Directional drilling components and adaptors

Abstract

An adapter usable for interconnection of a pair of drill components according to the invention includes an elongated adapter body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes one of (1) a tubular wall defining a socket that opens outwardly at one end of the adapter and having at least one transverse opening therethrough configured to receive a removable retainer for mechanically interlocking a projection in the socket, and (2) the projection which fits into the socket, which projection has at least one transverse opening therein to receive the removable retainer. The second end includes a connecting portion different from the projection and the tubular wall defining the socket, such as a threaded projection or recess. The adapter preferably has a lengthwise fluid passage through it suitable for passing lubricating drilling fluid through the adapter to a drill head or back reamer. The socket (1) of the first end preferably has a series of spaced splines arranged in an arcuate formation around the socket, which splines extend in a lengthwise direction of the adapter and can engage a series of grooves in an adjoining component in a manner effective to prevent relative rotation between the adapter and an adjoining component. If splines are used in this manner, complementary splines and grooves are also formed on the projection (2) if the first end is male. An adapter of this kind can be used to interconnect a component having a pinned, projection and socket connector with another type of connector that is less easy to couple and uncouple manually, such as an API threaded connection.

1 . An adapter usable for interconnection of a pair of drill components, comprising an elongated adapter body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes one of: 
 (1) a tubular wall defining a socket that opens outwardly at one end of the adapter and having at least one transverse opening therethrough configured to receive a removable retainer for mechanically interlocking a projection in the socket, and a series of spaced splines are arranged in an arcuate formation around the socket, which splines extend in a lengthwise direction of the adapter and can engage a series of grooves in an adjoining component in a manner effective to prevent relative rotation between the adapter and an adjoining component; and    (2) the projection which fits into the socket, which projection has at least one transverse opening therein to receive the removable retainer; and    the second end includes a connecting portion different from the projection and the tubular wall defining the socket.    
     
     
         2 . The adapter of    claim 1   , wherein the second end is a threaded male projection.  
     
     
         3 . The adapter of    claim 1   , wherein the second end is a threaded female hole.  
     
     
         4 . The adapter of    claim 2   , wherein the first end is the tubular wall defining the socket.  
     
     
         5 . The adapter of    claim 2   , wherein the first end is the projection.  
     
     
         6 . The adapter of    claim 3   , wherein the first end is the tubular wall defining the socket.  
     
     
         7 . The adapter of    claim 3   , wherein the first end is the projection.  
     
     
         8 . A sonde housing assembly, comprising: 
 an elongated tubular housing having an internal chamber for mounting an electronic locating device for transmitting a signal indicating orientation or location of the sonde housing assembly, a front end connecting portion configured for mechanical engagement of the front end of the sonde housing to a first drill head component, and a rear end connecting portion configured for mechanical engagement of the rear end of the sonde housing to a second drill head component; and    an adapter usable for interconnection of one end of the sonde housing to another drill component, comprising an elongated adapter body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes one of (1) a tubular wall defining a socket that opens outwardly at one end of the adapter and having at least one transverse opening therethrough configured to receive a removable retainer for mechanically interlocking a projection in the socket and (2) the projection which fits into the socket, which projection has at least one transverse opening therein to receive the removable retainer, and the second end includes a connecting portion different from the projection and the tubular wall defining the socket, wherein the connecting portion of the adapter is configured for mechanical engagement with one of the front and rear connecting portions of the sonde housing.    
     
     
         9 . The sonde housing assembly of    claim 8   , wherein the first end of the adapter is the tubular wall defining a socket.  
     
     
         10 . The sonde housing assembly of    claim 8   , wherein the tubular wall defining a socket further has a series of spaced splines arranged in an arcuate formation around the socket, which splines extend in a lengthwise direction of the adapter and can engage a series of grooves in an adjoining component in a manner effective to prevent relative rotation between the adapter and an adjoining component.  
     
     
         11 . The sonde housing assembly of    claim 8   , wherein the rear end connecting portion of the sonde housing has a threaded recess, and the connecting portion of the second end of the adapter has a threaded male projection which engages the threaded recess.  
     
     
         12 . A back reamer assembly, comprising: 
 a back reamer including a frontwardly tapering conical portion suitable for enlarging an existing hole and a front end connecting portion at the front of the conical portion for mechanical engagement of the front end of the back reamer to another drill head component; and    an adapter usable for interconnection of the front end of the back reamer to another drill component, comprising an elongated adapter body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes one of (1) a tubular wall defining a socket that opens outwardly at one end of the adapter and having at least one transverse opening therethrough configured to receive a removable retainer for mechanically interlocking a projection in the socket and (2) the projection which fits into the socket, which projection has at least one transverse opening therein to receive the removable retainer, and the second end includes a connecting portion different from the projection and the tubular wall defining the socket, wherein the connecting portion of the adapter is configured for mechanical engagement with the front connecting portion of the back reamer.    
     
     
         13 . The back reamer assembly of    claim 12   , wherein the first end of the adapter is the tubular wall defining a socket.  
     
     
         14 . The back reamer assembly of    claim 12   , wherein the tubular wall defining a socket further has a series of spaced splines arranged in an arcuate formation around the socket, which splines extend in a lengthwise direction of the adapter and can engage a series of grooves in an adjoining component in a manner effective to prevent relative rotation between the adapter and an adjoining component.  
     
     
         15 . The back reamer assembly of    claim 12   , wherein the front end connecting portion of the back reamer has a threaded recess, and the connecting portion of the second end of the adapter has a threaded male projection which engages the threaded recess.