Abstract: A well bore enlarger comprising, in its fixed-arm embodiment, a tubular housing member having an enlarged section with an outer diameter substantially the same as the well bore diameter, the enlarged section having a plurality of longitudinal cut-out portions defining blades of the enlarged section therebetween; a longitudinal slot within the blade; a cutting arm mounted to the blade within the slot having cutting edges and a fluid gallery between the cutting edges which gallery communicates with the slot and the well bore; synthetic diamond material attached to the cutting arm; and means on the tubular housing member for directing a fluid through the fluid gallery of the cutting arm. In the expandable-arm embodiment of the well bore enlarger, the tubular housing member is formed with the enlarged section as previously described, with slots, blades and cut-out portions.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for sinking essentially vertical bores, in particular large-hole bores, shafts or the like, the bore direction being pre-determined for a bore head or the like, rotatable by means of a set of bore rods, using a device which may be fixed with respect to the borehole wall after a bore section has been bored, wherein the device is released, the bore head is moved in a stationary state into a position suspended on the bore rods and then the direction is determined for the next bore section, the diameter of the bore head for determining the direction of the next bore section being changed from a relatively larger to a relatively smaller size.

Abstract: A continuous mining machine cutting head structure is set forth. The mining machine is of a type having a support member and an elongated mining head member mounted on the forward end of the support member. The head member is powered for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The head member is of the type having axially extensible and retractable end portions. Included within the head member is a hydraulic piston cylinder arrangement for selectively extending and retracting these end portions. At least one latch element is included within each side of the head member and can be moved into locking engagement with the end portions when it is in an extended position thereby preventing retraction thereof. Also included is a mechanism operatively connected to the piston cylinder arrangement which is capable of moving the latch element out of engagement with the end portion thereby permitting retraction thereof.

Abstract: An under-reaming pile bore excavator by which a straight pile bore is first excavated vertically to a given depth by rotating the main drill bits and the under-reamed bore is next excavated downward and outward into a given shape by rotating the slidable wing bits, allowing a relatively larger diameter ratio of the under-reamed pile bore to the straight pile bore. The under reamed pile bore excavator of the present invention comprises a plurality of guide rails disposed so as to cross the axis of the drill pipe, and a plurality of slidable wing bits mounted on the guide rails which excavate the under-reamed bore, in addition to the conventional main drill bits which can excavate the straight pile bore.

Abstract: A mining auger comprises a cutting head carried at one end of a tubular shaft and a plurality of wall segments which in a first position thereof are disposed side by side around said shaft and in a second position thereof are disposed oblique to said shaft. A vane projects outwardly from each wall segment. When the wall segments are in their first position, the vanes together form a substantially continuous helical wall. A cutter is mounted on the peripheral edge of each of the vanes. When the wall segments are in their second position, the cutters on the vanes are disposed radially outward from the perimeter of the cutting head.

Abstract: An underreamer having a plurality of drilling arms hingedly attached to a tubular body for movement between a retracted position and an extended position for drilling. The underreamer includes a central wash pipe for delivering drilling mud to remove cuttings and debris from the hole during drilling and an alternate flow path, generally through the body for delivering drilling fluid to the vicinity between the arm and the body to flush debris therefrom which would prevent the arms from retracting to their normal position for withdrawal from the borehole.

Abstract: A well bore is formed which runs down to an underground region having deposits of mineral material to be mined, by installing a casing or a drill pipe into the ground. A piping assembly is placed in the bore hole through the casing and the mineral material comminuted by means of water jet action or by vibratory action of a portion of the piping thereagainst or by both types of action operating simultaneously. The mineral material is mixed with the water in the bore hole to form a slurry which is removed from the bore hole through the piping by sonic pumping action or by virtue of the slurry rising to the surface as the bore hole fills, with oil floating to the top of the slurry material.

Abstract: A rotary bore hole enlarging bit is connected to a rotary pipe string having a drilling fluid flow path and an actuator flow path. The bit comprises a body structure including inner and outer telescopic body sections, expansible and retractible arms carrying cutters on the outer body section and an expander on the inner body section engageable with the arms to expand the arms and cutters upon telescopic movement of body sections in one relative direction. A piston and cylinder is provided between the inner and outer body sections to secure relative telescopic movement between the body sections. A first passage is disposed in the body structure and expansible arms and cutters for conducting drilling fluid to the cutters from the drilling fluid flow path, there being a second passage in the body structure for conducting actuator fluid to the piston and cylinder from the actuator fluid flow path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for drilling a bore hole using a dual concentric drill pipe. Air is supplied through the outer pipe to the bit to cool the bit and jet cuttings upwardly in the bore hole to a suction inlet leading from the bore hole to the inner pipe. A negative pressure is applied to the inner pipe to bail the cuttings up the inner pipe. Makeup air flows down the annulus in the bore hole to the suction inlet and prevents upward movement of dust in the bore hole. A bore hole enlarging bit is disclosed and has expansible cutters which are expanded by hydraulic fluid pressure. In one form, the expansible cutters can also be retracted by hydraulic fluid pressure. The enlarging bit is employed to enlarge a pilot bore hole from a selected beginning location to the bottom of the pilot bore hole to form a blast chamber.

Abstract: A rotor arm cutting assembly includes a plurality of cutter arm members extending radially outwardly from a hub portion which is adapted for nonrotatable connection to a drive shaft extending from the front of a mining machine. Each cutter arm member includes a front face for supporting cutter bits operable to dislodge solid material from a mine face upon rotation of the drive shaft. A slot extends longitudinally outwardly from the hub portion to the end of each cutter arm member on the front face. A cutter arm extension is positioned for longitudinal movement in the slot. Complimentary guide members and guide ways associated with the extension portion and the cutter arm member maintain the extension portion movable in a longitudinal direction in the slot. The extension portion is extended and retracted relative to the cutter arm member by operation of a fluid actuated cylinder positioned for convenient servicing within a recess in the back of the cutter arm member.

Abstract: A method of breaking rock, concrete or other hard compact material adjacent to a hole drilled thereinto and an apparatus for performing the method wherein the apparatus contains a notch-forming means to form a circumferential notch in the drillhole wall, a hydraulic jack means which is located inside the drillhole to exert a force to actuate the notch-forming means and to react against the bottom of the drillhole and develop an outwardly directly axial force on the notcher to break one or more pieces of material from the face and a hydraulic supply means to supply hydraulic fluid to actuate the hydraulic jack. The hydraulic supply means is located outside the drillhole.

Abstract: A subsurface borehole underreamer comprises a tubular body which is adapted at its upper end for coaxial connection to a rotary drill string. A plurality of cutter support arms have upper and lower ends. The upper ends of the arms are pivoted to the body for motion of the lower ends thereof between retracted positions, in which the lower ends are disposed essentially within the diameter of the body, and open positions, in which the arm lower ends are disposed outwardly of the body. Cutters are mounted to the lower end of each arm and are configured to extend essentially to the center of the body when the arm is in its retracted position. An actuator in the body is selectively operable for moving the arms from their retracted to their open positions.

Abstract: An apparatus consisting of pipe sections pivotally joined which can be insert in a borehole when in straight position and manipulated to a zigzag position to loosen minerals outside the wall of the borehole.

Abstract: The advancement angle of a borehole cut by a rotary drill bit of the type which forms a cylindrical sidewall, a drill face and a circumferentially extending gage corner, is controlled by removing a different amount of the gage corner material over a selected partial arc of the gage corner circumference during each rotation of the drill bit. The different amount of material removed causes the remaining arc of the gage corner circumference to apply a slight lateral force on the drill bit, thus forcing the drill bit in a desired direction. Gage corner removal apparatus include selectively extendable cutter devices, a hinged connector hingeably connecting the drill bit to the end of the drill string, and a pivotable single cutting wheel member. Selectively activating the gage corner removal apparatus during each of a plurality of subsequent drill bit revolutions results in a cumulative angle change effect.

Abstract: The method is disclosed for drilling a pilot hole and subsequently enlarging the pilot hole in earth formation. A dual concentric pipe string is used for circulating air downwardly through the outer pipe, through a pilot bit and upwardly through the bore hole outside the pipe string to bail cuttings, during drilling of the pilot hole. The air pressure expands the cutters of an expansible bit while a milited portion of the air supplied cools the cutters. After the cutters are fully expanded, additional air is utilized to clean and cool the cutters. Air is returned through the inner pipe of the dual concentric pipe string. A venturi device is utilized to induce return flow through the inner pipe during enlargement of the hole and to vacuum residue when enlargement is completed. The dual concentric pipe string is made up of lengths of pipe providing threaded, sealed joints.

Abstract: A pilot hole of a preselected diameter is drilled with a suitable bit in an earth formation to a desired depth. The bit is withdrawn from the hole, and an expandable hole opener or underreamer run in the pilot hole with its cutters fully retracted and closely adjacent to each other. When the depth is reached at which enlargement of the pilot hole is to commence to produce a blast chamber, the cutters are forced laterally outwardly by fluid pressure while the hole opener is rotated, without moving the hole opener axially of the pilot hole, to cut the wall of the pilot hole and increase its diameter to the extent determined by maximum expansion of the cutters, thereby forming the upper end of the enlarged blast chamber.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for drilling a pilot hole and subsequently enlarging the pilot hole in earth formation. A dual concentric pipe string is used for circulating air downwardly through the outer pipe, through a pilot bit and upwardly through the bore hole outside the pipe string to bail cuttings, during drilling of the pilot hole. The air pressure expands the cutters of an expansible bit while a limited portion of the air supplied cools the cutters. After the cutters are fully expanded, additional air is utilized to clean and cool the cutters. Air is returned through the inner pipe of the dual concentric pipe string. A venturi device is utilized to induce return flow through the inner pipe during enlargement of the hole and to vacuum residue when enlargement is completed. The dual concentric pipe string is made up of lengths of pipe providing threaded, sealed joints.

Abstract: An undercutter comprising a slotted tubular body in which is mounted an extendable and retractable cutting head for undercutting a bore into which the tubular body is positioned and rotated. The cutting head includes a fluid-operated reciprocally movable piston, the reciprocating rate of which is determined by an annular liner positioned between the outer wall of the piston body and the inner wall of the piston cavity.

Abstract: A combination drilling and belling apparatus includes a frame having at one end a drilling area for drilling a borehole in the earth. A pair of belling arms are pivotally carried by the frame and are selectively movable between a drilling position and a non-drilling position. The belling arms have a drilling surface such that when the belling arms are moved to the drilling position and the apparatus is rotated, the belling arms same form an enlarged bell-shaped cavity. When the belling arms are in a non-drilling position, a valve means is provided for closing an opening through a side wall of a drilling mud flow conduit, thereby preventing flow of drilling mud through the opening. When the belling arms are in the drilling position, the valve means is moved to an open position whereby drilling mud can flow from the cavity through the opening and upwardly through the conduit, carrying the cuttings therewith.

Abstract: The present invention involves a tool for connection to a conventional drill string and operation therewith for punching holes in a standard casing located within a well bore to pass water or gas therethrough for recovery at the well bore surface, the invention involving a pivotally arranged blade that can be extended by air, water, or mud that has passed through the drill string to impinge on a trigger end of that blade, a point end thereof engaging the casing wall whereafter, by forcing the drill string and tool downwardly, the blade pointed end will puncture the casing, removal of the blade from the casing wall involving only ceasing passing of air or fluid against the blade trigger and lifting of the drill string and connected tool. The tool also involves a backup arrangement for connection to the tool body to increase the diameter thereof to allow the tool to be used in a number of different sizes of casings.

Abstract: The upper end of a rotary drill bit having initially retracted expansible cutters is connected to a stabilizer having initially retracted expansible stabilizer members, the upper end of the stabilizer being connectable to a rotary drill pipe string. The apparatus is lowered in a bore hole on the drilling string and rotated, the cutters being expanded to cut into the bore hole and enlarge it to a desired diameter, the apparatus being lowered to progressively continue enlarging the hole in a downward direction. Upon the stabilizer moving into the enlarged hole, its stabilizer members are expanded laterally to an extent conforming to the enlarged hole diameter, being engageable with the wall of the bore hole to stabilize the bit therebelow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to belling apparatus for forming a bell shaped recess at the lower end of a pier bore and is concerned primarily with such apparatus in which spoil generated by cutting the recess is continuously removed by an auger.

Abstract: This is a deep well drill employing a Nelson air motor, a Nelson engine or other air motor for drilling power at the face of a petroleum or other deep well and having a cable and tube attached thereto and suspended from spools on a drill rig. A cutting container is attached to the drill to remove cuttings without mud. Drills for varying types of rock strata are provided. A type of foldable casing employed permits the use of the same diameter casing throughout the entire well of any depth, including deep wells to over 25,000 feet. Expandable bits at the end of the cable are provided for drilling selectively larger diameters for foldable casing walls and for safety valve and flow control anchors. The bits are also contractable for unobstructed travel up and down the well.