Drilling rig and methods using multiple types of drilling for installing geothermal systems

A drilling rig configured to drill a hole for installing a geothermal system, comprising:

• a sonic drill head configured to apply vibrational energy to a drill string to perform sonic drilling and thereby enhance advancement of drill string;
• a sonic drive motor operatively coupled to the sonic drill head and configured to operate the sonic drill head;
• a downhole drilling bit/tool selectively moved downhole in a drilling operation to perform non-sonic drilling to advance the drill string;
• a water pump configured to supply a pressurized flow of water;
• a hydraulic motor operatively coupled to the water pump and configured to operate the water pump;
• and
• a hydraulics control system including a first switching valve, which operates to control a stream of high-pressure hydraulic fluid to be directed from a source into the sonic drive motor when performing sonic drilling, and alternatively, to be directed from the source to the hydraulic motor operating the water pump when performing non-sonic drilling, wherein the first switching valve operates such that only one of the sonic drive motor and the hydraulic motor receives the stream of high-pressure hydraulic fluid during operation of the drilling rig.

A drilling rig configured to drill a hole for installing a geothermal system, comprising:

• a support framework mounted on track rollers or wheels, the support framework defining a front end and a rear end on opposite longitudinal ends of the drilling rig;
• a drill head configured to perform drilling operations to advance a drill string into the ground adjacent the front end of the support framework to form the hole;
• a water pump configured to supply a pressurized flow of water;
• a hydraulic motor operatively coupled to the water pump and configured to operate the water pump, the water pump and the hydraulic motor each being mounted along the rear end of the support framework;
• and
• a mounting adapter extending between the water pump and the hydraulic motor, the mounting adapter defining a spool-like configuration defined by a first flange and a second flange extending radially outwardly from opposite ends of a hollow stem portion, wherein the first and second flanges each include a plurality of fastener apertures defining bolt circles having differing diameters from one another, such that the fastener apertures on the first flange are sized to engage corresponding fastener apertures on one of the water pump and the hydraulic motor, and such that the fastener apertures on the second flange are sized to engage corresponding fastener apertures on the other of the water pump and the hydraulic motor.