(19)
(11) EP 0 286 373 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
12.07.1989 Bulletin 1989/28

(43) Date of publication A2:
12.10.1988 Bulletin 1988/41

(21) Application number: 88303050.4

(22) Date of filing: 06.04.1988
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)4: E21B 17/06, E21B 17/07, E21B 4/06
// E21B31/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE ES FR GB GR IT SE

(30) Priority: 08.04.1987 CA 534135

(71) Applicant: INCO LIMITED
Toronto Ontario, M5K 1N4 (CA)

(72) Inventors:
  • Sauve, Jean-Paul
    Sudbury Ontario, P3E 2E5 (CA)
  • Lawrie, William
    Garson Ontario, P0M 1VO (CA)

(74) Representative: Hedley, Nicholas James Matthew et al
Stephenson Harwood One, St. Paul's Churchyard
London EC4M 8SH
London EC4M 8SH (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Bit retaining ring for recovering drill string components


    (57) A drill bit retaining ring (32) for securing a drill bit (12) to a percussion hammer (14) having a percussion piston (28). The bit (12) has a shank (18) that extends into a chuck sleeve (16, 22) which forms part of the hammer (14). The bit has a set of upper splines (24) and a set of lower splines (30) that allow the bit to move vertically within the chuck sleeve but such movement is limited when the splines abut against the retaining ring (32) which is secured within the chuck sleeve. If the drill bit (12) becomes stuck in the hole, at least the hammer and the associated drill bit can be recovered thanks to the ring according to the present invention which is designed to fracture when a sufficient outward force (i.e. a force in a direction to move the drill string out of the hole) is applied to the drill string thereby releasing the hammer from the bit. However, the ring (32) must be sufficiently strong to withstand the impact forces from the splines (24, 30) under normal operation.







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