Abstract: In a rotary table driven hollow auger type sampling device, a rod is mounted at an end above the rotary table to be substantially fixed against rotation, but for axial movement. The rod extends through a hollow spindle driven by the table, and is fixedly mounted below the table to the upper end of a thin wall sampling tube mounted within a hollow auger to project a short distance below the lower end of the auger. The rod, hence the sampling tube, is forced downwardly with the auger, but is positively restrained from rotation.

Abstract: The present specification describes and claims a downhole casing shearer for use in drilling bore holes. The casing shearer comprises an elongate, generally cylindrical sub-member which is connected between a drilling bit and a drill rod string and which engages within a hollow cylindrical shearer, the trailing end of the shearer being connected to a conventional bore hole liner, so that the shearer may rotate about its longitudinal axis with the liner stationary. The sub-member and shearer are interlocked by a releasable locking mechanism which prevents relative rotation therebetween but which allows both for the axial drilling pressure to be applied to the shearer and the shearer to be lifted, and for the drilling bit, sub-member and rod string to be lifted through the liner leaving the shearer and liner in the bore hole, when the locking mechanism is released.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and apparatus for drilling horizontal holes in geological strata from a vertical position. The geological structures intended to be penetrated in this fashion are coal seams, as for in situ gasification or methane drainage, or in oil-bearing strata for increasing the flow rate from a pre-existing well. Other possible uses for this device might be for use in the leaching of uranium ore from underground deposits or for introducing horizontal channels for water and steam injections.

Abstract: A core breaker carrier for inserting and removing a core breaker from a drill bit. The carrier of the present invention eliminates the need for using wireline tools to install a core breaker within a drill bit. The core breaker carrier with core breaker attached can be inserted into the bore of the drill pipe at the well surface and pumped into the drill bit. Fluid pressure is used to anchor the carrier at a preselected location within the drill bit.

Abstract: In apparatus for drilling a hole in the ground comprising tubing for shoring up the walls of the drilled hole and a drilling member comprising a pneumatic percussion hammer having an eccentric cutting edge, the drilling member extending in the tubing and having a working position in which the cutting edge extends below the lower end of the tubing and a removal position in which the cutting edge is within the tubing, the extension tube for supplying gas to the hammer is connected to the hammer by a helicoidal telescopic connection which is rotatable through 180.degree.

Abstract: In an underground mine, a machine for drilling upwardly is placed in one tunnel of the mine and is used to drill a vertical shaft communicating with another tunnel at a higher elevation. The machine is operated so as to install a liner or casing in the shaft in a step-by-step fashion, substantially concurrently with the corresponding steps of the drilling operation.

Abstract: This invention is a Well Drilling Apparatus primarily intended for drilling water wells, but also adaptable for other well, or hole drilling activities. The apparatus is particularly characterized by an independent driving arrangement for the drill, accompanied by an independent driving arrangement by which the casing may be turned during the drilling operation for ease of insertion and may accompany the drill into the ground to prevent collapse during drilling operations as well as to enhance the removal of drilled material.

Abstract: An earth boring assembly is provided with a hammer member at its leading end for impacting through an earth formation to form a boring therein. An expander cone is attached rearwardly of the hammer to expand the boring which has been formed by the hammer and drag pipes are connected to follow the hammer into the boring. Clamping means interposed between the expander cone and the drag pipe operate to automatically effect frictional locking engagement between the hammer and the drag pipe when the expander cone and the drag pipe are moved toward each other and to automatically release the frictional engagement when the members are moved away from each other. The clamping means may specifically comprise an annular slotted ring having wedge-shaped outer surfaces by means of which the ring is caused to become clamped and released about the hammer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hollow auger and to a method for producing piles cast in the ground. The method is characterized in that one uses an auger provided with a removable cutting head and which is able to slide in a sealed manner in the blade support tube of the auger and in that the injection of concrete, taking place through a central passageway provided in the cutting head, is undertaken in two successive stages, a first stage in which concrete is injected into the support tube by progressively raising the cutting head to a predetermined level, namely zero level in the latter and a second stage in which the auger is raised from the drill-hole by exerting a constant pressure on the cutting head and by injecting concrete in order to maintain this head at the predetermined level. The invention has application in the manufacture of piles cast from concrete.

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: The disclosure includes additional features of the apparatus and technique disclosed in Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 3,854,539 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,464. For example, in one embodiment, the anvil is relatively rotatably interconnected with the piston-like member, and is adapted to engage the drill rod for conjoint rotation therewith. Moreover, the inner drill bit has a port in it for discharging the exhaust fluid into the working face of the outer bit from a passage in the anvil. In another embodiment, the anvil includes a core barrel which is adapted to register with the opening in the abutment, when the anvil is engaged with the abutment. The core barrel is defined by a tube which is detachably connected with the main body of the anvil at the relatively forward end thereof.