Process and Apparatus for Boring Artesian Wells.
Year: 1897

page_text: Process and Apparatus for Boring Artesian Wells.
I, MATHIEU JOSEPHI BADON, of 24, Rue de Lausanne, Brussels, Belgium,i.
Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:- ...
The principle of the present invention is the electric transmission of power for
the boring of artesian wells. With the apparatus I am about to describe, the
boring tool receives its rotary movement from a dynamo placed in proximity and to
which the electric current is transmitted by means of conducting-wires, enclosed
in a cable running in a tubing, by another dynamo placed on the surface.
In a solid case which is hermetically shut I enclose a dynamo of any type what-
ever, to which the current is conducted by a cable from another dynamo fixed on
the level of the ground. The axle of the dynamo is lengthened towards the
bottom and passes through the lower part of the case in a stuffing-box and is
terminated by a square end, to which any tool is adapted. Above and below the
case are bolts which are pushed by springs towards the outside the purpose of
which will be explained hereafter. Above the case an iron cage is made to pro-
tect the conducting-wires when they leave the cable and enter into the case, to
lead the current to the dynamo. The cable containing the conducting-wires
isolated with gutta-percha or rubber can also serve as a working-cable to wind.
and lower the apparatus, but it must be clearly understood that the working
cable may be in hemp, aloe-fibre, wire and the like; and the cable containing
the conducting wires may be independent.
To poise the outside pressure of the water on the case, and to prevent it from
entering it, which would otherwise drown the dynamo and prevent it from
working, we introduce into the case through a tube placed above, air or otlier
gas compressed at a higher pressure than that which might come from the out-
side, keeping account of course, of the temperature of the water at the bottom.
of the well; in case of escapes, these latter will take place from the inside to
the outside. With the idea still, of obtaining an absolutely watertight condition,
the joints of the case and especially that of the stuffing-box are stuffed with
leather, and on the bottom of the case a bath of oil or other fatty matter is'
arranged covering the leather which stuffs the joints of the stuffing-box, so that
the air or other compressed gas enclosed in the case weighs upon the oil-bath and
this latter upon the leather of the joint of the stuffing-box, and thus prevents
all introduction of water into the case and keeps it in an absolutely water tight
state. As a controller of the pressure and a warner in case of introduction of
water into the case a float is placed in the oil-bath in case the water escapes into
the case the oil floats on the surface and rises and the float rises with it, this
movement working a bell placed on the surface, which indicates that the
interior pressure is not in equilibrium with the outside pressure and that the
apparatus must be brought to the surface and fresh air or gas be compressed

page_text: in it after first emptying the water that might have entered by a tube placed
at the bottom.
Independently of what precedes, and always with the object of keeping the
case absolutely water-tight it might be covered with a strong coat of rubber or
gutta-percha properly tightened against the joints so that if from any cause
whatever, the interior pressure became smaller than that of the outside the
rubber-covering will act as incrusted leather and prevent the introduction of
water into the case.
The first lower tube terminates in a chamfered rim the object of which is to
cut the ground. Over the greater part of its length, this tube has towards the
interior, two or more longitudinal grooves stopping suddenly towards the bottom
and terminated towards the top in an inclined plane widening out on the circum-
ference of the tube. In these grooves are fitted, under the pressure of the springs,
the bolts fixed above and below the case of the dynamo.
The object of this arrangement is to avoid the rotation of the case which
would result from the resistance opposed to the rotation of the boring-tool; this
arrangement consequently gives a stability and bearing-points to the dynamo
enclosed in the case. According as the boring advances, the whole apparatus
descends with the borer and the lower bolts come into contact with the stoppers
of the grooves and prevent the descent beyond the tubing.
The tubing may be in steel-plate, drawn-iron or cast-iron; in the latter case it
is covered with tiling or with bricks and in any case, the tubing is covered with
a layer formed of bituminous cement, which acts as fatty body which facilitates
the descent of the tubing by reducing the friction.
The divers tools, cutter, drill, circular-saws and the like are fitted in a con-
trivance made of a frame-work and branches which firmly connect the frame
and the tool attached to it to the case by means of bolts.
The object of this contrivance is to render the tool conjointly liable with the
case to keep it steady and thus to secure the vertical position of the boring and
to prevent the pressure which would take place if the tool were directly fitted on
the shaft of the dynamo; by this arrangement the latter has only to transmit
the rotary motion to the tool. Moreover by this contrivance the tools can be
interchanged immediately which is a great advantage.
When the tool is a borer, cutter or the like it is provided with a shaft which
passes loosely through a tube forming the axle of a long box intended to receive
the boring rubbish and whose bottom end is composed of holding valves; in the
top part of this box holes are made for the evacuation of the water.
To bore a well with the apparatus just described the boring-tool is lowered
followed by the case whose bolts come into contact with the grooves of the first
lower tube and is fitted into it under the pressure of the springs. The current
being established the working of the apparatus is indicated by the variations
of the intensity of the current measured by an amperemeter; in the regular
working order the current is constant; if the movement of the tool slackens,
the intensity increases, if it stops, the intensity reaches its maximum and the
current is interrupted by an automatic interrupter worked by the intensity of
the current which has become too great, and prevents the lower dynamo from
burning; if it turns at a great speed as it happens when the lower bolts come
into contact with the stoppers of the grooves, the intensity becomes a minimum.
The whole of the apparatus therefore, forms a real telegraph indicating the
speed of the apparatus at every moment and also the useful effect of the. boring-
tool which is attached to it, a fact which renders the controlling of the apparatus
very easy.
The advantages of the above-described arrangement over the processes actually
employed are:
1. To directly impart a considerable force to the boring-tool, which secures
an extra-rapid advance of the boring.
2. The working of the apparatus being effectuated by a cable is very quick it

page_text: requires but a few minutes to lift and lower the apparatus, it consequently
suppresses the boring-rods which are fixed end to end as actually employed, and
which necessitate much time and labour.
Daind thi, 92nd day of December 1897
I, MATHIEU JOSEPH BADON, of 24, Rue de Lausanne, Brussels, Belgium,
Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement; ―
The subject of the present invention consists of an apparatus for the rapid
boring of artesian wells, and the principle of which consists in actuating the
boring tool by means of an electric motor which is arranged in proximity to
the said tool and receives its current from a dynamo situated at the surface of the
ground.
In the annexed drawings, which are given by way of example;
Figure 1 is a vertical section of the apparatus.
-
Figures 2, 3 and 4 are respectively two vertical sections and a horizontal
section of an apparatus for operating a trepanning tool driven by the electric
motor.
Fig. 5 shows a device for operating a reaming tool.
The apparatus consists of a casing or box B of a shape adapted to be able to
descend in the boring tube. In this box, which is hermetically closed, there
is arranged an electric motor A of any suitable type to which the current is
supplied through a cable C from a dynamo situated at the surface of the ground:
The shaft a of the armature of the dynamo A is extended downwardly through
the lower part of the box B in a stuffing box and terminates in a square end b
on which any suitable tool is fitted. Above and below the box B there are
arranged bolts f, f, f, f, which are pressed outwardly by springs their purpose
will be explained hereinafter in this specification. Above the box B there is
provided an iron cage G designed for the purpose of protecting the conducting
wires g at their exit from the cable C to enter the box B for supplying the
current to the electric motor A. The cable C contains the conducting wires insulated
by means of guttapercha or caoutchouc, and it may also serve as the operating
rope for raising and lowering the apparatus; it is however to be understood that
the operating rope may also be made of hemp, aloe fibre, steel wire, or the like,
and that the cable containing the conducting wires may be independent thereof.
In order to counterbalance the external pressure of the water upon the box B
and to prevent the water from entering said box, which might drown the
electric motor and prevent it from working, there is introduced into the box B
through a tubular union provided on the same, air or another gas compressed
to a pressure greater than the pressure which might act from the outside, with
reference to the temperature of the water at the bottom of the well. Any leak-
age. that may take place will be from the inside to the outside. Also with the
object of obtaining a condition of perfect tightness, the joints of the box B
and particularly the joint of the stuffing box, are fitted with cupped leathers, and
upon the bottom of the box B there is provided a bath of oil or other fatty
and viscous substance which covers the cupped leather that is. fitted in the joint
of the stuffing box, in such a manner that the air or any other compressed gas

page_text: contained in the box B will press upon the bath of oil, and said bath will press
upon the cupped leather of the joint of the stuffing box, which will prevent any
water from entering the box B.
With the object of acting as a device for giving an alarm in case any water
should enter the box B, a float is arranged on the bath of oil. In the case of
water leaking into the box B, the oil will float on top of said water and will
rise, and with it will also rise the float 2 which will operate a bell provided
at the surface of the ground, and thus indicate that the internal pressure does
no longer counterbalance the external pressure, and that the apparatus ought to
be brought up to the surface again for the purpose of again compressing the
air or other gas after any water which may have entered the apparatus has been
emptied through a tubular union provided in the lower part of the apparatus.
Independently of the foregoing and still with the object of maintaining the
box B in a condition of perfect tightness, it may be covered with a strong casing
of caoutchouc or guttapercha which presses firmly upon the joints in such a
manner that if, for any reason, the internal pressure should become less than
the external pressure, the sleeve will perform the office of cupped leathers and
will prevent the water from entering the box B.
1
The first fower tube of the bored well terminates in a bevelled edge e
(Figure 1), which has the function of cutting the soil. On the greater part of its
length this tube is formed on the inside with two or more longitudinal grooves
ele, stopping abruptly towards the bottom and terminating at the upper end in
an inclined surface which is made, flaring along the periphery of the tube. Into
these grooves there are caused to enter by the pressure of springs, bolts f, f, f, f,
which are attached to the top and to the bottom of the box B of the electric
motor: This arrangement has for its object to prevent rotation of the box B
which would be produced by the resistance opposed to the rotation of the per-
forating tool. This device thus imparts stability and provides points of support
to the electric motor contained in the box B. As the boring progresses, the
entire apparatus descends in the wake of the boring tool, and the lower bolts
f, f, abut against the stops of the grooves e¹, el, whereby the descent of the
apparatus beyond the tubing is prevented.
The various tools, such as sinking tools, drills, reaming tools, etc., are mounted
in a device consisting of a framing band arms o, o, Figure 1, which by means
of bolts connect the framing firmly to the box B as shown in the accompanying
drawing. This device has for object to maintain the tool in its vertical position
and thus to ensure the vertical direction of the bore hole and to prevent the
injurious effect of the upward pressure which would be exerted upon the shaft of
the electric motor if the tool were mounted directly upon the said shaft. The
use of the framing band arms o has for object to transmit upon the casing B
the pressure exerted on the tool so that said pressure is simultaneously and
uniformly distributed on all organs of the motor and any damage prevented.
In consequence of this device, the said shaft has only to transmit the rotary
motion to the tool. Moreover, this device allows of making the tools inter-
changeable, and therefore of instantly replacing one tool by another which is a
great advantage.
When the boring tool is a sinking tool a drill etc., the tool is provided with a
shank a which passes with slight friction through a tube forming the shank
of a long box D) intended to receive the borings, chips, and the bottom of which
is composed of non-return clacks, d, d. In the top of this box there are formed
holes h h for the discharge of the water.
Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate an arrangement for allowing the electric motor to
impart a percussive motion to a trepanning tool T by means of the toothed
wheels b, c, d, e, and of an eccentric with a strap g¹, the rod i of which is
provided with a sleeve ; to which is fitted the shank of the trepanning tool.
To this shank there is fixed through the medium of said sleeve j, a plate K fitted
with leather, which comes for a short period in contact with the wheel e¹ each

page_text: time that the trepanning tool is at the top of its stroke, in such a manner that
the trepanning tool by rotating through a small angle will never strike in the
same spot.
Figure 5 illustrates a reaming tool formed with branches L, L, movably jointed
at 17 and adapted to open out to an extent determined by stops 1, 1, either by
the attraction of the electromagnet E, E, which receives its current through a
shunt circuit d, d', from an armature P, or in a more simple way by centri-
fugal force and the pressure of springs. In the case in which electro-magnets
are used, the upper part of the branches L, L, is provided with rollers g, g',
which bear upon a circular inclined plane n, n, forming one piece with the arma-
ture P. This reaming cutter digs away the soil underneath the tubing and
facilitates the descent of the latter.
In the case of boring to a great depth the weight of the cable is counter-
poised by means of floats arranged along the cable at various heights, each float
being composed of two hollow tight half-cylinders placed opposite to each other
and between which the cable to which they are attached, passes. In boring, the
apparatus is let down with the boring tool. When the circuit is made and
current is passing, the operation of the apparatus is indicated at the surface of the
ground by the variations in the intensity of the current shown by the ampere-
meter. If the tool stops, the intensity rises to the maximum and the current is
cut off by an automatic interrupting device, whereby the motor is prevented
from burning.
}
By the use of this apparatus, the operation is very rapid, being effected by
means of a cable instead of by means of rods connected together end to end, and
the working of the tool can be ascertained at any moment.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is;
-
(1) An apparatus for boring artesian wells, in which an electric-motor placed
at the bottom of the well in a hermetically closed box sliding in a tubing,
imparts a rotary or percussive motion to a perforating tool the electric current
being supplied to said electric motor from any desired source of electricity
situated at the surface of the ground, as set forth.
(2) In an apparatus for boring artesian wells as specified in Claim 1, the
combination of means for maintaining the tightness of the box enclosing.
the electric motor, namely;-(a) the stuffing box through which the shaft of the
electric motor passes; (b) the compression of a gas in the interor of said box
for the purpose of counterbalancing the external pressure of the water on this
said box; (e) cupped leathers for packing the joints of the box, and more
particularly the cupped leather covering the joint of the stuffing box; (d) the bath
of oil or other fatty and viscous substance covering the bottom of the box and
the cupped leather of the joint of the stuffing box; (e) the float arranged on the
bath of oil or other fatty and viscous substance, which float, in the case of water
entering the box, makes a contact that operates a bell situated at the surface
of the ground; (f) the sleeve of gutta percha or caoutchouc covering the box,
the whole as herein before described and shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying
drawings.
(3) In an apparatus for boring artesian wells as specified in Claim 1, the com-
bination of spring bolts fitted to the box which encloses the electric motor, with
grooves formed in the lower part of the tubing for the purpose of constituting
a point of support during the rotation of the electric motor and of the perfora-
ting tool fitted to the latter, as hereinbefore described and shown in Figure 1
of the accompanying drawings.
(4) In an apparatus for boring artesian wells, as specified in Claim 1, the use
of a device for connecting the tools with the box that enclosed the electric motor,
by means of a frame, branches, and bolts, substantially as herein before described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

page_text: (5) An improved method of and apparatus for, boring artesian wells, sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described and shown.
Dated this 22nd day of September 1898.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Chartered Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C. Associate Agent.