Slimhole drill system
US6000479A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B7/007
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A system for drilling a slender borehole through geologic formations. The system comprises a hollow drill pipe having a drill bit for maintaining gauge of the borehole. A pulsed generator such as a homopolar generator provides the power for operating a downhole rail gun. One or more projectiles are accelerated by the rail gun to impact the geologic formations and to extend the borehole length. A plasma generating material is attached to the projectiles to generate a plasma for accelerating the projectiles, and the projectiles can include a secondary explosive for impacting the geologic formations. A controller controls the operation of the rail gun in cooperation with the drill rate to provide interactive control over the firing rate and energy of projectiles impacting the geologic formations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.