EP3660260A1 - Adapter assembly for connecting a drilling tool to a drill string - Google Patents

Abstract

An adapter arrangement (100) for connecting a drilling tool (20, 24) to a drill pipe (14) comprises a first element (110) which has a first end which can be connected or connected to the drill pipe (14), a first threaded section (132) to a Has external thread and a portion (116) with a non-circular cross-section. The first element (110) has a cylindrical first contact region (136) which is adjacent to the first threaded section (132) or is arranged at a distance from the first threaded section. The adapter arrangement (100) has a second element (112) which has a second end which can be connected or connected to the drilling tool (20, 24) and a second threaded section (134) which is complementary to the first threaded section (132) and has an internal thread and a section (120 ) with a non-circular cross-section and which is suitable for establishing a connection with the first element (110). The second element (112) has a second contact area (138) which is adjacent to the second threaded section (134) or is arranged at a distance from the second threaded section (134) and is designed as a cylindrical recess. The first element (110) and the second element (112) can be connected to one another in such a way that the thread of the first thread section (132) and the thread of the second thread section (134) are in engagement. The adapter arrangement (100) has a third element (114), which is designed and can be arranged in such a way that, when the first and second elements (110, 112) are connected, they each have a region (116, 118) of the first and second elements (110 , 112) encloses with a non-circular cross section and is in engagement with these regions (116, 118).

Description

The invention relates to an adapter arrangement for connecting a drilling tool to a drill pipe, which has a first element which has a first end which can be connected in the drill pipe or the drilling tool, a first threaded section with an external thread and a non-circular cross section. The first element also has a cylindrical first contact region which adjoins the first threaded section or is arranged at a distance from the first threaded section. The adapter arrangement also has a second element which has a second end which can be connected or connected to the drilling tool or the drill rod and a second threaded section which is complementary to the first threaded section and has an internal thread and a section with a non-circular cross section. The second element is suitable for establishing a connection with the first element, the second element having a second contact area which is adjacent to the second threaded section or is arranged at a distance from the second threaded section and is designed as a cylindrical recess. The first element and the second element can be connected to one another in such a way that the thread of the first threaded section and the thread of the second threaded section engage. The adapter arrangement comprises a third element, which is designed and can be arranged in such a way that, when the first and second elements are connected, they each enclose a region of the first and second element with a non-circular cross section and are in engagement with these regions.

Drilling tools can both drill heads for making a pilot hole as well as expanding tools for expanding a through hole in the ground. The adapter arrangement is used in particular for directional horizontal bores (HDD - Horizontal Directional Driling), for example in a horizontal rinsing drilling method. With such horizontal drilling methods, pipelines can be laid underground without having to dig a trench. A horizontal drilling device creates an underground opening in the tunnel and widens the opening in the retreat while simultaneously pulling in one or more pipes. When drilling and preferably expanding, the drilling tool is usually rotated.

When the drilling tools are rotated, high torques occur which cause a high tightening force in the case of a screw connection between the drill pipe and the drilling tool or in the case of an adapter for connecting the drilling tool to the drill pipe, so that considerable forces are then required to release this connection. In the prior art, adapter arrangements for connecting drilling tools and drill rods are known, which have a sliding sleeve which is pushed over the connection point between the drill rod and the drilling tool and then the torque between the contour of its through opening and the contour of the outer surface of the connecting elements of the adapter arrangement transmits the connecting elements. When flushing liquid is used to produce the horizontal bore, it is passed through a linkage composed of several linkage sections via the connection arrangement to the drilling tool. At the connection point between the connecting elements, the problem then arises that drilling fluid can escape, particularly when the linkage or the adapter arrangement is subjected to a lateral force, and in particular can enter and damage a threaded section for connecting the connecting elements.

From the document DE 101 15 233 A1 a horizontal drilling machine is known in which a high-pressure pump for supplying flushing liquid to the drill pipe and a mixing device for preparing the rinsing liquid with a mixing unit having a mixing pump are arranged on the chassis of the horizontal drilling machine.

From the document DE 10 2015 107 194 A1 a drilling system for producing or widening an earth borehole is known, in which the advance of the rod is regulated depending on the torque for rotating the rod. When the drilling tool is advanced, flushing liquid can be passed through the drill pipe to the drill head. Other horizontal drilling rigs with a feed drive for driving a drill rod carrying a drilling tool, which is pushed into the ground while being rotated with the aid of a feed drive, are from the documents DE 10 2010 004 287 A1 and US 6,189,628 B1 known.

document DE 199 01 001 A1 discloses an earth drilling rig in which a drive carriage for driving a drill pipe is provided, which has a corresponding connection for supplying flushing liquid.

It is an object of the invention to provide an adapter arrangement for connecting a drilling tool to a drill pipe. Which enables a secure connection.

This object is achieved by an adapter arrangement for connecting a drilling tool with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

In particular, by the provision of the first contact area which is in engagement with the second contact area, forces can be safely transmitted between the first and the second element transversely to the longitudinal axis of the linkage and to the longitudinal axis of the adapter, so that none in the area of the adapter arrangement or only a slight deflection occurs when the adapter arrangement is subjected to a lateral force, so that a stable and, in connection with the sealing element, tight connection between the first element and the second element is ensured even with large forces acting on the adapter arrangement.

It is particularly advantageous if the first contact area and the second contact area are designed such that when the first element and the second element are connected they engage in such a way that when a force is applied transversely to the longitudinal axis of the linkage, a force transversely to the longitudinal axis between the first contact area and the second contact area is transmitted. This ensures a stable and secure connection between the first element and the second element.

It is also advantageous if the first threaded section is arranged between the first contact area and a cylindrical third contact area and if the second threaded section is arranged between the second contact area and a fourth contact area formed in a further cylindrical recess. The third contact area and the fourth contact area are then designed such that they engage when the first element and the second element are connected.

It is hereby achieved that the forces acting on the engaging threaded sections of the first element and the second element are kept small when the force is applied transversely to the longitudinal axis of the linkage.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the third contact area and the fourth contact area are designed such that they engage when the first element and the second element are connected in such a way that when a force is applied transversely to the longitudinal axis of the linkage, a force is transmitted transversely to the longitudinal axis between the third contact area and the fourth contact area. This ensures that when forces are applied transversely to the longitudinal axis of the linkage, forces are transmitted via the first and second contact areas as well as via the third and fourth contact areas, so that the adapter arrangement itself can absorb relatively large transverse forces without the adapter arrangement itself being bent and the stability and tightness of the connection is impaired.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the first contact area and the second contact area form a fit, in particular a press fit, clearance fit or transition fit. Alternatively or additionally, the third contact area and the fourth contact area can form a fit, in particular a press fit, clearance fit or transition fit. This ensures that in each case complementary contact areas are designed in such a way that they already abut one another and transmit corresponding transverse forces even with small transverse forces acting on the adapter arrangement.

It is particularly advantageous if the diameter of the first contact area is smaller than the diameter of the second contact area by a value in the range from 6/100 mm to 8/100 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the diameter of the third contact area can be smaller by a value in the range from 6/100 mm to 8/100 mm than the diameter of the fourth contact area. This enables safe power transmission between the contact areas.

It is particularly advantageous if the sealing element is inserted into the circumferential groove in such a way that a part of the sealing element protrudes circumferentially from the groove. As a result, the sealing element can be pressed together when the first element is connected to the second element and a particularly good sealing effect achieve. By compressing the sealing element in the connected state of the first and second elements, the sealing element can be relaxed or decompressed at least in areas if, due to the force transmission between the first contact area and the second contact area, a gap in partial areas between the first contact area and the second contact area is created or enlarged, so that the sealing element seals reliably even in this state.

It is particularly advantageous if the first contact area has at least one second circumferential groove into which a second sealing element is inserted. The second sealing element is preferably inserted into the circumferential groove in such a way that part of the sealing element protrudes circumferentially from the groove. The first and / or the second sealing element are preferably designed as an O-ring. As a result, a safe and proven sealing element can also be used to seal the adapter arrangement.

Furthermore, one or two grooves can be provided in the third contact area, in each of which a sealing element is inserted, which is preferably elastically deformable and of which a part of the sealing element preferably protrudes all the way out of the groove. In this way, a two-sided sealing of the first and second threaded section is possible easily and safely.

It is particularly advantageous if the first element and the second element each have an external polygon or external multi-tooth, preferably an external hexagon, in the region with a non-circular cross section. The third element preferably has a complementary opening to the regions with a non-round cross section of the first element and the second element. This opening is designed in particular as an internal polygon, an internal multi-tooth, in particular as an internal hexagon.

This creates a simple possibility of ensuring that the regions with a non-round cross-section of the first element and the second element engage with the third element, so that rotation of the first element relative to the second element about the longitudinal axis of the linkage and torque transmission are not possible between the first element and the second element takes place essentially via the third element.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the third element is designed as a sliding sleeve and, in the connected state, can preferably be connected to the first and / or second element with at least one locking screw and / or at least one locking pin, in particular at least one spring pin or heavy-duty locking pin, the locking pin in an opening, preferably a circumferential groove, engages in the first element or in the second element. This enables simple design and securing of the third element, so that the third element is secured against slipping, so that it is reliably prevented that the sliding sleeve only engages with the first element or with the second element or with none of these elements stands. By engaging in a circumferential groove, a rotation of the first element with respect to the third element or the second element with respect to the third element can be made possible, in particular a rotational movement between the first and the third element or between the second and the third element in succession a torque transmission between the first element and the third element or the second element and the third element and with a play between the non-circular cross-sectional area of the first element and the third element and / or the non-circular cross-sectional area of the second element and the third element.

It is also advantageous if both the internal thread and the external thread are tapered threads. These can in particular be NPT threads (NPT = National Pipe Thread), Whitworth threads or metric tapered threads. As a result, the threaded sections can seal when the first element and the second element are connected, so that in addition to the sealing element provided, a further sealing function is provided, in particular to prevent flushing liquid from flowing through the threaded regions connected to one another.

It is particularly advantageous if a check valve is arranged in the through opening of the first element or the second element, which only allows fluid, in particular flushing liquid, to pass from the drill pipe to the drilling tool. This ensures that, when the first element is separated from the second element, no dirt or flushing liquid can penetrate into the drill string connected to the respective element or drilling tool connected to the element. The check valve also prevents the pipeline formed by the hollow drill pipe from being emptied by flushing liquid if no flushing liquid is introduced into the pipe.

It is particularly advantageous if the check valve comprises a closing element, an elastically deformable element and a sealing cone, the elastically deformable element pressing the closing element against the sealing cone in the closed state of the non-return valve and / or if the elastically deformable element in the opened state of the non-return valve a fluid flow flowing through the check valve is deformed such that the closing element is pressed against a second cone. This ensures that the closing element remains securely in its position, ie in the closed position and in the open position of the check valve, both in the open state of the check valve and in the closed state of the check valve. It is advantageous if the closing element is a ball and that elastically deformable element is a spring or an elastomer block. The spring is in particular a spiral spring, preferably a compression spring. This enables a simple, inexpensive and safe construction of the adapter arrangement.

Further features and advantages emerge from the following description, which explains the invention in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the attached figures.

Figur 1A

eine schematische Darstellung einer Bohranlage zum gesteuerten Bohren einer Pilotbohrung, mit der eine Durchgangsöffnung im Erdreich erzeugt wird, die nachfolgend mithilfe eines Aufweitwerkzeugs aufweitbar ist;

Figur 1B

einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt der Bohranlage nach Figur 1A, wobei der Bohrkopf zum Erzeugen der Pilotbohrung dargestellt ist;

Figur 1C

eine schematische Darstellung einer Bohranlage zum Aufweiten der mit der Bohranlage nach Figur 1A erzeugten Pilotbohrung mithilfe eines Aufweitwerkzeugs;

Figur 1D

einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt der Bohranlage nach Figur 1C, wobei das Aufweitwerkzeug zum Aufweiten der Pilotbohrung dargestellt ist;

Figur 2

eine Adapteranordnung, bei der die Verbindungselemente der Adapteranordnung getrennt voneinander angeordnet sind, gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Figur 3

eine Schnittdarstellung der Adapteranordnung nach Figur2 im verbundenen Zustand der Verbindungselemente;

Figur 4

eine Adapteranordnung 100a, bei der die Verbindungselemente getrennt voneinander angeordnet sind, gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Figur 5

eine Schnittdarstellung der Adapteranordnung nach Figur 4, bei der die Verbindungselemente der Adapteranordnung miteinander verbunden sind;

Figur 6

ein mit einem Aufweitwerkzeug verbundenes Verbindungselement der Adapteranordnung nach den Figuren 2 bis 5;

Figur 7

eine Schnittdarstellung eines Verbindungselements einer weiteren Adapteranordnung gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform;

Figur 8

eine Schnittdarstellung einer Adapteranordnung gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform, wobei die Verbindungselemente der Adapteranordnung miteinander verbunden sind;

Figur 9

Elemente eines Rückschlagventils gemäß der dritten und vierten Ausführungsform nach den Figuren 7 und 8 in einer Explosionsdarstellung;

Figur 10

eine vergrößerte Schnittdarstellung des Rückschlagventils gemäß der dritten Ausführungsform nach Figur 7 im geschlossenen Zustand;

Figur 11

das Rückschlagventil nach Figur 10 in einem geöffneten Zustand; und

Figur 12

eine perspektivische Explosions-Schnitt-Darstellung der Elemente des Rückschlagventils nach Figur 11.

Show it:

Figure 1A

is a schematic representation of a drilling system for controlled drilling of a pilot hole, with which a through hole is created in the ground, which can subsequently be expanded using an expanding tool;

Figure 1B

an enlarged section of the drilling rig after Figure 1A , wherein the drill head for producing the pilot bore is shown;

Figure 1C

is a schematic representation of a drilling rig to expand the with the drilling rig after Figure 1A pilot bore generated using an expanding tool;

Figure 1D

an enlarged section of the drilling rig after Figure 1C , wherein the expanding tool for expanding the pilot bore is shown;

Figure 2

an adapter arrangement, in which the connecting elements of the adapter arrangement are arranged separately from one another, according to a first embodiment;

Figure 3

a sectional view of the adapter assembly Figure 2 in the connected state of the connecting elements;

Figure 4

an adapter arrangement 100a, in which the connecting elements are arranged separately from one another, according to a second embodiment;

Figure 5

a sectional view of the adapter assembly Figure 4 , in which the connecting elements of the adapter arrangement are connected to one another;

Figure 6

a connecting element of the adapter arrangement according to FIGS Figures 2 to 5 ;

Figure 7

a sectional view of a connecting element of a further adapter arrangement according to a third embodiment;

Figure 8

a sectional view of an adapter arrangement according to a fourth embodiment, wherein the connecting elements of the adapter arrangement are connected to each other;

Figure 9

Elements of a check valve according to the third and fourth embodiment according to the Figures 7 and 8th in an exploded view;

Figure 10

an enlarged sectional view of the check valve according to the third embodiment Figure 7 in the closed state;

Figure 11

the check valve after Figure 10 in an open state; and

Figure 12

a perspective exploded sectional view of the elements of the check valve after Figure 11 .

In Figure 1A A drilling rig 10 for controlled drilling of a pilot bore is shown. The drilling rig 10 operates according to a controlled horizontal drilling method, which we also refer to as the Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) method. In the present exemplary embodiment, a horizontal drilling machine available under the trade name Terra-Jet is used for this. Such a horizontal drilling machine is for example from the document DE 101 15 233 A1 known. In the HDD method, a linkage 14 composed of a plurality of linkage sections 13 is introduced into the soil 18 using a horizontal drilling device 12 at a starting point 16 with an end of the linkage 14 arranged on the horizontal drilling device 12 in the direction of arrow P0. The horizontal drilling device 12 has a pump 42 which draws in flushing liquid 46 from a flushing liquid container 40 via a hose 48 and delivers it into the hollow rod 14 at high pressure. The flushing liquid 46 exits the drill head 20 at high pressure. Due to the high pressure and the hard metal teeth of the drill head 20, a borehole is cut into the ground 18.

The drill head 20 is flattened asymmetrically at its front end and is continuously rotated using the rod 14 to produce a straight borehole. In the event of a desired lateral movement, upward movement or downward movement, the drilling head 20 is stopped in a position suitable for this desired movement and is not rotated further, so that due to the asymmetrically flattened shape of the front end of the drilling head 20, a corresponding deflection movement of the drilling head 20 in the ground 18 takes place. In Figure 1B FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the end of FIG Linkage 14 shown together with the drill head 20. An electronic probe is arranged in the drill head 20, which can be located precisely at any time from the surface of the earth with the aid of an appropriate locating device, so that the position of the drill head 20 in the ground 18 can be determined exactly at any time.

The path of movement of the drill head 20 and thus the course of the drill channel 15 of the pilot bore is controlled simply by controlled stopping of the rotation of the drill head 20 via the linkage 14, so that the control surface of the drill head 20 is brought into a position required for the desired movement. Even after the targeted stopping of the rotation of the drilling head 20, the rinsing liquid 46 continues to be conveyed through the rod 14 with the aid of the pump 42 and the drilling head 20 is further advanced via the rod 14, so that the drilling operation is carried out with the aid of the rinsing liquid 46 and the advance of the drilling head 20 the desired course of the borehole is continued.

After reaching the target point 22, which is provided, for example, in a target pit, the drilling head 20 is replaced by an expanding head 24 which, when the rod 14 is withdrawn, expands the pilot hole previously produced and at the same time pulls in an HDPE pipe 26, as shown in FIGS Figures 1C and 1D is shown. HDPE pipes are made of high-density polyethylene, this high-density polyethylene is a thermoplastic with high density, so that the pipes made of HDPE have high toughness and rigidity, very good chemical resistance, good sliding properties, low Moisture absorption, very good processing properties, can be welded very well and are physiologically harmless. In other embodiments, tubes 26 made of other materials, in particular metal, can also be drawn in.

The horizontal drilling device 12 generates the tensile force required for the expansion process on the linkage 14 and continues to conduct flushing liquid 46 to the expansion head 24. The flushing liquid 46 at least supports the expansion of the pilot bore and also serves to drain and discharge the excess soil 18 released during the expansion process. In particular in the case of stony soil 18, rubble and rock, at least a part of the soil 18 contacted by the expansion tool 24 during the expansion process must be removed. This can take place in particular through the annular gap between the already widened region of the pilot bore designated as drilling channel 15 and the drawn-in tube 26. The flushing liquid 46 introduced into the annular gap also reduces the skin friction between the pipe 26 and the drilling channel 15.

Simultaneously with the expansion process, the new pipe 26 to be installed, in the present case an HDPE pipe, is drawn in. Depending on the surface, two or more expansion tools 24 with a diameter of usually up to 1000 mm can be used in succession. Pipes 26 up to a diameter of 800 mm or a tube bundle comprising several tubes can then be drawn in. Water with concrete or polymers can be used as the rinsing liquid 46. Such flushing liquids 46 stabilize the drilling channel 15, reduce the friction between the drill pipe 14 and the soil 18 and the friction between the pipe 26 to be drawn in and the soil 18 promoted.

Figure 1D shows an enlarged section of the in Figure 1C The arrangement 10 shown is shown in this detail, the end of the linkage 14 which is distant from the horizontal drilling device 12, the expansion head 24 and the pipe 26 which has already been partially drawn into the ground 18.

A control unit 50 of the horizontal drilling device 12, in particular a programmable logic control unit (PLC), controls the pump 42 for conveying the Flushing liquid 46 through the linkage 14. The pump 42 can be controlled by the control unit 50 in particular in such a way that the volume flow of the flushing liquid 46 which is conveyed by the pump 42 and thus of the flushing liquid 46 emerging at the drilling or expanding head 20, 24 can be controlled.

The horizontal drilling device 12 preferably has a rotary drive for rotating the rod 14 about a longitudinal axis and the feed drive for moving the rod 14 along its longitudinal axis through the soil 18 together with the drill head 20 or expansion head 24 connected to the end of the rod 14 remote from the feed drive .

The connection between linkage 14 and drill head 20 and between linkage 14 and expansion head 24 takes place via an adapter arrangement 100, which is subsequently used in conjunction with the Figures 2 to 12 is explained in more detail.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the adapter arrangement 100. The adapter arrangement 100 comprises a first connecting element 110, which is connected to a first rod section of the rod 14, and a second connecting element 112, which is connected to a drilling tool, such as a drilling head 20 or an expanding head 24 . Furthermore, the adapter arrangement 100 has a third connecting element 114 which can be pushed over an area with a non-cylindrical outer surface 116 of the first connecting element 110 and over an area with a non-cylindrical outer surface 118 of the second connecting element. In the following exemplary embodiment, the regions 116, 118 each have a hexagonal cross section, the cross-sectional opening 120 of the third connecting element 114 having an internal cross section that is complementary to the outer cross sections of the regions 118, 116, so that a torque from the linkage 14 to the drilling tool 20 is essentially greater than third connecting element 114 is transferable. The first connector 110 also has a section 122 with a smaller cross section than the non-cylindrical region 116, so that the third connecting element 114 can be pushed at least partially over the section 122, so that it disengages from the non-cylindrical region 118 of the second connecting element 112, to rotate it relative to the first connector 110. This makes it possible to connect and disconnect the first and second connecting elements 110, 112. The third connecting element can be displaced such that it at least partially surrounds both non-cylindrical regions 116, 118 of the first connecting element and the second connecting element. The third connecting element is also referred to as a sliding sleeve. In this state, the transmission of large torques between the linkage 14 and drilling tool 20, 24 is possible.

Furthermore, the adapter arrangement 100 comprises two locking screws 124, 126, which can be screwed through a through opening 130 in the third connecting element 114 into a hole 129 provided in the first connecting element 110, which is provided with an internal thread, in order to connect the third connecting element 114 in a correct position in the connected state to keep. In the non-cylindrical connecting area 116 of the first connecting element 110, a groove is also provided, into which locking pins inserted into openings 130, 131 of the third connecting element 114 engage when the elements 110, 112, 114 of the adapter arrangement 100 are connected. These locking pins can be provided as an alternative or in addition to the locking screws 124, 126, as will be explained in more detail below.

The first connecting element 110 also has a region with a conical external thread 132 which can be connected to a conical internal thread in the second connecting element 112, as will be explained in more detail below. Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the adapter arrangement 100 according to Fig. 2 in the connected state of the connecting elements 110, 112, 114. The external thread 132 of the first connecting element 110 is in engagement with an internal thread 134, so that there is a screw connection between the first and the second element 110, 112. The engagement of the inner cross-sectional opening of the third connecting element 114 with the regions 116, 118 prevents further rotation of the first connecting element 110 and the second connecting element 112 relative to one another, so that the screw connection between the threaded sections 132, 134 also occurs during a torque transmission between the first connecting element 110 and the second connecting element 112 can no longer be screwed together with greater forces.

The first connecting element 110 has a first cylindrical contact area 136 which engages with a second contact area 138 formed by a cylindrical opening in the second connecting element 112. In the first cylindrical contact area 136 there are two circumferential grooves 140, 142, in each of which a sealing element 144, 146 is arranged. Forces acting in particular transversely to the longitudinal axis L of the adapter arrangement 100 can be transmitted between the first connecting element 110 and the second connecting element 112 via the contact areas 136, 138. Furthermore, the first connecting element 110 comprises a third contact area 148, which is in engagement with a further contact area 150 present in the cylindrical opening of the second connecting element 112. Forces can also be transmitted transversely to the longitudinal axis of the adapter arrangement 100 via the third contact region 148 and the fourth contact region 150. As in Fig. 3 can be seen, the locking screws 124, 126 are designed as Allen screws.

The threaded sections 132, 134 and the contact areas 136, 138, 148, 150 are arranged and designed such that no surfaces 152, 154 are in one plane Transverse to the longitudinal axis of the adapter arrangement 100 are provided, which contact one another in the connected state of the connecting elements 110, 112, 114 such that they are pressed against one another with a slight further rotational movement of the first connecting element 110 relative to the second connecting element 112. Rather, the first and second connecting elements 110, 112 are designed and arranged in the connected state in such a way that a gap 155 remains between such surfaces 152, 154. This simplifies loosening of the screw connection via the threaded sections 132, 134 if the connecting elements 110, 112, 114 are to be separated again.

The first threaded section 132 is arranged between the first contact region 136 and the third contact region 148. The second threaded section 134 is thus arranged between the second contact area 138 and the contact area 150. Both the first connecting element 110 and the second connecting element 112 each have continuous cylindrical openings 156, 158 through the flushing liquid 46, which is passed through an inner through opening of the linkage 14 via the through opening 156, 158 of the adapter arrangement 100 to the drilling tool 20, 24 .

As in Figure 2 can be seen, the third connecting element has two annular elevations 160, 162, which are arranged at a distance from one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis L of the adapter arrangement 100, and a plurality of elevations 164 to 168, preferably at equal angular intervals, around the third connecting element 114 whose lateral surface are arranged. As a result, the third connecting element 114 can be actuated, in particular rotated and displaced, even by adverse environmental conditions, in particular in a construction site operation in which washing liquid 46 adheres to the outside of the adapter arrangement 100. In the first embodiment according to the Figures 2 and 3 the third connecting element 114 is only secured with Using the locking screws 124, 126 and not using additional locking pins.

Figure 4 shows an adapter arrangement 100a, in which the connecting elements 110, 112, 114 are arranged separately from one another, according to a second embodiment. The same elements have the same reference symbols. In contrast to the first embodiment according to the Figures 2 and 3rd In the second embodiment, two securing pins 170, 172 are provided, which are designed in particular as spring pins, for example as heavy duty pins, and which are introduced into the corresponding openings 130, 131 of the third connecting element 114 after the connecting elements 110, 112, 114 have been connected to one another . The dowel pins 170 172 or the heavy dowel pins 170, 172 are preferably driven into the openings 130, 131. The pins 170, 172 are used in the connected state through the groove 174 made in the region 116. In other embodiments, instead of the groove 174, only a recess can be provided in the area in which the pins 170, 172 contact the first connecting element 110.

Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the adapter arrangement 100a according to Figure 4 , with the section plane in Figure 4 lies in a horizontal plane. In this sectional view after Figure 5 the connecting elements 110, 112, 114 are shown in a connected state. The dowel pins 170, 172 are guided through an area of the groove 174.

Figure 6 shows an expansion tool 180 connected to the second connecting element 112, which instead of the expansion tool 24 according to FIGS Figures 1c and 1d can be used. At the opposite end of the expanding tool 180 along the longitudinal axis in the connecting element 112, a connecting element 182 is provided with an opening that is opposite the expanding tool 180 is freely rotatable and can be used to connect a further expansion tool and / or a tube 26 to be inserted into the expanded opening.

Figure 7 shows a sectional view of a first connecting element 110a according to a third embodiment. The first connecting element 110a can be used both in connection with the adapter arrangement 100 of the first embodiment and in connection with the adapter arrangement 100a of the second embodiment. In contrast to the connecting element 110, the connecting element 110a additionally has a check valve 190, which is arranged in a region of the through opening 156 of the first connecting element 110a and only opens the through opening 156 at a preset minimum flushing liquid pressure and allows the flushing liquid 46 to pass through the opening 156.

Figure 8 shows a sectional view of an adapter arrangement 100b according to a fourth embodiment, the connecting elements 110b, 112, 114 being connected to one another and the connecting element 112 being formed in one piece with the drilling tool 20, 24, 180. At the end of the passage opening 158 in the second connecting element 112, channels 178 branch off, which lead through parts of the drilling tool 20, 24, 180 through to outlet openings or outlet nozzles of the drilling tool 20, 24, 180. The first connection element 100b is different from the first connection element 100a Figure 7 the distance between the front end of the first member 110a and the check valve 190 increases. In other embodiments, a check valve 190 can also be arranged in the rod section of the rod 14, to which the first connecting element 100, 100a, 100b is connected.

Figure 9 FIG. 14 shows elements of the check valve 190 according to the third and fourth embodiments according to FIGS Figures 7 and 8th in an exploded view. The check valve 190 comprises a guide sleeve 192, a closing ball 194, a closing spring 196 and a counterpart for mounting the closing spring 196. The closing spring 196 is in particular a spiral compression spring.

Figure 10 10 shows an enlarged sectional view of the check valve 190 according to the third embodiment of FIG Figure 7 in the closed state. The closing ball 194 is pressed by the spring 196 against a closing cone 193 of the guide sleeve 192, so that no flushing liquid 46 can flow out of the opening 56 of the first connecting element 100b and no dirt can penetrate into the linkage 14 through the opening 156. The spring 196 and the ball 194 are dimensioned such that the ball 194 is pressed away from the sealing cone 143 against the spring force of the spring 196 against a second cone 199, which is provided in the counterpart 198, at a provided minimum flushing pressure. By the ball 194 resting on the cone 199, the ball 194 is prevented from swinging when the check valve 190 is open.

If the flushing liquid 46 flows through the guide sleeve 192, the ball 194 is moved forward against the spring force of the spring 196 and pressed against the cone 199, as shown in FIG Figure 11 is shown. The flushing liquid 46 flows past the closing ball 194 and through openings in the counterpart 198 further to the second connecting element 112 and through this to the drilling tool 20, 24, 180.

If, for example, during a rod change, ie when adding a further rod section to the rod 14 or when removing a rod section from the rod 14, the flushing liquid pump 42 is switched off, the flushing pressure drops to ambient pressure and the spring force of the spring 196 presses it Locking ball 194 against the sealing cone 193, so that the locking ball 194 in the in Figure 10 position shown is arranged.

Figure 12 shows a sectional exploded view of the elements of the check valve 190. It can be seen here that the guide sleeve 192 has a plurality of guide ribs 200, 202, in particular four, five or six longitudinal ribs for guiding the movement of the closing ball 194 from the closed to the open state and from the open to the closed state Condition. The guide ribs 200, 202 are arranged at equal intervals around the longitudinal axis L and run parallel to the longitudinal axis L. At the same time, rinsing liquid channels 204 to 208 are provided between the guide ribs 200, 202, through which the rinsing liquid 46 is arranged between the guide ribs 200, 202 Closing ball 194 in the open state of the check valve 190 past and through the flushing fluid channels 204 to 208 further into flushing fluid channels 210 to 218 in the counterpart 198, so that the flushing fluid 46 reaches the second connecting element 112 and from there to the drilling tool 20, 24, 180.

In alternative embodiments, the first element 100, 100a, 100b can also be connected to the drilling tool 20, 24, 180 and the second element 114 to the linkage 14.

Reference symbol list

10th

Drilling rig

12th

Horizontal drilling machine

13

Boom sections

14

Linkage

15

Drilling channel

16

Starting point

18th

soil

20, 24

Drilling tool

22

Target point

26

pipe

40

Rinsing liquid container

42

pump

46

Rinsing liquid

48

tube

50

Control unit

56

opening

100, 100a

Adapter arrangement

110, 110a

first connecting element

112

second connecting element

114

third connecting element

116, 118

Area

120

Cross-sectional opening

122

section

124, 126

Locking screw

129

hole

130, 131

opening

132.134

Thread section

136, 138, 148, 150

Contact area

140, 142

Groove

143

Sealing cone

144, 146

Sealing element

152, 154

area

155

gap

156, 158

opening

160, 162, 164 to 168

Survey

170, 172

Locking pin

174

Groove

178

channels

180

Drilling tool

182

Fastener

190

check valve

192

Guide sleeve

193

Sealing cone

194

Closing ball

196

Closing spring

198

Counterpart

199

second cone

200, 202, 204 to 208

Guide rib

210 to 218

Flushing fluid channel

L

Longitudinal axis

Claims (15)

Adapter arrangement for connecting a drilling tool to a drill pipe,
with a first element (110) which has a first end which can be connected or connected to the drill pipe (14) or to the drilling tool (20, 24, 180), a first threaded section (132) with an external thread and a section (116) with a has a non-circular cross section, the first element (110) having a cylindrical first contact region (136) adjacent to the first threaded section (132) or at a distance from the first threaded section (132),
with a second element (112) which has a second end which can be connected or connected to the drilling tool (20, 24, 180) and a second threaded section (134) complementary to the first threaded section (132) with an internal thread (134) and a section (118 ) with a non-circular cross section and which is suitable for establishing a connection with the first element (110), the second element (112) being adjacent to the second threaded section (134) or at a distance from the second threaded section (134) as being cylindrical Recess formed second contact area (138),
the first element (110) and the second element (112) being connectable to one another in such a way that the thread of the first threaded section (132) and the thread of the second threaded section (134) are in engagement,
with a third element (114), which is designed and can be arranged in such a way that, when the first and second elements (110, 112) are connected, each have a region (116, 118) of the first and second elements (110, 112) with non-circular Encloses cross section and is in engagement with these areas (116, 118), characterized in that
that the first contact area (136) and the second contact area (138) are designed such that they engage when the first element (110) and second element (112) are connected,
that the first element (110) and the second element (112) each have an opening (156, 158) which, when the first and second elements (110, 112) are connected, form a through opening from the first end to the second end a fluid (46) from the drill pipe (14) to the drilling tool (20, 24, 18) is conductive, and
that the first contact area (136) has at least one circumferential groove (140, 142) into which a sealing element (144, 146) is inserted. Adapter arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the first contact area (136) and the second contact area (138) are designed such that they are engaged when the first element (110) and second element (112) are connected such that at a force acting transversely to the longitudinal axis (L) of the linkage (14) transmits a force transversely to the longitudinal axis (L) between the first contact area (136) and the second contact area (138). Adapter arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first threaded section (132) between the first contact area (136) and a cylindrical third contact area (148) is arranged, that the second threaded section (134) between the second contact area (138) and a fourth contact area (150) formed in a further cylindrical recess is arranged, the third contact area (148) and the fourth contact area (150) being designed such that when the first element (110) and second element (112) are connected are engaged. Adapter arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the third contact area (148) and the fourth contact area (150) are designed such that they are connected when the first element (110) and second element (112) are connected. are in engagement in such a way that when a force is applied transversely to the longitudinal axis (L) of the linkage (14), a force is transmitted transversely to the longitudinal axis (L) between the third contact area (148) and the fourth contact area (150). Adapter arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first contact area (136) and the second contact area (138) form a fit, in particular a press fit, clearance fit or transition fit, and / or that the third contact area (148) and the fourth contact area (150) form a fit, in particular a press fit, clearance fit or transition fit. Adapter arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter of the first contact area (136) is smaller by a value in the range from 6/100 mm to 8/100 mm than the diameter of the second contact area (138) and / or
that the diameter of the third contact area (148) is smaller by a value in the range from 6/100 mm to 8/100 mm than the diameter of the fourth contact area (150). Adapter arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (144, 146) is inserted into the circumferential groove (140, 142) such that a part of the sealing element (144, 146) circumferentially out of the groove (140, 142) protrudes. Adapter arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (144, 146) is elastically deformable. Adapter arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first contact region (136) has at least one second circumferential groove (142) into which a second sealing element (146) is inserted. Adapter arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first element (110) and the second element (112) each have an external polygon or external multi-tooth, preferably an external hexagon, in the region (116, 118) with a non-circular cross section, and
that the third element (114) has an opening (120) which is complementary to the regions (116, 118) with a non-circular cross-section of the first element (110) and the second element (112), which in particular as an internal polygon or internal poly tooth, preferably as an internal hexagon, is trained. Adapter arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third element (114) is designed as a sliding sleeve and in the connected state preferably with at least one locking screw (124, 126) and / or at least one locking pin (170, 172), in particular at least one Dowel pin or heavy dowel pin can be connected to the first and / or second element (110, 112), the locking pin engaging in an opening, preferably in a circumferential groove (174), in the first element (110) or in the second element (112) . Adapter arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that both the internal thread (134) and the external thread (132) are tapered threads, in particular NPT threads (National Pipe Thread), Whitworth threads or metric tapered threads. Adapter arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a check valve (190) is arranged in the through opening (156, 158) of the first element (110) or of the second element (112), the fluid (46) only from the drill pipe (14 ) to the drilling tool (20, 24, 180). Adapter arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that the check valve (190) comprises a closing element (194), an elastically deformable element (196) and a sealing cone (193), the elastically deformable element (196) presses the closing element (194) in the closed state of the check valve (190) against the sealing cone (193) and / or wherein the elastically deformable element is arranged and designed such that the closing element (194) is in the opened state of the check valve (190 ) can be pressed against a second cone (199) by a fluid flow (46) flowing through the check valve (190). Adapter arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that the closing element is a ball (194) and the elastically deformable element is a spring (196) or an elastomer block.

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