Boring or penetrating the earth inventions 09/08

20080230270 - Arrangement for positioning rock drilling rig on drilling site: A method for positioning a rock drilling rig to a drilling site and a rock drilling rig. In positioning the rock drilling rig is driven to the positioning station such that its carrier is at desired distances from wall surfaces surrounding the drilling site. For positioning the rig is provided... Agent: Drinker Biddle & Reath (dc)

20080230271 - Downhole abrading tools having fusible material and uses therefor: A downhole abrading tool has a body with a first end for connection to a drill string, a cutting end, a drilling fluid passageway, and a fusible material disposed within the body. The fusible material is capable of igniting and combusting in response to a selected temperature increase due to... Agent: Greenberg Traurig (hou) Intellectual Property Department

20080230273 - Instantaneous measurement of drillstring orientation: An orientation measurement system is deployed in a wellbore drilling system having one or more reservoir imaging and characterization tools, directional tools, and/or other known BHA tools in a rotating section. The orientation measurement system includes a processor receiving signals from a rotary position sensor measuring an angular position of... Agent: Madan, Mossman & Sriram, P.C.

20080230272 - Method and system for designing bottom hole assembly configuration: A method and system for designing bottom hole assembly configuration. The system and method include modeling the bottom hole assembly by dividing complicated BHA configurations into independent modules and segments. Modules are bounded by two stabilizers where segments are bounded by bottom hole assembly components. A recursive process is used... Agent: Conley Rose, P.C. David A. Rose

20080230275 - Impact excavation system and method with injection system: A system and method according to which at least one vessel injects a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors into a formation to remove at least a portion of the formation.... Agent: Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

20080230274 - Top drive washpipe system: A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system, in at least certain aspects, including a motor, a main shaft driven by the motor, the main shaft having a top end and a bottom end, a speed reduction system interconnected with the main shaft, a washpipe shaft interconnected... Agent: Guy L. Mcclung #114

20080230276 - Portable drilling device: A portable drilling device for use in horizontal boring through a substrate beneath an impediment includes a motor mounted on an inclined stabilizer bar. The inclined stabilizer bar includes a handle for use by the operator of the drilling unit which allows the operator to guide the unit during operation.... Agent: Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co, Lpa

20080230277 - Pocket for a downhole tool string component: A downhole tool string component, having a tubular body with an outer diameter. A first, second, and third flange are disposed around the outer diameter of the tubular body at different axial locations. A first sleeve is disposed around the tubular body such that opposite ends of the first sleeve... Agent: Tyson J. Wilde Novatek International, Inc.

20080230278 - Fixed cutter drill bit for abrasive applications: The invention provides a fixed cutter drill bit for drilling through unconsolidated, highly abrasive formations. The bit includes a bit body having a cutting face and a side portion. The bit body comprising carbide matrix material. A plurality of blades azimuthally spaced about the cutting face and a plurality of... Agent: Conley Rose, P.C. David A. Rose

20080230279 - Hard compact and method for making the same: A hard composite member produced by a rapid omni-directional compaction process that includes the steps of: providing a pre-compaction composite comprising a substrate, a superhard member and a layer of braze between the substrate and the superhard member; placing the pre-compaction composite in a pressure transmitting material contained within a... Agent: Kennametal Inc. Intellectual Property Department

20080230280 - Polycrystalline diamond having improved thermal stability: PCD constructions include a PCD body comprising a polycrystalline matrix region, a first region that includes a replacement material positioned remote from a body surface, and a second region that is substantially free of the replacement material and that extends a depth from the body surface. The PCD construction can... Agent: Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro, LLP

20080223615 - Methods and apparatus for forming hole in ground: An apparatus for forming a hole in ground (10) includes a mounting plate (60) mounted to a loader (80). A probe (11) is coupled with the mounting plate (60). Two arms (32) extend radially outward from a vertical axis and from a periphery of the probe (11). The apparatus further... Agent: Alan D. Kamrath, Esq. Kamrath & Associates, P.A.

20080223616 - Tractor with improved valve system: A hydraulically powered tractor adapted for advancement through a borehole including an elongate body, aft and forward gripper assemblies, and a valve control assembly housed within the elongate body. The aft and forward gripper assemblies are adapted for selective engagement with the inner surface of the borehole. The valve control... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080223617 - Deviated drilling method for water production: Method for drilling horizontal or deviated fresh water wells through such volcanics as occur in Hawaii, including hard lavas and fragmented interbeds that are prone to caving. The method provides effective means to drill into basal aquifers directly underlain by salt water, or into compartmented or confined aquifers or perched... Agent: Marian J. Furst, Attorney At Law

20080223618 - Upright tank jet system: A jet system is beneficial in keeping a drilling particulates of a drilling fluid evenly mixed within an upright storage tank having a side wall, a top wall and a bottom wall. The jet system has a nozzle on each half section of a horizontally disposed upper arm and a... Agent: Mckee, Voorhees & Sease, P.L.C

20080223619 - System, method, and apparatus for passive and active updrill features on roller cone drill bits: Strategically placed hardfacing material near the shank end of a drill bit above the transition edges provides additional protection for compensator areas and the upper leg surfaces of drill bits during updrilling and/or backreaming operations. The strategically located hardfacing is typically passive in the normal drill mode, but active in... Agent: Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

20080223620 - Drilling machine structure: A drilling machine structure is disclosed, characterized in which handles are arranged on the machine body for holding by the operator with both hands. Between the two handles there are assembled a power motor and a plurality of gear plates with different number of teeth to drive respectively center tip... Agent: Rabin & Berdo, P.C.

20080223621 - Thermally stable ultra-hard material compact construction: Thermally stable ultra-hard compact constructions of this invention comprise an ultra-hard material body that includes a thermally stable region positioned adjacent a surface of the body. The thermally stable region is formed from consolidated materials that are thermally stable at temperatures greater than about 750° C. The thermally stable region... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP

20080223622 - Earth-boring tools having pockets for receiving cutting elements therein and methods of forming such pockets and earth-boring tools: Methods of forming cutting element pockets in earth-boring tools include machining at least one recess to define at least one surface of a cutting element pocket using a cutter oriented at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the cutting element pocket. Methods of forming earth-boring tools include forming a... Agent: Trask Britt

20080223623 - Polycrystalline diamond constructions having improved thermal stability: Polycrystalline diamond constructions include a diamond body comprising a matrix phase of bonded together diamond crystals formed at high pressure/high temperature conditions with a catalyst material. The sintered body is treated remove the catalyst material disposed within interstitial regions, rendering it substantially free of the catalyst material used to initially... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP

20080217057 - Method for taking seismic measurements: In one aspect of the present invention a method has steps for taking downhole measurements. A network integrated into a downhole tool string in a well bore may be in communication with a downhole sensor, the downhole sensor having a downhole clock that may be in communication over the network... Agent: Tyson J. Wilde Novatek International, Inc.

20080217058 - Heating device for passage through subterranean asphalt and method of use: A lowermost casing segment in a tubular casing string, capped with a cast iron end cap, has an ignitable thermite mixture within the interior of such casing segment which, when ignited, superheats the end cap and the casing segment, to allow the casing segment and the end cap to be... Agent: The Matthews Firm

20080217059 - Tractor with improved valve system: A hydraulically powered tractor includes an elongated body, two gripper assemblies, at least one pair of aft and forward propulsion cylinders and pistons, and a valve system. The valve system comprises an inlet control valve, a two-position propulsion control valve, a two-position gripper control valve, two cycle valves, and two... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080217060 - Auger boring machine with two-stage guidance control system: An auger boring machine includes a two-stage guidance control system for controlling a pilot tube during formation of an underground pilot hole which is subsequently followed by an auger to form a larger hole for installation of underground pipe. The system includes a first stage guidance control mechanism for guiding... Agent: Sand & Sebolt

20080217061 - Pilot tube system and attachment mechanism for auger boring machine: A pilot tube drive assembly used with an auger boring machine includes a height adjustment mechanism for aligning the pilot tube path of travel with an axis about which an auger of the machine rotates during trenchless installation of underground pipe. A drive mechanism mounted on a drive assembly frame... Agent: Sand & Sebolt

20080217062 - Drilling apparatus and system for drilling wells: A device for boring a well with casing. The device is attached to a motor that has a power shaft for imparting rotational movement. The device comprises a driver operatively connected to the power shaft, with the driver containing a cylindrical body, a first bit having a first end connected... Agent: The Matthews Firm

20080217063 - In-situ molded non-rotating drill pipe protector assembly: A non-rotating drill pipe protector sleeve is molded in situ around a drill pipe tubing. The inner surface of the molded protector sleeve can be shaped to form a fluid bearing during use. Fixed stop collars may be molded in situ in the same mold and bonded to the tubing... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20080217064 - Drilling fluid and methods: A drilling fluid comprising: a non-ionic surfactant including at least one of a branched alcohol ethoxylate and a capped alcohol ethoxylate, a detergent builder and a viscosifier.... Agent: Bennett Jones C/o Ms Roseann Caldwell

20080217065 - Method and apparatus for electrophoretic separation of solids and water from oil based mud: A method of treating an invert emulsion drilling fluid, the method including pumping the drilling fluid to an electrophoresis unit that includes a positively charged electrode and a negatively charged electrode, applying a voltage between 200 V and 5000 V across the two electrodes to deposit water and solids on... Agent: Osha Liang/mi

20080217066 - Lubricated pilot tubes for use with auger boring machine pilot steering system: A pilot tube for an auger boring machine has a lubrication through passage formed therein through which water or another lubricant may be pumped during the driving of the pilot tube to facilitate formation of a pilot hole in the earth which is subsequently followed by an auger in forming... Agent: Sand & Sebolt

20080217067 - Articulated arm assembly: The invention of an articulated arm assembly described here is to carry and position a drilling related apparatus such as power tong, roughneck, drill sting, top drive, casing tong and any other applicable apparatus from the storage position to a working position such as well center or mouse hole. The... Agent: Yaogen Ge

20080217068 - Method of installing large diameter casing and swivel for use therewith: The invention includes a pair of swivels for use with an auger boring machine. One of the swivels allows for rotation of a first auger of a first auger assembly connected to the trailing end of a pilot tube without rotating the pilot tube. The other swivel allows for rotation... Agent: Sand & Sebolt

20080217069 - Auger boring machine with included pilot tube steering mechanism: An auger boring machine includes a common power source for powering a drive motor which rotates an auger and a drive assembly which drives a pilot tube to form a pilot hole in the earth which is followed by the auger. The drive assembly is movable into and out of... Agent: Sand & Sebolt

20080217070 - Method and apparatus for providing a continuous stroke auger boring machine: An auger boring machine provides a continuous stroke drive assembly for driving a pilot tube to form an underground pilot hole used for guiding an auger in boring an underground pipe installation hole. The drive assembly preferably drives the pilot tube a distance at least the length of one of... Agent: Sand & Sebolt

20080210466 - Offshore thermal treatment of drill cuttings fed from a bulk transfer system: A system for offshore treatment of drill cuttings that includes a first pressurized vessel configured to receive contaminated drill cuttings and adapted to allow a compressed gas be introduced therein as the sole means for inducing movement of said contaminated drill cuttings in the first pressurized vessel whereby at least... Agent: Osha Liang/mi

20080210467 - Use of cuttings tanks for recycling oil based mud and water: A system for recycling a drilling fluid that includes a first cuttings storage vessel, a second cuttings storage vessel, and a module fluidly connected to the first and second cuttings storage vessels, the module having a valve configured to fluidly connect the first and second cuttings storage vessels. The module... Agent: Osha Liang/mi

20080210468 - Drill head connection and method: A drill head system and method of use is shown. Drill head systems shown provide for a secure drill head connection to a cylindrical portion or sonde housing, while still allowing for easy removal of a drill head without using pipe wrenches, breaker bars, etc. An internal fastener further provides... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080210469 - Angle drilling device: In an angle drilling device for introducing or expanding wellbores that are inclined in relation to the horizontal, an angle-adjustable bore rig for a movable feed drive is arranged on a base frame that is movable for example. The bore rig is pivotally connected with the base frame while a... Agent: Henry M. Feiereisen Henry M. Feiereisen, LLC

20080210471 - Rotating control device docking station: A system and method is provided for converting a drilling rig between conventional hydrostatic pressure drilling and managed pressure drilling or underbalanced drilling using a docking station housing mounted on a marine riser or bell nipple. This docking station housing may be positioned above the surface of the water. When... Agent: Strasburger & Price, LLP Attn:IPSection

20080210470 - System and method for reservoir characterization using underbalanced drilling data: In an underbalanced drilling system and method, a change is induced in flowing bottom hole pressure in a wellbore. Data of the surface flow rate of effluent is then measured in response to the induced change. This measured data is obtained using a multi-phase flow meter before a separator of... Agent: Wong, Cabello, Lutsch, Rutherford & Brucculeri, L.L.P.

20080210472 - Impact excavation system and method with particle separation: A system and method for excavating a subterranean formation, according to which a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors are introduced into at least one cavity formed in a body member and are discharging from the cavity so that the impactors remove a portion of the formation. The... Agent: Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

20080210473 - Hybrid carbon nanotube reinforced composite bodies: A composite body for cutting tools that includes a ductile phase; a plurality of carbide particles dispersed the ductile phase; and a plurality of nanotubes integrated into the composite body is disclosed. Methods of making such composite bodies and drill bits formed of such material are also disclosed.... Agent: Osha, Liang LLP / Smith