The drilling industry is ripe with innovators. Earlier this year, we got to talk with Russell C. “RC” Crawford, who fits that mold quite well. Crawford, a veteran driller, earned recognition in late 2018 from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Patents for Humanity program. The program “showcases the power of innovation to help the less fortunate around the globe,” according to a release from the patent office.
Crawford’s patent is for a new method of drilling reverse flow. He explains it himself here, but the drill he designed helps charity drillers install deeper wells, increasing the likelihood they’ll last longer without fouling, while keeping equipment portable and easy for two people to use.