The disclosure relates to embodiments of horizontal directional drilling equipment and methods for horizontal directional drilling techniques including a reamer head comprising a frustoconical body, wherein the frustoconical body defines a cavity configured to receive at least one bearing; and a plurality of teeth mounted to the frustoconical body. An imaginary apex of the frustoconical body is superimposed on the centerline of a reamer or reaming apparatus for reaming of an underground arcuate path. In another embodiment the reamer head is a progressive independently segmented reaming head. A plurality reaming heads are mounted to a reaming apparatus for reaming of an underground arcuate path.

A cutting assembly and method for drilling an underground borehole. The cutting assembly includes front and rear cutting heads of different diameters mounted on a shaft. An air passage defined through the cutting assembly may be placed in fluid communication with a pressurized remote air source and with a bore of a casing extending rearwardly from the cutting assembly. Pressurized air flows through the air passage and entrains cuttings produced by the front and rear cutting heads. A housing extends rearwardly from the larger diameter rear cutting head and an auger provided within the housing aids in directing cuttings into the casing. The auger rotates independently of the rest of the cutting assembly and may be configured to further reduce the size of the cuttings. A collar on the housing seals the borehole cut by the rear cutting assembly and aids in preventing frac-out.

A containment head comprises a center aperture, a reservoir, a wiping rubber, an outer body, a bottom plate and a support cylinder. The center aperture comprises a central portion of the containment head configured to pass around a tubing. The reservoir comprises a space within the outer body and above the bottom plate. The containment head is configured to selectively attach to a tubing cleaning assembly.

Methods and devices for a boring and laying device for the trenchless laying of a pipeline, including a boring head, wherein the boring head includes a connection for a pilot bore linkage, wherein a pilot bore is produced from a starting point to a destination point along a predetermined boring line, a pump for suctioning and conveying away the drillings, a conveying portion behind the boring head in which at least one suction element for receiving and conveying away drillings, and a connecting portion including a connection for the pipeline. The pilot borehole is expanded, and simultaneously the pipeline is laid by pulling the pilot bore linkage out of the borehole on one side and/or by pushing the pipeline into the borehole, wherein drillings are hydraulically received behind the boring head of the boring and laying device and conveyed away out of the borehole with a pump.

Methods and devices for a boring and laying device for the trenchless laying of a pipeline, including a boring head, wherein the boring head includes a connection for a pilot bore linkage, wherein a pilot bore is produced from a starting point to a destination point along a predetermined boring line, a pump for suctioning and conveying away the drillings, a conveying portion behind the boring head in which at least one suction element for receiving and conveying away drillings, and a connecting portion including a connection for the pipeline. The pilot borehole is expanded, and simultaneously the pipeline is laid by pulling the pilot bore linkage out of the borehole on one side and/or by pushing the pipeline into the borehole, wherein drillings are hydraulically received behind the boring head of the boring and laying device and conveyed away out of the borehole with a pump.

A bidirectional cluster hammer reamer (BCHR) for use in a horizontal direction drilling system comprises a plurality of percussive hammers and bits arranged around a central drive rod. The central drive rod is translatable between a forward most position and a rear most position. The central drive rod is translated to the forward most position when the BCHR is being pulled through a previously drilled pilot channel. The central drive rod is translated to the rear most position when a reverse feed force is applied to the BCHR. When in the rear most position, the central drive rod cooperates with an air distribution assembly at the rear of the BCHR to expel a portion of a pressurized fluid to the exterior of the BCHR for clearing accreted debris.

Embodiments of a reamer of the present invention generally include a substantially tubular body sub, a substantially planar base plate having one or more receiving cavities disposed therein, one or more gussets, a fluid chamber, and a plurality of leg/cone assemblies having a leg end and a cone end; wherein the base plate is disposed around the body sub and stabilized by the gussets, and each leg end comprises an exterior surface geometry complementary to the interior surface geometry of a base plate receiving cavity and is insertable into and affixable therein. The receiving cavities are constructed in defined locations and orientations in the base plate and the leg/cone assemblies are precisely formed such that insertion of the leg end into the receiving cavity accurately and precisely disposes the cutting component about the reamer. Embodiments of methods of providing and using an apparatus of the present invention are also provided.

Embodiments of a reamer of the present invention generally include a substantially tubular body sub, a substantially planar base plate having one or more receiving cavities disposed therein, one or more gussets, a fluid chamber, and a plurality of leg/cone assemblies having a leg end and a cone end; wherein the base plate is disposed around the body sub and stabilized by the gussets, and each leg end comprises an exterior surface geometry complementary to the interior surface geometry of a base plate receiving cavity and is insertable into and affixable therein. The receiving cavities are constructed in defined locations and orientations in the base plate and the leg/cone assemblies are precisely formed such that insertion of the leg end into the receiving cavity accurately and precisely disposes the cutting component about the reamer. Embodiments of methods of providing and using an apparatus of the present invention are also provided.

A hole opener includes a shaft including a plurality of axial slots formed in an outer periphery and spaced circumferentially about the shaft, a plate coupled to the outer periphery between each pair of slots, the plate including fastening wings that extend radially outwardly from each circumferential end of the plate, and a blade extending radially outwardly from a respective one of the plurality of axial slots between a fastening wing of each of adjacent plates, the blade coupled to each fastening wing.

A hole opener includes a shaft including a plurality of axial slots formed in an outer periphery and spaced circumferentially about the shaft, a plate coupled to the outer periphery between each pair of slots, the plate including fastening wings that extend radially outwardly from each circumferential end of the plate, and a blade extending radially outwardly from a respective one of the plurality of axial slots between a fastening wing of each of adjacent plates, the blade coupled to each fastening wing.