EP1083292A1 - Interchangeable bit system for directional boring - Google Patents
Interchangeable bit system for directional boring Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1083292A1 EP1083292A1 EP00119678A EP00119678A EP1083292A1 EP 1083292 A1 EP1083292 A1 EP 1083292A1 EP 00119678 A EP00119678 A EP 00119678A EP 00119678 A EP00119678 A EP 00119678A EP 1083292 A1 EP1083292 A1 EP 1083292A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- bit
- socket
- headpiece
- directional boring
- rear portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 10
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 9
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 7
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 241000405070 Percophidae Species 0.000 description 4
- 230000036346 tooth eruption Effects 0.000 description 4
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000014653 Carica parviflora Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000243321 Cnidaria Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003754 machining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010008 shearing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007858 starting material Substances 0.000 description 1
- UONOETXJSWQNOL-UHFFFAOYSA-N tungsten carbide Chemical compound [W+]#[C-] UONOETXJSWQNOL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B10/00—Drill bits
- E21B10/62—Drill bits characterised by parts, e.g. cutting elements, which are detachable or adjustable
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B10/00—Drill bits
- E21B10/60—Drill bits characterised by conduits or nozzles for drilling fluids
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
- E21B7/04—Directional drilling
- E21B7/06—Deflecting the direction of boreholes
- E21B7/064—Deflecting the direction of boreholes specially adapted drill bits therefor
Definitions
- the invention relates, in general, to a method and apparatus for directional boring and, in particular to an interchangeable bit system for directional boring.
- the directional borer generally includes a series of drill rods joined end to end to form a drill string.
- the drill string is pushed or pulled though the soil by means of a powerful hydraulic device such as a hydraulic cylinder.
- the drill string may be pushed and rotated at the same time as described in Dunn, U.S. Patent No. 4,953,633 and Deken, et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,242,026.
- a spade, bit or head having one or more angled faces configured for boring is disposed at the end of the drill string and may include an ejection nozzle for water or drilling mud to assist in boring.
- the drill bit is pushed through the soil without rotation in order to steer the tool by means of the angled face, which is typically a forwardly facing sloped surface.
- a row of teeth may be added to the drill bit and the bit operated in the manner described in Runquist et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,778,991.
- Other toothed bits for directional boring through rock are shown in Skaggs U.S. Patent No. 5,647,448, Stephenson U.S. Patent No. 5,799,740 and Cox U.S. Patent No. 5,899,283.
- a transmitter or sonde mounted in a tubular housing is mounted behind and adjacent to the bit and sends a signal that indicates the angle of rotation of the bit.
- the sonde is mounted in a predetermined alignment relative to the steering portion of the bit. Since the sonde housing is generally made of steel, a series of longitudinal slots or windows are provided through the wall of the sonde housing to permit reception of the signal. Mounting of the sonde in its housing has been accomplished by end loading as illustrated by Stangl et al. U.S. Patent No. 4,907,658 or through a side opening which is closed by a door or cover during use, as illustrated in Lee et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,253,721.
- the "duckbill" style of bit conventionally mounted directly on a forwardly sloped side face of the sonde housing, is inexpensive, generally easy to replace, and has the advantage of simplicity.
- the bit itself is little more than a flat steel plate that protrudes beyond the front end of the sonde housing.
- the blade may have teeth to aid in directional boring through rocky conditions.
- the bolts that hold the bit on tend to loosen or fail under the large shear forces to which the bit is subjected, and once the bit breaks oft the bore must be discontinued and the drill head withdrawn.
- a need persists for a directional boring system has the simplicity of the duckbill, but does not rely on bolts or other similar fasteners to hold the bit on. The present invention addresses this concern.
- the present invention provides a bit which can be used with a trenchless rock drill in urban conditions and stay on line better than other trenchless rock drills presently in commercial use.
- a directional boring bit assembly of the invention includes a headpiece having a rear portion configured for attachment to and removal from a front end of a generally cylindrical drill head section.
- the headpiece preferably has a passage therethrough for conveying fluid therein from the drill head section to a fluid ejection port on the headpiece, and a frontwardly opening lengthwise socket.
- a bit having a front portion configured for directional boring and a rear portion configured for sliding insertion into the socket is held in the socket by a manually removable retainer.
- the retainer generally takes the form of an elongated rod or pin lacking a head. It secures the bit in the socket so that sliding movement of the rear portion of the bit out of the socket is prevented during directional boring with the bit assembly.
- the drill head section that the headpiece attaches to may be any such section commonly used in directional boring or rock drilling, such as a sonde housing, impactor housing, or starter rod.
- the headpiece has a transverse hole therethrough which becomes aligned with a transverse hole in the rear portion of the bit when the bit is fully inserted into the socket.
- the retainer is inserted into the aligned transverse holes so that the bit cannot be withdrawn from the socket while the retainer engages the transverse holes.
- a kit or set for directional boring which includes at least one headpiece and at least two bits of varying cutting characteristics, e.g., one with a flat edge (non-toothed) and one with rock cutting teeth. These permit the operator to select the right bit for the conditions at the start of the job.
- a method of use is also contemplated wherein the operator interchanges bits in response to changing soil conditions.
- a drilling or boring head 10 incorporating the interchangeable bit system of the invention includes a headpiece 12 and a replaceable bit 14.
- Headpiece 12 is generally a cylinder with selected cutaway portions designed to provide a secure, torque transmitting connection between boring head 10 and the drill head section(s) behind it.
- one or more holes 13 may be provided into which rounded head tungsten carbide studs (not shown) may be mounted.
- Headpiece 12 has a rear recess 16 having a series of longitudinal grooves 18 into which the splines 19 of a splined projection 21 on the adjoining drill head section 15 fit.
- Retainers such as coiled roll pins are inserted through a pair of parallel, spaced transverse holes 20 so that headpiece 12 is removably secured as described in co-pending U.S. Serial No. 09/373,395, filed August 12, 1999, and incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
- the adjoining drill head section 15 is most commonly a tubular sonde housing in which a drill head-orienting sonde is mounted in a predetermined configuration.
- An enlarged master spline 23 on the projection 21 of the sonde housing 15 engages a master groove 22 in recess 16, ensure that the sonde and bit 14 are in proper alignment for accurate steering.
- Headpiece 12 has a top cut-away face 28 that slopes forwardly and inwardly toward the axis of rotation of head 10.
- a lengthwise fluid passage 24 extends through headpiece 12 as shown in Fig. 6 and terminates in a fluid ejection port 26 disposed on a front face 27 of headpiece 12.
- Passage 24 receives water or drilling mud from a similar passage 25 that opens on the front end of splined projection 21.
- a pair of threaded bolt holes 29 on either side of port 26 permit the installation of a nozzle over port 26 in a manner known in the art for regulating the fluid flow.
- a socket 30 is provided in headpiece 12 in the form of a pair of lengthwise, outwardly opening square grooves 32 that are spaced from a bottom cut-away face 34 forming a T-slot that slopes forwardly and inwardly toward the axis of rotation of head assembly 10, such that top and bottom faces 28, 34 converge from opposite sides of headpiece 12 as shown.
- a pair of parallel holes 36 extend into headpiece 12 at an angle sufficient to avoid passage 24 and open on one side of a cylindrical top surface 37 of headpiece 12. Holes 36 cooperate with holes 44 in bit 14 as described below.
- Bit 14 has a rear portion 40 having a pair of L-shaped, lengthwise flanges 41 that slide into grooves 32 of socket 30. These may be most conveniently formed by machining out a central recess 42 in rear portion 40, which is otherwise generally rectangular.
- a pair of spaced holes 44 extend through rear portion 40. (Additional fixture mounting holes 45 are used only during manufacture.) Holes 44 are set at the same angle as holes 36 and come into alignment with holes 36 when bit 14 is fully inserted into grooves 32. Roll pins 46 are then inserted into aligned holes 36, 44 to prevent disengagement of bit 14 from headpiece 12.
- holes 36 and 44 each have an internal stop therein, such as annular steps 47, 48 respectively.
- steps 47, 48 The distance between steps 47, 48 is such that each roll pin 46 can be fully inserted (but not overinserted) into its hole 36 as shown in Figure 11.
- bit 14 is slid into position so that its rear end engages a thrust reaction lip 49 that prevents any thrust forces from being applied to pins 46.
- a hammer and chisel or pin are then used to manually slide pins 46 from the position shown in Figure 11 to engage steps 48.
- the process is reversed when it is time to remove bit 14, i.e., the hammer and chisel are used from the other side to force the roll pins 46 back to the position shown in Figure 11.
- a front end or cutting portion 50 of bit 14 extends forwardly from rear portion 40. While rear portion 40 is the same or essentially the same for different bits in a set or kit according to the invention, front portion 50 may vary from a plain flat blade 74 with a tapered end (Figs. 12-14) from suitable for directional boring in ordinary soil to the rock cutting bit 14 shown. Front portion 50 continues at the original angle at which rear portion 40 is mounted, and has a greater thickness such that it overhangs as shown in Fig. 4 to a point where its forwardmost, outermost corner 51 extends to or beyond cylindrical top surface 37 of headpiece 12.
- Front portion 50 splits into a pair of forwardly extending projections 52, 54 having frontwardly facing sockets 56, 58 into which a pair of replaceable rock cutting teeth 60, 62 are installed.
- Teeth 60, 62 are preferably the same as those described in co-pending U.S. Serial No. 09/373,395, filed August 12, 1999, which include back-up carbide inserts 61 behind the main carbide cutting tips 63.
- Tap out holes 64, 65 comprising straight, narrowed passages from the bottoms of sockets 56, 58 through to the outer surface of the device are provided so that teeth 60, 62 can be removed and replaced as needed separately from the rest of bit 14.
- Teeth 60, 62 are angled in the cutting direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 3. Teeth 60, 62 are each canted at an angle of from about 30° to 60° relative to a line normal to an imaginary curved front surface in the direction of rotation of cutting head 10. The exact angle will depend in part on the slope of the conical end portions of the cutting teeth, with a more tapered, sharper point requiring greater canting for the associated tooth to provide the desired degree of shearing force to the formation being bored. A canting angle of less than about 30 degrees, especially 25 degrees or less, provides no significant improvement in cutting. Teeth 60, 62 as shown are at the same cutting orientation as the first and third teeth of the three toothed bit described in the foregoing U.S. Serial No. 09/373,395, filed August 12, 1999. To provide effective boring, teeth 60, 62 preferably extend beyond the outer diameter of headpiece 12 and bit 14. In this manner, a smoother cutting action is achieved than with substantially straight teeth known in the art.
- a vertical notch 66 between projections 52, 54 adjoins a lengthwise hole 68 that comes into alignment with port 26 and receives fluid therefrom. Such fluid is sprayed through a gap 69 between front portion 40 and headpiece 12, which may be partly occupied by the nozzle, if used. In this manner, notch 66 functions as a space for receiving cuttings from trailing tooth 62 which are then washed away.
- a bit according to Figures 1-11 of the invention has proven almost as effective in directional rock drilling as the much larger, three-toothed bit described in the foregoing U.S. Serial No. 09/373,395, filed August 12, 1999. It has also proven able to resist deviation from a straight line when operating through soil in push-and-turn mode, or when drilling through rock using a shelfing action such as the one described in Runquist et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,778,991.
- the number of cutting teeth may vary from one to several, but two are most preferred.
- the socket and projection connection between the bit and headpiece may be reversed, or vary widely in design and may, for example, require complete insertion of a rear end portion of the bit into a single frontwardly opening socket in the headpiece.
- the design shown in the drawings is preferred.
- Transverse holes 36, 44 may, if desired, be located in staggered positions in the widthwise direction on opposite sides of passage 24 and extend straight through (at a 90 degree angle) rather than at a 60 degree angle as shown.
Abstract
A directional boring bit assembly of the invention includes a headpiece (12) having
a rear portion configured for attachment to and removal from a front end of a generally
cylindrical drill head section (15). The headpiece (12) preferably has a passage therethrough for
conveying fluid therein from the drill head section (15) to a fluid ejection port on the
headpiece, and a frontwardly opening lengthwise socket (30). A bit (14) having a front portion
configured for directional boring and a rear portion configured for sliding insertion
into the socket (30) is held in the socket by a manually removable retainer such as a roll
pin. The roll pin secures the bit (14) in the socket so that sliding movement of the rear
portion of the bit (14) out of the socket (30) is prevented during directional boring with the bit
assembly. The directional boring bit assembly of the invention provides
interchangeability of bit styles in combination with a more secure system for mounting
the bit.
Description
- The invention relates, in general, to a method and apparatus for directional boring and, in particular to an interchangeable bit system for directional boring.
- Directional boring machines for making holes through soil are well known. The directional borer generally includes a series of drill rods joined end to end to form a drill string. The drill string is pushed or pulled though the soil by means of a powerful hydraulic device such as a hydraulic cylinder. The drill string may be pushed and rotated at the same time as described in Dunn, U.S. Patent No. 4,953,633 and Deken, et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,242,026. A spade, bit or head having one or more angled faces configured for boring is disposed at the end of the drill string and may include an ejection nozzle for water or drilling mud to assist in boring.
- According to one known directional boring system, the drill bit is pushed through the soil without rotation in order to steer the tool by means of the angled face, which is typically a forwardly facing sloped surface. For rocky conditions, a row of teeth may be added to the drill bit and the bit operated in the manner described in Runquist et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,778,991. Other toothed bits for directional boring through rock are shown in Skaggs U.S. Patent No. 5,647,448, Stephenson U.S. Patent No. 5,799,740 and Cox U.S. Patent No. 5,899,283.
- Steering systems for use with these devices require keeping track of the angle of rotation of the sloped face of the bit and/or the teeth. According to one known system, a transmitter or sonde mounted in a tubular housing is mounted behind and adjacent to the bit and sends a signal that indicates the angle of rotation of the bit. The sonde is mounted in a predetermined alignment relative to the steering portion of the bit. Since the sonde housing is generally made of steel, a series of longitudinal slots or windows are provided through the wall of the sonde housing to permit reception of the signal. Mounting of the sonde in its housing has been accomplished by end loading as illustrated by Stangl et al. U.S. Patent No. 4,907,658 or through a side opening which is closed by a door or cover during use, as illustrated in Lee et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,253,721.
- The "duckbill" style of bit, conventionally mounted directly on a forwardly sloped side face of the sonde housing, is inexpensive, generally easy to replace, and has the advantage of simplicity. Six bolts, which may be counterbored, hold the duckbill in place. The bit itself is little more than a flat steel plate that protrudes beyond the front end of the sonde housing. The blade may have teeth to aid in directional boring through rocky conditions. The bolts that hold the bit on, however, tend to loosen or fail under the large shear forces to which the bit is subjected, and once the bit breaks oft the bore must be discontinued and the drill head withdrawn. A need persists for a directional boring system has the simplicity of the duckbill, but does not rely on bolts or other similar fasteners to hold the bit on. The present invention addresses this concern.
- In addition, as underground utilities become more and more common in urban areas, directional boring machines must maintain a very straight line during drilling or risk hitting a neighboring gas line, water main, or optic fiber cable. This becomes more difficult when the bore must pass through a rocky formation, e.g. chalk or coral, such that carbide tipped drilling teeth must be used on the bit. The present invention provides a bit which can be used with a trenchless rock drill in urban conditions and stay on line better than other trenchless rock drills presently in commercial use.
- A directional boring bit assembly of the invention includes a headpiece having a rear portion configured for attachment to and removal from a front end of a generally cylindrical drill head section. The headpiece preferably has a passage therethrough for conveying fluid therein from the drill head section to a fluid ejection port on the headpiece, and a frontwardly opening lengthwise socket. A bit having a front portion configured for directional boring and a rear portion configured for sliding insertion into the socket is held in the socket by a manually removable retainer. The retainer generally takes the form of an elongated rod or pin lacking a head. It secures the bit in the socket so that sliding movement of the rear portion of the bit out of the socket is prevented during directional boring with the bit assembly. The drill head section that the headpiece attaches to may be any such section commonly used in directional boring or rock drilling, such as a sonde housing, impactor housing, or starter rod.
- According to a preferred form of the invention, the headpiece has a transverse hole therethrough which becomes aligned with a transverse hole in the rear portion of the bit when the bit is fully inserted into the socket. The retainer is inserted into the aligned transverse holes so that the bit cannot be withdrawn from the socket while the retainer engages the transverse holes.
- According to another aspect of the invention, a kit or set for directional boring is provided which includes at least one headpiece and at least two bits of varying cutting characteristics, e.g., one with a flat edge (non-toothed) and one with rock cutting teeth. These permit the operator to select the right bit for the conditions at the start of the job. A method of use is also contemplated wherein the operator interchanges bits in response to changing soil conditions. These and other aspects of the invention are described in detail below.
- For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which:
- FIGURE 1 is a bottom view of an interchangeable bit boring tool of the invention with a first embodiment of an interchangeable bit;
- FIGURE 2 is a lengthwise section taken along the line 2-2 in Figure 1;
- FIGURE 3 is a front view of the tool of Figure 1;
- FIGURE 4 is a side view of the tool of Figure 1;
- FIGURE 5 is a top view of the tool of Figure 1;
- FIGURE 6 is a lengthwise sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in Figure 5;
- FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view along the line 7-7 in Figure 4;
- FIGURE 8 is a cross sectional view along the line 8-8 in Figure 4;
- FIGURE 9 is a partial, exploded, perspective view of the interchangeable bit system of Figure 1;
- FIGURE 10 is a side perspective view of a headpiece according to the invention;
- FIGURE 11 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 11-11 in Figure 5, showing a roll pin in its retracted position;
- FIGURE 12 is a front perspective view of a headpiece of the invention having an alternative bit mounted thereon;
- FIGURE 13 is a side view of the assembly of Figure 12;
- FIGURE 14 is a rear perspective view of the assembly of Figure 10.
-
- While various embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of contexts. The embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and are not to limit the scope of the invention.
- Referring now to Figures 1 to 11, a drilling or
boring head 10 incorporating the interchangeable bit system of the invention includes aheadpiece 12 and areplaceable bit 14.Headpiece 12 is generally a cylinder with selected cutaway portions designed to provide a secure, torque transmitting connection betweenboring head 10 and the drill head section(s) behind it. To protectheadpiece 12 from abrasion, one ormore holes 13 may be provided into which rounded head tungsten carbide studs (not shown) may be mounted.Headpiece 12 has arear recess 16 having a series oflongitudinal grooves 18 into which thesplines 19 of asplined projection 21 on the adjoiningdrill head section 15 fit. Retainers such as coiled roll pins are inserted through a pair of parallel, spacedtransverse holes 20 so thatheadpiece 12 is removably secured as described in co-pending U.S. Serial No. 09/373,395, filed August 12, 1999, and incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. The adjoiningdrill head section 15 is most commonly a tubular sonde housing in which a drill head-orienting sonde is mounted in a predetermined configuration. Anenlarged master spline 23 on theprojection 21 of thesonde housing 15 engages amaster groove 22 inrecess 16, ensure that the sonde and bit 14 are in proper alignment for accurate steering. -
Headpiece 12 has a top cut-awayface 28 that slopes forwardly and inwardly toward the axis of rotation ofhead 10. Alengthwise fluid passage 24 extends throughheadpiece 12 as shown in Fig. 6 and terminates in afluid ejection port 26 disposed on afront face 27 ofheadpiece 12.Passage 24 receives water or drilling mud from asimilar passage 25 that opens on the front end ofsplined projection 21. A pair of threaded bolt holes 29 on either side ofport 26 permit the installation of a nozzle overport 26 in a manner known in the art for regulating the fluid flow. - A
socket 30 is provided inheadpiece 12 in the form of a pair of lengthwise, outwardly openingsquare grooves 32 that are spaced from a bottom cut-awayface 34 forming a T-slot that slopes forwardly and inwardly toward the axis of rotation ofhead assembly 10, such that top and bottom faces 28, 34 converge from opposite sides ofheadpiece 12 as shown. A pair ofparallel holes 36 extend intoheadpiece 12 at an angle sufficient to avoidpassage 24 and open on one side of a cylindricaltop surface 37 ofheadpiece 12.Holes 36 cooperate withholes 44 inbit 14 as described below. -
Bit 14 has arear portion 40 having a pair of L-shaped,lengthwise flanges 41 that slide intogrooves 32 ofsocket 30. These may be most conveniently formed by machining out acentral recess 42 inrear portion 40, which is otherwise generally rectangular. A pair of spacedholes 44 extend throughrear portion 40. (Additionalfixture mounting holes 45 are used only during manufacture.)Holes 44 are set at the same angle asholes 36 and come into alignment withholes 36 whenbit 14 is fully inserted intogrooves 32. Roll pins 46 are then inserted into alignedholes bit 14 fromheadpiece 12. According to a preferred form of the invention, holes 36 and 44 each have an internal stop therein, such asannular steps steps roll pin 46 can be fully inserted (but not overinserted) into itshole 36 as shown in Figure 11. After insertion of the pins,bit 14 is slid into position so that its rear end engages athrust reaction lip 49 that prevents any thrust forces from being applied to pins 46. A hammer and chisel or pin are then used to manually slide pins 46 from the position shown in Figure 11 to engagesteps 48. The process is reversed when it is time to removebit 14, i.e., the hammer and chisel are used from the other side to force the roll pins 46 back to the position shown in Figure 11. - A front end or cutting
portion 50 ofbit 14 extends forwardly fromrear portion 40. Whilerear portion 40 is the same or essentially the same for different bits in a set or kit according to the invention,front portion 50 may vary from a plainflat blade 74 with a tapered end (Figs. 12-14) from suitable for directional boring in ordinary soil to therock cutting bit 14 shown.Front portion 50 continues at the original angle at whichrear portion 40 is mounted, and has a greater thickness such that it overhangs as shown in Fig. 4 to a point where its forwardmost,outermost corner 51 extends to or beyond cylindricaltop surface 37 ofheadpiece 12. -
Front portion 50 splits into a pair of forwardly extendingprojections frontwardly facing sockets rock cutting teeth Teeth carbide cutting tips 63. Tap out holes 64, 65 comprising straight, narrowed passages from the bottoms ofsockets teeth bit 14. -
Teeth Teeth head 10. The exact angle will depend in part on the slope of the conical end portions of the cutting teeth, with a more tapered, sharper point requiring greater canting for the associated tooth to provide the desired degree of shearing force to the formation being bored. A canting angle of less than about 30 degrees, especially 25 degrees or less, provides no significant improvement in cutting.Teeth teeth headpiece 12 andbit 14. In this manner, a smoother cutting action is achieved than with substantially straight teeth known in the art. - A
vertical notch 66 betweenprojections lengthwise hole 68 that comes into alignment withport 26 and receives fluid therefrom. Such fluid is sprayed through a gap 69 betweenfront portion 40 andheadpiece 12, which may be partly occupied by the nozzle, if used. In this manner, notch 66 functions as a space for receiving cuttings from trailingtooth 62 which are then washed away. This contrasts with known directional boring blades wherein the fluid eject port is located behind the blade. In such prior art systems, the fluid cannot pass through the bit and is deflected laterally by its rear surface. - A bit according to Figures 1-11 of the invention has proven almost as effective in directional rock drilling as the much larger, three-toothed bit described in the foregoing U.S. Serial No. 09/373,395, filed August 12, 1999. It has also proven able to resist deviation from a straight line when operating through soil in push-and-turn mode, or when drilling through rock using a shelfing action such as the one described in Runquist et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,778,991.
- In operation, it may be desirable to interchange bits. For example, if the strata being bored changes from hard or rocky material to relatively soft soil, it may be advantageous to change from the
toothed bit 14 illustrated in Figures 1-11 to analternate bit 74 having afront portion 76 which is no more than a flat blade that tapers to anedge 77. According to the invention, this can be readily accomplished by pounding back the roll pins and installing thenew bit 74. When one bit is badly worn and must be replaced by another, the same procedure can be followed. There is no need to try to loosen and remove a large number of bolts which may have been damaged by abrasion and torque that occurs during use. The bit system of the invention, since it provides a socket and projection style connection that is substantially stronger than bolts, is much less likely to fail than conventional duckbills. - While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated for the purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes in the method and apparatus of the invention presented herein may be made by those skilled in the art, such changes being embodied within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The number of cutting teeth may vary from one to several, but two are most preferred. The socket and projection connection between the bit and headpiece may be reversed, or vary widely in design and may, for example, require complete insertion of a rear end portion of the bit into a single frontwardly opening socket in the headpiece. However, from the standpoint of ease of manufacture and use, and providing additional strength, the design shown in the drawings is preferred.
Transverse holes passage 24 and extend straight through (at a 90 degree angle) rather than at a 60 degree angle as shown. These and other modifications are within the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
Claims (9)
- A directional boring bit assembly, comprising:a headpiece having a rear portion configured for attachment to and removal from a front end of a generally cylindrical drill head section, including a passage therein for conveying fluid therein from the drill head section to a fluid ejection port on the headpiece, the headpiece further having a frontwardly opening lengthwise socket; anda bit having a front portion configured for directional boring and a rear portion configured for sliding insertion into the socket, wherein the headpiece and bits are configured to receive a removable retainer that secures the bit in the socket, so that sliding movement of the rear portion of the bit out of the socket is prevented during directional boring with the bit assembly.
- The directional boring assembly of claim 1, wherein the headpiece has a transverse hole therethrough which becomes aligned with a transverse hole in the rear portion of the bit when the bit is fully inserted into the socket, and the retainer is inserted into the transverse holes, so that the bit cannot be withdrawn from the socket while the retainer engages the transverse holes.
- The directional boring assembly of claim 1, wherein the drill head section comprises a sonde housing.a removable retainer that secures the bit in the socket, so that sliding movement of the rear portion of the bit out of the socket is prevented during directional boring with the bit assembly.
- The directional boring assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one retainer.
- The directional boring assembly of claim 4, wherein the retainer comprises a coiled roil pin.
- A directional boring bit set, comprising:a headpiece having a rear portion configured for attachment to and removal from a front end of a generally cylindrical drill head section, including a passage therein for conveying fluid therein from the drill head section to a fluid ejection port on the headpiece, the headpiece further having a frontwardly opening lengthwise socket;a first bit having a toothed front portion configured for directional boring and a rear portion configured for sliding insertion into the socket; anda second bit having a non-toothed front portion configured for directional boring and a rear portion configured for sliding insertion into the socket, wherein the headpiece and bits are configured to receive a removable retainer that secures each bit in the socket, so that sliding movement of the rear portion of each bit out of the socket is prevented during directional boring.
- The directional boring bit set of claim 6, wherein the headpiece has a transverse hole therethrough which becomes aligned with a transverse hole in the rear portion of each bit when each bit is fully inserted into the socket, and the retainer is inserted into the transverse holes, so that each bit cannot be withdrawn from the socket while the retainer engages the transverse holes.
- The directional boring bit set of claim 7, further comprising at least one retainer.
- The directional boring bit set of claim 8, wherein the retainer comprises a coiled roll pin.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US39377899A | 1999-09-10 | 1999-09-10 | |
US393778 | 1999-09-10 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1083292A1 true EP1083292A1 (en) | 2001-03-14 |
Family
ID=23556210
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00119678A Withdrawn EP1083292A1 (en) | 1999-09-10 | 2000-09-08 | Interchangeable bit system for directional boring |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1083292A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITTV20120182A1 (en) * | 2012-09-26 | 2014-03-27 | Renzo Porcellato | JOINT FOR RODS OR DRILLING PROPELLERS |
CN106869804A (en) * | 2017-03-22 | 2017-06-20 | 新疆帝陛艾斯钻头工具有限公司 | Directional well drill bit |
CN114991684A (en) * | 2022-07-19 | 2022-09-02 | 四川中安嘉盛石油科技有限公司 | Flexible nipple for rotary steering drilling and mounting method thereof |
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EP0857853A2 (en) * | 1997-02-05 | 1998-08-12 | Railhead Underground Products LLC | Drill bit for horizontal directional drilling of rock formations |
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EP0691484A1 (en) * | 1987-10-27 | 1996-01-10 | Geissler & Kuper Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Diamantwerkzeuge, Maschinen | Coupling, especially for a diamond drill bit with a tube shaft and a tube thread connection |
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Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITTV20120182A1 (en) * | 2012-09-26 | 2014-03-27 | Renzo Porcellato | JOINT FOR RODS OR DRILLING PROPELLERS |
CN106869804A (en) * | 2017-03-22 | 2017-06-20 | 新疆帝陛艾斯钻头工具有限公司 | Directional well drill bit |
CN114991684A (en) * | 2022-07-19 | 2022-09-02 | 四川中安嘉盛石油科技有限公司 | Flexible nipple for rotary steering drilling and mounting method thereof |
CN114991684B (en) * | 2022-07-19 | 2022-10-25 | 四川中安嘉盛石油科技有限公司 | Flexible nipple for rotary steering drilling and mounting method thereof |
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