Patent ID: 7037040

Claim:
A method for the placement of subterranean electrodes, comprising: providing an earth engaging drill which has a first end, and an opposite second end, and which further defines a centrally disposed bore which extends between the first and second ends; providing an earth engaging drill bit which is releasably mounted on the second end of the earth engaging drill; drilling a bore hole in the earth by bringing the earth engaging drill bit into contact with the surface of the earth and rotating the earth engaging drill and drill bit in a first direction to form the bore hole in the earth; positioning a first electrode in the centrally disposed bore of the earth engaging drill; detaching the earth engaging drill bit from the second end of the earth engaging drill, before, or while simultaneously delivering the first electrode into the bore hole; removing the earth engaging drill from the bore hole by rotating the earth engaging drill in a second direction; positioning a second electrode in a subterranean location which is located in spaced relation relative to the first electrode; providing an electrically conductive slurry; providing an overland vehicle; providing a trenching bar borne by the overland vehicle and which, when rendered operable, forms a trench in the surface of the earth, and wherein the trenching bar has a first end mounted on the overland vehicle and an opposite second earth engaging end; forming a trench between the first and second electrodes by moving the overland vehicle between the first and second electrodes; coupling the electrically conductive slurry in fluid flowing relation relative to the second end of the trenching bar; and delivering the electrically conductive slurry to the second end of the trenching bar to form a subterranean electrically conductive pathway between the first and second electrodes as the trenching bar forms the trench.