Patent ID: 6050350
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A drilling apparatus having a directional control for boring or cutting a hole beneath the surface of the ground, said apparatus comprising:a drive shaft rotatable about a central axis;an offset transmitter housing having an elongated drive shaft cavity through which the drive shaft passes, and further having a front end, a rear end, a first side and a second side, the first side being positioned closer to central axis of the drive shaft than the second side;a thrust bearing positioned at the rear of the offset transmitter housing;the drive shaft having a front connection point extending from the front end of the offset transmitter housing and a rear connection point extending from the rear end of the offset transmitter housing;a drill string coupling having a rear connection point and a front connection point with the front connection point operatively connected to the rear connection point of the drive shaft;a drill bit coupling having a rear connector and a forward connector with the rear connector operatively connected to the front connection point of the drive shaft;a drill bit operatively connected to the forward connector of the drill bit coupling for creating a borehole;power means for rotating the drive shaft operatively connected to the rear connection point of the drill string coupling;transmitting means combined with the offset transmitter housing for sending information to the surface of the ground pertaining to the position, direction, orientation and pitch of the offset transmitter housing;means for controllably changing the orientation of the first and second side of the offset transmitter housing while the apparatus is within the borehole;means for retaining the offset transmitter housing in a selected position of orientation within the borehole comprised of at least a stationary stabilizing fin which is combined with the offset transmitter housing; andmeans for conveying drilling fluid from the surface of the ground to the drill bit.