The present disclosure is related to packaging, storing, shipping and presenting rotary drill bits.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,192 entitled “Drill Bit Packages and Methods” shows one example of a two piece container for packaging, shipping, storing and presenting a rotary drill bit.
In accordance with teachings of the present disclosure, apparatus and methods are provided for packaging, storing, shipping and/or presenting both roller cone drill bits and fixed cutter drill bits. One embodiment may include a generally hollow, elongated container having a first component which may be partially disposed within and releasably engaged to a second component. The first component may include one end of the container. The second component may include another end of the container. A pair of respective lifting handles may be provided on both ends of the container.
For some applications, a container incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may be shipped in a generally vertical position defined in part by a first end facing down and a second end extending upwardly therefrom. For other applications the container may be shipped in a generally vertical position defined in part by the second end facing down and the first end extending upwardly from the second end. A container incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may be used to package, store, ship and/or present rotary drill bits having a nominal diameter between approximately three (3) inches and eighteen (18) inches. However, containers incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may be modified to accommodate larger drill bits.
For some embodiments a container for a rotary drill bit may include a first component operable to be slidably disposed within a generally hollow, elongated second component. An API threaded connection may be formed in the first component for use in releasably engaging the rotary drill bit with the first component. Nozzle holders and/or tool holders may be provided in the first component for use in storing nozzles, service tools and other accessory components associated with the rotary drill bit. A latch assembly may also be provided to allow varying spacing between the first component and the second component to accommodate installing rotary drill bits having varying lengths within the container.
Containers incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may be formed from high strength plastic materials operable to withstand dropping and/or other rough handling of the container. The use of high strength plastic materials may be particularly appropriate for shipping, storing and handling fixed cutter drill bits. High strength, plastic materials may reduce shipping costs as compared to containers formed from metal alloys and previously used to store and ship fixed cutter drill bits. For some applications the cost of refurbishment and/or repair of a container may be reduced.
For some applications a bit breaker adapter may be provided to releasably engage a bit breaker with one end of a container in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure. Such bit breaker adapters may be used to releasably engage bit breakers for different sizes of drill bits in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure with the container.
A more complete and thorough understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:
Preferred embodiments of the disclosure and various advantages may be understood by referring to
The terms “rotary drill bit” and “rotary drill bits” may be used in this application to include various types of roller cone drill bits, rotary cone drill bits, three cone drill bits, rock bits, hammer drill bits, fixed cutter drill bits, drag bits and matrix drill bits.
Rotary drill bits, associated nozzles and other components having many different designs, configurations and dimensions may be packaged, shipped, stored and/or presented using a container incorporating teachings of the present disclosure. Rotary drill bits having one, two, three or more than three cones may be packaged, shipped, stored and/or presented in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure. Rotary drill bit 40 as shown in
Rotary drill bit 40 such as shown in
Rotary drill bit 40 or 240 may be attached with bottom hole assembly 26 at the extreme end of drill string 24. Bottom hole assembly 26 will generally have an outside diameter compatible with other portions of drill string 24. Drill string 24 and rotary drill bit 40 or 240 may be used to form various types of wellbores and/or bore holes. For example, horizontal wellbore 30a, shown in
Wellbore 30 may be defined in part by casing string 32 extending from well surface 22 to a selected downhole location. As shown in
Rotary drill bit 40 may include bit body 60 with three substantially identical support arms 62 extending therefrom. See
API threads 44 may be formed on the exterior of upper portion 42. API threads 44 may be used to releasably engage rotary drill bit 40 with the extreme end of drill string 24 extending from well surface 22. Corresponding API threads (not expressly shown) may be formed within the extreme end of drill string 24 to form a threaded connection operable to allow rotation of rotary drill bit 40 in response to rotation of drill string 24 at well surface 22.
Rotary drill bit 40 as shown in
A plurality of nozzle receptacles or nozzle housings 68 may be formed on exterior portions of bit body 60. Respective fluid flow passageways (not expressly shown) may be formed in bit body 60 to communicate drilling fluid from the enlarged cavity to respective nozzle housings 68. A nozzle (not expressly shown) may be disposed within each nozzle receptacle 68. The nozzles may be used to direct drilling fluid from drill string 24 to exit from bit body 60 to remove formation cuttings from end 36 of wellbore 30, to clean cutting structures associated with cone assemblies 64 and/or to cool various components such as bearing surfaces (not expressly shown) associated with rotary drill bit 40.
Containers 80 and 80a incorporating various teachings of the present disclosure are shown in
Bit breaker adapter 300 incorporating teachings of the present disclosure is shown in
Various types of latch assemblies incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may be satisfactorily used to releasably engage first component 100 and second component 200 with each other. For some applications such latch assemblies may be operable to vary the overall length of containers 80 and/or 80a to accommodate packaging, storing, shipping and/or presenting rotary drill bits with different lengths.
For some applications first component 100 and second component 200 may be formed from high strength plastic materials which may have sufficient strength to support both a rotary drill bit and a fixed cutter drill bit. For other applications first component 100 and second component 200 may be formed from high strength, lightweight metal alloys, composite materials, cermets and/or any other material satisfactory for use in manufacturing a container for packaging, storing, shipping and/or presenting a rotary drill bit.
First component 100 may sometimes be described as providing a “lid” for container 80 or 80a. Second component 200 may sometimes be described as providing a “base” for container 80 or 80a. For example, container 80 is shown in
End 102 of first component 100 and end 202 of second component 200 may be described as having generally square or rectangular configurations. Overall dimensions and configuration of ends 102 and 202 may be substantially identical. End 102 may include exterior surface 104. End 202 of container 80 may include exterior surface 204. Container 80a may include end 202 with exterior surface 204a and adjacent portions of end 202 modified in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure as compared with exterior surface 204 of container 80.
For some applications container 80 or 80a may be used to ship a rotary drill bit with respective exterior surface 204 or 204a in a down position and respective exterior surface 104 in an up position. For other applications container 80 or 80a may be used to ship a rotary drill bit with respective exterior surface 204 or 204a in an up position and respective exterior surface 104 in a down position. See for example
For some applications ends 102 and 202 may include generally rounded corners. A pair of handles 106 and 108 may be formed in opposite corners of end 102. A similar pair of handles 206 and 208 may be formed in opposite corners of end 202. The overall configuration and dimensions associated with handles 106, 108, 206 and 208 may be selected to accommodate manually grasping either end 102 or end 202. Also, various types of lifting straps (not expressly shown) may be inserted through handles 106, 108, 206 and/or 208 for use in lifting and/or moving associated container 80 or 80a.
Handles 106 and 108 may extend from exterior surface 104 through end 102. Handles 206 and 208 may extend from exterior surface 204 through end 202. As a result, surfaces 104 and 204 have a generally overall, smooth uniform configuration. Handles 106, 108, 206 and 208 may be disposed at an angle such as forty-five (45°) degrees or any other appropriate angle extending from respective exterior surfaces 104 and 204 or 204a through adjacent portions of first component 100 and second component 200. See for example
For some applications first component 100 may include bit holder 120 extending from end 102 opposite from exterior surface 104. Second component 200 may include generally elongated, hollow tube 220 extending from end 202 opposite from exterior surface 204 or 204a. The length of hollow tube 220 may be substantially greater than the length associated with bit holder 120. Exterior dimensions of bit holder 120 may be less than corresponding interior dimensions of hollow tube 220. As a result, bit holder 120 of first component 100 may be slidably disposed within hollow tube 220 opposite from end 202.
For embodiments such as shown in
One end of second sleeve 122 may be embedded within end 102 of first component 100 (not expressly shown). As a result of forming second sleeve 122 from an appropriate metal alloy and imbedding one end of second sleeve 122 within end 102, first component or lid 100 may provide sufficient strength to support rotary drill bit 40 and/or 240 in generally vertical positions such as shown in
Various types of storage mechanisms may be disposed within first component 100 between first sleeve 121 and second sleeve 122. Such storage mechanisms may be used to hold nozzles, tools and/or other accessories associated with rotary drill bit 40 and/or 240. For embodiments such as shown in
Portions of latch assembly 150 may be disposed on the exterior of first component 100 and second component 200. For embodiments such as shown in
Bit holder 120 and hollow tube 220 have been described as having generally circular cross sections. However, bit holder 120 and hollow tube 220 may have various cross sections such as rectangular or square (not expressly shown). Exterior dimensions of second sleeve 122 may also be varied. However, interior dimensions of second sleeve 122 will generally be compatible with forming tapered API threads 144 therein. The configuration and dimensions of bit holder 120 and hollow tube 220 may be modified as appropriate for various types of rotary drill bits which may be packaged, shipped, stored and/or presented therein.
Rotary drill bit 240 as shown in
Bit breakers 280 and 280a may be formed from relatively thick metal plates appropriate for use on a drilling rig during engagement and disengagement of a rotary drill bit with an associated drill string. Bit breakers 280 and 280a may be described as having generally square configurations with respective U-shaped opening or U-shaped slots 282 and 282a formed therein. A pair of tapered surfaces 285 and 286 may be formed at the inlet to slots 282 and 282a.
Slots 282 and 282a may have approximately the same overall length. However, width 284 of slot 282 may be smaller than width 284a of slot 282a. For some applications width 284 formed in bit breaker 280 may be selected for use with rotary drill bits having nominal diameters between approximately seven inches and eight inches. Width 284a in bit breaker 280a may be selected to be compatible for use with rotary drill bits having nominal diameters between approximately nine inches and thirteen inches.
Bit breakers may have the same general exterior configuration and overall size without regard to the size of respective rotary drill bits which may be engaged or disengaged from a drill string using such bit breakers. As a result, containers formed in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure for rotary drill bits having a diameter of less than approximately seven inches may be smaller than typical bit breakers use with such drill bits. Therefore, containers designed for use with rotary drill bits having a nominal diameter of less than seven inches and an associated bit breaker may be strapped with each other (not expressly shown) as compared with attaching the bit breaker to one end of such containers.
For some applications a bit breaker adapter incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may be described as a generally hollow block having a rectangular configuration such as bit breaker adapters 300 and 300a shown in
For some embodiments width 302 of bit breaker adapters 300 and 300a may be selected to be approximately equal to width 284 of slot 282 formed in bit breaker 280. See
Height 305 of bit breaker adapter 300 measured from beneath lips or flanges 312 and 314 may be approximately equal to the thickness of bit breaker adapter 300. Height 305a of bit breaker adapter 300a may be greater than corresponding height 305 of bit breaker 300.
For some applications an enlarged recess or open space may be formed in bit breaker adapters 300 and 300a. The recess or open space may be defined in part by bottom or layer 316 and respective pairs of sidewalls 322 and 324 extending therefrom. Respective lip or flange 312 may extend from each sidewall 322 opposite from bottom 316. Respective lip or flange 314 may extend from each sidewall 324 opposite from bottom 316. Flanges 312 and 314 cooperate with each other to releasably engage an associated bit breaker with one end of a container in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure.
Respective hole or opening 306 may be formed proximate the center of bit breaker adapters 300 and 300a extending through bottom 316. Various types of lifting devices and/or lifting mechanisms may be inserted through hole 306 to releasably engage bit breaker adapter 300 or 300a with one end of a container in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure.
For embodiments such as shown in
For some applications bit breakers 280 and 280a may include a pair of handles 274 and 276 extending therefrom. When bit breaker 280 or 280a has been releasably engaged with one end of a container in accordance with teachings of the present disclosure, a lifting strap or other suitable mechanism may be engaged with handles 274 and 276 for use in manipulating the container.
For some applications threaded hole 250 may be formed in exterior surface 204 of end 202. For such applications appropriate reinforcing material such as a metal plate (not expressly shown) may be embedded within end 202 of second component 200. For other applications end 202 may be formed from high strength plastic material or other material compatible with forming a threaded opening therein which may be releasably engaged by lifting eye 252 without the use of a metal reinforcing plate.
Bit breakers often contain a restraining bar and associated latch mechanism to maintain engagement between the bit breaker and associated rotary drill bit during manipulation of the rotary drill bit by a drill string at a well site. For embodiments such as shown in
For some applications a recess may be formed in one end of a container incorporating teachings of the present disclosure. The dimensions and configuration of the recess may be selected to be compatible with inserting portions of a bit breaker adapter therein. Cooperation between the recess and portions of a bit breaker adapter disposed therein may prevent undesired movement or rotation of an attached bit breaker and container relative to each other.
For embodiments such as shown in
For some applications respective flanges 312 and 314 may extend from sidewalls 322 and 324 of bit breaker adapters 300 and 300a. Height 305 of bit breaker adapter 300 may be selected such that when bit breaker adapter 300 is releasably engaged with end 202 of container 80, adjacent portions of bit breaker 280 may be trapped between flanges 312 and 314 and exterior surface 204. As lifting eye 252 is more securely engaged with threaded hole 250, flanges 312 and 314 may cooperate with each other to more securely engage bit breaker adapter 280 with end 202 of container 80.
Height 305a of bit breaker adapter 300a may be selected such that when bit breaker adapter 300a is releasably engaged with recess 230 formed in surface 204a of container 80a, adjacent portions of bit breakers 280 and/or 280a may be releasably trapped between flanges 312 and 314 and exterior surface 204 using lifting eye 252, lifting loop 252a or other types of lifting devices.
For some applications a lifting loop 252a may be releasably engaged with threaded hole 250 or 250a. Lifting loop 252a may include threaded portion 254 similar to lifting eye 252. Lifting loop 252a may be preferable for use with bit breaker adapters 300 and 300a due to the enlarged surface 258 formed thereon. Enlarged surface 258 may more securely engage bottom 316 of bit breaker adapters 300 and 300a.
Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alternations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/442,761 filed Mar. 18. 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,002,112 which is a U.S. national stage application of International Application No. PCT/US2007/078847 filed Sep. 19, 2007, which designates the United States of America, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/826,313 entitled “Apparatus and Method for Packaging and Presenting Rotary Drill Bits” filed Sep. 20, 2006. The contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20120018329 A1 | Jan 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60826313 | Sep 2006 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12441761 | US | |
Child | 13189988 | US |