Abstract: Earth-boring tools may have a body, a cutting element attached to the body at a first location, and a formation-engaging structure attached to the body at a second location. The formation-engaging structure may be movable during a drilling operation between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the formation-engaging structure may be located rotationally behind the cutting element at a first radial distance from a longitudinal axis of the body at which the cutting element will at least initially shield the formation-engaging structure from engaging a formation. In the second position, the formation-engaging structure may be located at a different second radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the body at which the formation-engaging structure will engage a formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features.

Abstract: This application is directed to a probe used for measuring groundwater characteristics such as temperature and conductivity, and for collecting a groundwater sample. The probe also has a shielding device that allows the probe to be driven into a hard underwater surface without damaging the probe. A deployment rig for accurately placing the probe into the underwater surface is also disclosed. The application is further directed to a method for placing a probe and measuring groundwater characteristics. An external screen membrane used with the probe allows accurate groundwater characteristic measurement by filtering particulate matter. The probe and external screen membrane allow for in situ measurement and monitoring.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to couple a tubular member to a bottom hole assembly, dispose at least one adjustable stabilizing member on the tubular member, and control at least one of a radial extension of the adjustable stabilizing member and an axial position of the adjustable stabilizing member relative to the bottom hole assembly to adjust a borehole trajectory, wherein the adjustable stabilizing member is adjustable in both radial and axial directions. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in boring is described, the apparatus including a rotatable drive shaft (12), a cam member (20) and followers (16) for converting rotational motion into reciprocal motion, and a shroud (24) having a cutting edge (26) driven by the cam member and followers. The shroud may be selectively engageable with the cam member and followers, allowing the drive shaft to be removed through the shroud. A fluid circulation arrangement (31), (13) allows air to be injected into loose drilling substrate, so assisting removal of drill cuttings from the boring apparatus. Also described is a drill string incorporating a similar arrangement, allowing the drill string to be reciprocated within a bore. The drill string may further include casing sections, which may have intumescent coatings to allow the sections to be fixed in a wellbore.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a diamond drill feed cylinder which includes a linear position sensor coupled to the feed cylinder for generating a position signal, a positioning module for generating a feed control signal in dependence upon the position signal, a proportional flow control valve having two hydraulic ports for connecting to the feed cylinder and responsive to the feed control signal for controlling flow rate of the two hydraulic ports, a plurality of operation sensors coupled to the diamond drill for generating operation status signals, a plurality of input modules for receiving the operation status signals and converting them to digital operation status signals and a programmable logic controller connected to the plurality of input modules for modifying the feed control signal in dependence upon the digital operation status signals. The rate of penetration of the diamond drill is controlled by controlling the flow rate applied to the feed cylinder.

Abstract: An orientation device, particularly for drilling tools, of the kind comprising a first sleeve (1) and a concentrically surrounding second sleeve (2), where in an annulus between the sleeve (1) and the sleeve (2) is disposed an axially displaceable carrier, e.g., in the form of a wedge/key (5) or a rail (8, 9), adapted to slide in an inclined, preferably helical groove (3, 4) disposed in the sleeve (1) or in the sleeve (2), the groove's direction crossing the direction of the carrier's (5; 8, 9) rectilinear movement which, thus, is converted into a relative rotational movement between the sleeve (1) and the sleeve (2). The carrier (5; 8, 9) is adapted to slide in two inclined, preferably helical grooves (3, 4) disposed in the sleeve (1) and the sleeve (2), respectively, and crossing the direction of the carrier's (5; 8, 9) rectilinear movement from opposite side.

Abstract: A safety shutdown system for a rotary drill rig with a power supply, a support frame and a rotary drill spindle and drill tool connected to the support frame. The drill spindle and tool are driven by a drive train that is connected by a clutch with a declutch mechanism to an internal combustion engine and an engine solenoid with a shut-off switch. A brake with a brake solenoid is also provided on the drive train. An infrared beam transmitter is positioned adjacent to the drill tool and an infrared beam receiver is positioned adjacent to the drill tool and on the opposite side of the drill from the transmitter so that the receiver can receive infrared beams emitted from the transmitter. A controller is connected between the clutch solenoid and the engine solenoid. The controller is activated when the infrared beam between the transmitter and the receiver is interrupted. The controller activates at least one of the clutch engaging solenoid and the engine solenoid to stop the drill spindle and drill tool.

Abstract: A device for drilling deep holes in the ground has at least two axial drill bits and an equal number of plates each having three shafts axially interconnecting the plates. Two of the shafts are rigidly attached to both plates and the third shaft is pivotably attached to both plates. The two rigid shafts are separable from the upper plate by pulling a locking pin separating a telescopic head of each shaft from the plate. At the separation, the shafts are telescopically shortened by springs and the drilling liquid is automatically shut off to the worn-out drill bit and opened to the new drill bit. The remaining third shaft eccentrically interconnects the plates, whereby the lower worn-out drill bit, at rotation, wears a semicircular evacuation pocket in the wall of the hole. The third shaft is successively pivoted outwards until it forms an angle of e.g. 80.degree. with the axis of the hole. An axle pin having rectangular cross-section retains the upper end of the third shaft via a sleeve with a slit.

Abstract: In a borer head for drilling boreholes in rock structures and including a drive shaft connected to a drive of a drilling machine, a central shaft coupled to the drive shaft, and a tool holder with cutters driven by a planetary gearing connected to the central shaft, supporting elements, engageable with a cylindrical wall of the borehole being drilled, are provided. The supporting elements are operatively connected to the central shaft and also to the tool holder so that the tool holder is driven into a slow rotation about the central shaft.

Abstract: A mining apparatus which is adapted to be connected to a sectioned powered auger conveyor assembly and driven by the central shaft of the auger is constructed with its housing divided into a cutting section and an attachment section. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted to the cutting section and a transmission is mounted to the drive shaft, the transmission being adapted to receive an input shaft having one end coupled to the auger central shaft so that the auger shaft will turn the input shaft and drive the shaft through the transmission. A plurality of cutting arms are rotatably mounted on the drive shaft and are pivotally rotated around the drive shaft by a plurality of hydraulic cylinders to move the arms which carry an axle mounted therein on which cutting drums are mounted enabling the cutting drums to cut material from a seam of material.

Abstract: An arrangement for drilling deviated wellbores, such as in extended reach drilling, which is particularly designed to reduce the chance of pressure-differential sticking of the drill string by removing the drilling cuttings from the wellbore bottom by reverse circulation of the drilling fluid using a pump powered by the cones of the rotary bit. The drill string is turned by a rotary, and as the drill string turns, the cones turn as they are rolled on the bottom of the hole. A power drive is taken off the bit cones, and powers a pump which pumps mud from the annulus, around and through the bit, and up the drill pipe. In this way, troublesome cuttings are kept out of the annulus, and the cuttings are more effectively removed by pumping up and out the drill pipe.

Abstract: A rotary drive member such as a drill string, has a housing rotatably mounted at its lower end and an axial-throw cam is fixed at the lower end of the drive member in the housing. Chisel blades are axially slidable in the housing and are reciprocated by the cam in such manner that two dimetrically opposed blades are lifted and then forcibly driven downward while other chisel blades are left in contact with the well bottom to intermittently hold the housing against rotation. The chisel blades are sharpened in such a way that they tend to rotate the housing through a small angle at each downward impact.

Abstract: A coal-mining auger having (a) a hollow, tubular auger head with a spiral or helical coal conveyor mounted therein in concentric relation to the axis of rotation of said auger head, (b) a plurality of coal-cutting bits mounted on said auger head, said bits being orbitally movable with the auger head in circular paths concentric with said axis of rotation, said bits being also concurrently rotatable about their individual axes, and (c) coal-cutting bits which are radially adjustable relative to said axes of rotation. The individually rotatable bits are driven by planetary gear trains which are driven by the main auger shaft.

Abstract: A drill bit comprising a body suspended in a well bore by an electrical cable which transmits power to a motor secured to the body and eccentric cam member rotated by the drive shaft of the motor and engagable with a plurality of reciprocal drill pins whereby the pins are sequentially impinged against the sidewalls and bottom of the well bore for producing a drilling operation.

Abstract: A boring apparatus in which a plurality of drill bits are supported in a casing fixed to a boring pipe in such a manner that these bits are axially substantially parallel with the axis of the boring pipe and are freely rotatable around their own axis independently of the rotation of the boring pipe.