Abstract: Implementations described herein comprise drill rods comprising an integral tubular metallic body having a first ends, an opposing second end, and an elongate midbody extending along a central axis between the first and second ends and where the metallic body defines a central bore that extends along the central axis and has a body inner surface and at least one body bore diameter. In further aspects, the drill rods further comprise an underlying tubular composite lining that has a lining outer surface that is connected to at least the body inner surface of the midbody of the metallic body, the composite lining defining an operative bore that extends along the central axis and has at least one operative bore diameter.

Abstract: A hoist spooling assembly for spooling a cable about a drum while preventing relative movement between the cable and the drum. The hoist spooling assembly evenly delivers force from a roller to the cable while reducing the incidence of spooling problems, including mechanical wear of the cable and formation of loops and kinks in the cable.

Abstract: Implementations described herein comprise drill rods comprising an integral tubular metallic body having a first ends, an opposing second end, and an elongate midbody extending along a central axis between the first and second ends and where the metallic body defines a central bore that extends along the central axis and has a body inner surface and at least one body bore diameter. In further aspects, the drill rods further comprise an underlying tubular composite lining that has a lining outer surface that is connected to at least the body inner surface of the midbody of the metallic body, the composite lining defining an operative bore that extends along the central axis and has at least one operative bore diameter.

Abstract: Implementations described herein comprise systems, apparatus and methods for drill string component storage, handling and positioning devices. The handling device can comprise a magazine assembly configured for storing and handling elongate members having a magazine assembly and at least one conveyor roller chain operatively associated with the magazine assembly. The magazine assembly can further comprise an internal path having a loading aperture and a dispensing aperture disposed on opposing ends of the internal path. The at least one conveyor roller chain can be configured to controllably urge the at least one drill string component from the loading aperture to the dispensing aperture. The handling device can further comprise an armature assembly operatively associated with the magazine assembly.

Abstract: An overshot assembly for operative coupling to a wireline and a head assembly within a drilling system. The overshot assembly has at least one latch member that securely engages the inner surface of the head assembly without the use of a spearhead.

Abstract: A hoist rotation limiting system for a hoist. A hoist drum has a grooved exterior surface configured to position a cable in a predetermined position relative to the ends and longitudinal axis of the hoist drum as the cable is wound onto or off of the hoist drum. Upon the cable being positioned in the predetermined position, the cable urges portions of a carrier weldment to contact a switch, thereby sending an electrical signal to stop rotation of a hoist motor.

Abstract: A core barrel holder for supporting a core barrel during removal of a core sample from the core barrel. The core barrel holder includes a housing, an inner sleeve, a plurality of support elements extending radially inwardly within the inner sleeve, a spring, and a cap. Upon positioning of the core barrel holder in an operative position, the inner sleeve receives the core barrel. Upon advancement of the core barrel through the inner sleeve, the plurality of support elements frictionally engage the core barrel within the inner sleeve.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention comprise drill string components having at least one thread extending around a body. The leading end of the thread can have a configuration having increased strength and resistance to jamming and cross-threading. In particular, the leading end of the thread can comprise a planar surface normal to the body. The leading end of the thread can provide an abrupt transition to full thread depth that helps reduce or eliminate cross-threading and can be oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the drill string component. The thread can further provide at least one of a variable thread width and a variable thread pitch configured to create an axial progressive fit. The thread can also provide a cylindrical thread root and a thread crest that circumscribes a frusta-cone over at least a portion of the axial length of the threads configured to create a radial progressive fit.

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 core barrel restraint adapted to prevent inadvertent dropping of a core barrel assembly during retrieval of a core sample can include a cup adapted to fit over an overshot and a brace adapted to be coupled to a core barrel assembly. A cable can connect the cup and brace and prevent the core barrel from falling if the overshot latch mechanism holding the core barrel assembly and overshot together fails.

Abstract: A latch body for use in a drilling head assembly including a fluid control subassembly, a check valve element, and/or a hollow spindle. A distal end portion of the latch body includes a port section that defines a chamber for receiving the check valve element and promoting movement of the check valve element between a blocking position and an open position. The hollow spindle of the fluid control subassembly is operatively coupled to the chamber of the port section and supports the check valve element in the blocking position. A proximal end portion of the latch body supports the fluid control subassembly of the drilling head assembly in an operative position. The latch body includes male protrusions extending inwardly toward and spaced from a longitudinal axis of the latch body. A plurality of channels extend radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the latch body, spanning between adjacent male protrusions.

Abstract: In one example, a method for producing a cutting device matrix includes mixing a plurality of constituent matrix materials using a resonant acoustic mixing process until the constituent matrix materials are substantially homogeneously distributed throughout the matrix.

Abstract: A system for removing desired subsurface materials. A drilling system has a sonic drill head assembly capable of rotating a drill string and transmitting oscillating forces to the drill string. A material removal system comprises an outer tube attachable to the drill string. An inner tube has an outer diameter sized so that that at least a portion of the inner tube is positionable in an inner volume of the outer tube with an annular void defined between the outer tube and the inner tube. A distal end of the inner tube defines at least one opening such that an interior conduit of the inner tube is in fluid communication with the annular void outside of the distal end of the inner tube. Pressurized fluid can be urged from the annular void through the opening to the interior conduit, entraining the desired subsurface materials therein for removal to a discharge tank.

Abstract: A slide hammer device having a guide sleeve, a selectively moveable elongate rod received within the guide sleeve, and a hammer assembly coupled to the elongate rod. The hammer assembly is shaped to accomplish removal of an inner tube from within a pipe element. The guide sleeve has a protective flange that protects a user's hand during advancement of the slide hammer device toward an opening of the pipe element.

Abstract: A down-the-hole assembly includes a housing having a central axis and a mechanical gear box positioned within the housing. The mechanical gear box is coupled to the housing such that rotation of the housing at a first rotational rate provides a rotary input to the mechanical gear box. A rotary cutting bit is coupled to the mechanical gear box. The mechanical gear box is configured to rotate said rotary cutting bit at a second rotational rate in response to that rotary input from the housing. The second rotational rate is greater than the first rotational rate. The mechanical gear box is also further configured to cause the rotary cutting bit to orbit about the central axis of the housing.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways that can increase flushing and bit life, while also decreasing clogging. According to some implementations of the present invention, the waterways can be radially tapered in addition to being axially tapered. The axially-tapered waterways can include notches extending into the cutting face of the drilling tools and/or slots enclosed within the crown of the drilling tools. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways, and methods of forming drilling tools having axially-tapered waterways.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include impregnated drill bits having a plurality of relatively large abrasive cutting media, such as polycrystalline diamonds, embedded therein. According to some implementations of the present invention, the relatively large abrasive cutting media can be dispersed in an unorganized arrangement throughout at least a portion of the crown. Additionally, one or more implementations can include a second plurality of relatively small abrasive cutting media. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling systems including impregnated drill bits having a plurality of relatively large abrasive cutting media embedded therein, methods of using such impregnated drill bits, and methods of forming such impregnated drill bits.

Abstract: A conduit assembly for use in a drilling system that may include an upper section, an intermediate section and a lower section. The upper section may include a first seal. The first seal may include an opening that may be sized and configured to receive and form a seal with an inner drill string. The first seal may include one or more slits that may extend from an outer edge of the first seal to the opening of the first seal. The intermediate section may include an outlet for a flushing medium. The outlet may include a projection that may extend into a hollow interior of the intermediate section. The lower section may be sized and configured to be connected to and disconnected from a connecting portion of an outer drill string. The lower section may be sized and configured to be connected to and disconnected from the intermediate section.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include drill string components having a thread extending around a body. The leading end of the thread can have a configuration that resists jamming and cross-threading. In particular, the leading end of the thread can include a planar surface normal to the body. The leading end of the thread can provide an abrupt transition to full thread depth that helps reduce or eliminate cross-threading. The leading end of the thread can be oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the drill string component. When mating male and female threads are similarly structured, the mating threads slide together along an interface at the thread start face and are drawn into a fully thread-coupled condition. The thread starts may have full circumference mating with no jamming positions.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include an internal tubing cutter including ramp surface(s) and roller that cause cutters to move linearly between retracted and deployed positions. The linear actuation of the cutters can allow for more robust cutting and increased cutting efficiency. Implementations of the present invention also include cutting systems including an internal tubing cutter, and methods of cutting tubular members, such as borehole casings and drill strings, using such drilling systems.