SHALLOW WELL-DRILLING APPARATUS

Abstract

A portable, shallow well-drilling apparatus is described. The apparatus is lightweight, modular, and easy to transport to and assemble at a remote drill site. The apparatus includes a generally rectangular frame having a plurality of multi-segment support beams in spaced relation extending vertically from a lower base to a top cap, no component of which exceeds five feet in length, a winch assembly attached to the frame, and a motor removably mounted on the frame and slidable up and down the beams via the winch assembly. The apparatus further includes a transmission removably coupled to the motor, and a drill pipe assembly removably coupled to the transmission.

Claims

1. A well-drilling apparatus, comprising: a generally rectangular frame having a plurality of multi-segment support beams in spaced relation extending vertically from a lower base to a top cap, no component of which exceeds five feet in length, a winch assembly attached to the frame, a motor removably mounted on the frame and slidable up and down the beams via the winch assembly, a transmission removably coupled to the motor, and a drill pipe assembly removably coupled to the transmission.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein total weight of the frame alone does not exceed 175 pounds.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein total weight thereof does not exceed 650 pounds.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is modular so as to facilitate transport of all components thereof within a single shipping container that does not exceed five feet in length and three feet in width.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to create at least a 1 diameter borehole up to 300 feet in depth from the ground surface so as to breach an underground aquifer.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to create a borehole depth in a range of about 50 to 300 feet so as to reach an underground fresh water source below a lowest depth of groundwater.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the base, top cap and support beams are formed of a plurality of elongate schedule 40 steel sections having a wall thickness of at least 0.25.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a stabilizer assembly for securing the frame of the apparatus to a ground surface, the stabilizer assembly further including: a plurality of steel outrigger sections connected at one end to the base, a plurality of screw jacks, each securing the other end of a corresponding outrigger to the ground surface, and a pair of comealongs secured between the motor assembly and ground surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, the stabilizer assembly further including: a plurality of rebar elements adapted to be inserted through the base into the ground surface, and a pair of coiled auger pins, each pin attached to a distal end of a corresponding comealong and adapted to be screwed into the ground surface.

10. A well-drilling apparatus, comprising: a frame, the weight of which does not exceed 175 pounds, a winch assembly attached to the frame, a motor removably mounted on the frame and slidable up and down the frame via the winch assembly, a transmission removably coupled to the motor, and a drill pipe assembly removably coupled to the transmission.

11. A well-drilling apparatus, comprising: a frame, a winch assembly attached to the frame, a motor slidable up and down the frame via the winch assembly, a transmission removably coupled to the motor, and a drill pipe assembly removably coupled to the transmission, wherein total weight of the apparatus does not exceed 650 pounds.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a photograph of a spring-fed ditch in Panama.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a photograph of a tanker truck of water in India.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a photograph of a drinking water source in Zambia.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a prior art portable, well-drilling rig.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a side view of the rig shown in FIG. 4 to illustrate operation thereof.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another prior art portable, well-drilling rig.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portable well-drilling apparatus in accordance with the example embodiments.

[0036] FIG. 8 is a front plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7.

[0038] FIG. 10 is an exploded parts view of the apparatus of FIG. 7.

[0039] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the base shown in the apparatus of FIG. 7.

[0040] FIG. 12 is a right side elevational view of the base in FIG. 11.

[0041] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the outrigger shown in the apparatus of FIG. 7.

[0042] FIG. 14 is a front plan view of the outrigger in FIG. 13.

[0043] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the motor mount shown in the apparatus of FIG. 7.

[0044] FIG. 16 is a right side elevational view of the motor mount in FIG. 15.

[0045] FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of the apparatus including the motor, motor mount, transmission, and drill swivel.

[0046] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the top cap shown in the apparatus of FIG. 7.

[0047] FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the cap of FIG. 18.

[0048] FIG. 20 is an elevational view of the drill pipe assembly shown in the apparatus of FIG. 7.

[0049] FIG. 21 is a photograph illustrating the preparation of the suction/settling pit and leveling of the apparatus prior to drilling operations.

[0050] FIG. 22 is a photograph illustrating the lifting of the motor assembly using the winch assembly, in preparation for connecting drill pipe.

[0051] FIG. 23 is a photograph illustrating the removal of the protective cap off the threads of the drill swivel, in preparation for connecting one or more lengths of drill pipe stems.

[0052] FIG. 24 is a photograph illustrating the complete installation of the apparatus at a drill site, ready to conduct drilling operations to access an underground aquifer.

[0053] FIG. 25 is a photograph illustrating the working of the rock drill bit to form the pilot borehole.

[0054] FIG. 26 is a photograph illustrating the deepening of the borehole during drilling operations.

[0055] FIG. 27 is a photograph illustrating the drainage of the debris and drilling fluid exiting the apparatus into the suction/settling pit during drilling operations.

[0056] FIG. 28 is a photograph illustrating a completed borehole with the drill bit and stem therein; the well is now ready for casing and tapping.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various example embodiments of the disclosure. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with manufacturing techniques have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of the example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0058] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims that follow, the word comprise and variations thereof, such as comprises and comprising, are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as including, but not limited to.

[0059] Reference throughout this specification to one example embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases in one example embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments.

[0060] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term or is generally employed in its sense including and/or unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0061] As used in the specification and appended claims, the terms correspond, corresponds, and corresponding are intended to describe a ratio of or a similarity between referenced objects. The use of correspond or one of its forms should not be construed to mean the exact shape or size. In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The size and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0062] The example embodiments hereafter describe a portable, shallow well-drilling apparatus that is lightweight, modular, and easy to transport to and assemble at a remote drill site. In reference to FIGS. 7-20, the portable, shallow well-drilling apparatus 200 is comprised of just a few modular, connectable assemblies. As shown, apparatus 200 includes a generally rectangular frame 210 composed of a base 211, and a plurality of vertically-oriented, multi-segment support beams 212 connected at one end to the base 211 and at the other ends to a top cap 213. Apparatus 200 further includes a winch assembly 220 attachable to frame 210 and adapted to raise and lower a motor assembly 240 along the support tubes 212, so as to connect a plurality of drill pipe stems 291, one of which terminates in a drill bit 294A/B (FIG. 20).

[0063] Apparatus 200 further includes a stabilizer assembly 230 which is configured to secure the apparatus 200 to a ground surface at a drill site preparation for drilling operations. A removable motor 248 supported within a motor mount 241 of the motor assembly 240 is removably coupled to a transmission 250, which in turn is connected to a hollow drill pipe swivel 280 that is configured to be operatively connected to the drill pipe assembly 290, namely to a female end/coupling 293 of a 1 OD steel drill pipe stem 291 (FIG. 20). Additionally, the drill pipe swivel 280 is adapted to be connected to a high pressure feed hose 264 of a pump assembly 260, namely to a mud pump 263. Pump 263 has a high-strength suction house 262 connected thereto which is designed to suck, under pump 263 power, from a water-filled suction/settling pit 261 so as to provide a high-pressure source of drilling fluid to the drill pipe assembly 290 via the swivel 280, as is known.

[0064] In apparatus 200, the total weight of the frame 210 alone does not exceed 175 pounds, and the total weight of the apparatus 200 does not exceed 650 pounds. Additionally, as the apparatus 200 is erected from smaller, modular components, such facilitates transport of all components thereof within a single shipping container that does not exceed five (5) feet in length and three (3) feet in width. To achieve this, none of the constituent components of apparatus 200, inclusive of the support beams 212 and pipe stems 291, exceeds five (5) feet in length.

[0065] As will be shown in further detail below, apparatus 200 is configured to create at least a 1 diameter borehole 205 up to 300 feet in depth from the ground surface, so as to breach an underground aquifer. In one example, apparatus 200 is configured to create a borehole 205 depth in a range of about 50 to 300 feet, so as to reach an underground fresh water source below a lowest depth of groundwater, which as noted above is about 20 feet below ground surface. Further, the frame 210 is extremely robust, as each of the base 211, top cap 213 and support beams 212 are formed of a plurality of welded elongate schedule 40 steel sections having a pipe wall thickness of at least 0.25.

[0066] The base 211 is composed of a plurality of welded-together truncated square-shape steel tubing sections, whereby tubing sections 214A are 2.52.5 square steel tubing, and cross-tube section 214B is formed of 22 square steel tubing. The base 211 further includes three (3) truncated steel support collars 215 (2.3753 steel tubing), each adapted to receive a lower and of a corresponding support beam 212. Each collar 215 includes a hole 216 that aligns with the corresponding hole in the support beam 212, with the beam 212 being secured to the collar 215 via a fastener (not shown) secured therethrough. The support beams 212 are composed of a plurality of connected segments 217 (FIG. 10), none of which exceeds 5 in length. The top cap 213 (see FIGS. 18, 19) includes two (2) 2.52.5 square steel tubing sections 218A/B welded together in the shape of a T, and further includes pulleys 223 of the winch assembly 220 thereon, with one pulley 223 that takes most of the weight welded to a bracket 226 on tube section 218B. A collar 215 is welded to an end of tube section 218A for coupling to a top end of a support beam 212.

[0067] The stabilizer assembly 230 includes a plurality of outriggers 231, each outrigger 231 secured at one end to the base 211. As best shown in FIGS. 9, 13 and 14, each outrigger 231 includes an aperture 237 at the other end that is adapted to receive a threaded bottom of a screw jack 234. Each screw jack 234 is inserted through it corresponding aperture 237, and additionally engages a nut 238, with each foot of the screw jack 234 engaging a support pad 233. As each of the screw jacks 234 are adjustable, this allows ease of leveling of the frame 210 on the ground surface at the drilling site. To further assist in securing apparatus 200 on a ground surface in preparation for drilling operations, the stabilizer assembly 230 further includes a plurality of rebar elements 232, as shown extending through apertures in the base 211 and into the ground surface. Additionally a pair of comealongs 235 are employed to further stabilize the frame 210. Each comealong 235 has its proximal end connected to the motor mount 241, and a distal end connected to a coiled auger pin 236 that is adapted to be screwed into the ground surface.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 15-17, the motor assembly 240 includes a motor mount 241 supporting a removable motor 248. Motor 248, in an example, may be embodied as a 6.75 HP BRIGGS & STRATTON 675 SERIES e, 190 cc engine, with transmission 250 embodied as an Aries 30:1 ratio transmission. Motor mount 241 comprises a pair of steel plates 242 in spaced relation to one another with a steel hanger 246 extending therebetween, the components welded to one another. The motor mount 241 is configured, under winch welded to a bracket 243 which in turn is welded to an outer surface of its corresponding plate 242. A central connector bracket 225 is welded to the hanger 246 and configured to attach to one end of a steel cable 224 of the winch assembly 220 for raising and lowering the motor assembly 240.

[0069] Pump assembly 260 includes a hi-strength 2 OD suction hose hooked up to the inlet of mud pump 263, and a 1 high pressure feed hose 264 connected between the pump 263 outlet and a to a hollow connector element 285 that is welded to the drill swivel 280 (FIG. 17). Drill swivel 280 may include a protective cap 282 placed over a threaded portion 281 when not in use/connected to a drill pipe stem 291. As is well known, the suction hose 262 takes a suck on a water-filled suction/settling pit 261, under pump 263 power, which serves as the drilling fluid ported through connector element 285 and drill swivel 280 to the hollow drill pipe stems 291. In an example, the mud pump 263 may be embodied as a POWERHORSE, 2 Semi-Trash pump with a 5 HP, 208 cc engine that pumps 1750 gallons per hour.

[0070] The ratchet arm assembly 270 includes a connected 271 for attachment to the drill swivel 280, with an arm 272 attached thereto and a handle 273. The ratchet arm assembly 270 has idle and lock positions, see lock 274. The drill pipe assembly includes a plurality of connectable pipe stems 291 with coupling/female ends 293 for attachment to one another's male end 292 or to the threaded portion 281 of the drill swivel 280.

[0071] FIGS. 21-28 are photographs provided to help understand the general setup and operation of apparatus 200. The steps shown in FIGS. 21-28 are similar to those previously described with the LS-100 setup and operation, thus a detailed explanation is omitted for purposes of brevity.

[0072] Referring now to FIGS. 21 to 28, and assuming that the proper location for the drill site has been determined, the suction/settling pit 261 is dug out, and the frame 210 of the apparatus 200 is oriented and leveled at the drill site location for making the eventual borehole 205 as shown in FIG. 21, a drain ditch 265 is created between the location where the borehole 205 will be dug and the suction/settling pit 261. Next, an operator 203 operates the winch assembly 220 (FIG. 22) so as to raise the motor assembly 242 up along beams 212 a sufficient height so that the drill pipe assembly 290 may be attached to the threaded portion 281 of the drill swivel 280. To attach a length of pipe stem 291, the protective cap 282 is removed from the threaded portion 281 of the drill swivel 280. To do this, a pipe wrench 202 is employed, and will also be used to rotate the female and 293 of the drill pipe stem 291 onto the threaded portion 281. Once complete, one of the bits 294 A/B is attached at the mail and 292 of a drill pipe stem 291. Depending on rock or soil conditions, one of a rock bit 294A or a soil bit 294B is attached to the pipe stem 291. Additionally, after drill pipe 291 connection and prior to drilling operations, the suction/settling pit 261 is topped off with fresh water, and the pump 263 is started once the feed hose 264 is attached to the drill swivel 280. FIG. 24 illustrates an example set up in Zambia. Note that a strainer 266 is utilized at the terminus of the drain ditch 265 to filter out larger debris being removed as the borehole 205 is created. In this particular evolution, as comealongs 235 were not readily available, weight bags 235 were utilized to stabilize frame 210, in addition to the stabilizer assembly 230.

[0073] The drilling operation May Be explained with reference to FIGS. 25 to 28. Initially, a guide hole 204 is formed; in this photograph a rock bit 294A is being used. Once the guide hole 204 has been completed, it is reamed out or widened so that creation of the borehole 205 can be begun in earnest. FIG. 26 shows an active operation of forming the borehole 205; and FIG. 27 illustrates the excess cuttings, used drilling fluid and debris removed by the apparatus 200, running down ditch 265 and through strainer 266 into the suction/settling pit 261. FIG. 28 show the completed borehole 205, ready for installation of the screen and casing, gravel pack, annular seal, cement pad, and hand pump to complete the protected well, as is known.

[0074] The example embodiments having been described, it is apparent that such have many varied applications. For example, the example embodiments may be applicable but not limited to connection to various devices, structures and articles.

[0075] The present invention, in its various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components, systems and/or apparatuses substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure. The present invention, in its various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost of implementation.

[0076] The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects of the invention may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0077] Moreover, though the description of the invention has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.