH
45202
US
|
Family ID: |
27094230 |
Appl. No.: |
09/761985 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09761985 |
Jan 17, 2001 |
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09643306 |
Aug 21, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
175/78 ;
166/117.6; 166/298; 166/55; 166/63; 166/77.1; 175/81 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 7/061 20130101;
E21B 17/20 20130101; E21B 23/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/78 ; 175/81;
166/298; 166/55; 166/117.6; 166/63; 166/77.1 |
International
Class: |
E21B 029/06; E21B
007/08; E21B 023/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is: What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for boring a hole from an inside of a casing outwardly
at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the casing, said
apparatus comprising: a drill shoe having a longitudinal axis and
being positionable in the casing, said shoe having first and second
passageways which converge into a third passageway exiting said
shoe; a torsional load transmitting element and a cutting element
connected to one end of said torsional load transmitting element,
said torsional load transmitting element and cutting element being
positioned in said first passageway during nonuse and in said third
passageway during use; and a fluid conduit and a nozzle connected
to one end of said fluid conduit, said fluid conduit and nozzle
being positioned in said second passageway during nonuse and in
said third passageway during use.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third passageway exits
said shoe at an angle of between 0.degree. and 90.degree. relative
to said longitudinal axis of said drill shoe.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said angle is 75.degree..
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said angle is 90.degree..
5. The apparatus of claim 2 further including an exit insert
installable in said shoe thereby providing variability in said
angle.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said torsional load
transmitting element has a longitudinal axis, has no torsional
flexibility in relation to its bending flexibility and is movable
relative to itself about first arid second perpendicular axes both
of which are perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said
torsional load transmitting element.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said torsional load
transmitting element is freely movable relative to itself about
said first and second perpendicular axes.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said torsional load
transmitting element is pivotable relative to itself about said
first and second perpendicular axes.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said torsional load
transmitting element is freely pivotable relative to itself about
said first and second perpendicular axes.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cutting element is a hole
saw.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a drill bit
connected to said one end of said torsional load transmitting
element centrally of said hole saw.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drill shoe is fabricated
in halves.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said torsional load
transmitting element comprises a plurality of interconnected
universal joints.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shoe includes an angled
end surface adapted to cooperate with a matingly angled end surface
of a drill shoe depth locator for locating the shoe at a selected
depth in the casing such that an angular orientation of the shoe
relative to the casing is establishable by positioning the depth
locator at an angular orientation relative to the casing.
15. A drill shoe depth locator for locating a drill shoe at a
selected depth in a casing, said locator comprising: a housing; at
least one locking arm pivotally connected to said housing, said arm
pivotable to and between a retracted nonlocking position in said
housing and an extended locking position wherein at least a portion
of said arm projects out of said housing and is adapted to contact
a wall of the casing; and an actuator for selectively pivoting said
arm.
16. The drill shoe depth locator of claim 15 wherein said actuator
for selectively pivoting said arm comprises a firing mechanism
which fires a charge that propels said arm to said extended locking
position.
17. The drill shoe depth locator of claim 16 wherein said firing
mechanism includes a chamber adapted to accept a charge cartridge,
a gas path between said chamber and said pivoting arm and a firing
pin which is selectively activatable to strike said charge
cartridge.
18. The drill shoe depth locator of claim 15 wherein said housing
includes an angled end surface adapted to cooperate with a matingly
angled end surface of the drill shoe such that an angular
orientation of the drill shoe relative to the casing is
establishable by positioning said locator at an angular orientation
relative to the casing.
19. A tool for deploying a drill shoe depth locator in a casing,
said tool comprising: a housing; at least one locking arm pivotally
connected to said housing, said arm pivotable to and between a
retracted nonlocking position in said housing and an extended
locking position wherein at least a portion of said arm projects
out of said housing and is adapted to engage a surface of the drill
shoe depth locator; and an actuator for selectively pivoting said
arm.
20. The tool of claim 19 wherein said actuator comprises a rod
movable longitudinally relative to said housing which cooperates
with a cam surface on said pivoting arm to thereby move said
arm.
21. A tool for retrieving a drill shoe depth locator from a casing,
said tool comprising: a housing; at least one locking arm pivotally
connected to said housing, said arm pivotable to and between a
retracted nonlocking position in said housing and an extended
locking position wherein at least a portion of said arm projects
out of said housing and is adapted to engage a surface of the drill
shoe depth locator; and a resilient member normally biasing said
locking arm to said extended locking position yet permitting upon
application of sufficient force said locking arm to move to said
retracted nonlocking position.
22. Mobile drilling apparatus comprising: a wheeled trailer having
a trailer bed; a drill shoe; a mast mounted on said trailer bed for
suspending therefrom said drill shoe; a first reel rotatably
mounted on said trailer bed for paying out and taking up a cable
connected to said drill shoe, said cable supported by said mast; a
second reel rotatably mounted on said trailer bed for paying out
and taking up a first length of tubing which communicates fluid
from a fluid source to a fluid motor in said drill shoe, said
tubing supported by said mast; and a third reel rotatably mounted
on said trailer bed for paying out and taking up a second length of
tubing which communicates fluid from a fluid source to a fluid
nozzle in said drill shoe, said tubing supported by said mast.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said mast is pivotally
mounted to said trailer bed for pivoting movement to and between an
upright operable position and a lowered inoperable position.
24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said mast is mounted to a
work platform and said work platform is mounted to said trailer bed
for movement transverse to a longitudinal axis of said trailer
bed.
25. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said mast is mounted to a
work platform and said work platform is mounted to said trailer bed
for pivoting movement of said mast to and between an upright
operable position and a lowered inoperable position, and said work
platform is mounted to said trailer bed for movement transverse to
a longitudinal axis of said trailer bed.
26. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising a catwalk
extending along said trailer on one side thereof and mounted to
said trailer bed for pivoting movement to and between an upright
inoperable position and a lowered operable position wherein said
catwalk extends the width of said trailer bed.
27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said catwalk includes a set
of steps secured thereto such that when said catwalk is in said
lowered operable position an operator may climb said steps from a
ground surface to said trailer bed.
28. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising: a motor rotatable
driving each of said first, second and third reels; a brake mounted
to each of said first, second and third reels; a sensor mounted to
each of said first, second and third reels for sensing an angular
velocity of each of said first, second and third reels; and a
controller which controls said brakes in response to signals
received from said sensors.
29. The apparatus of claim 22 further including a sensor mounted on
said mast for sensing a depth traversed by said drill shoe.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-pant of my co-pending
application Ser. No. 09/643,306 filed Aug. 22, 2000 which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates broadly to the boring of a hole
through the wall of a tube from the inside of the tube outwardly at
an angle to a longitudinal axis of the tube. More specifically,
this invention relates to apparatus for drilling through an oil or
gas well casing at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the casing
and into the earth strata surrounding the well casing. More
particularly, this invention relates to an improved such drilling
apparatus and to a means of transporting, deploying and retrieving
the drilling apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Oil and gas wells are drilled vertically down into the earth
strata with the use of rotary drilling equipment. A tube known as a
casing is placed down into the well after it is drilled. The casing
is usually of made of mild steel and is in the neighborhood of 4.5
inches to 8 inches in external diameter (4 inches in internal
diameter and up) and defines the cross-sectional area of the well
for transportation of the oil and gas upwardly to the earth
surface. However, these vertically extending wells are only useful
for removing oil and gas from the terminating downward end of the
well. Thus, not all of the oil and gas in the pockets or formations
in the surrounding earth strata, at the location of the well depth,
can be removed. Therefore, it is necessary to either make
additional vertical drillings parallel and close to the first well,
which is costly and time consuming, or to provide some means to
extend the original well in a radial direction relative to the
vertical longitudinal axis of the casing horizontally into the
surrounding earth strata.
[0004] The most common means for horizontal extension of the well
has been to drill angularly through the well casing at a first
45.degree. angle for a short distance and then to turn the drill
and drill at a second 45.degree. angle thereby making a full
90.degree. angular or horizontal cut from the vertically extending
well. These horizontal drills have proved useful for extending the
well horizontally but have proved to be relatively expensive.
[0005] Another solution to the problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,413,184 and 5,853,056, both of which are hereby incorporated
by reference herein as if fully set forth in their entirety. In
these patents there is disclosed an apparatus comprising an elbow,
a flexible shaft or so-called "flex cable" and a ball cutter
attached to the end of the flexible shaft. The elbow is positioned
in the well casing, and the ball cutter and flexible shaft are
passed through the elbow, turning 90.degree.. A motor rotates the
flexible shaft to bore a hole in the well casing and surrounding
earth strata with the ball cutter. The flexible shaft and ball
cutter are then removed and a flexible tube with a nozzle on the
end thereof is passed down the well casing, through the elbow and
is directed out of the casing through the hole therein. Water
pumped through the flexible tube exits the nozzle at high speed and
bores further horizontally into the earth strata.
[0006] Prototype testing of the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,413,184 and 5,853,056 has proven less than satisfactory. In
particular, a number of problems plague the device disclosed in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,413,184 and 5,853,056. For example, the disclosed
ball cutter is inefficient at best and ineffective at worst in
cutting through the well casing. The inherent spherical geometry of
a ball cutter causes it "walk" or "chatter" during rotation as it
attempts to bore through the well casing which greatly increases
the amount of time required to bore through the casing. Ball
cutters are best utilized for deburring, and/or cutting a radius in
an existing hole or slot for example, and are simply not suitable
for drilling holes.
[0007] Another problem is the torsional flexibility of the flexible
shaft or flex cable. Rather than transmitting rotational
displacement to the ball cutter at 100% efficiency the flex cable
tends to "wind up" or exhibit "backlash," thus reducing the already
inefficient cutting efficiency of the ball cutter even more.
[0008] Yet another problem is the tendency of the elbow to back
away from the hole in the casing during drilling with the ball
cutter. Such backing away causes the elbow outlet to become
misaligned with the hole in the casing thereby preventing smooth
introduction of the nozzle and flexible tube into the hole in the
casing.
[0009] Still another problem is the large amount of torsional
friction generated between the elbow passageway and the flex cable
which of course increases the horsepower requirements of the motor
required to rotate the flex cable. The addition of balls, separated
by springs, to the flex cable, in an effort to alleviate the
resistance of the apparatus to being rotated, has not remedied this
problem.
[0010] A further problem is the closed nature of the apparatus of
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,413,184 and 5,853,056, which prevents its being
taken apart, inspected, cleaned and repaired as needed.
[0011] The invention of my application Ser. No. 09/643,306
overcomes the deficiencies of the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,413,184 and 5,853,056. That invention is apparatus for
boring a hole from an inside of a tube outwardly perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis of the tube. The apparatus comprises a drill shoe
having a longitudinal axis and being positionable in the tube, the
shoe having an inlet, an outlet perpendicular to the shoe
longitudinal axis and a passageway connecting the inlet and outlet,
a torsional load transmitting element having no torsional
flexibility in relation to its bending flexibility, having a
longitudinal axis and being disposed in the passageway, the
torsional load transmitting element being movable relative to
itself about first and second perpendicular axes both of which are
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the torsional load
transmitting element, a hole saw connected to one end of the
torsional load transmitting element and a motor rotatably connected
to the other end of the torsional load transmitting element.
Rotation of the torsional load transmitting element by the motor
rotates the hole saw to bore through the tube from the inside of
the tube outwardly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
tube.
[0012] Further improvements in boring technology are nonetheless
desired. For example, the invention of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,413,184 and
5,853,056 is inefficient and time consuming to operate in that
after the cutting tool has bored through the well casing the
drilling operation must be interrupted so that the entire drilling
apparatus can be retrieved to the earth surface in order to remove
the well casing cutting tool and to install the earth strata boring
water nozzle. The drilling apparatus must then be lowered back down
into the well casing to resume the drilling operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The invention includes apparatus for boring a hole from an
inside of a casing outwardly at an angle relative to a longitudinal
axis of the casing. The apparatus comprises a drill shoe having a
longitudinal axis and being positionable in the casing, the shoe
having first and second passageways which converge into a third
passageway exiting the shoe, a torsional load transmitting element
and a cutting element connected to one end of the torsional load
transmitting element, the torsional load transmitting element and
cutting element being positioned in the first passageway during
non-use and in the third passageway during use, and a fluid conduit
and a nozzle connected to one end of the fluid conduit, the fluid
conduit and nozzle being positioned in the second passageway during
non-use and in the third passageway during use.
[0014] The third passageway may exit the shoe at any desired angle
of between 0.degree. and 90.degree. relative to the longitudinal
axis of the drill shoe. The angle may be, for example, 75.degree.
or 90.degree.. The apparatus may include an exit insert installable
in the shoe to provide variability in the exit angle.
[0015] The torsional load transmitting element has a longitudinal
axis, and preferably has no torsional flexibility in relation to
its bending flexibility and is movable relative to itself about
first and second perpendicular axes both of which are perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of the torsional load transmitting
element. The torsional load transmitting element may be freely
movable relative to itself about the first and second perpendicular
axes. The torsional load transmitting element may be pivotable
relative to itself about the first and second perpendicular axes.
The torsional load transmitting element may be freely pivotable
relative to itself about the first and second perpendicular
axes.
[0016] The cutting element may be a hole saw. The apparatus may
further comprise a drill bit connected to the end of the torsional
load transmitting element centrally of the hole saw. The drill shoe
may be fabricated in halves. The torsional load transmitting
element may comprise a plurality of interconnected universal
joints. The shoe may include an angled end surface adapted to
cooperate with a matingly angled end surface of a drill shoe depth
locator for locating the shoe at a selected depth in the casing
such that an angular orientation of the shoe relative to the casing
is establishable by positioning the depth locating device at an
angular orientation relative to the casing.
[0017] A drill shoe depth locator for locating a drill shoe at a
selected depth in a casing comprises a housing, at least one
locking arm pivotally connected to the housing and an actuator for
selectively pivoting the arm. The arm is pivotable to and between a
retracted non-locking position in the housing and an extended
locking position wherein at least a portion of the arm projects out
of the housing and is adapted to contact a wall of the casing.
[0018] The actuator for selectively pivoting the arm may comprise a
firing mechanism which fires a charge that propels the arm to the
extended locking position. The firing mechanism may include a
chamber adapted to accept a charge cartridge, a gas path between
the chamber and the pivoting arm and a firing pin which is
selectively activatable to strike the charge cartridge. The housing
may include an angled end surface adapted to cooperate with a
matingly angled end surface of the drill shoe such that an angular
orientation of the drill shoe relative to the casing is
establishable by positioning the depth locator at an angular
orientation relative to the casing.
[0019] A tool for deploying a drill shoe depth locator in the
casing comprises a housing, at least one locking arm pivotally
connected to the housing and an actuator for selectively pivoting
the arm. The arm is pivotable to and between a retracted
non-locking position in the housing and an extended locking
position wherein at least a portion of the arm projects out of the
housing and is adapted to engage a surface of the drilling
apparatus depth locator.
[0020] The actuator may comprise a rod movable longitudinally
relative to the housing which cooperates with a cam surface on the
pivoting arm to thereby move the arm.
[0021] A tool for retrieving a drill shoe depth locator from a
casing comprises a housing, at least one locking arm pivotally
connected to the housing and a resilient member normally biasing
the locking arm to an extended locking position yet permitting upon
application of sufficient force the locking arm to move to a
retracted non-locking position. The arm is pivotable to and between
the retracted non-locking position in the housing and an extended
locking position wherein at least a portion of the arm projects out
of the housing and is adapted to engage a surface of the drill shoe
depth locator.
[0022] A mobile drilling apparatus comprises a wheeled trailer
having a trailer bed, a drill shoe, a mast mounted on the trailer
bed for suspending therefrom the drill shoe, a first reel rotatably
mounted on the trailer bed for paying out and taking up a cable
connected to the drill shoe, the cable supported by the mast, a
second reel rotatably mounted on the trailer bed for paying out and
taking up a first length of tubing which communicates fluid from a
fluid source to a fluid motor in the drill shoe, the tubing
supported by the mast, and a third reel rotatably mounted on the
trailer bed for paying out and taking up a second length of tubing
which communicates fluid from a fluid source to a fluid nozzle in
the drill shoe, the tubing supported by the mast.
[0023] The mast may be pivotally mounted to the trailer bed for
pivoting movement to and between an upright operable position and a
lowered inoperable position. The mast may be mounted to a work
platform and the work platform may be mounted to the trailer bed
for movement transverse to a longitudinal axis of the trailer bed.
The apparatus may further comprise a catwalk extending the length
of the trailer bed on one side thereof and mounted to the trailer
bed for pivoting movement to and between an upright inoperable
position and a lowered operable position wherein the catwalk
extends the width of the trailer bed. The catwalk may include a set
of steps secure thereto such that when the catwalk is in the
lowered operable position an operator may climb the steps from a
ground surface to the trailer bed.
[0024] The apparatus may further comprise a motor rotatably driving
each of the first, second and third reels, a brake mounted to each
of the first, second and third reels, a sensor mounted to each of
the first, second and third reels for sensing an angular velocity
of each of the first, second and third reels and a controller which
controls the brakes in response to signals received from the
sensors. The apparatus may further include a sensor mounted on the
mast for sensing a depth traversed by the drill shoe.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become
more readily apparent during the following detailed description
taken in conjunction with the drawings herein, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OF THE INVENTION
[0025] FIG. 1 is a side view of a drill shoe of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional side view of a portion of
the drill shoe of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a side view in partial cross section of the
cooperatingly matingly angled end surfaces of the drill shoe and
drill shoe depth locator;
[0028] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the end of the drill shoe with
angle locating surface;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a device for
locating the drill shoe at a selected depth in the casing, and a
tool for deploying the drill shoe depth locator;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with the drill shoe depth
locator fixed in position in the casing and the deploying tool
being withdrawn from the casing;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but of a tool for
retrieving the drill shoe depth locator engaging the drill shoe
depth locator;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of the retrieving tool
and drill shoe depth locator being withdrawn from the casing;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a side view of the mobile drilling apparatus of
the invention; and
[0034] FIG. 10 is a top view of the mobile drilling apparatus of
FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] Referring first to FIG. 1 a boring apparatus 10 according to
the principles of the present invention is illustrated. During use
apparatus 10 is positionable inside a well casing 12 in the earth
strata 14 (FIG. 3). The boring apparatus 10 includes a hollow
carbon steel drill shoe 20. Drill shoe 20 has a longitudinal axis
which, when inserted into casing 12, is generally parallel to a
longitudinal axis of the well casing 12. Drill shoe 20 may
preferably be fabricated in halves 20a, 20b securable together via
bolts 22. Drill shoe 20 may be connected to a 1/2 inch diameter
6.times.25 IWRC wire rope 24 which is utilized to lower drill shoe
20 down into casing 12.
[0036] A fluid motor 26 imparts rotation to a motor coupling 28
which is connected to a drill bit shaft 30 itself connected to a
plurality of interconnected universal joints 32 which terminate in
a hole saw 34 with central pilot hole drill bit 36. Above motor 26
is a motor locator 38; motor locator 38 and drill shoe 20 include
cooperating structure (not shown; see U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 09/643,306 for same) rotatably fixing the motor locator 38 and
hence motor 26 relative to the shoe 20 thereby preventing relative
rotation between motor 26 and shoe 20 during operation of motor
26.
[0037] Shoe 20 further includes a first passageway 40, a second
passageway 42 and a third passageway 44. The universal joints 32,
hole saw 34 and drill bit 36 reside in first passageway 40 during
nonuse and in third passageway 44 during use. Similarly, a flexible
fluid conduit 46 with a nozzle 48 connected to its end is
positioned in the second passageway 42 during nonuse and in the
third passageway 44 during use. Motor 26 may be suspended from and
supplied with liquid through a 1/2 inch diameter 0.049 inch wall
thickness 316L stainless steel tubing 50. Similarly, fluid conduit
46 may be suspended from and supplied with liquid through a 5/8
inch diameter 0.049 inch wall thickness 316L stainless steel tubing
52.
[0038] Third passageway 44 may exit the shoe 20 at any desired
angle of between 0.degree. and 90.degree. relative to the
longitudinal axis of the shoe 20, depending on the drilling
application. Preferably, the angle is in the general range of about
75.degree. to 90.degree.. To provide convenient variability and
versatility in the exit angle of the third passageway 44 one of a
number of exit angle inserts 54 may be utilized, each of which
inserts would include a different exit angle. For example, two exit
inserts 54 may employed, one of which is at 75.degree. (FIG. 4) and
the other of which is at 90.degree. (FIG. 3) thereby providing an
operator with a ready means of quickly changing the exit angle
depending on drilling conditions etc. Exit insert 54 may be
removably installable in the shoe 20 via screws 56.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, shoe 20 may include an angled end
surface 58 formed as part of an angular locator 60 secured to a
lower end of shoe 20 with a bolt 62 and locating pin 64. Angled end
surface 58 is adapted to cooperate with a matingly angled end
surface 66 of a drill shoe depth locator 68 (discussed in more
detail below) for locating the shoe 20 at a selected depth in the
casing 12. An angular orientation of the shoe 20 relative to the
casing 12 is establishable by positioning the depth locator 68 at
an angular orientation relative to the casing 12. The matingly
angled end surfaces 58 and 66 automatically determine the angular
orientation of the shoe 20 to locator 68 and thus shoe 20 to casing
12. The use thereof will be described below in more detail.
[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the drill shoe depth
locator 68 is illustrated which locates the drill shoe 20 at a
selected depth in the casing 12. The depth locator 68 comprises a
housing 70 and may preferably comprise a pair of locking arms 72
pivotally connected to the housing 70 as by pivots 74. The arms 72
are pivotable to and between a retracted non-locking position in
the housing (FIG. 5) and an extended locking position wherein at
least a portion of the arms 72 project out of the housing 70 and is
adapted to contact the wall of the casing 12. An actuator 76 may be
included for selectively pivoting the arms 72. The actuator 76 may
comprise a firing mechanism, which fires a charge that propels the
arms 72 to the extended locking position, which comprises a chamber
78 adapted to accept a charge cartridge 80 a gas path 82 between
the chamber 78 and each pivoting arm 72 and a firing pin 84 which
is selectively activatable to strike the charge cartridge 80 thus
releasing combustion gases which force the arms 72 upwardly into a
locking position relative to the casing 12. Gas vent paths 86 bleed
excess gas out of housing 70. Preferably the firing mechanism
actuator 76 of the device 68 would be activated as the device 68 is
being lowered into the casing 12; when the device 68 reaches the
desired depth as indicated by, for example, a rotary encoder, the
mechanism 76 is fired propelling the arms 72 upwardly into
engagement with the casing 12, the downward momentum of the device
68 further assisting in locking the arms 72 into the wall of the
casing 12. In the alternative, the charge cartridge 80 and firing
pin 84 could be eliminated; the locking arms 72 can be forced
upwardly into engagement with the casing 12 by simply lowering
locator 68 at a sufficient velocity such that water in casing 12
moves forcefully up chamber 80 through paths 82 and into contact
with arms 72 forcing them upwardly.
[0041] Firing pin 84 is spring loaded via compression spring 85
positioned within firing pin housing 87. A firing pin blocking
plate 89 normally blocks firing pin 84 from upward movement. Firing
pin blocking plate 89 is maintained in its blocking position via a
release rod 91. Upon upward movement of release rod 91 aperture 93
in blocking plate 89 centers around firing pin 84 thereby freeing
firing pin 84 to move upwardly under force of compression spring
85.
[0042] As mentioned briefly above, the depth locator 68 preferably
includes an angled end surface 66 which cooperates with the
matingly angled end surface 58 of the drill shoe 20. Once the
device 68 is in position in the casing 12, a plurality of radially
extending horizontal borings can be made into the earth strata by
adjusting the angular position of the angular locator 60 relative
to the shoe 20, it being contemplated that the shoe 20 and locator
60 would have a plurality of locating pins 64 positioned at, for
example 5.degree. to 10.degree. increments. Thus, with each
5.degree. or 10.degree. readjustment of locator 60 relative to shoe
20, the shoe 20 can bore a new radial path radially outwardly from
the casing 12 but at a known increment relative to the previous
boring. If desired, the shoe 20 and locator 60 can be repeatedly
readjusted to drill radially outwardly from the well casing 12 in a
full 360.degree. circle.
[0043] Referring still to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is illustrated a
tool 100 for deploying the drill shoe depth locator 68 in the
casing 12. The tool 100 comprises a housing 102 and a pair of
locking arms 104 pivotally connected to the housing 102 as by
pivots 106. The locking arms 104 are pivotal to and between a
retracted non-locking position (FIG. 6) generally within the
periphery of the housing 102 and an extended locking position (FIG.
5) wherein at least a portion of the arms 104 project out of the
housing 102, and are adapted to engage a surface 110 of the depth
locator 68. An actuator 112 selectively pivots the arms 104 to and
between the retracted non-locking position (FIG. 6) and the
extended locking position (FIG. 5). The actuator preferably
comprises a rod 114 which is movable longitudinally relative to the
housing 102 and which cooperates with a cam surface 116 on each
pivoting arm 104 to thereby move the arms 104. Thus, to lower the
depth locator 68 in the well casing 12, the tool 100 is engaged
with the depth locator 68 in that the rod 114 is in a downward
position forcing arms 104 outwardly so as to engage underneath
surface 110 of the device 68. Once the depth locator 68 is at the
desired depth in the casing 12, the rod 114 is pulled upwardly
thereby permitting upward force on the tool 100 to force the
pivoting arms 104 inwardly and free of surface 110 thus permitting
the tool 100 to be withdrawn from the casing 12.
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 there is illustrated a tool
200 for retrieving the depth locator 68 from the casing 12. The
tool 200 comprises e housing 202 and a pair of locking arms 204
pivotally connected to the housing 202 as by pivots 206. The
locking arms 204 are pivotable to and between a retracted
non-locking position (FIG. 7) generally within the periphery of the
housing 202 and an extended locking position (FIG. 8) wherein a
portion of the arms 204 project out of the housing 202 and are
adapted to engage the prior mentioned surface 110 of the depth
locator 68. A resilient member 210 normally biases the locking arms
204 to the extended locking position, yet permits upon application
of a sufficient force the locking arms 204 to move to the retracted
non-locking position, i.e. during initial insertion of housing 202
and locking arms 204 into depth locator 68 (FIG. 7).
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 a mobile drilling apparatus 300
is illustrated. The apparatus 300 comprises a wheeled trailer 302
having a trailer bed 304, the prior described drill shoe 20, a mast
308 mounted on the trailer bed 304 for suspending therefrom the
drill shoe 20, a first reel 310 rotatably mounted on the trailer
bed 304 for paying out and taking up cable 24 connected to the
drill shoe 20, the cable 24 being supported by the mast 308, a
second reel 314 rotatably mounted on the trailer bed 304 for paying
out and taking up the first length of tubing 50 which communicates
fluid from a fluid source (not shown) to the fluid motor 26 in the
drill shoe 20, the tubing 50 supported by the mast 308, and a third
reel 318 rotatably mounted on the trailer bed 304 for paying out
and taking up the second length of tubing 52 which communicates
fluid from the fluid source to the fluid nozzle 48 in the drill
shoe 20, the tubing 52 supported by the mast 308. Reels 310, 314
and 318 may be five feet in diameter and capable of storing up to
ten thousand feet of wire rope or tubing.
[0046] The mast 308 is preferably mounted to a work platform 340.
Work platform 340 is preferably mounted to the trailer bed 304 for
pivoting movement of the mast 308 to and between an upright
operable position and a lowered inoperable position, and is also
mounted to the trailer bed 304 for movement transverse to a
longitudinal axis of the trailer bed 304 thereby providing
transverse alignment of drill shoe 20 to casing 12. Hydraulic
cylinder 342 may be operable between the trailer bed 304 and mast
308 to pivot the mast 308 relative to the bed 304. Hydraulic
cylinder 344 may be operable between the work platform 340 and
trailer bed 304 to move the work platform 340 transversely to the
longitudinal axis of the trailer bed 304.
[0047] Trailer 302 may additionally comprise a catwalk 350
extending along the trailer 302 on one side thereof and mounted to
the trailer bed 304 for pivoting movement to and between an upright
inoperable position and a lowered operable position wherein the
catwalk 350 extends the width of the trailer bed. A hydraulic
cylinder 352 may be operable between the bed 304 and catwalk 350 to
pivot the catwalk 350 and between the upright inoperable and
lowered operable positions. Catwalk 350 may include a set of steps
354 secured thereto such that when the catwalk 350 is in the
lowered position an operator may climb the steps from a ground
surface to the trailer bed 304.
[0048] With reference to FIG. 10 the apparatus may further
preferably comprise hydraulic motors 400, 402 and 404 rotatably
driving each of the reels 310, 314 and 318 respectively at up to 8
rpm, hydraulic disk brakes 410, 412 and 414 mounted to each of the
reels 310, 314 and 318 respectively and sensors 420, 422 and 424
mounted to each of the reels 310, 314 and 318 respectively for
sensing an angular velocity of each of the reels 310, 314 and 318.
A controller 450 is operable to control the brakes 410, 412 and 414
in response to signals received from the sensors 420, 422 and 424
to insure that the cable 20 and tubing 50 and 52 all pay out and
are taken back up at the same rate. Controller 450 also includes
manually manipulable controls for the reels and brakes. To monitor
the distance drill shoe 20 is being lowered into the casing 12 a
sensor 460 may be mounted atop mast 308 to sense a depth traversed
by the drill shoe 20. Sensors 420, 422, 424 and 460 may take the
form of, for example optical rotary encoders. A diesel engine
driven 15,000 psi water pump and hydraulic fluid pump 470 supplies
high pressure water to motor 26 and nozzle 48 and hydraulic fluid
pressure to motors 400, 402, 404, brakes 410, 412, 414 and
cylinders 342, 344, 352, respectively.
[0049] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous
adaptations and modifications which can be made to the present
invention which will result in an improved boring apparatus, yet
all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the
invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *