Abstract: A drilling machine (10) for making an excavation in ground (S) in a vertical drilling direction (F). The drilling machine (10) includes: a support (12) having a longitudinal direction (L); a drilling module (14) provided with cutter members (16), the drilling module being movable in translation relative to the support; and a movement device arranged between the support and the drilling module in order to move the drilling module (14) relative to the support along the longitudinal direction of the support. The machine is characterized by the fact that the movement device includes a damper (70) for damping the vibration generated by the drilling module while drilling.

Abstract: A drilling machine for drilling ground in a vertical direction, the machine including: an anchor module having front and rear faces, the anchor module including an anchor device having front and rear anchor pads that are deployable in a deployment direction, to bear against walls of the excavation to hold the anchor module stationary in the ground. The anchor module further includes: a frame carrying the front and rear anchor pads, the frame supporting the drilling module; and an actuator device to which the front and rear anchor pads are fastened, the actuator device being movable relative to the frame in a movement direction that extends transversely to the longitudinal direction; whereby the assembly constituted by the front anchor pad, the rear anchor pad, and the actuator device is movable in the movement direction relative to the frame and the drilling module.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to material-removal systems and cutting tools that may be used in the material-removal systems. More specifically, for example, the material-removal systems, and particularly the cutting tools thereof, may engage and fail target material. In some instances, the material-removal systems may be used in mining operations.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for providing access to surfaces within a formation is provided, the method including: providing a wellbore from a first surface location to a second surface location; inserting into the wellbore a cylindrical cutting assembly connected to at least two wellbore tubulars, one of the wellbore tubular extending to each of the first surface location and the second surface location; and rotating the radial cylindrical cutting element.

Abstract: A drill bit for use in horizontal directional drilling. In a preferred embodiment the drill bit has a connector section having a first axis of rotation. The connector section is used to connect the drill bit to a beacon housing for thrust and rotation therewith. A bit body is disposed next to the connector section and slopes from the connector section to a front nose section. The front nose section has a frontwardly facing surface that supports a plurality of cutting teeth. The front nose section and the bit body comprise a second axis of rotation about which the front nose section and the bit body are rotated. The first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are angularly offset at an offset angle of between four degrees and ten degrees.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods of supplying a corrosion inhibitor including placing a corrosion inhibitor attached to a nanostructure carrier, placing the nanostructure carrier containing the corrosion inhibitor at a location and the nanostructure carrier is capable of releasing the corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods of supplying a corrosion inhibitor including placing a corrosion inhibitor attached to a nanostructure carrier, placing the nanostructure carrier containing the corrosion inhibitor at a location and the nanostructure carrier is capable of releasing the corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for drilling shafts (2) in ground layers (3). The method comprises of arranging a borehole casing (4) in the ground (3), lowering into the borehole casing (4) a hollow drill string (5) provided with a drill head (7) with cutting tools (8), arranging a water column (10) in the borehole casing (4), and then setting the drill string (5) into rotation (20) in the borehole casing (4) so that ground material (31) is dislodged by the cutting action of the cutting tools (8). At the position of the drill head (7) a first fluid (26) is injected under a first pressure into the ground layers (3) by means of one or more nozzles (25). The method has a higher drilling efficiency than the known method. The invention also relates to a device for performing the method, and a jack-up pontoon provided with the device.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus (1) for modifying sidewalls of a borehole. The apparatus includes a longitudinal housing (2) adapted to fit inside the borehole. The housing includes a first end portion (11), a second end portion (12), and a side portion (13) between said end portions (11, 12), adapted to face the sidewalls of the borehole. Means (5) are provides on the side of the housing (2) for removing material from said borehole sidewall. The housing (2) is adapted to be rotated with a controlled rotational speed in relation to said borehole sidewalls and to be fed in a controlled rate of longitudinal motion in relation to said borehole. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for making a borehole with internal, helical grooves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting device for producing vertically running trenches in the ground, comprising a trench wall cutter which has a cutting frame, a first cutting wheel arrangement and a second cutting wheel arrangement, whereby the cutting wheel arrangements are arranged adjacent to each other on the underside of the cutting frame in order to remove ground material underneath the cutting frame. The invention is characterized in that the trench wall cutter has an adjusting means, with which the first cutting wheel arrangement is adjustable in a direction lying obliquely underneath the second cutting wheel arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for introducing a vertical shaft underground and to a shaft driving machine set up particularly for performing the method, wherein a cutting wheel is rotated solely about a horizontal axis until a penetration trough having a predetermined penetration depth is formed, and the cutting wheel is then also rotated about a central vertical axis until a shaft foot is dug out to the penetration depth. A relatively high sinking rate is thereby achieved for the shaft.

Abstract: An assembly may be disposed within a drill string. The assembly may be moved within and along the drill string using hydraulic pressure. A core sample may be collected within the assembly, and the assembly may be retrieved to obtain the core sample. The assembly may include a seal that may be configured to form a seal with different inner diameters of a variable-diameter drill rod of the drill string.

Abstract: Described herein are roller cone drill bits and modified roller cones for use in drilling subterranean earth formations, and more specifically roller cone drill bits and roller cones having optimized spear point designs and blade orientations on at least one of the roller cones for reduced tracking and/or increased drilling performance during bit use. The roller cone drill bits include a bit body with a longitudinal axis, one or more bit legs depending from the body, and at least one roller cone attached to each of the bit legs and able to rotate with respect to the bit body, wherein at least one of the roller cones includes a spear point at the cone apex having two or more cutting blades, the cutting blades being oriented at a variety of non-equal, asymmetric angles about a central cone axis with respect to each other, such that tracking during drilling using the drill bit is minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: An apparatus for exploiting the thermal energy at the bottom of the ocean. The apparatus comprises a thermal energy harnessing assembly and a drilling assembly mounted thereto. The thermal energy harnessing assembly includes in-feed tube and out-feed tubes. The drilling assembly has openings in fluid communication with the in-feed tube and a thermal energy capturing conduit in fluid communication with the out-feed tube. When the drilling assembly engages a bottom surface of the ocean and fluid is introduced into the in-feed tube, fluid flows towards the drilling assembly and out of the openings at such a pressure as to drill into the bottom surface of the ocean allowing thermal energy to escape therefrom and to flow into the out-feed tube via the thermal energy capturing conduit.

Abstract: A soil working method, in which a soil working device suspended on at least one supporting cable is lowered by a supporting device and introduced into the ground. Subsequently, the soil working device is raised from the ground using the supporting cable and in addition to the supporting device a holding frame is provided and the supporting cable is connected to said holding frame. A soil working apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is related to a hole boring tool having a cylindrical sleeve, a piston assembly and the seal located on the piston assembly. The piston assembly is formed of a piston, a neck extending backward from the piston, and a handle extending backward from the neck. The seal is located on an outer surface of the piston and is in contact with an inner surface of the cylindrical sleeve.

Abstract: A cutter for working the soil includes a cutting frame, at least two cutting wheels that are supported on the cutting frame in a rotatably drivable manner about parallel axes of rotation, and an adjusting device, The adjusting device functions to adjust the center distance between the parallel axes of rotation of the cutting wheels, and includes a knee-lever mechanism. A method for working the soil is also disclosed.

Abstract: An auger support assembly for use with an augering system for mining which bores a pair of side-by-side holes through a coal seam using dual side-by-side augers. Each auger includes a drilling section which is followed by a series of auger flights for conveying the bored coal back out of the respective hole. The augers are connected together in axially aligned pairs and are supported by the auger support assembly. The auger support assembly includes a pair of bearing housings that are disposed on drive shafts which extend outwardly from the first ends of a first pair of parallel augers and are received within the second ends of a second pair of parallel augers. The bearing housings are connected to each other by a tie bar. A single support leg extends downwardly from approximately the mid-section of the tie bar to engage the ground ledge that is formed between the counter rotating augers.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide apparatus and method for determining non-circular figure to drill boring holes having a regular N-polygonal cross sections while retaining the advantage of the turning operation. For boring a boring hole (H) with a cross-sectional shape of a regular N-polygon having vertexes of N in number, a boring tool (T) having a cross-sectional shape of a regular (N?1)-polygon which is inscribed on the regular N-polygon of the boring hole is driven to rotate at a certain rotational speed around its center (G) and revolve at a certain revolving speed along a circle (R) which is concentric to the boring hole center (0) and has a certain radius. The boring tool (T) may be replaced with a jet of fluid. A boring tool (T) with a regular (N+1)-polygonal contour may be used instead.

Abstract: An auger flight support for use with an augering systems for mining which bores a pair of side-by-side holes through the coal seam using respective augers. Each auger includes a drilling section which is followed by a series of auger flights for conveying the bored coal back out of the respective hole. The auger flight support includes a pair of thrust bearing and housing assemblies which are tied together and each supported by a respective leg which lowers the friction between the auger flight and the bottom of the bore. This significantly reduces the power required to rotate the augers.

Abstract: The invention provides a rock drilling bit with a plurality of cutting teeth raked into the cut of the drilling bit. Such teeth are oriented at an angle of at least about 30 degrees relative to an imaginary line normal to a front surface of the cutting head from which the cutting teeth project. Such an arrangement provides the desired shear cutting force against the rock face while simultaneously reducing the shock and vibration applied to sonde housing and the drill string. The bit according to the invention may further incorporate a rear, frustoconical crushing surface that defines a space or zone crescent-shaped in cross-section that narrows from front to rear, and an improved replacable tooth for use on a rock drilling bit.

Abstract: A trench wall cutter with a drive mechanism which is attached to the cutting frame in a position which is spaced away from the bearing shield with a gear for driving at least one cutting wheel is provided. Between the drive mechanism and the drive pinion of the gear in the bearing shield there is a drive shaft. To reduce wear on the drive shaft bearing and gear wheel in the gear an external spiral tooth system is formed on one end of the drive shaft which fits into a connecting sleeve with an internal tooth system. In the internal tooth system the drive shaft with its external spiral tooth system is held rotationally fixed with the capacity to be deflected around the axis of the drive shaft. The connecting sleeve is also joined to the drive mechanism or drive pinion of the gear.

Abstract: In a method for directional drilling with the aid of a drilling device having a drill pipe and a mining tool which moves on an orbit, the tool moves at an essentially constant angular velocity during straight drilling and the angular velocity is periodically changed during curved drilling, in order to thus create a smooth transition from straight drilling to curved drilling and to achieve more precise curve control.

Abstract: A rectangular shield excavating machine comprises a quadrangularly tubular shield body having a space for receiving an excavated matter at the front end, a rotor disposed in the space so as to be capable of being rotated onward and backward angularly around an axis extending in the direction orthogonal to a pair of facing exterior portions of the body, and excavating means disposed in the body, drive means for rotating onward and backward the rotor angularly around the axis, and for driving the excavating means. Large gravels contained in the excavated matter are crushed by being put between the rotor and a member defining the space with the rotationally reciprocating motion of the rotor.

Abstract: A milling machine for digging trenches in the earth, of the type comprising at least one substantially vertical support plate on both sides of which two milling drums are mounted for rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plate, each of the drums carrying, on the one of its edges which is adjacent to the support plate, at least one tool which projects laterally with respect to this edge, and the support plate including opposite the trajectory of said tools, circular channels coaxial with the drums, through which the ends of these tools pass when the drums turn. The projecting tools of one of the drums redisposed at a distance from the axis which is different from the distance to the axis from the projecting tools of the other drum, the channels having, correspondingly, different radii.

Abstract: A trench cutter has cutting wheels with radially projecting cutting teeth and is arranged on a bearing bracket. Along the bearing bracket, hinged teeth are arranged on one edge of the cutting wheel hub. The hinged teeth have two arms, one arm serving as a control arm, which engages with a control ledge arranged on the bearing bracket, and the other arm serving as cutting tooth. The control ledge and the control arm form a wedge gear which forces the hinged teeth into a swing-out position in front of the free end of the bearing bracket.

Abstract: A milling engine for cutting trenches in ground or soil provided with at least one vertical support plate on both sides of which milling drums are supported for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said plate. One or more movable fingers are mounted on the lower edge of the plate for oscillating movement aobut the central axis of the plate during the rotation of the drums to remove a web of soil beneath the plate. Oscillation of the fingers is effected through camming surfaces formed on opposing inner ends of the drums which camming surfaces cooperate with a cam disposed at the inner ends of said movable fingers.

Abstract: A slotted wall milling cutter for producing a slotted wall in the ground has a drive motor fixed to the cutter frame and a gear means positioned between the drive motor and two cutting wheel gears and which is partly arranged in recesses of a bearing bracket. The cutting wheel gear is constructed as a multistage planetary gear. A particularly high torque is made available on the cutting wheels with this arrangement. In addition, the cutting wheels can be constructed with a very high effective cutting width compared with the total slot width.

Abstract: A device and process for sinking vertical wells. A pair of rotary digging heads have horizontal axes mounted on supports for movement of such axes towards and away from each other between a central position close to the axis of a well and a peripheral position adjoining the wall of the well being formed. The different heads are spaced apart so that the horizontal components of the reactions resulting from them cancel each other out. A process for using the device to form a well wherein the heads are initially close together and progressively move apart as the well is formed.

Abstract: A machine for boring a tunnel having an end face wall, a roof wall, a bottom wall, and opposite side walls. The machine comprises a rotatable cutting wheel means having an annular peripheral wall supporting a plurality of cutting devices and a generally convex-shaped upper wall supporting a plurality of cutting devices. The cutting wheel means is rotatable about an axis of rotation which is inclined in a forward direction relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for simultaneously cutting the tunnel face along two intersecting surfaces defined by the cutting devices on the annular peripheral wall and the cutting devices on the convex-shape upper wall. Support shoe means are mounted beneath the cutting wheel means for movably supporting the cutting wheel means on the tunnel floor.

Abstract: A mining assembly includes a primary rotary cutter mounted on one end of a support shaft and four secondary rotary cutters carried on the same support shaft and positioned behind the primary cutters for cutting corners in the hole cut by the latter.

Abstract: A core eliminator for mining, road working or earth moving machinery in which a bit carrying mounting means is movably secured to a driven element. Means are associated with the driven element and the movable mounting means so as to guide said mounting means at one time into the path of what would otherwise be a core formation, and to guide such mounting means at another time to an out of the way position so that the mounting means may clear the machinery involved. Such means may include resilient, cam, pneumatic, hydraulic, electronic or electric arrangements.In one form of the invention the mounting means is slidably mounted in ways provided in the driven element and urged by resilient means into contact with a cam which extends across a machine member located at one side of the driven element and to which the driven element is secured. In a modification of the invention the slidable mounting means rides on the cam instead of against it.

Abstract: A machine for mining hard material in-situ between adjacent auger holes is disclosed which is suitable for being drivingly connected to a conventional mining apparatus, particularly an auger mining apparatus. The mining machine includes cutting apparatus for mechanically contacting and dislocating hard material in-situ between adjacent auger holes. A power operated system is drivingly connected to the cutting apparatus for generating a cutting motion during the in-cutting operation. A guiding system is provided for maintaining the cutting apparatus in mechanical contact with hard material in-situ between the adjacent auger holes. In one embodiment of the invention a collection bin collects the dislocated material which is transported from the position at which the material is mined to a remote location for deposit.

Abstract: A mining machine comprises two cutting units each including a rotatable cutting head having cutting faces directed forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the direction of movement of the machine, and an elongated housing incorporating a drive mechanism for the cutting head extending along the axis of rotation of the cutting head, the cutting units being mounted side-by-side with the cutting heads adjacent each other, each housing being movable about a vertical axis towards the end of the housing remote from the cutting head and about a transverse horizontal axis between the vertical axis and the cutting head, means for moving the cutting units about the said axes, the housings of the two cutting units being mounted on a common horizontal slideway, and the slideway defining the transfer horizontal axis about which the cutting units may be pivoted.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming bores and coal seams and the like and enlarging preexisting bores. A mining machine includes a nonrotatable body member, a conveyor in line with the body member, a pilot head, and a pair of wing cutters mounted to the body member for pivotal movement with respect to the body member. Structure is provided for moving coal or the like cut by the wing cutters during out-cutting toward the sides of the bore, the structure including a pair of shields, one associated with each wing cutter and disposed between the wing cutter and the body member and pilot head, and a generally conical member coaxial with the shaft for rotation of the pilot head. Stabilization of the body member, etc., within the bore is provided by a pair of wheel sets spaced along the length of the conveyor, and a pair of right angle guide members vertically displaced from the wheel structure of one the wheel sets.

Abstract: A square hole drill having a cutterhead configuration whose outline is in the form of a Reuleaux triangle and which also has a planetary gear drive. Two counter revolving motions are present in the drill at the same time. One is the pure rotary motion of the drill's cutterhead about its own shaft. The other is the circular motion of the cutterhead as a unit about a center line due to its eccentric mounting and drive. To achieve the opposite rotation of the unit as a whole compared to the rotation of the cutterhead about its own axis, a combined meshing planet gear and ring gear are used. The planet gear is directly connected to the cutterhead by a shaft rigidly attached to the gear's front side. At the rear side of the planet gear is the eccentrically mounted drive shaft. Surrounding the external teeth of the planet gear is a larger stationary ring gear with internal teeth to continuously engage the planet gear's teeth.

Abstract: In a method of making holes of selective external configuration in a rock or earth formation, two or more rotatable drills provided with drill crowns are driven into the ground. The drill crowns are so arranged that they will touch each other or are radially spaced a small distance from each other and are substantially on the same level. The drill crowns are simultaneously axially displaced while they are rotated each about its own axis only. The drill crowns sit on drill rods provided with guide means such as tubes which are driven into the ground substantially simultaneously as the drill crowns. The guide means may be connected together to form a single common guide structure. When drilling two or more holes situated adjacent one or more previously drilled holes, a guide means having spacer means is inserted into a previously drilled hole, said spacer means guiding the drill for the further holes relative to the previously drilled hole by engagement with the residual walls of the drilled hole.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus comprises a support structure adapted to be moved on rails to position a drilling assembly mounted thereon adjacent to a selected drilling site. The drilling assembly includes a carriage movably mounted on the support structure for longitudinal movements thereon and a shroud secured on the carriage and having an auger rotatably mounted therein. A cutting edge, having a square configuration, is disposed adjacent to a forward end of the auger and at least one double-acting hydraulic cylinder is interconnected between the support structure and the carriage to aid in pushing the auger and cutting edge through material to form an opening having a square cross section. Upon full extension of the auger and cutting edge, a second drilling assembly may be attached rearwardly on the first-mentioned drilling assembly to increase the overall penetration capabilities of the drilling apparatus.

Abstract: In an auger mining system which forms an opening in the earth comprising a pair of axially aligned cylindrical holes and wherein the opening has a bottom, the system has a pair of side-by-side conveyors. Each auger conveyor has a shaft and a flight around the shaft which shafts are journaled through bearings at each end to a spacing member and where the spacing members are rigidly tied to each other by a longitudinal member having an underside. A supporting apparatus including a skid is attached to the auger pair and extending to the bottom of the opening. The skid may be attached either to the underside of the longitudinal member or to each of the bearings. If the skids are attached to the bearings, then skids which are on adjacent bearings of mating auger pairs are arcuately staggered to permit side-by-side positioning of the skids.

Abstract: A hard rock trench cutting machine includes a main body assembly, a cutter wheel assembly, and a longitudinal thrust assembly. The main body assembly includes two longitudinally extending cantilever support booms each having a forward portion and a rearward portion. The rearward portions of the support booms are connected to four side wall support feet which move laterally relative to the support booms between a retracted position and an extended position. The cutter wheel assembly includes a cutter wheel frame slidably disposed on the forward portion of the support booms. A cutter wheel drum carrying a plurality of roller cutters is rotatably carried by the cutter wheel frame for rotation about an axis. The longitudinal thrust assembly extends between the main body assembly and the cutter wheel assembly for pushing the roller cutters against the trench end face.

Abstract: A method of strip mining in which a plurality of vertical shafts of square cross section are formed closely adjacent to one another with each shaft extending through overburden and a layer of valuable material such as coal. As spoil is removed in forming one shaft it is conveyed to a previously formed shaft and deposited therein. The apparatus includes a casing of square cross section, a cylindrical auger casing within the square casing, an auger rotatable in the auger casing and a square cutter at the lower end of the square casing. The latter is slidably mounted on a vertical track and is power driven vertically to force the cutter into the earth formation being worked. The auger is rotated under power to cut into the earth formation and remove spoil and coal therefrom. The upper end portions of both casings are formed with two sets of aligned discharge ports. A movable closure is provided for each set and a rake for each set.

Abstract: Apparatus for unitizing a pair of side-by-side augers when each auger includes a shaft, a mateable rotational coupling on each end of the shaft, and flightings along the shaft, the unitizing apparatus includes bearings which are journaled on each end of the shaft and spacers pivotally attached between each of the bearings on the same end of the shaft in order to align the axis of the shafts substantially parallel with each other. A longitudinal support member is rigidly secured beween the spacers and between each of the flightings. A joining clevis is attached to the spacers so that they face in a manner to mate for interconnection with subsequent or preceding unitized assemblies.

Abstract: Auger apparatus, such as a coal mining machine, adapted to utilize one or more augers each formed of a string of auger sections, and comprising means for transferring auger sections into the string in the proper axial, transverse and rotational position for coupling into the string. The disclosed machine comprises hoist apparatus for hoisting one or more auger sections to lift them from a storage rack at a side of the machine and place each in an auger string in the machine or to remove each from the auger string and place it in the storage rack. The hoist apparatus comprises rails extending transversely of and above the augers in the machine, a bridge that travels on the rails, a trolley that travels transversely of and on the bridge, and a lift member on the trolley movable in an upright path fixed relative to the trolley.

Abstract: A cutter wheel is mounted at the lower end of the machine for rotation about a horizontal tubular support. Cuttings are picked up by buckets on the cutter wheel and are directed into the tubular support to be received by an endless bucket conveyor which carries them upwardly to a discharge station. As the machine is advanced the cutter wheel is rotated to make a first cut in the shape of the leading portion of the cutter wheel. The cutter wheel is then retracted out from the cut and is rotated about the axis of the hole. This repositions the cutter wheel so that when it is advanced again it will make a second cut which crosses the first. This procedure is repeated until the desired cross-sectional configuration (e.g. circular) of the hole is obtained.

Abstract: A tool body defines an axis of rotation for the tool and has a periphery surrounding said axis. A plurality of cutter bits are carried by said body and protrude substantially radially from said periphery and have free ends. Said cutter bits are arranged in a plurality of groups which are spaced in the direction of said axis. The free ends of the cutter bits of each of said groups define a circle. The circles defined by the free ends of the cutter bits of said groups increase in diameter in one direction along said axis.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of in situ extraction of a constituent of a rock formation, e.g., copper deposits or particular petroleum deposits as found in oil shale, and to a method of preparing the rock formation for in situ extraction of the rock constituent. Various embodiments of a side excavating machine are also disclosed for preparing the rock for in-situ extraction of a constituent therefrom. The excavating machine breaks the rock in-situ in a manner to form a narrow, horizontal flow-directing chamber in the rock-filled with fluid-permeable broken rock.