Using a rotating inner member to drive a tool in a hollow outer member

• US 20050056460A1
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles Machine Works Incorporated The
• Original Assignee: Charles Machine Works Incorporated The
• Inventors: Dock, Matthew L., Sharp, Richard Felix
• Granted Patent: US 7,025,152 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/19
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 6/06 the rotation being intermittent, e.g. obtained by ratchet device
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/002 Drilling with diversely driven shafts extending into the borehole ⁠ E21B7/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/046 horizontal drilling drilling with mechanical conveying means E21B7/003
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/205 without earth removal E21B7/30 takes precedence

Abstract

A rotating inner member is used to drive a downhole tool housed within the hollow outer member of a dual-member drill string. The downhole tool preferably will be adapted to receive rotational energy from the inner member. In a preferred embodiment, the downhole tool is an electric generator connected to a downhole electric device. In another preferred embodiment the downhole tool is a mechanical transmission that uses the rotational energy from the inner member to drive a non-electric tool, such as a downhole hammer. This invention will increase the consistency and efficiency of downhole energy production.

Claims

1. A horizontal directional drilling machine comprising:

a rotary drive system;

a dual-member drill string operatively connected to the rotary drive system;

wherein the dual-member drill string comprises a hollow outer member and an inner member positioned longitudinally therein, wherein the inner member is independently rotatable of the outer member; and

at least one downhole tool supported within the outer member of the dual-member drill string so that rotation of the inner member will drive operation of the downhole tool.