Abstract: A downhole tool to separate liquid from a drilling fluid includes a multi-vein cyclonic separator disposed within a housing, the cyclonic separator including at least two veins extending in a spiral along the length of the cyclonic separator, holes in the housing positioned adjacent to edges of veins of the cyclonic separator to allow liquid accelerated from the drilling fluid to exit the housing, and wherein the cyclonic separator is configured to provide high centrifugal forces to the drilling fluid downhole.

Abstract: A multi-tasking downhole rod guide for centralizing a downhole pump rod production tubing within production tubing, while simultaneously reducing abrasion and deterioration of the production tubing and engendering auxiliary pump-boosting functions. The rod guide is configured with an elongate helix having a continuous trough-like channel through which hydrocarbons flow upwardly under high pressure. As the pressurized hydrocarbons flow through a succession of plates at each equidistant helical level, the elongate helix rotates synchronously with the upwardly flowing hydrocarbons within the production tubing string.

Abstract: An earth boring device for forming horizontally extending bore holes beneath the surface of the earth and installing a conduit therein without substantially disturbing the surface of the earth is disclosed. The earth boring device is a generally elongate member having a cutting tool disposed at a leading end, and means to attach a conduit to be disposed in the bore hole at a trailing end. A pair of spaced apart drive augers is disposed between the leading end and the trailing end to propel the earth boring device through the earth. The earth boring device can include at least one flexible section to enable a bending of the earth boring device for boring a curved bore hole.

Abstract: An auger generally comprising a shaft having flighting which is helically wound around the shaft to convey spoil to the surface of the area being excavated. The shaft has a first end and a second end. The shaft first end is adapted to be combined with and rotated by a drilling machine. The shaft second end is adapted to be removably combined with a boring head and one or more drilling elements to bore through the ground. The invention comprises two interchangeable boring heads. A first boring head is adapted to drill through soft ground conditions such as dirt or clay and a second boring head adapted to drill through hard ground conditions such as rock.

Abstract: A removable plug and collar for a hollow stem screened auger and a method of collecting water samples using the plug and collar. The plug has an outer threaded surface that is threaded in a first direction. The top of the plug has an internal threaded cavity that is threaded in a second direction opposite that of the first direction. The collar is pressure fit within the top of the screened auger, held in place with an auger bolt, and has an internal threaded surface to receive the plug. The plug has multiple ports to receive air and sample tubes, enabling samples to be collected without removing the plug from the screened auger. To set a well after sampling, the plug is removed from the collar down hole as a drill rod is threaded into the plug's internal threaded cavity in a direction the same as the second direction.

Abstract: A downhole tool to separate liquid from a drilling fluid includes a multi-vein cyclonic separator disposed within a housing, the cyclonic separator including at least two veins extending in a spiral along the length of the cyclonic separator, holes in the housing positioned adjacent to edges of veins of the cyclonic separator to allow liquid accelerated from the drilling fluid to exit the housing, and wherein the cyclonic separator is configured to provide high centrifugal forces to the drilling fluid downhole.

Abstract: A machine, such as a scraper machine, includes a bowl, a cutter and a loading apparatus coupled with the cutter and including a chute having a first end disposed outside the bowl, and an auger positioned at least partially within the chute. The auger includes at least one auger, and is configured to move work material between the first and second ends of the chute. A method of operating the scraper machine includes capturing work material at least in part by moving the cutting edge of the scraper machine through the work material, and conveying work material from the chute into the bowl at least-in part by rotating the auger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for under balanced drilling comprising a production casing extending vertically from the ground to the area where the drilling is taking place, a concentric casing mounted within the production casing and forming therewith an outer annulus, a concentric casing connecting at its lower end with an upper end of an injection tool, the injection tool having a lower end connecting with a packer assembly which includes a packer and slips, and a drill string having a drill bit at the lower end thereof extending downwardly through the concentric casing, the injection tool, and packer assembly to the area where the drilling is taking place, the injection tool having a generally cylindrical body and a plurality of spaced spiral flutes extending outwardly from the cylindrical body to the inner wall of the production casing and forming therebetween spiral openings through which fluid may be forced downwardly through the outer annulus and against the packer, each flute having an upwardly directed spi

Abstract: An in situ reactor for use in a geological strata, is described and which includes a liner defining a centrally disposed passageway and which is placed in a borehole formed in the geological strata; and a sampling conduit is received within the passageway defined by the liner and which receives a geological specimen which is derived from the geological strata, and wherein the sampling conduit is in fluid communication with the passageway defined by the liner.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cleaning dirt and debris from the stem and flighting of an earth boring auger. The auger cleaner apparatus has an opposed pair of blade assemblies which are brought into mechanical engagement with the stem and flighting of the auger. Once the auger cleaner is engaged about the auger, the user of the apparatus then need only rotate the auger cleaner about the auger to strip off dirt and debris. The auger cleaner has handles which provide mechanical advantage to the user for causing the device to rotate about the auger. The device may be provided with selectively exchangeable blade assemblies for adapting the auger cleaner for use on augers of different sizes and of different manufacturers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for clearing debris and for retrieving lost materials from slanted boreholes. The apparatus has a central shank which is attachable to drill pipe and an auger-like helical plate wound around the shank. A cylinder with a back plate and partial front plate encloses the helical plate. In practicing the method, debris is cleared and lost materials are retrieved from a slanted borehole by rotation of an auger-like apparatus, preferably the apparatus of the invention, along the path of the borehole.

Abstract: An auger assembly for drilling holes in the ground includes an auger blade mounted for vertical movement and a dirt retaining shell that surrounds the auger blade also mounted for vertical movement in relation to the auger blade. When the hole has been drilled to the length of the auger blade, the retaining shell is lowered down into the hole to surround the auger blade and the auger blade and the retaining shell are removed from the hole simultaneously. The retaining shell retains the dirt on the auger blade to prevent the dirt from falling back into the hole. The drilling and removal of dirt is repeated until the hole reaches the appropriate depth. A pair of lateral extensions provide a cutting edge on the perimeter of the auger blade in order to provide a hole which is slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of the auger blade to permit the retaining shell to be lowered around the auger blade.

Abstract: Pipe-driving apparatus used to create a pipe line of small diameter uses a pressing station in an access trench to drive in pipe sections one by one. A boring head and conveyor worm operates at the front of the pipe line in a working pipe section on which a cutting shoe is swivably mounted. The worm is a spiral flight on a drive shaft which runs within an open fronted container on which a drive unit for the boring head and the worm is mounted. Hydraulic bracing units mounted to the container can be swung out and engaged with stops in the working pipe section to brace the container during the filling operation. Projections on the container engage with the shoe and the bracing units can be used to steer the shoe. When the container is filled the bracing units re stowed and the container is withdrawn back down the pipe line to the access trench for discharging the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for drilling holes in the ground. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical drilling tool having one end coupled to a motor assembly for rotating the tool by way of an elongate rotatable sleeve. A hydraulic jack is disposed in the sleeve for rotation therewith. The piston rod of the jack extends longitudinally of the drilling tool and carries a valve-action member arranged to allow drilled material to enter the drilling tool and to retain the material therein. The piston rod is movable longitudinally relative to said tool for the discharge of said material.The apparatus of the invention is able to drill holes rapidly in a large variety of soils.

Abstract: A rock drill, especially for rotary blow machines and drifters or stoppers with drilling cutting edges and at least one drilling dust conveying groove which in axial direction is confined by a web which extends around the drill axis and one lateral surface of which forms a drilling dust supporting surface which merges with the bottom of the drilling dust conveying groove. The bottom of the drilling dust conveying groove extends from the drilling dust supporting surface at an acute angle with regard to the drill axis rectilinearly up to the back surface of the web. The ratio of the width of the drilling dust conveying groove, measured in axial direction of said drill, to the width of the back of the web is greater than 5:1.

Abstract: A rubble and core removal apparatus including a casing, open at one end, with spirally extending flighting disposed therein, the flighting being secured to the inner wall of the casing and extending radially inwardly thereof in changing dimension, the casing having a connection to permit rotation and lifting of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to belling apparatus for forming a bell shaped recess at the lower end of a pier bore and is concerned primarily with such apparatus in which spoil generated by cutting the recess is continuously removed by an auger.