Key information

Title: WATER FLUSHING SYSTEM FOR USE IN DRILLING APPLICATION
Application number: 20240324
Case type: National
Status: 13.10.2025 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed: 04.04.2024
Effective date: 04.04.2024
Publicly available: 06.10.2025
Next annual fee due: 30.04.2027
Applicant: TOFT TECHNOLOGIES AS (NO)
Owner: TOFT TECHNOLOGIES AS (NO)
Inventor: Peter Toft (NO)
Agent: APACE IP AS (NO)
Granted: 13.10.2025
Patent number: 349138
Expiry date: 04.04.2044

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.

A water flushing system 10 for use in drilling application is provided. The system comprises a housing 12, a drill rod 14, swivel 20, and aluminum gaskets 22. The swivel 20 encloses the drill rod 14 and the housing 12 is enclosed on the swivel 20. The housing 12 includes a water inlet hose 16 for injecting water inside the drill rod 14. The swivel 20 is a cylindrical hollow structure 23 with open ends on both sides, featuring a hole 44 on the surface to allow water to flush into the drill rod 14 from the housing 12. Additionally, U-shaped cups 32 are positioned between the housing 12 and the swivel 20. These U-shaped cups 32 incorporate a unidirectional sealing element to permit water to enter inside the swivel solely from the housing 12. Additionally, aluminium gaskets 22 are positioned on both ends of the swivel 20 to ensure a secure fit to drill rod 14 and prevent water leakage.

Publications

Latest published version

Documents

Expand

Download files (16)

Date

Date	Doc. No.	Process	Case number	In/Out	Journal description	To/from
02.03.2026	07-01	Saksbehandling	20240324(349138)	UT	PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20240324)	APACE IP AS
23.10.2025	06-01	Saksbehandling	20240324(349138)	UT	PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20240324)
01.08.2025	05-01	Saksbehandling	20240324	UT	Intention to grant	APACE IP AS
20.03.2025	04-05	Saksbehandling	20240324	INN	Rp_20240324_P359NO00	APACE IP AS
20.03.2025	04-04	Saksbehandling	20240324	INN	P359NO00_norsk_krav	APACE IP AS
20.03.2025	04-03	Saksbehandling	20240324	INN	P359NO00_description_claims_abstract_traced	APACE IP AS
20.03.2025	04-02	Saksbehandling	20240324	INN	P359NO00_description_claims_abstract_clean_copy	APACE IP AS
20.03.2025	04-01	Saksbehandling	20240324	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	APACE IP AS
25.10.2024	03-02	Saksbehandling	20240324	UT	PT report 01:02:40
25.10.2024	03-01	Saksbehandling	20240324	UT	Substantive examination	APACE IP AS
05.04.2024	02-01	Saksbehandling	20240324	UT	Informasjon til oppfinner	Peter Toft
04.04.2024	01-05	Saksbehandling	20240324	INN	P359NO00_Drawings	APACE IP AS
04.04.2024	01-04	Saksbehandling	20240324	INN	P359NO00_Description_claims_abstract	APACE IP AS
04.04.2024	01-03	Saksbehandling	20240324	INN	GPoA TOFT_Apace	APACE IP AS
04.04.2024	01-02	Saksbehandling	20240324	INN	Erklæring	APACE IP AS
04.04.2024	01-01	Saksbehandling	20240324	INN	Søknadsskjema Patent	APACE IP AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.

Description

349138

Title: WATER FLUSHING SYSTEM FOR USE IN DRILLING APPLICATION

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a water flushing system for drilling applications. More particularly, the invention relates to a system designed for injecting water into a rock drilling rod. The system serves to moisten the drill cuttings/dust, thereby mitigating the risk of workers inhaling hazardous dust particles.

Background and state of the art

[0002] The rock drill is a tool utilized for directly extracting stone materials. It drills blast holes into rock layers to facilitate the placement of explosives for rock fragmentation, thereby enabling the extraction of stone or other related engineering activities. Additionally, the rock drill can function as a breaker to break hard layers such as concrete.

[0003] The rotary drill is employed in large surface mines, serves the purpose of drilling holes in rock formations to facilitate the placement of explosives. However, existing rotary drills encounter challenges during the drilling process. The high-speed friction between the drill bit and the rock can lead to localized overheating. Moreover, the interior of the rock is often very dry, hindering the dissipation of heat. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can result in damage to the drill bit and drilling rod, such as distortion or wear. These issues can ultimately lead to malfunctions, such as the misalignment of pinch rollers, affecting the operational efficiency of the drill.

[0004] US 2012234531A1 discloses a drill rod; here the mandrel and sleeve have flow passages for communicating the pumpable substance from an external source to discharge through the sleeve and mandrel and into the interior of the drillrod below the top drive power unit that can include a packing injection system and novel seal configuration.

[0005] In US 1025333A, the coupling admits water to the drill rods beneath the rotating apparatus which is designed with a view; the danger of spilling the shot into the rotating mechanism is thereby obviated. It will hence be seen that the present invention is not correct in the fact that convenient means is thereby provided for inserting the shot at

349138

a point beneath the operating machinery; if abrasive material falls into the rotating apparatus, then the abrasive action thereof will quickly destroy the bearings and running it in parts.

[0006] By this construction, the entire mechanism for retaining the casing against axial movement relatively to the member, is located entirely below the casing inlet for the water; this permits the formation of an annular channel without unduly elongating the casing.

[0007] The structure practically indexes the shell and member as a unit with respect to relative axial movement, so that the movements of the rod in either direction provide similar movements to the casing with no possibility of a disturbance in the relative axial positions of the casing and member. Furthermore, during the drilling process, dust is generated from the rock, posing a risk of workers inhaling hazardous particles. Additionally, rock dust can clutter the hole, exacerbating the issue. Therefore, mitigation measures are crucial to address these concerns. Any of these references hints or suggests the solution where a housing is placed on a swivel and how to simplify the maintenance of a bore tool; they lack on how to solve consequent health problems generated by the used of the device during the working period.

[0008] At the same time, the device results to be as small that in any way can be used for drilling; a so narrow cavity just can allow the use for cracking or splitting; any of them solves either the health problem when the dust, during drilling operation, is not handled property and in consequence affects the operator’s breathing system.

[0009] Water injection proves to be an effective method for actively reducing the generation of powdery dusts. Additionally, it serves to cool the drill bit and supports the drilling process.

Summary of the invention

[0010] Aspects of the present invention provide a water flushing system offers an efficient solution to enhance safety and productivity in drilling operations.In one aspect the present invention provides a water flushing system for drilling operations to address the challenge of drill cuttings/dust powder, thereby mitigating the risk of workers inhaling hazardous particles.

349138

[0011] In one aspect, the present invention contributes significantly to enhancing safety measures in drilling environments, safeguarding the health and well-being of workers involved in such operations.

[0012] In one aspect, the present invention provides a water flushing system for use in drilling applications. The system comprises a drill rod, a swivel, a housing, and a plurality of aluminium gaskets. The swivel encloses the drill rod, and the housing is positioned on the swivel. The housing includes a water inlet hose for injecting water inside the drill rod. The swivel is a cylindrical hollow structure with open ends on both sides, featuring a plurality of holes on the surface to allow water to flush into the drill rod from the housing. Additionally, U-shaped cups are positioned between the housing and the swivel. These U-shaped cups incorporate a unidirectional sealing element to permit water to enter inside the swivel solely from the housing.

[0013] In one aspect of the present invention, the aluminium gaskets are affixed to the open ends on both sides of the swivel to secure the swivel onto the drill rod.

[0014] In another aspect of the present invention, the aluminium gaskets lock and secure the swivel onto the drill rod while also providing a seal to prevent water from leaking outside.

[0015] Furthermore, in one aspect of the present invention, the drill rod features a plurality of cut-outs along its length, facilitating the entry of water into a central throughhole from the swivel.

[0016] Additionally, in one aspect of the present invention, the drill rod incorporates a central through-hole, closed at the top end to allow water to flow out from the bottom end.

[0017] In one aspect of the present invention, the swivel is a steel swivel.

[0018] Additionally, in another aspect of the present invention, the housing further comprises a bracket designed to securely fix the housing to a drilling jig.

[0019] Further details and specification of the invention are described in the detailed description and accompanying figures, providing comprehensive insights into the operation and functionalities of the present invention.

349138

Brief description of the drawing

[0020] The foregoing aspects and many of the advantages of the present invention will be more appreciated and better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0021] Fig.1 is water flushing system for use in drilling application in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Fig.2 is top view of the water flushing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; the line 20 goes into the void which is filled with water.

[0023] Fig.3a is a cross- section view of the water flushing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Fig.3b is another cross- sectional view of the water flushing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Fig.4 is housing unit of the water flushing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Fig.5a is a drill rod in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Fig.5b is a cross-section view of the drill rod in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig.6 is a drill bit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Fig.7 is a swivel structure used in the system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0030] Fig.8 is a gasket to secure the swivel to the drill rod in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[0031] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the

349138

invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention will be described herein with reference to the figures. Referring to Fig.1 and 2, the present invention is a water flushing system 10 designed for use in drilling applications to moisten drill cuttings/dust, thereby reducing the risk of workers inhaling hazardous particles. The system 10 comprises a housing 12 placed on a drill rod 14. The housing 12 incorporates a water inlet hose 16 for injecting water into the drill rod 14. Additionally, the hosing 12 features a bracket 18 for securing the housing 12 to a drilling jig.

[0033] A swivel 20, preferably a steel swivel, is mounted on the drill rod 14, and the housing 12 is configured on the swivel 20. The steel swivel 20 includes a hole (shown in Fig.7) for water to flow from the housing 12 through the swivel 20 and then in a through hole in the drill rod 14. Furthermore, aluminium and steel gaskets 22 are placed on both ends of the swivel 20 to secure it to the rod and provide a seal to prevent water leakage.

[0034] Fig.3a and Fig.3b depict cross-section views of the system 10. As shown in Fig. 3a, the swivel 20 is mounted on the drill rod 14, and the housing 12 is placed on the swivel 20, where water is injected through the water inlet hose 16 present on the housing 12, flushed out through the bottom of the rod 14. So that the water is applied on the cuttings/dust power generated during drilling operation become wet, and prevent spreading in the air.

[0035] One preferred embodiment of the invention, the use of the system 10 is to moisten drill cuttings/dust and mitigate the risk of workers inhaling hazardous particles.

[0036] Fig.3b is cross-section view of H denoted in Fig.3a, illustrates the system 10 in details. As illustrated, the system 10 comprises the housing 12 positioned on the drill rod 14, with the steel swivel 20 situated between the housing 12 and the rod 14. Additionally, U-shaped cups 32 are placed between the housing 12 and the steel swivel 20. These cups 32 serve as unidirectional sealing elements i.e., only providing the water to enter inside the swivel 20 from the water inlet hose 16 of the housing 12.

349138

Also the aluminium gaskets 22 are attached on open ends of both side of the swivel 20 to hold the swivel 20 with the drill rod 14.

[0037] Furthermore, it should be noted that the U-shaped cups 32 have a U-shaped cross-section and act as reinforcing metal springs. This design allows for rotary or translatory motion of the drill rod 14 against pressure during drilling operation.

[0038] Fig.4 illustrates the housing 12 of the water flushing system 10, featuring a hollow cylindrical structure 34 incorporating the water inlet hose 16, and additionally the bracket 18 is provided on surface to fix the housing 12 to a drilling jig (not shown).

[0039] In one embodiment, as shown in Fig 5a and Fig.5b, the drill rod 14 includes a cut-out 36 that allows water to enter in its hole 35 and passes across its length. The hole 35 in the drill rod 14 is closed at the top end 37 to enable the water to flow out from bottom end 38.

[0040] In another embodiment, as shown in Fig.6, a drill bit 40 is connected to the drill rod 14, to drill the rock surface. The drill bit 40 features a plurality of holes 42 on the bottom end through which water injected through the housing 12 is flushes out onto the rock surface, onto which drilling is performed.

[0041] In a further embodiment, as depicted in Fig. 7, the swivel 20 is a cylindrical hollow structure 23 with open ends on both sides, featuring a hole 44 on the surface to allow water to flush in from the housing 12.

[0042] Fig. 8, the aluminum gasket 22 is presented. The purpose of the aluminum gasket 22 is to secure the swivel 20. The gasket 22 has a through opening 25 in the center and a profile similar to the rod 14. It is provided on both ends of the swivel 20 to secure it to the drill rod 14 and provide a seal to prevent water leakage.

[0043] The system 10 is designed to ensure effective water flushing throughout the drilling process, reducing the risk of spreading hazardous particles in the air. The combination of components allows for efficient water flow and containment within the drilling system.

[0044] The foregoing description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit

349138

the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

349138

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A water flushing system (10) for use in drilling applications, the system (10) comprising:

a housing (12);

a drill rod (14) having an opening (36);

a swivel (20); and

a plurality of aluminium gaskets (22),

characterized by,

the swivel (20) that is enclosed on the drill rod (14), and the housing (12) is placed on the swivel (20),

the housing (12) that includes a water inlet hose (16) for injecting water in the drill rod (14),

the swivel (20) that is a cylindrical hollow structure (23) with open ends on both sides, featuring a hole (44) on the surface of the cylindrical structure (23) allows water to flush in the drill rod (14) from the housing (12),

additionally U-shaped cups (32) that are placed between the housing (12) and the swivel (20); the U-shaped cups (32) include unidirectional sealing element to permit water to enter inside the swivel solely from the housing (12),

where the aluminium gaskets are (22) attached to the open ends on both sides of the swivel (20) to ensure a secure fit to drill rod (14).

2. The system (10) of claim 1, wherein the drill rod (14) further includes central through-hole (35), where the central through-hole (35) is closed at top end (37) to allow water to flow out from the bottom end (38).

3. The system (10) of claim 1, wherein the swivel (20) is steel swivel.

349138

4. The system (10) of claim 1, wherein the aluminium gaskets (22) are included to the open ends on both sides of the swivel (20) to lock and hold the swivel (20) on the drill rod (14) and provide a seal to prevent leaking water outside.

5. The system (10) of claim 1, wherein the housing (12) includes a hollow cylindrical structure (34), the water inlet hose (16) is incorporated on the surface of the hollow cylindrical structure (34).

6. The system (10) of claim 1, wherein the housing (12) further includes a bracket (18) configured to fix the housing (12) to a drilling jig.

7. The system (10) of claim 1, wherein use in drilling applications to moisten the drill cuttings/dust, thereby reduces the risk of workers inhaling hazardous particles.

8. A water flushing system (10) for use in drilling applications to moisten the drill cuttings/dust, the system (10) comprising:

a housing (12);

a drill rod (14) having an opening (36);

a swivel (20); and

a plurality of aluminium gaskets (22),

characterized by,

the swivel (20) that is enclosed on the drill rod (14), and the housing (12) that is placed on the swivel (20),

the housing (12) that includes a hollow cylindrical structure (34), a water inlet hose (16) is incorporated on the surface of the hollow cylindrical structure (34), where the water inlet hose (16) is configured for injecting water inside the drill rod (14),

349138

where the aluminium gaskets are (22) attached to the open ends on both sides of the swivel (20) to ensure a secure fit to drill rod (14).

9. The system (10) of claim 8, wherein the drill rod (14) includes a cut-out (36) allowing the water to enter inside from the swivel (12).

10. The system (10) of claim 8, wherein the drill rod (14) further includes central through-hole (35), where the central through-hole (35) is closed at top end (37) to allow water to flow out from the bottom end (38).

11. The system (10) of claim 8, wherein the aluminium gaskets (22) are included to the open ends on both sides of the swivel (20) to lock and hold the swivel (20) on the drill rod (14) and provide a seal to prevent leaking water outside.

12. The system (10) of claim 8, wherein the housing (12) includes a hollow cylindrical structure (34), the water inlet hose (16) is incorporated on the surface of the hollow cylindrical structure (34).

13. The system (10) of claim 8, wherein the housing (12) further includes a bracket (18) configured to fix the housing (12) to a drilling jig.

349138

KRAV

1. Vannspylingssystem (10) for bruk i boreapplikasjoner, systemet (10) omfattende:

- et hus (12);

- en borestang (14) som har en åpning (36);

- en svivel (20); og

- en rekke aluminiumspakninger (22),

Karaktereisert ved at:

svivelen (20) er innelukket på borestangen (14), og huset (12) er plassert på svivelen (20),

huset (12) inkluderer en vanninntaksslange (16) for å injisere vann i borestangen (14),

svivelen (20) er en sylindrisk hul struktur (23) med åpne ender på begge sider, med et hull (44) på overflaten av den sylindriske strukturen (23) tillater vann å skylle inn i borestangen (14) fra hus (12),

i tillegg, U-formede kopper (32) er plassert mellom huset (12) og svivelen (20); de U-formede koppene (32) inkluderer ensrettet tetningselement for å tillate vann å komme inn i svivelen kun fra huset (12),

hvor aluminiumspakningene er (22) festet til de åpne endene på begge sider av svivelen (20) for å sikre en sikker passform til borestangen (14).

2. Systemet (10) ifølge krav 1, hvori borestangen (14) videre inkluderer sentralt gjennomgående hull (35), hvor det sentrale gjennomgående hull (35) er lukket ved toppenden (37) for å tillate vann å strømme ut fra den nedre enden (38).

3. Systemet (10) ifølge krav 1, hvori svivelen (20) er stålsvivel.

4. Systemet (10) ifølge krav 1, hvori aluminiumspakningene (22) er plassert ved de åpne endene på begge sider av svivelen (20) for å låse og holde svivelen (20) på borestangen (14) og gi en tetning for å hindre vannlekkasje utenfor.

5. Systemet (10) ifølge krav 1, hvori huset (12) inkluderer en hul sylindrisk struktur (34), vanninnløpsslangen (16) er inkorporert på overflaten av den hule sylindriske strukturen (34).

349138

6. Systemet (10) ifølge krav 1, hvori huset (12) videre inkluderer en brakett (18) konfigurert for å feste huset (12) til en borejigg.

7. Systemet (10) ifølge krav 1, hvori bruk i boreapplikasjoner for å fukte borekaks/-støvet, og derved reduserer risikoen for at arbeidere inhalerer farlige partikler.

8. Vannspylingssystem (10) for bruk i boreapplikasjoner for å fukte borekaks/-støvet, systemet (10) omfatter:

- et hus (12);

- en borestang (14) som har en åpning (36);

- en svivel (20); og

- en rekke aluminiumspakninger (22),

Karakterisert ved at:

svivelen (20) er innelukket på borestangen (14), og huset (12) som er plassert på svivelen (20),

huset (12) inkluderer en hul sylindrisk struktur (34), en vanninntaksslange (16) er inkorporert på overflaten av den hule sylindriske strukturen (34), hvor vanninntaksslangen (16) er konfigurert for å injisere vann inne i borestangen (14),

hvor aluminiumspakningene er (22) festet til de åpne endene på begge sider av svivelen (20) for å sikre en sikker passform til borestangen (14).

9. Systemet (10) ifølge krav 8, hvori borestangen (14) inkluderer en utskjæring (36) som tillater vannet å komme inn på innsiden fra svivelen (12).

10. Systemet (10) ifølge krav 8, hvori borestangen (14) videre inkluderer sentralt gjennomgående hull (35), hvor det sentrale gjennomgående hull (35) er lukket ved toppenden (37) for å tillate vann å strømme ut fra den nedre enden (38).

11. Systemet (10) ifølge krav 8, hvori aluminiumspakningene (22) er plassert ved de åpne endene på begge sider av svivelen (20) for å låse og holde svivelen (20) på borestangen (14) og gi en tetning for å hindre vannlekkasje utenfor.

349138

12. Systemet (10) ifølge krav 8, hvori huset (12) inkluderer en hul sylindrisk struktur (34), vanninnløpsslangen (16) er inkorporert på overflaten av den hule sylindriske strukturen (34).

13. Systemet (10) ifølge krav 8, hvori huset (12) videre inkluderer en brakett (18) konfigurert for å feste huset (12) til en borejigg.

Drawings

Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classes

E21B 21/02

CPC classes

E21B 21/02

Citations

US 2012234531 A1 (A1)

US 1025333 A (A)

US 3155179 A (A)

US 3601206 A (A)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners

TOFT TECHNOLOGIES AS

Industriveien 1

3766 SANNIDAL

NO (KRAGERØ Municipality, Telemark county)

Org. number: 932500299

Inventors

Peter Toft

Kilsveien 21

3766 SANNIDAL

NO (KRAGERØ Municipality, Telemark county)

Agent

APACE IP AS

Svoldergata 9

0271 OSLO

NO (OSLO Municipality, Oslo county)

Org. number: 995232537

Reference: P359NO00

Status history

Payment history

Oppositions and appeals

No oppositions or appeals

Administrative limitation

No administrative limitation

Liens and licences

No liens or licenses registered

Gazette entries

No Gazette entries found

Only events from 2024.03.04 and onwards are shown.