Patent US3669199A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3669199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drilling apparatus
Assignee: Jones and Laughlin Steel Inc
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Filing: 1970-03-19
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Granted: 1972-06-13
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Expires: 1990-03-19
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to drilling apparatus having a flexible drill string, a motor supported by the drill string, two-stage planetary gear-reduction means driven by the motor, and a drill bit driven by the gear-reduction means. In the gear-reduction means the second stage sun, planet and ring gears have increased longitudinal dimension for carrying the increased torque loading, and the second stage planet gears are split into sections and supported at each end of each section to prevent excessive outward deflection of their bearing shafts.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy H Cullen
- 👤 Jimmie R Aker
- 👤 William E Burke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:05
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B4/00; E21B4/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
298 words
A drilling apparatus comprising: a flexible drill string; a motor supported by said drill string; two-stage gear-reduction means driven by said motor; and a drill bit driven by said gear-reduction means; said two-stage gear-reduction means comprising; a housing; first and second ring gears in said housing, a first sun shaft driven by said motor, a first sun gear on said first sun shaft, a plurality of first planet gears disposed between said first sun gear and said first ring gear, said first planet gears rotatably mounted on first planet shaft means, first support means for supporting said first planet shaft means, said first support means carried by a second sun shaft coaxial with said first sun shaft and adapted to rotate at a speed less than that of said first sun shaft, a second sun gear on said second sun shaft, a plurality of second planet gears disposed between said second sun gear and said second ring gear, each second planet gear being composed of two or more coaxial sections, said second planet gears rotatably mounted on second planet shaft means, second support means for supporting said second planet shaft means at each end of each coaxial section, said second support means carried by an output shaft coaxial with said second sun shaft and adapted to rotate at a speed less than that of said second sun shaft, the combined length of said coaxial sections comprising said second planet gears being substantially greater than the length of said first planet gears, thus permitting said second planet gears to transmit a substantially greater amount of torque than said first planet gears, while the second support means supporting the second planet shaft means at each end of each coaxial section prevents excessive outward deflection of said second planet shaft means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
298 words
A drilling apparatus comprising: a flexible drill string; a motor supported by said drill string; two-stage gear-reduction means driven by said motor; and a drill bit driven by said gear-reduction means; said two-stage gear-reduction means comprising; a housing; first and second ring gears in said housing, a first sun shaft driven by said motor, a first sun gear on said first sun shaft, a plurality of first planet gears disposed between said first sun gear and said first ring gear, said first planet gears rotatably mounted on first planet shaft means, first support means for supporting said first planet shaft means, said first support means carried by a second sun shaft coaxial with said first sun shaft and adapted to rotate at a speed less than that of said first sun shaft, a second sun gear on said second sun shaft, a plurality of second planet gears disposed between said second sun gear and said second ring gear, each second planet gear being composed of two or more coaxial sections, said second planet gears rotatably mounted on second planet shaft means, second support means for supporting said second planet shaft means at each end of each coaxial section, said second support means carried by an output shaft coaxial with said second sun shaft and adapted to rotate at a speed less than that of said second sun shaft, the combined length of said coaxial sections comprising said second planet gears being substantially greater than the length of said first planet gears, thus permitting said second planet gears to transmit a substantially greater amount of torque than said first planet gears, while the second support means supporting the second planet shaft means at each end of each coaxial section prevents excessive outward deflection of said second planet shaft means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A drilling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of speed reduction through said first reduction stage is approximately equal to the ratio of speed reduction through said second reduction stage, and the total longitudinal dimension of each said second planet gear is approximately twice the longitudinal dimension of each said first planet gear.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A drilling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each said second planet gear comprises at least two coaxial sections.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-13 | 1975-12-13 | 1976-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-13 | 1979-12-13 | 1980-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-13 | 1983-12-13 | 1984-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |