Background
of the PORTADRILLMINI®
In many areas of the
country and throughout the world , it remains extremely
difficult if not (
i.e. location impossible) to transport to a location
, drilling equipment necessary to drill water wells.
Inadequate or nonexistent roads prevent conventional
, heavy truck mounted water well drilling equipment,
from reaching the desired location . Because the
substantial roads required to sustain such conventional
drill rigs and truck mounted equipment are not available
in many areas in underdeveloped and third world
countries , large areas throughout the world are
effectively isolated and non-feasible from equipment
necessary to drill water wells . A small , light
weight , easily portable yet effective drilling
system is needed that would allow water wells to
be drilled in currently isolated areas . A unit
that is relatively simple to operate that would
not require highly skilled operators allowing a
simple method for non-skilled ,uneducated laborers
to operate. If required the PORTADRILLMINI
® can be helicopter placed in inaccessible areas
along with the encompassing well drilling tools.
The PORTADRILLMINI ®. addresses this
critical need .
The PORTADRILLMINI
®. includes a drilling rig unit which can be manually
mobilized to be transported to drill water wells
and bore holes in even the most remote areas on
earth and if necessary further easily disassembled
. The described drilling system includes a detachable
mast , engine, engine cradle ,winch assembly ,transmission
, air/water/mud injection flow control valve unit,
main base stabilizers , mobile dolly wheel unit
which is easily disassembled to aid in transport
and allow for crating to ship overseas . The winch
assembly is attached to the rear mast pole and the
top of the engine cradle through a cable to raise
the engine assembly up the mast guided by a left
and right mast pole engine cradle sliders. The winch
assembly includes a modified hand winch which accommodates
the mechanical cable pull down system to provide
pull-down pressure capabilities . By rotating the
winch clockwise, provides hoisting action, by reverse
direction the winch provides pull-down pressure
via. cables routed from the winch to the bottom
of the base routed through pulleys and connected
to springs mounted on each side of the engine cradle.
Rotating direction of winch pulls cables to stretch
tension on springs forcing down pressure. To aid
in downward pressure , a weight bar is mounted atop
the engine cradle . At left and right distal ends
weights can be added to the weight bar for additional
pull-down enhancement and adjusted accordingly to
rock formation requirements , and drilling time.
Pg1.
Winch design allows
constant pressure to be applied to the springs .
The hand winch has two gear ratios for varying pull-down
or hoisting loads or applications. This winch shares
a common spool but has separate cables for pull-down
and hoisting duties. The engine cradle allows the
power unit and transmission to be removed from over
the water well or bore hole to allow ease in installing
well casings and or well pipe. This feature also
allows aid in transporting or shipping the drill
unit. The air/water/mud flow control valve is located
below the transmission on the steel swivel unit
. This allows quick diversion and adjusted control
of drilling fluid or air and or combination from
the water well, bore hole , to a mud pit or visa
versa. Important location of this flow control valve
also allows hoses to travel freely and out of the
way of the drilling operations and moving parts
.
The main base is equipped
with water deflector shields to protect the operator
and equipment from debris and water forced up out
of the well or bore hole under high air pressure
. The two water deflector shields consist of a primary
stationary deflector shield mounted under the main
base and a secondary removable deflector mounted
on the bottom of the drill steel guide table .
Under the main base
is positioned the main base stabilizer rails . This
is the counter weight for the pull down system and
helps prevent the unit from lifting itself off the
ground . Stabilizer rails double as a stable base
to spread support for the weight above on the pull
down assist weight bar. This counter weight, bottom
heavy , eliminates the need for guy wires or tie
down ropes . Allowing access to confined areas that
would not allow tie down ropes or guy wire area.
The drilling unit must be leveled before drilling
begins and must remain level through the drilling
operation. The stabilizer rails allows for somewhat
of a platform to raise the drill unit off the ground
for observation of the drilling fluids or drill
cuttings escape area . Allows operators a platform
to work upon out of mud or water.
A steel quill provides
means of connecting the power unit torque through
the transmission to the drill pipe and allows air
injection or drilling fluid injection from a compressor
unit or a pump to enter the hollow drill pipe through
a multiple side port. The quill is directly coupled
to the transmission connected to a power output
shaft from the engine.
A steel swivel housing
is rigidly mounted to the rotary power unit but
has a sheer pin to break away to prevent engine
or transmission damage. The swivel housing is completely
removable from the quill. Compression seals are
greased through grease fittings at the top and bottom
seal. The PORTADRILLMINI ®. satisfies an
important need not met by currently available drilling
equipment . A primary advantage of the PORTADRILLMINI
®. is that it provides a simple rotary air/water
drilling unit with pull-down pressure capabilities.
A drilling rig that is truly manually portable for
mobilization into areas where other power drilling
rigs could not be brought or taken except through
helicopter transport.. Short height of this unit
proves to be accessible in areas where conventional
drilling units were to tall. Confined or enclosed
locations necessary for well placements are now
accessible. This may possibly be the smallest
rotary air/ water / mud injection drilling unit
with pull-down pressure capabilities .
The PORTADRILLMINI
®. provides a drilling system with a durable mast
and fully stabilized base unit and is simple in
design and operation. Commonly available parts and
bolt-on components that are easily replaceable in
the field to eliminate rig downtime for repair of
worn parts . Equipment overhead repair and operation
expense is affordably low in comparison to conventional
well drilling rigs drilling the same diameter wells
as the PORTADRILLMINI ®. .
The unit described
is so simple enough to operate and repair that a
person with only limited drilling experience can
safely and effectively operate the rig after a short
brief training period is completed for either residential
personal use or for commercial drilling use and
affordable for either application .
An additional advantage
of the PORTADRILLMINI ®. is that , despite
its compact design, adequate pull-down pressure
can be applied to the drill steel during the water
well or bore hole drilling , although sometimes
not necessary because of sufficient down pressure
from the weights on the weight bar mounted on the
engine cradle.
Yet another advantage
over other current available drilling rigs, is the
ability to remove the power unit and or transmission
from over the well or bore hole without removing
the mast or the rest of the rig from its placement
for ease in well operations with well casings or
for emergency engine repair or replacement. The
PORTADRILLMINI ®. also includes a compact
drill steel table that allows for the rapid threading
and unthreading of drill steel and guides the steel
straight during the drilling process . Another advantage
provided is the steel swivel arrangement that allows
the power unit output shaft to be connected through
the transmission to the drill steel through a quill
that is used to direct high pressure compressed
air and /or the injection of water , drilling fluids
or mud to the drill bit . All of these components
of the PORTADRILLMINI ®. advantages resulted
in a light weight , simplified, inexpensive alternative
drilling system that can drill wells to depths of
up to 200 feet in areas not currently accessible
to conventional water well drill equipment. The
inventor of the PORTADRILLMINI ®. has experienced
an overwhelming great deal of research and development
prototype testing success in the United States as
the existence of a small portable rotary air/ water
drilling rig has become known .
The PORTADRILLMINI
®. produced unexpected results namely better growth
of plants and vegetables in household gardening
because the water is natural and lacks treatment
chemicals. A synergistic effect was produced utilizing
the PORTADRILLMINI ®. due to the following
facts and results from prototype experimentation
, a reduction in drinking water consumption due
to a new well being used to water lawn irrigation
. Accordingly , it is an object of the PORTADRILLMINI
®. to provide a rotary air/ water drilling rig which
is effectively and feasiblely able to drill through
various rock formations throughout the world .
More particularly
, it is an object of the PORTADRILLMINI ®.
to provide a means to which a water well drill is
portable and operable by one man and constructed
to negotiate narrow passageways , passage through
residential walk gates and overhead utilities ,
and confined spaces found in residential well drilling
.
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SUMMARY
OF THE PORTADRILLMINI®
The PORTADRILLMINI®.
is a lightweight , rotary air/water/mud injection
, manually transportable , mechanical pull-down
system, highly portable drilling unit capable of
drilling water wells or bore holes. Special attention
to the fact of negotiating confined areas.
The PORTADRILLMINI®
. is characterized by its lightweight , simplified
construction and operation that allows the drilling
unit to be easily maneuvered by one man ,disassembled
if further necessary and transported to the desired
water well location , quickly reassembled , and
put into drilling operation .
In the basic
embodiment of the drilling unit ,a engine cradle
is slidably mounted inside a drilling mast . Mounted
in the engine cradle is the power unit engine ,transferring
torque to the transmission mounted below the engine,
to which a steel swivel, housing a quill allows
passage of air and or water injection to which drill
steel provides rotary force to power a drill bit
. A specially developed hand operated
winch assembly is used to provide hoisting and pull-down
pressure capabilities as required during drilling
operations. Manual transport by means of a
main base wheel dolly system for easy one man mobilization.
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Detailed
Description of the PORTADRILLMINI®
The PORTADRILLMINI
®. is a highly portable , manually transportable
, rotary air/
water /mud injection drilling unit with a mechanical
pull-down pressure system . The drilling unit is
designed to be useful in the drilling of water wells
and bore holes located in confined areas and capable
of drilling well bores up to 200 feet in depth in
areas not possible or feasible by previous drilling
equipment. The drill rig can be easily further disassembled
if the need arises by using small hand tools into
pieces which can be carried by one or two men .
Also would aid in overseas crating and shipping.
The drilling system does not require disassembly
for mobilization as it is equipped with a mobile
wheel system for manual mobilization. The drilling
system can be easily maneuvered into drilling position
where water well or bore hole is desired and quickly
reassembled if required with the same hand tools.
The PORTADRILLMINI ®. can accommodate light
weight drill steel for use with air, water or mud
drilling or a combination of injection methods .
The rotary power unit
and transmission is attached to a engine cradle
which is slidably mounted inside a self contained
, detachable mast . The engine cradle is mechanically
lowered or hoisted through forces applied directional
proportionate , by a special winch and cable arrangement
attached to the mast.
The PORTADRILLMINI
®. . water well drilling unit comprises a main base
stabilizer rails platform which consist of a front
stabilizer rail , a center stabilizer rail , and
a rear stabilizer rail. The rails platforms wide
stance and substantial weight serves as a broad
heavy base so no lines or ropes for guy wires are
necessary . Also serves as a counter weight for
the mechanical pull-down pressure system . This
arrangement of stabilizer rails provides an elevated
platform level to allow easy access to the well
or bore hole for removal of bore hole rock cuttings
and observation of drilling fluids circulation .
On the rear of the
stabilizer rail the mobile unit wheel dolly system
extends comprising of a left wheel and right wheel
, rotatably mounted at opposite distal ends thereof
. A main base is securely mounted on top side of
Main base stabilizer rails platform . Sandwiched
between the two components is a main base water
deflector shield . In the center positioned accordingly
is a drill steel opening in which the drill steel
passes through . The purpose of the main base water
deflector shield serves as a primary shield to prevent
the operator or the engine from dirt or water, mud
or debris exiting the water well or bore hole forced
from high pressure. The main base is molded to accept
the drill steel table water deflector shield , provided
as a secondary water deflector shield . The purpose
of the secondary deflector shield is to prevent
water or rocks and debris from the operator and
from the engine as to protect from injury and or
engine premature failure . Pg. 4
Positioned on the
left center of the main base is a left mast pole
, securely connected extending upwardly vertically
therefrom. Opposite on the main base is a right
mast pole, securely connected extending upwardly
vertically therefrom . Positioned on the rear center
a rear mast pole , securely connected extending
upwardly vertically therefrom. A tee top is securely
connected to top distal ends of left mast pole,
right mast pole , and rear mast pole .
Mounted slidably on
the left mast pole ,and right mast pole is a engine
cradle, which securely connects the engine and a
rotary gear reduction transmission drive box . Inclusive
is a transmission output drive sheer pin connecting
the steel swivel . This rotates allowing power torque
rotation to travel via drill steel coupling , threading
onto drill steel shaft having a drill bit at an
opposite distal end . A slidable engine cradle allows
for up and down travel of the engine and gear reduction
transmission drive box for vertical drilling.
Mounted on the side
of steel swivel is securely mounted injection inlet
tube which allows passage for the air or water or
mud injection or combination thereof from air/water/mud
injection flow control valve system regulator unit
. Which is passed down through the center of the
hollow drill steel to the distal end exiting the
drill bit . This provides the means for adjustable
rotary air/water injection drilling methods and
or mud injection drilling methods combining all
or portions of, adjusting methods for various rock
formations . The air/water injection flow control
valve system regulator unit is controlled by a water
flow control- water side check valve . Connection
from water hose or water source . At the distal
end of air /water injection flow control valve system
regulator unit is a air flow control valve . Connection
for high pressure air. On the left side of the engine
cradle sliders positioned is a left mount bushing
inside the left pull-down cable spring mount. Also
on the right side of the engine cradle is a right
mount bushing provided for the right pull-down cable
spring mount. Following is the right pull-down spring
as also opposite side there is of left pull-down
spring. Attached to the left pull-down spring is
a left cable turn buckle . Mirrored on the right
is the right cable turn buckle to adjust tension
on the left pull-down cable opposite is the right
pull-down cable. Extending downwardly towards the
outside of the left mast pole and also the right
mast pole to the main base where located is the
left base cable pulley and also for the right base
cable pulley. Attached at that point at the main
base on the rear of the main base there are a left
cable slack adjuster spring and opposite a right
cable slack adjuster spring . On the left rear of
the main base the cable then follows through a left
rear cable guide pulley as well as the opposite
side of the main base the right rear cable guide
pulley. The pull -down cables together are guided
upwardly on the back side of the rear mast pole
, from then on through a lower cable guide eye bolt
passing on upward through the upper cable guide
eye bolt where together the cables are spooled onto
the cable pull-down system winch , positioned midway
on the rear mast pole , where a spool is divided
by a spool divider plate , which separates the pull-down
cable spool side and the hoist cable spool side
which is turned in rotating according position by
winch crank handle for hoisting capabilities by
means of hoist cable attached over the tee top on
top cable pulleys back downward to attach on engine
cradle or reverse direction for pull-down capabilities.
As winch handle is
cranked in the reverse position winding cables onto
pull-down cable spool side pulling tension on the
pull-down springs putting downward pressure on the
engine cradle providing mechanical pull-down pressure
capabilities . Cable pull-down system winch is two
speed winch with locking capabilities to maintain
pull-down pressure tension on springs in a constant
pressure mode .
To further enhance
the pull-down capabilities there is a weight bar
pull-down assist mounted on the top of the engine
cradle with a left side of bar and a right side
of bar. Which holds left side weights and also right
side weights . These weights are secured in place
by a weight lock on each distal end of the weight
bar . These weights are providing a downward force
on the engine ultimately relaying to the pressure
on the drill bit preventing the engine from jumping
. In operation the pull-down assist weights is adjustable
relative until the engine drills smoothly and effectively
as different types of rock formation are drilled
through to achieve smooth operation .
Engine controls are
located on rear mast pole above the location of
the cable pull-down system winch . Throttle and
engine stop switch together located on the left
side of the rear mast pole . A throttle cable and
stop wire shuttles up to the left side of the engine.
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Operation
of the PORTADRILLMINI®
The PORTADRILLMINI
®. allows for performance of a drilling operation
to be performed by one individual to access confined
areas inaccessible to larger conventional drilling
rigs and may also further be disassembled if required
, and reassembled by one individual. Additionally
, the simplicity of the PORTADRILLMINI ®.
allows an individual with only limited training
and experience to master the operations and or repair
the drilling unit in a short period of time.
The compact portability
of the PORTADRILLMINI ®. with operational
features of a full size conventional drill rig allows
for drilling maneuvers to be performed in typically
impossible confined locations.
The PORTADRILLMINI
®. drilling unit is fabricated as such that all
major, separable components have been designed to
maintain a "bolt-on" status , full disassembly
of the unit for transport is not necessary. The
major sections consist of main base stabilizer rails
platform- Drill mast - Engine - .Transmission-.
Cable pull-down system -. Air/water/mud injection
flow control valve system regulator unit.
When the desired drilling
location is determined and reached , starting with
the engine in the lowered position check all fluid
levels . Install weights on each side of weight
bar. Connect air supply hose to air flow control
valve . Connect water supply to water flow control
valve . Hoist engine to top mast position . Install
drill steel with drill bit threaded and installed
down through drill steel opening at main base water
deflector shield thread drill steel coupling to
drill steel and to steel swivel located below the
gear reduction transmission drive box. The drilling
assembly is now ready for drilling to begin. Switch
the engine stop switch to the on position, and start
engine.
Open throttle and
open injection flow control valves accordingly .
Grasp winch handle crank . Engage cable pull-down
system winch to the neutral position and lower drill
bit to the ground . Drill bit then cuts or loosens
the earth .
The drilling fluid
or air injection then lifts the bore hole/ well
cuttings up to the ground surface through an annulus
formed between the outside of the drill pipe and
walls of the well .
As the water table
is penetrated the air will lift or circulate cuttings
, displacing the same amount of water than the amount
injected . This displacement of air lifting cuttings
and fluid circulates and develops the well. As the
engine assembly has lowered to the drill table ,
drilling is temporarily stopped and the drill pipe
is disconnected from the steel swivel . The engine
is hoisted to allow clearance for the next section
of drill steel to be threaded to the steel swivel
. The breaking out and connecting of drill pipe
sections is performed on the drill steel table with
a combination of pipe wrenches and locking wrenches
to secure drill pipe. A wrench is used on the drill
steel coupling and or steel swivel to breakout or
make-up drill pipe connections . Drilling operations
can then continue after the next section of drill
pipe is added or removed .
As porous subsurface
formations are reached , the adjustment of air/water
pressure or mud viscosity of drilling fluid is increased
until stabilized or drill fluid circulation is acceptable
and under control. The use of drilling fluid additives
is recommended as needed in unconsolidated formations
. As more denser rock formations are encountered
or drilled air/water pressure can be adjusted or
decreased to control the flow of circulation or
flow of bore hole cuttings up to the ground surface.
When the desired bore hole or water well depth is
reached , the drilling mud is stabilized or air/water
pressure increased and to insure the integrity of
the bore hole or water well. This will enable the
well to be fully developed and all cuttings removed
through the circulation process. Once the final
depth is achieved removal of drill steel begins
. REMOVE ONE DRILL STEEL PIPE ONLY AT A TIME ! Removing
multiple drill pipes will result in injury or accident.
After drill steel is removed from bore hole or water
well , well casing can then be installed if required
. If the well or bore hole collapses , steel casing
is installed in the pilot hole and driven to refusal
. Rotary drilling then can restart and drilling
continued inside the casing to remove the cave in
material and drilled further down beyond the casing
penetrating the rock until well integrity and water
requirements satisfied
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