U.S. patent application number 10/040762 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-11 for hole opener having interchangeable sleeve reamer.
Invention is credited to Morris, David R. SR., Morris, Donald G. SR..
Application Number | 20020088649 10/040762 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26717406 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020088649 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morris, Donald G. SR. ; et
al. |
July 11, 2002 |
Hole opener having interchangeable sleeve reamer
Abstract
A hole opener for use in the Horizontal Directional Drilling
(HDD) Industry is provided having an interchangeable sleeve reamer.
The hole opener is in the form of a three-piece tool comprising a
top shaft member, an interchangeable sleeve member and a bottom sub
member, the interchangeable sleeve member being configured to be
securely and removably mounted onto the top shaft member such that
is does not rotate freely about the axis of the shaft member. In
one embodiment, the bottom sub member also is interchangeable with
other bottom sub members.
Inventors: |
Morris, Donald G. SR.;
(Oklahoma City, OK) ; Morris, David R. SR.;
(Yukon, OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Peter A. Borsari, Esq.
Borsari & Associates, P.C.
Suite 206
2001 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
26717406 |
Appl. No.: |
10/040762 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60260266 |
Jan 8, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
175/334 ;
175/344; 175/385 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 10/62 20130101;
E21B 7/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/334 ;
175/344; 175/385 |
International
Class: |
E21B 010/26 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer comprising
(a) a top shaft member having an externally threaded lower end, a
distal second end and an elongated cylindrical body joining said
externally threaded lower end and said distal second end; (b) an
interchangeable sleeve member having an open upper end, a distal
open lower end and a body portion having a cylindrical opening
therethrough connecting said open upper end and open lower end, and
(c) a bottom sub member having an internally threaded first end, a
distal second end and an elongated cylindrical body joining said
internally threaded first end and said second distal end, said
internally threaded first end being configured to engage said
externally threaded lower end of said top shaft, thereby removably
securing said top shaft member to said bottom sub member, wherein,
said elongated cylindrical body of said top shaft member has an
exterior surface upon which is disposed a first mating arrangement
and wherein said cylindrical opening of said interchangeable sleeve
member has a wall upon which is disposed a second mating
arrangement which is configured to complement said first mating
arrangement in such a manner that when said top shaft member is
introduced within said cylindrical opening, said first and second
mating arrangements can be aligned to form a cooperating
arrangement which can be used to removably secure said
interchangeable sleeve member onto said top shaft member.
2. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer in
accordance with claim 1, wherein said first mating arrangement is
at least two top keyway half-slots longitudinally disposed along
the exterior surface of said top shaft member and said second
mating arrangement is at least two sleeve keyway half-slots
longitudinally disposed from said open lower end along the wall of
said cylindrical opening, and wherein when each of said top keyway
half-slots is aligned with a complementary sleeve keyway half-slot,
complete keyway slots are formed.
3. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer in
accordance with claim 2, further comprising a key member which is
dimensioned to be introduced into one of said keyway slots and
tightly fitted therein.
4. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer in
accordance with claim 3, wherein a key member is provided for each
of said complete keyway slots.
5. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer in
accordance with claim 1, wherein said first mating arrangement is
at least two top apertures disposed on the exterior surface of said
top shaft member and said second mating arrangement is at least two
sleeve openings disposed through said wall of said cylindrical
opening and wherein when each of said top apertures can be aligned
with a complementary sleeve opening.
6. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer in
accordance with claim 1, further comprising a bolt member which is
dimensioned to be introduced through one of said sleeve openings
and into one of said top apertures and tightly fitted therein.
7. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer in
accordance with claim 1, wherein said interchangeable sleeve member
is selected from the group consisting of interchangeable sleeve
reamers, split bit reamers, wing cutters and fly cutters.
8. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer in
accordance with claim 1, wherein said bottom sub member is
interchangeable with bottom sub members selected from the group
consisting of solid subs, pulling eye subs and barrel reamer
subs.
9. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer in
accordance with claim 8, wherein said bottom sub is a solid sub
member and said interchangeable sleeve member is an interchangeable
sleeve reamer.
10. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer
comprising: (a) a top shaft member having an externally threaded
lower end, a distal second end, an elongated cylindrical body
having an exterior surface, and at least two top keyway half-slots
longitudinally disposed along said exterior surface, each of said
two top keyway half-slots having a lower end; (b) an
interchangeable sleeve member having an open upper end, a distal
open lower end, a body portion having a cylindrical opening
therethrough connecting said open upper end and open lower end,
said cylindrical opening having a wall, and at least two sleeve
keyway half-slots longitudinally disposed along said wall beginning
at said open lower end, (c) a bottom sub member having an
internally threaded first end, a distal second end and an elongated
cylindrical body joining said internally threaded first end and
said second distal end, said internally threaded first end being
configured to engage said externally threaded lower end of said top
shaft, thereby removably securing said top shaft member to said
bottom sub member, wherein, said interchangeable sleeve member can
be slidingly introduced over said top shaft member in such a manner
that when said open lower end of said interchangeable sleeve member
is aligned with said lower end of said top keyway half-slots, said
top keyway half-slots can be aligned with said sleeve keyway
half-slots to form complete keyway slots.
11. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer in
accordance with claim 10, wherein said at least two top keyway
half-slots are three top keyway half-slots spaced 120.degree. apart
about the outer circumferences of said elongated cylindrical body
of said top shaft member and wherein said at least two sleeve
keyway half-slots are three sleeve keyway half-slots spaced
120.degree. apart about inner circumference of said wall of said
cylindrical opening.
12. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer in
accordance with claim 11, wherein when said three top keyway
half-slots are aligned with said three sleeve keyway half-slots,
three complete keyway slots are formed.
13. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer in
accordance with claim 12, further comprising three key members,
each of said key members being dimensioned to be tightly fitted
within one of said keyway slots.
14. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer in
accordance with claim 13, wherein each of said top keyway
half-slots and said sleeve keyway half-slots is about five inches
(5") in length and about one-quarter inch (1/4") in depth, and
wherein each of said key members is about five inches (5") in
length and slightly larger than one-half inch (1/2") in width,
thereby enabling said key members to be tightly fitted with
respective keyway slots.
15. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer in
accordance with claim 10, further comprising at least three fluid
holes disposed within said top shaft member and at least three
fluid holes disposed within said interchangeable sleeve member,
wherein when said top and sleeve keyway half-slots are aligned,
said fluids holes disposed within said top shaft member are aligned
with said fluid holes disposed within said interchangeable sleeve
member.
16. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer in
accordance with claim 10, wherein said interchangeable sleeve
member is selected from the group consisting of interchangeable
sleeve reamers, split bit reamers, wing cutters and fly
cutters.
17. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer in
accordance with claim 10, wherein said bottom sub member is
interchangeable with bottom sub members selected from the group
consisting of solid subs, pulling eye subs and barrel reamer
subs.
18. A hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer in
accordance with claim 8, wherein said bottom sub is a solid sub
member and said interchangeable sleeve member is an interchangeable
sleeve reamer.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
provisional application Serial No. 60/260,266, filed in the United
States Patent & Trademark Office on Jan. 9, 2001 in the names
of Donald G. Morris, Sr. and David R. Morris, Sr.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a hole opener having a
replaceable and interchangeable sleeve reamer for use in the
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) industry. In particular, the
present invention relates to a hole opener in the form of a
three-piece tool comprising a top shaft member, an interchangeable
sleeve member, and a bottom sub member. The interchangeable sleeve
member is configured to be securely and removably mounted onto the
top shaft member such that it does not freely rotate about the axis
of the shaft member. The hole opener having the interchangeable
sleeve reamer can be used to cut into dirt, clay, soft rock and
hard rock by quickly and easily interchanging the sleeve
member.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is directed to a replaceable and
interchangeable sleeve reamer for a hole opener for use in the
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) industry. The HDD industry
generally pertains to the formation of holes for the laying of
product, for example, water pipes, sewer lines, fiber optic cables,
and the like. Included in the HDD industry are the River Crossing
and Road Boring communities. In the HDD industry, the formation of
the hole often requires the opening of a hole under a river bed or
under existing roadway. When opening a hole under a river bed,
existing roadway or other physical barrier, the hole is opened
first at an certain angle to a desired depth, then continued
horizontally to a desired distance and then back upward at a
certain angle to an exit site. Typically, the hole is predrilled
(i.e. pilot bored) by a one-piece drilling tool on a drill string,
the drilling tool opening the hole first at the specific angle to
the desired depth, then horizontally to the desired distance, then
upwardly at a specific angle to the exit site. Once the hole is
pilot-bored, the drilling tool is removed from the drill string and
a hole opener is mounted on the drill string and pulled back
through the hole with the drill string to open the hole to a larger
diameter.
[0004] Typically, a hole is opened in several stages, the number of
stages depending upon the size (i.e. diameter) required for the
hole. Although the actual cutting ability of the reamer is one
reason why several stages are required, the main reason is the
ability of the fluid to remove the cuttings from and out of the
hole. For example, to form a 16" diameter hole, in the first stage,
a 43/4" hole is pilot bored; in the second stage an 8 or 9" reamer
is used to widen the hole; in the third stage, a 12 or 13" reamer
is used, and in the fourth stage, a 16" reamer is used, fluid being
used in each stage to remove additional cuttings from the hole.
[0005] In conventional practice, in each stage, a different hole
opener is required to open the hole to a larger size. The typical
hole opener currently used in HDD is a one-piece tool having a top
shaft, a bottom sub and a reamer element. Therefore, after each
stage, the existing hole opener must be removed from the drill
string and a new hole opener capable of opening a larger diameter
hole must be mounted to the drill string. This practice not only
requires the purchase and use of several hole openers to complete
one hole opening, it also significantly increases the amount of
time necessary to open the hole since each existing hole opener
must be removed from the drill string and a successive hole opener
must be mounted on the drill string.
[0006] Drilling tools for use in oilfield applications have been
developed which use interchangeable drill bits, reamer-stabilizers
and other cutting tools. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,562,449 to
Herrin, issued Nov. 24, 1925 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,506,795 to Koeln,
issued May 9, 1950, disclose drilling tools for pre-drilling the
initial pilot bore for a wellbore, each tool utilizing an
arrangement of keys and slots to selectively prevent relative
rotation between the parts thereon. However, neither drilling tool
is adapted for opening the hole to the desired size by pulling back
the tool and drill string. Rather, each of these drilling tools are
lifted out of the well bore while the drill string remains intact
and in the wellbore. U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,640 to Kurt, issued Sep.
4, 1990, discloses a quick detach bit apparatus for quickly
changing drill bits on an oil field drilling tool for use in a
wellbore. Kurt uses an arrangement of alternating splines and
grooves provided on a drill bit for mating engagement with a
corresponding arrangement provided on a chuck. The arrangement
enables quick release of the drill bit and also prevents relative
rotation between the bit and chuck.
[0007] Removable cutting elements for drilling implements in oil
field applications also are known in the prior art. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 2,210,824 to Walker, Sr., issued Aug. 6, 1940,
discloses a rotary drilling tool comprising a plurality of tool
elements that are threaded over a portion of the tool body and are
held captive between opposing locking collars. In U.S. Pat. No.
3,322,217 to De Orr Cook, issued May 30, 1967, a reaming tool is
provided having a sleeve section that is threaded over a reduced
diameter portion of a mandrel and held captive thereon by a section
of drill pipe that is threaded onto the end of the mandrel. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,549,613 to Case, issued Oct. 29, 1985, discloses a
downhole tool for use as an oilfield tool, which utilizes a
replaceable sleeve member. Case comprises two replaceable tool
sleeve sections that are assembled about a drill stem. The sleeve
sections are elongated cylindrical half sleeve sections which are
mountable on and removable from a tool body.
[0008] None of these oil field drilling tools can be used in the
HDD industry since the drill string remains in the wellbore and
that they are not configured for all types of angled drilling and
horizontal drilling. Further, the use of the term "reamer", when
used in reference to oil field applications, is meant to indicate a
drilling tool which centralizes and stabilizes the drill hole. In
the oil field application, once a pilot bore is drilled, a tool is
mounted on the existing drill string and reams the pilot bore to
ensure a perfect cylindrical hole; hence the term "reamer". Thus,
if a 83/4" hole is pre-drilled, an 83/4" reamer is mounted
somewhere near the top of the drill string to keep it centered in
the hole and to maintain the hole at 83/4" diameter. In the oil
field application, the reamer is not used to further open the hole
to a larger diameter.
[0009] Accordingly, a need still exists for a hole opener having an
interchangeable sleeve reamer. Such a hole opener should be
configured such that an interchangeable sleeve reamer can be
quickly and easily replaced with another interchangeable sleeve
reamer. In addition, the interchanging of sleeve reamers should not
require that the hole opener be removed from the drill string. Such
a hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer also should
be capable of interchanging bottom sub members. Moreover, such a
hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer should be
capable of opening a hole in successive stages and remove the
cuttings or solids out of the hole in order to obtain a hole having
the desired diameter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer.
[0011] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer wherein the
hole opener is configured such that an interchangeable sleeve
reamer can be quickly and easily replaced with another
interchangeable sleeve reamer.
[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer which does not
required that the hole opener be removed from the drill string
during the interchanging of sleeve reamers.
[0013] It is an additional object of the present invention to
provide a hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer which
also includes an interchangeable bottom sub member.
[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer which can open
a hole in successive stages to obtain a hole having the desired
diameter simply by the sequential replacement of an interchangeable
sleeve reamer with an interchangeable sleeve reamer having a larger
diameter.
[0015] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer which can
remove the cuttings or solids out of the hole during the opening of
the hole.
[0016] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the
invention will be set forth in part of the description and claims
which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in
the art upon examination of the following specification and claims
or may be learned by practice of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The present invention will be better understood with
reference to the appended drawing sheets, wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is an exploded side perspective view of the hole
opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of
the top shaft member of the hole opener of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the interchangeable
sleeve reamer of the hole opener of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a formed keyway slot and key
member arrangement of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the hole opener having an interchangeable sleeve reamer of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, the hole opener having an
interchangeable sleeve reamer, generally designated 1, comprises a
top shaft member 10, an interchangeable sleeve member 20 and a
bottom sub member 30. As particularly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
top shaft member 10 comprises a externally threaded lower end 11, a
distal second end 12, an elongated cylindrical body 13 and at least
two external keyway half-slots 14 disposed longitudinally along a
portion of the outer surface 15 of the elongated cylindrical body
13, each external keyway half-slot 14 having a lower end 16
proximal to lower end 11. Preferably, three external keyway
half-slots 14 are spaced 120.degree. apart about the outer
circumference of the elongated cylindrical body 13 as shown in FIG.
2. In a preferred embodiment, each external keyway half-slot 14 is
about one quarter inch (1/4") in depth and about five inches (5.0")
in length. However, it is to be understood that other dimensions of
the keyway half-slots 14 are contemplated to be within the scope of
the present invention.
[0024] Interchangeable sleeve member 20 comprises an upper end 21,
a lower end 22, a body 23 and at least two internal keyway
half-slots 24 as particularly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The internal
keyway half-slots 24 are configured with the same dimensions as the
corresponding external keyway half-slots 14. Each internal keyway
half-slot 24 is disposed from the lower end 22 and longitudinally
along a portion the internal surface 25 of body 23.
[0025] Preferably, three internal keyway half-slots 24 are spaced
120.degree. apart about the inner circumference of the body 23 as
shown in FIG. 3. In a preferred embodiment, each internal keyway
half-slot 24 is about one quarter inch (1/4") in depth and about
five inches (5.0") in length. However, it is to be understood that
other dimensions of the internal keyway half-slots 24 are
contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention,
provided that each internal keyway half-slot 24 is configured with
the same dimensions as the dimensions of a corresponding external
keyway slot 14.
[0026] The bottom sub member 30 comprises an internally threaded
first end 31, an elongated cylindrical body 33 and a distal second
end 32 as particularly shown in FIG. 1. Internally threaded first
end 31 is configured to engage the externally threaded first end 11
of top shaft member 10. In this manner, top shaft member 10 and
bottom sub member 30 can be removably secured to one another by
threadingly engaging first ends 11 and 31.
[0027] In assembling the hole opener 1 of the present invention,
the upper end 21 of the interchangeable sleeve member 20 is
slidingly introduced over the lower end 11 of the top shaft member
10 and upwardly onto the elongated cylindrical body 13 such that
the lower end 22 of the interchangeable sleeve member is parallel
with the lower ends 16 of the external keyway half-slots 14. The
interchangeable sleeve member is rotated about the top shaft until
each external keyway half-slot 14 is aligned with a corresponding
internal keyway half-slot 24, thereby forming at least two (2)
keyway slots 44, as shown in FIG. 4. In the preferred embodiment,
each keyway slot 44 is about one-half inch (1/2") in width and
about five inches (5") in length. However, it is to be understood
that other dimensions of the keyway slots 44 are contemplated to be
within the scope of the present invention.
[0028] In order to prevent the interchangeable sleeve member from
freely rotating about the axis of the top shaft 10, a key member 40
is inserted into each keyway slot 44. Each key member 40 comprises
a first end 41 and a second end 42 and is dimensioned to have the
same length and a slightly larger width than the keyway slot 44.
Thus, in the preferred embodiment, each key member 40 is about five
inches (5.0") in length and slightly more than one-half inch (1/2")
in width. With this configuration, once second end 42 of the key
member is introduced into the keyway slot 40, the first end 41 is
tapped such that the entire length of the key member is snugly
secured within the keyway slot 44. First end 41 can be provided
with a tab or notch to facilitate removal of the key member from
the keyway slot.
[0029] The keyway slot/key member arrangement enables the user to
quickly and easily replace the interchangeable sleeve member 20
with another interchangeable sleeve member. Suitable
interchangeable sleeve members include, for example, a Split Bit
Reamer for dirt, soft and hard rock, a Wing Cutter for dirt and
soft rock, and a Fly Cutter for dirt and soft rock. In this manner,
the versatility of the hole opener with an interchangeable sleeve
reamer provides numerous possibilities for utilizing the hole
opener with other downhole devices.
[0030] Once the interchangeable sleeve member 20 is placed over the
top shaft 10, the bottom sub member 30 is removably secured to the
top shaft 10 by the threaded engagement of lower end 11 and first
end 31. The bottom sub member 10 also can be interchanged other sub
tools when different work in the hole is required. Suitable
interchangeable bottom sub members include, for example, a Solid
Sub to keep fluid passage stopped at the back of the reamer, a
Pulling Eye Sub which hooks up to a Swivel to pull product (sewer
line, optic cable) through the hole, a Barrel Reamer which swabs
out the hole, and like sub members.
[0031] Referring again to FIG. 1, the top shaft member 10 is
provided with a plurality of fluid holes 17 and interchangeable
sleeve member 20 is provided with a plurality of fluid holes 27.
Preferably the top shaft member 10 and interchangeable sleeve
member 20 each have three fluid holes spaced 120.degree. apart and
which can be aligned along with the keyway half-slots. Thus, all
such constructed interchangeable sleeve members can be
interchangeable. These fluid holes 17 and 27 are for the passage of
fluid such that cuttings and other solids can be removed from the
hole.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment for
removably mounting the interchangeable sleeve member 120 over the
top shaft member 110. In this embodiment, rather than the use of
the keyway slot/key member arrangement to prevent the
interchangeable sleeve member from rotating about the axis of the
top shaft member, the top shaft member is provided with a plurality
of apertures 114, preferably six apertures, about its
circumference. The interchangeable sleeve member 120 is provided
with a plurality of apertures 124, preferably six apertures,
dimensioned with the same diameter as apertures 114. A rod or bolt
member 140 is provided having a slightly larger diameter than the
apertures 114 and 124. When the apertures 124 are aligned with the
apertures 124, a bolt member 140 is tapped into and through
aperture 114 and into aperture 124. Although this arrangement is
meant to be an alternative means for removably mounting the
interchangeable sleeve member to the top shaft member, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that other arrangements can be
utilized to enable the interchangeable sleeve member to be
removably mounted over the top shaft member and that such other
arrangements are considered to be within the scope of the present
invention.
[0033] While particular embodiments of the invention have been
described, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is
not limited thereto, and that many obvious modifications and
variations can be made, and that such modifications and variations
are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *