Abstract: A thermal drilling device which operates in a rotary or circumferentially oscillatory motion and which is particularly adapted for drilling geological formations comprises a drill body which has an interior combustion chamber with a bottom having an outlet defining a discharge nozzle. Means are provided for adding fuel components into the combustion chamber and for igniting them to generate hot gaseous products of combustion which are discharged through a nozzle slot arranged at the bottom of the combustion chamber. The nozzle slot extends diametrically of the drilling area at the bottom and slot outline or a plurality of slots arranged symmetrically relative to the longitudinal axis of the drilling body.

Abstract: A flame jet tool for drilling a hole in the ground at great depths is disclosed. The tool comprises a flame jet lance having a drill bit and an associated fuel system. The lance is disposed in a guide sheath such that the lance may be raised and lowered therefrom. The tool may also include means for capturing debris. In operating the flame jet tool of the present invention, the guide sheath is lowered into a preexisting well hole a specific distance. The guide sheath is fixed to the sides of the hole and the flame jet lance is lowered from the guide sheath. At a predetermined point, the drill bit is ignited and caused to rotate thus increasing the depth of the hole. By the use of the flame jet tool of the present invention, holes of significant depth can be increased and materials of extraordinary hardness can be pierced.

Abstract: A thermal drilling device which operates in a rotary or circumferentially oscillatory motion and which is particularly adapted for drilling geological formations comprises a drill body which has an interior combustion chamber with a bottom having an outlet defining a discharge nozzle. Means are provided for adding fuel components into the combustion chamber and for igniting them to generate hot gaseous products of combustion which are discharged through a nozzle slot arranged at the bottom of the combustion chamber. The nozzle slot extends diametrically of the drilling area at the bottom and slot outline or a plurality of slots arranged symmetrically relative to the longitudinal axis of the drilling body. In one embodiment the nozzle slot has a radially extending portion with the circumferential width of the slot increasing in a radial outward direction.

Abstract: A burner in the form of a flame jet drill bit engine for liquid fuels is disclosed. The burner has particular utility in a flame jet drill and comprises an axially elongated body with a combustion chamber disposed therein. At least one flame jet nozzle is disposed through the body adjacent the bottom so as to communicate with the reaction chamber. At least one set of water or other liquid jet nozzles is also disposed on the bottom of the body which produce a pulsating water jet at extremely high velocities. The flame jet nozzle and the water jet nozzles are arranged and configured on the bottom of the body so as to be substantially parallel to the axis of the body. By the use of the combination of flame jets and water jets, a cutting means is produced which can cut through a wide range of amorphous and sedimentary rocks.

Abstract: A flame jet lance having a rotatable drill bit for forming cross holes in the ground is disclosed. The lance has various fuel and oxidizer tanks disposed therein and a fuel feed system coupled to the tanks for pumping the fuel to the rotatable drill bit. An extension member is also disposed in the lance with one end thereof coupled to the feed system and with the rotatable drill bit coupled at the other end thereof. The extension member is movable in the lance such that as the drill bit burns its way through the earth, the extension member moves the bit outward to a position lateral from the lance. In this manner, oil, gas, and the like may travel through the cross hole thus formed into the initial well hole.In operating the flame jet lance of the present invention, the lance is lowered into the preexisting well hole a specific distance. The flame jet drill bit is ignited and extremely hot flames are forced out through a nozzle contained in the drill bit.

Abstract: A drilling device is disclosed which comprises a tubular drilling lance adapted to being lowered to great depths in the earth's surface and being raised therefrom. Disposed within the drilling lance is an energy generating system which comprises a fluid vaporizing system and a turbine coupled to the vaporizing system by a closed fluid circuit. Coupled to the turbine and extending outwardly from the drilling lance is a drill bit. The drilling device is configured such that vaporized fluid activates the turbine, which in turn, makes the drill bit operable.