Abstract: The disclosure relates to a drilling rig for cutting a vertical trench in the ground, the rig comprising: a frame; and a verticality measurement device comprising a first cable and at least a first inclinometer, one end of the first cable being connected to the top portion of the frame and to the first inclinometer. According to the disclosure, the drilling rig has a first connection device comprising: a support fastened to the frame; and a body connected to the support via a swivel link; the first inclinometer and the first cable are fastened to the body on opposite sides of the swivel link.

Abstract: In one aspect a method of determining direction east is provided that in one embodiment includes dropping objects under influence of gravity, determining locations where the objects drop, and determining the direction east from the locations where the objects drop.

Abstract: A pitch sensor tool for a stem boring or drilling machine, for example a sub-surface directional drilling machine having a stem and a drilling head. The pitch sensor tool includes a generally cylindrical housing adapted to be mechanically coupled to the stem and to the drilling head, and a pitch sensing device disposed in or on the housing and adapted to transmit a reading of the second pitch of the pitch sensor tool. In one example, the pitch sensing device is housed in a compartment in the pitch sensor tool. A boring or drilling tool incorporates the pitch sensing tool and a drilling head, and a stem boring or drill machine incorporates the pitch sensing tool. By separating of the pitching sensing device from the rotating parts (i.e., drilling head or guide head) the pitch reading can be measured accurately and during a drilling procedure, as well as after it.

Abstract: A device which is attachable to the mast of a forklift for indicating to the forklift operator the tilt angle of the mast in a vertical plane centered on the forklift includes a pivotably supported weighted pendulum, and an elongated activating arm secured to the upper extremity of the pendulum. The activating arm operates a component that is slideably mounted to a base plate, and carries an indicating pointer. A cover member fits over the base plate, and contains a window which accommodates the pointer. Indicia on the cover member interact with the pointer to show the tilt angle of the mast.

Abstract: An upper end (10) for the inner tube of a core drill has a marking device comprising a pendulum (350) or hard ball (30) which runs in a circumferential track (24). The marking device adapted to be carried within a tubular upper end casing (12) which surrounds a spindle (11) which supports the inner tube of the drill. An indent washer (25) is positionable below the marking device and is oriented relative to the casing. When the upper end (10) is lifted, the marking device is driven into contact with the washer (25) and makes an impression. The orientation of the impression reveals the orientation of the drill. The impressioned washer (25) can be used to assist in noting or marking the core orientation after the drill is removed from the earth.

Abstract: A strata movement indicator suspended within a borehole 1 is provided with a drive element 6 and a reference element 12, relative movement between the elements being translated into rotary motion to give a visual indication on an indicator 10, 24 on the respective elements.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a pendulum in a downhole drift indicator comprises a plunger and a pendulum defining respective normally spaced apart first and second surfaces, and a pivot connection between the plunger and pendulum including a connecting pivot member. On the pivot connection being subject to a predetermined load the first and second surfaces engage to limit the load experienced by the pivot member. Also disclosed is a drift Indicator biassing arrangement, the arrangement including a housing partially defining a volume for containing a fluid reservoir, a signalling plunger and floating piston defining respective wall portions of the volume and being moveable relative to the housing. A spring acts on the piston to compress the fluid in the volume and move the signalling plunger relative to the housing.

Abstract: An inclinometer for providing two different, direct readings corresponding to the angle of inclination of a worksurface includes a pair of parallel gauging surfaces engageable with the worksurfaces in first and second distinct positions. The inclinometer includes a body which defines the gauging surfaces, and a pointer is mounted to the body and is biased toward a predetermined orientation when either gauging surface is placed on the worksurface. The body carries two differently calibrated scales, one of which is oriented so as to interact with the pointer when a first one of the gauging surfaces rests on the worksurface and the other of which interacts with the pointer to provide a second reading when a second one of the gauging surfaces is placed on the worksurface. The scales may be calibrated to provide an angle reading and a pitch reading, and are preferably applied to a cover plate which overlies a cavity defined by the body within which the pointer is pivotably mounted.

Abstract: An aligning tool, involving plumb bob usage, for a fully assembled underground elevator ram system is provided and makes it possible to align the elevator ram into a required vertical position. Further this allows the fully assembled elevator to be vertically installed at site in a hole which often is flooded by groundwater.

Abstract: A dip angle indicator for use in boreholes, and having, an elongated casing, having a diameter to fit down a desired borehole, a sensing chamber, located along the central axis of the casing and defining first and second ends, a linear variable displacement transducer, located along the central axis, and having an operating rod with a free end positioned in the sensing chamber, the rod free end defining a generally conical point, a swing arm located within the sensing chamber, along the central axis, and having a free end defining a generally conical recess, the conical recess receiving the conical point of the transducer rod, movable mounting means mounting the swing arm at one end of the sensing chamber, remote from the transducer, the swing arm extending through the moveable mounting means outside of the chamber, and, weight means mounted on the free end of the swing arm outside the chamber, the weight means being free to move within the casing, whereby to tilt the swing arm within the chamber, and thereby

Abstract: A strata movement indicator includes at least two lengths of suspension wire respectively for remote and near anchors locatable in the same borehole. Each wire carries a cylinder provided with indicator markings, the cylinders being moveable with respect to one another and to a reference tube fixed in the mouth of the borehole. Relative movement of the cylinders with respect to one another and/or to the reference tube indicates the degree of strata movement.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for precisely guiding the direction of a drill bit. The drill shaft has an orientation sensor that detects deviation of the drilling direction from the desired direction; the drill bit is steerable by preferentially directing flushing fluid at the drilling end; and a fluid modulation means controls the flushing in response to a signal from the orientation sensor. The invention also provides a tiltmeter for detecting deviation from vertical of the axis of rotation of a rotating shaft. A gravity-driven mechanical oscillator, for instance a pendulum, is carried by the rotating shaft, and has a natural oscillation frequency matched to the rotational frequency of the shaft; and a sensor determines the phase relationship of the oscillator relative to the angular position of the shaft, thereby producing a signal indicating the deviation of the shaft from vertical.

Abstract: The inclinometer comprises a single module for measuring the inclination and azimuth of a bore, such as that of an oil well. The single module contains a removable cassette with an inclination measurement means disposed on one side thereof and an azimuth measurement means on the opposite side so as to provide a measurement recording on the substrate of the recording means. An optical assembly is provided within said module for the inclination and azimuth measurement means. Further, a power source is disposed within said module. The module has an inner and outer housing means being provided within said inner housing for providing a rotational movement thereto.In accordance with another embodiment, the inclinometer comprises a first module being a power module for supplying power to the components of the second module.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing damage to the mechanical components of a borehole inclinometer is disclosed. The inclinometer uses a freely suspended pendulum to align with the vertical at a selected position in the borehole. A compass connected to the pendulum rotates to an orientation defined by the earth's magnetic field. To protect the components which suspend the pendulum, the pendulum is clamped between a timer and a lens as the inclinometer is lowered into the borehole. At a selected time, the pendulum is unclamped and is permitted to reach an equilibrium, measuring position. After a selected interval, the timer urges the pendulum against the lens to clamp the pendulum. The inclinometer is raised from the wellbore, and the orientation of the pendulum relative to the lens is observed to determine the azimuth and inclination of the borehole.

Abstract: A geophone is hung from a ball bearing in a pendular fashion so that it is free to swing in any direction. Because it is weighted, it will assume the correct positioning for operation. A clamp, carried with the pendular geophone in a seismometer designed for use on the ocean floor, fixes the geophone in a rigid position when a solenoid is actuated. After the seismometer is deployed on the sea bottom, it is desired to clamp the geophone into its assumed position. The solenoid is fired upon command causing the ball to be clamped. When the seismometer is recovered the angle of inclination with respect to the vertical it assumed at the time when the geophone was clamped can be determined by measuring the angle formed by the clamped geophone and a surface known to be vertical when the seismometer rests on a flat, horizontal surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and its use for measuring the differences in gravity at spaced locations in a wellbore. The apparatus includes first and second gravity measuring devices mounted at spaced vertical positions from each other and encapsulated for movement through a wellbore. A first electrical control current, proportional to the force of gravity acting upon the first gravity measuring device, is provided as a bias current to a second electrical control current. The second electrical control current is indicative of differences in gravity forces detected by the first and second gravity measuring devices, thereby providing a gravitational gradient reading.

Abstract: A core sample orientation tool for coupling to push rods or wire lines for use in obtaining core impressions in bore holes. The tool includes a putty cup and mark receiving surface which are removably attached to a sleeve housing a pendulum-oriented marker which marks the mark receiving surface when a core impression is taken to indicate a chosen directional reference. The removed putty cup and mark receiving surface can be used to orient a previously drilled core or the core to be drilled next, and when the core is laid out on a table in the proper up-down relationship, and considered in conjunction with bore hole logging techniques, the strike and dip of planar core features can be translated into actual attitudes in space.

Abstract: An electrical circuit device comprises an integrating amplifier arrangement that provides a circuit output signal in response to an input signal from a differential amplifier. The differential amplifier receives at one of its input terminals the circuit input signal and at its other input terminal the circuit output signal. The circuit limits its output signal to change at less than a predetermined rate, and the device is particularly useful in a pendulum unit of a gyroscompass, where the rate limitation can be arranged such that the compass does not respond to acceleration due to motion of the craft or vehicle in which the compass is mounted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for use in steplessly detecting the presence and the precise position of ovalizations, squashings or swellings into a submerged pipeline as well as the projections on a vertical plane and on a horizontal plane respectively of the curved geometrical configuration of said pipeline.