Abstract: System and methods for creating shaped, non-circular boreholes in rocks especially for use with geothermal heat pump applications and for increasing wellbore support in applications such as horizontal oil and gas drilling are described. The systems and methods when applied to geothermal heat pumps create an elliptical shaped hole that is optimized for placing heat transfer tubes with a minimum of grout used. The significantly reduced cross-sectional area of the elliptical borehole also increases the overall drilling rate in rock and especially in hard rocks. In horizontal hard-rock drilling, creation of a horizontal non-circular borehole or modification of a circular borehole to a non-circular geometry is used to stabilize the borehole prior to casing insertion, and may also allow the use of lower mud pressures improving drilling rates. The system uses a non-contacting drilling system which in one embodiment uses a supersonic flame jet drilling system with a movable nozzle that swings between pivot points.

Abstract: A drill bit, system and method for penetrating a material such as a mineral bearing rock or the like is disclosed. The system comprises a drill bit comprising a cutting face comprising at least one cutting tool, an emitter of microwaves positioned behind the cutting face, wherein at least a portion of the microwaves are emitted in a direction away from the cutting face, and a reflector for directing the portion to the cutting face. In operation the emitted microwaves irradiate the material prior to the irradiated material being removed by the at least one cutting tool.

Abstract: In order to provide a method with apparatuses for safe final storage of highly radioactive waste products while safely coping with a reactor core melt, and final storage of the highly radioactive as well as slightly radioactive and medium-radioactive inventory when dismantling the nuclear power station itself in situ, it is proposed that a metal-shell drilled shaft composed of a casting be used as the final storage shaft at the nuclear power station location to which the material to be finally stored is supplied via a bomb-proof transport tunnel, which is hermetically isolated from the biosphere, from the reactor building or temporary stored by means of a magnetic sliding trans-port system for introduction to store, with filled final store sections migrating into the earth's mantel after separation from the remaining shaft, with residual heat being produced and under the influence of the force of gravity.

Abstract: A method for extracting minerals from a narrow-vein deposit by thermal fragmentation is provided. The method includes locating the vein and determining the extent thereof to form the boundaries of a stope. Access to the stope is prepared by forming a panel having an upper drift and a lower drift. Equipment for thermal fragmentation, including a burner, is installed from the upper drift. The burner moves along the panel surface in a sweeping motion, while rock chips spalled from the rock panel surface are collected. Multiple panels for processing can be realised, with lower panels being processed before upper panels, by excavating a sub-level to separate the lower and upper panels.

Abstract: A free-blast method for extracting ore from an ore vein deposit wherein the vein is extracted by causing the ore comprised between the rock walls bordering the vein to spall into fragments. The ore fragments are recuperated as by aspiration and subsequently processed to retrieve the precious mineral.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus for well-boring having a drill bit assembly which includes a laser cutting assembly and a vacuum assembly. The vacuum assembly is adapted to intake vapors generated by the laser cutting assembly proximate the drill bit assembly during operation of the drilling apparatus. The collected vapors may then be processed by a chromatographic analyzer to determine the characteristics of the rock formation being drilled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for making in situ thermal property determinations utilizing a heat source employed in wellbore stabilization procedures, well drilling, or well perforating, for example. In particular, using a heat source, such as a laser driller, to enable formation temperature measurements. Based on these measurements, thermal properties of the formation may be inferred.

Abstract: A free-blast method for extracting ore from an ore vein deposit wherein the vein is extracted by causing the ore comprised between the rock walls bordering the vein to spall into fragments. The ore fragments are recuperated as by aspiration and subsequently processed to retrieve the precious mineral.

Abstract: An apparatus for perforation of wellbore walls, which apparatus includes a fiber optic cable having a laser input end and a laser output end. A laser source is operably connected to the laser input end and a laser head is connected to the laser output end. The laser head includes a laser control components for controlling at least one laser beam characteristic. Laser head control elements for controlling the motion and location of the laser head are operably connected to the fiber optic cable. The laser head is enclosed in a protective housing, which protects the fiber optic cable and elements, such as reflectors and lenses for controlling the laser beam emitted by the fiber optic cable disposed therein, from the harsh environments encountered in downhole operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an in situ borehole liner in which a laser beam from a laser energy assembly disposed within a transparent drill head enclosure of a drill head assembly is directed into a rock formation to be drilled and a portion of the rock formation is melted, forming molten rock. The drill head assembly is directed into the molten rock forming a borehole having a borehole wall. At least one air stream from the drill head assembly is directed into the molten rock forming the molten rock against the borehole wall after which the molten rock against the borehole wall is cooled, forming a borehole liner.

Abstract: Advanced masonry coring systems for coring and grouting masonry walls are disclosed in this patent. The systems include rotating machinery and a drill column in the form of a cylindrical double-piped string of pipe sections, rotating a cylindrical drill body. The drill body mounts cutting end faces having alternative means of employing carbide or diamond cutting and/or pulverizing elements. The double drill pipe weight is made workable through new aerospace composite fabrication. The double pipe permits more efficient routing of air and removal of drill cuttings. Advancement in various system components and means of placing reinforcement into walls is disclosed. Further disclosure is included of advanced means of optimizing resin grouting materials and procedures to fill the wall cavities created by the core drill, integrating the reinforcement into the walls.

Abstract: An earth boring apparatus at least partially locatable within a borehole. The apparatus includes a plurality of optical fibers, each of which has a proximal fiber light energy input end and a distal fiber light energy output end. At least one focal lens is disposed at the distal fiber light energy output end. The focal lens is made up of a plurality of focal elements, each of which corresponds to the distal fiber light energy output end of at least one optical fiber. The focal lens is arranged to receive light energy from the corresponding distal fiber light energy output end of the at least one optical fiber and focus it outwardly from the distal fiber light energy output end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for drilling, analyzing, and stabilizing subsurface formations. The system is generally formed around a reusable bottomhole assembly (BHA) that provides an anchoring and thrust mechanism, furnishing the necessary downward force needed to provide comminution of geological material in a borehole. The BHA is conveyed into the borehole via a communications link wireline equiped with internal power and data telemetry lines. The BHA permits the use of multiple comminution sampling and analysis tools via a coupling device. The BHA and communications link wireline are mounted so as to couple with different tools. The main drilling mechanism is a torque drive assembly powered coring tool. A borehole televiewer and/or logging analysis tool may follow each coring period. The final step in each coring period is a wellbore consolidation technique. This series of steps is then repeated, each time coring the wellbore to a deeper depth.

Abstract: An earth boring apparatus at least partially locatable within a borehole. The apparatus includes a plurality of optical fibers, each of which has a proximal fiber light energy input end and a distal fiber light energy output end. At least one focal lens is disposed at the distal fiber light energy output end. The focal lens is made up of a plurality of focal elements, each of which corresponds to the distal fiber light energy output end of at least one optical fiber. The focal lens is arranged to receive light energy from the corresponding distal fiber light energy output end of the at least one optical fiber and focus it outwardly from the distal fiber light energy output end.

Abstract: The soil sampler of this invention is mounted on a wheeled vehicle and includes a frame having a pivotal mast which is movable between an upright position and a horizontally disposed position. An elongated, hollow soil probe is longitudinally movably mounted on the mast so that the probe may be inserted into the ground to collect a soil sample. When the sample has been collected in the soil probe, the probe is raised from the ground and the mast is moved from its upright position to its horizontally disposed position. The soil sample in the probe is automatically dumped from the probe when the mast has been moved to its horizontally disposed position. The soil sample is collected in a receptacle position below the probe with the receptacle being divided into at least two compartments. The soil sampling probe also includes means for indicating the true position of the soil surface.

Abstract: An electrode assembly comprising concentric tubular electrodes is provided for high temperature processing of materials. The electrode assembly is connected with a power supply that includes switching means for alternatively operating the electrode assembly in a transferred mode of operation, in a non-transferred mode of operation, or according to a controlled sequence of non-transferred and transferred modes of operation. The power supply system includes variable inductors, such as leakage-coupled reactors, for controlling the electrical power supplied to the electrodes for producing a DC arc. The electrode assembly can be incorporated into an arc furnace for processing waste material in the furnace. The electrode assembly is also suitable for use in the practice of in-situ vitrification and remediation of contaminated soil.

Abstract: A rock melting penetrator is provided with an afterbody that rapidly cools a molten geological structure formed around the melting tip of the penetrator to the glass transition temperature for the surrounding molten glass-like material. An annealing afterbody then cools the glass slowly from the glass transition temperature through the annealing temperature range to form a solid self-supporting glass casing. This allows thermally induced strains to relax by viscous deformations as the molten glass cools and prevents fracturing of the resulting glass liner. The quality of the glass lining is improved, along with its ability to provide a rigid impermeable casing in unstable rock formations.

Abstract: A masonry coring system for drilling vertical holes in a masonry wall comprises a drill bit in the form of a thin-walled cylinder having a cutting end face, a plurality of cutting elements fastened to the cutting end face, and a core breaker located within the interior of the cylinder. The coring system further comprises a driver plate fastened to the drill bit opposite the cutting end face, a driver shaft having a small axial hole therein fastened to the upper surface of the driver plate, a hydraulic motor to rotate the driver shaft, a non-rotating plastic pipe slightly larger than and surrounding the driver shaft, the plastic pipe resting on the driver plate and containing a plurality of holes located at the end near the driver plate. An air compressor forces compressed air through the axial hole in the driver shaft. An evacuation system withdraws the drilling dust through the annulus between the driver shaft and pipe and into a dust collector.

Abstract: The proposed invention relates to the mining industry and may be used for drilling wells in loose rock, in particular in quaternary deposits and in technogenic rocks with simultaneous durable and ecologically clean tubingless well cementing. The proposed method is based on loosening of the rock by its preliminary drying at the temperature of 400-450 K., its dehydration at the temperature of 700-750 K., burning out organic admixtures and its dissociation with separation of the gaseous phase at the temperature of 750-950 K. with subsequent compacting by means of the rock-crushing instrument mounted at the lower part of a thermomechanical penetrator, and on thermal transformation of the compacted rock (caking, roasting, fusion) by means of a cylindrical heater with the working temperature of 1800-2300 K.

Abstract: Only a gap defining the outer profile of the tunnel or borehole is melted down in a peripheral heat drilling process for tunnels, deep-well and exploration boreholes. The drill core, surrounded by the generated gap, initially remains and is then extracted at intervals via a tube. It is expedient for the drill core to be sheared off and extracted continuously after it has passed a cooling zone. The height of the drill core, which first remains in the borehole, is determined such that the molten rock can be pressed into the drill core, whereby the necessary pressure for this pressing in is maintained essentially constant, independently of the depth of the borehole concerned.

Abstract: A high pressure pipe string for continuous fusion drilling of deep wells which houses supply lines, measurement instrumentation and control wiring of the drilling device. It has at least two shell elements forming two halves of a pipe, and these parts are assembled into a smooth, tight, and compression and tension resistant pipe. In a process for assembling, propelling and subsequently dismantling a high-pressure pipe string for continuous fusion drilling of deep wells, the supply lines, the measurement instrumentation and the control wiring are fed to the boring head in a continuous manner. The supply lines, the measurement instrumentation and the control wiring are encased in a tight, compression and tension resistant high-pressure pipe string having several parts, the assembled pipe string being continuously propelled downward into the boring. The device for the execution of one of these processes has one storage carrousel for each of the supply lines, on which the supply lines are wound.

Abstract: An internal burner for producing a subsonic air-fuel flame jet capable of flame finishing granite of similar hard stone has a body forming a closed combustion chamber fed with an essentially stoichiometric flow of compressed air and fuel such that upon ignition and combustion of the reactants, there is produced at pressures in excess of 30 psig hot products of combustion. A first nozzle within the body of relatively small diameter d.sub.1 at the exit end of the combustion chamber expands the products to supersonic velocity. A duct of sufficiently large diameter within the body downstream of the first nozzle and open thereto converts a jet of hot gases to subsonic velocity by shock action prior to discharging the hot gas products of combustion. A second nozzle having a large diameter d.sub.2 in excess of the diameter d.sub.1 of the first nozzle and open to the duct at the end opposite the first nozzle produces a subsonic flame jet to be directed against the rock surface.

Abstract: In a heat drilling process for tunnels, deep well and exploration boreholes, only a gap defining the outer profile of the tunnel or borehole is melted down. The drill core surrounded by this gap initially remains and is then extracted at intervals via the melted zone. It is expedient for the drill core to be sheared off and extracted continuously after it has passed a cooling zones. The height of the drill core which first remains in the borehole is determined such that the molten rock can be pressed into the drill core, whereby for this pressing in the necessary pressure is maintained essentially constant independently of the depth of the borehole concerned.

Abstract: A method for the electro-thermal and electrochemical underground conversion of coal into oil and by-products comprises the steps of inserting an underground probe into a bore hole until the probe is in close proximity to a coal seam. A mixture of air, steam, an electrolyte and a suitable catalyst is supplied to the probe, and the mixture is then sprayed directly on the coal seam through a passage in a nozzle. The probe is also energized with electricity applied to the nozzle to produce an arc between the coal and the probe, simultaneous with the spraying of the mixture on the coal seam. Heat of the combustion from the arc and the steam combine to produce a pyrolysis, oxidation, and reduction of the coal, thereby converting the coal into a gaseous combination of oil and by-products. The arc can be rotated to increase the tunnel diameter. An apparatus for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A system for perforating the subsurface formation located in the area of an oil or gas bore hole in which a high powered coherent light beam axially is directed along the bore hole to a predetermined depth therein from a surface location, the beam is deflected at said depth along a deflected beam axis. The beam is focused at said depth to concentrate the beam at each of a plurality of spaced focal points along the deflected beam axis. There is provided (1) a significant increase in the distance (length) to which the calculated oil or gas bearing formations can be perforated (from a present nominal 18 inches to 200 feet or more), thus providing the opportunity for increased yield; and (2) an accurate determination of the exact near horizontal plan orientation of such perforations so that each can be aimed in the direction of the most promising formation pay zone.

Abstract: A method of perforating the sub-surface formation located in the area of an oil or gas well bore hole comprising directing a high powered coherent light beam axially along the bore hole to a predetermined depth therein from a surface location, deflecting the beam at said depth along a deflected beam axis, and successively focusing the beam at said depth to concentrate the beam at each of a plurality of spaced focal points along the deflected beam axis. The method (1) provides a significant increase in the distance (length) to which the calculated oil or gas bearing formations can be perforated (from a present nominal 18 inches to 200 feet or more), thus providing the opportunity for increased yield; and (2) provides an accurate determination of the exact near horizontal plane orientation of such perforations so that each can be aimed in the direction of the most promising formation pay zone.

Abstract: Underground bores are drilled through a formation from a plurality of vertical bore holes by use of laser beams to form a subsurface, three-dimensional bore passage pattern for in situ preparation of fossil fuel deposits to be recovered. A laser beam is projected vertically through an angularly adjusted tubular housing inserted into each bore hole from which a reflected drilling beam is laterally directed by an angularly adjusted reflector to form a bore passage.

Abstract: A self-implanting anchor comprising an elongated body having a first portion comprised of a consumable combustible material extending from a leading end of the body and back along the length of the body, and a second portion defining an anchor for implantation in a compact material and which extends from the first portion of the body and back along the length thereof. The elongated body includes a conduit extending axially therethrough and opening at the leading end of the body for supplying an oxidizer through the conduit to the consumable combustible material at the leading end. In use, the leading end portion is positioned against a surface of the compact material and the combustible material is ignited to melt the compact material in a vicinity of the leading end portion of the elongated body.

Abstract: The method of the present invention relates to providing controlled directional bores in subterranean earth formations, especially coal beds for facilitating in situ gasification operations. Boreholes penetrating the coal beds are interconnected by laser-drilled bores disposed in various arrays at selected angles to the major permeability direction in the coal bed. These laser-drilled bores are enlarged by fracturing prior to the gasification of the coal bed to facilitate the establishing of combustion zones of selected configurations in the coal bed for maximizing the efficiency of the gasification operation.