A forced separation device for a submarine drilling machine and a drilling tool comprises a transmission shaft, a main shaft, an electromagnetic transmission mechanism, a blasting separation mechanism and a pressure-resistant cabin, a gland is fastened to the upper portion of the pressure-resistant cabin, the electromagnetic transmission mechanism is provided with a driving sucker and a driven sucker, the driving sucker is connected with the transmission shaft, the driven sucker is connected with the main shaft, the gland is welded with the transmission shaft, and the driven sucker is welded with the lower portion of the pressure-resistant cabin; the blasting separation mechanism is provided with explosive packages and detonators, a plurality of explosive packages are distributed between the gland and the top surface of the pressure-resistant cabin, and each explosive package is connected with the corresponding detonator respectively; and the pressure-resistant cabin is further internally provided with a storage battery.

A rotation brake for stopping rotation of a spindle assembly on a horizontal directional drill. The rotation brake comprises a brake lock that is actuated by a cylinder and spring to interact with a non-rotating brake cap and a rotating pinion, thereby stopping rotation of the pinion. The brake lock is removed from the pinion by applying pressurized fluid to a cylinder such that a cylinder rod moves the brake lock out of a cavity between the brake cap and the pinion. Upon removing fluid pressure from the cylinder, a compressed spring moves the brake lock back to into the cavity, preventing rotation.

A rotation brake for stopping rotation of a spindle assembly on a horizontal directional drill. The rotation brake comprises a brake lock that is actuated by a cylinder and spring to interact with a non-rotating brake cap and a rotating pinion, thereby stopping rotation of the pinion. The brake lock is removed from the pinion by applying pressurized fluid to a cylinder such that a cylinder rod moves the brake lock out of a cavity between the brake cap and the pinion. Upon removing fluid pressure from the cylinder, a compressed spring moves the brake lock back to into the cavity, preventing rotation.

A universal joint (U-joint) assembly transmits torque from a drive component to a driven component across an articulating joint. The U-joint assembly includes male and female U-joint members, a central ball joint, and a retaining device configured to secure the assembly in an assembled configuration. The female U-joint member includes a cavity extending into a receptacle end thereof. The cavity terminates in a circular receptacle and includes a plurality of rectangular channels extending radially outward from the cavity at equal intervals, each channel defined by three planar drive surfaces. The male U-joint member has a drive end with a plurality of corresponding rectangular extensions protruding from an outer periphery of the drive end, each extension including a plurality of axial angular surfaces. When assembled, each of the angular surfaces of the drive end opposes a corresponding one of the drive surfaces of the cavity. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

A universal joint (U-joint) assembly transmits torque from a drive component to a driven component across an articulating joint. The U-joint assembly includes male and female U-joint members, a central ball joint, and a retaining device configured to secure the assembly in an assembled configuration. The female U-joint member includes a cavity extending into a receptacle end thereof. The cavity terminates in a circular receptacle and includes a plurality of rectangular channels extending radially outward from the cavity at equal intervals, each channel defined by three planar drive surfaces. The male U-joint member has a drive end with a plurality of corresponding rectangular extensions protruding from an outer periphery of the drive end, each extension including a plurality of axial angular surfaces. When assembled, each of the angular surfaces of the drive end opposes a corresponding one of the drive surfaces of the cavity. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

The present disclosure relates to an extendable apparatus, such as an extendable apparatus for a drill head, a drill head including an extendable apparatus, and a method of operating a drill head. The extendable apparatus includes a base section, a drive section, an extension section, and a functional section. The base section and the drive section are moveable with respect to the extension section and the functional section along a longitudinal axis. The drive section and the functional section are rotationally rigidly coupled to each other. The base section and the extension section are rotationally rigid coupled to each other, and the drive section and the functional section are rotationally moveably coupled to the extension section.

The present disclosure relates to an extendable apparatus, such as an extendable apparatus for a drill head, a drill head including an extendable apparatus, and a method of operating a drill head. The extendable apparatus includes a base section, a drive section, an extension section, and a functional section. The base section and the drive section are moveable with respect to the extension section and the functional section along a longitudinal axis. The drive section and the functional section are rotationally rigidly coupled to each other. The base section and the extension section are rotationally rigid coupled to each other, and the drive section and the functional section are rotationally moveably coupled to the extension section.

A bottom hole assembly may include a shaft having threads, a first fastener member positioned on the shaft, the first fastener member having first fastener threads that mesh with a first portion of the threads on the shaft, and a second fastener member positioned downhole of the first fastener member on the shaft, the second fastener member having second fastener threads that mesh with a second portion of the threads on the shaft, wherein the first fastener member and the second fastener member interact with each other such that an uphole face of the first fastener threads are pressed against a downhole face of the first portion of the threads on the shaft and a downhole face of the second fastener threads are pressed against an uphole face of the second portion of the threads on the shaft.

A bottom hole assembly may include a shaft having threads, a first fastener member positioned on the shaft, the first fastener member having first fastener threads that mesh with a first portion of the threads on the shaft, and a second fastener member positioned downhole of the first fastener member on the shaft, the second fastener member having second fastener threads that mesh with a second portion of the threads on the shaft, wherein the first fastener member and the second fastener member interact with each other such that an uphole face of the first fastener threads are pressed against a downhole face of the first portion of the threads on the shaft and a downhole face of the second fastener threads are pressed against an uphole face of the second portion of the threads on the shaft.

Apparatus and methods are for coupling a drive unit to a tool adapter. A drive unit includes a drive stem; a plurality of sliding coupling members; a retainer; a torque profile; a plurality of drive stem ports; a coupling collar; coupling recesses; a plurality of transmission units; and/or first portions of a hydraulic coupling unit. A tool adapter includes a tool stem; a tool stem sleeve; coupling recesses; a torque profile; a plurality of sliding coupling members; and/or second portions of the hydraulic coupling unit. A method of coupling a drive unit to a tool adapter includes positioning the tool adapter below the drive unit; stabbing a drive stem into an interior of a tool stem sleeve; coupling torque between the drive unit and the tool adapter; and coupling load between the drive unit and the tool adapter by engaging a plurality of sliding coupling members.