Abstract: An orientation device, particularly for drilling tools, of the kind comprising a first sleeve (1) and a concentrically surrounding second sleeve (2), where in an annulus between the sleeve (1) and the sleeve (2) is disposed an axially displaceable carrier, e.g., in the form of a wedge/key (5) or a rail (8, 9), adapted to slide in an inclined, preferably helical groove (3, 4) disposed in the sleeve (1) or in the sleeve (2), the groove's direction crossing the direction of the carrier's (5; 8, 9) rectilinear movement which, thus, is converted into a relative rotational movement between the sleeve (1) and the sleeve (2). The carrier (5; 8, 9) is adapted to slide in two inclined, preferably helical grooves (3, 4) disposed in the sleeve (1) and the sleeve (2), respectively, and crossing the direction of the carrier's (5; 8, 9) rectilinear movement from opposite side.

Abstract: A method of operating a drill string tool for use in a wellbore formed in an earth formation is provided. T he method comprises rotating an upper drill string part while a rotation transfer assembly transfers the rotation of a first element to a second element so as to rotate a lower drill string part in order to drill a section of a wellbore, inducing a controller to disengage the rotation transfer assembly so as to allow the first element to rotate relative to the second element by virtue of bearings, and rotating the upper drill string part about its longitudinal axis while the lower drill string part remains substantially stationary.

Abstract: A mud pressure intensifier works with existing conventional drill strings without requiring special equipment or drilling fluids. The intensifier is self-contained and is located in the drill string between the drill bit and the rest of the string. The rotational power generated by a conventional mud motor is converted into reciprocal action to reciprocate a piston. The piston elevates the pressure of a portion of the mud on both the upstroke and the downstroke before discharging the pressurized mud at the drill bit.

Abstract: A device for drilling a well bore is disclosed. The invention includes having a tubular string with a motor means for generating a rotative force. The device further includes an inner drilling device adapted to the motor means and an outer drilling device concentrically arranged about the inner drilling device. The device still further includes a planetary gear system adapted for imparting the rotation generated from the motor means to the outer drilling device. In one embodiment, the motor member has a shaft extending therefrom, with the shaft being operatively connected with the inner drilling device, and wherein the shaft has a plurality of shaft splines thereon formed to cooperate with the planetary gear system. A method of drilling a well bore with the novel drilling device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pipe bursting apparatus includes a directional boring machine capable of simultaneously rotating and pulling a drill string and an impact tool connectable to the drill string. The impact tool includes a tubular housing ending in a front bursting head, an input shaft, bearings supporting the input shaft for rotation within the housing, a striker disposed for reciprocation within the housing to deliver impacts to a front anvil, and a drive mechanism for simultaneously pulling the impact tool forward in response to a pulling force on the input shaft and for reciprocating the striker to drive the tool forward by the action of cyclic impacts on the front anvil. The apparatus can carry out a pipe bursting operation in a manner that eliminates the need to use a separate pneumatic impact tool to burst the existing pipe.

Abstract: A self-propelled drill for drilling a bore or cleaning a pipe in straight and/or curved paths. The drill includes a piston having a working head which slides within a housing. A rotary piston driving mechanism featuring an endless groove converts longitudinal motion of the piston to a combined longitudinal and rotary movement of the working head. A housing gripping device fixes the drill to the wall of the bore to allow drilling while a working head gripping device fixes the working head to the walls of the bore to allow the drill to be periodically pulled forward.

Abstract: An orienting motor has an elongated body consisting of a housing end and an arbor end with a swivel arrangement to allow relative rotation of opposite ends for service as a length element of a drill string. The body has a bore to conduct drilling fluid moving in the drill string bore. A sensor in the body responds to commands transmitted from the surface in the form of drilling fluid flow rate manipulations to activate a drilling fluid powered motor to rotate opposite ends of the body, and hence, opposite ends of the attached drill string to change the azimuthal orientation of the lower end of the drill string relative to earth.

Abstract: In a ram boring device with a essentially cylindrical ram housing (10) receiving the ram apparatus, and a displacement head (22) connected with one longitudinal end of the ram housing (10) and whose diameter at its end facing the ram housing (10) has a diameter at least equal to that of the ram housing (10), the ram boring device having a receiving space (24) for a position transmitter (28), a transmitter housing (20) containing the receiving space (24) is arranged between the displacement head (22) and the ram housing (20) with the transmitter housing (20) having an outer diameter at least nearly equal to the outer diameter of the ram housing (10).

Abstract: An impact tool having an air-operated hammer for impacting against an anvil in the body of the tool to cause the tool to tunnel through the ground, and having passages and conduits opening to the front region of the tool to pass water to lubricate the tool and wet the soil proximate the front of the tool, to ease the passage of the tool through the soil during the propulsion of the tool.

Abstract: An attitude control device has a plurality of harmonic drive mechanisms of the hollow type, preferably first and second harmonic drive mechanisms. First and second rotational members are connected to the outputs of the first and second harmonic drive mechanisms. These rotational members have eccentric hollow portions which rotate eccentrically around the rotational axes of the harmonic drive mechanisms. A member to be driven is placed to extend through the eccentric hollow portions such that it is supportedly contacted with the inner surfaces of the eccentric hollow portions. In operation, the eccentric hollow portions are rotated relative to each other, whereby the member to be driven is controllably oriented to a desired direction.The attitude control device can be employed as a drilling-direction control device wherein a rotational drill shaft is supported by inner surfaces of eccentric hollow portions of first and second rotational members.

Abstract: Method for casing a hole drilled in a formation having an enlarged section located below a previously cased section. The method includes running casing into the enlarged section wherein the casing is of slightly smaller diameter than that present in the previously cased section, pumping cement into the annulus formed between the outer surface of the casing and the enlarged section of the formation, providing a valve arrangement in the casing to permit circulation of the cement between the annulus and an inner portion of the casing, securing the casing in position within the hole and hanging and packing off in the last casing string. Finally, the previously cased string is latched and sealed to the last casing string.

Abstract: A navigable downhole drilling system incorporating a drilling motor having a system of sensors and information processors for determining the depth, inclination, direction and thrust of the drilling motor. Accordingly, the drilling operation can be continuously monitored and adjusted to ensure desired directional drilling. A programmed processor may be incorporated into the drilling system to guide the drilling motor along a predetermined course. A generator assembly provides power to the processors and sensors as a result of the precessional rotation of the rotor within the stator of the drilling motor. The overall length of the drilling system is minimized by piggybacking the thrust bearings with the power generation unit and siamesing the transmission assembly for the drilling motor with the power section of the motor. As a result, a downhole drilling system of navigable length is created which can be readily directed along the desired course.

Abstract: A downhole oil well tool uses impact, reciprocal drilling and an improved rotating bit or like working member, receiving both fluid pressure and weight from an elongated pipe string with a flow bore in order to drive the tool. A valve within tool housing controls fluid pressure to the working end so that the tool pressures up, then releases pressure through the working member allowing the pipe string to load the bit, creating impact. A clutch rotates the working member during drilling to prevent imprint upon the formation. A bias spring is provided to control and adjust the amount of weight on the bit independent of pipe weight.

Abstract: A downhole oil well tool uses impact, reciprocal drilling and an improved rotating bit or like working member, receiving both fluid pressure and weight from an elongated pipe string with a flow bore in order to drive the tool. A valve within tool housing controls fluid pressure to the working end so that the tool pressures up, then releases pressure through the working member allowing the pipe string to load the bit, creating impact. A clutch rotates the working member during drilling to prevent imprint upon the formation.

Abstract: A jarring apparatus is provided for vibrating a pipe string in a borehole. The apparatus thereto generates at a downhole location longitudinal vibrations in the pipe string in response to flow of fluid through the interior of said string.

Abstract: A percussion drilling apparatus for drilling bore holes into subterranean formation in which a plurality of drill rods are arranged in concentric rows in a drill bit housing, each rod having an impact tooth at its lower ends and the rods arranged either to converge inwardly adjacent to the center of the housing or to diverge outwardly at progressively increased angles in each row toward the outermost row. The impact teeth are fired sequentially by concentric combustion chambers arranged above the drill rods and where the pattern and rate of firing can be controlled by cam operated intake and exhaust valves associated with the combustion chambers. The drill bit housing is arranged at the lower end of the drill string with an umbilical cord which carries all necessary cables and lines between the surface controls and the drill bit housing for the purpose of controlling combustion in each chamber and of carrying away the cuttings as the drilling operation proceeds.

Abstract: Flow pulsing apparatus is adapted to be connected in a drill string above a drill bit. The apparatus includes a housing providing a passage for a flow of drilling fluid toward the bit. A turbine in the housing is rotated about an axis by the flow of drilling fluid. A valve is operated by the turbine to periodically restrict the flow through the passage to create pulsations in the flow and a cyclical water hammer effect to vibrate the housing and the drill bit during use. A cam is provided for effecting reciprocation of the valve along the axis of rotation of the turbine to effect the periodic restriction of flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drill bit which includes a drive arrangement having two opposed drive shafts which are transverse to the drill rod axis, mechanism for driving the shafts and a rock comminuting cutter which is eccentrically mounted on each of the shafts.

Abstract: A downhole tool positioned intermediate the mud motor and the drill bit, for reducing the hydro-static head near or around the bit. What is provided is an upper body portion threadably attachable to the mud motor and having an internal shaft with a bore therethrough for allowing mud to flow down the shaft rotatable during the the operation of the tool. The upper body portion further includes a gear member on the outer wall of the shaft for rotatably engaging the pair of upper gear members which imparts rotation to a pair of lower gear members for further imparting rotation to a fan member located in the lower portion of the tool.

Abstract: A drill string is made flexible near the lower marginal end thereof, and a pneumatic turbine motor is located at the lower terminal end thereof. The pneumatic turbine is connected to a planetary gear reduction system for rotating a drill bit. The diameter and the length of the pneumatic turbine motor, gear reduction system, and bit is of a size which enables the entire assembly to negotiate a sharp bend in the borehole, so that the borehole can be formed to extend downwardly along a relatively straight vertical line towards a payzone, where the borehole then sharply bends laterally towards the payzone, and then continues in another relatively straight line horizontally through the payzone. The pneumatic turbine motor includes reaction ports arranged to force the drill bit against the formation being penetrated, and to counteract the bit torque.

Abstract: This invention relates to equipment which is installed in oil wells and more particularly to a tool control apparatus for a tool placed in the production string of a well.This apparatus is lowered into the well at the end of a cable (116). It comprises a first mechanism (134-148-152-154) for transforming a longitudinal reciprocating movement into an alternating rotary movement, the longitudinal movement being obtained by pulling on the cable (116), and a second mechanism (156) forming part of the first, for transforming the alternating rotary movement into a one-directional rotary movement.The invention also relates to an apparatus for closing the production string of a well, characterized in that it includes the closing apparatus or plug involved.Application to oil well production tests.

Abstract: A drilling device comprises a drilling head including a rotating body through which runs a duct for supplying, under pressure, air, or mud, or water or other drilling fluid. At least one rotating cutting element is mounted on a shaft fixed on the rotating body so that the axes of rotation of the rotating body and of the cutting element diverge in the drilling direction. The cutting element is a disc having a ring-shaped cutting part. The rotating body bears on the opposite side to that bearing the rotating shaft of the disc a counter-reacting element placed in such a way that the element rests against the drilling wall to center the drilling head by compensating for the radial component of the reaction of the ground on the disc and to strengthen the wall. The point of contact of the element and wall which is highest up on the device is no higher than the highest point of the ring-shaped cutting part.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the rapid and efficient drilling of oil well and other types of bore holes through tough abrasive underground formations, which methods and apparatus utilize high drag intermittent contact and cooling techniques to provide good rates of penetration with low wear and heat deterioration on the drilling tools.

Abstract: In a down hole drilling tool a closed valve is operatively moved downwards by pressurized drilling mud pumped down the drill string, the valve when it attains its lower position being opened and being returned under the influence of a spring or other upwardly urging means acting on the valve to its upper position at which the valve is closed thereby to complete the cycle of operations. The valve is so continuously coupled to a torque member that the downward movement of the valve causes turning of the torque member in one direction, and the upward movement of the valve causes turning of the torque member in the opposite direction. A drill bit mounted on the lower end of a rotor is connected through a one-way clutch to the torque member so that during the downward movement of the valve the rotor and drill bit are rotatably driven by the torque member but are stationary during the upward movement of the valve, the drill bit thus being operatively intermittently rotated.

Abstract: A self-propelled drilling head comprises a base section including gripper shoes mounted for extension and retraction to selectively grip the wall of a hole being drilled. A first actuator is provided for extending and retracting the gripper shoes. A drilling section is mounted on the base for reciprocation relative thereto. A second actuator is provided for urging the drilling section downwardly relative to the base section when the gripper shoes are extended. A cutter bit is mounted at a lower end of the drilling section. A third actuator is provided for rotating the cutter bit and comprises a first hydraulic motor having a first output shaft. A second hydraulic motor is spaced below and laterally offset from the first hydraulic motor and has a second output shaft extending parallel to the first output shaft. A driven gear is mounted at the end of each output shaft. A drive transmitting gear mechanism is meshingly engaged on opposite sides by the driven gears.

Abstract: A surface drilling apparatus for drilling large diameter holes in soft to medium-hard earth formations includes a cylindrical casing defined by a stationary upper section and a lower section rotatable relative to the upper section; a plurality of circular rows of cutting discs rotatably mounted on the base of the lower section for cutting material beneath the apparatus; a transfer pipe in the center of the base of the lower section for receiving cut material from the cutting discs and feeding the cut material upwardly through a discharge pipe for carrying the material upwardly to the surface; and an annular, upwardly inclined slot in the discharge pipe at the top of the upper section through which air is fed under pressure into the discharge pipe to induce the cut material upwardly from the transfer pipe and blow the material upwardly.

Abstract: A down-the-hole rock drill including a drill bit provided at the lower end of a drill rod, which is rotatably driven by an above-the-ground motor. To increase the drilling efficiency and facilitate drilling of large-diameter holes a machine casing is positioned between the drill rod and the drill bit, said casing enclosing a hydraulic pump which is rotatably driven by the drill rod. The hydraulic pump delivers pressurized liquid to and drives the percussion unit including a hammer, the latter delivering blows against the drill bit at regular intervals. The machine casing also encloses at least one hydraulic motor driven by the pressurized liquid and arranged to rotate the drill bit. Hydraulically controllable blocking means prevent the machine casing from rotating relative to the drill hole wall while the drill bit is in operation.

Abstract: A drill bit is coupled at its upper end to an orbiting mass oscillator. The oscillator is mounted and connected to the bit such that the oscillator describes a conical orbiting path. The drill bit follows this conical orbiting path of the oscillator which results in a rolling nutating action of the bit cutters on the work material.

Abstract: A shaft transmission has coaxial tubular input and output shafts extending forwardly and backwardly from the transmission. Front and rear planet assemblies in the transmission include respective sun gears, planet carriers, and ring gears. The front planet carrier is fixed on an outer shaft enclosing the entire transmission. The rear sun gear is fixed rotationally to the input shaft. The rear planet carrier is fixed rotationally both to the front sun gear and to the output shaft. The rear ring gear is fixed rotationally to the front ring gear. Such a transmission divides the load between the front and rear planet assemblies while giving a substantial stepdown in the neighborhood of 4:1. In addition the input and output shafts form a throughgoing passage through which a fluid medium, such as drilling mud, can be passed.

Abstract: Vibratory drill apparatus is disclosed which is adapted for automatic self-balancing to compensate for variations in hardness of the material being drilled and/or dulling of the cutting blades which occurs during the drilling operation. The apparatus includes a tubular casing adapted to be connected to a rotating shaft and a drill assembly comprising a plurality of coaxially extending pipe members, each being located one within the other, the upper region of the drill assembly being received within the lower region of the casing. A drill head is defined at the lower region of the drill assembly. The pipe members are interconnected such that they are mutually fixed to each other for simultaneous rotation about their axis and such that each pipe member is free to move in the axial direction relative to the other pipe members.

Abstract: In a reduction unit of a drilling motor comprising a casing, input and output shafts installed on supports, a reduction gear including sun and crown wheels, pinion carriers and planet pinions with supports located in a circular space between the wheels, an oil-filled chamber and a system of oil protection, there is provided a means eliminating the overloading of the reduction gear and a means eliminating the effect of torque fluctuations on the operation of the reduction gear while the supports of the input and output shafts installed on the ends of said shafts connected with the reduction gear are made in the form of articulated units taking axial loads and permitting angular displacements of the shafts, each of said shafts carrying a seal installed side by side with said support at the side opposite to the reduction gear, said seal being provided with a dividing space filled with a buffer fluid which protects said seal against contact with the drilling fluid.

Abstract: A cutting drum for a mining machine that requires only a single supporting arm, and single interior motor for rotation of the cutting drum. The drum has two body portions which are spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive the supporting arm along the axis of the drum. A cutting chain is operatively connected by sprocket teeth to each of the body portions, one of the body portions being driven by a shaft of the interior motor through reduction planetary gears. Only a single stage reduction need be provided. One of the body portions may be formed so that it is longitudinally reciprocal along the axis of the drum to vary the cutting height or width.

Abstract: A process for excavating and constructing a tunnel, and an excavating device are disclosed. This process is directed to excavating and constructing a tunnel under a railway or a road on a banking or on level land in the direction transverse to the railway or road. In this process, pits are dug on the opposite sides of the railway, and then an excavator digs into the wall of a pit on one side so as to go out of the wall of the other pit through the ground left therebetween. In this respect, a hollow casing unit of a box shape is coupled to the rear end of the excavator equipped with a screw conveyor. As the excavator advances or digs forwards a given distance, another casing unit is in turn coupled to the rear end of the preceding casing unit, and then such a step is repeated, until the excavator goes out of the wall of another pit. In this manner, the excavator further digs into the wall of one pit in the position adjacent to the preceding run of casing units.

Abstract: A coal-mining auger having (a) a hollow, tubular auger head with a spiral or helical coal conveyor mounted therein in concentric relation to the axis of rotation of said auger head, (b) a plurality of coal-cutting bits mounted on said auger head, said bits being orbitally movable with the auger head in circular paths concentric with said axis of rotation, said bits being also concurrently rotatable about their individual axes, and (c) coal-cutting bits which are radially adjustable relative to said axes of rotation. The individually rotatable bits are driven by planetary gear trains which are driven by the main auger shaft.

Abstract: A pump is installed in a drill string above the bit and both the bit and pump are connected to the outputs of a differential gearing located therebetween. The circulation of drilling fluids is the reverse from the conventional and by operating a valve in the drill string the torque applied to the bit and pump can be controlled. Useful for drilling weak formations.

Abstract: A drill bit comprising a body suspended in a well bore by an electrical cable which transmits power to a motor secured to the body and eccentric cam member rotated by the drive shaft of the motor and engagable with a plurality of reciprocal drill pins whereby the pins are sequentially impinged against the sidewalls and bottom of the well bore for producing a drilling operation.

Abstract: A reduction gear system includes a pair of sets of meshing pinions and internal gears having a substantially larger diameter than the pinions, a shaft connecting the internal gear of the first set to the pinion of the second set, a second shaft supporting the pinion of the first set, a third shaft supporting the internal gear of the second set, the axes of said second and third shafts being in alignment and parallel to but spaced from the axis of the first shaft. Additional parts of sets may be connected to the first pair. When used between the motor and drill bit of an oil well drill the shafts, pinions and gears are supported in an inner housing within an outer housing with a fluid mud passageway therebetween. The inner housing includes a grease chamber and the pressure of the grease is kept greater than the mud pressure by means of a piston surrounding the shaft at the top of the housing.

Abstract: A positive displacement, constant speed, pressure sealing, wear compensating, hydraulic motor for driving a rock drill, comprising an exernally cylindrical rotor mounted for axial rotation in an internally cylindrical housing and connectible to a drill bit to transmit driving torque thereto, a plurality of driving members in the form of cylindrical rollers mounted in respective axially extending recesses in the cylindrical surface of said rotor, the rollers being floated by fluid flow and pressure only and without the aid of mechanical springs, into sealing engagement with said housing, and at least two circumferentially extending recesses in the cylindrical wall of said housing adapted to receive said driving members in succession during rotation of the rotor; each said recess having circumferentially spaced inlet and outlet means for drilling mud for impingement on said driving members to drive said rotor.

Abstract: Earth drilling equipment includes a main body tube with jacks to releasably support it within a drilled shaft, or within an erected start up shaft. An outer casing is rotatably mounted within the main body tube, and carries a horizontal base on which are driven wheels, and vertical shafts which have cutting elements. Means within the casing for fluid input and evacuation within the drill area is provided to form a slurry of the fluid and excavated material for withdrawal through the casing. As drilling continues, the main body tube is lowered into the shaft.The cutting elements include plates with cutting edges mounted on individual axles such that the edges are maintained in cutting relation to the area to be drilled.

Abstract: A reduction gear system includes a pair of sets of meshing pinions and internal gears having a substantially larger diameter than the pinions, a shaft connecting the internal gear of the first set to the pinion of the second set, a second shaft supporting the pinion of the first set, a third shaft supporting the internal gear of the second set, the axes of said second and third shafts being in alignment and parallel to but spaced from the axis of the first shaft. Additional parts of sets may be connected to the first pair. When used between the motor and drill bit of an oil well drill the shafts, pinions and gears are supported in an inner housing within an outer housing with a fluid mud passageway therebetween. The inner housing includes a grease chamber and the pressure of the grease is kept greater than the mud pressure by means of a piston surrounding the shaft at the top of the housing.

Abstract: A square hole drill having a cutterhead configuration whose outline is in the form of a Reuleaux triangle and which also has a planetary gear drive. Two counter revolving motions are present in the drill at the same time. One is the pure rotary motion of the drill's cutterhead about its own shaft. The other is the circular motion of the cutterhead as a unit about a center line due to its eccentric mounting and drive. To achieve the opposite rotation of the unit as a whole compared to the rotation of the cutterhead about its own axis, a combined meshing planet gear and ring gear are used. The planet gear is directly connected to the cutterhead by a shaft rigidly attached to the gear's front side. At the rear side of the planet gear is the eccentrically mounted drive shaft. Surrounding the external teeth of the planet gear is a larger stationary ring gear with internal teeth to continuously engage the planet gear's teeth.

Abstract: Torsional sonic energy is generated by means of a sonic generator and coupled to an elastic member to cause torsional resonant vibration thereof. The output of the torsional resonant member is coupled through an acoustic rectifier device to a drilling bit to simultaneously provide both torsional and vertical drive components to the bit to effect a spiral "screw" type driving action thereof. The rectifier action results in unidirectional high level pulses of the resonant sonic energy to the bit, causing the bit to be driven both rotatably and downwardly in a pulsating manner.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus in the field of Terradynamics, e. g. projectile penetration into soils and rocks, employing "open chamber" firing systems using "Trounds" (triangular rounds of ammunition). Included are salvo firings of small calibre projectiles for "shock wave" interaction drilling application of residual gun gases to actuate drill heads and/or reamers; a continuous self-contained feed system for feeding ammunition to be fired and removing and storing the used cases; remote self contained powering of the ammunition feed and storage by recoil of the gun, residual gun gases, electrical batteries, and/or combinations thereof; absorption of excess residual gun gas in an ambient environment of over 5000 psi external to the gun; and automatic clearing of the gun barrels from mud and or debris when embedded in a high pressure drilling mud external to a gun drill.

Abstract: The machine has a braking arrangement for retaining it against rearward motion and rotation and includes a housing accommodating therein a hammer reciprocable in operation of the machine and adapted to strike the head part of the housing, the latter having a drilling tool rigidly connected thereto. The tail part of the housing supports a sleeve rigidly connected with the braking arrangement. The housing and the sleeve are connected so that the housing is rotatable and axially displaceable relative to the sleeve. The drilling tool rotating mechanism is positioned intermediate the sleeve and the housing and includes a helicoidal couple made up by a helicoidally threaded rod rigidly secured to the housing and a nut, the mechanism further including a freewheeling clutch of which the movable cage is made integral with the nut.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining earth samples of soil or rock from the bottom of holes previously drilled in the earth, the apparatus having an outer and inner non-rotatable casing and a rotatable intermediate casing wherein the intermediate casing is provided with a cutter head fixed to the outer end thereof, including a rotatable hollow shaft adapted to rotate the intermediate casing through a reduction gear train and to supply water or other drill fluid under predetermined pressures to the apparatus, the outer casing having expandable earth engaging arms operatable by the water or fluid pressure received from the hollow shaft for engaging the side wall of the previously bored hole formed in the earth wherein the earth engaging arms will prevent rotation of the outer and inner casing while the hollow shaft is rotating the intermediate casing, and means carried within the outer casing for supporting the gear train, including means incorporated within the apparatus for marking the azimuth of the core, and means fo

Abstract: A turbo-drill is provided with a mechanism for reducing the speed of rotation of the drilling bit, the mechanism being made in the form of a frictional reduction means wherein the rotors of the turbo-drill are the inner wheel and the stators of the turbo-drill are the outer wheel. Between the stators and rotors in the carrier of the reduction means disposed are bodies of rolling, which roll during rotation of the rotor under the action of contact frictional forces. In addition, between the reduction stages of the turbine and above them mounted are one or more auxiliary stages of the turbine, each having two wheels provided with vanes, one of the wheels being connected through its hub to the shaft so as to enable axial displacement thereof with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: A tiltable coupling has one end thereof connected to a down-hole drill and has the other end thereof connected to a section of drill rod. By using that tiltable coupling, it is possible to cause a down-hole drill to drill curved holes in subterranean formations. That tiltable coupling serves to connect the section of drill rod to the down-hole drill, and also serves as a conduit for the compressed air which must be supplied to that down-hole drill.One preferred embodiment of the tiltable coupling has a fulcrum at one side thereof and has a piston at the opposite side thereof; and that piston will be left inactive whenever a straight section of the hole is to be drilled, but that piston will be actuated whenever a curved section of that hole is to be drilled.