Abstract: A steerable subsurface soil-boring head arranged to be rotated and advanced by a pipe string operated by an above-surface drilling apparatus which also provides a supply of high-pressure fluid emitted from a nozzle in the head as an eroding jet stream. The head comprising a body portion coupled to a pipe string and a nose portion hingedly coupled to the body portion with a biasing mechanism coupled therebetween to align the head portions. The head when rotated and advanced retains the nose portion and body portion in alignment due to the rotation of the head and the effect of the biasing mechanism. When advanced without rotation, the nose portion pivots about the hinged coupling and compresses the biasing mechanism to follow the contour of the cavity ahead of the nose portion. The body portion and the nose portion return to alignment when the head is rotated due to rotation and recovery of the biasing mechanism.

Abstract: A fluid-operated self-propelled subsoil penetrating tool of the type including an elongated housing member having a penetrating nose portion capable of ejecting a jet of liquid under high pressure to break up and disrupt the subsoil adjacent such nose portion followed by a two-component hammering of such soil to displace and compact same as the tool advances. Remotely-operated steering mechanisms control the path of the tool while remotely-read instruments denote the position, depth, direction and attitude of the tool. A trailing umbilical cord provides all motive and operational fluids and electrical power while transmitting instructions and data between the tool and the remote control station. A unique internal structure reduces the rotation of the tool as it advances and provides for the reverse movement of the tool and electrical supplies through the bore created by the movement of the tool through the subsoil.

Abstract: A fluid-operated self-propelled subsoil penetrating tool of the type including an elongated housing member having a penetrating nose portion capable of ejecting a jet of liquid under high pressure to break up and disrupt the subsoil adjacent such nose portion followed by a two-component hammering of such soil to displace and compact same as the tool advances. Remotely-operated steering mechanisms control the path of the tool while remotely-read instruments denote the position, depth, direction and attitude of the tool. A trailing umbilical cord provides all motive and operational fluids and electrical power while transmitting instructions and data between the tool and the remote control station. A unique internal structure reduces the rotation of the tool as it advances and provides for the reverse movement of the tool and electrical supplies through the bore created by the movement of the tool through the subsoil.