ROTATING DRILLING HEAD DRIVE

摘要

Methods and apparatus for rotating a stripper assembly in use with a rotatin g drilling head. A drive system is disposed external to the rotating drilling head and generates rotational motion to match the rotation of a drillstring running through the rotating drilling head. A connection transfers rotational motion from the drive system to the stripper assembly. In one embodiment, the drive system comprises a housing disposed about the drillstring and a on e or more contact members connected to said housing and operable to contact the drillstring. O ne or more biasing members urge the contact members into contact with the drillstring so as to transfer rotational motion from the drillstring to the housing.