The Charles Machine Works, Inc.

Aleksander S Wolfe

Max Allen Metcalf

Pete Ramos

Joseph G Greenlee

Jarred R Callaway

Greg Lowell Slaughter, Jr

Rick G Porter

Kyle D James

A horizontal directional drilling machine having a modular pipe loader system. The system comprises a first and second pipe loader assembly supported on a drill frame. Each assembly supports a shuttle arm. The shuttle arms are configured to move independently of one another along a shuttle path that is traverse to a longitudinal axis of the drill frame. Movement of each shuttle arm is powered by an actuator supported on each pipe loader assembly. Each pipe loader assembly includes a sensor used to measure parameters related to the position of each shuttle arm relative to the drill frame. A controller analyzes the measured parameters and directs operation of each actuator in order to keep the shuttle arms moving in unison during operation.

Modular pipe loader assembly

A brake system for maintaining an angular position of a spindle assembly. A pump-powered motor drives rotation of a spindle on the machine. When no rotation is desired, the spindle will slow, then stop at a desired angular orientation. A rotational sensor will determine the clock position, and a controller compares that to a desired angular orientation. If an error tolerance is exceeded, the motor will rotate the spindle back to the desired orientation.

Virtual brake system

A method of handling pipe segments during makeup and breakout of a drill string. The method uses a hydraulic circuit, which provides fluid to a motor or motors for translating a drill pipe segment. The drill pipe segment is supported by a carriage, which places the segment next to a drill string for addition thereto. Hydraulic pressure within the circuit is monitored to determine if a pressure fluctuation exists. If so, the translation speed is adjusted by modifying the hydraulic fluid flow to the motors. Sensors may be utilized to determine whether or not the system is in a 'transition zone' and therefore ready for pressure monitoring for makeup and breakout functions.

Virtual assisted makeup

A method for building a dual-member drill string comprising an inner drill string and an outer drill string. Inner pipe sections are connected using non-threaded connections, while outer pipe sections are connected using threaded connections. A new inner pipe section is rotated in a first direction until the inner pipe section applies torque to the existing inner pipe string. If the magnitude of the torque applied to the inner pipe string exceeds a pre-determined threshold value, the inner pipe section is automatically rotated in an opposite second direction. The inner pipe section rotates between opposite directions, once torque is sensed in each direction, until the inner pipe section is coupled to the inner pipe string.

Torque-dependent oscillation of a dual-pipe inner section

Torque-dependent oscillation of a dual-pipe inner pipe section

A system for assuring that a rotation brake has engaged on a directional drilling machine. A pump-powered motor drives rotation of a spindle on the machine. The spindle is in turn attached to the above-ground end of a drill string. After the rotation brake is actuated, a controller causes the motor to transmit oppositely-directed rotational pulses to the spindle. If the brake is properly engaged, the pulses will produce spikes in pressure within the hydraulic circuit that powers the pump. When a pressure sensor detects such spikes, it signals the controller and confirms that the brake is engaged.

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Stillwater, OK, United States of America

Aleksander S Wolfe