Abstract: Oil drilling apparatus for drilling deep boreholes. The apparatus includes a high frequency, high voltage, AC generator at the surface of the ground which is connected to an electromagnetic hammer drill bit located at the bottom of the borehole. Electric current is conducted along a special drill string to the electromagnetic hammer drill located at the bottom of the borehole. The drill string is electrically conductive to form a current flow path to the downhole electromagnetic hammer drill, while at the same time, drilling fluid flows along an axial flow path to the vibrating bit located at the bottom of the borehole. The electrically conductive drill pipe, the electromagnetic hamemr drill bit, and the pulse transformer, each form a subcombination of the present invention; and, jointly comprise a new method and apparatus for forming boreholes.

Abstract: A disconnect apparatus by which a cryogenic inductor can be both thermally and electrically isolated from a workload and a generator. The disconnect apparatus includes an input disconnect and an output disconnect. The input and output disconnects, when opened, thermally and electrically isolate the inductor, thereby enabling the inductor to more efficiently be cryogenically cooled. This represents a great savings in cryogenic coolant. The input and output disconnects can be simultaneously or sequentially actuated into the connected and disconnected configuration. Provision is made by which a thermal barrier can be interposed between the switch contacts of the input disconnect leading to the inductor and, the output disconnect can be evacuated to reduce heat transfer respective to the load.

Abstract: Oil well drilling apparatus for drilling deep boreholes. The apparatus includes a high frequency, high voltage, AC generator at the surface of the ground which is connected to an electromagnetic hammer drill bit located at the bottom of the borehole. Electric current is conducted along a special drill string to the electromagnetic hammer drill located at the bottom of the hole. The drill string is a co-axial electrically conductive drill pipe which forms spaced annular current flow paths to the downhole electromagnetic hammer drill, while at the same time, drilling fluid flows along an axial flow path to the vibrating bit located at the bottom of the borehole. A special directional drill collar is positioned immediately above the electromagnetic hammer drill for controlling hole deviation.

Abstract: A welding fixture by which two elongate members are manipulated in a manner to become butt welded together. Two gripping members in the form of groups of spaced slip assemblies are enclosed in mounted relationship within a housing. The slips of each group circumferentially extend about a longitudinal axis of the housing, with the slips of each group being radially spaced from the longitudinal axis of the members to be joined. A first group of slips are mounted for movement within a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the members to be joined. The other group of slips are likewise arranged within a plane spaced from and parallel to the first plane. All of the slips are moved with great force towards the longitudinal axis of the members to be joined. The fixture includes means by which the members are moved toward one another with great force. Each group of slips further include an electrical contact which provides a source of current to each of the members to be joined.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for joining two elongated members, such as rails, together by holding the rail ends in fixed relationship respective to one another while ramming powder metal between the confronting ends of the rails. Current flow occurs across the confronting faces of the rail and across the compacted powder, thereby elevating the temperature of the marginal rail ends and the compacted metal powder. The rams forge the hot metal powder and hot rail ends into a continuous mass. The method and apparatus can be used for building railroads, repairing defective rail lengths, and welding other elongated members together.