US1300989A - Well-drilling apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

Patented Apr. 15, 1919.

.III l S. L'MATHEWS.

WELL DRILLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MA1-(23. |918.

WITNESS ms Nmvus uns ca.. nam-ummwnummow. n. c,

TNTTEB STATES PATENT FFTCE.

SAMUEL J. MATHEWS, 0F KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO B 8c B MANUFAC- TUBING- AND DRILLING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

WELL-DRILLING- APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern.' Y

Be it known that I, SAMUEL J. MATHEws, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Kansas City, State of Missouri, United States of America, have invented a certain new and useful Well-Drilling Apparatus, of which the following is such a full, clear, and exact description as will enable any one skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to a well drilling apparatus of the type in which the cutting tool is driven by a shaft having a bearing located in proximity to the tool and the object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the tool cuttings, sand, and other debris are prevented from entering the bearing and injuring it or the shaft, or other power mechanism.

In the -accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention, Figure 1 is a side view partly in elevation and partly in section showing a drilling apparatus in drilling position in a well, and Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1.

1 designates the usual well casing and 2 a housing carrying motors for operating the drilling tool 3 by means of the rotary shaft 4. The housing is made up of a number of sections 5 connected by means of blocks 6 as shown. The tool operating shaft is journaled in bearings in these blocks and is operated by motors (not shown) contained within sections 5. To the lowest block 6 is attached a cylindrical extension section 7 which extends downwardly a substantial distance below the lowest bearing for the shaft 4.

The uppermost bearing of the shaft 4 does not extend through its supporting block and the passages containing the electric conductors 9 are sealed. The connections between the blocks 6 and the sections 5 and 7 are made air tight and since in drilling with apparatus of the kind illustrated the well is always partially or wholly lled with water, the air contained in the section 7 when the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 15, 1919.

Application led May 23, 1918. Serial N0. 236,210.

tool is lowered into the well is trapped by the water and is, of course, compressed to 'an extent depending upon the height of the line or the upper surface of the mixture of water and rock or earth cuttings 8 to reach the lowermost bearing of the shaft 4. This arrangement, therefore, prevents entry of rock cuttings into the bearing or into the sections of the housing containing the motors, even though said bearings become worn.

Having fully described my invention, what `I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In well drilling apparatus, the combination with a drilling tool, of driving means therefor comprising a bearing in proximity to the tool, and means forming an air chamber to exclude tool cuttings and other debris from the bearing.

2. In well drilling apparatus, the combination of a housing, a shaft journaled therein and extending beyond the lower end thereof, and an extension member open at its lower end and surrounding the shaft to entrap air between the lower end of the housing and contents of the well.

3. In well drilling apparatus, the combination of a housing, a shaft journaled therein and extending beyond the lower end thereof, said housing being air tight except at its lower end, and an extension on the housing and surrounding the shaft to form with said housing an air chamber to exclude debris in the well from the shaft journals and housing.

4. In well drilling apparatus, the combination with a drilling tool, of driving means therefor comprising a shaft and a bearing for said shaft, and means coperating with the contents of the well to form an air chamber to exclude tool cuttings and other debris from the bearing.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and aliixed my seal.

SAMUEL J. MATHEws. [1.. a]

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

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