초록 ▼

Apparatus for coupling multi-conduit drill pipes to maintain arcuate registry between connected pipes, and for transferring the drive torque of one drill pipe to the next drill pipe. One end of one drill pipe (50) includes drive lugs (100) matable with corresponding drive recesses (102) in the end o

Apparatus for coupling multi-conduit drill pipes to maintain arcuate registry between connected pipes, and for transferring the drive torque of one drill pipe to the next drill pipe. One end of one drill pipe (50) includes drive lugs (100) matable with corresponding drive recesses (102) in the end of the next drill pipe (52). An index lug (104) in the drill pipe end, different that the drive lugs (100), is matable with a corresponding index recess (106) in another pipe end ot maintain arcuate registry of the coupled pipes and thus longitudinal alignment of the respective conduits (30) throughout the drill string. An internally threaded coupling collar (84) with different thread pitches at each end thereof is threadable onto the joined lug and recess mated drill pipe ends to hold the pipes mated. The joined pipe ends respectively include external threads (88, 90) of pitches corresponding to that of the coupling collar (84) so that a differential thread action draws the pipes together. A seal (86) is provided between the pipe ends so that when compressed by rotation of the coupling collar (84) each conduit (30, 62) is sealed from adjacent conduits.

대표청구항 ▼

In a drill pipe of the type having ends adapted to be connected with ends of other similar drill pipes to form a drill string, and including a plurality of independent conduits arcuately spaced from each other so as to require arcuate alignment of said drill pipe with the other similar drill pipes,

In a drill pipe of the type having ends adapted to be connected with ends of other similar drill pipes to form a drill string, and including a plurality of independent conduits arcuately spaced from each other so as to require arcuate alignment of said drill pipe with the other similar drill pipes, each said conduit extending substantially through the drill pipe, the improvement comprising a planar round seal shaped similar to the end of said drill pipe and including a plurality of openings corresponding to said plurality of conduits, said seal being effective to provide a seal around the end of each said conduit, and an index lug extending axially outwardly from one end of said pipe and an index recess extending axially inwardly on the other end thereof, said index lug and index recess being matable with a respective index recess and index lug on other similar drill pipes so that the conduits of said drill pipe are aligned with the conduits of said other similar drill pipes in a predetermined arcuate orientation and a drive lug and drive recess arrangement, said drive lug extending axially outwardly from said one end of said pipe, said drive lug and said index lug being arcuate shaped to define a round depression for receiving therein said seal.