Abstract: An apparatus and method for directional drilling utilizing a fluid hammer. The fluid hammer is coupled to a bent steering member which, in turn, is coupled to a drill string. The bent steering member includes means for rotating the fluid hammer independently of the bent steering member. The means for rotating may be a mud motor or a dual drive, pipe-in-pipe mechanism. The fluid hammer may be directed by rotating the drill string and bent steering member to point the fluid hammer in a desired direction. The bent steering member may include a sonde for monitoring its orientation. Fluid pressure capable of activating the fluid hammer is conveyed to the fluid hammer by means of the drill string.

Abstract: A drill head for an apparatus for horizontal directional drilling. The drill head includes a device for detecting angular orientation, a holder for the device for detecting angular orientation, the device for detecting angular orientation being disposed therein, a hammer driven by a liquid and a drill bit. The holder, the hammer and the drill bit are connected head to tail along a longitudinal axis of a drill string with the holder at a proximate end of the drill head and the drill bit at a distal end of the drill head.

Abstract: A drill head for an apparatus for horizontal directional drilling. The drill head includes a device for detecting angular orientation, a holder for the device for detecting angular orientation, the device for detecting angular orientation being disposed therein, a hammer driven by a liquid and a drill bit. The holder, the hammer and the drill bit are connected head to tail along a longitudinal axis of a drill string with the holder at a proximate end of the drill head and the drill bit at a distal end of the drill head.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for automatically limiting the thrust force applied to a drill string during an underground boring process, in order to prevent the deformation or collapse to the drill rods due to reaching the yield point of the rods. One or more drill string characteristics that have an impact on the yield point of the drill string, or portions of the drill string, are determined. The yield point of the drill string or portion is computed, where the yield point is computed as a function of the drill string characteristics. The thrust force imparted to the drill string is adjusted in response to the computed yield point.

Abstract: A drill head for an apparatus for horizontal directional drilling. The drill head includes a device for detecting angular orientation, a holder for the device for detecting angular orientation, the device for detecting angular orientation being disposed therein, a hammer driven by a liquid and a drill bit. The holder, the hammer and the drill bit are connected head to tail along a longitudinal axis of a drill string with the holder at a proximate end of the drill head and the drill bit at a distal end of the drill head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for directional drilling utilizing a fluid hammer. The fluid hammer is coupled to a bent steering member which, in turn, is coupled to a drill string. The bent steering member includes means for rotating the fluid hammer independently of the bent steering member. The means for rotating may be a mud motor or a dual drive, pipe-in-pipe mechanism. The fluid hammer may be directed by rotating the drill string and bent steering member to point the fluid hammer in a desired direction. The bent steering member may include a sonde for monitoring its orientation. Fluid pressure capable of activating the fluid hammer is conveyed to the fluid hammer by means of the drill string.

Abstract: A horizontal drilling machine for directionally drilling a drill string into the ground. The drill string includes a plurality of elongated members threaded together in an end-to-end relationship. The drilling machine includes a track, a rotational driver mounted on the track, and a thrust mechanism for propelling the rotational driver along the track. The rotational driver is used to rotate the drill string in forward and reverse directions about a longitudinal axis of the drill string. The drill string is rotated in the forward direction to thread the elongated members together, and rotated in the reverse direction to unthread the elongated members from one another. The drilling machine also includes a reverse torque limiter that prevents the rotational driver from applying a reverse torque to the drill string that exceeds a reverse torque limit. The reverse torque limit is less than a maximum reverse torque that can be generated by the rotational driver when the reverse torque limiter is deactivated.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for automatically limiting the thrust force applied to a drill string during an underground boring process, in order to prevent the deformation or collapse to the drill rods due to reaching the yield point of the rods. One or more drill string characteristics that have an impact on the yield point of the drill string, or portions of the drill string, are determined. The yield point of the drill string or portion is computed, where the yield point is computed as a function of the drill string characteristics. The thrust force imparted to the drill string is adjusted in response to the computed yield point.

Abstract: A drill head for an apparatus for horizontal directional drilling. The drill head includes a device for detecting angular orientation, a holder for the device for detecting angular orientation, the device for detecting angular orientation being disposed therein, a hammer driven by a liquid and a drill bit. The holder, the hammer and the drill bit are connected head to tail along a longitudinal axis of a drill string with the holder at a proximate end of the drill head and the drill bit at a distal end of the drill head.