# US 5,067,854 A · Apparatus and technique for installing an elongated rod in an earth formation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,067,854 A - Document ID: US5067854A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/650,307 - Filed: 1991-02-04 - Granted: 1991-11-26 - Earliest claimed: 1991-02-04 - Assignees: Aardvark - Inventors: Gerald T. Sweeney - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5067854A ## CPC - E21B 23/01: for anchoring the tools or the like (E21B23/02 - E21B23/06 take precedence; anchoring of drives in the borehole E21B4/18) - E21B 7/20: Driving or forcing casings or pipes into boreholes, e.g. sinking; Simultaneously drilling and casing boreholes - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A tubular casing 2 is installed in a tunnel 82 in the earth and the rod 14, 49 is advanced telescopically through the bore of the casing until a portion 49 of the rod is projected into the tunnel ahead of the casing, whereupon a pair of harpoon-like detents 138 anchor that portion of the rod to the wall of the tunnel so that the casing can be retracted in the opposite direction to remove it from around the remainder of the rod. When the distal end of the casing requires a cap 16 because the earth is unstable, pressurized fluid is applied to a piston-like insert 18 in the bore of the casing, to eject the cap and then the insert itself, before the rod is projected into the tunnel. Moreover, when the cap is equipped with a tunneling tool 74 and the casing is used to excavate its own tunnel, the fluid is ejected into the excavation through openings 120 and 80 in the insert and the cap, respectively, to assist the casing in excavating the tunnel; and when the casing is installed, the rod is used as a stopper 136 in the opening 120 of the insert, to plug it while the fluid ejects the insert. Then, the rod is projected into the tunnel ahead of the casing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 In the process of installing an elongated rod in an earth formation, the steps of: installing in a tunnel in the earth formation, an elongated tubular casing having a longitudinally extending bore therethrough, relatively advancing the rod telescopically through the length of the casing in the bore thereof, and thence into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore, to the extent that a portion of the rod is projected into the tunnel relatively tandemly ahead of the casing, anchoring the rod to the wall of the tunnel at the relatively tandemly projected portion of the rod, and retracting the casing in the direction of the mouth of the tunnel to uncover the casing from around the remainder of the rod while the rod is anchored to the wall of the tunnel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process according to claim 1 wherein the rod is anchored to the wall of the tunnel by interengaging an anchoring device between the relatively tandemly projected portion of the rod and the wall of the tunnel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The process according to claim 2 wherein the anchoring device is projected into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The process according to claim 3 wherein the anchoring device is relatively advanced into the tunnel contemporaneously with the rod. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The process according to claim 3 wherein the anchoring device is relatively advanced into the tunnel by the rod itself. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The process according to claim 3 wherein the anchoring device is relatively advanced into the tunnel on the distal end portion of the rod. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The process according to claim 2 wherein the anchoring device takes the form of a detent forming device which is mounted on the sides of the rod so as to be collapsible within the bore of the casing when the rod is relatively advanced telescopically through the length of the casing in the bore thereof, but then expansible relatively laterally outwardly of the rod to interengage between the relatively tandemly projected portion of the rod and the wall of the tunnel when the rod is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The process according to claim 7 wherein the detent forming device includes a pair of detents which are reciprocably mounted on opposing sides of the rod so as to be retractable within the bore of the casing when the rod is relatively advanced telescopically through the length of the casing in the bore thereof, but yieldably biased to reciprocate into engagement with the wall of the tunnel when the rod is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The process according to claim 8 wherein the distal end portion of the rod has a laterally outwardly opening recess therein, and the detents are reciprocably mounted on the distal end portion of the rod to be compressed against the bias thereon, relatively into the recess, by the wall of the bore in the casing, when the distal end portion of the rod is relatively advanced telescopically through the length of the casing in the bore thereof, but then released from the recess, laterally outwardly of the rod, for reciprocation into engagement with the wall of the tunnel, under the bias thereon, when the distal end portion of the rod is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The process according to claim 2 wherein the main body of the rod is tubular but the distal end thereof is closed by an extension thereof which has the anchoring device supported thereon. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The process according to claim 1 further comprising relatively telescopically interengaging an annular gland between the rod and the wall of the bore to prevent liquid from flowing through the bore in the direction relatively toward the proximal end thereof when the rod is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The process according to claim 11 wherein the gland is adapted to allow liquid to be passed through the bore in the direction relatively toward the distal end thereof, and a pressurized liquid medium is charged into the bore for discharge about the rod at the distal end of the bore when the rod is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The process according to claim 1 wherein the casing has a cap on the distal end portion thereof which is operable to close the distal end of the bore to the earth formation, and the cap is removed from the distal end of the bore to open the same for the advance of the rod into the tunnel therethrough when the rod is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The process according to claim 13 wherein a pressurized fluid medium is charged into the casing to remove the cap from the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The process according to claim 13 wherein the cap is connected to the distal end portion of the casing so as to be removable from the casing by relatively endwise displacement thereof, the bore has a piston-like insert therein which is displaceable relatively endwise of the bore to displace the cap relatively endwise of the casing and then eject into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore, and a pressurized fluid medium is charged into the bore to displace the insert in the direction of the distal end of the bore and thereby remove the cap from the casing and eject the insert into the tunnel from the distal end of the bore to open the same for the advance of the rod into the tunnel therethrough. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The process according to claim 15 wherein the cap is telescopically engaged about the distal end portion of the casing and fastened to the same by a shear pin, and the cap is unfastened from the casing by retracting the casing in the direction of the mouth of the tunnel while the pressurized fluid medium is applied to the insert to pressurize the same against the cap and thereby reciprocate the cap and the casing in relation to one another to shear the pin, the cap being removed from the casing thereafter by continued retraction of the casing in the direction of the mouth of the tunnel while the pressurized fluid medium is applied to the insert to eject the same from the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The process according to claim 13 wherein the cap is equipped with a tunneling tool, and the casing is installed in the tunnel by driving it into the earth formation behind the tool to excavate its own tunnel therein. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The process according to claim 17 wherein a pressurized fluid medium is discharged from the cap during the tunnel excavating operation, to flush the excavated debris from the tunnel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The process according to claim 17 wherein the cap is ported and connected to the distal end portion of the casing so as to be removable from the casing by relative endwise displacement thereof, the bore has a piston-like insert therein which is displaceable relatively endwise of the bore to displace the cap relatively endwise of the casing and then eject into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore, the insert has an opening therein for passing a fluid medium therethrough between the bore and the port of the cap, the opening has a check valve therein which is disposed so that a pressurized fluid medium can be charged into the bore for discharge into the tunnel through the opening and the port of the cap to flush the excavated debris from the tunnel, but the valve will close to isolate the bore of the casing from the tunnel when the fluid discharge is discontinued, and wherein the casing is installed in the tunnel by driving it into the earth formation behind the tool while a pressurized fluid medium is discharged through the port of the cap to excavate the tunnel in the earth formation, then a stopper is inserted in that entrance to the opening of the insert which lies adjacent the bore, to close the insert to the passage of fluid therethrough, and a pressurized fluid medium is charged into the bore to displace the insert in the direction of the distal end of the bore and thereby remove the cap from the casing and eject the insert into the tunnel from the distal end of the bore to open the same for the advance of the rod into the tunnel therethrough. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The process according to claim 19 wherein the stopper is formed on the distal end of the rod and inserted in the entrance to the opening of the insert when the rod is telescopically advanced through the length of the casing in the bore thereof. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The process according to claim 20 wherein the rod is anchored to the wall of the tunnel by interengaging an anchoring device between the relatively tandemly projected portion of the rod and the wall of the tunnel, and the anchoring device is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing on the distal end portion of the rod. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The process according to claim 19 wherein the cap takes the form of a ported, detachable bit which is diametrically oversized relative to the casing, and the casing is employed as a drill rod and liquid swivel for the bit in the tunnel excavating operation, while the debris excavated from the formation is flushed from the tunnel through the annulus formed between the casing and the wall of the tunnel. ### Claim 23 In the process of installing an elongated rod in an earth formation, the steps of: installing in a tunnel in the earth formation, an elongated tubular casing having a longitudinally extending bore therethrough, a cap which is connected to the distal end portion of the casing so as to close the distal end of the bore to the earth formation, but is removable from the casing by relative endwise displacement thereof, and a piston-like insert in the bore which is displaceable relatively endwise of the bore to displace the cap relatively endwise of the casing and then eject into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore, relatively telescopically advancing the rod into the bore of the casing at the proximal end thereof, charging a pressurized fluid medium into the bore to displace the insert in the direction of the distal end of the bore and thereby remove the cap from the casing and eject the insert into the tunnel from the distal end of the bore to open the same for the advance of the rod into the tunnel therethrough, and relatively advancing the rod into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore to dismount the rod relatively tandemly ahead of the casing in the tunnel. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The process according to claim 23 wherein the cap is telescopically engaged about the distal end portion of the casing and fastened to the same by a shear pin, and the cap is unfastened from the casing by retracting the casing in the direction of the mouth of the tunnel while the pressurized fluid medium is applied to the insert to pressurize the same against the cap and thereby reciprocate the cap and the casing in relation to one another to shear the pin, the cap being removed from the casing thereafter by continued retraction of the casing in the direction of the mouth of the tunnel while the pressurized fluid medium is applied to the insert to eject the same from the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The process according to claim 23 wherein the cap is equipped with a tunneling tool, and the casing is installed in the tunnel by driving it into the earth formation behind the tool to excavate its own tunnel therein. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The process according to claim 25 wherein a pressurized fluid medium is discharged from the cap during the tunnel excavating operation, to flush the excavated debris from the tunnel. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The process according to claim 25 wherein the cap is ported and the insert has an opening therein for passing a fluid medium therethrough between the bore and the port of the cap, the opening has a check valve therein which is disposed so that a pressurized fluid medium can be charged into the bore for discharge into the tunnel through the opening and the port of the cap to flush the excavated debris from the tunnel, but the valve will close to isolate the bore of the casing from the tunnel when the fluid discharge is discontinued, and wherein the casing is installed in the tunnel by driving it into the earth formation behind the tool while a pressurized fluid medium is discharged through the port of the cap to excavate the tunnel in the earth formation, then a stopper is inserted in that entrance to the opening of the insert which lies adjacent the bore, to close the insert to the passage of fluid therethrough, and a pressurized fluid medium is charged into the bore to displace the insert in the direction of the distal end of the bore and thereby remove the cap from the casing and eject the insert into the tunnel from the distal end of the bore to open the same for the advance of the rod into the tunnel therethrough. ### Claim 28 Apparatus for installing an elongated rod in an earth formation, comprising: an elongated tubular casing having a longitudinally extending bore therethrough, means for installing the casing in a tunnel in the earth formation, so that the rod can be relatively advanced telescopically through the length of the casing in the bore thereof, and thence into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore, to the extent that a portion of the rod is projected into the tunnel relatively tandemly ahead of the casing, means for anchoring the rod to the wall of the tunnel at the relatively tandemly projected portion of the rod, and means for retracting the casing in the direction of the mouth of the tunnel to uncover the casing from around the remainder of the rod while the rod is anchored to the wall of the tunnel. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the anchoring means for the rod include an anchoring device which is interengageable between the relatively tandemly projected portion of the rod and the wall of the tunnel. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The apparatus according to claim 29 wherein the anchoring means also include drive means for projecting the anchoring device into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end thereof. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the drive means are operable to relatively advance the anchoring device into the tunnel contemporaneously with the rod. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the drive means include the rod itself. ### Claim 33 (depends on 30) The apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the drive means include an elongated rod having the anchoring device on the distal end portion thereof. ### Claim 34 (depends on 29) The apparatus according to claim 29 wherein the anchoring device takes the form of a detent forming device which is mounted on the sides of the rod so as to be collapsible within the bore of the casing when the rod is relatively advanced telescopically through the length of the casing in the bore thereof, but then expansible relatively laterally outwardly of the rod to interengage between the relatively tandemly projected portion of the rod and the wall of the tunnel when the rod is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The apparatus according to claim 34 wherein the detent forming device includes a pair of detents which are reciprocably mounted on opposing sides of the rod so as to be retractable within the bore of the casing when the rod is relatively advanced telescopically through the length of the casing in the bore thereof, but yieldably biased to reciprocate into engagement with the wall of the tunnel when the rod is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The apparatus according to claim 35 wherein the distal end portion of the rod has a laterally outwardly opening recess therein, and the detents are reciprocably mounted on the distal end portion of the rod to be compressed against the bias thereon, relatively into the recess, by the wall of the bore in the casing, when the distal end portion of the rod is relatively advanced telescopically through the length of the casing in the bore thereof, but then released from the recess, laterally outwardly of the rod, for reciprocation into engagement with the wall of the tunnel, under the bias thereon, when the distal end portion of the rod is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 37 (depends on 30) The apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the rod is tubular, and the drive means include an extension thereof which has the anchoring device supported thereon and is mounted on the distal end of the rod to close the same to the earth formation. ### Claim 38 (depends on 28) The apparatus according to claim 28 further comprising an annular gland which is relatively telescopically interengageable between the rod and the wall of the bore to prevent liquid from flowing through the bore in the direction relatively toward the proximal end thereof when the rod is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The apparatus according to claim 38 wherein the gland is adapted to allow liquid to be passed through the bore in the direction relatively toward the distal end thereof, and the apparatus further comprises means for charging a pressurized liquid medium into the bore for discharge about the rod at the distal end of the bore when the rod is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 40 (depends on 28) The apparatus according to claim 28 further comprising a cap on the distal end portion of the casing which is operable to close the distal end of the bore to the earth formation, but removable from the distal end of the bore to open the same for the advance of the rod into the tunnel therethrough when the rod is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The apparatus according to claim 40 further comprising means for charging a pressurized fluid medium into the casing to remove the cap from the distal end of the bore when the rod is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 42 (depends on 40) The apparatus according to claim 40 wherein the cap is connected to the distal end portion of the casing so as to be removable from the casing by relatively endwise displacement thereof, the bore has a piston-like insert therein which is displaceable relatively endwise of the bore to displace the cap relatively endwise of the casing and then eject into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore, and the apparatus further comprises means for charging a pressurized fluid medium into the bore to displace the insert in the direction of the distal end of the bore and thereby remove the cap from the casing and eject the insert into the tunnel from the distal end of the bore to open the same for the advance of the rod into the tunnel therethrough. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The apparatus according to claim 42 wherein the cap is telescopically engaged about the distal end portion of the casing and fastened to the same by a shear pin, so that the cap can be unfastened from the casing for removal therefrom, by retracting the casing in the direction of the mouth of the tunnel while the pressurized fluid medium is applied to the insert to pressurize the same against the cap and thereby reciprocate the cap and the casing in relation to one another to shear the pin, the cap being removed from the casing thereafter by continued retraction of the casing in the direction of the mouth of the tunnel while the pressurized fluid medium is applied to the insert to eject the same from the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 44 (depends on 40) The apparatus according to claim 40 wherein the cap is equipped with a tunneling tool, and the casing installation means are operable to drive the casing into the earth formation behind the tool to excavate its own tunnel therein. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The apparatus according to claim 44 further comprising means for discharging a pressurized fluid medium from the cap during the tunnel excavating operation, to flush the excavated debris from the tunnel. ### Claim 46 (depends on 44) The apparatus according to claim 44 wherein the cap is ported and connected to the distal end portion of the casing so as to be removable from the casing by relative endwise displacement thereof, the bore has a piston-like insert therein which is displaceable relatively endwise of the bore to displace the cap relatively endwise of the casing and then eject into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore, the insert has an opening therein for passing a fluid medium therethrough between the bore and the port of the cap, the opening has a check valve therein which is disposed so that a pressurized fluid medium can be charged into the bore for discharge into the tunnel through the opening and the port of the cap to flush the excavated debris from the tunnel, but the valve will close to isolate the bore of the casing from the tunnel when the fluid discharge is discontinued, and wherein the apparatus further comprises means for charging a pressurized fluid medium into the bore during the tunnel excavating operation, to flush the excavated debris from the tunnel, a stopper for insertion in that entrance to the opening of the insert which lies adjacent the bore, to close the insert to the passage of fluid therethrough, and means for charging a pressurized fluid medium into the bore when the stopper is inserted in the entrance to the opening of the insert, to displace the insert in the direction of the distal end of the bore and thereby remove the cap from the casing and eject the insert into the tunnel from the distal end of the bore to open the same for the advance of the rod into the tunnel therethrough. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The apparatus according to claim 46 wherein the stopper is formed on the distal end of the rod for insertion in the entrance to the opening of the insert when the rod is telescopically advanced through the length of the casing in the bore thereof. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The apparatus according to claim 47 wherein the anchoring means for the rod include an anchoring device which is interengageable between the relatively tandemly projected portion of the rod and the wall of the tunnel, and drive means for projecting the anchoring device into the tunnel from the casing on the distal end portion of the rod. ### Claim 49 (depends on 46) The apparatus according to claim 46 wherein the cap takes the form of a ported, detachable bit which is diametrically oversized relative to the casing so that when the casing is employed as a drill rod and liquid swivel for the bit in the tunnel excavating operation, the tunnel will have a diameter which is adapted to provide an annulus around the casing through which the excavated debris can be flushed from the tunnel. ### Claim 50 In apparatus for installing an elongated rod in an earth formation by installing an elongated tubular casing in a tunnel in the formation, relatively advancing the rod telescopically through the length of the casing in the longitudinally extending bore thereof, and then into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore, a device for anchoring the rod to the wall of the tunnel, comprising; an elongated extension for the rod, securable at one end to the distal end of the rod, and detent forming means mounted on the sides of the extension so as to be collapsible within the bore of the casing when the extension is relatively advanced on the rod telescopically through the length of the casing in the bore thereof, but then expansible relatively laterally outwardly of the extension to interengage between the extension and the wall of the tunnel when the extension is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) The apparatus according to claim 50 wherein the detent forming means include a pair of detents which are reciprocably mounted on opposing sides of the extension so as to be retractable in the bore of the casing when the extension is relatively advanced on the rod telescopically through the length of the casing in the bore thereof, but yieldably biased to reciprocate into engagement with the wall of the tunnel when the extension is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) The apparatus according to claim 51 wherein the extension has a laterally outwardly opening recess therein, and the detents are reciprocably mounted on the extension to be compressed against the bias thereon, relatively into the recess, by the wall of the bore in the casing, when the extension is relatively advanced on the rod telescopically through the length of the casing in the bore thereof, but then released from the recess, laterally outwardly of the extension, for reciprocation into engagement with the wall of the tunnel, under the bias thereon, when the extension is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 53 (depends on 50) The apparatus according to claim 50 wherein the extension is adapted to close the distal end of a tubular rod. ### Claim 54 (depends on 50) The apparatus according to claim 50 wherein the extension has a stopper on the opposing end thereof, for insertion in the entrance to an opening in an insert in the bore of the casing. ### Claim 55 An anchoring device for use on the distal end of an elongated rod when the rod is dismounted from an elongated tubular casing in a tunnel in an earth formation, comprising: an elongated carrier device securable at one end to the distal end of the rod, means on the carrier device defining a laterally outwardly opening recess therein, a pair of elongated harpoon-like detents rotatably mounted on opposing sides of the carrier device so as to be retractable relatively into the recess when the carrier device is relatively advanced on the rod telescopically through the length of the casing in the longitudinally extending bore thereof, and means for yieldably biasing the detents to reciprocate laterally outwardly of the recess into engagement with the wall of the tunnel when the carrier device is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 56 (depends on 55) The anchoring device according to claim 55 wherein the carrier device has a stopper on the opposing end thereof for insertion in the entrance to an opening in an insert in the bore. ### Claim 57 In apparatus for installing an elongated rod in an earth formation, an elongated tubular casing for installation in a tunnel in the earth formation, said casing having a longitudinally extending bore therethrough, a cap which is connected to the distal end portion of the casing so as to close the distal end of the bore, but is removable from the casing by relatively endwise displacement thereof, a piston-like insert in the bore which is displaceable relatively endwise thereof to displace the cap relatively endwise of the casing and then eject into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore, and means for charging a pressurized fluid medium into the bore to displace the insert in the direction of the distal end of the bore and thereby remove the cap from the casing and eject the insert into the tunnel from the distal end of the bore to open the same for the advance of the rod into the tunnel therethrough when the rod has been relatively advanced telescopically through the length of the casing in the bore thereof. ### Claim 58 (depends on 57) The apparatus according to claim 57 wherein the cap is telescopically engaged about the distal end portion of the casing and fastened to the same by a shear pin, so that the cap can be unfastened from the casing for removal therefrom, by retracting the casing in the direction of the mouth of the tunnel while the pressurized fluid medium is applied to the insert to pressurize the same against the cap and thereby reciprocate the cap and the casing in relation to one another to shear the pin, the cap being removed from the casing thereafter by continued retraction of the casing in the direction of the mouth of the tunnel while the pressurized fluid medium is applied to the insert to eject the same from the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 59 (depends on 57) The apparatus according to claim 57 wherein the cap is equipped with a tunneling tool so that the casing can be driven into the earth formation behind the tool to excavate its own tunnel therein. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) The apparatus according to claim 59 further comprising means for discharging a pressurized fluid medium from the cap during the tunnel excavating operation, to flush the excavated debris from the tunnel. ### Claim 61 (depends on 59) The apparatus according to claim 59 wherein the cap is ported, the insert has an opening therein for passing a fluid medium therethrough between the bore and the port of the cap, the opening has a check valve therein which is disposed so that a pressurized fluid medium can be charged into the bore for discharge into the tunnel through the opening and the port of the cap to flush the excavated debris from the tunnel, but the valve will close to isolate the bore of the casing from the tunnel when the fluid discharge is discontinued, and wherein the apparatus further comprises means for charging a pressurized fluid medium into the bore during the tunnel excavating operation, to flush the excavated debris from the tunnel, a stopper for insertion in that entrance to the opening of the insert which lies adjacent the bore, to close the insert to the passage of fluid therethrough, and means for charging a pressurized fluid medium into the bore when the stopper is inserted in the entrance to the opening of the insert, to displace the insert in the direction of the distal end of the bore and thereby remove the cap from the casing and eject the insert into the tunnel from the distal end of the bore to open the same for the advance of the rod into the tunnel therethrough. ### Claim 62 (depends on 61) The apparatus according to claim 61 wherein the cap takes the form of a ported, detachable bit which is diametrically oversized relative to the casing, so that when the casing is employed as a drill rod and liquid swivel for the bit in the tunnel excavating operation, the tunnel will have a diameter which is adapted to provide an annulus around the casing through which the excavated debris can be flushed from the tunnel. ### Claim 63 For use in apparatus for installing an elongated rod in an earth formation, a casing component comprising: an elongated tubular casing for installation in a tunnel in the earth formation, said casing having a longitudinally extending bore therethrough, a cap which is connected to the distal end portion of the casing so as to close the distal end of the bore, but is removable from the casing by relatively endwise displacement thereof, and a piston-like insert in the bore which is displaceable relatively endwise thereof to displace the cap relatively endwise of the casing and then eject into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore, whereby a pressurized fluid medium can be charged into the bore to displace the insert in the direction of the distal end of the bore and thereby remove the cap from the casing and eject the insert into the tunnel from the distal end of the bore to open the same for the advance of the rod into the tunnel therethrough when the rod has been relatively advanced telescopically through the length of the casing in the bore thereof. ### Claim 64 An elongated rod for dismounting from an elongated tubular casing in a tunnel in an earth formation, comprising: elongated rod forming means defining the main body of the rod, an elongated extension on one end of the rod forming means, and detent forming means mounted on the sides of the extension so as to be collapsible within the longitudinally extending bore of the casing when the extension is relatively advanced on the rod forming means telescopically through the length of the casing in the bore thereof, but then expansible relatively laterally outwardly of the extension to interengage between the extension and the wall of the tunnel when the extension is relatively advanced into the tunnel from the casing at the distal end of the bore. ### Claim 65 (depends on 64) The elongated rod according to claim 64 wherein the main body of the rod is tubular and has apertures therein whereby the rod can function as a horizontal drain.