Abstract: A blast hole drill comprising a mast including two parallel mast cords, a carriage, and a rotary head mounted on the carriage and adapted to engage a drill pipe. The rotary head includes a drive pinion on a rack on one of the mast cords, and the drive pinion is on one side of at least one of the mast cords. A backup wheel assembly is on the opposite side of the respective mast cord opposite the pinion and includes a wheel holding assembly support rotatably supporting a backup wheel, a yoke having an opening through the yoke, a plunger threadably received in the yoke opening, the wheel assembly support being slidably received on the plunger, and Belleville washers extending around the plunger and between the yoke and the wheel holding assembly support, the Belleville washers extending between an abutment on the plunger and the wheel holding assembly support.

Abstract: A double-head drilling machine is disclosed, which by changing over or converting small component units can cooperate with drill or drill pipes of different diameters. To this end, drive carriages (16) operating on drills or drill pipes, for example, comprise a carriage base element (32), to which a drive unit (42) is releasably fitted. The drive unit (42) can thus be replaced by a different drive unit having essentially the same geometry, which is designed for operating with a drill or drill pipe having a different diameter.

Abstract: A cartridge for storing pipe lengths on a horizontal directional drill that allows easy loading and unloading of pipes from the cartridge while it is attached to the drill. Longitudinal support members and towers at each end of the cartridge provide structural support to the cartridge and maintain the pipe lengths within the cartridge. The sides of the cartridge are open and unobstructed. Loading and unloading of pipes can, therefore, be done through the sides of the cartridge.

Abstract: A method in or relating to piling of e.g. tubular bases which are placed and, possibly, casted within a hole drilled out in earth mass in ground or the like is described. One uses a generally known drilling rig, in which a bit is assigned a drilling hammer, and drills a hold having a depth approximately corresponding to the base pipe. If there exists a need for piling, the drill string is swung aside, away from the hole, after having been pulled up, and one or, possibly, a plurality of piles is/are rammed down with a starting point at the bottom level of the bore hole. In order to drive the pile(s) down, the drilling hammer of the drilling rig is used.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling boreholes into the earth includes a mobile carrier with a frame that supports an elongated housing. The housing has upper and lower end portions. An drill pipe section holder is positioned at the lower end of a tubular member rotatably mounted in the housing for holding a drill pipe section and rotating it during placement. A plurality of drive wheels carried by the frame transport the housing between upper and lower positions. The wheels are loaded with adjustable compression springs so that extensive pressure can be applied from the drive wheels to the housing for gripping and driving the housing during insertion. A gear train interconnects the driving wheels so that all of the driving wheels rotate at the same rotational speed. Water is supplied to the housing via a bore that communicates with openings and a bore of the tubular member. The tubular member bore conveys the water to multiple sections of drill pipe (i.e.

Abstract: An anchor assembly for securing a boring machine to the earth is provided. The anchor assembly includes a shaft equipped with a helical assembly by which the shaft can be driven into and removed from the earth like a screw. The helical assembly preferably includes a plurality of flights and a plurality of wings pivotally attached to the flights and helically aligned therewith. The wings and flights are configured so that rotation in one direction urges the wings into the retracted position. However, counter-rotation for only part of a turn forces the wings into the extended position, which expands the diameter of the helical assembly. Thus, the extended wings bite into soil that was undisturbed during the initial insertion, providing increased frictional engagement between the anchor and the soil. Yet, because the wings are helically aligned with the flights, the extended wings do not substantially resist withdrawal of the anchor assembly from soil by reverse rotation.

Abstract: Entry sub for small conduit operations within the bore of a drill string. The entry sub comprises a central body having upper and lower collars, adapted for in-line attachment to a drill string. Each of the collars has a bore therethrough. The upper and lower collars are joined by dual connecting arms, the connecting arms separated so as to provide a cut-out section between the upper and lower collars. Fluid passages are contained within each connecting arm, connecting with the bores of the collars and providing a fluid flowpath through the length of the entry sub. A seal assembly is positioned in the bottom of the cut-out section, permitting a wireline or other small diameter conduit to pass therethrough into the bore of the lower collar and then into the bore of the drill string.

Abstract: A directional drilling apparatus can be used in confined spaces or utilized in locations close to obstacles such as fences, houses, buildings, etc. A drill head is pushed forward or advanced. The drill head is of a design which provides a large amount of forward thrust for the size of the actuating unit and the drilling apparatus. The drilling apparatus is articulated from a source of power such as a prime mover and thus can be used in confined spaces.

Abstract: A drill comprising a frame supported for movement over the ground, a mast pivotally mounted on the frame, a drill head moveable up and down the mast, the drill head being selectively engageable with the upper end of a drill pipe so that the drill pipe is raised and lowered out of and into the ground when the drill head moves up and down the mast, an elongated flexible member, such as a power line or an air hose, extending between the frame and the drill head, and a device for taking up any slack in the elongated member as the drill head moves up and down the mast.

Abstract: A utility power unit (10) for underground drilling and pipe laying operations comprises a stationary frame portion (12), a movable frame portion (14) capable of performing sliding movement relative to the stationary frame portion (12) and hydraulic cylinders (44) between the stationary and the movable frame portions (12, 14) for effecting the relative movement. The movable frame portion (14) includes an attachment (36) for removably attaching a tool connecting member (38) thereto and a further attachment (40) for removably attaching a rotary drive unit (52) thereto. The invention also provides a method of directional boring along an intended underground path (62) comprising the steps of providing a machine pit (60) at a location along the intended path (62) and drilling a bore along the intended path (62) by means of directional drilling apparatus (10) which includes a stem (30) provided with a drill (68) at a forward end thereof.

Abstract: A method for making foundation piles in soil with a drilling device having an auger, the auger including two concentric tubes, an outer tube occupying an upper part of the auger and an inner tuber projecting partially as a prolongation of the upper part and occupying a lower part of the auger, the inner tuber having a first screw and the outer having one of a second screw and a plurality of blades, both of said tubes being displaceable with respect to each other, the method including the steps rotating the inner tube in a first direction, simultaneously rotating the outer tube in an opposite direction of the first tube and advancing the auger through said soil whereby the soil is compacted against a wall of a formed hole by the combined action of the first screw and the one of the second screw and plurality of blades of the inner and outer tubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an additional equipment for a drilling rig (10) in order to enable hauling-up and lowering, respectively, of a pipe in a borehole. On the derrick (16) of the drilling rig (10), a lower carriage (34) for a catcher means (36) of the hauling-up device is disposed. The carriage (34) is displaceable up and down along the derrick (16). An upper carriage (30) carrying a drilling machine (24) is also displaceable up and down along the derrick (16). The carriage (34) of the hauling-up device is permanently interconnected to a driven transmission mechanism (48) providing up and downward movements along the derrick (16). During the drilling operations, the two carriages (30, 34) are interconnected. During the hauling-up/lowering operations, the two carriages (30, 34) are uncoupled from each other, and, then, the carriage (30) of the drilling machine (24) is coupled to the derick (16).

Abstract: A portable top drive drilling unit that is a self-contained assembly of components adapted for quick installation in a drilling rig and which requires a minimum of modification to the rig structure.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a feed beam (3a to 3c) of a rock drilling equipment so that first, the position of a base (1) of the rock drilling equipment relative to rock is determined in the general system of coordination and after that, the position of the feed beam (3a to 3c) relative to the base (1) is measured. Measuring devices (6a to 6c) fixedly mounted in the base (1) at a distance from one another and at least two measuring devices (9a to 9c, 10a to 10c) attached to the feed beam at a distance from one another at a predetermined position are used in the method, whereby at least some of the measuring devices comprise a transmitter and at least some a receiver, respectively.

Abstract: A control is provided for a drill head that is mounted on a drill mast. Hydraulic motors raise and lower the drill head and a hydraulically releasable brake holds the drill head in position on the mast. The control has a hoist line that connects the hydraulic motors to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure. A brake release line is connected to the brake and a brake release valve normally connects the brake release to a tank. The brake release valve is electrically actuated to connect the brake release line to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure to release the brake. A programmable logic controller with a memory storage controls the actuation of the brake release valve. A pressure transducer is connected to the hoist line and to the controller for providing a signal to the controller representative of the hoist line pressure and this signal is storable in the memory.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for the drilling and servicing of bore holes in the earth, comprising a first sub-assembly adapted for the drilling and servicing of bore holes using jointed and coiled tubing, a second sub-assembly adapted for the drilling and servicing of bore holes using a continuous length of coiled tubing, and a platform adapted to support the first and second sub-assemblies thereon.

Abstract: A digger from a unit for digging utility pole holes is encased in an elongated box. The box has an attachment thereon for attachment to the carrying arm of a backhoe in place of the backhoe bucket. A 90.degree. attachment provides versatility. The digger is thus capable of digging horizontal tunnels for laying one underground line under another underground line.

Abstract: A directional boring machine is disclosed which is capable of drilling substantially horizontal underground bores of significant length. The boring machine includes a movable carriage, a longitudinal boom mounted on the carriage and a drill head that is mounted on the boom for forward and reversible movement. A first drive normally advances the drill head to accomplish the drilling operation. When an obstacle is encountered, a second drive may be utilized to supplement the first drive to overcome the obstacle. The boom is itself longitudinally slidable relative to the carriage, and the boring machine includes a structure for longitudinally moving the boom between an extended operating position and a retracted transport position.

Abstract: At least one guide shaft is equipped on one or both sides of a plurality of drilling shafts arranged on a line; and a jet nozzle is equipped with said guide shaft. A multi-shaft drilling unit, equipped with preferably three auger shafts, is used to develop a continuous wall under the ground. In such a unit, a housing for maintaining a pitch between the auger shafts includes a housing comprising: a primary gear rotating around the central auger shaft; a pair of secondary gears engaging with the primary gear; a primary bevel gear integral to the primary gear; a secondary bevel gear engaging with said primary bevel gear and fixed to a rotary shaft which rotary shaft is perpendicular to a straight line connecting the center lines of auger shafts; and cutters fixed at both ends of the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A portable top drive drilling unit that is a self-contained assembly of components adapted for quick installation in a drilling rig and which requires a minimum of modification to the rig structure.

Abstract: A horizontal directional boring machine pivotally mounted to a tractor about a vertical axis of rotation positioned over a common entry point into the ground which permits multiple direction bores which radiate from said common entry point all with a single set-up of the boring machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for removing well casing from plugged and abandoned oil wells. The invention includes a unitary platform structure sufficiently small that the structure may be transported by boat to offshore well platforms and be lifted onto the well platform as a single unit. The platform also has a center station with an opening allowing the casing to pass therethrough. The device further includes at least one lifting means, which lifts the well casing through the center station.The present invention will serve many of the purposes of much larger drilling rigs or work over rigs typically employed on oil and gas well platforms. The present invention will be much quicker to transport and requires considerably less set-up time than dig rigs or work over rigs.

Abstract: An apparatus for boring horizontally extending holes at shallow depths beneath the surface of the earth having a frame detachable connected to the bucket of a backhoe. The frame is rigidly connected to the bucket for movement thereby and includes a coupling and drive unit which is detachably mounted within the frame so that the coupling and drive unit can be reversed to push or pull an auger connected thereto in opposite directions relative to the bucket.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus for moving a power tong (110) between an operative and an inoperative position is a drilling tower (105) comprises a first arm (102) and a second arm (103). One end of the first arm (102) is pivotally connected to one end of the second arm (103) at pivot (106) whilst the other end of both the first arm (102) and the second arm (103) are pivotally mounted on a beam (104) attached to the drilling tower (105). Both arms (102, 103) can be extended and retracted in unison to move the power tong (110) towards and away from its operation position circumjacent a pipe string.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting prefabricated drain members downwardly into underlying earth which includes a vertically extending mast that supports an elongated earth penetrating mandrel. The mandrel is adapted to receive a prefabricated drain member for movement with the mandrel down into the earth to insert drain members. A drive is mounted on the mast for driving the mandrel into and out of the underlying earth and the drive includes a rotary drive gear that engages the mandrel and a motor for driving the gear. A vibrator is mounted on the upper end of the mandrel for imparting vibrations to assist in its penetration into the earth. A flexible torsion drive coupler couples the motor to the drive gear for driving the drive gear and for also isolating the motor and the mast from vibrations imparted to the mandrel by the vibrator.

Abstract: An automatic breakout wrench with: the clamping jaw located on the inside of the pipe so that the clamping grip is not reduced by the force of the breakout cylinder; the orientation of the breakout cylinder resulting in the breakout cylinder creating a moment that forces the wrench toward the pipe rather than away from the pipe; pivotal movement of the wrench member guided by three pins; the wrench member pivoting twenty-four degrees; the clamping jaw pivotally mounted on one of the pins guiding movement of the wrench member; and shims secured in a manner so as to be easily inserted and removed.

Abstract: A support mount assembly for use in a drilling apparatus comprises a support member, a connector for removably connecting the support member to a vehicle so that the support member is in a vertical orientation, a support flange integrally connected to the support member near the lower end thereof, a sleeve slidably received upon the support member so as to be longitudinally movable along the support member, a feed mount member preferably comprising a collar integrally connected to the sleeve, and a drill mount member preferably comprising a flange integrally connected to and longitudinally extending along the sleeve. A drilling apparatus using the support mount assembly further comprises a feed leg and a drill. The feed leg has a first feed leg member, such as a cylinder, secured to the feed mount member and a second feed leg member, such as a piston, secured to the support flange. The drill is secured to the drill mount member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an auger attachment which is mounted on the stick of a backhoe which provides directional capabilities to the auger. More specifically, the auger attachment includes an outer body, an inner telescoping body and a piston within the inner body which provides all the lift to the auger.

Abstract: A drill rod changing apparatus is disclosed including a support assembly connected to a drilling rig for supporting a plurality of drill rods. Connected to the support assembly is a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering a drill rod along the longitudinal axis of a drill string. Movement of the drill rod along the longitudinal axis of the drill string is assisted by a gripping assembly which engages a drill rod integrated with the lifting mechanism. The gripping assembly further assists in threading or unthreading adjacent coupling connections to the drill rod by preventing rotation of the drill rod while an adjacent connection is unthreaded. The apparatus further enables rotation of a gripped drill rod from a first position at the drill string to a second storage position.

Abstract: A mole launcher which has a hydraulically powered, double-acting piston and cylinder unit to push or pull a slider. The slider carries a drill head connected to a drill string. The other end of the drill string carries a mole to bore an underground passage. By releasably locking the slider to the front of the launcher, the cylinder can be moved between a first position in which it projects beyond the chassis of the launcher, and a second position in which it is placed only within the length of the chassis. Thus, the mole launcher is considerably shorter in its transportation state than in its operating state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a horizontal boring apparatus which is comprised of a remotely controlled drilling tool lowered from a self-contained vehicle into a previously drilled vertical shaft. The tool mills away a 360 degree band of metal casing adjacent to the desired area to be bored, and extends a hydraulic powered rotary drilling tool into the formation by extending and retracting a telescoping base while alternating stabilization of the base and bit end of the drilling tool much like an inch worm. The tool is designed to drill a 1 inch bore hole up to 150 feet in any direction, or several directions. The tool and tool housing contain instrumentation for sensing direction, inclination, density, and temperature.

Abstract: A tool driving apparatus having an elongated mast which is collapsibly mounted on a transportable supporting base therefor, wherein the mast has a movable carriage slidably mounted thereon for movement along the length thereof. A first piston is mounted to the supporting base and is drivingly connected to the carriage mounted on the mast for providing slidable movement thereof, and a second piston is carried by the carriage and is drivingly connected to a separate tool, such as a soil probe. The first piston is disposed opposite relative to the second piston, such that extension of the first piston is in a direction opposite to that of the second, and whereby retraction of the first piston and extension of the second piston will cause the tool to be driven in one direction, and extension of the first piston and retraction of the second piston will cause the tool to be retracted in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A post hole digger for attachment to the three-point hitch of a tractor comprises a mainframe having a position control/lock down assembly mounted thereto for raising and lowering the frame and securing the frame to the tractor. A pair of bipartite booms having first and second angled arms are pivotally mounted to the frame. A drill assembly is swingably mounted to a cross beam extending between the second boom arms of each boom. A pair of cylinders extending between the first boom arms and frame pivots the boom arms into and away from a ground drilling position. During the drilling process the bipartite boom configuration compensates for the tendencies of the drill to divert from a true vertical line. The driller transfers the weight of the tractor to the boom arms and the drill connected thereto so as to effectively drill holes in rock-laden soils.

Abstract: A hoisting boom assembly comprises an upright column being piviotable by a rotary actuator and a first and second boom, the first boom pivotally mounted by its first end on upright column and by its second end on second boom; the second boom having its first section and its second section journalled to be pivotable in a vertical plane; a horizontal shift mechanism as well as a horizontal shift actuator for carrying the free end of the second boom in a horizontal direction; and an actuator fitted between upright column and the first boom for pivoting the first boom. In order to improve its performance, the hoisting boom assembly further includes compensating means for equalizing the forces caused by the operation of a hoisting boom assembly, particularly in situations following and preceding a first and/or a second extreme position assumed by a second boom.

Abstract: A drilling and hoisting system that mounts a rotating elevator, providing lift and rotation for a drill string, on a horizontal platform assembly, together with all necessary drive motors and ancillary pipe handling equipment. This platform is suspended from balanced dual crown blocks driven by a double drum draw works. This rotary elevator platform opens up the center of the drill rig for pipe handling. Pipe is handled by the elevator by gripping the pipe at a tool joint; the pipe stand may extend above the rotary elevator. A keyhole in the crown assembly of the drill rig passes the upper end of pipe stands to a light weight stand jib crane which racks pipe stands against a ground level pipe rack. The height of the rig mast no longer limits the maximum length of pipe stand which can be handled, and four section stands can be handled in a rig having a mast under 100 feet high.

Abstract: An automated burner system for channeling a mineral body consisting of a burner staff carrying a burner at one end, a guide shaft adapted to carry the burner staff for reciprocating motion, a support shaft adapted to mount the guide shaft for oscillating motion, and a carriage adapted to carry said support shaft. A carrying frame is provided to carry the carriage for longitudinal movement. A first drive provides positive reciprocal movement of the burner staff, a second drive provides positive oscillating movement for the guide shaft and the burner staff, and a third drive provides positive longitudinal movement of the carriage along the carrying frame. An electronic control is connected with the first, second and third drives. The electronic control includes a repeating program which controls the burner staff to move a desired distance in each direction of reciprocal movement, the burner staff to oscillate at a prescribed angle and through a prescribed length of oscillation.

Abstract: An automatic drilling system regulates the drill string of a drilling rig in response to any one of, any combination of, or all of drilling fluid pressure, bit weight, drill string torque, and drill string RPM to achieve an optimal rate of bit penetration. The automatic drilling system includes a drilling fluid pressure sensor, a bit weight sensor, a drill string torque sensor, and a drill string RPM sensor which deliver a drilling fluid pressure signal, a bit weight signal, a drill string torque signal, and a drill string RPM signal to a drilling fluid pressure regulator, a bit weight regulator, a drill string torque regulator, and a drill string RPM regulator. The regulators control a drill string controller in response to the above signals so that it manipulates the drilling rig to release the drill string at a rate which maintains the maximum rate of bit penetration.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for lifting equipment or tubulars below the deck of a platform or a drilling rig. Lifting force is monitored with a load cell. A portable platform is added above the deck of an offshore platform to allow running or retrieving a string of tubulars through the deck, thereby avoiding the need to deploy a workover or drilling rig to the platform.

Abstract: The multi-drill mounter allows any combination of two jack hammers, drills or augers to be simultaneously mounted on a tractor and the like. A flat back panel supports an upper and lower horizontal track. Upper and lower sliding brackets support a pair of vertical derricks. Each derrick can hold a drilling tool such as a jack hammer. In operation the active drilling tool is hydraulically pushed to the center of the derrick while the inactive drilling tool is moved to the side. The multi-drill mounter can also be tilted to allow the use of an auger for drilling wide holes.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for controlling the supply of air into a rock drilling machine. In the method, the air supply of an air compressor in a power unit operated by a diesel engine is adjusted so that when the percussion pressure of the percussion device of the rock drilling machine is high, the amount of air supplied by the compressor is small, and vice versa. In the arrangement, the pressure fluid pump of the hydraulic motor of the compressor is an adjustable-displacement pump, the volume flow of the pressure fluid supplied by the pump being adjusted inversely proportionally to the pressure of the supply conduit of the percussion device of the rock drilling machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing soil in a subterranean earth situs. The apparatus includes a parallelogram spotter or positioning portion with a drilling table support portion connected thereto. A rotary drilling table is mounted on the drilling table support portion. Relative movement is provided between the support portion and the positioning portion in a plurality of planes. A pivotation portion is disposed between the support portion and the positioning portion and pivotally connected thereto. Hydraulic cylinders are provided to shift the apparatus about a vertical axis, to move the drilling table support portion in a longitudinal direction, to tilt the pivotation portion and support portion about a horizontal axis and to tip the support portion with respect to the pivotation portion about a longitudinal axis. A table elevation winch is mounted on the support portion and has a table elevation cable extending therefrom which is engaged with a pulley connected to the support portion.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted mechanized soil sample collecting unit including a sampler arm pivotably affixed to a base mounted upon the vehicle. At its remote end the sampler arm pivotably carries a soil auger and soil accumulator container. An actuator is coupled to the sampler arm for swinging the arm between a lowered, soil-collecting position and a retracted container discharge position. A power unit rotates the soil auger, which is adapted to advance through the bottom of the container and into the earth as the container engages the surface of the earth upon lowering of the sampler arm. As the auger rotates the soil sample is drawn upwardly into the accumulator container by the auger flights. With the sampler arm in the retracted position the accumulator container is positioned over a funnel device into which collected soil is deposited through a bottom trap door of the accumulator container for reception in a sample container beneath the funnel outlet.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus for directional drilling. A freely moveable connecting plate is seated in a seating provided for in a drill string motor support. The plate connects a drill string motor and a cylinder drive so that any mechanical stress transmitted by a drill string connected to the motor is substantially damped by the moveable plate. The result is that the drill string remains relatively true running to accurately bore while additionally preventing mechanical stress from damaging the cylinder, drill string motor or support therefor.

Abstract: A torque break-out system for a top drive drilling unit in a drilling rig. The torque break-out system includes a splined sub which is connected to a tubular member of the top drive drilling unit. A collar is positioned circumferentially around the splined sub. The collar has a plurality of interrupted splines in reciprocal relationship to interrupted splines on the splined sub. The collar is positioned by a pivot member having a pair of arms rotatably connected to the collar and a lift cylinder connected to the pivot member. The lift cylinder positions the pivot member between a first position in which the interrupted splines of the splined sub and the collar are not in substantial horizontal alignment and a second position in which the interrupted splines of the splined sub and the collar are in substantial horizontal alignment. The system includes a back-up wrench assembly having a vertical opening through which the drill string is received.

Abstract: A measured and controlled tension is applied to one or more lines or cables attached to a drilling rig. Preferably, the tensioned line provide reactive torque support for the power swivel, The controlled tension allows a greater power swivel torque to be used on existing drilling rig structures and better distributes any portion of the torque load reacted by the structure. The controlled tension system can also be integrated into a fail-safe control system, where sensed cable failure or excessive cable loads cause a safe shutdown of operations, or the measured tension may also be based to control other drilling operations, such as hoisting speeds.

Abstract: A device (1) for position a tong comprises a flexible chain (2) provided with compression members (7) and a flexible locking chain (3). When a hydraulic motor (14) is rotated anti-clockwise the chains (2,3) are brought into operative engagement to form a rigid member (4) which is secured to a ball (29) on the drilling derrick. A tong is suspended from the device (1) which, in turn, is suspended from a cable (27) secured high in the derrick. The tong can be advanced or withdrawn towards a pipe string by rotating the motor (14) anti-clockwise or clockwise to extend or dismantle the rigid member (4) as desired.

Abstract: A conventional drilling system using continuous coiled tubing connected to a reel at its upper end and connected to a drilling tool at its lower end is steered by rotating the injector at the well head which drives the tubing into the well about an axis longitudinal of the well bore to effect twist in the tubing along the well bore and thus to rotate the drilling tool. This twist in the tubing between the injector and the reel is negated by rotating the reel about a vertical axis parallel to the well bore in a direction, viewed from above, which is opposite to the direction of the injector.

Abstract: The invention provides a drilling method for drilling a bore-hole in ground or soil, with a percussion drilling device operated directly in the bore-hole and with a rotary percussion drilling device operated from the surface of the ground or soil, both devices being received in a common support member and adapted to be simultaneously operated, and a drilling assembly for preforming this method. In order to avoid a damage of the percussion drilling device, the drilling impact forces and vibrations directed to the rotary percussion drilling device are registered, elastically dampened and absorbed prior to having an effect on the percussion drilling device.

Abstract: Multi-joint stands 126, 127 of drill pipe are assembled and disassembled in a drilling rig 15 by use of a powered mousehole 11 concurrently with well drilling operations conducted by use of a drill string top drive system 23. The powered mousehole 11 has an upwardly open bowl 45 in a floor 17 of the drilling rig which can be rotated about a vertical axis 55. A pipe joint 110 held in the bowl, and depending from it, can be screwed, with controlled levels of torque, into connection with a second pipe joint 113 suspended vertically above the first joint 110 by a hoist system 13 which is separate from hoisting equipment 19 carrying the top drive system 23 over a well bore 21. The second pipe joint 113 is held from rotation by a tong assembly 12, but can move axially against a yieldable support 40 into threaded connection with the first joint 110.

Abstract: A system for maintaining an optimum pressure balance within an inner chamber of a drilling head for improved seal life and integrity. The system maintains a pressure differential across the seals thereby preventing well fluids from contaminating the seals and improving their useful life. The drive ring of a drilling head is rotatably supported by a series of bearings disposed within a bearing chamber. The secondary chamber of the drilling head is sealed to prevent contaminants from entering the chamber and fouling the seals. The seals withstand the borehole well pressures to prevent the introduction of contaminants, by maintaining a pressure differential across the seals. The present system compensates for variations in the borehole pressure. A pressure compensator is in communication with the borehole to activate a lubricant pump for increasing lubricant pressure within the inner chamber in response to increased borehole pressures.