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 apparatus for placing geophones beneath the surface of the earth includes a machine frame that supports an elongated probe rod. The probe rod is dimensioned to reach a selected subterranean earth layer. The rod has upper and lower end portions. A geophone holder is positioned at the lower end of the rod for holding a geophone and its cable. A plurality of drive wheels carried by the frame transport the rod between the upper and lower positions. The drive rollers include at least an opposed pair of upper wheels and an opposed pair of lower wheels. The wheels are loaded with an adjustable spring pusher so that extensive pressure can be applied from the drive wheels to the pipe for gripping and driving the pipe even when muddy. A gear train interconnects all of the driving wheels so that all of the wheels rotate at the same rotational speed. A gear train preferably includes six gears including a pair of upper gears, a pair of lower gears, and a pair of intermediate drive gears.

Abstract: An impact boring head may comprise a main body having an internal cavity with a front end and a rear end. A striker having a head end and a tail end is slidably mounted in the internal cavity of the main body so that the striker can be reciprocated between a forward position and an aft position in response to hydraulic pressure. A compressible gas contained in the internal cavity between the head end of the striker and the front end of the internal cavity returns the striker to the aft position upon removal of the hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: The movement of relocatable racing rails (10) by manual labor involves the extraction of poles (16) from the ground and re-insertion of each pole a fixed distance from its adjacent pole along the path of the new location of the racing rail, thereby resulting in a time consuming and very labor intensive operation wherein inaccuracies in placement of the poles can result in misfits of the relocatable rails over the poles, whereby readjustment is often required. A transportation apparatus (28) is provided for carrying poles (16) and measuring a fixed distance between the last pole and a pole driver mechanism (32) for driving the next pole (66) into the ground. The pole driver is allowed to move relative to the transportation apparatus as the apparatus moves along the ground, but the relative movement is arranged so as to maintain a fixed distance to the last pole for a time shortly before, during and after the pole driver mechanism is actuated to drive a pole into the ground.

Abstract: A vibration exciter machine has magneto striction elements (5,6) supported by a driven pile (2), for providing a vibration of up and down direction to the driven pile (2), and a drive circuit (D1) for controlling expansion and contraction movement of the magneto striction elements (5,6) by changing a supply time period of a current supplied to the magneto striction elements (5,6). By controlling of the drive circuit (D1) the supply time period of the current which flows in the magneto striction elements (5,6) is changed to control the expansion and contraction movement of the elements (5,7). Thereby a horizontal vibration component can be eliminated and only vertical vibration component can be transmitted to the driven pile material (2).

Abstract: A linear vibratory pile driver apparatus, system and method for using the apparatus to drive or to pull pilings. The apparatus is comprised of a lifting shaft isolated from but slideably mounted within a piston assembly which piston assembly is attached to a frame assembly. There is a cylinder assembly attached to a reaction mass and the piston assembly is vibratorily positioned within the cylinder assembly and vibratorily driven by hydraulic fluid at a selectable frequency thereby vibrating the piston/frame assembly (the piston assembly and the attached frame assembly) relative to the cylinder/reaction mass assembly (the cylinder assembly and the attached reaction mass). A clamp device such as jaws is attachable to a clamp-end of the frame assembly and the lifting shaft is attachable to a cable of a lifting apparatus such as a crane.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in compacting or densifying soils includes a tubular casing having a vertical longitudinal axis and an inside surface; a hollow tubular drive shaft aligned with the vertical longitudinal axis of the tubular casing and mounted for rotation therein; a drive motor for rotating the drive shaft; a carrier attached to the drive shaft for rotation therewith; and a cylindrical roller weight in rolling contact with the inside surface of the tubular casing. The carrier engages the roller weight for rotation about the vertical longitudinal axis of the tubular casing. The centrifugal force resulting from rotation of the roller weight is resisted by the tubular casing thereby causing vibration thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for locating percussion boring machines using a transmitter and a receiver which allows the radio transmitter to be connected to the percussion boring machine in a simple manner and preferably without breaking the connection between the compressed air line and the percussion boring machine; which does not hinder the manoeuvrability of the hammer drill; which is less susceptible to mechanical influences during the boring; and which can easily be disassembled. This is achieved by fastening a housing with a receptacle for the transmitter or the receiver on a fluid line.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for reversing an impact boring tool of the type having a reversing mechanism actuated by rotation of the compressed air supply hose that enters the tool through a rear end opening. This method includes the initial step of connecting the air supply hose to the tool using a quick-release coupling device including tubular male and female members which are coupled together, one of the members being mounted on the end of the air supply hose and the other mounted on an air inlet conduit of the tool, the coupling device further having a locking sleeve and a ball seated in a first pit in one of the members and configured for insertion into a second pit in the other of the members as the locking sleeve moves over the ball, the locking sleeve being biased to a locked position wherein the ball is seated in both pits thereby preventing rotation of one member relative to the other as well as disengagement of one member from the other.

Abstract: A dual-member pipe joint having an outer member and an inner member which is disposed coaxially within the outer member. Both the outer member and the inner member have a pin end and a box end. The pin end of the outer member is threadable to the box end of another outer member. The pin end of the inner member is geometrically shaped. The box end of the inner member forms a recess which conforms to the geometric shape of the pin end of the inner member. The box end of the inner member nonthreadably receives the pin end of another inner member in "slip-fit" connection. "Slip-fit" means the pin end of the inner member slides into the box end of a like inner member and forms a connection that is capable of transmitting torque. The advantage of this dual-member pipe joint is that both the inner and outer members of a pipe joint may be connected to a drill string in a single action with just one connection.

Abstract: A drilling arrangement wherein a cylinder of a multistage telescopic feed mechanism acts on a drill to move it in a first direction and two pistons extend from the cylinder only in a second direction opposite to the first direction, acting against a feed beam.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for driving a ground anchor and associated anchor rod into the ground. The ground anchor is held securely relative to a drive gad which is reciprocated bi-directionally with an actuator. One end of the anchor rod is pivotally connected to the ground anchor. Another end of the anchor rod is connected either to the drive gad or to the actuator so that the anchor rod is caused to vibrate positively in phase with the anchor. The vibrating anchor liquefies the ground and can be pushed easily through the ground to a desired anchoring position.

Abstract: A pneumatic ground piercing tool according to the invention has a reversing mechanism provided as part of the air distributing mechanism. Such a tool includes an elongated tubular housing having a rear opening, a head assembly including an anvil, a striker disposed for reciprocation within an internal chamber of the housing to impart impacts to a rear impact surface of the anvil for driving the body through the ground, an air distributing mechanism for effecting reciprocation of the striker, and a tail assembly mounted in a rear end opening of the housing that secures the striker and air distributing mechanism in the housing. In one embodiment, the outer bushing of the valve sleeve can slide a short distance relative to the air supply tube and has an intermediate radial port which selectively communicates with the air supply conduit. The valve sleeve also includes a detent mechanism for securing the air supply tube in its forward or reverse position.

Abstract: Moling apparatus for forming a generally horizontal underground passage in soil for a utility conduit or the like includes tool head structure with a base portion and a nose portion mounted on the base portion such that an interface region is formed between nose portion and base portion surfaces. The base portion is movable along that interface relative to the nose portion between a first position in which nose portion surfaces are symmetrical with respect to the tool axis so that the tool will tend to move along a straight line path and a second position in which nose portion surfaces are in asymmetrical position with respect to the tool axis so that the tool will tend to move along a curved path. The apparatus includes structure for creating positive pressure during system operation in the interface region between the base portion and nose portion such that relative movement of the nose and base portions between the first and second positions is not significantly impaired.

Abstract: Several designs of reversible expanders (10, 50, 100, 150) are disclosed for use on an underground boring tool (14) of the type using an air impact hammer. The reversible expanders allow a borehole of larger diameter than the tool to be formed. The reversible expander (10) is interference fit on the outer surface of the boring tool by either pressing the expander onto the tool or by shrink fit. A reversible expander (50) has a split which allows the expander to be slid over the tool and then clamped in place by bolts. A reverse expander (100) is formed of two members (102, 104) which, when bolted together, form a taper lock engagement with the tool. Finally, a reversible expander (150) can be threaded onto threads on the outer surface of the tool.

Abstract: A self-propelled percussion boring tool apparatus (10) and method for incrementally boring a generally vertical hole (12) to substantial depths. The boring tool (10) includes a torpedo-shaped elongated cylindrical casing (13) having a trailing pipe (22) coupled to and extending away from the back end (14) of the casing (13). In another instance, the boring tool (10) includes a trailing pipe (34) extending away from the back end (14) of the casing (13), and formed to be retained in the hole (12) after removal of the boring tool (10). In either arrangement, the present invention facilitates recovery of the boring tool (10) from bored vertical holes (12) of substantial depth.

Abstract: A golf tee drill comprising a cylindrical casing having a removable cap at a first end. A spring is mounted in the removable cap. An electric motor is provided, having a rotatable shaft. The motor is secured within a second end of the casing. A battery is within the casing between the spring and the motor. A switch is on the casing and is electrically connected between the motor and the battery. An auger drill bit is also provided, having a cone shaped collar. A coupling assembly is for attaching the auger drill bit at the cone shaped collar to the shaft of the motor. When the switch is turned on, the auger drill bit will rotate to penetrate hard ground and form a pilot hole for setting a golf tee therein.

Abstract: A ground probe apparatus includes a rod portion which includes a rod outer diameter. A handle portion is connected to a proximal end of the rod portion. A ground-penetrating tip portion is connected to a distal end of the rod portion. The ground,penetrating tip portion includes a tip end, and a wide-diameter portion is connected to the rod portion a predetermined distance from the tip end of the ground-penetrating tip portion. The wide-diameter portion has a wide-portion outer diameter which is greater than the rod outer diameter. The wide-diameter portion and the ground-penetrating tip portion may be combined into an integrated, unitary wide-diameter, tip assembly which can be selectively removed from and replaced on the rod portion. The wide-diameter portion includes a first tapered portion tapering toward the tip end and a second tapered portion tapering away from the tip end.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated mole has a reciprocating hammer operated by means of an impact mechanism which may be readjusted from forward to backward wiring by displacement of a valve tube secured to a piston near the rear end of the apparatus. The piston is activated by the switching of oil supply and withdrawal respectively to the tank between two pipeline stubs at the rear end of the apparatus. The fluid connections between the stubs and the piston are completely separated as regards the flow. As a result, complicated and vulnerable valve elements used in known hydraulic moles are avoided.

Abstract: A tractor mounted stake driver provides a mechanical/hydraulic system to drive a plurality of stakes into the ground simultaneously, with provision for stake separation adjustment. The apparatus includes a tractor and a front stake driving assembly including a right and left front stake driving ram joined by a separation adjustment device. The apparatus may further include a rear stake driving assembly to enable four stakes to be driven simultaneously. Either the front or rear assembly may additionally include a fore/aft adjustment mechanism to enable selective spacing between the front-driven stakes and rear-driven stakes.

Abstract: The invention represents a monotube differential pneumopercussive self-propelled reversible soil penetrating machine with stabilizers (100) having an increased efficiency, reliability, durability, and directional stability, and also a lower cost compared to existing machines. All of these achievements are associated in part with the development of an innovative monotube housing with rigidly secured to its outside surface structurally shaped longitudinal directional stabilizers, creating closed longitudinal air passages between the outside surface of the monotube housing and inside surface of the structurally shaped stabilizers. The invention offers a rigid connection of the air-distributing mechanism without use of any tail nuts, which simplifies the machine and reduces its cost. The chisel assembly is simplified and the overall weight of the machine is reduced.

Abstract: A pneumatic ground piercing tool has a head which can be removed and replaced with a replacement head of the same or different design. The detachable head is mounted on the an axial rod behind a threaded surface of the rod, and a nut is threadedly secured on the front threaded portion of the rod, whereby the head is clamped between a front end of the tool housing and the nut. The nut can be unscrewed from the rod to permit replacement of the head. A clamp-loading locking mechanism is used to secure the head to the nut to prevent the nut and head from loosening during operation.

Abstract: A device for facilitating the insertion of a beach umbrella in the sand includes a shaft formed as a helix about an axis of rotation with a handle attached to one end thereof. The curvature of the helix defines a major diameter and the shaft of the device is at least a quarter the size of the major diameter. The shaft is manually inserted in the sand and then withdrawn thereby forming a hole for the insertion of the beach umbrella support shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a probe assembly (1) adapted to penetrate and travel in a mass of material, comprising:a hull,a front striking zone (3) and/or a rear striking zone (4) axially opposite, for transmitting pulses to the hull,a striking piston (2) anda pneumatic motor for setting in motion the striking piston (2) so as to project it against a striking zone (3, 4) integral with the hull, a compressed-air supply for the motor, characterized by the fact that the friction of the hull and any guiding elements rigidly connected to the hull in a pulverulent mass is between a lower value f insufficient to assure the holding of the probe upon the recoil of the striking piston (2) and a higher value F preventing the probe from advancing upon the impact of the striking piston (2) on the striking zone (3, 4) so as to permit the advancement of the probe in the pulverulent material.

Abstract: A borehole (2) serves to produce e.g. hydrocarbons in a preferably soft or relatively soft underground formation (1), such as chalk or sandstone. The borehole (2) is surrounded by a substantially tubular reinforcement shell (9), which consists of formation material so compressed that the solid components of the material are substantially crushed to particles, and these are bonded together by the fluid or viscous components of the material and/or drilling mud. The borehole (2) if formed by first predrilling a small hole and then rolling said hole up to final borehole diameter by compressing the formation so that a reinforcement shell (9) of the desired thickness is formed. A self-propelling drive assembly (5) with a plurality of driven, elastic rollers (6) is used for this process, said rollers successively rolling down the borehole wall (7) and transferring the pressure force and moment from the drill bit (3) to the wall (7).

Abstract: A shielding apparatus comprises a cylindrical shield body, a crankshaft supported by the shield body rotatably around the axis of the shield body, a plurality of rotors successively provided in the direction of the axis in a front region ahead of the shield body and a driving mechanism for rotating the crankshaft around the axis, wherein the rotors define the outer surface of an approximately conical or truncated conical shape in conjunction with each other, and the adjoining rotors are made eccentric with respect to the axis of the shield body in the different directions from each other.

Abstract: A drilling tool (10) of the displacing type comprises a displacing head (22) including a cylindrical mid head portion (24) and lower and upper frustoconical head portions (26, 28). A lower drill portion (12) carries a helical rib (16) which also extends over the lower head portion (26), all portions of this rib being of equal height. The upper head portion (28) is formed with spiroconical displacing walls (32).

Abstract: The weight of a pneumatic ground piercing tool of the type having a stepped air inlet is reduced and tool power increased by providing the tool body with a dual diameter. The tubular tool body has a front section and a rear section which has a greater inner and outer diameter than the front section, thereby reducing overall tool weight. In a preferred embodiment, the rear end portion of the striker likewise has a greater outer diameter than the front end portion thereof. The bearing of the front end portion of the striker remains in sliding contact with the interior of the front body section during tool operation, and the bearing of the rear end portion of the striker likewise remains in sliding contact with the interior of the rear body section. In this manner, the power of the tool is enhanced because the tool has less weight and the air distributing mechanism, located in the rear body section, is the same size as in a conventional tool wherein the entire body has a uniform diameter.

Abstract: Boring apparatus for forming a generally horizontal underground passage in soil for a utility conduit or the like that includes a tool head with a base portion and a nose portion mounted on the base portion. The nose portion is rotatable relative to the base portion between a first position in which nose portion surfaces are symmetrical with respect to the tool axis so that the tool will move along a straight path and a second position in which nose portion surfaces are in asymmetrical position with respect to the tool axis so that said tool will move along a curved path. By application of torque to the base portion, the base portion is shifted relative to the nose portion to shift the tool head from between an asymmetrical configuration and a symmetrical configuration.

Abstract: A sand control screen is installed in a well by interposing the screen in a drillstring having a retrievable bit and drive motor. The screen is drilled into place with the distal end of the drillstring and remains in the wellbore. The drillstring may be disconnected from a bottom hole assembly comprising the screen and the distal end of the drillstring and replaced by a tubing string having a packer or other external seal member interposed therein for sealing one portion of the wellbore from another. The sand control screen has a basepipe with plural apertures temporarily closed plugs which are threadedly or force-fit in the apertures. The plugs may be formed of a meltable or dissolvable fiber reinforced wax, for example, or an active metal which may be dissolved by an acid or caustic solution. The screen may also include a temporary plugging medium such as wax in the interstices of the screen sleeve to prevent accumulation of drilling fluid solids during insertion in the wellbore.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated impact-action self-propelled mechanism for driving holes in the earth comprises a cylindrical housing assembly with an anvil at its forward end. An impact piston is provided which is reciprocal in the housing to deliver successive impacts to the anvil. The piston and housing form a forward chamber of variable volume. The mechanism further includes a control assembly comprising a forwardly extending sleeve which slides within a rear space of the impact piston to form a rear chamber of variable volume, and a central passage within the sleeve for continuous supply of compressed air through a forward opening of the sleeve into the rear chamber and therefrom into the forward chamber through a port in a side wall of the rear chamber of the impact piston. The sleeve has an aperture in its side near the forward opening and is provided with a valve operable by twisting of the sleeve. Operation of the valve controls forward and reverse movement of the mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for implanting geophones (98) includes an implanting device (12) pivotally mounted on the end of a tractor (14) for movement from one predetermined location to another predetermined location for implanting a plurality of geophones (98). The implanting device (12) has a main support frame (16) supporting a vibratory frame (18) which receives a push tube (68) in sliding relation. The lower end of the push tube (68) accepts a geophone (98) for insertion therein. Downward movement of push tube (68) implants the geophone (98) as shown in FIG. 4. To assist in implanting the geophone (98), the vibratory frame (18) and the push tube (68) are vibrated for vibration of the lower end of the push tube (68) during implantation.

Abstract: The invention represents a differential pneumopercussive self-propelled reversible soil penetrating machine (100) having essentially higher efficiency, reliability, durability, and controllability compared to conventional machines. All of these achievements are associated in part with the development of an innovative differential air-distributing mechanism (106) which inherently allows for relatively long strokes of the striker (104) resulting in relatively high impact energy of the striker. The operation of this mechanism is based on the difference between the pressures in the two separate nominal (high) and reduced (low) pressure air lines which deliver compressed air to the machine. In order to switch over the machine (100) from the forward to the reverse mode operation or vice versa it is just necessary to adjust properly the pressure in the reduced (low) pressure air line by a conventional air pressure regulator associated with the source of compressed air.

Abstract: A method is specified for reversing a compressed air-driven ramming device for its control positions of forward running and rearward running in the earth, wherein, for reversal, a turning is performed against a relatively small detaining force and the force of the operational compressed air is used for locking the control device in the individual control positions and for damping the vibration propagation from a ram housing to the control device. As a result, a reversing of the ramming device during the admission of operational compressed air is reliably prevented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enlarging a straight or arcuate pilot bore hole and the insertion of tubing in the enlarged bore is disclosed, in which the pilot bore hole 10 is enlarged by advancing a larger diameter housing with a conical enlarging head by impacting of a striking body mounted within a housing against the inside of the enlarging head at the forward end of the housing. Fluid jet cutting action is also employed and the pilot hole boring device may be coupled to exert a steady pull on the housing as it is advanced through the pilot bore. The housing may thus be connected to the pilot bore drilling device, with an interposed cushioning device. The fluid jets may be created by nozzle openings in the enlarging head or in a separate device mounted forward of the enlarging head.

Abstract: A vibrating hole forming device for seismic exploration in which a vertically elongated mounting pipe with attached rack gear is powered vertically by a hydraulically driven pinion gear which will mechanically push the pipe downwardly into the earth's surface. A vibrating mechanism imparts vibration to the downward force exerted by the pinion gear and rack gear. Vibration is imparted to the pipe automatically when hydraulic pressure required to operate the pinion gear reaches a predetermined pressure such as when the point on the lower end of the pipe encounters a predetermined resistance to further downward movement. This enables a lightweight unit to impart a constant downward force and a vibration force when needed to enable the device to penetrate through sands or extremely dense subsurface terrain thereby eliminating the necessity of providing a heavy weight vehicle such as is required when conventional hole forming devices are used on which the device is mounted.

Abstract: An impact borer, a connector, a method for embedding lines and an improved method for sinking geothermal wells. The impact borer has a shell, which has a longitudinal bore. An anvil closes one end of the bore. A ram is reciprocally slideable within the bore, against and away from the anvil. The ram divides the bore into front, rear, and ram chambers. A director is joined to the shell. The director is monolithic. The director isolates the front and rear chambers in alternation upon reciprocation of the ram. The director defines an inlet passage communicating with the ram chamber and an outlet passage communicating with the rear chamber.

Abstract: An impact borer having a shell and an air drive within the shell. The air drive includes a ram for reciprocation within the shell and a manifold joined to the shell. The manifold defining an inlet passage delivering air to the air drive and an outlet passage exhausting air from the air drive, and a duplicate passage interconnecting the inlet and outlet passages within the manifold.

Abstract: A series of bits (600, 680, 690, 710, 720, 780, 800, 820, 860, 920) are illustrated which can be used with a boring machine to drill a borehole underground with enhanced directional control. As an illustration, one drill bit (600) is formed of a body portion having a hexagonal cross-section where the bit attaches to the drill string which defines six parallel surfaces (610-620) with parallel cutting edges (622-632) defined at the intersection of each of the parallel surfaces. Angled surfaces (634, 636, 638) extend from intermediate the ends of the bit to the forward end. As the bit rotates, a cylindrical borehole is formed. When the bit is stopped to change the direction of drilling, a relief area exists between the parallel surfaces and the wall of the borehole and between the angled surfaces and the wall of the borehole to more easily deflect the bit to begin drilling in a new direction.

Abstract: An uphole hammer is provided comprising a substantially tubular housing which is closed at a first end and supports a substantially centrally located fluid supply tube at the first end. The fluid supply tube extends axially through the housing and is adapted to be mounted at its other end to a drill string, the fluid supply tube being adapted to receive fluid being directed to the hammer by the drill string. The housing further supports a drill bit at or towards its other end which is slidably received about the fluid supply tube, a piston also being slidably supported about the fluid supply tube in the housing for reciprocation between the drill bit and the first end of the housing.

Abstract: In a percussion mach in particular a self-propelled ram boring machine, with a percussion piston which is axially movable in the machine housing, has a hollow piston rod and is acted on by a pressure medium via a supply hose connected to the rear end of the housing, a piston rod bore communicates with the pressure medium supply when the percussion piston is in the front end position and communicates with a discharge opening when the percussion piston is in the rear end position.

Abstract: A self-propelled, pneumopercussive, cyclic action, ground penetrating machine (200) has decreased energy consumption and increased average working velocity compared to conventional machines. This is obtained in part by a valve-operated air-distribution mechanism (203) having separate forward and reverse compressed air supply lines (35, 37), which mechanism (203) does not limit the length of the forward and backward strokes of the striker (202). This mechanism allows the backward stroke chamber (75) to be connected with the atmosphere during the entire forward stroke of the striker (202). This eliminates generation of an air buffer in the backward stroke chamber (75) and, consequently, the striker (202) does not lose part of its kinetic energy before impact.

Abstract: A forward and rearward running ramming device includes: a housing having a percussion head in which a percussion piston a axially displaced by compressed air; a control device for controlling the compressed air so that, during forward running the percussion piston strikes a front side of the housing, and during rearward running the percussion piston strikes a rear side of the housing, the control device interacting with control openings in the percussion piston, which control advancing movement and returning movement of the percussion piston, the control device being seated in a the housing and being connected, through the housing, to an air supply hose; an arresting device, which fixes the control device relative to the housing in individual switching positions, which are set by turning the air supply hose, wherein the arresting device is also a damping device, at least one air chamber, variable in size, being provided as arresting and damping element, the air chamber being bounded at end faces by rear and f

Abstract: The electromagnetically accelerated impact oil well drill uses magnetic interaction of a ringing circuit formed in each of multiple accelerating coils with the electromagnetic field of charge rings around an expendable ice filled plastic drill head to accelerate the drillhead to hypervelocity with the drill head properly aligned to shoot down through an upper installed oil well casing. The oil well casing being fitted with a rapidly operating diverter valve to deflect effluent from the casing from blowing back into the electromagnetically accelerated impact drill.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for steering pipe casing laid underground is disclosed which includes a steerable pipe jacking head attached to a forward pipe casing and pushed through the ground by a string of pipe casings from a pipe pushing or jacking machine at a station below or above the ground. A steering wedge which may be rotated to a desired steering position and then extended from the forward end of the pipe jacking head is disclosed which accurately steers the pipe jacking head in horizontal and vertical directions. An inclinometer is used to measure the vertical position of the pipe jacking head. A directional heading sensor which includes a toroidal fluxgate magnetometer with a free floating ring core is utilized to measure the horizontal position of the pipe jacking head. Horizontal and vertical position signals, and the rotational position of the steering wedge, are measured and transmitted as serial data to a computer where the signals are processed and displayed graphically on a display screen.

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: This invention is comprised of an auger with fixed or replaceable tips designed to cut openings through sheet plastic or fiberglass ground coverings and drill, in a continuous operation, an appropriate diameter hole for planting seedlings or seeds as may be desired. This invention is comprised of a shaft with spiral auger and a cutting tip with a cylindrical cutting edge and a recessed drilling point as an assembly which is removably attached to the shaft with flights on it. The device can be driven by a conventional electric drill with a one-half inch chuck.

Abstract: The device for drilling holes in the ground comprises a body (1), a drive and a base member (3), connected with the body by means of a thread (4) and provided a with a lug (7) located on an external side surface (6). The lug (7) is intended for locking the base member (3) relative to the body (1) and is projected beyond the latter. One of the sides (10) is inclined to the generatrix of the side surface (6) of the base member (3) in the direction creating a turning-in moment at the connecting thread. Located on the base member side surface is an additional lug (12) which creates a turning-in moment at the connecting thread in case the device is reversed.

Abstract: In a ram boring machine that has a striking piston reciprocating in a tubular housing and a striking tip that may be formed as a chisel and projects from the housing, connection of the striking tip to the housing by means of a bayonet joint makes installation and removal or replacement of the striking piston or a worn chisel possible in a simple manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating or reaming underground tunnels or conduits for the laying of cable or the like, comprising a bit head having a contoured outer surface adapted to bore through dirt or wood, a rigid core shaft, and a generally cylindrical hollow outer shell having a shell diameter comprising at least one circumferential shoulder having a ridge diameter greater than said shell diameter, said shoulder being located a certain distance along the length of said outer shell; wherein said bit head is releasably secured to and is coaxial with said core shaft, said core shaft is located substantially within the hollow central portion of said outer shell, and said outer shell has a length substantially equal to the length of said core shaft such that said bit head is located outside of said outer shell.