Abstract: There is provided a method for drilling a hole into the ground and installing a geothermal transfer loop. A drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus, such as a sonic drill, for rotating and vibrating a hollow drill string into the ground. The hollow drill string having an inner space. A hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the hollow drill string into the ground while discharging fluid into the inner space of the hollow drill string. The fluid forming a fluid column in the inner space of the drill string. The fluid column impedes entry of ground materials into the inner space of the drill string and is vibrated to create a water hammer for adding an additional drilling force. A geothermal transfer loop is lowered into the inner space of the hollow drill string and the drill string is removed from the ground. The method may also include discharging grouting material into the hole.

Abstract: There is provided a method for drilling a cased hole and installing a micropile. A sonic drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The sonic drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a drill string into the ground. A retrievable drill bit is operatively connected to the drill string. The cased hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the drill string into the ground. The retrievable drill bit is retrieved from the cased hole following the drilling of the cased hole to the desired depth. A micropile is lowered into the cased hole following the retrieval of the retrievable drill bit. Grouting material may be discharged into the cased hole before or after the drill string is removed from the ground. In another embodiment, a removable drill bit may be used in place of the retrievable drill bit.

Abstract: There is provided a method for drilling a cased hole and installing a geothermal transfer apparatus. A sonic drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The sonic drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a drill string into the ground. A retrievable drill bit is operatively connected to the drill string. The cased hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the drill string into the ground. The retrievable drill bit is retrieved from the cased hole following the drilling of the cased hole to the desired depth. A geothermal transfer apparatus is lowered into the cased hole following the retrieval of the retrievable drill bit. Grouting material may be discharged into the cased hole before or after the drill string is removed from the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for drilling a hole and installing a geothermal transfer apparatus. A sonic drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The sonic drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a hollow drill string into the ground, the hollow drill string having an inner space. The hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the hollow drill string into the ground while discharging fluid into the inner space of the hollow drill string. A geothermal transfer apparatus is lowered into the inner space of the hollow drill string following the drilling of the hole to the desired depth. The drill string is then removed from the ground.

Abstract: There is provided a method for drilling a cased hole and installing a geothermal transfer apparatus. A sonic drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The sonic drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a drill string into the ground. A retrievable drill bit is operatively connected to the drill string. The cased hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the drill string into the ground. The retrievable drill bit is retrieved from the cased hole following the drilling of the cased hole to the desired depth. A geothermal transfer apparatus is lowered into the cased hole following the retrieval of the retrievable drill bit. Grouting material may be discharged into the cased hole before or after the drill string is removed from the ground.

Abstract: There is provided a method for drilling a cased hole and installing a geothermal transfer apparatus. A sonic drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The sonic drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a drill string into the ground. A retrievable drill bit is operatively connected to the drill string. The cased hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the drill string into the ground. The retrievable drill bit is retrieved from the cased hole following the drilling of the cased hole to the desired depth. A geothermal transfer apparatus is lowered into the cased hole following the retrieval of the retrievable drill bit. Grouting material may be discharged into the cased hole before or after the drill string is removed from the ground.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus comprises an eccentric mass disposed within a housing. A shaft and bushing are received by the eccentric mass and couple the eccentric mass to a crankshaft. An internal conduit extends longitudinally within the shaft. Input and output conduits each communicate with the internal conduit to allow a lubricant to flow through the shaft. A bore extends radially through the bushing. Lubricant flowing through the shaft may further flow through the bore and form a lubricating layer between the bushing and the eccentric mass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for drilling a hole and installing a geothermal transfer apparatus. A sonic drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The sonic drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a hollow drill string into the ground, the hollow drill string having an inner space. The hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the hollow drill string into the ground while discharging fluid into the inner space of the hollow drill string. A geothermal transfer apparatus is lowered into the inner space of the hollow drill string following the drilling of the hole to the desired depth. The drill string is then removed from the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for drilling a hole and installing a geothermal transfer apparatus. A sonic drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The sonic drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a hollow drill string into the ground, the hollow drill string having an inner space. The hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the hollow drill string into the ground while discharging fluid into the inner space of the hollow drill string. A geothermal transfer apparatus is lowered into the inner space of the hollow drill string following the drilling of the hole to the desired depth. The drill string is then removed from the ground.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a rotary-vibratory drilling apparatus. The drilling assembly is comprised of a vibratory apparatus, a rotary drive apparatus, a drill string, a first conduit and a second conduit. The first conduit communicates with the second conduit and the second conduit communicates with the drill string. The drilling assembly may further include a fluid reservoir communicating with the first conduit. Fluid may be discharged from the fluid reservoir into the first conduit, fluid may be discharged from the first conduit into the second conduit, and fluid may be discharged from the second conduit into the drill string. The first conduit may be threadedly connected to the second conduit.

Abstract: There is provided a method for drilling a cased hole and installing a geothermal transfer apparatus. A sonic drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The sonic drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a drill string into the ground. A retrievable drill bit is operatively connected to the drill string. The cased hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the drill string into the ground. The retrievable drill bit is retrieved from the cased hole following the drilling of the cased hole to the desired depth. A geothermal transfer apparatus is lowered into the cased hole following the retrieval of the retrievable drill bit. Grouting material may be discharged into the cased hole before or after the drill string is removed from the ground.

Abstract: There is provided a method for drilling a cased hole and installing a micropile. A sonic drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The sonic drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a drill string into the ground. A retrievable drill bit is operatively connected to the drill string. The cased hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the drill string into the ground. The retrievable drill bit is retrieved from the cased hole following the drilling of the cased hole to the desired depth. A micropile is lowered into the cased hole following the retrieval of the retrievable drill bit. Grouting material may be discharged into the cased hole before or after the drill string is removed from the ground. In another embodiment, a removable drill bit may be used in place of the retrievable drill bit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for drilling a hole and installing a geothermal transfer apparatus. A sonic drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The sonic drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a hollow drill string into the ground, the hollow drill string having an inner space. The hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the hollow drill string into the ground while discharging fluid into the inner space of the hollow drill string. A geothermal transfer apparatus is lowered into the inner space of the hollow drill string following the drilling of the hole to the desired depth. The drill string is then removed from the ground.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a rotary-vibratory drilling apparatus. The drilling assembly is comprised of a vibratory apparatus, a rotary drive apparatus, a drill string, a first conduit and a second conduit. The first conduit communicates with the second conduit and the second conduit communicates with the drill string. The drilling assembly may further include a fluid reservoir communicating with the first conduit. Fluid may be discharged from the fluid reservoir into the first conduit, fluid may be discharged from the first conduit into the second conduit, and fluid may be discharged from the second conduit into the drill string. The first conduit may be threadedly connected to the second conduit.

Abstract: A rotary-vibratory drill coupling has a first component with a plurality of spaced-apart members. Each member has a pair of opposed, spaced-apart faces defining a slot therebetween. A second component has a plurality of angularly spaced-apart blade-like projections extending radially thereon. Each of the projections is slidably received between one pair of the opposed, spaced-apart faces on the first component. Preferably there are anti-friction linings between the projections and the faces.

Abstract: A drill pipe for combination rotary-vibratory drills. The pipe includes an elongated pipe member and a connector for connecting the drill pipe to another drill pipe. The connector includes a threaded member at one end of the pipe member. The connector and pipe member have overlapping portions. The portion of one of the members has a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart slots which are generally aligned axially with the pipe member, and welds along the slots securing the pipe member and connection member together.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus includes an outer member with a central opening. An inner member is within the opening of the outer member. There are two sets of bearings between the outer member and the inner member for permitting relative rotation therebetween about an axis. The two sets of bearings are spaced apart along the axis, each having an inner race and an outer race. The inner races are slidably mounted on the inner member. A portion of the outer member is disposed between the outer races so as to hold the outer races a first distance apart and so the inner races are held a second distance apart when the inner member and outer member are unloaded. Each of the sets of bearings transfers from the inner member to the outer member those forces acting along the axis which are directed towards the other set of bearings only. There is a spacer disposed between the inner races.