Abstract: A method of conducting seismic evaluation of a subterranean formation wherein a rigid, elongate member having a first end and a second end is positioned such that the first end of the elongate member is at a point on the earth's surface, imparting an impulsive force to the elongate member to urge the member into the earth, the positioning of the rigid member and the impulsive force being sufficient to generate and propagate primary seismic waves into the subterranean formation and positioning one or more seismic wave detectors on the surface of the earth to detect and receive reflected seismic waves from the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method for installing a heat exchange pipe loop in a borehole, the method, in at least certain aspects, including drilling a borehole with a sonic drill system having a head and casing connected thereto, a drill apparatus on a lower end of the casing movable by the sonic drill head to drill the borehole, pumping fluid into the casing and up to earth surface in an annular space in the borehole so that drilled material flows to the earth surface, lowering a heat exchange pipe loop having a lowermost U/bend member down into the casing, introducing grout into the casing around the heat exchange pipe loop, and extracting the casing from the borehole.

Abstract: A vibrator apparatus for inducing longitudinal vibrations in a well tubing or casing member for various operations, or for removing stuck tubing or casing. The apparatus includes a vibrator section with spaced apart rotatable shafts carrying eccentric weights and interconnected by timing gears. The shafts are driven by respective pressure fluid motors. The vibrator section is mounted on an isolator section including spaced apart pressure fluid cylinder assemblies for isolating vibrations generated by the apparatus from wellhead structure supporting the apparatus. A fluid flow circuit includes a pump, a manifold, flow control devices for generating fluid flow through the cylinder assemblies and accumulators for damping fluid pressure and flow fluctuations in the circuit.

Abstract: An underground drilling method and apparatus generates intense pressure pulses at a location at the surface. The pressure pulses propagate down through a drill string to a drill bit. The pulses may be generated by creating water hammer in flowing drilling mud. Intensity of the acoustic pulses is increased in the bit nozzles. Vigorous pulsing of the fluid exiting the bit nozzles results in better cleaning of the hole bottom and faster drilling. The pulses may be used to drive the operation of various down hole tools. One type of tool has multiple pistons arranged in series. High pressure pulses move the pistons to generate strong mechanical vibration in the drill string. Vibration of the drill string may also reduce the friction between the drill string and the hole, resulting in lower torque requirements.

Abstract: The proposed invention relates to wellbore technologies and is intended to produce action on productive rock. Device for hydrodynamic action on wall of a well comprising a casing jointed with the pipe conduit directly or via a roller support and inside of which the mechanism for cavitating of flow of a liquid, mechanism for directing and splitting of the flow and mechanism for interrupting of the discharge jets are sequentially placed. The mechanism for cavitating of flow of a liquid is made in form of an auto-oscillating system. And specifically it can be made in a form of a ball with its diameter ratio to inner diameter of the casing of 0.9–0.98 and a limiter of axial motion; or a ball with its diameter ratio to inner diameter of the casing less than 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a torsional energy control assembly and method for eliminating slip-stick and/or drill bit oscillations comprising axial and/or rotational oscillations. In one preferred embodiment, the assembly permits slippage between an upper portion of the drilling string and a lower portion of a drill string. The rotational control assembly may be installed at any desired position in the drill string. The rotational control assembly could also be utilized as a component of other drilling mechanisms such as a downhole drilling motor. The rotational control permits slippage while drilling for a selected time or selected rotational distance or other criteria to thereby release torsional energy in the drilling string which otherwise may produce damaging slip-stick torsional oscillations such as slip-stick.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic and sonic mechanism of deep drilling (USMOD) that is driven by a vibrating actuator and operates in a similar manner to the gopher with regards to drilling debris removal. The actuator induces vibration in the form of a hammering actuation. The mechanism consists of a penetration bit with a diameter that is the same or larger than the actuator. The embodiment of the invention that is disclosed herein emulates a gopher. This ultrasonic gopher is lowered down into the produced borehole, cores the medium, breaks and holds the core, and finally extracts and deploys the core. A USMOD device consists of power drive and a drill-head. The power driver generates ultrasonic pulses to activate the USMOD mechanism and it allows optimized use of power by duty cycling the signal. The drill-head consists of an actuator, free mass and a penetration bit. The actuator consists of a vibration source and a horn that amplifies the amplitude of the vibration.

Abstract: A method for installing a heat exchange pipe loop in a borehole, the method in at least certain aspects, including drilling a borehole with a sonic drill system having a head and casing connected thereto, a drill shoe on a lower end of the casing movable by the sonic drill head to drill the borehole, pumping fluid (e.g., water and drilling fluid) into the casing, out through a lower end of the casing, and up to earth surface in an annular space in the borehole so that drilled material flows to the earth surface, lowering a heat exchange pipe loop down into the casing, introducing grout into the casing around the heat exchange pipe loop, and extracting the casing from the borehole.

Abstract: A core bit for abrasive cutting including a cylindrical tube (3) provided at its end surface with cutting or abrasive bodies (2) and a cover (4) provided at an opposite end surface of the cylindrical tube (3) and secured thereto and having, along its central axis (A), a shank (5) to be received in a rotary power tool, with the cover (4) being dimensioned, with respect to a set excitation frequency, for forming a whole number of maximum amplitude oscillations of a concentric flexural oscillation, and the cylindrical tube (3) being dimensioned, with respect to a set excitation frequency, for forming a whole number of maximum amplitude oscillations of axial longitudinal oscillations.

Abstract: An underground drilling method and apparatus generates intense pressure pulses at a location at the surface. The pressure pulses propagate down through a drill string to a drill bit. The pulses may be generated by creating water hammer in flowing drilling mud. Intensity of the acoustic pulses is increased in the bit nozzles. Vigorous pulsing of the fluid exiting the bit nozzles results in better cleaning of the hole bottom and faster drilling. The pulses may be used to drive the operation of various down hole tools. One type of tool has multiple pistons arranged in series. High pressure pulses move the pistons to generate strong mechanical vibration in the drill string. Vibration of the drill string may also reduce the friction between the drill string and the hole, resulting in lower torque requirements.

Abstract: A system for driving a large diameter caisson into the ground, comprising a crane assembly, a plurality of vibratory devices, a clamp assembly, a suspension assembly, and a timing system. Each vibratory device generates a vibratory force. The clamp assembly rigidly secures each of the vibratory devices to one of a plurality of predetermined angularly spaced locations about the caisson. The suspension assembly connects the vibratory devices to the crane assembly such that transmission of vibratory forces from the vibratory devices to the crane assembly is inhibited. The timing system operatively connects the plurality of vibratory devices to synchronize the vibratory forces generated thereby.

Abstract: A sonic drilling head includes a spindle which is both rotated and vibrated at sonic frequency to effect ground penetration of members such as drill rods, etc. Two pairs of rotating eccentric masses are mounted in a sine generator housing. The pairs of masses have intersecting axis. A spiral bevel gear and drive shaft rotate the first pair of masses which engage the second pair of masses so that the pairs of masses are driven in opposite directions. Rotation is imparted to the spindle through a geared bearing isolated by a pack of precision disc springs, which also cooperate with a second set of precision disc springs to isolate the vibrations of the rotating eccentric masses from an outer housing of the sonic drill head.

Abstract: The invention relates to well construction and is directed at an oscillation excitation in a pipe string. According to the inventive method, an operating fluid is circulated in the pipe string. An autonomous mechanism for vibrational impact embodied in the form of an element, for instance a hollow ball having a rigid envelop and filled with gas, possessing a positive floatability, covering from 0.85 to 0.95 of a cross-sectional flow area of the pipe string and having an unrestricted degree of freedom. In the second variant, the inventive device comprises a ball support embodied in the form of a transverse beam or a crossbar rigidly connected to a spiral cylindrical spring arranged inside a tube under the ball with the aid of an easy-push fit. The spring force is selected with respect to a calculated axleload dependence on the mass of the ball and on flow strength with a basic flow rate of the operating fluid.

Abstract: A method of removing a gravel packed screen to reach another zone is described. The method involves a bottom hole assembly comprising an isolation device for the screen and a tool to latch on to it. A perforating gun is shot off to put holes in the screen to allow gravel to come through. A flow through a reversing valve is initiated to urge the gravel into the newly perforated screen while a vibrator shakes the screen and stimulates gravel flow through the screen. Alternatively, the screen is not isolated and a reverse circulation from the surface in conjunction with vibration urges the gravel to flow through the screen and out through the tubing supporting the bottom hole assembly.

Abstract: A balancing structure to reduce vibration created in a rotating body by imbalance comprises an annular groove formed in the body, the groove partially filled with a quantity of solid balls. The solid balls, by only partially filling the groove, provide a stabilizing force that tends to compensate for the imbalance caused by different amounts of solids adhering to one side or the other of the body, such as for example a drilling assembly. The groove is preferably wider in a region further from the axis of rotation from the rotating body for more efficient balancing effect.

Abstract: A drill string is equipped with a downhole assembly having an instrumented sub and a drill bit. The instrumented sub has a power source that requires no electrical chemical batter. A mass-spring system is used, which during drilling causes a magnet to oscillate past a coil. This induces current which is used to power downhole instruments.

Abstract: Apparatus for probing, sensing, testing penetrating and sampling a medium generally includes an actuator (12) for generating vibrations at ultrasonic frequencies and a horn (14) coupled to the actuator (12) for amplifying the actuator vibrations along with a non-rotating coring and drilling bit (16) for penetrating the medium. A bit (16) includes a drill stem (20) attached to the horn (14) and a bore (26) extends through the bit (16), horn (14) and actuator (12) for withdrawal of samples. A free mass (36) is disposed between the horn (14) and the drill stem (20) for oscillating therebetween in response to the actuator vibration for causing migration of medium debris around and through the actuator bore for effectively self-cleaning of the bit (16). The hammering action of the free mass (36) is used for penetration of the medium and for analysis of the medium though the use of spaced apart accelerometers (92 and 94).

Abstract: A system for driving a large diameter caisson into the ground, comprising a crane assembly, a plurality of vibratory devices, a clamp assembly, a suspension assembly, and a timing system. Each vibratory device generates a vibratory force. The clamp assembly rigidly secures each of the vibratory devices to one of a plurality of predetermined angularly spaced locations about the caisson. The suspension assembly connects the vibratory devices to the crane assembly such that transmission of vibratory forces from the vibratory devices to the crane assembly is inhibited. The timing system operatively connects the plurality of vibratory devices to synchronize the vibratory forces generated thereby.

Abstract: The down hole jar tool is a tool used to apply jarring forces to objects that may be obstructing the path of a down hole, or above-ground operation that requires a repetitive jarring action to dislodge or remove such objects. The tool is used by providing a linear input to a mandrel portion that draws back against a compressible unit of predetermined resistance until a releasing means abruptly releases the mandrel portion. The mandrel portion then rapidly moves in the direction of the linear input until it encounters a stationary anvil, which produces the desired jarring action. This tool may also be combined with accelerators and/or valves, as well as other tools, to create a more substantial jarring impact.

Abstract: An anti-plugging oscillating shear valve system for generating pressure fluctuations in a flowing drilling fluid comprising a stationary stator and an oscillating rotor, both with axial flow passages. The rotor oscillates in close proximity to the stator, at least partially blocking the flow through the stator and generating oscillating pressure pulses. The rotor passes through two zero speed positions during each cycle, facilitating rapid changes in signal phase, frequency, and/or amplitude facilitating enhanced data encoding. The rotor is driven by a electric motor disposed in a lubricant filled housing. In one embodiment, the housing to shaft seal is a flexible bellows. In one embodiment, a torsional spring is attached to the motor and the resulting spring mass system is designed to be near resonance at the desired pulse frequency. The torsion spring may be a solid torsion bar or a magnetic spring.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic and sonic mechanism of deep drilling (USMOD) that is driven by a vibrating actuator and operates in a similar manner to the gopher with regards to drilling debris removal. The actuator induces vibration in the form of a hammering actuation. The mechanism consists of a penetration bit with a diameter that is the same or larger than the actuator. The embodiment of the invention that is disclosed herein emulates a gopher. This ultrasonic gopher is lowered down into the produced borehole, cores the medium, breaks and holds the core, and finally extracts and deploys the core.

Abstract: A drive system for elongate members comprising a drive plate, a support system, an insertion housing, at least one drive gear, and a vibratory system. The suppression system resiliently opposes relative movement between the support plate and the insertion housing. The drive gear displaces the elongate member along its longitudinal axis. The vibratory forces are transmitted to the elongate member through the at least one drive gear. The drive gear and the vibratory system simultaneously crowd and vibrate the elongate member into the ground.

Abstract: Apparatus and methodology for reducing frictional forces on drilling apparatus when being progressed or retracted within a well bore. This is achieved through mechanical or hydraulic action on the drilling fluid to create a fluid pressure differential which is transmitted on to the drill string via pumps, causing the drill string to oscillate. The oscillation reduces the frictional interface between the drill string and the well bore, thus enabling increased depth or reach of the well bore.

Abstract: A drill string is equipped with a downhole assembly having an instrumented sub and a drill bit. The instrumented sub has a power source that requires no electrical chemical batter. A mass-spring system is used, which during drilling causes a magnet to oscillate past a coil. This induces current which is used to power downhole instruments.

Abstract: A sonic drilling head includes a spindle which is both rotated and vibrated at sonic frequency to effect ground penetration of members such as drill rods, etc. Two pairs of rotating eccentric masses are mounted in a sine generator housing. The pairs of masses have intersecting axis. A spiral bevel gear and drive shaft rotate the first pair of masses which engage the second pair of masses so that the pairs of masses are driven in opposite directions. Rotation is imparted to the spindle through a geared bearing isolated by a pack of precision disc springs, which also cooperate with a second set of precision disc springs to isolate the vibrations of the rotating eccentric masses from an outer housing of the sonic drill head.

Abstract: A method for drilling a well below a body of water as disclosed which includes injecting into the well, at a depth below the water surface, a liquid having a lower density than a density of a drilling mud producing a mixture of drilling mud and low-density liquid in the well. The mixture of drilling mud and low-density liquid is withdrawn from an upper end of the well. The drilling mud and the low-density liquid are separated, with at least a portion of the separated low-density liquid returned to the depth below the water surface and at least a portion of the separated drilling mud returned to an upper end of the drill string.

Abstract: A system for displacing an elongate member relative to the ground. The system includes a drive rack, a support assembly, a vibratory assembly, and a drive assembly. The vibratory assembly comprises a vibratory housing defining a vibratory chamber and a vibratory axis and a vibratory system mounted within the vibratory chamber to generate a vibratory force along the vibratory axis. The drive assembly comprises a drive housing comprising a main portion defining a drive chamber and, in certain configurations, a sleeve portion defining a sleeve chamber, where a drive axis extends through the drive chamber and the sleeve chamber and a drive system mounted within the drive chamber and comprising a drive gear that rotates to generate a drive force along the drive axis. The vibratory housing is mounted onto the support assembly to reduce the transmission of vibratory forces from the vibratory housing to the support assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for generating an alarm relative to effective longitudinal behavior of a drill bit fastened to the end of a drill string driven in rotation in a well by a driving device situated at the surface, using a physical model of the drilling process based on general mechanics equations. The following steps are carried out: the model is reduced so to retain only pertinent modes, at least two values Rf and Rwob are calculated, Rf being a function of the principal oscillation frequency of weight on hook WOH divided by the average instantaneous rotating speed at the surface, Rwob being a function of the standard deviation of the signal of the weight on bit WOB estimated by the reduced longitudinal model from measurement of the signal of the weight on hook WOH, divided by the average weight on bit WOB0, defined from the weight of the string and the average weight on hook. Any danger from the longitudinal behavior of the drill bit is determined from the values of Rf and Rwob.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for drilling subterranean formations with a rotary-type drill bit are disclosed in which oscillation is produced in the drill string, drill bit or cutting element, in an axial and/or torsional direction, to produce formation chips that have both thin portions and thick portions. More specifically, the oscillations cause a cutting element of the drill bit to engage the formation to various degrees, resulting in a chip that has varying thicknesses which facilitate fracture of the chip along its thinner portions, thereby reducing the likelihood of adherence of the formation chips to the drill bit or cutting element.

Abstract: Downhole flow pulsing apparatus comprises a housing (14) for location in a drillstring, the housing (14) defining a throughbore to permit passage of fluid through the housing. A valve (27, 30) is located in the bore and defines a flow passage (29, 31). The valve includes a valve member (27) which is movable to vary the area of the passage (29, 31) to provide a varying fluid flow therethrough. A fluid actuated positive displacement motor (15, 16) is associated with the valve member (27). In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is provided in combination with a drill bit (5) and a pressure responsive device, such as a shock-sub (3), which expands or retracts in response to the varying drilling fluid pressure created by the varying flow passage area. The expansion or retraction of the shock-sub (3) provides a percussive effect at the drill bit.

Abstract: A torque limiting device that allows a drill string to rotate relative to the cutting structure of the bit when a predetermined torque is applied between the cutting structure of the drill bit and the drill string. The torque limiting device utilizes a retaining member which restricts rotational movement of a first component of the torque limiting device relative to a second component. When a sufficient torque load is placed on the cutting structure of the drill bit, the retaining member allows rotational movement of the first component relative to the second component and allows the drill string to continue to rotate relative to the cutting structure of the bit until the torque is sufficiently reduced. The torque limiting device may be an integral part of a drill bit, may be a separate device attached between the drill string and the drill bit or between the drill string and a downhole motor, or may be part of a near-bit sub or incorporated in a downhole motor.

Abstract: Suction pressure pulses are generated within a borehole by closing a valve that interrupts the flow of a drilling fluid (e.g., drilling mud) circulating through one or more high velocity flow courses within the borehole. In one embodiment in which the suction pressure pulses are applied to improve the efficiency of a drilling bit, the valve interrupts the flow of drilling mud directed through the bit and thus through high velocity flow course(s) disposed downstream of the bit. Arresting flow of the drilling mud through the high velocity flow course(s) generates suction pressure pulses of substantial magnitude over a face of the drill bit. The suction pressure pulses provide a sufficient differential pressure that weakens the rock through which the drill bit is advancing and also increase the force with which the drill bit is being advanced toward the rock at the bottom of the borehole.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of detecting, at the surface, the occurrence of torsional vibration in a bottomhole assembly mounted on the drill string of a rotary drilling system. The method includes the steps of: ascertaining natural frequencies of torsional vibration of the bottomhole assembly prior to drilling, and noting at least one reference frequency for an integer wavelength mode of torsional vibration of the bottomhole assembly. During subsequent drilling, the drill string mean square torque at the surface is monitored for a bandwidth around the reference frequency. It is found that peaks in the mean square torque, close to the reference frequency, are indicative of the occurrence of torsional vibration in the bottomhole assembly.

Abstract: In directional boring using a boring apparatus having a driven string and a drill head with an excavating tool moving in an orbit about the longitudinal axis of the string, the tool moves with substantially constant angular velocity when boring straight ahead, but when boring along a curve it is stopped and set in vibration in order to obtain more accurate control of the curve.

Abstract: The invention provides a ground sensing system (10) comprising: sensing means (19) located, in use, on a projectile being driven through ground by means of apparatus having a self adjustment between a vibration mode and a vibro-impact mode according to encountered ground resistance, the sensing means sensing the dynamic resistance of the ground that the projectile is passing through; signal processing means for processing the output of said sensing means to provide a dynamic resistance waveform (106); and waveform recognition means (108) for correlating said dynamic resistance waveform with stored dynamic waveforms for identifying a ground characteristic. The waveform recognition means may comprise a neural network system.

Abstract: A vibration-generating device for a pipe string includes a hydraulic cylinder barrel, a hydraulic piston, changeover valves, and a double tubular piston rod. Each of the changeover valves is automatically shiftable. Fluid flows through the piston rod, changeover valves, and cylinder barrel.

Abstract: An impedance matched jointed drill pipe for improved acoustic transmission. A passive means and method that maximizes the amplitude and minimize the temporal dispersion of acoustic signals that are sent through a drill string, for use in a measurement while drilling telemetry system. The improvement in signal transmission is accomplished by replacing the standard joints in a drill string with joints constructed of a material that is impedance matched acoustically to the end of the drill pipe to which it is connected. Provides improvement in the measurement while drilling technique which can be utilized for well logging, directional drilling, and drilling dynamics, as well as gamma-ray spectroscopy while drilling post shot boreholes, such as utilized in drilling post shot boreholes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing and displaying the magnitude of torsional vibrations. A transducer provides a signal indicative of the torsional vibrations being experienced by a rotating member. The magnitude of the frequency components of the signal are determined and displayed to an operator who may take corrective action.

Abstract: A system for inserting elongate members into and removing elongate members from the ground. The system is a bottom drive system that is capable of applying crowding or extraction forces to the elongate member while at the same time vibrating the elongate member along its axis. A vibratory assembly is mounted by a shock absorbing assembly to a support base. A gear or other type of drive assembly is mounted on the vibratory assembly. Vibratory forces generated by the vibratory assembly are applied to the elongate member through the drive assembly, causing the drive assembly to vibrate with the elongate member. The elongate member extends through the center of the vibratory assembly such that the vibratory forces have a vibratory axis that is aligned with the lengthwise axis of the elongate member to prevent torsional or twisting forces from being applied to the elongate member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for performing a suitable operation in a wellbore utilizing a resonator. The system includes a resonator for generating pulses of mechanical energy, an engaging device for securely engaging an object in the wellbore and a sensor for detecting the response of the object to pulses generated by the resonator. The resonator is placed at a suitable location in the wellbore and the engaging device is attached to the object. The resonator is operated at an effective frequency to induce pulses into the object. The sensor detects the response of the object to the induced pulses, which information is utilized to adjust the operating frequency. The system in different configurations can be used to fish, free a stuck drill string, aid drilling of wellbores and to perform a cementing operation. A control circuit controls the operation of the system according to programmed instructions.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus includes a drill string, a drilling head located at a first end of the drill string, a drilling fluid pump located at a second end of the drill string, wherein the drilling fluid pump pumps a drilling fluid along the length of the drill string to the drilling head, and a traveling wave generator coupled to the drill string at a location downstream of the drilling fluid pump, wherein the traveling wave generator generates a series of ramped pressure pulses that are applied to the drilling fluid. The ramped pressure pulses are compressed by a reduction of the cross-sectional area of the drill string, and further by time compression caused by varying propagation rates of different portions of the pressure pulses pressure pulse if substantially formed at a surface of a drilling substrate. A shock wave associated with the compressed pressure pulse is generated substantially at the location of a surface of a drilling substrate.

Abstract: A motor driven eccentric vibrator with a spring isolated biasing mass for applying force to an earth penetrating device to cause the device to penetrate into the earth. The vibrator is rigidly attached to a housing which is rigidly attached to the earth penetrating element, which may be a sampling/core tube, while the biasing mass is suspended from the housing by a suspension that allows relative motion between the housing and the biasing mass in a vertical direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the earth penetrating element. The biasing mass serves to apply a down force on the housing while not significantly reducing the amplitude of the vibrational displacement of the housing in a vertical direction. This mass also reduces the vibrational displacement of the housing in a horizontal direction caused by a single eccentric vibrator.

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: In combination with resonant sonic earth drilling components, and for particular use in retrieving a core sample in a core barrel seated against an internal shoulder in a sonically driven drill bit, a resilient axial loading device not only urges the bottom of the core barrel into continuous contact with the seat but also cushions the core barrel from the sonic energy in the drill bit, thereby minimizing damage to the core sample.

Abstract: A pile driving apparatus including two vibratory hammer units fixed to the top of a support plate having a U-shaped cutout, and a pair of hydraulic clamps fixed to the bottom of the support plate. The support plate is secured to the pile when the hydraulic clamps on the bottom of the support plate engage flanges provided on a hydraulic pile clamp which is clamped to the pile. Hydraulic motors housed within the vibratory hammer units cause the pile to vibrate in a vertical direction, thus gradually driving the pile into the ground. The U-shaped cutout allows the support plate to be positioned on the pile, with the pile passing through the support plate, without having to lift the vibratory hammer and support plate assembly over the top of the pile. This arrangement is particularly advantageous in circumstances where overhanging structures limit the clearance available above the location of the pile.

Abstract: A vibrator yoke assembly (Y) for drill stems is moveably mounted on a drilling rig (R). A guide rail (10) is mounted to a support section (22) of the drill rig (R). Traveling along the guide rail (10) along the direction of travel for the drill string while boring the hole is a carriage (28) supporting the yoke assembly (Y). Activation of a motor moves the carriage (28) along the guide rail (10) as desired by the operator. Affixed to the carriage (28) above the upper end (12u) of the upper section (12) of the drill string (14) is the yoke assembly (Y). The yoke assembly (Y) has an upper hydraulic motor (40) coupled to an upper end (42) of a quill body (44). The quill body extends through the yoke assembly (Y) and a lower end (48) of the quill body engages the upper pipe end (12u). A pair of vibrators (52a and 52b) are attached to the yoke assembly (Y).

Abstract: A pulsation nozzle is adapted for insertion in a drill bit such as a single body or tri-cone bit, for delivery of a pulsed jet of thixotropic drilling fluid during drilling operations. The nozzle defines an inlet orifice (31) communicating with an internal cavity (32) and an outlet orifice (33), the dimensions of which are chosen in such a way as to induce the cyclical propagation of disturbances in a shear boundary defined between fluid passing directly through the nozzle and fluid which is momentarily trapped in the cavity, thereby inducing a self-excited oscillating flow of said fluid within the nozzle, and a rapid pulsing flow emitting from the nozzle.

Abstract: In combination with resonant sonic earth drilling components, and for particular use in retrieving a core sample in a core barrel seated against an internal shoulder in a sonically driven drill bit, a resilient axial loading device not only urges the bottom of the core barrel into continuous contact with the seat but also cushions the core barrel from the sonic energy in the drill bit, thereby minimizing damage to the core sample.

Abstract: Vibrations are created in a flow conduit by constraining a bluff object having a plurality of positions between which flow of fluid forces the bluff object. In a preferred embodiment, the vibration technique is utilized in a gravel packing tool. Gravel pack sand is placed while the gravel pack tool is vibrated by balls constrained within a wash pipe. A considerably improved gravel pack density is achieved.

Abstract: A pile driving and/or pile pulling vibratory assembly for imparting a vibratory force to a pile wherein the vibratory assembly has a housing and a pair of counterweights rotatably carried in receiving areas within the housing. The counterweight has a cylindrical gear portion and an eccentric weight portion integrally formed therewith. The eccentric weight portion has insert-receiving areas therein that are adapted to each receive a solid tungsten rod. The solid tungsten rod is adhered within the insert receiving area with an adhesive. Driving motors are operatively connected to the counterweights and are adapted to rapidly rotate the counterweights within the housing in order to generate substantial vibratory forces.