Abstract: A method for enhancing gas or oil production by delivering a nitrogen rich gas produced from a non-cryogenic source into the well and/or reservoir where the gas and/or oil is located.

Abstract: A method for enhancing gas or oil production by delivering a nitrogen rich gas produced from a non-cryogenic source into the well and/or reservoir where the gas and/or oil is located.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for use in an underbalanced drilling process using exhaust gases wherein some constituents of the exhaust gas combine with water to form acids. The present invention provides a means of deacidifying drilling fluids. The pH of the drilling fluid is monitored and adjusted to prevent corrosion of equipment by acidic drilling fluids. The drilling fluid may also be optionally treated with anti-scaling agents. The drilling fluid may be a gas, a liquid or a combination of both or it may be gasified oil based drilling fluid.

Abstract: A flushing system for supplying compressed flushing air to a drill string for flushing cuttings during a drilling operation includes an air compressor having an inlet valve at the compressor inlet, and a turnvalve at the compressor outlet. Those valves are biased to a normal state, but when actuated, the inlet valve is to reduce the inlet air volume, and reduce the outlet air volume and pressure. If flushing air conducted to the drill string is temporarily reduced or terminated, while the compressor continues to operate, air pressure builds up and is conducted to both the inlet valve and turnvalve for reducing the volume and pressure of air emitted from the compressor outlet. In this way, the energy required to operate the compressor is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A well drilling system for drilling with gaseous drilling fluid, particularly natural gas, in a closed circulation path including an enclosure or bell nipple mounted on a wellhead between the wellbore and a rotary control head for the drillstem. The enclosure redirects the flow of cuttings laden gaseous drilling fluid being circulated out of the well and includes a plurality of fire extinguishing fluid injection nozzles arranged to inhibit or extinguish fire within the enclosure and the rotary control head. Drill cuttings are separated from the gaseous drilling fluid in a pressure vessel which includes separator baffles and a drill cuttings port and valve arrangement for dumping samples and substantial quantities of drill cuttings collected within the pressure vessel during operation of the system. The enclosure and fire extinguishing system may be used in conjunction with operations using conventional liquid drilling fluids and conventional liquid-solids separation equipment.

Abstract: An air-water mist flushing system and method for cooling and cleansing mining tool cutter elements having sources of water and compressed air, apparatus for admixing water and compressed air at predetermined volumes and pressures to form the air-water mist, and apparatus for delivering the air-water mist to the drill bit situs.

Abstract: A casing or tubing segment or segments are disclosed which can be used to create a parasite annulus during drilling. The cased wellbore receives a string containing valves and the drillstring operates through it. As the mud circulates, the segments of the tubing or casing provide communication at various depths from the parasite annulus (i.e., the outermost annulus) into the circulating mud, which is the innermost annulus. Each valve is adjustable to alter the amount of differential pressure required in order to open it. The valves are also in hydraulic pressure balance so that only the pressure added by the injected gas acts to open them. The valves close by a spring bias.

Abstract: A method for enhancing gas or oil production by delivering a nitrogen rich gas produced from a non-cryogenic source into the well and/or reservoir where the gas and/or oil is located.

Abstract: The drilling fluid returns from underbalanced drilling are introduced into a separator and a separate gas stream is recovered. The gas stream is cleaned at the well site to remove entrained liquid and particulate solids, to produce gas suitable to be fed to a compressor. The cleaned gas is compressed to re-injection pressure and recycled to the well.

Abstract: A method for enhancing gas or oil production by delivering nitrogen rich gas produced from a non-cryogenic source into the well and/or reservoir where the gas and/or oil is located.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in underbalanced drilling of a well bore. A stream of substantially inert gases is provided by cooling, treating and compressing a stream of exhaust gases. The exhaust gases are cooled to a temperature less than 100.degree. F. in a quench tower and a heat exchanger. The cooled gases are treated to reduce their acid content and then compressed to a pressure suitable for underbalanced drilling. The compressed exhaust gases can then be used as the drilling fluids. They may or may not be mixed with atmospheric air or drilling mud.

Abstract: A pneumatic drilling chip removal system for removing drilling chips from a well bore, comprising sub-surface drilling equipment having a plurality of components and a drilling bit, a central passageway extending through the components and to the air jets in the drilling bit, wherein at least one component above the drilling bit in the sub-surface drilling equipment is a pneumatic component having an opening forming a pneumatic conduit from the central passageway to the annulus, a bypass valve disposed therein selectively permitting air flow from the central passageway to the annulus, forming a supplementary air source for removal of drilling chips from the well bore. Methods for using a pneumatic drilling chip removal system.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for environmental surveying and prospecting for contaminants in alluvial materials and bedrock formations including using a portable pneumatic rotary percussion drilling machine, preferably pneumatic, having a gas circulation fluid to displace drill cuttings, the machine utilizing a perforated rock drill bit and hollow stem drill rod and potentially including means for lifting water and soil samples, a high pressure source of gas for unclogging perforations in the bit and means for driving and removing casing using the percussion driver.

Abstract: This invention concerns an accessory, to be inserted in a drill string behind a drill bit, to provide separation of the liquid and air components of a flushing medium. The accessory comprises an inner housing (36) within an outer housing (34). A liquid/gas medium enters through opening (50) onto spiral raceway (48). Holes are provided at intervals along spiral (42). Liquid in the medium is centrifuged by the spiral (42) and projected into the chamber between inner and outer housings (36,34). The expelled liquid (52) falls to the base (70) of the housing (34) where it passes through apertures (38) into the drill bore. Once the medium has traversed the spiral (42) essentially only gas remains to pass through the opening (62) to the drill bit.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for controlling the supply of air into a rock drilling machine. In the method, the air supply of an air compressor in a power unit operated by a diesel engine is adjusted so that when the percussion pressure of the percussion device of the rock drilling machine is high, the amount of air supplied by the compressor is small, and vice versa. In the arrangement, the pressure fluid pump of the hydraulic motor of the compressor is an adjustable-displacement pump, the volume flow of the pressure fluid supplied by the pump being adjusted inversely proportionally to the pressure of the supply conduit of the percussion device of the rock drilling machine.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for environmental surveying for contaminants in alluvial materials and bedrock formations including using a portable pneumatic rotary percussion drilling machine with an air compressor that powers the drilling and provides an air circulation fluid, the machine also utilizing a perforated rock drill bit and hollow stem drill rod; a vacuum pump is connectable with the hollow stem drill rod for sampling.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for oil or gas drilling or the drilling of a geothermal well and the like in which a compressed inert gas, produced by the non-cryogenic separation of air is delivered to the drilling region of the downhole.

Abstract: A method is specified for reversing a compressed air-driven ramming device for its control positions of forward running and rearward running in the earth, wherein, for reversal, a turning is performed against a relatively small detaining force and the force of the operational compressed air is used for locking the control device in the individual control positions and for damping the vibration propagation from a ram housing to the control device. As a result, a reversing of the ramming device during the admission of operational compressed air is reliably prevented.

Abstract: A process of inerting the coal mine site formed by a coal cutting auger or continuous miner at a coal face to supress methane/coal dust explosion includes introducing an inert gas such as waste gases of combustion or nitrogen, for example, to a site downstream of the coal face in a sufficiently great volume to always replace the volume of coal carried from the coal face by a conveyor. The flow of coal by the conveyor is used to form the impetus to move inert gas from the introduction site to the coal face. The volume of inert gas at the introduction site is maintained sufficient to inhibit ingress of oxygen bearing atmospheric air to the coal face. A leaky seal may be used at the entrance to the coal face at the mining site. The inert gas may be introduced by a conduit arranged part way in the coal seam to form a separate duct extending in the coal seam to the mined cavity or by a duct formed as in integral part of the coal conveyor.

Abstract: A forward and rearward running ramming device includes: a housing having a percussion head in which a percussion piston a axially displaced by compressed air; a control device for controlling the compressed air so that, during forward running the percussion piston strikes a front side of the housing, and during rearward running the percussion piston strikes a rear side of the housing, the control device interacting with control openings in the percussion piston, which control advancing movement and returning movement of the percussion piston, the control device being seated in a the housing and being connected, through the housing, to an air supply hose; an arresting device, which fixes the control device relative to the housing in individual switching positions, which are set by turning the air supply hose, wherein the arresting device is also a damping device, at least one air chamber, variable in size, being provided as arresting and damping element, the air chamber being bounded at end faces by rear and f

Abstract: Apparatus for in-situ treatment of contaminated soil that includes an elongated hollow drive shaft mounted for rotation about its axis while being supported in vertical orientation. The upper end of the drive shaft is connected for selective injection of fluid under pressure into the shaft. A drill is affixed to the lower end of the shaft for drilling a hole downwardly through the soil. The drill comprises a hollow sleeve mounted to the lower end of the shaft and extending therefrom coaxially with the shaft. A pair of drill blades are cantilevered from the sleeve, and extend outwardly therefrom at right angles diametrically opposite to and aligned with each other. Each blade is of identical uniform cross section and carries a plurality of radially spaced drill teeth oriented tangentially of the sleeve along a leading radial edge of the blade. A hollow pipe extends along the trailing edge of each blade, and has orifices for injecting fluid from the sleeve and the pipe into the earth as the blade is rotated.

Abstract: A method for breaking coal and other mineral matter from a bed thereof provided with a bore hole consists of the steps of applying a flushing medium to a drill bit, loosening the mineral matter upon completing the drilling by conveying the compressed air to a plurality of blow slots and sealing a mouth of the bore before loosening the mineral matter.

Abstract: An apparatus for air rotary drilling in saturated unconsolidated deposits. It consists of a drill rod connected to a drill bit and a drill casing surrounding the drill rod which defines a well in a drilled region. A pressurized air source is connected to the drill rod, the drill rod having a bore for supplying air under pressure to the drill bit, to force air and material up the drill casing in an area defined between the drill rod and the drill casing. A rotary drive arrangement drives the drill rod in rotation to provide a drilling action in cooperation with the high pressure air, the high pressure air source providing high pressure air to the drill rod bore. A snorkel discharge arrangement discharges air and material from the space defined between the drill pipe and the drill rod.

Abstract: A sealed rotary drill bit has a plurality of leg members, with each leg member having a projecting conical cutter receiving journal. A conical cutter has friction reducing bearings interior to the conical cutter for rotatably mounting the cutter on the respective journal. A sealing arrangement retains lubricant for the bearings. A circumferential porous gas restrictor is positioned concentric with and spaced outwardly from the sealing arrangement to form an annular gas chamber therebetween. Pressurized gas is carried by passageways into the annular gas chamber. The porous gas restrictor, which can be formed of metal particles bonded together, prevents drilling debris from getting past it, but the porosity of the restrictor allows pressurized gas to pass therethrough as a controlled dissipation and wash away drilling debris, thereby shielding the sealing arrangement from debris that might otherwise reach the sealing arrangement.

Abstract: A manually operated downhole for an underground earth boring apparatus having a pneumatically operated earth boring tool. A drill pipe is connected to the tool and to a source of pneumatic fluid. A valve is positioned in the drill pipe substantially adjacent to the tool between the tool and the source of pneumatic fluid. This downhole valve controls the flow of pneumatic fluid to the tool. The valve is operable in response to pushing or pulling on the drill pipe.

Abstract: A fluid-operated self-propelled subsoil penetrating tool of the type including an elongated housing member having a penetrating nose portion capable of ejecting a jet of liquid under high pressure to break up and disrupt the subsoil adjacent such nose portion followed by a two-component hammering of such soil to displace and compact same as the tool advances. Remotely-operated steering mechanisms control the path of the tool while remotely-read instruments denote the position, depth, direction and attitude of the tool. A trailing umbilical cord provides all motive and operational fluids and electrical power while transmitting instructions and data between the tool and the remote control station. A unique internal structure reduces the rotation of the tool as it advances and provides for the reverse movement of the tool and electrical supplies through the bore created by the movement of the tool through the subsoil.

Abstract: An earth drilling apparatus has a pneumatic motor operated earth drilling tool, a valve assembly connected to the motor, and a drill string connected to the valve and to a source of pneumatic fluid. The drilling tool has an earth drilling bit and a rotor/stator motor section to apply a rotational force to rotate the bit at the bottom of the string. The valve assembly is disposed between the drilling tool motor and the source of pneumatic fluid and controls the flow of pneumatic fluid to the tool. The valve assembly has a pneumatic pressure-operated valve which is operable in response to the pressure of pneumatic fluid in the drill string to be opened to permit flow of pneumatic fluid to the tool at a predetermined operating pressure to transmit an initial pulse of pneumatic fluid to initiate operation of the motor. The valve is kept open at a lower pressure than that required to open it.

Abstract: A new and improved air motor operated rotary earth drilling tool for use with a source of high pressure, high volume compressed air has a circulation control housing, a motor housing, a reduction gear housing, and a bearing housing connected longitudinally in series. The circulation control housing is connected to high pressure, high volume, compressed air and has an outlet opening into the motor housing, and an exhaust opening for discharge of compressed air for flushing cuttings and debris from a bore hole which is controlled by longitudinal movement of an inlet tube. The motor housing has a motor chamber and a sliding vane rotor with a rotary shaft extending into the reduction gear housing. A planetary reduction gear receives the rotor shaft and has a low speed, high torque output shaft extending into the bearing housing. A passageway conducts compressed air around the planetary reduction gear for cooling.

Abstract: In a subterranean drilling operation, a drill stem and drill bit are advanced downwardly while conducting compressed air downwardly through the drill stem. A minor part of the air flow is discharged from the drill bit downwardly against the sensible overburden, and a major part of the air flow is discharged upwardly through passages in the drill stem. A casing is disposed around the drill stem and advanced therewith so that the sensible overburden is shielded from the air discharged from the upwardly directed passages. The upwardly directed passages contain removable inserts which can be exchanged for different inserts in order to vary the amount of air discharged from the upwardly directed passages, and thereby vary the amount of air discharged downwardly from the drill bit against the overburden. In that way, the amount of air acting against the overburden can be adapted to the type of material in the overburden in order to control the amount of disruption to the overburden.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in borehole mining which overcomes the conventional problem in hydraulic mining of removing rock fragments and ore from beneath the surface by utilizing a foam/air conveyance technique. This eliminates the need for a pump and overcomes the drawback of short pump life that is ordinarily encountered when pumps are engaged in pumping fluid slurries containing a high component of fragmented rock. A foaming agent, such as an organic sulfonic acid surfactant is introduced into the borehole, preferably combined in the water used to dislodge the particles thereby foaming during mining. The foam containing the entrained particles is removed to the surface by a gas, e.g., air under sufficient pressure and rate to maintain the flow from the well bore. The foam is broken at the surface by conventional methods and the mined particles recovered.

Abstract: In a borehole forming operation, the flow of gas through a downhole pneumatic motor is regulated to eliminate horsepower variations due to variations in bottom hole pressure. The pneumatic motor is connected to the lower end of a tubing string and an orifice is placed within the entrance and exit gas passageways leading to and from the pneumatic motor. The uphole source (i.e., compressors) of gas pressure and gas flow rate is maintained as a constant value which assures that sonic flow conditions exist at the lower orifice. The employment of gauged orifices placed within the inlet and exit passageways of the gas motor assures that sonic flow conditions exist at the lower orifice and as the bottom hole pressure varies, there is no resultant change in the motor output horsepower since constant flow rate and pressure drop ratio through the motor is maintained. This is the case so long as the bottom hole pressure does not increase to the critical ratio.

Abstract: A method is provided for substantially self-powering turbines by expanding compressed gases released downhole or in adjacent formations. These gases do work in the turbines as the gases expand toward atmospheric pressure at the earth's surface. The method offers alternative and supplemental approaches to recovering hydrocarbon gases, water vapor, carbon dioxide, other gases, and petroleum from watered out wells and from deep or hot wells.

Abstract: This invention relates to an oil drilling foaming agent comprising a mixture of from about 40% to about 60% by weight of a branched chain hexyl poly(oxyalkanediyl) sulfuric acid or sulfuric salt combined with from about 60% to about 40% by weight of a branched chain octyl- and/or branched chain decyl- poly(oxyalkanediyl) sulfuric acid or sulfuric salt, wherein the number average molecular weight of each of the components in the mixture is between about 180 and about 600. The above composition, in the presence of moisture, provides a superior foaming agent which is particularly useful in geothermal and air drilling operations. The high stability and foaming power of this composition over a wide range of electrolyte and/or electrolyte-diesel fuel concentrations also recommends its use in foam marker formulations, as a component in wall board manufacture and in other energy related applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling vertical temperature measuring holes in the top brick of coke ovens includes a guide support vertically fixedly mounted on a horizontal frame on the top surface of a coke oven proper, and a guide pipe shaft connected at its upper end to a rotary drill, having a freely replaceable drilling bit attached to its lower end and including therein a cooling gaseous body passage is vertically movably mounted on the guide support in parallel thereto. In drilling operation, a first core bit with square chips is attached to the lower end of the guide pipe shaft and the top brick is first drilled to a depth of at least five times of diameter of the hole to be drilled while jetting a cooling gaseous body and cooling the core bit.

Abstract: A downhole hammer drill for use with a dual concentric tube drill pipe string is characterized by the use of pressurized air from the annular passageway of the pipe string to operate the hammer. The exhaust air from the hammer is conducted to the periphery of the bit face of the hammer drill, across the bit face, and then through one or more openings in the central portion of the bit face. The exhaust air with entrained cuttings and hole water is then channeled through the drill and into the central passageway of the pipe string, through which it is removed from the drilling area. In a preferred embodiment an injection sub is provided in the drill string uphole of the drill and a drill body which substantially fills the bore annulus is used to throttle the flow of water down the borehole annulus to the bit face. In this embodiment a head of water is maintained in the borehole annulus and this water cascades down around the hammer drill to prevent cuttings and fines from moving up the bore annulus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for reducing the quantity of air or other gas needed to remove earth cuttings from a hole being drilled in the earth. The apparatus includes an accelerator core having connectors at each end for installing the accelerator in a string of drilling pipe. The accelerator core is hollow so that compressed air can be conveyed through to the drill tool assembly. Attached to the accelerator core is a pair of flanges which support a sleeve. The apparatus restricts the available flow area thereby accelerating the flow of air exhausting from the drill hole, to remove the drill cuttings using a minimum of pneumatic gas. The accelerators are spaced appropriately throughout the drilling string.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a cylindrical casing or housing with an interior passageway in which is mounted a fluid divider comprising three air divider legs each of which is a tapered plate formed with a concave cavity or air scoop with curved upper edges that are joined together in the center so that the legs diverge downwardly and outwardly in the drill string passageway of the cylindrical housing. The legs support a divider hood dome on which is mounted three separate curved plates defining three air channels. The fluid is directed into the concave scoops then into channels that lead to the outside of the housing in an upwardly direction. Fluid also spills over the air divider scoops and travels onto the bit, cooling the bit and chip removal from around the rollers.

Abstract: Use of fatty amines of general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 may be a hydrogen atom, or a straight or branched alkyl radical, saturated and containing 4 to 18 atoms of carbon and wherein R.sub.2 is a straight or branched alkyl radical, saturated and containing 4 to 18 atoms of carbon, together with surface agents, to obtain foaming mixtures leading to improved foams.2 to 50% amines are added, with respect to the weight of the surface agents.Application in the field of fire extinguishing foams, drilling, and in the production of lightweight products.

Abstract: This invention relates to a downhole rotary drilling device. More particularly, it relates to a gas operated turbine motor designed to be located downhole adjacent a rotary drilling bit to impart rotational force to the drilling bit and thus accomplish subsurface drilling operations.

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: An apparatus for maintaining a continuous supply of air pressure downhole during a well bore drilling operation, even during the addition of a pipe section to the drill string, and comprising a housing installed at the surface of the well at the position of the drilling equipment wherein the upper end of the drill string is separated from the drive mechanism in order that a new piece of drill pipe may be added to the drill string, a flapper or closure member pivotally secured within the housing normally held in an open position by the outer periphery of the drill string and spring urged in a direction toward the open end of the sleeve through which the drive mechanism passes when the drive mechanism has been backed off or removed for the addition of a section of pipe to the drill string, and a by-pass line in communication with the interior of the housing for directing air pressure from the air supply to the housing when the flapper member is in the closed position whereby the air pressure may be circulated d

Abstract: A flow stream of drilling gas in a gaseous drilling fluid circulation drilling system is separated from that drilling gas supplied to the drill string, and the flow stream is reduced in temperature prior to supplying the flow stream to a drilling tool component to be cooled. A heat exchanger is employed to remove heat from the flow stream, and a second separate flow stream of drilling gas is directed over the heat exchanger to remove the heat. The temperature of the second cooling stream is reduced by thermodynamic effects. Various drilling tool components may be cooled, including bearing means operative between two relatively movable parts, a seal assembly operative to seal lubricant between two relatively moving parts, and cutter elements of a drag-type drill bit. The seal assembly includes a flange-like projection member and a fluid conducting conduit in thermal transferring relationship with the projection member.

Abstract: The invention relates to the balancing of the pressures in drilled strata, the pressures being lower than that of the liquid columns contained in the entire well.The hydrostatic level of fluid, e.g. a liquid, in the bottom of the well is selected to obtain the balance and the fluid is caused to flow, to additionally serve as a drilling fluid, by separating the fluid into two columns, communicating at either end, between the tubing of the well and a set of rods therein and within the set of rods, and injecting a fluid of lower density into the upper part of one of the columns.

Abstract: An improved gas drilling method for drilling a well through steam-bearing formations in which emissions of particulate material and other contaminants are reduced by imposing a surface back pressure on, and thereby reducing the velocity of, the contaminant-bearing gas rising through the well. The drilling cuttings and other particulate material rising through the well are subjected to less abrasion and therefore arrive at the surface as larger, more easily separated particles. Drill string erosion is also reduced by the method and the efficiencies of any well effluent treatment facilities are increased.

Abstract: A bore hole to be deepened far into air-impermeable bedrock has an air-tight lining and an air lock in its upper portion, and it is pressurized below the air lock. A duct comprising endwise connected but disconnectable duct sections extends through the bore hole, its top end open to the atmosphere. A drilling mechanism having a telescoping connection with the bottom of the duct comprises a bit driven by a pneumatic motor that has an exhaust air outlet opening into the duct and a pressure air inlet in the bore hole outside the duct. At intervals along the duct remotely controllable supporting and moving devices are fixed to duct sections, each device having a pneumatic actuator with an inlet opening to the bore hole and an outlet opening to the duct. The devices have gripping elements that frictionally engage the bore hole surface to confine the duct against motion or to move it up or down for raising or lowering the drilling mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for concentric multi-string drilling with reverse air vacuum for the entrainment of chips and dust, selectively controlled through a plurality of annuli defined by the multiplicity of drill strings adapted to individually and/or cooperatively operate drill bits and reamers and the like to bore geological formations as required.

Abstract: A composition and method for drilling wells through subterranean strata containing high temperature aqueous fluids using a gas-containing aqueous drilling fluid containing an alkaline material to raise the pH of the drilling fluid to provide corrosion protection in the liquid phase and a volatile water-soluble nitrogen-containing compound to provide corrosion protection in the gaseous phase.

Abstract: A composition and method for drilling a well into a subterranean reservoir containing a high temperature aqueous liquid which composition contains as a scale inhibitor (i) a water-soluble substituted iminodi(methylene phosphonic acid) compound having a carbon-to-phosphorus bond or a water-soluble salt thereof, (ii) a dicarboxylic acid, (iii) a lower alkyl ester or hydroxy derivative of a dicarboxylic acid, (iv) hexamethylenetetramine, (v) thiourea, or (vi) the amide reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid and an aliphatic amine, an aliphatic hydroxyl amine, or a heterocyclic nitrogen-containing compound.

Abstract: In the process and apparatus for removing the drillings from the drilling te of a drill described, removal is effected through a conduit, extending along the axis of a drill and possibly an adapter for a drilling machine, by a vacuum provided by a compressed-air stream traversing the removal conduit, said compressed air also serving to blow the drillings sucked into the conduit out of the conduit and away from the drilling site.

Abstract: A jet flow alternator for reversing the flow of a confined fluid stream which includes selectively controlled tubes to cause said stream to flow in either one of two directions under pressure.