Patent ID: 6551034
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
A drilling apparatus for tapping into a fluid containing vessel from a valve device connected with the vessel, the apparatus comprising:(a) a housing having a lower end adapted for attachment of the apparatus to the valve device, the housing defining a housing bore, the housing bore defining a housing bore axis; (b) a feed rod assembly connected with the housing adjacent to the housing bore, and not contained within the housing bore, wherein the feed rod assembly is comprised of a first feed rod connected with the housing adjacent to the housing bore and a second feed rod connected with the housing adjacent to the housing bore; (c) a feed nut connected with the feed rod assembly, the feed nut defining a first bore; (d) a drilling rod extending through the housing bore and rotatably supported in the first bore of the feed nut; and (e) a drilling bit connected to a lower end of the drilling rod, for tapping into the vessel; wherein manipulation of the feed rod assembly results in axial movement of the feed nut and the drilling rod relative to the housing bore axis so that the drilling rod moves through the housing bore.