Abstract: The earth drilling and boring system for drilling bore holes in the earth has a drilling rig with a power source attached to a rotateable pipe container. There is a flexible drill pipe or tubing attached to and retained in the pipe container that has an opening through which an end of the drill pipe or tubing having a drill bit attached may be extended and retrieved. A drive mechanism is positioned adjacent to the opening for receipt and movement of the drill pipe or tubing to be used in boring. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The invention provides a T-post hole-forming device, comprising (a) a shaft; (b) a head for receiving a driving force at the top of said shaft; (c) a flat plate affixed to one side of said shaft, the shaft terminating in a pointed end for piercing the ground. Also provided is a method for installing a T-post into the ground. The method involves (a) piercing the ground with the T-post hole-forming device to produce a hole; (b) removing the device from the ground, and (c) inserting a T-post into the hole, thereby installing the T-post into the ground.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for coiled tubing drilling of substantially horizontal shallow depth boreholes for installation of transmission or conveyance lines. A mobile platform mounts a coiled tubing reel and an adjustably mounted injector head. On the leading end of the coiled tubing is a drilling assembly, including a drill, a drill motor, a tracking device, and an orienter. Once the borehole has been drilled by pushing the drilling assembly through the borehole and exiting the earth's surface, a back reamer may be attached for enlarging the borehole as the coiled tubing is pulled back through the borehole. Once the borehole has been properly sized, the transmission or conveyance line may be attached to the leading end of the coiled tubing and the transmission or conveyance pipe pulled back through the borehole.

Abstract: The invention concerns a drilling apparatus for enlarging a bore in the ground, comprising a drilling head (6) having a drilling bit (12); a percussion piston (14) which is driven by a drive medium (9) and which impacts against the drilling bit (12), and a hollow drill string (8) to which the drilling head (6) is fixed and through the cavity of which the drive medium (9) is passed to the percussion piston (14). One object of the invention is to ensure improved removal of the drive medium out of the borehole. That object is attained in that the drill string (8) is surrounded by a hollow outer string (3) enclosing an annular space which surrounds the drill string (8) and through which the drive medium (9) is passed out of the borehole. The invention further concerns a method of enlarging an existing borehole, using a drilling head of that kind.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing at an underground drilling device in communication with an above-ground locator involve transmitting a radar probe signal from the underground drilling device. A radar return signal is received at the underground drilling device. The radar return signal is processed at the underground drilling device to produce sensor data. The sensor data is transmitted in a form suitable for reception by the above-ground locator.

Abstract: A self-contained excavation device, with specific application as a beach umbrella excavator and anchor apparatus, includes a cutting head with a stepped cutting edge to penetrate thin shell layers, recesses defining anchor shelves to prevent pullout from wind, and anchor sweep faces for severing a structural connection between the compacted formation material and the recesses for easy removal of the device. The self-contained excavation device also includes a pressure limit chamber to prevent overpressure of the drilling fluid, a floating piston with straight intake ports for easy maintenance, and a self-cleaning valve to prevent debris from accumulating and clogging the valve.

Abstract: In the case of an earth boring apparatus, preferably a thrust boring apparatus, the head of which is actuated by a pneumatically operated reciprocating ram, a supply hose (5) provides the connection from a compressor as an example to the thrust boring apparatus which also serves to reverse the direction of operation by the rotation of the hose. To ensure error-free control over greater lengths of hose and to avoid kinking—partly due to the pressure from surrounding ground—the hose (5) is equipped with a snugly fitting corset (12) in the form of a spring wire spiral or a woven wire support.

Abstract: T Post Hole Driver is a manual, portable, reusable metal stake when driven into the ground and removed forms a hole for insertion of T Posts. The T Post Hole Driver is driven with a sledge hammer into the soil to create a properly shaped hole for the T Post. The T Post Hole Driver is removed and the T Post is inserted in the usual manner. The T Post Hole Drive allows for more accurate and uniform placement of T Posts with much less effort and time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an underground shell-pile continuous wall job practice, and meanwhile involves to its special drill for constructing said continuous wall underground. In the job practicing, by sinking tow coupled special drills connected with the male and female connectors fixed on the main trunks of them sequentially, then withdraw the first special drill as pouring concrete into it until finishing the first shell pile, next continue to repeat sinking special drill and withdrawing and pouring concrete to build shell pile until the whole continuous wall is finished. In this way, building an underground continuous wall is became rapid, economic and good effect. Said special drill has a simple structure, due to applying upside simultaneous draining soil, the sinking drag force becomes less, and meanwhile the earthmoving is reduced greatly.

Abstract: An impact tool for use in a well bore. The impact tool provides a hammer action through reciprocal movement of a cam within a spring mechanism. In an embodiment a drill bit is included to provide an impact drilling tool which requires minimum weight on bit to operate. The impact tool can therefore be run on coiled tubing and wireline.

Abstract: A drilling tool having a pilot bit on an end of a main shaft is surrounded by outer shafts having mills on their ends. The bit and mills employ cutters with PDC. The pilot bit rotates in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the mills. A transmission for rotating a main shaft, on which the pilot bit is mounted, and several secondary shafts, on which the mills are respectively mounted, is carried within a housing using diamond thrust and radial bearings. Power is applied to the main shaft and transmitted to the secondary shafts through diamond hardened gears. Drilling fluid is used to cool and lubricate the bearings and gears.

Abstract: A subsurface explorer (SSX) for exploring beneath the terrestrial surface of planetary bodies such as the Earth, Mars, or comets. This exploration activity utilizes appropriate sensors and instrument to evaluate the composition, structure, mineralogy and possibly biology of the subsurface medium, as well as perhaps the ability to return samples of that medium back to the surface. The vehicle comprises an elongated skin or body having a front end and a rear end, with a nose piece at the front end for imparting force to composition material of the planetary body. Force is provided by a hammer mechanism to the back side of a nose piece from within the body of the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, a motor spins an intermediate shaft having two non-uniform threads along with a hammer which engages these threads with two conical rollers.

Abstract: A reversible impact-operated pneumatic boring tool for reversing the direction of operation of the tool is disclosed. The tool includes two fluid supply lines, a striker and a non-mechanically biased directional control sleeve. The primary fluid supply line provides pressurized fluid for striker reciprocation within the tool body to drive the tool through the soil. The secondary fluid supply line provides pressurized fluid to determine direction of operation of the tool. Pressurized fluid is supplied to a sealed chamber behind the directional control sleeve to drive the sleeve forward and operate the tool in a forward mode. The control sleeve is held forward solely by maintaining sufficient positive pressure of the fluid in the sealed chamber. Whereas, the depressurization of the chamber solely, will cause the sleeve to be moved to a rearward position thereby causing the tool to operate in the reverse mode.

Abstract: A mobile, horizontal directional boring apparatus and method is provided for boring from an existing utility manhole for the placement of small diameter fiber optic cabling. A mobile platform is located adjacent an existing utility manhole. A boring unit is rotatably and tiltably supported on the mobile platform, and a movable hollow arm assembly is provided from the boring unit to an opening in a wall within the manhole. A plurality of rods attachable end-to-end are operable under control of the boring unit to bore a pathway to the termination point. The rods are inserted through the hollow arm assembly from the boring unit to the opening in the manhole. In this way, the rods do not damage existing equipment within the manhole. A manhole containment unit is provided within the opening in the manhole wall to which the hollow arm assembly is attached and which further serves to protect the manhole. Also, a manhole rim protection device is provided to protect the rim and chimney of the manhole.

Abstract: A balancing structure to reduce vibration created in a rotating body by imbalance comprises an annular groove formed in the body, the groove partially filled with a quantity of solid balls. The solid balls, by only partially filling the groove, provide a stabilizing force that tends to compensate for the imbalance caused by different amounts of solids adhering to one side or the other of the body, such as for example a drilling assembly. The groove is preferably wider in a region further from the axis of rotation from the rotating body for more efficient balancing effect.

Abstract: The invention concerns a drilling system having a drilling head (2, 2′) fixed to a drill string (3) which comprises an outer pipe (12, 12′) and a percussion string (13, 13′) inserted therein, wherein the percussion string (13, 13′) comprises a plurality of rods (14, 14′) which bear against each other with their end faces (19, 20; 19′, 20′). Known systems were suitable exclusively for producing straight boreholes. One object of the present invention is to provide a drilling system with an inner percussion string, which permits a greater variation in the drilling direction and which can be used as a directional drilling system. To attain that object the outer pipe (12) is adapted to be deformable along its longitudinal axis and the end faces (19, 20) which bear against each other of two rods (14) are so designed that they bear against each other substantially in surface contact upon inclined positioning of the axes of the two rods (14) relative to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forcing drainage devices through the sidewall of a borehole and into the formation to increase oil and gas recovery from the formation. The object usually comprises a plurality of drainage devices, which may be a plurality of nesting discs perforated to provide a passageway for recovery fluid. The discs and drainage device are forced non-drillingly through the side wall and into the formation. The apparatus and method also may be used with interconnected links instead of discs to push a core sampler into the formation and retrieve it. The housing includes a guide channel that is usually an angled passageway or tube. The discs or links are sized to be received in the guide. The apparatus includes a propulsion assembly that impacts the discs or links that act as an anvil assembly. Alternatively, the apparatus takes the form of a pre-loaded casing section, that is, a casing section in which a plurality of drainage devices have been incorporated.

Abstract: The invention combines a mud motor, a drill bit, a transmission, an underreamer and a torque tube to simultaneously drill a well by rotating the drill bit in one direction and the underreamer in the opposite direction to balance the torque supplied to the bit and the underreamer.

Abstract: A horizontal drilling machine for directionally drilling a drill string into the ground. The drill string includes a plurality of elongated members threaded together in an end-to-end relationship. The drilling machine includes a track, a rotational driver mounted on the track, and a thrust mechanism for propelling the rotational driver along the track. The rotational driver is used to rotate the drill string in forward and reverse directions about a longitudinal axis of the drill string. The drill string is rotated in the forward direction to thread the elongated members together, and rotated in the reverse direction to unthread the elongated members from one another. Rods of the drilling machine have surface irregularities for mixing or agitating drilling fluid within the bore.

Abstract: A tubular piling apparatus and method for penetrating the soil comprises, in a preferred embodiment, elements such as a drive shoe and/or other earth displacing structures which may be, in one presently preferred embodiment, of larger outer diameter than the surface conductor pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a collar mountable to the pilings having an earth displacing structure formed thereon. In another aspect, a drive shoe, being of a larger size than the conductor pipe and connected to the bottom section of the conductor pipe is provided with an exterior band mounted on the outer diameter of the drive shoe. The exterior band may be located proximate the lower end of the drive shoe. The drive shoe may include teeth formed such that causes compression of earthen formation away from the inner surface of the drive shoe.

Abstract: In a ram drilling tool for producing bores in the ground and having a percussion piston which is moved to and fro in a casing, a control sleeve is guided such that it can be displaced on a control pipe projecting into a percussion-piston chamber and whose axial position determines the direction of movement of the tool. In order to permit the movement to be reversed, a control chamber connected to a control-air line is arranged between the control pipe and the control sleeve, and its front end terminates flush with a collar at the front end of the control pipe.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted soil sampler is provided. The soil sampler is designed to be mounted inside the vehicle proximal the operator. A mounting plate secures the soil sampler to the interior of the vehicle. A opening is provided in the floorboard underneath the soil sampler to permit the soil sampler to leave the vehicle, take a sample, and return to the vehicle with the sample. The soil sampler includes a first hydraulic motor and a second hydraulic motor. The first hydraulic motor is operates a chain drive which moves a guide member in an upward or downward fashion. The guide member is affixed to the auger assembly. The auger assembly includes an auger, a second hydraulic motor which rotates the auger as well as a sample chamber. The operator will drive the vehicle to a location where a soil sample is desired to be taken. The first hydraulic motor is actuated, lowering the auger assembly through the floor of the vehicle to the soil surface.

Abstract: In a ram drilling tool having a steering element, for example a steering head, which is mounted in the tool casing such that it can move, for example rotate, the tool casing is connected to a pressure-medium line such that it cannot rotate and to a sleeve pipe such that it can rotate; it may therefore be adjusted with low friction by means of rotation with the aid of the pressure-medium line with respect to the steering element, which is firmly held by the ground.

Abstract: An auger drill directional control system includes a positional transmitter mounted on a drillhead at the front of a pipe, the positional transmitter transmitting directional and pitch signals to a positional receiver disposed above the grade at the desired terminal location of the drillhead; the positional receiver transfers the signal information to the positional processor that detects deviations by the drillhead from the desired course of travel and produces a correction signal to compensate for the deviation; the correction signal is transmitted by a control transmitter and is received by a control receiver disposed on the underground boring machine; the control receiver passes the correction signal to the control processor which converts the correction signal into a correction command that is delivered to an adjustment apparatus operatively connected with the drillhead.

Abstract: A horizontal boring apparatus comprises a travelling framework (10) on which is arranged a boring ramp (18) for guiding a boring rod, a rod magazine (22) for receiving individual boring rod sections, a drive apparatus (24) for the travelling framework (10) and the boring rod, and an operating station (14, 16), and a mixing apparatus for the preparation of flushing fluid with a mixing unit (32) including a mixing pump, which mixing apparatus is arranged on the travelling framework (10) without a flushing fluid tank and has a first inlet port connectable with a flushing fluid source and at least one outlet port releasably connectable with a flushing fluid receiver.

Abstract: A directional boring device is provided for attachment to a carrier having a power source for providing a first power supply to the boring device for moving the device and a second power supply for operating the device. The boring device includes an attachment frame, and a selectively attachable first coupler for coupling the attachment frame to the first power supply to permit movement of the device. A drill tool assembly is provided that includes a drill head, a drill stem attachable to the drill head, a drill bit attachable to the drill stem and a drill assembly power transmission. The drill assembly power transmission imparts rotational and axial movement to the drill tool assembly whereby the drill assembly transmission is capable of moving the drill head and drill stem in a path generally parallel to the plane on which the carrier rests.

Abstract: A drill head for an apparatus for directional boring according to the invention includes a bit, a holder for a device for detecting angular orientation of the bit, and a hammer including a striker for delivering impacts to the bit, wherein the bit assembly, holder and hammer are connected head to tail with the bit at a front end. The bit of the invention has a frontwardly facing main cutting surface having a plurality of main cutting teeth disposed thereon and a gage tower extending radially outwardly from the main cutting surface, which gage tower has at least one frontwardly facing gage cutting tooth thereon suitable for cutting over an angle defined by less than a full rotation of the bit. The device for detecting angular orientation is in a predetermined alignment with the gage tower so that it determines the orientation of the gage tower relative to the axis of rotation of the drill head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a groundwater sampling device into the ground includes a generally cylindrical housing open at top and bottom end portions and defining a recess therein. An expendable tip member is removably connected to the bottom and portion of the housing. A well tubing or casing is positioned generally centrally in the recess and includes top and bottom end portions. An elongated spiral-wound cylinder is slidably positioned in the recess of the housing and in a surrounding relationship to the tubing. The tubing is attached to the tip member at the bottom end portion thereof and includes a lower section having a plurality of perforations about the periphery thereof to allow fluid to enter the interior of the tubing.

Abstract: An adapter usable for interconnection of a pair of drill components according to the invention includes an elongated adapter body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes one of (1) a tubular wall defining a socket that opens outwardly at one end of the adapter and having at least one transverse opening therethrough configured to receive a removable retainer for mechanically interlocking a projection in the socket, and (2) the projection which fits into the socket, which projection has at least one transverse opening therein to receive the removable retainer. The second end includes a connecting portion different from the projection and the tubular wall defining the socket, such as a threaded projection or recess. The adapter preferably has a lengthwise fluid passage through it suitable for passing lubricating drilling fluid through the adapter to a drill head or back reamer.

Abstract: A push rod rotator and push rod boring rig uses a reciprocating carriage to push a drill string of push rods into the ground and pull the drill string back out usually with an expander and pipe or utility lines. A push rod rotator is connected to a swivel supported on the non-rotating carriage. The rotator is a two-part assembly, one part is a non-rotating conduit, having two or more helical slots and the other part has a pin which follows the slots for inducing relative rotation. Slips grip the push rods and are reversible to enable push and pull operations. Preferably the slips trail the carriage and the rotator leads the swivel. The rotator is adapted to a boring rig having a frame, and hydraulic cylinders for reciprocating the carriage relative to the rig. The double-acting cylinders are mounted in pairs with the powerful extension stroke oriented to pull back the drill string and push rods and the weaker retraction stroke to push rods.

Abstract: A ground piercing tool has an elongated tubular tool housing and a striker that reciprocates within an internal chamber of the housing. The striker impacts a front impact surface and drives the tool through the ground. An air distributing mechanism causes the striker to reciprocate in response to a supply of compressed fluid. An anvil providing a front impact surface is disposed in a front end opening of the tool housing. The anvil has a rear frustoconical portion that engages a like-shaped forwardly tapering inner wall of the housing and a lengthwise bore that has an enlarged diameter portion. A chisel is slidably disposed in the bore of the anvil and has an outwardly opening annular groove. A spring is confined in compression in a space defined by the annular groove of the chisel and the enlarged diameter portion of the anvil bore. The spring urges the rear end of the chisel to protrude rearwardly from the bore of the anvil a predetermined distance.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved apparatus for directional boring and in particular an improved system for boring through hard and rocky substrates frequently encountered when boring under obstacles such as roadways. According to one aspect of the invention, a directional drilling apparatus includes a drilling head having a front face angled relative to the lengthwise axis of the tool and configured for steering the drilling apparatus, a housing having an internal chamber for mounting an electronic locating device therein rearwardly of the drilling head for transmitting a signal indicating the orientation of the angled face of the drilling head, and a joint at which the drilling head is removably mounted to the housing of the locating device.

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: The invention provides a permeable treatment wall comprising one or more high-permeability columns, as well as a methods for preparing such a permeable treatment wall.

Abstract: In directional boring using a boring apparatus having a driven string and a drill head with an excavating tool moving in an orbit about the longitudinal axis of the string, the tool moves with substantially constant angular velocity when boring straight ahead, but when boring along a curve it is stopped and set in vibration in order to obtain more accurate control of the curve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laying a pipeline. Working and receiving pits are dug out. An active working member is dropped into the working pit at a preselected depth. The active working member is fixed to a vertical knife of a power mechanism. Polyethylene pipeline is secured to an end part of the active working member. Then the power mechanism is energized and simultaneously horizontal pulling forces of the power mechanism are applied to the vertical knife. The active working member may be a drill head with different nozzles (bits) connected with a mud supply unit by a hose passing through a hollow portion of the vertical knife. On a non-working end of the active member the pipeline is fixed by an adapter.

Abstract: A protective collar for a boring bit which interfaces with a boring head whereby shear forces developed during a boring operation are transmitted through the collar to the boring head, with minimal shear force being carried by mounting bolts. A collar is connected to a boring bit, wherein a head receptacle formed by the collar seatably receives a boring head with substantially close clearance so that shear forces during boring operations are transmitted from, the boring bit to the boring head through the collar. The preferred collar is fabricated from a pipe section, such as for example steel seamless pipe. In one embodiment, a bit recess is cut for interfacing with a boring bit at the head face connection thereof. A head recess is cut opposite the bit recess for providing an exit for the water spray from the nozzle thereof. In another embodiment, the collar has an inclined face with bores alignable with the bores in the boring head when the head is mounted within a receptacle in the collar.

Abstract: Equipment for digging ground in urban areas includes a hinged support and maneuvering arm (3), an omnidirectional damping device (36), a vibration or oscillation generator (38), a motor (40) and a tool (28) which is made to rotate by the motor and provide with a helical structure with a tip (28B) designed to penetrate in screw fashion into the ground and act thereon it by the vibrations received, so as to dislodge it and break it up.

Abstract: A joint is provided for coupling a pair of elongated members such as a sonde housing and starter rod end to end. Such a joint includes a projection extending in a lengthwise direction from one end of one of the elongated members and a socket in an end of the other of the elongated members, which socket is sized to slidingly receive the projection. A set of alignable transverse openings are provided in the projection and in a wall defining the socket, which openings are configured to receive a removable retainer for mechanically interlocking the projection in the socket. An interlock mechanism, such as a spline and groove connection, prevents relative rotation between the elongated member (e.g., housing and starter rod) when the projection is fully inserted into the socket.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rotary mining apparatus. The apparatus includes an elongated housing with a leading end and an opposite trailing end. The apparatus also includes a compression device coupled to the housing. The apparatus further includes a plurality of cables extending along the housing. Each of the cables has an end connected to the compression device. The apparatus also includes a plurality of cutting devices attached to the cables at ends of the cables opposite the ends connected to the compression device. The present invention is also directed to a method of removing subterranean material. The method includes the step of inserting a rotary mining device having radially extendable cutting devices into a subterranean shaft. The method also includes the steps of rotating the mining device such that the cutting devices contact the sides of the shaft and extending the cutting devices into the sides of the shaft.

Abstract: This invention uses a combination of drilling, dissolving, and sinking to emplace a closed end well pipe into a salt formation. The well which results can be used to produce geothermal power or for such other purposes for which it may offer an advantage. This method uses the following combination of properties of salt to achieve the desired result: solubility in water, plasticity at relatively low temperatures, and occurrence in large, deeply penetrating structures.

Abstract: A trenching tool which includes a lower portion having a blade and a guide tube. The guide or alignment tube is vertically positioned on one edge of the blade. An impact rod slips into the alignment tube and is repeatedly forced, by the operator, to impact the top of the blade, thereby driving the blade into the ground. Through a rocking motion, the channel formed by the blade is widened and the blade is again forced into the ground until the desired depth is obtained. The assembly is then removed and repositioned to extend the channel through the same procedure. The blade has either a rectangular cross section or a triangular cross section permitting the channel to be sloped automatically while the blade is being driven into the soil. A handle, preferably having shock absorption capabilities, allows the operator to slide the impact rod to obtain the driving force.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for directional drilling and a method and apparatus for placing pipe in a directionally drilled bore. The present invention provides a launch tube which is placed into unstable soil. The tube is fitted with a unique cutting shoe which forces soil both into and out of the tube to prevent the tube from becoming obstructed. Preferably, the launch tube extends to bedrock or stable soil. Once the launch tube is placed a directional drill is moved through the tube and into the bedrock so that the bore may be directionally drilled in the bedrock. Once the bore is established a pipe, or a plurality of pipes, may be placed into the tube using known techniques.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatically driven pile-driver drilling device for drilling into the earth with a percussion piston moving axially inside a casing, driven by a pressure medium and changeable from a forward stroke to a backstroke, with a working space having radial control openings, a guide pipe with radial control openings extending into the working space and forming a rigid part of the housing, and a control box guided into an annular chamber of the guide tube and axially adjustable in a spring-pneumatic manner.

Abstract: In a percussion drill apparatus for soil drilling with a percussion piston which is moving to and fro within a housing, a control sleeve is mounted on a control tube which protrudes into the percussion piston chamber, the axial position of which determines the direction of movement of the apparatus. In order to make a reversal of movement possible a reversing chamber is connected with a control air line which runs inside the control tube and an approach chamber is connected by way of a drilling with the interior of a control tube which feeds the operating air into the percussion piston chamber. Consequently the control sleeve is moved into one direction with the aid of the control air and in the other direction with the aid of the operating air.

Abstract: An earth piercing apparatus comprising a metal drive tool having a pointed forward end and an axially extending cavity at a rear end. The cavity includes a forward chamber and a female thread in an inner wall of the cavity adjacent the chamber for receiving a forward end of a driving rod having a male nesting end engaging a laterally extending stop surface in the chamber and a male thread mating with the female thread in the cavity. An end of the rod remote from the drive tool forms a driving end for receiving axial impulses for propelling the apparatus in a forward direction through soil to form a uniform hole in the soil.

Abstract: An elongated tube has a high pressure feed line on one end and an impact head on the other end. A tube intermediate the ends of the tool houses two cylinders having one piston is in each cylinder. The two pistons are tied together by a piston rod extending through a bulkhead dividing the two coaxially aligned cylinders.

Abstract: An elongated tube has a high pressure feed line on one end and an impact head on the other end. A tube intermediate the ends of the tool houses two cylinders having one piston is in each cylinder. The two pistons are tied together by a piston rod extending through a bulkhead dividing the two coaxially aligned cylinders.

Abstract: A device and method for forming a downwardly extending hole in the surface of the earth for seismic exploration or for forming a larger diameter hole such as made during exploratory drilling. The hole forming device includes an elongated rigid planting member having a point or tip at its lower end which is forced downwardly into the earth's surface by a combination of forces. The multiple forces may include a primary downward force exerting a substantially constant downward push on the planting member and either or both additional forces imparted to the planting member when the primary force no longer moves the planting member downwardly.

Abstract: A method of providing a substantially leakproof shielding layer in the ground. The method includes the following steps: a) making a plurality of substantially parallel holes (H) in the ground by means of a guided drill head (4) which ejects ground-decomposing liquid mainly in the advance direction of the head, and b) passing through each hole an injection head (6) which ejects injection liquid essentially transversely to the advance direction thereof, so that the injection liquid will penetrate into the ground material and mix therewith and after transition to a solid state, together with injection liquid in an adjacent hole, which has also penetrated into and mixed with the ground material and has been transformed into a solid state, will form part of the shielding layer. The invention further includes a device for performing the method.