Focused shock spark discharge drill using multiple electrodes
First Claim
1. A spark discharge focused shock drill comprising:
- a drill casing;
a source of potential;
a pulse forming line connected to said source of potential;
one set of electrodes provided within said drill casing and extending therein to form a drill face, said set of electrodes including a first electrode positively connected to said pulse forming line, a second electrode positively connected to ground potential and a plurality of third electrodes, said third electrodes including a first adjacent third electrode and a second adjacent third electrode, said plurality of third electrodes disposed near said first and second electrodes;
a working fluid provided in the drill surrounding the drill face; and
a first switch provided between said source of potential and said pulse forming line for causing a series spark array to be formed, when said first switch is closed, wherein a voltage gradient is created between said first electrode and a first adjacent third electrode such that a spark jumps the gap between said first electrode and said first adjacent third electrode, thereby subsequently establishing a voltage gradient between said first adjacent third electrode and a second adjacent third electrode, therefore creating a second spark jump and whereby additional spark jumps are created between said third electrode until a spark jump is created between the last of said third electrodes and said second electrode, all of said sparks produced within said working fluid to create a pressure wave directed against the material to be drilled.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A spark discharge focused drill provided with one pulse forming line or a number of pulse forming lines. The pulse forming line is connected to an array of electrodes which would form a spark array. One of the electrodes of each of the array is connected to the high voltage side of the pulse forming line and the other electrodes are at ground potential. When discharged in a liquid, these electrodes produce intense focused shock waves that can pulverize or fracture rock. By delaying the firing of each group of electrodes, the drill can be steered within the earth. Power can be fed to the pulse forming line either downhole or from the surface area. A high voltage source, such as a Marx generator, is suitable for pulse charging the lines.
-
Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A spark discharge focused shock drill comprising:
-
a drill casing; a source of potential; a pulse forming line connected to said source of potential; one set of electrodes provided within said drill casing and extending therein to form a drill face, said set of electrodes including a first electrode positively connected to said pulse forming line, a second electrode positively connected to ground potential and a plurality of third electrodes, said third electrodes including a first adjacent third electrode and a second adjacent third electrode, said plurality of third electrodes disposed near said first and second electrodes; a working fluid provided in the drill surrounding the drill face; and a first switch provided between said source of potential and said pulse forming line for causing a series spark array to be formed, when said first switch is closed, wherein a voltage gradient is created between said first electrode and a first adjacent third electrode such that a spark jumps the gap between said first electrode and said first adjacent third electrode, thereby subsequently establishing a voltage gradient between said first adjacent third electrode and a second adjacent third electrode, therefore creating a second spark jump and whereby additional spark jumps are created between said third electrode until a spark jump is created between the last of said third electrodes and said second electrode, all of said sparks produced within said working fluid to create a pressure wave directed against the material to be drilled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. A spark discharge focused shock drill comprising:
-
a drill casing; a source of potential; a pulse forming line connected to said source of potential; one set of electrodes provided within said drill casing and extending therein to form a drill face, said set of electrodes including a first electrode positively connected to said pulse forming line, a second electrode positively connected to ground potential and a plurality of third electrodes, said third electrodes including a first adjacent third electrode and a second adjacent third electrode, said plurality of third electrodes disposed near said first and second electrodes, said first, second and third electrodes arranged in such a manner to produce a focused pressure wave; a working fluid provided in the drill surrounding the drill face; and a first switch provided between said source of potential and said pulse forming line for causing a series spark array to be formed, when said first switch is closed, wherein a voltage gradient is created between said first electrode and a first adjacent third electrode such that a spark jumps the gap between said first electrode and said first adjacent third electrode, thereby subsequently establishing a voltage gradient between said first adjacent third electrode and a second adjacent third electrode, therefore creating a second spark jump and whereby additional spark jumps are created between said third electrode until a spark jump is created between the last of said third electrodes and said second electrode, all of said sparks produced within said working fluid to create a focused pressure wave directed against the material to be drilled. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
-
Specification