Abstract: The invention discloses a method and apparatus for placing, insitu, beneath roadways and the like, pipe or other longitudinal members, without the need to remove the overburden. This accomplished by vibrating the pipe into position with the use of a special frame which holds the pipe and a vibrating tool and guides the pipe into its insitu position.

Abstract: A raise drill is disclosed for enlarging a pilot hole into a large diameter hole by disintegrating the earth formations surrounding the pilot hole. The raise drill includes a bit body having a plurality of roller cutters mounted thereon. The bit body is detachable secured to a drive stem to permit removal and replacement of the stem. A shock absorbing element is interconnected between the drive stem and the bit body to enable the bit body to be flexibly mounted on the drive stem. A central yoke is provided to extend around the drive stem and interconnect the saddles of the two innermost cutters. The central yoke functions to distribute the loading of the inboard cutters. The central yoke can also function as a housing for a packing element.

Abstract: A large diameter drill bit is disclosed that is capable of drilling various size bores. In the preferred embodiment, the drill functions as a raise bit for enlarging a pilot hole into a larger diameter hole by disintegrating the earth formations surrounding the pilot hole. In the primary stage, the raise bit includes a primary body supporting a plurality of yokes positioned at various radial locations thereon. A frusto-conical cutter is rotatively mounted on each yoke for contacting and disintegrating the above-mentioned earth formations, with the outermost cutters forming the gage row. For the second stage, in which larger diameter holes are to be drilled, a plurality of ear assemblies are provided for attachment to the primary body at circumferential locations between the outermost primary cutters. Each ear assembly comprises a unitary support frame having a yoke and cutter mounted thereon. A vertically oriented roller stabilizer is also mounted on each support frame.

Abstract: An air lift system for large diameter borehole drilling is disclosed. The system is applicable in drilling operations where a vertical pilot hole is drilled below the point to which the borehole will later be enlarged and a slant hole is drilled obliquely to intersect the pilot hole near its nether position. During the drilling operation, the circulation system pumps drilling fluid down the annulus of the borehole to cool the cutterhead and to mix with the cuttings. The drilling fluid carrying the cuttings then moves down the pilot hole and up through the slant hole. A plenum is located in the slant hole to assist in the lifting of the drilling fluid. The plenum includes a tapered transition pipe, a tapered discharge horn, and an air diffusion ring located at the throat of the discharge horn. The diffusion ring is utilized to inject outside air into the drilling fluid passing therethrough.

Abstract: A stopping apparatus is suspended in a pilot shaft and blasting charge holes are drilled outwardly and downwardly from successive vertical positions from the bottom to the top of the pilot shaft to provide a circular array of holes fanned-out from each vertical position. The blasting charge holes are loaded with blasting charges, and detonated, proceeding from the bottom to the top of the pilot shaft.

Abstract: A hole-opener and a hole-opener apparatus is provided for enlarging a pilot hole of the inverted arcuate type which bypasses an obstacle, the pilot hole having an entrance and terminal end, both ends usually being accessible to surface drilling equipment.

Abstract: A raise drill for enlarging a pilot hole into a larger diameter hole by disintegrating the earth formations surrounding the pilot hole is disclosed. The raise drill includes a main bit body having a plurality of cutters mounted thereon. The bit body is detachably secured to the drive stem to permit removal and replacement of the stem. The removable drive stem allows the raise bit to be transported through small drifts and helps extend the useful life of the raise bit. The drive stem extends through a central opening in the raise bit body and includes an upwardly facing shoulder for engaging the margin of the bit body about the opening. The drive stem further includes a plurality of tapered flat surfaces located about the periphery of the bottom end thereof. A plurality of bolted wedge blocks, attachable to the main bit body are provided to engage the tapered flat surfaces of the drive stem in order to urge the shoulder of the drive stem into locking engagement with the main bit body.

Abstract: A method of drilling a large hole through rock and removing the drilling waste by drilling a pilot hole from one rock face to another, reverse drilling with a large drill bit and removing the waste during the reverse drilling by pressurizing the pilot hole to eject the waste through a muck extractor dragged behind the large drill bit; and an apparatus to carry out this method consisting of a sealing member for the one rock face, and a muck extractor for securement to the large drill bit.

Abstract: In raise bore drilling, a drill string of non-round cross-sectional configuration is connected through a pilot hole from a raise bore bit at the lower end of the pilot hole to a raise bore drilling rig at the upper end of the hole. The drill string is defined by a number of serially connected individual pipe lengths. The drill string configuration preferably is hexagonal except at one end of each length where the pipe length is round for a distance which corresponds to the length of a female threaded connection component defined by that end of the pipe length. The other end of each pipe length defines a cooperating male threaded connection component.

Abstract: A hole reamer according to the invention includes a main body or support with roller cutters rigidly connected to a drill stem, and an additional support with roller cutters arranged co-axially with the main body or support. A additional support device can move along the axis of the main body and is provided with a means to effect this longitudinal movement. The main body and additional support device are adapted to drill holes of one diameter with consequent reaming thereof.

Abstract: A raise bore drilling rig is provided for use with a drill string of non-round cross-sectional configuration; the drill string is connectible through a pilot hole from a raise bore bit at the lower end of the pilot hole to the raise bore drilling rig at the upper end of the hole. To enable simple assembly of the drill string, the upper end of each length of drill string is circular in way of the female component of a threaded coupling. The drilling rig includes a rotary drive mechanism which mates with the non-round cross-section of individual lengths of drill string and which is rotatably driven to apply torque to the drill string as it is raised axially during the raise bore drilling process. The torque applying component of the drilling rig which is directly engageable with the drill string includes a vertically floating "bushing" which enables torque to be applied to the string as a coupling is raised through a normal "at rest" position of the bushing.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises means for replaceable coupling thereof to a standard raise boring head for extending the effective cutting radius of the head. The apparatus comprises a raise boring head radius extension element which is pinned to struts extending from a circular hub; the hub, in turn, envelops a terminal end of the stem of the raise boring head. Additionally, pin-holed clevises borne by the extension elements mate with like pin-holed lugs which extend, radially, from the principal cutter bracket mounting platform of the standard raise boring head. Expansion pins are engaged with the lugs and clevises, and also secure the struts both to the hub and to the extension element, to simplify assembly and disassembly. In typical use, a plurality of radius extension elements are coupled to the standard raise boring head, the elements being arrayed circumferentially thereabout.

Abstract: A method of driving a shaft, or tunnel into competent hard rock with shaped charges. An array of shaped charges to nearly conform with the bottom of the shaft, or face of the tunnel, is carried upon a framework which places the charges a proper distance from the bottom or face surface. Detonation causes the shaped charge jets to penetrate and break several feet into the rock to advance the shaft or tunnel. The loose rock may then be mucked out of the shaft, or tunnel, and the operation repeated. A shaft may be driven downwardly or upwardly by these operations.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for producing a raise bore about a pilot hole comprises a drill head having an upper surface for mounting cutter assemblies and lower surface spaced from said upper surface. The upper and lower surfaces are secured to and connected by a body sub. A drive stem is removably secured in the drive sub. The drive sub and stem have mating tapered portions for a press fit. Either the sub or the stem is provided with a spiral groove through which oil is injected under high pressure to expand the sub while the stem is rammed into place under high pressure. The stem can be removed by application of oil pressure and a ram force in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises means for coupling to a standard raise boring head for extending the radius of the head. The apparatus comprises a support which is bolted or welded to a terminal end of the raise boring stem and to the underlying surface of the principal cutter bracket mounting platform of the head, and the support has means for selectively coupling thereto cutter mounting extension elements each of which comprise ancillary cutter bracket mounting platforms.

Abstract: The rolling cutter or stabilizer member of a rotary drill string unit is effectively locked in place by a locking device. The device allows the cutter or stabilizer member to carry radial, tangential and axial loads. A support member includes a surface positioned perpendicular to the resultant of the expected radial load and tangential load. A support shaft includes a slabbed-off surface positioned perpendicular to the resultant of said resultant loads and said axial load.

Abstract: A system and method for emplacing a relatively large casing under and spanning an obstacle such as a river is disclosed. The casing is emplaced along the path of a previously bored and placed existing pilot string running beneath the obstacle. The pilot string extends typically in an inverted arcuate contour from a first position at or near ground level on one side of the obstacle to a second position at or near ground level on the other side of the obstacle. The system includes apparatus for concentrically reaming the pilot hole to an enlarged diameter and entraining the cuttings from the excavated annulus of the reaming operation in drilling mud. The casing is advanced along the reamed pilot hole in following relationship to the reaming apparatus. A seal is provided between the outer surface of the leading portion of the casing and the reamed pilot hole so that the drilling mud containing the entrained cuttings flows into the leading end of the advancing casing.

Abstract: The raise boring head comprises a stem in which is formed a passageway which extends fully throughout the axial length thereof for conducting fluid therethrough. The uppermost end of the passageway defines an inlet and, at the lowermost end, the same comprising an outlet, a coupling is fixed to receive threaded fitting elements for use to control and/or direct fluid flow from the outlet or axial end of the passageway. By this means a spray nozzle, as disclosed in one embodiment, can be threaded into the coupling to direct a conical spray of water onto the walls of the bore in order to suppress dust. In alternative embodiments, hose or like conduits can be used in operation with the passageway to facilitate the use of hydraulic, electrical, or pneumatic tools and devices in a subterranean chamber or tunnel below the raise.

Abstract: A raise drill having a central drive stem to which a surrounding cutter mounting frame is attached, the cutter mounting frame supporting a plurality of rotary cutter units. One or more inboard cutter units each include a shaft and a rotary cutter journaled for rotation on the shaft. One end of the shaft is inserted in a bore extending into the side of the stem. A yoke member receives the outer end of the shaft. The yoke member is supported by a mounting block secured to the frame. The mounting block has first and second intersecting planar surfaces, the first surface extending substantially parallel to the axis of the bore and the second surface extending in an obtuse angle to the first surface facing the stem. The yoke member has a first surface which slidably engages the first surface of the mounting member, and a second surface spaced from the second surface of the mounting member, allowing axial movement of the cutter shaft into and out of the bore.

Abstract: The arrangement comprises an earth raise borer stem which is formed with a tapered surface, near one terminal end thereof, for slidably engaging and forming an interference fit with a similarly tapered collar within the center of a cutterhead. The stem further has, at the lowermost end thereof, according to one embodiment, a bolted-on flange plate which has a series of rectangular cutouts formed therein. The cutouts receive lugs which are also bolted onto a lowermost surface of the cutterhead. The cooperating tapered surfaces of the collar and the stem cooperate to react thrust and torque which is impressed through the stem to the cutterhead and the cutout flange plate impresses rotary torque onto the cutterhead by means of the lugs. The arrangement provides a simple and facile arrangement for replaceably coupling a stem and cutterhead.

Abstract: A raise type of earth boring drill in which the cutter assembly is detachably secured to the drive stem to permit replacement of the stem. The stem slidably engages a central opening in the cutter assembly, the cutter assembly engaging a shoulder on the stem which carries axial loads in the drill. The cutter assembly is detachably anchored by a plurality of bolts to a torque plate attached to the end of the stem for transmitting torque load to the cutter assembly, the bolts clamping the cutter assembly against the shoulder.

Abstract: A pipe remover for extracting a buried pipe from the ground by pulling an exposed end. The remover includes a grasping dog which engages the exposed end and a pushing dog which engages the buried trailing end. The two dogs are connected by a drawing element. By pulling outwardly on the drawing element, the pulling force is divided between pulling action on one end and pushing action on the other end. The pipe is usually extracted without breaking but, even if it breaks, is pushed through. The pipe may be simultaneously replaced by attaching a new pipe to the trailing end of the pushing dog.

Abstract: In the saddle structure of the improved drill bit cutter assembly of the invention both spaced-apart legs are provided with bores each extending through the leg to receive a clamping bolt. These bores extend in directions including between them an angle of up to 90.degree.. The shaft-receiving recess, between the legs, has a polygonal shape complementing that of the end portion of the shaft.

Abstract: A raise bit for enlarging a pilot hole into a larger diameter hole by disintegrating the earth formations that surround the pilot hole is provided with a removable drive stem. The removable drive stem allows the raise bit to be transported through small passages and helps extend the useful lifetime of the bit. The bit may be assembled without weakening the highly-stressed, heat-treated stem by welding. The raise bit body includes a multiplicity of rolling cutters for contacting and disintegrating the earth formations surrounding the pilot hole. A central opening extends through the bit body. The central opening includes an upward facing tapered surface. The lower end of the drive stem extends through the central opening. A downward facing tapered surface on the drive stem mates with the upward facing tapered surface on the bit body. The lower end of the drive stem is threaded to receive a threaded nut which draws the tapered surfaces together.

Abstract: When a pilot hole is pushed through the soil from one location to another prior to pulling an earth cutter through the pilot hole, it is often found that the pilot hole has deviated from a straight line. This deviation is usually at the maximum at the exit end of the pilot hole. The present device is a substantially rectangular cutter assembly having a pipe connection allowing it to be attached on the end or along the length of the pilot hole forming pipe. The offstanding cutter portion not only cuts a plug of soil as it is pulled through the soil in one direction, but compresses this plug slightly. When the device is moved in the opposite direction, projections or the like engage this compressed plug and facilitate the extrusion of the plug through the exit end of the pilot hole. The device is secured either to the end of the pilot hole forming assembly or adjacent thereto, at the exit end and is turned so that it is offset in the direction opposite to the direction of the deviation.

Abstract: A side excavating machine comprising a rotatably driven cylindrical drum adapted to advance generally endwise along a pre-existing working face, but angled so that trailing portions of the drum project beneath the plane of the pre-existing face. The drum has a distribution of rock cutting rollers on its cylindrical surface which are freely rotatable about rolling axes which are fixed in a predetermined relation to the axis of the drum, defining a small forward skew angle. The cylindrical drum is rotatably mounted by bearings on a frame which advances along the working face, with the drum axis lying at a small acute angle to the direction of advance so that trailing portions of the drum excavate rock as the frame advances along the face. The major component of rock-cutting forces thereby applied to the drum is normal to the direction of advance of the frame, and there are means to provide side reaction force to the frame corresponding to this major component of rock-cutting forces.

Abstract: A frusto-conical multi-stage reamer constructed from a sequence of reamer stages is disclosed. Each reamer stage includes a central stem having a coupling at the leading end and a coupling at the trailing end. A plurality of circumferential arms extend from the central stem of each reamer stage and are inclined in a common direction with respect to the axis of the stems. The free ends of the arms are directed outwardly and forwardly with respect to the stem, and individual reamer teeth are attached to the free end of each arm. The radial extent of the arms of each stage of the sequence is a preselected increment greater than the radial extent of the arms of each preceding stage. In operation, the reamer stages are connected in sequence by the aforesaid couplings and simultaneously rotated and pulled through a pilot hole to produce an enlarged aperture.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of in situ extraction of a constituent of a rock formation, e.g., copper deposits or particular petroleum deposits as found in oil shale, and to a method of preparing the rock formation for in situ extraction of the rock constituent. Various embodiments of a side excavating machine are also disclosed for preparing the rock for in-situ extraction of a constituent therefrom. The excavating machine breaks the rock in-situ in a manner to form a narrow, horizontal flow-directing chamber in the rock-filled with fluid-permeable broken rock.