Abstract: A sonic tooling handling apparatus includes a gantry support structure with a base frame structure and an overhead frame structure operatively coupled to the base frame structure. The overhead frame structure has a pair of longitudinal beams and a transverse beam coupled to the pair of longitudinal beams. The transverse beam is movable along each of the pair of longitudinal beams. The gantry support structure includes a lifting device coupled to the transverse beam and is movable along part of the transverse beam. The lifting device includes a sonic tooling clamp. The lifting device may raise or lower sonic tooling held by the sonic tooling clamp. The sonic tooling apparatus further includes a removable sonic tooling holding rack having a plurality of stanchions creating at least one sonic tooling holding space for holding sonic tooling. A method of handling sonic tooling and a pipe tong is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drilling rig and methods are provided for using multiple types of drilling when installing geothermal systems. The drilling rig can perform sonic drilling such as percussive sonic drilling and a type of non-sonic drilling. Control switching valves are added to the hydraulics of the drilling rig to selectively provide sufficient flow of hydraulic fluid to motors used in the multiple types of drilling, depending on which type of drilling is currently most efficient for the underground formation being drilled. The water pump and hydraulic motor for such have been designed to handle both types of drilling on a small drilling rig frame, thereby allowing for the drilling to occur in space-constrained environments. A method of recycling water used to remove cuttings during drilling to put back downhole is also provided.

Abstract: A sonic-powered method is provided for horizontal directional drilling. The method includes positioning a drilling apparatus at one end of a desired path for a generally horizontal bore to be formed, and attaching a drill bit and a drill rod to a drill head. The method also includes advancing the drill bit and the drill rod into and through the ground along the desired path by advancing the drill head to move along the drill mast. A sonic oscillator of the apparatus applies sonic energy in the form of high frequency vibrations to the drill rod and the drill bit to cause the drill bit to penetrate through an underground formation in front of the drill bit along the desired path. The sonic vibrations help efficiently penetrate through different materials in underground formations. The drilling apparatus can also use sonic vibrations to install drill casings to stabilize the bore.

Abstract: A pile driving adapter includes an upper attachment portion for selectively attaching the adapter to a drill head and a lower housing portion including at least a first outer wall. The pile driving adapter further includes at least one actuator including a first portion slidably mounted to the lower housing portion and a second portion configured to expand from the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the first outer wall. The first portion may be slidably mounted to the lower housing portion via a sliding mount, and the lower housing portion may include at least one elongate slot for receiving at least a portion of the sliding mount. The pile driving adapter advantageously couples the drill head and the member to be driven so as to reliably transfer sonic energy.

Abstract: A sonic pile driving adapter is configured to couple a drill head to a member to be pile driven. The adapter includes an upper attachment portion for selectively attaching to the drill head and a lower mounting portion. The lower mounting portion has first and second side plates configured to be inserted into the member. The first and second side plates include a first plurality of through holes corresponding to a second plurality of through holes provided on the member. The adapter also includes a plurality of brackets with a third plurality of through holes. A plurality of fasteners extends through the first, second and third pluralities of through holes, thereby coupling the sonic pile driving adapter and the drill head to the member. The adapter and method of use allow for efficient transfer of oscillating energy to the member and more effective pile driving.

Abstract: A support frame assembly comprises a base and an object support member having a first position and a second position. The support frame assembly may also include a plurality of pivot arms operatively connected to the base and the object support member. At least one of the pivot arms may have an actuator for moving the object support member form the first position to the second position. The support frame assembly may also include an adjustment member operatively connected to one of the plurality of pivot arms to adjust a position of the object support member relative to the base for self-alignment between an object such as a tubular member and a drill head.

Abstract: A support frame assembly comprises a base and an object support member having a first position and a second position. The support frame assembly may also include a plurality of pivot arms operatively connected to the base and the object support member. At least one of the pivot arms may have an actuator for moving the object support member form the first position to the second position. The support frame assembly may also include an adjustment member operatively connected to one of the plurality of pivot arms to adjust a position of the object support member relative to the base for self-alignment between an object such as a tubular member and a drill head.