US3335754A

US3335754A - Pneumatic footage transmitter

Info

Publication number: US3335754A
Application number: US409193A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr William L Lankford; Carl S Ward; Roy L Van Winkle
Original assignee: GEOLOGRAPH Co
Current assignee: FIRST ASSET-BASED LENDING GROUP Inc C/O CONSOLIDATED ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY 120 NORTH ROBINSON OKLAHOMA CITY OK 73192
Priority date: 1964-11-05
Filing date: 1964-11-05
Publication date: 1967-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 1984-08-15

Description

w. L. LANKFORD. JR. ET AL 3, 35,754

PNEUMATIC. FOOTAGE TRANSMITTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. b, 1964 INVENTORS William L Lankford, Jr. C'ar/ 5. Ward Roy L. Van W/hk/e 1 AGENT Filed Nov. 5, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet Aug-.15, 1967 T w. L. LANRFORD, JR.. ET AL 3,335,754 I PNEUMATIC FOOTAGE TRANSMITTER & INVENTORS William L. Lem/(Ford, Jr.

Carl 5. Ward Roy L. Van'W/nk/e mwawfi KWMWM I AGENT Aug. 15; 1967 'w, L. LANKFORHD. JR. ET AL 4 PNEUMATIC FOOTAGE TRANSMITTER Filed Nov. 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTORS William L. Lankford, Jr Carl S. Wbrd Roy L. Van Winkle AGENT Aug. 15, 1967 w. LANKFORD, JR.. ET AL 3,33

PNEUMATIC FOOTAGE TRANSMITTER Filed Nov. .3, 1964 V 4 Sheet sSheet 4 INVENTORS VW/l/amL. Largd'ord, Jr.

Carl 5. War Roy L. Van Winkle MJWJKZZM/M AGENT United States Patent 3,335,754 PNEUMATIC FOOTAGE TRANSMITTER William L. Lankford, Jr., and Carl S. Ward, Oklahoma City, and Roy L. Van Winkle, Edmond, 0kla., assignors to The Geolograph Company, Oklahoma City, Okla, a

corporation of Oklahoma Filed Nov. 5, 1964, Ser. No. 409,193 16 Claims. (Cl. 137624.15)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pneumatic footage transmitter adapted to be used in conjunction with a mechanical recorder and including two pulsing valves and a selector valve, one of the pulsing valves being pulsed, for example, at the end of each foot of drilling, the other of the pulsing valves being pulsed at the end of each five feet of drilling, the transmitter being provided with an output port connecting with the selector valve, the selector valve also being connected to the two pulsing valves, and means for moving the selector valve so as to selectively, or alternatively, connect the output port with the one foot pulsing valve or the five foot pulsing valve.

This invention relates to improvements in recording apparatus for various pertinent data relative to a well drilling operation and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a transmitter for directing a pneumatic impulse to a recorder located remotely with respect to the site of the drilling rig.

In U.S. Patent No. 2,883,256, a stylus is provided for recording a penetration trace on a chart which is movable at a uniform rate relative to the stylus. During the drilling operation, the stylus will be deflected horizontally across the chart from a given reference line (vertical) and immediately back again to this reference line each time that the drill bit penetrates one foot into the earth. Also, for each alternate foot means are provided for varying the amount of the horizontal deflection. Thus, the resulting penetration trace will appear essentially as a vertical ref-, erence line having a plurality of horizontal lines projecting outwardly therefrom and to one side thereof. The distance (measured along the vertical line) between any given horizontal line and the next succeeding horizontal line represents the time required to drill the intervening foot. Therefore, assuming that the proper weight is on the drill bit, etc., when the horizontal lines are spaced relatively far apart, one can readily perceive that the drilling is occurring at a relatively slow rate. On the other hand, when the horizontal lines are spaced close together, one can see that the drilling operation is proceeding at a relatively fast rate.

In U.S. Patent No. 3,010,777, there is .provided a recording apparatus which is similar in some respects to that of the aforementioned patent. For example, the structure of Patent No. 3,010,777 permits the deflection of a stylus horizontally for each foot of penetration substantially in the manner described above; however, the latter patent also includes additional structure such that the horizontal deflection of this stylus can be caused to occur only for every fifth foot of penetration so that, under conditions of extremely fast drilling, a more readable and more useful record can be produced.

Whereas recorders of the type described in the aforementioned patents are generally located on or at the structure of the drilling rig itself, a recorder designed for producing substantially the same recorded information outlined above at a location somewhat remote from the drilling rig is disclosed in a co-pending application Ser. No. 223,358, filed Sept. 13, 1962, and entitled Pneumatic ice Penertation Recorder, now Patent No. 3,214,762, one of the inventors thereof being a co-inventor of the present application. The structure of the co-pending application Ser. No. 223,358 includes two basic components: First, the recorder itself which is pneumatically operated and located at a point which may be remote with respect to the drilling rig; and secondly, a transmitter which provide pneumatic signals for controlling the recorder and which transmitter is located on or at the drilling rig. However,

it is necessary to alter the internal structure of the existing recording unit to which the transmitter is attached in order to actuate the transmitter.

The present invention contemplates a transmitter for directing pneumatic signals to a recording structure similar to that disclosed in the aforementioned co-pending application. The transmitter of the present invention may be directly but externally attached to a. recorder of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,010,777 without alteration of the internal structure of the recorder itself. The mechanical motions of the recorder may be converted to pneumatic signals which are in turn transmitted to a remote recorder such as that disclosed in the co-pendin t application. Of course, it is to be noted that the transmitter assembly of the present invention may be attached to a unit containing a metering wheel only, thereby eliminating the recorder structure such as that shown in Patent No. 3,010,777. In this instance, the pneumatic signals would be transmitted to a recorder other than the recording instrument disclosed in the aforesaid patent thereby replacing the record previously recorded on said apparatus.

The remote footage transmitter assembly of the present invention is particularly designed and constructed to send a suitable pneumatic impulse, preferably of p.s.i. but not limited thereto, for each foot of well drilling progress, and a separate and distinct similar 80 psi. pneumatic impulse for each desired increment of drilling. By providing these two different impulses, it is possible to achieve the characteristic one foot penetration recording and five foot off-set recording disclosed in Patent No. 3,010,777. In addition, the transmitter assembly of the present invention is provided with a manual switch which alters the operation of the transmitter for sending a pneumatic signal to the recorder for each fifth foot corresponding to five feet of well drilling progress in lieu of the one foot penetration recording. As set forth in Patent No.

3,010,777, this five foot penetration recording system is preferable for use with a drilling condition, commonly called fast drilling, in order to facilitate visual interpretation of the data on the chart. In a fast drilling operation, recording of individual footage marks often results in marks on the chart disposed in such close relationship that it is difiicult if not impossible to distinguish therebetween. Thus, during a fast drilling operation, the five foot recording systemmay be utilized which eliminates individual footage marks and records only each fifth foot of drilling thereby opening up the recording data on the time scale ofthe chart. Of course, in drilling operations requiring slower time for penetration of drilled footage, it is usually desirable to mark or record on the chart for each foot of drilling.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a transmitter assembly for directing pneumatic impulses to a remotely disposed recorder for operation of the recorder to provide well drilling information.

It is another object of this invention to provide a transmitter assembly which may be externally attached directly to substantially any suitable presently existing recording device for actuation thereby to transmit pneumatic signals to a recorder which is disposed remotely therefrom. Another object of this invention is to provide a remote footage transmitter assembly which may be secured directly to a suitable recording apparatus for actuation thereby without alteration of the internal structure of the recorder itself.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of the present invention will hereinafter more fully appear in connection with a detailed description of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a recorder apparatus having a transmitter assembly embodying the present invention secured thereto.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a transmitter assembly embody the invention, with the cover plate remove-d for purposes of illustration.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a cam and gear actuating mechanism of the invention.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the mechanical switching arrangement for selectively arranging the transmitter assembly for one foot or five feet penetration recording.

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic view of a transmitter embodying the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character generally indicates a recording unit which may be of any suitable type, such as disclosed in the Melton et al. Patent No. 3,010,777, and which is usually installed at the site of a drilling rig (not shown). The recording unit 10, as depicted in FIGURE 1, includes a housing or casing 12 having a cover 14 hingedly secured thereto in any suitable manner, such as by the hinge 16 whereby the cover 14 may be raised to permit access to the interior of the recorder 10. A tube 18 is secured to the top of the casing or housing 12 by means of a plate 20 and a U- bolt 22, or the like, which clamps the tube 18 to the plate 20. A cable 24 having one end secured to the conventional tackle mechanism (not shown) of the rotary drill rig (not shown) passes through the tube 18 and into the interior of the recording unit 10.

A winding drum 26 is mounted in the proximity of the tube 18 in any suitable manner, such as by a plate 28 secured to the housing 12 and a suitable bracket arrangement, a portion of which is shown at 29 in FIGURE 1. A shaft 30 is secured to the bracket 29 in any suitable manner for receiving the drum 26 thereon and the drum takes up the cable 24 after the cable has passed through the apparatus 10. The drum 26 is preferably provided with a suitable mechanism such as a spring motor (not shown) which is normally biased to rotate the drum in a direction to wind the cable 24 thereon but yet is yieldable responsive to the pull of the cable 24 to permit unwinding of the cable from the drum 26. The drum 26 is, thus, fully capable of closely following the movements of the drill string. The cable extending downwardly through the tube 18 and into the apparatus 10 preferably extends around a suitable pulley (not shown) provided within the apparatus 10, said pulley being connected to a rotatable shaft (not shown) through a suitable clutching arrangement (not shown) whereby the shaft may be rotated in accordance with the movement of the cable 24 as set forth in the aforementioned Patent No. 3,010,777. A dial 29 having a pivotal or rotatable pointer 31 in association therewith is normally provided on the housing 12 and in connection with the aforementioned rotatable shaft whereby the pointer is rotated thereby. However, in the present instance, the dial 29 and pointer 31 are preferably removed from the casing or housing 12 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

A transmitter assembly generally indicated at 32 is secured to the housing in any suitable manner, and preferably by means of a plurality of threaded members 33 which are arranged for engagement with the threaded apertures (not shown) normally provided in the housing 12 for securing of the dial 29 thereto. The transmitter 32 comprises an outer housing 34 which may be attached directly to the front of the recorder housing by means of the screws 33 and the housing 34 is provided with a removable cover plate 32 secured thereto in any well known 4 manner, such as by a plurality of spaced screws 38. A shaft 40 is provided in the housing 34, as particularly shown in FIGURE 2, and extends through an aperture (not shown) provided in the housing 34 for connection with the rotatable shaft of the recorder unit 10 for rotation simultaneously therewith. The aperture for receiving the shaft 40 is of a larger diameter than the diameter of the shaft 40 for facilitating orientation of the shaft 40 with respect to the housing 34 whereby the shaft 40 may be connected with the rotatable shaft of the recorder unit 10 in the event the location of the rotatable shaft is not exactly the same for each individual recorder unit.

The shaft 40 is provided with a reduced neck portion 41 at the outer extremity thereof which extends through an aperture (not shown) in the cover plate 36. The dial 29 is secured to the cover plate 32 in such a manner that the pointer 31 may be secured to the neck portion 41 whereby rotation is transmitted to the pointer. The dial 29 is suitably marked with numerical indicia as shown in FIGURE 1.

A cam member comprising two substantially identical but oppositely disposed half sections 42 and 44 is secured around the outer periphery of the shaft 40 by a pair of oppositely disposed threaded studs 46. The studs 46 extend through an aperture provided in the half section 44 and into threaded engagement with an aligned bore provided in the other half section 42, with the studs 46 extending substantially tangentially with respect to the outer periphery of the shaft 40 whereby tightening of the screws will securely retain the half sections 42 and 44 around the shaft 40.

As particularly shown in FIGURE 3, when the cam 42-44 is thus secured in position around the shaft 40, the cam sections 42 and 44 provide an outer periphery adjacent one end thereof comprising a substantially cylindrical surface 48 extending around one portion of the circumference thereof and a cut-away or recessed portion 50 extending around another portion of the circumference thereof. It is preferable to provide two oppositely disposed arcuate or cylindrical portions 48 and two oppositely disposed recessed portions 50 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

A ring gear 52 is secured to the outer periphery of the shaft 40 in any suitable manner such as by a set screw, or the like (not shown), and is preferably disposed adjacent the cam sections 42 and 44, as particularly shown in FIGURE 3. The gear 52 engages a second gear 54 journalled on a shaft 56 which is secured to the housing 34 by a threaded stud member 58. The stud member 58 is off-set with respect to the axial centerline of the shaft 56 whereby rotation of the shaft 56 about the stud 58 will provide an eccentric movement for the outer periphery of the shaft. In this manner, the position of the ring gear 54 may be adjusted or oriented with respect to the gear 52 to assure a meshing of the gears 52 and 54 regardless of any variance in the location of the shaft 40 as determined by differences in the location of the rotatable shaft of the individual recorder units 10 with which the transmitter 32 may be utilized. In addition, the outer end of the shaft 56 is preferably provided with an enlarged head portion 60 which may have the outer periphery thereof knurled in order to facilitate manual rotation of the shaft 56 for adjusting of the position of the gear 54. It is to be understood that rotation of the shaft 56 for orientation of the gear 54 is accomplished prior to the full tightening of the stud 58 and when the gear 54 is properly positioned with respect to the gear 52, the stud 58 may be fully tightened in the housing 34 for precluding further rotation of the shaft 56.

The ratio between the gears 52 and 54 is preferably two and one-half to one whereby the gear 54 Will be rotated through one complete revolution upon two and one-half revolutions of the gear 52. Whereas this is a preferable ratio between the two gears, it is to be understood that there is no limitation intended and any suitable gear ratio may be utilized in accordance with the desired performance of the transmitter 32. An arcuate lug or pawl 62 is secured to one face of the gear 54 and extends perpendicularly outwardly therefrom for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The cam 4244 and gear 52 are simultaneously rotated by the shaft 40, which in turn is rotated by the shaft of the recorder unit 10, whereby the rotation of the cam and gear 52 is substantially constant in timed relation with the drilling progress. The cam 4244 and gear 52 are preferably driven in such a manner that they make one complete revolution for each two feet of drilling. Since the ratio between the gears 52 and 54 is two and one-half to one, the gear 54 and lug 62 carried thereby will be rotated through one complete revolution for each five feet of drilling.

It should be pointed out that the conventional drilling rig has a supply of air under pressure which is used for operating the various clutches, brakes, etc., associated with the motors and drives for the drilling equipment. This supply of air will be referred to as rig air. Rig air passes through a suitable fitting, such as the elbow 64, through a suitable pressure control valve or regulator 66, through a conduit 68, through a T-fitting 70, and through a second conduit 72 to a cam actuated valve 74. The T-fitting is suitably connected with a second cam actuated valve 76 for directing a portion of the pneumatic fluid thereto for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

The valve 74 is provided with an inlet 73 and an outlet 75 and in addition has associated therewith an operating arm 78 which is pivotally secured at 80 to a support bracket 82 carried by the valve 74. A roller member 84 is journalled on the opposite end of the arm 78 for engaging the outer periphery of the cam 42-44. In addition, a suitable spring member 86 is anchored between the outer extremity of the arm 78 and the valve 74- for constantly urging the arm 78 in a counterclockwise rotational direction about the pivot pin 80 as viewed in FIGURE 2 and in engagement with a spring urged plunger 79 of the valve 74. The spring 86 precludes any flipping of the arm 78 during reverse or counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 40. The roller 84 is in engagement with the cam surface 48 throughout a portion of the cam rotation whereby the arm 78 is urged in a counterclockwise direction for urging the plunger 79 in a direction for providing communication between the inlet 73 and outlet 75 for opening the valve 74 to permit the passage of pneumatic fluid therethrough to a conduit 88. When the cam 42-44 rotates through a sufficient distance for moving one of the recesses 50 into alignment with or in the proximity of the roller 84, the roller is released from the engagement with the arcuate surface and the arm 7 8 moves slightly in a clockwise rotational direction about the pivot 80 whereby the plunger 79 may be moved by the spring pressure thereof whereby the valve 74 is closed to preclude the flow of fluid therethrough. The clockwise rotational movement of the arm 78 is limited by the spring 86, and thus as the cam continues to rotate, the next succeeding arcuate surface 48 is brought into contact or engagement with the roller 84 whereby the arm 78 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction for opening of the valve 74. Since the cam 42-44 preferably rotates through one complete revolution for each two feet of drilling, it will be apparent that the valve 74 is opened for every one foot of drilling for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

The conduit 88 extends between the valve 74 and a suitable fitting 90 such as a T-fitting, or the like, for directing the fluid to a quick-release or quick-exhaust valve 92 as well as to a conduit 94 extending to a suitable fitting 96 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The quick release valve 92 is described in detail in a co-pending application Ser. No. 802,968, filed Mar. 30, 1959, and entitled Control Device for Drilling Apparatus, said copending application being one with which applicants herein are familiar. Briefly stated, however, the quick-release valve 92 is one which, when pressure on the inlet side decreases, will vent to atmosphere. The pneumatic pulse produced by the valve 74 passes from the quick-release valve 92 through port 98 to the remote receiving recorder (not shown) for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

The fitting 96 is in communication with a cam operated valve 100. A similar fitting 102 is also in communication with the valve and a conduit 104 extends between the valve 76 and the fitting 102 to provide communication between the valves 76 and 100. The valve 100 is provided with a suitable slide or spool member, or the like (not shown), therein movable for alternating flow to the valve 100 from the fittings 96 and 102. In other words, in one position of the spool member, fluid flows into the valve 100 from the fitting 96 and out of the valve 100 through a similar fitting 106 into a conduit 108. In a second position of the spool member, flow is precluded from the fitting 96 but opened between the fittings 102 and 106. An arm member 110 is pivotally secured at 112 to a support bracket 114 carried by the valve 100. A roller member 116 is journalled on the outer extremity of the arm 110 for engaging a cam member 118. A spring urged plunger 120 is provided in the valve 100 for actuation of the spool member and the plunger 120 extends from the valve 100 into engagement with the arm 110. The cam 118 is pivotally secured at 122 to a support member 124 which in turn is secured to the housing 34. The outer periphery of the cam 118 is provided with a cam detent 126 for engaging the roller 116 in one position of the cam 118 whereby the arm 110 is urged or retained in a position with respect to the valve 100 for urging the plunger 120 in a right hand direction as viewed in FIGURE 2 whereby communication is established between the fittings 102 and 106. When the cam 118 is rotated about the pivot 122 in a clockwise direction in a manner as will be hereinafter set forth, the cam is moved away from the roller 116 and the roller 116 is released from the engagement with the detent 126 whereby the spring urged plunger moves in a left hand direction, as viewed in FIGURE 2, in order to establish communication between the fittings 96 and 106 and close communication between the fittings 102 and .106. l

The valve 76 is a cam operated valve similar to the valve '74 and an arm 128 in association therewith is pivotally secured at 130 to a support bracket 132 carried by the valve 76. A roller 134 is journalled at the outer extremity of the arm 128 for engagement by the lug or pawl 62 as will be hereinafter set forth. A spring urged plunger 136 is provided in the valve 76 and extends outwardly therefrom into engagement with the arm 128 and a spring 138 is anchored between the outer extremity of the arm 128 and the valve 76 for constantly urging the arm 128 against the outer end of the plunger 136. The plunger 136 is normally in an extended position as shown in FIGURE 2 whereby the valve 76 is closed. However, when the pawl 62 engages the roller 134, the arm 128 is moved in a clockwise direction about the pivot 130 for moving the plunger 136 inwardly with respect to the valve 76 for opening thereof. In the open position of the valve 76, pneumatic fluid moves therethrough and into the conduit 104 where it is directed to the fitting 102. As hereinbefore set forth, the gear 54 is rotated through one complete revolution upon each five feet of drilling progress. Thus, the pawl 62 is brought into engagement with the roller 134 upon the completion of each five feet. of drilling. It will be apparent that the valve 76 is, therefore, opened for sending a pneumatic pulse to the fitting 102 upon the completion of each five feet of drilling.

The conduit 108 extends from the flitting 106 of the valve 100 to a suitable fitting or elbow 140 which is connected to a quick-release or quick-exhaust valve 142 similar to the valve 92. The pneumatic pulse directed to the valve 142 by .the valve 100 passes from the valve 142 through port 144 to the remote receiving recorder (not shown) for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

As particularly shown in FIGURE 4, a pivot shaft 146 extends through the support member 124 and into connection with the cam 118 at the pivot point 122 thereof. A suitable collar 148 is secured around the shaft 146 by a set screw, or the like, (not shown), and a handle member 150 is secured to the outer extremity of the shaft 146 by a set screw 152. A pair of spaced outwardly ex tending pins 154 and 156 are provided on one face of the cam 118 for engagement with the support member 124 in such a manner that the pin 1S6 limits the counterclockwise rotation of the cam 118 and the pin 154 limits the clockwise rotation of the cam 118. Of course, rotation of the shaft 146 by manual movement of the handle 150 rotates the cam 118. The shaft 146 extends through an aperture (not shown) in the cover 32 and the handle 150 is disposed exteriorly of the cover. An arcuate indicating plate 158 may be provided on the outer surface of the cover 36 in the proximity of the outer extremity of the arm 150 and suitable indicia may be imprinted on the face of the cover plate 36 adjacent the upper most and lower most portions of the indicating plate 158 as shown in FIGURE 1.

In the event the recorder unit 10 with which the transmitter 32 is to be utilized has been previously provided with a rotatable handle member and shaft similar to the shaft 146 and handle 150, it will be necessary to remove the handle associated with the recorder unit 16 whereby the shaft of the recorder 10 will 'be exposed. In this event, a coupling member 160 may be disposed on the exposed shaft. The coupling 160 is provided with a central bore 162 and a radially inwardly extending recess 164. The bore 162 receives the exposed shaft of the recorder unit 10 and the elongated recess 164 receives a pin member 166 which may be an extension of the pin member 154. This will couple the cam 118 to the shaft of the existing recorder. It is to be understood that some recorder units may have such a shaft whereas other recorder units may not be provided with this mechanism. Of course, a suitable aperture (not shown) is provided in the housing 34 for receiving the coupling member 160 and the outer end of the exposed shaft with which the coupling member is engaged.

OPERATION The transmitter 32 may be installed or mounted on substantially any existing recorder unit 10 of the type hereinbefore set forth, such as that shown in Patent No. 3,010,777, without alteration of the internal structure of the recorder unit. The dial 29 and pointer 31 may be removed from the housing 12 and the housing 34 may 'be secured to the housing 12 in lieu thereof. The shaft 40 of the transmitter 32 may be connected with the shaft of the recorder unit which is exposed upon removal of the dial and pointer. The eccentric shaft 56 may be manually rotated about the stud 58 for proper orientation of the gear 54 with respect to the gear 52 for assuring a meshing therebetween whereby the gear 54 will be rotated by the gear 52. When the proper position is achieved for the gear 54, the shaft 56 may be securely tightened or locked into position by a full tightening of the stud 58 in the housing 34. The dial 29 and pointer 31 may be secured to the cover 34 with the pointer 31 being suitably connected with the reduced neck portion 41 of the shaft 40 for simultaneous rotation therewith. The shaft 146 may be connected to the pivot point 122 of the cam 118 and the handle 150 may be secured to the outer end of the shaft 146 in order that the cam 118 may be rotated by the manual movement of the handle 150. Of course, in the event the recorder unit 10 is provided with a similar handle mem'ber, this handle may be removed and the cam 118 may be coupled with the shaft exposed by removal of the handle by means of the coupling member 16%).

In addition, the fitting member 64 is connected with the rig air through a suitable conduit (not shown) and the port 98 is connected through a suitable conduit (not shown) to the remote recorder (not shown), such as that set forth in the co-pending application Ser. No. 223,358, for providing pneumatic impulses to the five foot offset marker portion of the recorder. The port 144 is similarly connected with the remote recording unit in a manner to provide pneumatic impulses with the footage recording portion thereof. Thus, the transmitter 32 is actuated by the mechanical operation of the recorder unit 10 for transmitting pneumatic pulses to the remote recorder for the operation of the pneumatic portions thereof.

Rig air enters the transmitter 32 through the fitting 64 and passes through the pressure regulator or control valve 66 Where the pressure of the rig air may be controlled to provide flow of pneumatic fluid through the con duit 68 at a predetermined or preselected pressure. For purposes of the present invention, it is preferable that this air pressure be maintained substantially at psi. The pneumatic fluid is directed through the conduit 68 to the T-fitting 70 where a portion of the fluid is directed to the valve 76 and the remaining portion to the conduit 72. Of course, if the valve 76 is in a closed position, the pneumatic fluid cannot enter the valve. The fluid in the conduit 72 is directed to the valve 74 and as long as the valve 74 is closed as well as the valve 76, the pressure remains in the conduits 68 and 72.

The shaft 40 is connected with the rotatable shaft of the recorder unit 10 which is rotated by the movements of the cable 24. As hereinbefore set forth, the cable 24 closely follows the movement of the drilling string, thus the shaft 40 is rotated in a clockwise direction in a manner closely following the drilling progress of the drill string.

The cam 42-44 rotates simultaneously with the shaft 40 and as hereinbefore set forth, rotation of the shaft 40 is preferably in constant timed relation with the drilling progress so as to provide one complete revolution thereof during each two feet of drilling. As a result, one of the cam surfaces 48 will be brought into engagement with the roller 84 of the arm 78 upon the drilling of one foot since there is two oppositely disposed cam surfaces 48 on the cam 42-44. As the cam surface 48 engages the roller 34, the arm 78 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction for urging the piston 79 in a direction for opening of the valve 74, thus permitting the fluid in the conduit 72 to be directed to the conduit 88. As soon as the cam surface 48 moves through a suflicient distance for disengagement with the roller 84 whereby the roller will be positioned in the next succeeding recess 50, the spring urged plunger 79 will return to the normal position thereof for closing the valve 74. In this manner, a pneumatic pulse is introduced into the conduit 88 upon the drilling of each foot.

The pneumatic fluid in the conduit 88 is directed to the T-fitting 90 where the fluid flow is split with a portion thereof being directed to the quick-exhaust valve 92 and a remaining portion being directed to the conduit 94. The fluid directed to the valve 92 passes therethrough to the port 98 and subsequently to the five foot off-set recording portion of the remote recorder. Thus, a pneumatic pulse is delivered to the five foot off-set portion of the remote recorder upon each foot of drilling. When the cam surface 48 clears the roller 84, the quick-exhaust valve 92 exhausts to atmosphere the remainder of the pneumatic impulse directed to the port 98.

The fluid in the conduit 94 is directed to the valve through the fitting 96. As hereinbefore set forth, when the cam 118 is so positioned that the cam is not engaged by the roller 116, the spool member (not shown) within the valve 100 is so positioned as to provide communication between the fitting 96 and the outlet fitting 106. In this position of the valve 100, the fluid from the conduit 94 passes through the valve 100 and into the conduit 108 where it is directed through the fitting to the quickexhaust valve 142. The fluid passes through the valve 142 to the port 144 and to the footage recording portion of the remote recorder. As long the cam member 118 is retained in a position out of engagement with the roller 116, a pneumatic pulse will be directed to the port 144 to the footage recording portion upon each foot of drilling. Of course, the quick-exhaust valve 142 will exhaust the remainder of the impulse to atmosphere when the cam surface 48 clears the roller 84.

In a relatively slow drilling operation, it is desirable to position the cam 118 in such a manner that the valve 100 directs fluid from the conduit 94 to the valve 142. This results in a recording or marking on the chart (not shown) of the remote recorder upon the drilling of each foot in the drilling operation. Of course, the five foot off-set recording portion is in continuous communication with the fluid from the conduit 88 and, thus, receives a pneumatic impulse upon each foot of drilling progress to send a signal to the five foot off-set recording device for actuation thereof whereby the five foot off-set record is inscribed on the chart upon the drilling of each five feet in the drilling operation.

As hereinbefore set forth, the gear 54 is rotated by the gear 52 in such a manner as to provide one complete rotation of the gear 54 upon each five feet of drilling. Thus, the pawl 62 engages the roller 134 upon the drilling of each five feet. When the roller 134 is engaged by the pawl 62, the arm 128 is rotated in a clockwise direction for depressing the plunger 136 for opening the valve 76. When the valve 76 is opened, a portion of the pneumatic fluid in the fitting 70 is directed through the valve 76 and to the conduit 104 where the fluid is directed to the fitting 102. If the cam 118 is set in the one foot marker position hereinbefore described, the fluid from conduit 104 cannot enter the valve 100. However, when the earn 118 is rotated by manipulation of the handle 150 whereby the detent 126 is in engagement with the roller 116, the spring urged plunger 120 moves inwardly with respect to the valve 100 for moving the spool member to a position wherein fluid flow between the fitting 96 and 106 is precluded and communication is established between the fittings 102 and 106. In this position of the valve 100, fluid passes from the conduit 104 through the valve 100 and to the conduit 108 where it is transmitted to the quickexhaust valve 142. As long as communication is main tained between the fittings 102 and 106, a pneumatic pulse is directed through the valve 142 to the port 144 upon each five feet of drilling. This setting is particularly desirable in a fast drilling operation and results in a marking on the chart corresponding with each five feet of drilling progress. Of course, the five foot off-set marking continues on the chart regardless of whether or not the earn 118 is in the one foot or five feet position.

By way of summary, when it is desired to make a chart or graphic record reflecting the progress of a fast drilling operation, it is preferable to position the lever or handle 150 in a down or five foot position as shown in FIG- URE 1 whereby the cam 118 is in engagement with the roller 116. Communication is thus established and maintained between the valve 76 and the port 144 through the valve 100. Rig air is directed to the regulator 66 where the pressure thereof is reduced to approximately 80 p.s.i. From the regulator 66, the pneumatic fluid moves through the conduits 68 and 72 to the valves 76 and 74. The valve 74 is opened upon each foot of drilling progress whereby a pneumatic pulse is delivered to the port 98 and to the fitting 96. The pulse from the port 98 is directed to the five foot ofl-set marking portion of the remote recorder for actuation thereof in the manner set forth in the aforementioned co-pending application Ser. No. 223,358. The pulse delivered from the valve 74 to the fitting 96 cannot enter the valve 100 and thus no pulse is sent to the port 144 from the valve 74. The valve 76 is opened upon each five foot of drilling progress whereby a pneumatic pulse is directed to the fitting 102. In this five foot setting for the cam 118, communication is established through the valve 100 between the fittings 102 and 106 and thus the pneumatic pulse is directed from the valve 76 to the port 144. This pulse is sent to the footage recording portion of the remote recorder for actuation thereof to inscribe or mark the chart with a suitable line or indication representing each five feet completed in the drilling progress.

When the drilling operation is being performed at a slower rate of speed, the handle 150 may be moved to the up position or 1 ft. position, as shown in FIGURE 1, for moving the cam 118 out of engagement with the roller 116. This actuates the valve for shunting the flow of fluid through the valve whereby fluid moves from the fitting '96 to the fitting 106, but is precluded from flowing between the fittings 102 and 106. The valve 74 is opened upon each foot of drilling progress whereby a pneumatic pulse is delivered to the port 98 and the fitting 96. This pulse is directed through the valve 100 to the port 144 where it is sent to thefootage recording portion of the remote recorder for actuation thereof to record or indicate on the chart a marking for each foot of drilling progress. Substantially simultaneously a pulse is sent from the port 98 to the five foot off-set marking portion of the remote recorder for actuation thereof, as hereinbefore set forth. The valve 76 is opened upon each five feet of drilling progress for delivering a pneumatic pulse to the fitting 102. However, with the cam 118 in the one foot setting position, the pulse cannot enter the valve 100.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel transmitter which may be utilized with existing recording apparatus without internal alteration of the structure thereof. The transmitter converts the mechanical action of the recorder unit into pneumatic pulses with said pneumatic pulses bein g directed to a pneumatically operated and remotely disposed recording unit. It is to be noted that the novel transmitter of the invention may also be utilized with a metering wheel, or the like, in lieu of the recorder unit. The transmitter assembly in this instance would be utilized to send pneumatic signals to a remote recorder thereby eliminating the record of the recording unit itself.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a recorder unit having a shaft in association therewith rotatable in timed] relation to the rate of drilling speed of a drilling operation, a transmitter assembly for converting the mechanical rotation of the shaft into pneumatic signals, said transmitter assembly comprising cam means connected with the shaft for rotation thereby, pawl means rotatable by said shaft independ* ent of said cam means, first valve means, second valve means, third valve means, a first outlet port, a second outlet port, means for directing pneumatic fluid to the first and second valve means, means connecting the first valve means with the first outlet port and with the third valve means, means connecting the second valve means with the third valve means, means connecting the third valve means with the second outlet port, said first valve means operable by said cam means in response to a first increment of drilling for intermittently sending a pneumatic pulse substantially simultaneously to the first outlet port and the third valve means, said second valve means operable by said pawl means in response to a second increment of drilling different from said first increment of drilling to intermittently send a pneumatic pulse to the third valve means, and means associated with said third valve means for actuation thereof to selectively provide communication between the second outlet port and the first and second valve means.

2. In combination with a recorder unit, a transmitter assembly for converting the mechanical movements of the recorder unit into pneumatic pulses, first valve means operable to alternate open and closed positions by said recorder unit in response to the completion of a first increment of drilling, second valve means operable to alternate open and closed positions by said recorder unit in response to the completion of a second increment of drilling different from said first increment of drilling, means for directing pneumatic fluid to the first and second valve means, selective valve means connected with the first and second valve means for receiving pneumatic pulses therefrom upon opening of said first and second valves, first port means in communication with said first valve means for receiving a pneumatic pulse therefrom upon opening thereof, and second port means in communication with said selector valve for selectively receiving pneumatic pulses from either said first or said second valve means.

3. In combination with a recorder unit having a shaft in association therewith rotatable in timed relation to the rate of drilling speed in a drilling operation, a transmitter assembly for converting the mechanical rotation of the shaft into pneumatic pulses, said transmitter comprising housing means secured to the recorder unit, main shaft means connected with the recorder unit shaft for rotation thereby, cam means carried by the main shaft means for rotation simultaneously therewith, a first gear carried by said main shaft means for rotation simultaneously therewith, a second gear journalled in the housing and engageable with the first gear for rotation thereby, pawl means carried by the second gear for rotation therewith, first valve means provided in the housing, second valve means provided in the housing, selective valve means provided in the housing, means for directing pneumatic fluid tothe first and second valve means, means connecting the selective valve to the first and second valve means, a first outlet port interposed between the first valve means and selective valve means, second outlet port means in communication with the selective valve means, said first valve means operable by the cam means for intermittent opening thereof to send a pneumatic pulse to the first outlet port and the selective valve means, said second valve means operable by the pawl means for intermittent opening thereof to transmit a pneumatic pulse to the selective valve, means for actuating the selective valve means for selectively providing communication between the first valve means and the second outlet port and between the second valve means and the second outlet port.

4. In combination with a recorder unit having a shaft in association therewith rotatable in timed relation to the rate of drilling speed in a drilling operation, a transmitter assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the second gear is journalled on an eccentrically mounted shaft whereby the second gear may be orientated with respect to the first gear for assuring efiicient meshing there'between.

5. In combination with a recorder unit having a shaft in association therewith rotatable in timed relation to the rate of drilling speed in a drilling operation, a transmitter assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the cam means comprises a sectional member having oppositely disposed substantially cylindrical cam surfaces with oppositely disposed recesses interposed there'between, said cam surfaces cooperating with said first valve means for opening thereof in timed relation with the footage drilled in a drilling operation.

6. In combination with a recorder unit having a shaft in association therewith rotatable in timed relation to the rate of drilling speed in a drilling operation, a transmitter assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein the ratio between the first and second gears is two and a half to one whereby the second valve means is opened in timed relationship to the footage drilled in a drilling operation and which corresponds to a ratio of one to five with respect to the opening of the first valve means.

7. A transmitter assembly for converting mechanical movement into pneumatic impulses and comprising a housing, a shaft extending into the housing and rotatable by mechanical means, a cam member carried by the shaft for rotation simultaneously therewith, a first gear carried by the shaft and rotatable therewith, a second gear journalled in the housing for engagement with the first gear for rotation thereby, eccentric shaft means for journalling the second gear to the housing in a manner providing for orientation of the second gear with respect to the first gear, a pawl member carried by the second gear and rotatable therewith, a first cam operated valve provided in the housing, a second cam operated valve provided in the housing, pressure regulating means provided in the housing and in communication with the first and second valves for directing pneumatic fluid thereto, a first port in communication with the first valve, a quick-exhaust valve interposed between the first port and the first valve, a cam operated selective valve in communication with both the first and second valves, a second port in communication with the selective valve, a quick-exhaust valve interposed between the second port and the selective valve, said first cam operated valve actuated by the cam member for intermittent opening thereof to direct intermittent pneumatic impulses to the first port and selective valve, said second valve operable by said pawl member for intermittently opening thereof to direct intermittent pneumatic impulses to the selective valve, and manually operable cam means in association with said selective valve for actuation thereto to selectively provide communication between the second port and the first and second valves.

8. A transmitter assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein the cam member carried by the shaft comprises a sectional body member having a pair of oppositely disposed arcuate cam surfaces with oppositely disposed recesses interposed therebetween whereby the first valve is opened and closed two times during a single revolution of the cam.

9. A transmitter as set forth in claim 7 wherein the ratio between the first and second gears is two and a half to one whereby the second gear rotates through one complete revolution upon each two and a half revolutions of the first gear in order that the second valve is opened one time for each two and a half revolutions of the first gear.

10. A transmitter assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein the cam carried by the shaft is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed cam surfaces engageable with the first valve for opening of the valve two times during a single revolution of the shaft, and the ratio between the first and second gears is two and a half to one whereby the second gear rotates through one revolution for each two and a half revolutions of the first gear in order that the pawl will engage the second valve for opening thereof one time for each five times of the opening of the first valve.

11. In combination with a recorder unit having a mechanically rotatable shaft therein, a transmitter assembly for converting the mechanical rotation of the shaft into pneumatic signals without alteration of the internal structure of the recorder unit, said transmitter assembly comprising a main shaft connected to the recorder unit shaft for rotation thereby, cam means carried by the main shaft for simultaneous rotation therewith, first gear means carried by the shaft and rotatable therewith, second gear means rotatably driven by said first gear means, pawl means carried by the second gear means, first valve means intermittently opened by the cam means, second valve means intermittently opened by the pawl means, means for directing pneumatic fluid to the first and second valve means, selective valve means in communication with both the first and second valve means, first port means interposed between the first valve means and the selective valve means, a second port means in communication with said selective valve means, and means for actuation of the selective valve means for selectively providing communication between the second port means and the first and second valves.

12. In combination with a recorder unit having a mechanically rotatable shaft therein, a transmitter assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein the relationship between the sizes of the two gear means is such that the first valve 13 is opened two times during a single revolution of the cam means, and the sec-nd valve is opened one time for each two and a half revolution of the cam means.

13. A transmitter assembly for converting mechanical movement into pneumatic pulses and comprising a housing, a fitting member carried by the housing for receiving a pneumatic fluid, pressure regulating means in communication with the fitting for receiving the pneumatic fluid therefrom and regulating the pressure thereof, first and second cam operated valve members provided in the housing, conduit means providing communication of the pneumatic fluid from the pressure regulating means to the first and second valves, a mechanically rotatable shaft extending through the housing, a cam member carried by the shaft for rotation therewith, a second gear member journalled in the housing for engagement with the first gear member for rotation thereby, eccentric shaft means secured to the housing for journalling of the second gear means in a manner providing orientation of the second gear member with respect to the first gear member, a pawl member carried by the second gear member and rotatable therewith, said cam member comprising a pair of substantially identical oppositely disposed half sections secured around the shaft and having two oppositely disposed arcuate cam surfaces with two oppositely disposed recesses interposed therebetween whereby the first cam operated valve is engaged by the arcuate cam surfaces for opening of the valve two times upon each revolution of the cam, said first and second gear members having a ratio of two and a half to one whereby the second gear is rotated through one complete revolution upon each two and onehalf revolutions of the first gear in order that the pawl member will engage the second cam operated valve for opening thereof one time during each two and a half revolutions of the shaft, a port member carried by the housing, a quick-exhaust valve in communication with the port member, conduit means providing communication between the first cam operated valve and the quick exhaust valve, a selective valve provided in the housing, conduit means providing communication between the first cam operated valve and the selective valve, conduit means providing communication between the second cam operated valve and the selective valve, a second port carried by the housing, a second quick-exhaust valve in communication with the second port, conduit means providing communication between the second quick-exhaust valve and the selective valve, pivotal arm means carried by the selective valve for operation thereof to provide selective communication between the second quick-exhaust valve and the first and second cam operated valve, and a manually rotatable cam member journalled in the housing for actuation of the pivotal arm means for operation of the selective valve.

14. In combination with a recorder unit having a shaft in association therewith rotatable in timed relation to the rate of drilling speed of a drilling operation, a transmitter assembly for converting the mechanical rotation of the shaft into pneumatic pulses, said transmitter assembly comprising a housing, a fitting member carried by the housing for receiving a pneumatic fluid, pressure regulating means in communication with the fitting for receiving the pneumatic fluid therefrom and regulating the pressure thereof, first and second cam operated valve members provided in the housing, conduit means providing communication of the pneumatic fluid from the pressure regulating means to the first and second valves, a main shaft extending through the housing and connected with the shaft of the recorder unit for rotation thereby, a cam member carried by the main shaft for rotation therewith, a first gear member carried by the main shaft for rotation therewith, a second gear member journalled in the housing for engagement with the first gear member for rotation thereby, eccentric shaft means secured to the housing for journalling of the second gear means in a manner providing orientation of the second gear member with by the second gear member and rotatable therewith, said cam member comprising a pair of substantially identical oppositely disposed half sections secured around the main shaft and having two oppositely disposed arcuate cam surfaces with two oppositely disposed recesses interposed therebetween whereby the first cam operated valve is engaged by the arcuate cam surfaces for opening of the valve two times upon each single revolution of the cam with said openings of said first cam operated valve being in timed relation with each foot of drilling in the drilling operation, said first and second gear members having a ratio of two and a half to one whereby the second gear is rotated through one complete revolution upon each two and a half revolutions of the first gear in order that the pawl member will engage the second cam operated valve for opening thereof one time during each. two and a half revolutions of the shaft with said opening of said second cam operated valve being in timed relation with five feet of drilling in the drilling operation, a port member carried by the housing, a quick-exhaust valve in communication with the port member, conduit means providing communication between the first cam operated valve and the quick exhaust valve, a selective valve provided in the housing, conduit means providing communication between the first cam operated valve and the selective valve, conduit means providing communication with the second port, conduit means providing communication between the second quick-exhaust valve and the selective valve, pivotal arm means carried by the selective valve for operation thereof to provide selective communication between the second quick-exhaust valve and the first and second cam operated valve, and a manually rotatable cam member journalled in the housing for actuation of the pivotal arm means for operation of the selective valve.

15. In combination with a recorder unit of the type having a first shaft associated therewith and rotatable in timed relation to the rate of drilling speed of a drilling operation, said first shaft having a portion thereof projecting outwardly from one side of said recorder unit, said recorder unit also having a rotatable second shaft project ing outwardly from said side of said recorder unit, said rotatable second shaft being rotatable to two different positions for causing said recorder unit to record two different increments of drilling speed respectively, a separate transmitter assembly comprising a housing attachable to said side of said recorder unit and over said first and second shafts of said recorder unit, a main shaft journalled in said housing, said main shaft being connected with said transmitter assembly in driving relation with said first shaft of said recorder unit, a cam member carried by the main shaft for rotation therewith, said cam member comprising a pair of substantially identical oppositely disposed half sections secured around the rnain shaft and having two oppositely disposed arcuate cam surfaces with two oppositely disposed recesses interposed therebetween, a first gear member carried by said main shaft for rotation therewith, an eccentric shaft means secured to said housing in spaced relation with said main shaft, a second gear member journalled for rotation on said eccentric shaft means and engageable with said first gear member for rotation thereby, said eccentric shaft means being rotatable about an off-set axis in a manner providing proper meshing of said second gear member with said first gear member, a pawl member carried by said second gear member and rotatable therewith, a first cam operated valve mounted in said housing adjacent said first gear member and having thereon an operating arm engageable by said cam member, a second cam operated valve mounted adjacent said second gear member and having an operating arm engageable by said pawl, a first fitting member carried by said housing for receiving a supply of pneumatic fluid under pressure, a pressure regulating means in communication with said fitting for receiving the pneumatic fluid therefrom and regulating the pressure thereof, conduit means providing communication between the pressure regulating means and said first and second valves, 21 first port member carried by said housing, a first quick-exhaust valve in communication with said first port means, conduit means providing communication between said first quick-exhaust valve and said first cam operated valve, a second port member and a second quick-exhaust valve in communication with said second port member, a selective valve provided in the housing, conduit means connecting said selective valve to said second quick-exhaust valve, conduit means providing communication between said selective valve and said first quick-exhaust valve and said first cam operated valve, conduit means connecting said selective valve with said second cam operated valve, pivotal arm means carried by the selective valve for operation thereof providing selective communication between the first quickexhaust valve and said first and second cam operated valves respectively, a manually rotatable rod journalled in said housing and being coupled to said second shaft of said recorder unit, and a rotatable cam member mounted on said rod and rotatable therewith for actuation of the pivotal arm means for operation of said selective valve.

16. In combination with a recorder unit of the type having a first shaft associated therewith and rotatable in timed relation to the rate of drilling speed of a drilling operation, said first shaft having a portion thereof projecting outwardly from one side of said recorder unit, a separate transmitter assembly comprising a housing attachable to said side of said recorder unit and over said first and second shafts of said recorder unit, a main shaft journalled in said housing, said main shaft being connected with said transmitter assembly in driving relation with said first shaft of said recorder unit, a cam member carried by the main shaft for rotation therewith, said carn member comprising a pair of substantially identical oppositely disposed half sections secured around the main shaft and having two oppositely disposed arcuate cam surfaces with two oppositely disposed recesses interposed therebetween, a first gear member carried by said main shaft for rotation therewith, an eccentric shaft means secured to said housing in spaced relation with said main shaft, a second gear member journa'lled for rotation on said eccentric shaft means and engageable with said first gear member for rotation thereby, said eccentric shaft means being rotatable about an ofi-axis in a manner providing proper meshing of said second gear member with said first gear member, a pawl member carried by said second gear member and rotatable therewith, a first cam operated valve mounted in said housing adjacent said first gear member and having thereon an operating arm engageable by said cam member, a sec-0nd cam operated valve mounted adjacent said second gear member and having an operating arm engageable by said pawl, a first fitting member carried by said housing for receiving a supply of pneumatic fluid under pressure, a pressure regulating means in communication with said fitting for receiving the pneumatic fluid therefrom and regulating the pressure thereof, conduit means providing communication between the pressure regulating means and said first and second valves, a first port member carried by said housing, a first quick-exhaust valve in communication with said first port means, conduit means providing communication between said first quick-exhaust valve and said first cam operated valve, a second port member and a second quick-exhaust valve in communication with said second port member, a selective valve provided in the housing, conduit means connecting said selective valve to said second quick-exhaust valve, conduit means providing communication between said selective valve and said first quick-exhaust valve and said first cam operated valve, conduit means connecting said selective valve with said second cam operated valve, pivotal arm means carried by the selective valve for operation thereof providing selective communication between the first quick-exhaust valve and said first and second Ca-rn operated valves respectively, a manually rotatable rod journalled in said housing, and a rotatable cam member mounted on said rod and rotatable therewith for actuation of the pivotal arm means for operation of said selective valve.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,678,519 5/1954 Honiss 137624.134

ALAN COHAN, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A RECORDER UNIT HAVING A SHAFT IN ASSOCIATION THEREWITH ROTATABLE IN TIMED RELATION TO THE RATE OF DRILLING SPEED OF A DRILLING OPERATION, A TRANSMITTER ASSEMBLY FOR CONVERTING THE MECHANICAL ROTATION OF THE SHAFT INTO PNEUMATIC SIGNALS, SAID TRANSMITTER ASSEMBLY COMPRISING CAM MEANS CONNECTED WITH THE SHAFT FOR ROTATION THEREBY, PAWL MEANS ROTATABLE BY SAID SHAFT INDEPENDENT OF SAID CAM MEANS, FIRST VALVE MEANS, SECOND VALVE MEANS, THIRD VALVE MEANS, A FIRST OUTLET PORT, A SECOND OUTLET PORT, MEANS FOR DIRECTING PNEUMATIC FLUID TO THE FIRST AND SECOND VALVE MEANS, MEANS CONNECTING THE FIRST VALVE MEANS WITH THE FIRST OUTLET PORT AND WITH THE THIRD VALVE MEANS, MEANS CONNECTING THE SECOND VALVE MEANS WITH THE THIRD VALVE MEANS, MEANS CONNECTING THE THIRD VALVE MEANS WITH THE SECOND OUTLET PORT, SAID VALVE MEANS OPERABLY BY SAID CAM MEANS IN RESPONSE TO A FIRST INCREMENT OF DRILLING FOR INTERMITTENTLY SENDING A PNEUMATIC PULSE SUBSTANTIALLY SIMULTANEOUSLY TO THE FIRST OUTLET PORT AND THE THRID VALVE MEANS, SAID SECOND VALVE MEANS OP-