	US 7,467,675 B2
	Device for channeling solids and fluids within a reverse circulation drill
Warren T. Lay, Catawba, Va. (US)
Assigned to Atlas Copco Secoroc LLC, Grand Prairie, Tex. (US)
Filed on Jun. 06, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/448,172.
Prior Publication US 2007/0278010 A1, Dec. 06, 2007
Int. Cl. E21B 4/14 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 175—296 [175/417]

35 Claims

34. A device for channeling solids and fluids within a reverse circulating, fluid operated drill, the drill having first and second ends and an axis extending between the ends and including a casing, the casing having a central longitudinal bore extending generally between the drill first and second ends and a drive chamber and a valve operation chamber each defined within the bore, and a piston movably disposed within the casing bore, the channeling device comprising:

an elongated body disposeable at least partially within the casing bore so as to extend generally along the casing axis and through the piston bore, the body having a central longitudinal axis, a first end locatable generally proximal to the drill first end, a second end spaced axially from the first end and locatable generally proximal to the drill second end, a material transport passage extending axially between the body first and second ends and providing a path for moving solid materials through the drill, and a fluid passage configured to fluidly couple the valve and drive chambers, the body including first and second generally circular cylindrical tubes each having inner and outer open ends and a bore extending between the two ends, the inner end of the second tube being at least partially disposeable within the inner end of the first tube so as to form the elongated body, the bores of the two tubes being coupleable so as to form the transport passage such that the passage extends between the first tube outer end and the second tube outer end.