Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling system is used to drive operation of a guidable reamer assembly connected to a drill string. The guidable reamer assembly preferably has a cutting member with a central longitudinal axis and a support member also having a central longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axes of the cutting member and the support member are collinear when the reamer assembly is in the non-steering position and laterally displaced when in the steering position. The assembly and method of this invention provide for increased control of reaming operations and product pipe placement.

Abstract: A system for boring horizontal boreholes and installing products using a dual member drill string. The system is comprised of a boring machine with a frame and a rotary drive supported on the frame, a downhole tool, and a dual member drill string. The drill string comprises an inner member disposed within a tubular outer member such that the inner member is rotatable independent of the outer member. The outer member has at least one helical projection supported on an exterior surface of the outer member. The projections on the outer member function as an auger to clear spoils and support the bore. The auger arrangement with the dual member drill string can be used in forward reaming or backreaming operations.

Abstract: A system for boring horizontal boreholes and installing products using a dual member drill string. The system is comprised of a boring machine with a frame and a rotary drive supported on the frame, a downhole tool, and a dual member drill string. The drill string comprises an inner member disposed within a tubular outer member such that the inner member is rotatable independent of the outer member. The outer member has at least one helical projection supported on an exterior surface of the outer member. The projections on the outer member function as an auger to clear spoils and support the bore. The auger arrangement with the dual member drill string can be used in forward reaming or backreaming operations.

Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling system is used to drive operation of a guidable reamer assembly connected to a drill string. The guidable reamer assembly preferably has a cutting member with a central longitudinal axis and a support member also having a central longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axes of the cutting member and the support member are collinear when the reamer assembly is in the non-steering position and laterally displaced when in the steering position. The assembly and method of this invention provide for increased control of reaming operations and product pipe placement.

Abstract: An apparatus for bursting pipe is preferably adapted to receive energy from a drill string. The apparatus has a plurality of spherical pipe-bursting members driven by movement of the drill string to burst an in situ pipe. In a preferred embodiment a single-member drill string is used to drive operation of a plurality of spherical pipe-bursting members disposed about a frame of the apparatus. In other preferred embodiments, rotation of the inner member of a dual-member drill string is used to drive operation of the spherical pipe-bursting members. Spherical pipe-bursting members increase the efficiency of pipe-bursting operations by utilizing rotational energy generated by the movement of the members.

Abstract: A rotating inner member is used to drive operation of a retrieval tool connected to a dual-member drill string. The retrieval tool preferably has a gripping assembly adapted to receive rotational energy from the inner member. In a preferred embodiment, an electric actuator assembly operates the gripping assembly of the retrieval tool. In another preferred embodiment, the gripping assembly of the retrieval tool is mechanically operated by a screw driven cam assembly. In yet another embodiment, the retrieval tool is adapted to grip both the inside and outside of the object to be retrieved.

Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling system is used to drive operation of a guidable reamer assembly connected to a drill string. The guidable reamer assembly preferably has a cutting member with a central longitudinal axis and a support member also having a central longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axes of the cutting member and the support member are collinear when the reamer assembly is in the non-steering position and laterally displaced when in the steering position. The assembly and method of this invention provide for increased control of reaming operations and product pipe placement.