US2018298696A1PendingUtilityA1
Hole forming tool with at least one rotatable cutting member
Est. expiryJul 27, 2035(~9 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:John James Barry
E21B 10/24E21B 10/12E21B 10/23E21B 10/50E21B 10/14E21B 2010/243
36
PatentIndex Score
0
Cited by
0
References
0
Claims
Abstract
The invention relates to hole forming tools suitable for use in subterranean drilling operations, operable with two non-parallel rotational motions for forming a hole of substantially circular cross section in a material, the tool comprising a rotatable drill body ( 17 ) having a proximal end ( 19 ) for attachment to a drive mechanism and a distal end ( 21 ) on which is disposed at least one rotatable cutting member ( 23 ), wherein the or each rotatable cutting member ( 23 ) independently extends away from said distal end ( 21 ); the or each rotatable cutting member ( 23 ) independently being substantially concentric with and supported by a cantilever shaft ( 35 ); wherein on the or each rotatable cutting member ( 23 ) is disposed at least one cutting structure ( 24 ), the or each cutting structure ( 24 ) independently having a cutting face with a continuous cutting edge which is substantially concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotatable cutting member ( 23 ).
Claims
exact text as granted — not AI-modified1 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) operable with a translation per revolution f and comprising a rotatable drill body ( 17 ) having
a proximal end ( 19 ) for attachment to a drive mechanism and a distal end ( 21 ); a drill body axis of rotation defining a Z axis; mutually orthogonal axes X and Y, both X and Y axes intersecting at and orthogonal to the Z axis; whereby on the distal end ( 21 ) of the rotatable drill body ( 17 ) is disposed at least one rotatable cutting member ( 23 ), the or each rotatable cutting member ( 23 ) independently being substantially concentric with and supported by a cantilever shaft ( 35 ) and independently having a radial plane in which the Z axis lies; a first transverse plane (S 2 , 74 ) normal to the Z axis, with a proximal side towards the proximal end ( 19 ) of the rotatable drill body ( 17 ); a third transverse plane ( 75 ) towards the proximal side of the first transverse plane, the third transverse plane normal to the Z axis and at a distance f from the first transverse plane; a reference radial ( 53 ) defined by the intersection of the radial plane and the first transverse plane (S 2 , 74 ); a longitudinal plane (S 1 ) parallel to the Z axis and subtending an angle α1 with a normal to the radial plane; an axis of rotation (A) lying in the longitudinal plane (S 1 ), subtending an angle α2 to the first transverse plane and extending through an intersection point I; the intersection point I at the intersection of the radial plane and the first transverse plane and at a distance R b from the Z axis; wherein on the or each rotatable cutting member ( 23 ) is disposed at least one cutting structure ( 24 ), the or each cutting structure independently having a cutting face centre (Oc, 64 , 65 ) a distance d along the axis of rotation (A) from the intersection point I; a cutting face ( 54 ) of radius r c ; a continuous cutting edge (C, cs_3, cs_4) which is substantially concentric with the axis of rotation (A); a thickness T extending from the cutting face centre (Oc, 64 , 65 ) towards the intersection point I in the direction of the axis of rotation (A); a second transverse plane normal to the Z axis, through the cutting face centre (Oc, 64 , 65 ) and having a proximal side towards the proximal end ( 19 ) of said rotatable drill body ( 17 ); a cutting face reference radial ( 56 ) defined by the intersection of the cutting face ( 54 ) and the second transverse plane; the cutting face reference radial ( 56 ) extending from the cutting face centre (Oc, 64 , 65 ) towards the Z axis; a fourth transverse plane ( 76 ) normal to the Z axis, towards the proximal side of the second transverse plane and at a distance from the second transverse plane of one half of said translation per revolution f; the fourth transverse plane having a proximal side ( 78 ) and a distal side ( 77 ); a distal region of the continuous cutting edge (C, cs_3, cs_4) on the distal side ( 77 ) of the fourth transverse plane; wherein the distal region of the continuous cutting edge of a first of said the or each cutting structure independently has at least one engagement region, the or each engagement region having a first edge point (Pt i ) with coordinates x i , y i , z i on the X, Y and Z axes respectively, x i and y i defining a radius r i of a first circle of rotation about the Z axis; whereby on the distal region of a cutting edge of any second of said at least one cutting structure, a second edge point (Pti), having a circle of rotation about the Z axis of equal radius to said first circle of rotation about the Z axis, is less distal the first transverse plane ( 74 ) than the first edge point (Pti) is distal the third transverse plane ( 75 ); wherein the or each engagement region independently has an innermost extremity ( 72 , 69 ) with respect to the Z axis; an outermost extremity ( 70 , 73 ) with respect to the Z axis; a first cutting face radial extending from the cutting face centre (Oc, 64 , 65 ) to the innermost extremity ( 72 , 69 ); a second cutting face radial extending from the cutting face centre (Oc, 64 , 65 ) to the outermost extremity ( 70 , 73 ); a first cutting face angular coordinate λ1 subtended between the first cutting face radial and the cutting face reference radial ( 56 ); a second cutting face angular coordinate λ2 subtended between the second cutting face radial and the cutting face reference radial ( 56 ); wherein for the or each cutting face independently, Γ is a set comprising the angular intervals λ1, λ2 for the or each engagement region of said cutting face; and wherein the or each engagement region independently has a projected engagement length L (L_a1, L_a2), the or each projected engagement length L independently determined by firstly rotationally projecting the engagement region about the Z axis onto the radial plane to form a first projection and secondly thereafter, projecting said first projection parallel to the Z axis onto said reference radial ( 53 ); such that that the maximum effective clearance angle γ eff max of the or each engagement region as defined by Equations (1) or (2) hereinbelow is independently not greater than 45° over at least 80% of the projected engagement length L of the or each engagement region:
γ
eff
max
=
(
Max
λϵΓ
;
t
=
0
(
χ
·
A
cos
(
Tn
→
·
A
→
Tn
→
·
A
→
)
)
)
-
(
Min
λϵ
[
λ
1
,
λ
2
]
;
t
=
0
(
χ
·
A
cos
(
Tn
→
·
A
→
Tn
→
·
A
→
)
)
)
applicable
where
(
Max
λϵΓ
;
t
=
0
(
χ
·
A
cos
(
Tn
→
·
A
→
Tn
→
·
A
→
)
)
)
≥
(
Max
λϵΓ
;
t
=
T
(
χ
·
A
cos
(
Tn
→
·
A
→
Tn
→
·
A
→
)
)
)
Equation
(
1
)
γ
eff
max
=
(
Max
λϵΓ
;
t
=
T
(
A
tan
(
r
c
-
r
r
T
)
)
)
-
(
Min
λϵ
[
λ
1
,
λ
2
]
;
t
=
0
(
χ
·
A
cos
(
Tn
→
·
A
→
Tn
→
·
A
→
)
)
)
applicable
where
(
Max
λϵΓ
;
t
=
0
(
χ
·
A
cos
(
Tn
→
·
A
→
Tn
→
·
A
→
)
)
)
<
(
Max
λϵΓ
;
t
=
T
(
χ
·
A
cos
(
Tn
→
·
A
→
Tn
→
·
A
→
)
)
)
Equation
(
2
)
wherein {right arrow over (A)} is the rotatable cutting member axis direction vector and is given by:
{right arrow over (A)} = −sin(α1)·cos(α2),−cos(α1)·cos(α2), sin(α2) ,
and wherein {right arrow over (Tn)} is a vector given by:
Tn
→
=
〈
sin
(
θ
i
)
,
-
cos
(
θ
i
)
,
(
f
2
·
π
·
r
i
)
〉
;
wherein 0≤f≤r c ;
wherein r i and θ i are given by:
r
i
=
x
i
2
+
y
i
2
and
θ
i
=
A
tan
(
y
i
x
i
)
;
wherein χ has a value of +1 if {right arrow over (Tn)} extends inwardly with respect to the rotatable cutting member axis of rotation and χ has a value of −1 if {right arrow over (Tn)} extends outwardly with respect to the rotatable cutting member axis of rotation and
x i =−R b +sin(α1)·cos(α2)·( d−t )+ r c ·cos(λ)·cos(α1)− r c ·sin(α2)·sin(λ)·sin(α1),
y i =cos(α1)·cos(α2)·( d−t )− r c ·sin(α2)·sin(λ)·cos(α1)− r c ·cos(λ)·sin(α1) and
z i =−r c ·sin(λ)·cos(α2)−sin(α2)·( d −);
wherein the subscript i denotes a parameter determinable for any value of λ∈Γ;
wherein r r is given by:
r r =r c −√{square root over (( x i −x r ) 2 +( y i −y r ) 2 +( z i −z r ) 2 )}
wherein x r , y r , z r are given by:
x r =−R b +sin(α1)·cos(α2)·( d−T ),
y r =cos(α1)·cos(α2)·( d−T ) and
z r =−sin(α2)·( d−T ).
2 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the maximum effective clearance angle γ eff max is not greater than 45° over the projected engagement length L of the or each engagement region and wherein 0≤f≤r c /2.
3 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the maximum effective clearance angle γ eff max is not greater than 35° over the projected engagement length L of the or each engagement region.
4 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein on the periphery of at least one of the or each rotatable cutting member ( 23 ) is disposed at least one cutting structure ( 24 ).
5 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the or each cutting structure ( 24 ) is formed independently of and bonded to the rotatable cutting member ( 23 ) on which it is disposed.
6 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the rotatable drill body ( 17 ) has a direction of rotation about the Z axis and comprises a plurality of rotatable cutting members ( 23 ), the intersection point I of each of said plurality of rotatable cutting members ( 23 ) sharing a circle of revolution about the Z axis and wherein the angular position (ψ) of the reference radial ( 53 ) of a first rotatable cutting member relative to the reference radial ( 53 ) of a second rotatable cutting member is not equal to the angular position (ψ) of the reference radial ( 53 ) of the second rotatable cutting member relative to the reference radial ( 53 ) of the first rotatable cutting member, whereby all angular positions (ψ) are measured in the direction of rotation of the rotatable drill body ( 17 ).
7 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 1 ; wherein the rotatable drill body ( 17 ) comprises a plurality of rotatable cutting members ( 23 ); wherein the intersection point I of a first rotatable cutting member ( 23 ) lies on a first circle of rotation about the Z axis; wherein the intersection point I of a second rotatable cutting member ( 23 ) lies on a second circle of rotation about the Z axis; the diameter of said first circle of rotation being different to the diameter of said second circle of rotation.
8 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 1 ; wherein the rotatable drill body ( 17 ) comprises a plurality of rotatable cutting members ( 23 ); wherein;
the angle α1 of a first rotatable cutting member ( 23 ) is different to the angle α1 of a second rotatable cutting member ( 23 ), and or; the angle α2 of a first rotatable cutting member ( 23 ) is different to the angle α2 of a second rotatable cutting member ( 23 ).
9 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the rotatable drill body ( 17 ) comprises a plurality of cutting structures ( 24 ) and wherein the cutting face ( 54 ) radius r c of at least one of said one or more cutting structures is different to the cutting face radius r c of another of said one or more other cutting structure ( 54 ).
10 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one rotatable cutting member ( 23 ) is integral with its cantilever shaft ( 35 ), and wherein said cantilever shaft ( 35 ) is received within a bore in the distal end ( 21 ) of the rotatable drill body ( 17 ).
11 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising at least one rotatable crushing member ( 10 ) wherein a plurality of indenter elements ( 11 ) is disposed on the surface of the or each rotatable crushing member ( 10 ).
12 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the or each cutting edge (C) is provided with at least one bevel ( 47 ) and or at least one radius ( 48 ).
13 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cutting face ( 54 ) of the or each cutting structure ( 24 ) is polycrystalline in nature and includes diamond.
14 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the rotatable drill body ( 17 ) comprises flutes ( 18 ) and or reliefs ( 25 ) for conveying cuttings away from the distal end ( 21 ) of the rotatable drill body, preferably wherein said cut-outs are substantially longitudinal, substantially helical or a combination of linear and helical.
15 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the or each rotatable cutting member ( 23 ) is independently permitted to rotate relative to the rotatable drill body ( 17 ) by means of a roller element or journal bearing ( 36 , 37 ) arrangement disposed on the cantilever shaft ( 35 ) associated therewith.
16 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the or each roller element or journal bearing ( 36 , 37 ) arrangement is lubricated by a lubricant reservoir ( 40 ).
17 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the rotatable drill body ( 17 ) is of an integral construction.
18 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the rotatable drill body ( 17 ) includes a plurality of retaining balls ( 38 ).
19 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein r c is not substantially greater than about 0.9·R b .
20 . A hole forming tool ( 16 , 26 , 29 ) as claimed in claim 19 , wherein r c is not substantially less than about 0.3·R b .Cited by (0)
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