Patent · US Expired

Drilling head

US4293047A · kind A · utility

70Cited by
7References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 24, 1979
Grant dateOct 6, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 24, 1999

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B33/085
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A drilling head includes a tubular body with top, bottom and side openings. An oriented side outlet with an oriented replaceable bushing is releasably connected to the side opening. The head without the side outlet will pass through most rotary tables. A top closure closes the annulus between a portion of the head above the side opening and a drive tube such as a kelly extending through the head. The top closure includes a rotor, adapted to form a non-rotating seal with the kelly, and a stator, with a rotating seal between the stator and rotor. The stator is supported on and releasably connected to the body. The rotor includes a seal tube rotatably supported by inboard bearings on the stator located above the rotating seal. The top closure is small enough to pass through even rotary tables that are too small to pass the drilling head.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.