| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090260882 | BRAKING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR USE IN DRILLING OPERATIONS - A braking device for drilling operations in a borehole includes a brake retainer having a plurality of brake connector openings defined therein, a body member having a tapered surface having a first diameter and a second diameter, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter, at least one brake element positioned at least partially between the brake retainer and the body member and in communication with the tapered surface and at least one of the brake connector openings, and a bias member configured to exert a biasing force on the body member to move the body member toward the brake retainer to move the brake element from contact with the first diameter of the tapered surface toward contact with the second diameter. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090283327 | JOINTED SPEARHEAD ASSEMBLY - A jointed spearhead assembly can include a base portion that is adapted to be connected to a down-hole object and a spearhead portion having a first end and a second. The second end includes a follower tab with a non-convex first follower interface. The spearhead portion can be pivotally coupled to the base portion. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20100126772 | HYDRO-PERCUSSIVE MECHANISIMS FOR DRILLING SYSTEMS - A down-the-hole assembly includes a housing assembly having a head end and a bit end. The housing assembly further includes an inlet joint having an inlet channel defined therein, a sealing portion positioned toward the bit end relative to the inlet joint, and an outlet portion positioned toward the bit end relative to the sealing portion. A hammer assembly including a piston has a piston channel defined therein that includes an inlet in fluid communication with the inlet channel and an outlet in fluid communication with the housing assembly. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100243331 | HELICAL DRILLING APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - A down-the-hole assembly includes a housing having a central axis and a mechanical gear box positioned within the housing. The mechanical gear box is coupled to the housing such that rotation of the housing at a first rotational rate provides a rotary input to the mechanical gear box. A rotary cutting bit is coupled to the mechanical gear box. The mechanical gear box is configured to rotate said rotary cutting bit at a second rotational rate in response to that rotary input from the housing. The second rotational rate is greater than the first rotational rate. The mechanical gear box is also further configured to cause the rotary cutting bit to orbit about the central axis of the housing. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20110079433 | PUMP-IN SEAL - An assembly may be disposed within a drill string. The assembly may be moved within and along the drill string using hydraulic pressure. A core sample may be collected within the assembly, and the assembly may be retrieved to obtain the core sample. The assembly may include a seal that may be configured to form a seal with different inner diameters of a variable-diameter drill rod of the drill string. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110079435 | DRIVEN LATCH MECHANISM - Implementations of the present invention include a core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism. The driven latch mechanism can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such driven latch mechanisms, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110079436 | CORE DRILLING TOOLS WITH RETRACTABLY LOCKABLE DRIVEN LATCH MECHANISMS - Implementations of the present invention include a core barrel assembly having a driven latch mechanism. The driven latch mechanism can lock the core barrel assembly axially and rotationally relative to a drill string. The driven latch mechanism can include a plurality of wedge members positioned on a plurality of driving surfaces. Rotation of the drill string can cause the plurality of wedge members to wedge between an inner diameter of the drill string and the plurality of driving surfaces, thereby rotationally locking the core barrel assembly relative to the drill string. The driven latch mechanism can further include a refracted groove adapted to lock the plurality of wedge members radially within the core barrel assembly, thereby allowing for faster travel within the drill string. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including such driven latch mechanisms, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110083901 | CORE DRILLING TOOLS WITH EXTERNAL FLUID PATHWAYS - Implementations of the present invention include a core barrel assembly including external fluid pathways extending generally axially long the outer surface of the core barrel assembly. The one or more external fluid pathways can allow for increased fluid flow around a latch mechanism. The increased fluid flow around the latch mechanism can allow the core barrel assembly to travel faster within the drill string, can allow drilling fluid to pass by the latch mechanism when engaged. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including external fluid pathways, and methods of retrieving a core sample using such drilling systems. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110100718 | CORE LIFTER - A core lifter may be used in a drilling system. An exterior surface of the core lifter may include a plurality of longitudinally-oriented recesses. The core lifter may include a raised contact feature that may extend inwardly away from a gripping surface of the core lifter. The core lifter may include a flared skirt configured to limit movement of the core lifter relative to a core lifter case. The core lifter may be formed via stamping a sheet of material. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110127086 | HELICAL DRILLING APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - A down-the-hole assembly includes a housing having a central axis and a mechanical gear box positioned within the housing. The mechanical gear box is coupled to the housing such that rotation of the housing at a first rotational rate provides a rotary input to the mechanical gear box. A rotary cutting bit is coupled to the mechanical gear box. The mechanical gear box is configured to rotate said rotary cutting bit at a second rotational rate in response to that rotary input from the housing. The second rotational rate is greater than the first rotational rate. The mechanical gear box is also further configured to cause the rotary cutting bit to orbit about the central axis of the housing. | 06-02-2011 |
