Automated deck bushing system

Abstract

A drilling system including a drill bit. A deck bushing includes an outer housing and an inner sleeve rotatably arranged in the outer housing, the inner sleeve having an inner diameter wider than a width of the drill bit. A drop-in sleeve is configured to be inserted into the inner sleeve of the deck bushing. At least a portion of the drop-in sleeve engages the inner sleeve of the deck bushing such that a friction between the drop-in sleeve and inner sleeve of the deck bushing causes the drop-in sleeve and inner sleeve of the deck bushing to rotate together. A lifting sub configured to be inserted into the drop-in sleeve.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A drilling system, comprising:
 a drill bit;   a deck bushing comprising an outer housing and an inner sleeve rotatably arranged in the outer housing, the inner sleeve having an inner diameter wider than a width of the drill bit;   a drop-in sleeve configured to be inserted into the inner sleeve of the deck bushing, wherein at least a portion of the drop-in sleeve engages the inner sleeve of the deck bushing such that a friction between the drop-in sleeve and inner sleeve of the deck bushing causes the drop-in sleeve and inner sleeve of the deck bushing to rotate together; and   a lifting sub configured to be inserted into the drop-in sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . The drilling system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 bearing races on an outer surface of the inner sleeve of the deck bushing and an inner surface of the outer housing of the deck bushing; and   ball bearings arranged in the bearing races.   
     
     
         3 . The drilling system according to  claim 1 , wherein an upper end of an inner surface of the inner sleeve of the deck bushing has an outwardly angled tapered edge, wherein the drop-in sleeve comprises an upper flange having an edge including a complementarily angled tapered edge engaging the tapered edge of the inner sleeve of the deck bushing. 
     
     
         4 . The drilling system according to  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the drop-in sleeve is flush with a top surface of the deck bushing. 
     
     
         5 . The drilling system according to  claim 1 , wherein the drop-in sleeve translates rotation of a drill string to the outer housing of the deck bushing. 
     
     
         6 . The drilling system according to  claim 1 , wherein the lifting sub joins a lead pipe in a drill string to the drill bit. 
     
     
         7 . The drilling system according to  claim 1 , wherein the lifting sub comprises an oversize portion having an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the drop-in sleeve, such that raising the lift sub will raise the drop-in sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . The drilling system according to  claim 7 , wherein the oversize portion comprises wrenching and breakout areas. 
     
     
         9 . The drilling system according to  claim 7 , wherein the oversize portion comprises a hard facing region. 
     
     
         10 . The drilling system according to  claim 7 , wherein the oversize portion comprises a plurality of ribs configured to permit cuttings to pass up past the lifting sub. 
     
     
         11 . The drilling system according to  claim 10 , wherein the oversize portion comprises wrenching flats. 
     
     
         12 . The drilling system according to  claim 1 , wherein the lifting sub comprises at least one hard facing region 
     
     
         13 . The drilling system according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one hard facing region comprises wrenching and breakout areas. 
     
     
         14 . The drilling system according to  claim 12 , wherein a majority of the lifting sub comprises hard facing. 
     
     
         15 . The drilling system according to  claim 1 , wherein the lifting sub comprises a plurality of ribbed sections and a plurality of non-ribbed sections. 
     
     
         16 . The drilling system according to  claim 1 , wherein the lifting sub comprises roller stabilizers comprising rollers and blocks. 
     
     
         17 . The drilling system according to  claim 1 , wherein the drill bit is a tricone bit or down the hole bit. 
     
     
         18 . A method for changing a bit in a drilling apparatus, the method comprising:
 raising a drilling assembly comprising a drill string, a drop-in sleeve, a lifting sub and a drill bit through a deck bushing;   removing the drill bit from the lifting sub;   attaching a new drill bit to the lifting sub; and   lowering the drill string until the drop-in sleeve is seated in the deck bushing.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 arranging a bit breakout basket in the deck bushing, wherein the drilling assembly is raised to a level such that the drill bit has clearance with respect to the breakout basket;   lowering the drill string until the drill bit is positioned in the bit breakout basket;   breaking out the drill bit utilizing a breakout wrench;   raising the drill string;   replacing the drill bit in the breakout basket with a new drill bit;   lowering the drill string;   attaching the new drill bit to the lifting sub;   raising the drill string; and   remove the bit breakout basket from the deck bushing.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 extending a deck fork over a lip of the deck bushing prior to raising the drill string, the drop-in sleeve, the lifting sub and the drill bit through the deck bushing.   
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 positioning an hydraulic bit breakout basket into a breakout location;   lowering the drill string until the drill bit is positioned in the hydraulic bit breakout basket;   breaking out the drill bit;   raising the drill string;   replacing the drill bit in the hydraulic bit breakout basket with a new drill bit;   lowering the drill string;   attaching the new drill bit to the lifting sub;   raising the drill string; and   removing the hydraulic bit breakout basket from the breakout location.