Abstract: A drilling assembly which is particularly adapted for drilling in regions of the earth having permafrost, comprising a relativey large earth auger including at least one helical flight which is welded to a long central tube. The upper end of the auger has a shape such that torque may be readily applied to the auger for rotating the same. Interiorly of the upper end of the tube is a means for mounting a downhole percussion hammer, such that the percussion hammer may be suspended for operation within the tube. Preferably, a substantially solid drill bit having a generally frustoconical (pointed) shape is used in conjunction with the percussion hammer. Also, a means for advantageously providing for admitting more compressed air to the bottom of the hole than would normally be admissible by relying on air supplied to the percussion hammer alone.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be connected in a drill string is disclosed. It utilizes an axially located turbine which is driven by the mud flow through the drill string. The turbine is supported by a shaft and connected to an appropriate gear train. The gear train rotates an outer sleeve which has multiple turns of an external screw thereon. The screw or helix extends toward the wall of the drill bore. The helix lifts the column of mud in the annular space above the drill bit away from the drill bit thereby reducing the back pressure just above the drill bit. This improves the jetting action of the mud pumped through the drill bit and provides for a more rapid excavation of the immediate vicinity, thereby increasing the rate of penetration of the drill bit.

Abstract: A tool for use on sections of a drill string which utilizes the "journal bearing effect" to minimize the possibility of the drill string becoming stuck against the side of the wellbore due to differential pressures between the wellbore and the formation. The anti-sticking tool is designed to surround part of a section of the drill string, and to have holes passing therethrough, so that the pressure of the drilling fluids within the wellbore in combination with the rotation of the drill string against the inside surface of the tool causes the drilling fluids to be pushed out through these openings to prevent drill string contact and sticking against the side of the wellbore. The anti-sticking tool can take the shape of a plurality of collars spaced along a drill string section or one continuous helical spring extending part of the length of a section of drill string.

Abstract: In an auger mining system which forms an opening in the earth comprising a pair of axially aligned cylindrical holes and wherein the opening has a bottom, the system has a pair of side-by-side conveyors. Each auger conveyor has a shaft and a flight around the shaft which shafts are journaled through bearings at each end to a spacing member and where the spacing members are rigidly tied to each other by a longitudinal member having an underside. A supporting apparatus including a skid is attached to the auger pair and extending to the bottom of the opening. The skid may be attached either to the underside of the longitudinal member or to each of the bearings. If the skids are attached to the bearings, then skids which are on adjacent bearings of mating auger pairs are arcuately staggered to permit side-by-side positioning of the skids.

Abstract: Apparatus for unitizing a pair of side-by-side augers when each auger includes a shaft, a mateable rotational coupling on each end of the shaft, and flightings along the shaft, the unitizing apparatus includes bearings which are journaled on each end of the shaft and spacers pivotally attached between each of the bearings on the same end of the shaft in order to align the axis of the shafts substantially parallel with each other. A longitudinal support member is rigidly secured beween the spacers and between each of the flightings. A joining clevis is attached to the spacers so that they face in a manner to mate for interconnection with subsequent or preceding unitized assemblies.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed wherein a tubular body connectible in a drill string and having a float valve arranged therein to normally close the string, as the string is lowered into a well bore, is provided with a plurality of ports connecting its bore above the float valve with its exterior, and valve means for movement from a position normally closing to a position opening the ports when the exterior fluid pressure exceeds the fluid pressure in the bore above the float valve by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A replaceable stabilizer comprises a steel sleeve with fixed blades adapted to be installed over the reduced lower box end of tubular rotary drill steel member prior to insertion of the taper threaded pin of a drill bit into the taper threaded drill steel box. The drill steel member may be a special sub or a regular length of drill steel with modified lower end. An internal straight thread at the upper end of the sleeve screws onto an external straight thread on the drill steel box. An annular rubber gasket secured to the upper end of the sleeve is clamped between the upper end of the sleeve and a shoulder on the steel between the main body and the reduced box end thereof. An inturned flange at the lower end of the sleeve is clamped between a shoulder provided by the mouth of the drill steel box and a shoulder on the drill bit around its taper threaded pin. Make up of the pin and box forms a rotary shouldered connection.

Abstract: Stabilizer apparatus for a drill string or other running string, including a body structure forming part of a rotary drill string and a stabilizer positioned on an end portion of said body structure, the stabilizer comprising a stabilizer sleeve having a conical interior surface which is shrink-fitted onto a mating external conical surface of such body structure by fluid pressure actuated or hydraulic means, permitting a safe, strong interconnection between the stabilizer and the drill string body structure, which stabilizer can be readily removed when necessary and replaced with another stabilizer similarly shrink-fitted onto the drill string body structure.