A drill pipe connecting apparatus has radially extending locking openings to the drilling drive of a rig. An inner tube receives a free end of the drill pipe by the locking opening of the drill pipe. An outer tube at least partially encompasses the inner tube and connects to the drive. The inner tube has, at the drill pipe end, radially extending through-recesses for guiding/allowing passage of locking elements, radially slidingly movable in the through-recesses. External guide elements on the outer tube form control gates for adjusting the radial position of the locking elements between open/locking positions by relative rotation. A connecting device releasably connects the tubes in a rotationally fixed manner; positive-locking elements extend circumferentially around the inner face of the outer tube and on the outer face of the inner tube. These elements enter into positive-locking engagement or reach free-running position, depending upon the longitudinal tube position.

A drill pipe connecting apparatus has radially extending locking openings to the drilling drive of a rig. An inner tube receives a free end of the drill pipe by the locking opening of the drill pipe. An outer tube at least partially encompasses the inner tube and connects to the drive. The inner tube has, at the drill pipe end, radially extending through-recesses for guiding/allowing passage of locking elements, radially slidingly movable in the through-recesses. External guide elements on the outer tube form control gates for adjusting the radial position of the locking elements between open/locking positions by relative rotation. A connecting device releasably connects the tubes in a rotationally fixed manner; positive-locking elements extend circumferentially around the inner face of the outer tube and on the outer face of the inner tube. These elements enter into positive-locking engagement or reach free-running position, depending upon the longitudinal tube position.

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.

Couplers for connecting a power source to a drilling string are disclosed. The coupler may include an elongate assembly including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are configured to move relative to each other such that the coupler may be arranged in a retracted position, an extended position, and one or more intermediate positions. In the retracted position, the coupler may transmit a compressive force and/or a torque to the drilling string. In the extended position, the coupler may transmit a tensile force and/or a torque to the drilling string. In the intermediate positions, the first portion and the second portion are able to translate and rotate independently relative to each other.

Couplers for connecting a power source to a drilling string are disclosed. The coupler may include an elongate assembly including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are configured to move relative to each other such that the coupler may be arranged in a retracted position, an extended position, and one or more intermediate positions. In the retracted position, the coupler may transmit a compressive force and/or a torque to the drilling string. In the extended position, the coupler may transmit a tensile force and/or a torque to the drilling string. In the intermediate positions, the first portion and the second portion are able to translate and rotate independently relative to each other.

A drill pipe connecting apparatus has radially extending locking openings to the drilling drive of a rig. An inner tube receives a free end of the drill pipe by the locking opening of the drill pipe. An outer tube at least partially encompasses the inner tube and connects to the drive. The inner tube has, at the drill pipe end, radially extending through-recesses for guiding/allowing passage of locking elements, radially slidingly movable in the through-recesses. External guide elements on the outer tube form control gates for adjusting the radial position of the locking elements between open/locking positions by relative rotation. A connecting device releasably connects the tubes in a rotationally fixed manner; positive-locking elements extend circumferentially around the inner face of the outer tube and on the outer face of the inner tube. These elements enter into positive-locking engagement or reach free-running position, depending upon the longitudinal tube position.

A drill pipe connecting apparatus has radially extending locking openings to the drilling drive of a rig. An inner tube receives a free end of the drill pipe by the locking opening of the drill pipe. An outer tube at least partially encompasses the inner tube and connects to the drive. The inner tube has, at the drill pipe end, radially extending through-recesses for guiding/allowing passage of locking elements, radially slidingly movable in the through-recesses. External guide elements on the outer tube form control gates for adjusting the radial position of the locking elements between open/locking positions by relative rotation. A connecting device releasably connects the tubes in a rotationally fixed manner; positive-locking elements extend circumferentially around the inner face of the outer tube and on the outer face of the inner tube. These elements enter into positive-locking engagement or reach free-running position, depending upon the longitudinal tube position.

A universal joint assembled in a drill string transfers torque between two shafts where the shafts are not completely aligned. The universal joint includes a cable that passes through joint components. The cable limits separation or deflection of the joint components.

The invention relates to a drill rod coupling having a sleeve-shaped coupling receptacle, a pin-shaped coupling member which can be inserted axially into the coupling receptacle to form a torque proof connection, and at least one locking bolt which is directed transversely to the axial coupling direction and extends, in a locked coupling position, between the coupling receptacle and the coupling member into a locking recess, wherein the locking bolt is mounted so as to be radially adjustable between an unlocking position and a locking position. Efficient coupling is achieved in that a tensioning device is provided by means of which the locking bolt is pressed into its locking position with a predefined tensioning force, and in that the locking bolt is connected to a resetting member by means of which the locking bolt can be reset into the unlocking position when a resetting force is applied.