Earth boring apparatus for geological drilling and coring

Claim 3

The method of drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 1 wherein, a plurality of fluid circuits are pumped at high velocity and at high vacuum for the entrainment of particulate matter through the center drill pipe and an annulus within another concentric drill pipe and used for separate purposes.

Claim 4

The method of drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 1, wherein a plurality of fluid circuits are pumped through the center drill pipe and annuli within other concentric drill pipes and used for separate purposes.

Claim 5

The method of drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fluid circuit is pumped at high velocity for the entrainment of said particulate matter.

Claim 6

The method of drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fluid circuit is pumped at a high vacuum for the entrainment of said particulate matter.

Claim 7

The method of drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 1 wherein, the fluid circuit is pumped at high velocity and at high vacuum for the entrainment of said particulate matter.

Claim 8

The method of drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 1 wherein, the fluid circuit is air pumped at high velocity for the entrainment of said particulate matter.

Claim 9

The method of drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 1 wherein, the fluid circuit is air pumped at high vacuum for the entrainment of said particulate matter.

Claim 10

The method of drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 1 wherein, the fluid circuit is air pumped at high velocity and at high vacuum for the entrainment of said particulate matter.

Claim 11

The method of drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 1 wherein, a plurality of fluid circuits are pumped at high velocity for the entrainment of particulate matter through the center drill pipe and an annulus within another concentric drill pipe and used for separate purposes.

Claim 12

The method of drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 1 wherein, a plurality of fluid circuits are pumped at high vacuum for the entrainment of particulate matter through the center drill pipe and an annulus within another concentric drill pipe and used for separate purposes.

Claim 15

The method of drilling and continuously sampling string conversion as set forth in claim 12 wherein, a fluid circuit is pumped through the annulus within said converted drill pipe set in the bore hole, and through annuli within a multiplicity of drill pipes operating within said converted drill pipe.

Claim 16

The method of drilling and continuously sampling and string conversion as set forth in claim 12 wherein, a fluid circuit is pumped through the annulus within said converted drill pipe set in the bore hole.

Claim 17

The method of drilling and continuously sampling and string conversion as set forth in claim 12 wherein, a fluid circuit is pumped through an annulus within a drill pipe operating within said converted drill pipe set in the bore hole.

Claim 18

The method of drilling and continuously sampling and string conversion as set forth in claim 12 wherein, a fluid circuit is pumped through the annuli within a multiplicity of drill pipes operating within said converted drill pipe set in the bore hole.

Claim 19

The method of drilling and continuously sampling and string conversion as set forth in claim 12 wherein, a fluid circuit is pumped through the annulus within said converted drill pipe set in the bore hole, and an annulus within a drill pipe operating within said converted drill pipe.

Claim 20

Apparatus for drilling and continuously sampling geological formations, and including: a multiplicity of at least two concentric drill pipes defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween, and separate drill means carried at the lower end of the central and outermost drill pipes respectively for forming a continuous bore hole in the earth; means for driveably rotating, raising and lowering said concentric drill pipes, and having a swivel-manifold with separate connections in fluid communication with fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween; means for selectively pumping fluid through said swivel-manifold in separate communication with said fluid channels; and, means continuously separating particulate matter entrained in said fluid from the drill means at the bottom of the bore hole, for disposition and core sampling.

Claim 21

Apparatus for drilling and continuously sampling geological formations, and including: a multiplicity of at least two concentric drill pipes defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween, and separate drill means carried at the lower end of the central and outermost drill pipes respectively for forming a continuous bore hole in the earth; means for driveably rotating, raising and lowering said concentric drill pipes, and having a swivel-manifold with separate connections in fluid communication with fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween; means for selectively pumping fluid through said swivel-manifold in separate communication with said fluid channels; and, means continuously separating particulate matter entrained in said fluid from the drill means at the bottom of the bore hole, for disposition and core sampling.

Claim 22

The apparatus for drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 18 wherein, the multiplicity of drill pipes are concentrically centered in spaced relation by means driveably assembling the same into sections coupled together as a string.

Claim 23

The apparatus for drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 18 wherein, the central drill pipe and bit is retractable through the outermost drill pipe and bit.

Claim 24

The apparatus for drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 18 wherein, the means for driveably rotating, raising and lowering said concentric drill pipes comprises a multiplicity of at least two concentric drive cylinders defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween, and drive coupling means for separate communication with complementary fluid channels through the multiplicity of at least two concentric drill pipes.

Claim 25

The apparatus for drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 18 wherein, the means for driveably rotating, raising and lowering said concentric drill pipes comprises a multiplicity of at least two concentric drive cylinders concentrically centered in spaced relation by means driveably assembling the same into a unit defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween, and drive coupling means for separate communication with complementary fluid channels through the multiplicity of at least two concentric drill pipes concentrically centered in spaced relation by means driveably assembling the same into sections coupled together as a string.

Claim 26

The apparatus for drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 18 wherein, the means for selectively pumping fluid separately communicates a high vacuum with at least one of said fluid channels.

Claim 27

The apparatus for drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 18 wherein, the means for selectively pumping fluid separately communicates a high velocity flow of fluid at high vacuum with at least one of said fluid channels.

Claim 28

The apparatus for drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 18 wherein, the means for driveably rotating, raising and lowering said concentric drill pipes comprises a multiplicity of at least two concentric drive cylinders defining said fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween, and drive coupling means for separate communication with complementary fluid channels through the multiplicity of at least two concentric drill pipes, and wherein the means for selectively pumping fluid separately communicates a high vacuum with at least one of said fluid channels.

Claim 29

The apparatus for drilling and continuously sampling as set forth in claim 18 wherein, the means for driveably rotating, raising and lowering said concentric drill pipes comprises a multiplicity of at least two concentric drive cylinders concentrically centered in spaced relation by means driveably assembling the same into a unit defining said fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween, and drive coupling means for separate communication with complementary fluid channels through the multiplicity of at least two concentric drill pipes concentrically centered in spaced relation by means driveably assembling the same into sections coupled together as a string, and wherein the means for selectively pumping fluid separately communicates a high velocity flow of fluid at high vacuum with at least one of said fluid channels.

Claim 30

A drill pipe section assembly for high velocity reverse vacuum rotary drilling and continuous sampling, and including; a multiplicity of at least two concentric drill pipes defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween, means comprised of circumferentially spaced screw pins threadedly engaged radially therethrough and driveably interconnecting at least two of said drill pipes in concentric relation with a uniform annulus therebetween, and pin and box coupling portions at the opposite ends of the drill pipes respectively.

Claim 31

A drill pipe section assembly for high velocity reverse vacuum rotary drilling and continuous sampling, and including; a multiplicity of at least two concentric drill pipes defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween, means comprised of circumferentially spaced screw pins threadedly engaged radially therethrough and driveably interconnecting at least two of said drill pipes in concentric relation with a uniform annulus therebetween, and pin and box coupling portions at the opposite ends of the drill pipes respectively.

Claim 32

The multiple drill pipe section assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein, the circumferentially spaced screw pins are self locking pins threadedly engaged radially therethrough.

Claim 33

The multiple drill pipe section assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein, the means driveably interconnecting the multiplicity of concentric drill pipes comprises circumferentially spaced and radially disposed screw pins threadedly engaged radially inward therethrough from the outermost drill pipe to which they are interconnected, and wherein the outermost drill pipe of said interconnected multiplicity thereof releasably drives a surrounding drill pipe by means of circumferentially spaced drive lugs projecting from the outermost drill pipe of said interconnected multiplicity thereof and having axially open slots in said lugs to receive removable drive pins projecting inwardly from said surrounding drill pipe.

Claim 34

The multiple drill pipe section assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein, the outermost drill pipe of said concentric multiplicity thereof is rotatably free of said means driveably interconnecting the other drill pipes one within the other.

Claim 35

The multiple drill pipe section assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein, the circumferentially spaced and radially disposed pins are stepped pins with shouldered engagement against successively larger pipe diameters.

Claim 36

The multiple drill pipe section assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein, the circumferentially spaced and radially disposed pins are stepped pins with shouldered engagement against successively larger pipe diameters and screw threaded into the outermost drill pipe to which they are interconnected.

Claim 37

The multiple drill pipe section assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein, the pin and box coupling comprises complementary male and female threads of constant diameter terminating in circumferentially mated V-shaped buttress shoulders to prevent radial spreading, and wherein the coupling portions of the drill pipe are of uniform dimensions coincidental with both the inside and outside diameters of said drill pipes respectively.

Claim 38

The multiple drill pipe section assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein, the pin and box coupling comprises complementary male and female threads of substantially square configuration and of constant diameter terminating in circumferentially mated V-shaped buttress shoulders to prevent radial spreading, and wherein the coupling portions of the drill pipe are of uniform dimensions coincidental with both the inside and outside diameters of said drill pipes respectively.

Claim 39

The multiple drill pipe section assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein, the outermost drill pipe of said concentric multiplicity thereof is releasably driven from an inner drill pipe by means of circumferentially spaced drive lugs projecting from an inner drill pipe and having axially open slots to receive drive pins projecting inwardly from an outermost drill pipe.

Claim 40

A Top Head Drive for drilling and continuously sampling geological formations by operating a string of at least two concentric drill pipes defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween to conduct at least one fluid circuit for purposes including the entrainment of particulate matter from drill means rotated thereby, and comprising: a frame surrounding a central drive string axis and having a drive axis in spaced parallel relation thereto; an assembly of at least two concentric drive cylinders interconnected by means of circumferentially spaced drive pins engaged radially therethrough and defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween to conduct a plurality of fluid circuits, and means driveably interconnecting all of said drive cylinders as an assembly; bearing means between the outermost drive cylinder and surrounding frame with the drive cylinder assembly disposed on said central drive string axis; a gear means operable between the outermost drive cylinder of the drive cylinder assembly and said drive axis; a motor means mounted on the frame at said drive axis and having a transmission shaft applying torque to said gear means and controlled as to direction of rotation and speed; a swivel-manifold at the upper end of the drive cylinder assembly and having a plurality of fluid channels in separate fluid communication with complementary fluid channels through and between said at least two concentric drive cylinders; and, drive coupling means at the lower end of the drive cylinder assembly for separate communication of complementary fluid channels of the aforesaid at least two concentric drill pipes and said at least two concentric drive cylinders respectively.

Claim 41

A Top Head Drive for drilling and continuously sampling geological formations by operating a string of at least two concentric drill pipes defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween to conduct at least one fluid circuit for purposes including the entrainment of particulate matter from drill means rotated thereby, and comprising: a frame surrounding a central drive string axis and having a drive axis in spaced parallel relation thereto; an assembly of at least two concentric drive cylinders interconnected by means of circumferentially spaced drive pins engaged radially therethrough and defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween to conduct a plurality of fluid circuits, and means driveably interconnecting all of said drive cylinders as an assembly; bearing means between the outermost drive cylinder and surrounding frame with the drive cylinder assembly disposed on said central drive string axis; a gear means operable between the outermost drive cylinder of the drive cylinder assembly and said drive axis; a motor means mounted on the frame at said drive axis and having a transmission shaft applying torque to said gear means and controlled as to direction of rotation and speed; a swivel-manifold at the upper end of the drive cylinder assembly and having a plurality of fluid channels in separate fluid communication with complementary fluid channels through and between said at least two concentric drive cylinders; and, drive coupling means at the lower end of the drive cylinder assembly for separate communication of complementary fluid channels of the aforesaid at least two concentric drill pipes and said at least two concentric drive cylinders respectively.

Claim 42

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 36 wherein, the circumferentially spaced drive pins are screw pins threadedly engaged radially therethrough.

Claim 43

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 36 wherein, the circumferentially spaced drive pins are self locking screw pins threadedly engaged radially therethrough.

Claim 44

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 36 wherein, the circumferentially spaced drive pins are stepped pins with shouldered engagement against successively larger cylinder diameters.

Claim 45

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 36 wherein, the circumferentially spaced drive pins are stepped pins with shouldered engagement against successively larger cylinder diameters and screw threaded into the outermost cylinder rotatably carried in said bearing means.

Claim 46

A Top Head Drive for drilling and continuously sampling geological formations by operating a string of at least two concentric drill pipes defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween to conduct at least one fluid circuit for purposes including the entrainment of particulate matter from drill means rotated thereby, and comprising: a frame comprised of at least one pair of carrier plates with aligned openings therethrough surrounding a central drive string axis and having a drive axis in spaced parallel relation thereto; at least two concentric drive cylinders defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween to conduct a plurality of fluid circuits, and means driveably interconnecting all of said drive cylinders as an assembly; bearing means between the outermost drive cylinder and surrounding carrier plates with the drive cylinder assembly rotatably disposed on said central drive string axis; a gear means operable intermediate each pair of carrier plates and between the outermost drive cylinder of the drive cylinder assembly and said drive axis; a motor means mounted on the frame at said drive axis and having a transmission shaft applying torque to said gear means and controlled as to direction of rotation and speed; a swivel-manifold at the upper end of the drive cylinder assembly and having a plurality of fluid channels in separate fluid communication with complementary fluid channels through and between said at least two concentric drive cylinders; and, drive coupling means at the lower end of the drive cylinder assembly for separate communication of complementary fluid channels of the aforesaid at least two concentric drill pipes and said at least two concentric drive cylinders respectively.

Claim 47

A Top Head Drive for drilling and continuously sampling geological formations by operating a string of at least two concentric drill pipes defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween to conduct at least one fluid circuit for purposes including the entrainment of particulate matter from drill means rotated thereby, and comprising: a frame comprised of at least one pair of carrier plates with aligned openings therethrough surrounding a central drive string axis and having a drive axis in spaced parallel relation thereto; at least two concentric drive cylinders defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween to conduct a plurality of fluid circuits, and means driveably interconnecting all of said drive cylinders as an assembly; bearing means between the outermost drive cylinder and surrounding carrier plates with the drive cylinder assembly rotatably disposed on said central drive string axis; a gear means operable intermediate each pair of carrier plates and between the outermost drive cylinder of the drive cylinder assembly and said drive axis; a motor means mounted on the frame at said drive axis and having a transmission shaft applying torque to said gear means and controlled as to direction of rotation and speed; a swivel-manifold at the upper end of the drive cylinder assembly and having a plurality of fluid channels in separate fluid communication with complementary fluid channels through and between said at least two concentric drive cylinders; and, drive coupling means at the lower end of the drive cylinder assembly for separate communication of complementary fluid channels of the aforesaid at least two concentric drill pipes and said at least two concentric drive cylinders respectively.

Claim 48

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 41 wherein, the at least one pair of carrier plates are spaced axially by tie rods with stops that position the carrier plates relative to each other.

Claim 49

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 41 wherein, the at least one pair of carrier plates are spaced axially by tie rods with nuts threadedly engaged thereon to position the carrier plates relative to each other.

Claim 50

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 41 wherein, the bearing means comprises axially and radially opposed seats in the outermost cylinder of the drive cylinder assembly and said at least one pair of carrier plates respectively.

Claim 51

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 41 wherein, the bearing means comprises axially and radially opposed seats in the outermost cylinder of the drive cylinder assembly and said at least one pair of carrier plates respectively, and wherein the carrier plates are spaced axially to pre-load said bearing means by means of tie rods with stops that position the plates relative to each other.

Claim 52

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 41 wherein, the bearing means comprises axially and radially opposed seats in the outermost cylinder of the drive cylinder assembly and said at least one pair of carrier plates respectively, and wherein the carrier plates are spaced axially to pre-load said bearing means by means of tie rods with nuts threadedly engaged thereon to position the plates relative to each other.

Claim 53

A Top Head Drive for drilling and continuously sampling geological formations by operating a string of at least two concentric drill pipes defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween to conduct at least one fluid circuit for purposes including the entrainment of particulate matter from drill means rotated thereby, and comprising: a frame surrounding a central drive string axis and having at least two drive axes equally spaced in circumferential and parallel relation thereto; at least two concentric drive cylinders defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween to conduct a plurality of fluid circuits, and means driveably interconnecting all of said drive cylinders as an assembly; bearing means between the outermost drive cylinder and surrounding frame with the drive cylinder assembly disposed on said central drive string axis; a gear means operable between the outermost drive cylinder of the drive cylinder assembly and each of said at least two drive axes; a motor means mounted on the frame at each of said drive axes and each having a transmission shaft applying equal torque to said gear means and controlled as to direction of rotation and speed; a swivel-manifold at the upper end of the drive cylinder assembly and having a plurality of fluid channels in separate fluid communication with complementary fluid channels through and between said at least two concentric drive cylinders; and, drive coupling means at the lower end of the drive cylinder assembly for separate communication of complementary fluid channels of the aforesaid at least two concentric drill pipes and said at least two concentric drive cylinders respectively.

Claim 54

A Top Head Drive for drilling and continuously sampling geological formations by operating a string of at least two concentric drill pipes defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween to conduct at least one fluid circuit for purposes including the entrainment of particulate matter from drill means rotated thereby, and comprising: a frame surrounding a central drive string axis and having at least two drive axes equally spaced in circumferential and parallel relation thereto; at least two concentric drive cylinders defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween to conduct a plurality of fluid circuits, and means driveably interconnecting all of said drive cylinders as an assembly; bearing means between the outermost drive cylinder and surrounding frame with the drive cylinder assembly disposed on said central drive string axis; a gear means operable between the outermost drive cylinder of the drive cylinder assembly and each of said at least two drive axes; a motor means mounted on the frame at each of said drive axes and each having a transmission shaft applying equal torque to said gear means and controlled as to direction of rotation and speed; a swivel-manifold at the upper end of the drive cylinder assembly and having a plurality of fluid channels in separate fluid communication with complementary fluid channels through and between said at least two concentric drive cylinders; and, drive coupling means at the lower end of the drive cylinder assembly for separate communication of complementary fluid channels of the aforesaid at least two concentric drill pipes and said at least two concentric drive cylinders respectively.

Claim 55

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 47 wherein, each of the gear means is a chain and sprocket drive.

Claim 56

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 47 wherein, each of the gear means is a speed reducing chain and sprocket drive.

Claim 57

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 47 wherein, each of the motor means comprises a variable speed prime mover and a variable ratio speed reducer.

Claim 58

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 47 wherein, each of the motor means comprises a hydrostatically controlled variable speed hydraulic prime mover connected to the said transmission shaft.

Claim 59

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 47 wherein, each of the motor means comprises a hydrostatically controlled variable speed hydraulic powered prime mover and a selective speed multi ratio speed reducer connecting the same to the said transmission shaft.

Claim 60

A Top Head Drive for drilling and continuously sampling geological formations by operating a string of at least two concentric drill pipes defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween to conduct at least one fluid circuit for purposes including the entrainment of particulate matter from drill means rotated thereby, and comprising: a frame comprised of pairs of carrier plates with aligned openings therethrough surrounding a central drive string axis and having at least two drive axes equally spaced in circumferential and parallel relation thereto; at least two concentric drive cylinders defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween to conduct a plurality of fluid circuits, and means driveably interconnecting all of said drive cylinders as an assembly; bearing means between the outermost drive cylinder and surrounding carrier plates with the drive cylinder assembly rotatably disposed on said central drive string axis; a gear means operable intermediate each pair of carrier plates and between the outermost drive cylinder of the drive cylinder assembly and each of said at least two drive axes; a motor means mounted on the frame at each of said drive axes and each having a transmission shaft applying equal torque to said gear means and controlled as to direction of rotation and speed; a swivel-manifold at the upper end of the drive cylinder assembly and having a plurality of fluid channels in separate fluid communication with complementary fluid channels through and between said at least two concentric drive cylinders; and, drive coupling means at the lower end of the drive cylinder assembly for separate communication of complementary fluid channels of the aforesaid at least two concentric drill pipes and said at least two concentric drive cylinders respectively.

Claim 61

A Top Head Drive for drilling and continuously sampling geological formations by operating a string of at least two concentric drill pipes defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween to conduct at least one fluid circuit for purposes including the entrainment of particulate matter from drill means rotated thereby, and comprising: a frame comprised of pairs of carrier plates with aligned openings therethrough surrounding a central drive string axis and having at least two drive axes equally spaced in circumferential and parallel relation thereto; at least two concentric drive cylinders defining fluid channels extending centrally therethrough and therebetween to conduct a plurality of fluid circuits, and means driveably interconnecting all of said drive cylinders as an assembly; bearing means between the outermost drive cylinder and surrounding carrier plates with the drive cylinder assembly rotatably disposed on said central drive string axis; a gear means operable intermediate each pair of carrier plates and between the outermost drive cylinder of the drive cylinder assembly and each of said at least two drive axes; a motor means mounted on the frame at each of said drive axes and each having a transmission shaft applying equal torque to said gear means and controlled as to direction of rotation and speed; a swivel-manifold at the upper end of the drive cylinder assembly and having a plurality of fluid channels in separate fluid communication with complementary fluid channels through and between said at least two concentric drive cylinders; and, drive coupling means at the lower end of the drive cylinder assembly for separate communication of complementary fluid channels of the aforesaid at least two concentric drill pipes and said at least two concentric drive cylinders respectively.

Claim 62

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 53 wherein, the pairs of carrier plates are spaced axially by tie rods with stops that position the plates relative to each other, and wherein each of the gear means is a chain and sprocket drive.

Claim 63

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 53 wherein, the pairs of carrier plates are spaced axially by tie rods with nuts threadedly engaged thereon to position the plates relative to each other, and wherein each of the gear means is a speed reducing chain and sprocket drive.

Claim 64

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 53 wherein, the bearing means comprises axially and radially opposed seats in the outermost cylinder of the drive cylinder assembly and pairs of plates respectively, and wherein each of the motor means comprises a variable speed prime mover and a variable ratio speed reducer.

Claim 65

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 53 wherein, the bearing means comprises axially and radially opposed seats in the outermost cylinder of the drive cylinder assembly and pairs of plates respectively, and wherein the pairs of carrier plates are spaced axially to pre-load said bearing means by means of tie rods with stops that position the plates relative to each other, and wherein each of the motor means comprises a variable speed hydraulic prime mover and a multi ratio speed reducer to the said transmission shaft.

Claim 66

The Top Head Drive as set forth in claim 53 wherein, the bearing means comprises axially and radially opposed seats in the outermost cylinder of the drive cylinder assembly and pairs of plates respectively, and wherein the pairs of carrier plates are spaced axially to pre-load said bearing means by means of tie rods with nuts threadedly engaged thereon to position the plates relative to each other, and wherein each of the motor means comprises a hydrostatically controlled variable speed hydraulic powered prime mover and a selective speed multi ratio speed reducer connecting the same to the said transmission shaft.