A directional drill vice and associated methods are shown. A directional drill and associated methods are also shown. Examples of directional drill stem configurations include gripping jaws configured with a common jaw pivot. Examples of directional drill stem configurations also include a slot in a vice frame to allow lateral insertion of a drill stem segment.

A motorized release device for a downhole device includes one or more dogs disposed within a guide of the downhole device. The one or more dogs may move radially within the guide relative to a central axis of the motorized release device, such that the one or more dogs may move between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The motorized release device also includes a cam that is rotatable about the central axis, such that the cam may move between a locked position and an unlocked position. The cam may block the one or more dogs from moving to the disengaged position while the cam is in the locked position. The motorized release device may also include an electronics board. The electronics board may attach to a motor that rotates the cam between the locked position and the unlocked position.

A directional drill stem loader and associated methods are shown. In one example, the drill stem loader operates in a linear motion. In one example, a drill stem gripper is configured to move the completely to one side of a drill stem during a retraction operation.

A positionable carriage assembly including an actuation device, such as one or more linear hydraulic cylinders, that is linked to a linear drive element. The linear drive element can include a first and second gear racks. The positionable carriage assembly may also include a first carriage member having a third gear rack and a second carriage member having a fourth gear rack. A first gear structure may be provided that operably intermeshes with the first and third racks while a second gear structure may be provided that operably intermeshes with the second and fourth racks. In operation the actuation device imparts a linear movement in a first direction onto the linear drive element which in turn imparts a synchronized linear movement in a second direction orthogonal the first direction onto the carriage members via the intermediate first and second gear structures.

A control system and method for automating the positioning of a mast in a drilling machine is disclosed herein. The machine operator can enter a desired mast angle into the control system and the control system can position/reposition the mast until the mast is within an acceptable range of the desired mast angle such that the mast can be successfully locked at the desired mast angle. An automated calibration process can be used to calibrate the mast prior to positioning the mast at the desired mast angle and compensate for any difference between the measured mast angle and a default mast angle.

A drilling device having a drill drive, a positioning means, a receiving part, a clamping means, and a control unit. The receiving part holds a first drill rod element with a first thread region. The clamping means is positioned on the drill drive for holding at least a second drill rod element having a second thread region. The control unit actuates the drill drive and the positioning means to screw the first and second thread regions together. A distance measuring means detects an adjustment distance of the drill drive along a guide as an actual value. The control unit determines an adjustment distance as a nominal value from a detected revolution speed of the drill drive during screwing and a predetermined thread constant. The control unit determines a difference from the nominal and actual values, and uses the difference to adjust the drill drive and/or the positioning means.

The present disclosure provides a device for power transmission and signal transfer between the stator and the rotor of a screw drilling tool. The present disclosure can replace the wireless communication technique between the rotary steering tool and the integrated MWD/LWD, omit the upper mud generator above the rotary steering tool, and thereby realize power transmission and signal transfer between the stator and the rotor of the screw drilling tool.

A mobile drilling machine may include a drilling mast having a mast frame, a movable drill motor assembly, and a pivot; a machine frame including front and back portions, an engine, a ground engaging assembly, and a coupling assembly including first and second side plates, where the mast is pivotably coupled at the pivot between the first and second side plates; at least one primary fluid cylinder coupled to the machine frame to apply a force to the mast at a position above the pivot along the mast to assist in moving the mast between a stowed position to a drilling position; and a secondary fluid cylinder coupled to the machine frame to apply a force to the mast at a position below the pivot along the mast to assist the at least one primary fluid cylinder when the mast is at a negative drilling angle.

A system and method detect at least one mechanical locking position of a drill string in a soil drilling machine. According the system and method, there are: a sensor apparatus which is configured to detect first data indicating the position assumed by the top of the drill string and second data indicating the position assumed by the bottom of the drill string. A control unit calculates the estimated length of the drill string based on the data and to compare the estimated length with a reference length value. A pair of kelly rods is in a mechanical locking position; and a signaling apparatus is configured to signal when the estimated length corresponds to a reference length value.

A pressure exchange system for use in hydraulic fracturing includes a closed-loop clean fluid circuit; an energizing system comprising a first pump; a high-pressure clean manifold system; a pressure exchange system; a low-pressure supply system; and a high-pressure dirty manifold system. The closed-loop clean fluid circuit delivers clean fluid to the energizing system, and the energizing system energizes the clean fluid to supply pressurized clean fluid. The high-pressure clean manifold system delivers the pressurized clean fluid to the pressure exchange system. Meanwhile, the low-pressure supply system delivers a low-pressure dirty stream to the pressure exchange system. The pressure exchange system transfers the energy from the pressurized clean fluid to the low-pressure dirty stream thereby supplying a pressurized dirty-stream, whereby the high-pressure dirty manifold system delivers the pressurized dirty-stream to a well-head.