Shallow well-drilling apparatus

Abstract

A portable, shallow well-drilling apparatus is described. The apparatus is lightweight, modular, and easy to transport to and assemble at a remote drill site. The apparatus includes a generally rectangular frame having a plurality of multi-segment support beams in spaced relation extending vertically from a lower base to a top cap, no component of which exceeds five feet in length, a winch assembly attached to the frame, and a motor removably mounted on the frame and slidable up and down the beams via the winch assembly. The apparatus further includes a transmission removably coupled to the motor, and a drill pipe assembly removably coupled to the transmission.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A well-drilling apparatus, comprising:
 a generally rectangular frame having a plurality of multi-segment support beams in spaced relation extending vertically from a lower base to a top cap, no component of which exceeds five feet in length,   a winch assembly attached to the frame,   a motor removably mounted on the frame and slidable up and down the beams via the winch assembly,   a transmission removably coupled to the motor, and   a drill pipe assembly removably coupled to the transmission.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein total weight of the frame alone does not exceed 175 pounds. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein total weight thereof does not exceed 650 pounds. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is modular so as to facilitate transport of all components thereof within a single shipping container that does not exceed five feet in length and three feet in width. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to create at least a 1″ diameter borehole up to 300 feet in depth from the ground surface so as to breach an underground aquifer. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to create a borehole depth in a range of about 50 to 300 feet so as to reach an underground fresh water source below a lowest depth of groundwater. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the base, top cap and support beams are formed of a plurality of elongate schedule 40 steel sections having a wall thickness of at least 0.25″. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a stabilizer assembly for securing the frame of the apparatus to a ground surface, the stabilizer assembly further including:
 a plurality of steel outrigger sections connected at one end to the base,   a plurality of screw jacks, each securing the other end of a corresponding outrigger to the ground surface, and   a pair of comealongs secured between the motor assembly and ground surface.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , the stabilizer assembly further including:
 a plurality of rebar elements adapted to be inserted through the base into the ground surface, and   a pair of coiled auger pins, each pin attached to a distal end of a corresponding comealong and adapted to be screwed into the ground surface.   
     
     
         10 . A well-drilling apparatus, comprising:
 a frame, the weight of which does not exceed 175 pounds,   a winch assembly attached to the frame,   a motor removably mounted on the frame and slidable up and down the frame via the winch assembly,   a transmission removably coupled to the motor, and   a drill pipe assembly removably coupled to the transmission.   
     
     
         11 . A well-drilling apparatus, comprising:
 a frame,   a winch assembly attached to the frame,   a motor slidable up and down the frame via the winch assembly,   a transmission removably coupled to the motor, and   a drill pipe assembly removably coupled to the transmission, wherein total weight of the apparatus does not exceed 650 pounds.