Abstract: A head assembly includes a body, a spearhead operatively associated with the body and configured to translate axially relative to the body, and at least one latch operatively associated with the spearhead and the body. The latch is configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the body in response to axial translation of the spearhead relative to the body. In an extended position, the latch covers more than 25% of the circumference of the body adjacent the latches.

Abstract: An isolation system includes at least one air bladder assembly including at least one air bladder. The isolation system can also include at least one coupling member coupling the air bladder assembly to a drill head. The air bladder is configured to compress and expand to counter oscillating forces generated by the drill head.

Abstract: A head assembly includes a body, a spearhead operatively associated with the body and configured to translate axially relative to the body, and at least one latch operatively associated with the spearhead and the body. The latch is configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the body in response to axial translation of the spearhead relative to the body. In an extended position, the latch covers more than 25% of the circumference of the body adjacent the latches.

Abstract: A drill bit for core sampling includes a body having a central axis and first end having a tapered outer surface and a radius transverse to the central axis, and an insert having a cutting surface on the first end oriented at an axial angle relative to the radius to move material displaced during drilling away from the first end.

Abstract: A head assembly includes a body, a spearhead operatively associated with the body and configured to translate axially relative to the body, and at least one latch operatively associated with the spearhead and the body. The latch is configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the body in response to axial translation of the spearhead relative to the body. In an extended position, the latch covers more than 25% of the circumference of the body adjacent the latches.

Abstract: A continuous mining method includes operating a vibratory milling machine having a milling head, a base, and a milling tool to oscillate the milling head in a substantially linear reciprocating fashion relative to the base to move the milling tool along a milling axis; and advancing the vibratory milling machine in a work piece in a cutting direction and wherein milling axis is oriented at an attack angle relative to the cutting direction, the attack angle being between about 0 and about 40 degrees.

Abstract: A drill bit for core sampling includes a body having a central axis and first end having a tapered outer surface and a radius transverse to the central axis, and an insert having a cutting surface on the first end oriented at an axial angle relative to the radius to move material displaced during drilling away from the first end.

Abstract: A drill bit for core sampling includes a body having a central axis and first end having a tapered outer surface and a radius transverse to the central axis, and an insert having a cutting surface on the first end oriented at an axial angle relative to the radius to move material displaced during drilling away from the first end.

Abstract: Slough removal assemblies and methods for removing slough from boreholes are described. A slough removal assembly containing a slough barrel is lowered into a borehole having excess slough, driven into the slough to cause the slough to enter the slough barrel, and the slough removal assembly is then removed along with the excess slough. The slough removal assembly may contain a shoe coupled to the slough barrel and configured to be driven into the slough, a retainer positioned between the shoe and the slough barrel to retain slough inside of the slough barrel, and a driving mechanism (such as a drop hammer) to drive the slough assembly into the slough. The slough removal assembly may be coupled either to a wireline system or to a drill string for insertion into and removal from the borehole.

Abstract: Drill rods and systems for use in drilling processes, as well as methods for making and using such drill rods and systems. A drill rod configured for sonic drilling operations can include a cylindrical body having an interior surface and an exterior surface. A first connector may be located on a first end of the cylindrical body and a second connector may be located on a second end of the cylindrical body. The first connector and the second connector can be complementary. The drill rod can include a helical feature and a corresponding helical channel on the exterior surface of the cylindrical body. The helical feature and corresponding helical channel can be configured for moving material displaced during a drilling operation in an axial direction away from one end of the drill rod to the other.

Abstract: Drill rods and systems for use in drilling processes, as well as methods for making and using such drill rods and systems. A drill rod configured for sonic drilling operations can include a cylindrical body having an interior surface and an exterior surface. A first connector may be located on a first end of the cylindrical body and a second connector may be located on a second end of the cylindrical body. The first connector and the second connector can be complementary. The drill rod can include a helical feature and a corresponding helical channel on the exterior surface of the cylindrical body. The helical feature and corresponding helical channel can be configured for moving material displaced during a drilling operation in an axial direction away from one end of the drill rod to the other.

Abstract: In at least one example, an isolation system includes at least one air bladder assembly including at least one air bladder and at least one coupling member coupling the air bladder to a drill head, wherein the air bladder is configured to compress and expand to counter oscillating forces generated by the drill head.

Abstract: A drill bit for core sampling includes a body having a central axis and first end having a tapered outer surface and a radius transverse to the central axis, and an insert having a cutting surface on the first end oriented at an axial angle relative to the radius to move material displaced during drilling away from the first end.

Abstract: A head assembly includes a body, a spearhead operatively associated with the body and configured to translate axially relative to the body, and at least one latch operatively associated with the spearhead and the body. The latch is configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the body in response to axial translation of the spearhead relative to the body. In an extended position, the latch covers more than 25% of the circumference of the body adjacent the latches.

Abstract: Slough removal assemblies and methods for removing slough from boreholes are described. A slough removal assembly containing a slough barrel is lowered into a borehole having excess slough, driven into the slough to cause the slough to enter the slough barrel, and the slough removal assembly is then removed along with the excess slough. The slough removal assembly may contain a shoe coupled to the slough barrel and configured to be driven into the slough, a retainer positioned between the shoe and the slough barrel to retain slough inside of the slough barrel, and a driving mechanism (such as a drop hammer) to drive the slough assembly into the slough. The slough removal assembly may be coupled either to a wireline system or to a drill string for insertion into and removal from the borehole.

Abstract: A continuous mining method includes operating a vibratory milling machine having a milling head, a base, and a milling tool to oscillate the milling head in a substantially linear reciprocating fashion relative to the base to move the milling tool along a milling axis; and advancing the vibratory milling machine in a work piece in a cutting direction and wherein milling axis is oriented at an attack angle relative to the cutting direction, the attack angle being between about 0 and about 40 degrees.