Abstract: A rock housing for horizontal directional drilling machine includes a cylindrical housing body with walls defining a longitudinal cavity. A bearing assembly is provided as a part of the housing and is located above a bit box region of the housing. The bearing assembly is lubricated by drilling mud which flows through the drill string of the drilling machine. A portion of the drilling mud is diverted and passes through a gap formed between the bearing races of the bearing assembly, the gap being sized so as to create the necessary back pressure to divert the needed flow of drilling mud to the assembly. In some cases, an additional flow restrictor can be provided in the gap between the bearing races when needed, as when the driller is using a very low viscosity drilling fluid.

Abstract: A rock housing for horizontal directional drilling machine includes a cylindrical housing body with walls defining a longitudinal cavity. A bearing assembly is provided as a part of the housing and is located above a bit box region of the housing. The bearing assembly is lubricated by drilling mud which flows through the drill string of the drilling machine, which mud flow is normally used for cooling the drill bit and removing cuttings. A portion of the drilling mud is diverted and passes through a gap formed between the bearing races of the bearing assembly, the gap being sized so as to create the necessary back pressure to divert the needed flow of drilling mud to the assembly.

Abstract: A sonde housing for horizontal directional drilling includes a cylindrical housing body with walls defining a longitudinal cavity. A lid is provided for covering the cavity in the housing body. A series of tabs on the lid longitudinal side surfaces are engaged in mating grooves provided in the housing body to secure the lid on the housing body. A further independent locking member also engages the lid and housing body.

Abstract: A one piece forged fluidic displacement pipe is shown which can be used for horizontal directional drilling operations. The pipe has a metallic outer tube formed into a one piece forged pipe having opposing upset pin and box ends. The pipe also has an internal surface defined by an internal diameter and an external surface and an initially void interior space. A non-metallic inner tube is inserted within the tube void space so that it is enclosed within and generally coaxially aligned with the outer tube. The inner tube is made up of a plurality of lengths of synthetic plastic type material which pass through the internal diameter of the outer pipe and form a semi-solid circular ring of material which occupies the space along the internal diameter of the outer tube between the upset pin and box ends, effectively decreasing the internal diameter and flow path of the outer metal tube.

Abstract: A torque-less threaded connection is shown for connecting a drill tool to a drill string for use in horizontal directional drilling operations. An up-hole end portion has a female, box end opening with a non-threaded, slightly tapered first circumferential surface having a first median inner diameter; a non-threaded, slightly tapered second circumferential surface having a second inner diameter that is larger than the first diameter. A threaded tapered section extends between the first and second circumferential surfaces. The threaded tapered section has threads thereon which make up a multi-lead thread form. The downhole end portion of the coupling has mating external pin surfaces for engaging the internal surfaces of the up-hole end portion. A torque collar slides over portions of the up-hole and downhole end portions and prevents relative rotation between the downhole and up-hole portions and prevents toque from being transmitted to the threaded portions of the connection.

Abstract: A one piece forged fluidic displacement pipe is shown which can be used for horizontal directional drilling operations. The pipe has a metallic outer tube formed into a one piece forged pipe having opposing upset pin and box ends. The pipe also has an internal surface defined by an internal diameter and an external surface and an initially void interior space. A non-metallic inner tube is inserted within the tube void space so that it is enclosed within and generally coaxially aligned with the outer tube. The inner tube is made up of a plurality of lengths of synthetic plastic type material which pass through the internal diameter of the outer pipe and form a semi-solid circular ring of material which occupies the space along the internal diameter of the outer tube between the upset pin and box ends, effectively decreasing the internal diameter and flow path of the outer metal tube.

Abstract: Shown is a method for manufacturing horizontal directional drilling pipe having internally and externally upset pipe ends. The forging is done by heating the green tube ends and applying pressure using a closed die hydraulic forging press to form the upsets. One end of a steel tube is worked by upsetting and pressing to form an external upset portion having an outer taper being shaped by upset forging. That portion is then pressed by an internal upset die so as to displace the outer taper to an internal upset portion having an inner taper. Internal upset forging is then carried out by an internal upset die to produce the finished part. The process allows the manufacturer to produce a thicker upset horizontal directional drilling pipe, where the ratio of the outside diameter to the inside diameter of the upset can be on the order of 3.5, or even greater.

Abstract: Shown is a method for manufacturing horizontal directional drilling pipe having internally and externally upset pipe ends. The forging is done by heating the green tube ends and applying pressure using a closed die hydraulic forging press to form the upsets. One end of a steel tube is worked by upsetting and pressing to form an external upset portion having an outer taper being shaped by upset forging. That portion is then pressed by an internal upset die so as to displace the outer taper to an internal upset portion having an inner taper. Internal upset forging is then carried out by an internal upset die to produce the finished part. The process allows the manufacturer to produce a thicker upset horizontal directional drilling pipe, where the ratio of the outside diameter to the inside diameter of the upset can be on the order of 3.5, or even greater.