Abstract:
A drilling system is disclosed that adds the hydraulic forces acting on the piston of a hydraulic cylinder to the weight of the drill stem and bit for visual display indicative of the total force applied to the earth by the bit.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are bearings and methods of treatment especially suitable for friction or plain bearings in earth boring drill bits. The surface of such a bearing is carburized and heat treated to produce extremely high surface carbon such that free carbides occur at the surface. The steel bearings disclosed have a surface carbon content after treatment higher than 0.9% (by weight) to achieve the free carbides. The method for producing the desired high surface carbon in the bearing involves the initial step of heating the bearing in a gas carburizing furnace containing an atmosphere with a high carbon potential. Then the bearing is quenched directly from a high carbon potential atmosphere. Alternatively the bearing may be carburized by the ''''pack'''' carburizing method and subsequently using a copper plating or equivalent during hardening to prevent loss of the high surface carbon. In either instance the high carbon surface performs better if treated with a sacrificial, solid lubricant of soft metal or a metallic compound that breaks in the surface during initial operation.
Abstract:
The specification discloses a method and system for logging a borehole through employment of an acoustic vibration oscillator adapted to be operated by fluid pumped down a tubing or drill string and acoustically coupled with a fluid filled acoustic tank or cavity, a portion of which is defined by the walls of the borehole. In operation, fluid is pumped down the drill string to the oscillator during or subsequent to drilling the borehole to generate acoustic vibrations having characteristics such as frequency and amplitude which change in response to the changes in the compliance of the acoustic tank. The changes in the acoustic vibration characteristics are detected and recorded in correlation with depth.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a cutter for an earth boring drill bit having selected exterior surface areas that are carburized, boronized, quenched and tempered for extreme surface hardness, with a strong, tough supporting base that resists deformation and minimizes fracturing of the brittle boronized case. This produces a wear resistant case which may be used as an improved substitute for hardfacing.
Abstract:
A reaming type rock boring drill having an innermost cutter, rotatably supported as a beam. A sleeve or other support member disposed close to, but spaced apart from, the drill stem that forms a portion of the bit body serves as a trunnion or journal for the inner end of the load pin of the cutter bearing assembly. Drilling with such an assembly results in an uncontacted kerf of rock contiguous with the pilot hole. This kerf is disintegrated by mounting the innermost cutter so that the forces applied to the borehole bottom by this cutter act along a line directed into the formation and inwardly toward the pilot hole. As a result, a much higher cutting efficiency is achieved, when contrasted with earlier dispositions in which the innermost cutter acted directly on the bottom of the bore hole immediately adjacent the pilot hole.
Abstract:
Following is disclosed well bore acoustical apparatus for generating large pressure variations in an isolated zone such as in the bore of a mineral producing well. The apparatus typically includes an oscillator unit and acoustic coupling device tuned to the operating frequency of the oscillator unit. The coupling device communicates through suitable exit ports with fluid in a selected region such as in a mineral bearing formation to be stimulated. Acoustic and/or mechanical filters isolate the treated region from other regions in the well bore.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for generating two separated fluid flows that each include direct flow components as well as alternating, out-of-phase flow components, such separated flows being transmitted into two separate cavities that have interposed between them a mass capable of periodic movement responsive to the out-of-phase alternating flows. The direct flow component is discharged from each cavity through a passageway having entrances adjacent the ends of an enlarged central portion of the mass to center the mass. In addition, a flow restriction means in a discharge port connected with the passageway maintains a selected pressure level in the system. The sizes of the cavities, the size of the mass and the differential areas of the mass produce a selected ratio of the operating frequency to the natural frequency of the system.