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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Hydraulic clamp for rotary drilling head

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6006832

This patent describes a rotary drilling head. It comprises a spool body; and an upper drive assembly mounted to the spool body, the drive assembly including drive means adapted for rotation within the spool body, a bearing assembly disposed between the drive means and the spool body, a drive bushing matingly received within the drive means and adapted to receive within the drive means and adapted to receive a kelly drive member and hydraulically operated clamp means for selectively locking the drive bushing against axial displacement within the drive means, the clamp means being remotely controlled to selectively clamp the drive bushing within the drive means; the clamp means including an annular cylinder formed in the upper drive assembly and a hydraulically displaced piston ring slidably received within the annular cylinder, the piston selectively cooperating with at least one locking ball retractably engageable with the drive bushing to prevent axial displacement of the drive bushing within the upper drive assembly, the piston slidably displaceable between an unlocked position and a locked position.

Assignee:
MASX Energy Services Group, Inc., Houston, TX (United States)
Patent Number(s):
US 5022472; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-436523
OSTI ID:
6006832
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English