Abstract: In a pulsed-electric drilling system, a nonrotating bit is given a noncircular shape to drill a correspondingly-shaped borehole, e.g., triangular, rectangular, polygonal, oval, or a more complex shape. Some embodiments employ a reconfigurable bit that deploys extensions as needed to dynamically vary the cross-section of the borehole at selected locations. In this fashion, a driller is able to create borehole with a preferred cross-sectional shape to, e.g., drill the smallest possible hole while simultaneously providing additional clearance for equipment or instrumentation, additional surface area for well inflow, channels for improved borehole cleaning, teeth for improved cementing, reduced contact area to reduce drag on the drillstring, or any other benefits achievable by customizing the borehole cross-section.

Abstract: A device (1) for driving tunnels, galleries or the like including a cutting head (2), wherein an excavating direction of the cutting head (2) being essentially at a right angle to said rotation axis (R), a base unit (3) with stabilizing units (S1, S2, S3, S4) for applying and fixing against rock surfaces, a support unit (4) for the cutting head (2), a joint device (5) for pivotal connection of the support unit to the base unit, forcing means (6,7,8,9) arranged between the base unit and the support unit for swinging the cutting head. The joint device (5) is arranged for vertical as well as for horizontal swinging of the support unit (4) in respect of the base unit (3), wherein the support unit (4) is vertically as well as horizontally swingable by means of a pair of upper fluid cylinders (6,7) and a pair of lower fluid cylinders (8,9) comprising said forcing means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interchangeable holder system comprising a basic module and an interchangeable holder for the accommodation of a cutting tool, which interchangeable holder is capable of being attached to the basic module, for the purpose of preparing ground surfaces, and to a construction machine, more particularly a stabilizer, a recycler, or a cold milling machine, comprising a milling device comprising such an interchangeable holder system.

Abstract: A cutter tool that includes a shank by which the tool is releasably retainable within a tool holder, an enlarged shoulder or heel provided at one end of the shank and adapted, in use, to abut a seating surface of a tool holder and limit the penetration of the tool holder into a receiving aperture of the tool holder, and an integral blade provided beyond the enlarged shoulder or heel and terminating in a carbide or other tip. The tool is provided with a zone of weakness such that if subjected to fracture forces, a fracture will be encouraged to propagate from the zone of weakness in a particular desired manner.

Abstract: A cold planer includes a frame and a cutting mechanism having a rotatable cutter configured to cut material of a substrate. An anti-slabbing mechanism is coupled to the frame and includes an upwardly oriented base plate, and a plurality of skids. The skids are arranged in a first subset and a second subset positioned upon opposite outboard sides of a forwardly projecting plow, and downwardly depend from a base plate of the anti-slabbing mechanism, for applying a slabbing opposition force to uncut material of the substrate.

Abstract: A motor and rotor catch assembly for preventing loss of broken motor parts downhole. The assembly comprises a motor including a rotor supported inside a stator housing. A rotor bolt is connected to the upper end of the rotor, and is supported for axial movement within a rotor bolt housing from a running position to a deployed position. If the stator housing breaks or backs off, the attached rotor bolt shifts to the deployed position. In the deployed position, the bolt substantially reduces flow to the stator housing and simultaneously opens bypass ports to vent fluid to the annulus instead. In this way, the rotor is prevented from spinning rapidly, the diverted fluid creates a pressure change that alerts the operator to the motor failure, and the diverted fluid allows continued removal of debris and cuttings from the well bore.

Abstract: A plasma source for generating nonlinear, wide-band, periodic, directed, elastic oscillations in a fluid medium. The plasma source includes a plasma emitter having two electrodes defining a gap, a delivery device for introducing a metal conductor into the gap, and a high voltage transformer for powering the plasma emitter. A system and method for stimulating wells, deposits, and boreholes through controlled periodic oscillations generated using the plasma source. The system includes the plasma source, a ground control unit, and a support cable. In the method, the plasma source is submerged in the fluid medium of a well, deposit, or borehole and is used to create a metallic plasma in the gap. The metallic plasma emits a pressure pulse and shockwaves, which are directed into the fluid medium. Nonlinear, wide-band, periodic and elastic oscillations are generated in the fluid medium, including resonant oscillations by passage of the shockwaves.

Abstract: A compact monitoring device for monitoring the state of rotation of a disk cutter of a shield tunnel boring machine is integrated into a clamping element for fastening the disk cutter. A sensor module of the monitoring device is arranged in close proximity to the disk cutter but without touching so that a state of rotation of the disk cutter generated by transmitters mounted in the disk cutter is reliably ensured even under the rough environmental conditions prevailing in shield tunnel boring.

Abstract: A chisel holder comprises a body zone (12) having a chisel receiving opening (18) that is open at least in the direction of a chisel insertion end (14) of the body zone (12), and also comprises a fastening shaft (26) which extends from a supporting end (20) of the body zone (12) and has a longitudinal shaft axis. A fastening member-affecting zone is provided on a first side of the fastening shaft (26), and a supporting zone (78) that has supporting surface regions (88, 90) which are inclined relative to each other and adjoin each other in a transition zone (92) extending in the direction of the longitudinal shaft axis is provided on a second side of the fastening shaft (26), said second side lying opposite the first side relative to the longitudinal shaft axis.

Abstract: Equipment and processes for ground heat exchange are disclosed. Embodiments of the ground heat exchange system may comprise a geothermal well that includes an inner tube positioned coaxially inside a borehole in geologic units, a substantially-liquid impermeable outer liner sealed at the bottom, and a liquid supply system. The outer liner may include one or more layers of a substantially-liquid impermeable fabric or coating. A fluid such as water is supplied by the liquid supply system and flows co-axially through the inner tube. The fluid pressure in the annulus between the inner tube and the outer liner presses the outer liner against the borehole wall, providing sealing contact and preventing interconnection of aquifers of the geologic units.

Abstract: A frame for a cover for an inlet of one of a catch basin and a manhole is provided. The inlet has an inlet passageway having a first cross-sectional shape having an axis of symmetry. A hollow body of the frame defines a frame passageway and has a second cross-sectional shape having first and second sides opposite to one another. When the frame is installed, the hollow body has a lower end extending partially within at least one of the inlet passageway and a head portion reducing a surface area of the inlet passageway. The second cross-sectional shape is inscribed within the first cross-sectional shape, and a distance of the first side of the second cross-sectional shape to the axis of symmetry of the first cross-sectional shape is different from distance of the second side of the second cross-sectional shape to the axis of symmetry of the first cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A housing unit installed within a tubing string of a oil well, water well, or gas dewatering well contains at least one reciprocating plunger which utilizes the hydraulic head of the fluid in the tubing to modify the loading in a subsurface pump actuation string, such as a string of sucker rods. The device can be used to either reduce observed polished rod loads at the surface to reduce the required counterbalance, or the device can be used to provide additional loading in the pump actuation string above the pump to reduce buckling. The device is used in a method for modifying the loading in a subsurface pump actuation string.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bit holder for an earth working machine, in particular a road milling machine, having a support member onto which an insertion projection is indirectly or directly attached on an insertion projection side, the support member comprising two first and/or two second stripping surfaces that are at an angle to one another, and the support member having a working side that comprises a bit receptacle. In order to achieve a stable and long-lived configuration for such a bit holder, provision is made according to the present invention that the first and/or second stripping surfaces diverge from the insertion projection side toward the working side.

Abstract: This device comprises a cable working line bearing a lower assembly and a winch for maneuvering the line. The hydraulic central unit (46) of the winch includes a tank (50) for storing a hydraulic control fluid, a pump (52) for driving the hydraulic fluid, connected to the tank (50) through an upstream conduit (54) and at least one hydraulic motor (56) for driving the drum (42) connected to the pump (52) through an intermediate conduit and connected to the tank (50) through a downstream conduit. The hydraulic central unit comprises a regulator (62) for the hydraulic fluid flow rate at the outlet of the pump (52). The regulator (62) is driven according to at least one hydraulic fluid pressure depending on the load exerted on the motor (56) by the rotary drum (42), said or each pressure being directly taken on one of said conduits.

Abstract: A method of treating a consolidated formation having a wellbore therein. Tubing including a stress relieving tool is provided in the wellbore. An interval in the wellbore wherein the stress relieving tool is located is isolated. The stress relieving tool is actuated to apply mechanical force radially to an uncased inner diameter surface of the wellbore for providing a reduced stress zone of the formation. Fluid pressure is increased in the wellbore to fracture the formation within the reduced stress zone.

Abstract: The method for wire saw excavation provides a significant savings in time, effort, and expense in the cutting of a core of material from a solid substrate such as rock or concrete. A single downhole is formed, and a robotic excavator then forms a continuous, closed loop base passage at the distal end of the downhole to define the periphery of the core to be cut. When the base passage has been completed, the robotic excavator is removed and two subsurface guide pulleys are placed in the bottom of the downhole. A wire saw is passed from a first surface pulley around the first and second subsurface pulleys and back to a second surface pulley. The surface pulleys are advanced along the predetermined periphery of the core at the same rate as the subsurface pulleys, so that the saw simultaneously cuts the periphery and the bottom of the core.

Abstract: A ripper tool for a tunnel boring machine includes a tool body and a plurality of cutting element inserts. The tool body has a plurality of socket cavities. A tool body blank can be heat treated to increase the hardness of the tool body blank. The socket cavities can be machined in the tool body blank after the tool body blank is heat treated. The cutting element inserts are mounted to the tool body. The cutting element inserts are respectively press fit in the socket cavities. The ripper tool can be pivotably mounted to a cutter head of the TBM.

Abstract: The invention includes systems and methods for operating, monitoring and controlling downhole fluid control system at a below ground location in a wellhole. The system may include a downhole fluid control system comprising at least one pump, a spoolable composite pipe comprising a fluid channel and at least one energy conductor, and a distal connection device adapted to couple a distal end of the fluid channel to the at least one pump and couple a distal end of the at least one energy conductor to the downhole fluid control system.

Abstract: A securing and waterproof mechanism of a floodgate apparatus includes a pillar, a water retaining gate, a pair of retaining bases and a securing member. The pillar has a retaining groove for receiving the water retaining gate. The retaining bases are attached to two opposite sides of the pillar. Each retaining base has at least one vertical channel. The securing member has two hook portions at one side. Each hook portion has a horizontal bar and a vertical bar extending upward from a distal end of the horizontal bar. Under this arrangement, the vertical bar of each hook portion is fitted in the vertical channel of the respective retaining base to prevent the securing member from sliding horizontally off the respective retaining base.

Abstract: A tool insert is provided for increasing the operating life of a tool bit made of both the tool insert and an associated tool body. The tool insert provides at least partial protection from wear during use of the tool bit and includes a tip free of hard edges or creases that increases the operating life of the tip. The tip may include a portion that has a diameter at least equal to or larger than the diameter of the connection end of the tool body. This increases the shielding ability of the tool insert during use and extends the operating life of the tool bit. The tool insert may comprising a cylindrical stem for engagement with the tool body, the cylindrical stem having a free base end opposite a body end; and a tip connected for engaging a worked surface, the tip comprising an outer surface without hard edges.