Trusonic Drilling Technology

Technical Overview of Trusonic Drilling Technology

Trusonic refers to the application of high-frequency resonant energy delivered through a fully integrated TSi SONIC Drilling System to advance core barrels or casing into subsurface formations. Unlike non-sonic drilling methods that rely on rotary torque or percussive impact, Trusonic employs vertically oscillating sonic energy to fluidly penetrate a wide range of geological formations. This technique is particularly effective in unconsolidated or geologically challenging conditions such as tailings, waste rock dumps, and soft sediment layers.

Trusonic drilling enables the extraction of near in-situ core samples with exceptionally high recovery rates and minimal borehole deviation, making it ideally suited for geotechnical, hydrogeological, geothermal and environmental projects.

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Mechanism of Resonant Energy Transmission

In this context, resonant energy is defined as high-frequency vertical oscillations—up to 150 Hz—transmitted through precision-engineered drill steel. The TSi 150 Series SONIC Oscillator, the core component of the system, generates oscillatory forces of up to 50,000 pounds. These forces are transmitted through the elastic and geometric properties of the drill string, enabling the propagation of resonant sonic waves down to the drill bit.

The oscillation is coupled with rotary motion, allowing the bit to fluidize and displace surrounding material rather than pulverize it, thereby preserving core integrity and maintaining borehole stability.

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System Architecture

• Oscillator Unit: The TSi 150 Series SONIC Oscillator, referred to as the “Soul of Sonic,” is compatible with all Terra Sonic drill rigs. It delivers up to:
  • 150 Hz frequency
  • 50,000 lbs oscillatory force
  • 4,677 ft-lbs maximum torque
• Drill Rigs: Terra Sonic Drilling Rigs are purpose-built to optimize the performance of the TSi 150 Oscillator. Every rig is designed to precise tolerances and engineered by experienced drillers to handle the dynamic loading and vibration requirements of sonic drilling.
• Sonic Tooling: TSi SONIC tooling is engineered with an advanced thread profile and robust materials to efficiently transmit resonant energy from the oscillator to the drill bit. The tooling is optimized for durability, minimal energy loss, and maximum depth capability, exceeding performance benchmarks required for advanced sonic drilling applications.

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Advantages of Trusonic over Non-Sonic Methods

Feature	Trusonic	Conventional (Rotary/Percussive)
Energy Delivery	Resonant sonic energy (150 Hz)	Rotational or impact force
Sample Integrity	High — near in-situ	Moderate to low
Core Recovery	90–100%	Variable, often lower
Deviation Control	Sonic Straight (less than 1 degree of vertical deviation)	Poor in unconsolidated zones
Formation Suitability	Excels in soft, saturated, or mixed formations	Struggles in loose or collapsible strata

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Conclusion

Trusonic, built around the TSi 150 Series SONIC Oscillator and Terra Sonic rig integration, represents a state-of-the-art approach to subsurface investigation. By leveraging the principles of resonance and precision engineering, Trusonic delivers unmatched performance in core recovery, data clarity, and drilling efficiency—especially in the most demanding formations.