An adaptive pile driver system for driving a pile at a worksite. The system comprises a pile driver comprising a motor, an electrical power unit, a drill rod with a first end and a second end. The system further comprises a vibrating module, a hammering module, a drilling module, and a rock drilling module. The pile driver is adaptable to the worksite where the pile is to be driven, by connecting one or more of pile driver modules to the drill rod.

During extension, the reamer block of an expandable reamer pushes on an upper plate. Extension is limited by contact with a spring retainer. To adjust the maximum extension of the expandable reamer, a spacer is placed between the expandable block and the spring retainer. The spacer reduces the amount of longitudinal travel of the expandable reamer, thereby reducing the extension of the expandable reamer.

A shaft enlargement arrangement for a boring system is provided, the shaft enlargement arrangement comprising a hollow column proximate a lower end of the boring system; a first cutter head that is rotatably fitted to the hollow column, with first drive means being provided to rotate the first cutter head relative to the hollow column so as to bore downwardly a hole having a diameter corresponding substantially to the diameter of the first cutter head; and a boring head arrangement fitted to an operatively lower end of the column, the boring head arrangement terminating in a second cutter head to bore a leading hole as the boring system proceeds to bore downwardly. In an embodiment, the first cutter head comprises a support body carrying a winged arrangement, the support body being rotatably fitted to the column, the winged arrangement comprising a plurality of wings extending from the support body, each wing being fitted with, or comprising, a plurality of first cutter elements.

A shaft enlargement arrangement for a boring system is provided, the shaft enlargement arrangement comprising a hollow column proximate a lower end of the boring system; a first cutter head that is rotatably fitted to the hollow column, with first drive means being provided to rotate the first cutter head relative to the hollow column so as to bore downwardly a hole having a diameter corresponding substantially to the diameter of the first cutter head; and a boring head arrangement fitted to an operatively lower end of the column, the boring head arrangement terminating in a second cutter head to bore a leading hole as the boring system proceeds to bore downwardly. In an embodiment, the first cutter head comprises a support body carrying a winged arrangement, the support body being rotatably fitted to the column, the winged arrangement comprising a plurality of wings extending from the support body, each wing being fitted with, or comprising, a plurality of first cutter elements.

A drilling assembly comprises a drill bit and a cutting assembly. The drilling assembly forms a longitudinal center axis. The drill bit and cutting assembly fastened to a rotatable spline drive assembly. The cutting assembly being resiliently displaceable to the drill bit along the center axis such that in a first position the drill bit is surrounded by the cutting assembly and in a second position a free end portion of the drill bit projects beyond the cutting assembly along the center axis. The cutting assembly comprises an endmill which comprises a central through hole which is complementary to the outer diameter of the drill bit. A method for cutting swarfs created by drilling with the endmill is described.

The disclosure provides a drill bit including a bit body and a blade extending from the bit body. The blade includes a first element protruding from a surface of the blade and a second element protruding from the surface of the blade. The first element and the second element are each configured to extend or retract relative to the surface of the blade and are coupled to each other such that when the second element retracts relative to the surface of the blade, the first element extends relative to the surface of the blade. The first element is disposed within a first pocket formed in the surface of the blade, and the second element is disposed within a second pocket formed in the surface of the blade. A communication channel is formed between the first pocket and the second pocket.

A downhole drilling apparatus, passing through a subterranean borehole, may mark an inner wall of the borehole with a marking element. A sensor, spaced axially from the marking element on the drilling apparatus, may subsequently sense the marking as it passes. A rate of penetration of the drilling apparatus may be calculated by dividing an axial distance, between the marking element and the sensor, by a time interval, between when the marking element marks the inner wall and when the marking is sensed by the sensor. Alternately, a second sensor, spaced axially from the first, may also sense the marking. A rate of penetration may then be calculated by dividing an axial distance, between the two sensors, by a time interval, between when the two sensors sense the marking.

A downhole drilling apparatus, passing through a subterranean borehole, may mark an inner wall of the borehole with a marking element. A sensor, spaced axially from the marking element on the drilling apparatus, may subsequently sense the marking as it passes. A rate of penetration of the drilling apparatus may be calculated by dividing an axial distance, between the marking element and the sensor, by a time interval, between when the marking element marks the inner wall and when the marking is sensed by the sensor. Alternately, a second sensor, spaced axially from the first, may also sense the marking. A rate of penetration may then be calculated by dividing an axial distance, between the two sensors, by a time interval, between when the two sensors sense the marking.

A reamer includes a housing, a first reamer block, and a second reamer block. The first reamer block includes a leading wall. A second reamer block includes a trailing wall, the trailing wall including a recess. The leading wall is inserted into or nested in the recess to increase the coverage-to-exposure ratio.

A downhole intelligent Circulating Sub controller detects the difference between rotary drilling and sliding drilling, responds appropriately and quickly to multiple changes between rotary drilling and sliding drilling that may occur several times each stand of pipe. Additional controls prevent actuation of the Circulating Sub at inappropriate times. In one embodiment, a separate modular control sub is disclosed that may be utilized with and/or removably secured to a Circulating Sub and/or other types of downhole tools.