Abstract: During upward drilling operations the casing for the hole is, at times, supported from the drill stem from which the cutterhead is operatively driven. A collapsible spider is placed about the drill stem and supported therefrom, and has extension arms which, during one operating condition, pass underneath the lower end of the casing for providing it with vertical support, and in another operating condition are pivotally folded upwardly so that the casing may be moved vertically past both the spider and its associated drill stem.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus mounted on a self-propelled base equipped with a joint to permit use on uneven terrain and drilling at various angles with respect to the terrain surface; embodiments of the invention feature suction apparatus for removing drill cuttings, and foldable masts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of setting a concrete pile without noise or vibration which is thereby effective to decrease city noises. A concrete pile is sunk into a leading hole substantially concurrently with the progress of the excavation thereof. After the pile has been sunk through a desired distance, another supporting hole is excavated below the pile. A solidifying material, such as cement milk, mortar, or cement concrete including a cement expansion agent of calcium sulfoaluminate system or lime system, is poured into the supporting hole. The solidifying material is expanded within the supporting hole and permeates into the circumferential wall thereof, which is loosened by the excavation, so as to retighten the wall. Therefore, sufficient supporting force can be obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus for concentric multi-string drilling with reverse air vacuum for the entrainment of chips and dust, selectively controlled through a plurality of annuli defined by the multiplicity of drill strings adapted to individually and/or cooperatively operate drill bits and reamers and the like to bore geological formations as required.

Abstract: Apparatus for sinking a borehole in the ground comprises a self-propelled displacement hammer having a tubular housing containing a percussion mechanism for driving the housing forwards, a follow-up tube arranged to be attached to the rear end of the housing and a bracing cable device arranged to be mounted on the rear end of the follow-up tube for exerting a push on the tube from a bracing cable. Preferably the bracing cable device includes a cable guide sheave which is journalled on a bearing piece at the rear end of the tube and the bearing piece also carries a clamping device for clamping a pulling rope, which in operation of the apparatus has one end fixed to the rear end of the housing and which extends upwards through the follow-up tube for withdrawing the hammer upwards through the follow-up tube from the borehole.

Abstract: There is disclosed a technique for running casing in a well in which the casing joint about to be connected to similar joints suspended in the hole is releasably grasped on the inside of the joint. The casing joint is elevated through the releasable connection made inside the casing joint and is positioned to engage the joint suspended in the hole. The two joints are placed in engagement and the elevated joint rotated to make up the threaded connection. Fluid may be pumped into the casing string to maintain pressure control after making up the joint, while lowering the casing string in the hole or before the releasable connection is broken.

Abstract: A method of, and bolt for, supporting a structure such as a mine or tunnel roof or side wall or the like.

Abstract: In order to facilitate or make possible the driving of sheet pile planks and the like into the ground, adjacent the location where the sheet pile planks are to be driven in, there is provided a cavity in the ground for at least partially receiving the soil as it is displaced during the pile driving operation. The cavity is provided not later than during the driving-in of the sheet pile planks.

Abstract: A cutterhead adapted for drilling a hole upwardly in the earth, and to then be withdrawn downwardly through a casing which is inserted underneath the cutterhead, characterized by gauge cutters which are pivotally mounted on the cutterhead so that they will pivot upward and radially inward when the cutterhead is drawn into the casing, and also characterized by stabilizer rollers mounted on removable frames that can be detached.

Abstract: A caisson and connecting conductor pipe sections are lowered to a predetermined position on the ocean underwater floor. A drill stem having a combined drilling and reaming tool is positioned within the conductor pipe and caisson. Drilling mud is reversed-circulated through the annular space between the conductor pipe and caisson and the drill stem, the drilling mud returning through the drill stem. The tool mounted on the drill stem is utilized to drill to a predetermined depth whereupon one or more reaming arms open outward from the tool and are rotated, thereby cutting out a volume of the ocean floor within which the caisson may be positioned.

Abstract: A motor-powered directional drill is advanced in an inverted arcuate path underneath an obstacle such as a water course. A second concentric and larger lining pipe follows the advance of the directional drill either simultaneously but preferably sequentially to form a concentric annulus about the directional drill. This lining pipe preserves the directional drilling path made and prevents the collapse or the erosion of the hole due to manipulation of the directional drill. When the inverted path underneath the obstacle is completed and the liner extends the full length, the liner becomes a large diameter pipe of improved tortional capability which can be used subsequently to ream the hole to full size for placement of a production casing. A specialized drilling rig is provided having one advancing chuck for crowding the directional drill into the ground and another larger rotating chuck to rotate and advance the following lining pipe into the ground concentrically about the directional drill.

Abstract: A portable earth boring machine for the boring of vertically inclined shafts and the insertion of pipeline casing sections characterized by a main frame portion that supports the auger drive and casing pusher apparatus, and a detachably mounted engine frame portion that permits the transmission of power between the engine and the auger drive and casing pusher apparatus not only when the engine frame portion is positioned on the main frame portion at the boring location but also when said engine frame portion is detached and positioned at a location remote from the main frame means. The machine is further characterized by a novel control means for the casing pusher apparatus that provides for both relatively slow and relatively fast extension and retraction of the casing pusher so as to provide more efficient operation of the earth boring machine.

Abstract: A portable earth boring machine for the horizontal boring of shafts and the insertion of pipeline casing sections in installations where excavation from the surface is undesirable. The machine is characterized by frame means adapted for movement along a track means, which frame means supports an engine which drives an earth boring auger as well as casing pusher apparatus for pushing casing sections into the earth fill as the boring operation progresses. The machine is further characterized by a fluid actuated pusher cylinder means for advancing the auger into the earth fill and associated automatic auger feed control means for automatically maintaining a constant fluid flow rate to said pushing cylinder means under variations in resistance to auger penetration of said earth fill during a boring operation.

Abstract: A motor-powered directional drill is advanced in an inverted arcuate path underneath an obstacle such as a water course. A second concentric and larger lining pipe follows the advance of the directional drill either simultaneously but preferably sequentially to form a concentric annulus about the directional drill. This lining pipe preserves the directional drilling path made and prevents the collapse or the erosion of the hole due to manipulation of the directional drill. When the inverted path underneath the obstacle is completed and the liner extends the full length, the liner becomes a large diameter pipe of improved tortional capability which can be used subsequently to ream the hole to full size for placement of a production casing. A specialized drilling rig is provided having one advancing chuck for crowding the directional drill into the ground and another larger rotating chuck to rotate and advance the following lining pipe into the ground concentrically about the directional drill.

Abstract: A means and method of drilling wells wherein the casing and tubing string are rotated with minimum interruption and are moved downwardly simultaneously. A bit assembly, capable of cutting a bore larger than the casing, is lowered and raised through the drill string, the bit assembly being pivotable between a position in which the transverse axis is in alignment with the drill string bore for movement therein and a drilling position in which its longitudinal axis is transverse to the axis of the drill string and surrounding casing and extends radially beyond the casing for drilling operation; the lower end of the drill string and bit assembly having interlocking parts to transmit rotational force from the drill string to the bit assembly.

Abstract: Improved sealing means in rock drilling equipment of the kind comprising casing sections positioned between the drilling unit and the cutter head and housing the drill rod sections. A combined seal consisting of a metal part and a resilient part is positioned between the casing and the cutter head to prevent water and mud from penetrating into the casing. In addition, sealing means are provided to prevent drill water from flowing between the drill rod and the casing in the direction towards the drill chamber, and further means are provided to close off communication between the drill chamber and the annular chamber between the casing and the drill hole wall.

Abstract: The present sampler is adapted to take soil samples from the ground surface, from a borehole sunk by other tools, as well as for drilling shallow boreholes. The sampler is provided with an air-operated percussion mechanism and a soil sample receiving sleeve arranged coaxially thereto. The side surface of the sleeve is provided with an annular ridge having a diameter somewhat larger than the diameter of the percussion mechanism housing. This feature enables a reduction of the forces applied to the sampler to sink it into or withdraw it from the soil.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for drilling earth formations, earth structures or the like essentially embodies an outer tubular means, hollow drill bit means, hammer assembly mechanism, and a rupturable interconnection means. The outer means is rotatable and axially movable having a drilling end insertable within the earth. Connected adjacent the drilling end is the hollow drill bit means which is conjointly rotatable with the outer means. Such outer drill bit means has an anvil impact shoulder formed on the interior surface thereof. The inner drill bit means is located within the outer member and is arranged, in a preferred embodiment, to be conjointly rotatable therewith. A percussion shoulder is integrally formed on the inner drill bit means and is arranged to selectively impact the anvil impact shoulder.

Abstract: An earth auger is disclosed in which an auger shaft is provided with freely expansible and contractible rotary blades in such manner that said rotary blades may expand automatically when said auger shaft is rotated in the forward direction and may contract automatically when said auger shaft is rotated in the reverse direction. Also a method for driving piles and the like is disclosed which comprises the steps of positioning a pile or shoring adjacent to said auger shaft and above said blades, advancing said pile or the like into an earth bore excavated by said rotary blades, and filling said bore excavated by the rotary blades with mortar or the like.

Abstract: In a method of drilling a bore-hole, the bore-hole is protected against caving in as the drilling proceeds by the simultaneous moulding of a tubing on the bore-hole wall immediately above the drill tool. Preferably a sleeve is first moulded onto the bore-hole wall and the tubing is moulded onto the sleeve.