Apparatus for directional drilling
US6386298B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 30, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 8, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B10/28
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A hole opener and method for using same which allows for a greater number of cone utters to be attached to the hole opener. The support structure provided by the present invention uses a barrel which is attached to the drill stem to effectively increase the diameter of the drill stem so that additional cutters may be attached to the hole opener. Using the barrel structure, the structural integrity of the tool is not compromised, and a strong support structure for the cutters is provided. The cone cutters may be removable from the barrel. The removable structure is provided by placing a bolt inside the segments which is used to mate the segment with a pocket attached to the barrel. This results in a very versatile tool in that the same boring head may be used for boring various types of materials. The barrel structure of the present invention also provides a means for trapping cones inside the barrel to prevent the cone cutters from being left inside the hole. The tapered shape of the hole opener allows it to be forced back to the point of entry after drilling in order to displace debris.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.