Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Brian John Bischel

James Richard Rankin

Gregg Alan Austin

Kevin L Alft

Hans Kelpe

Mark Robert Stelter

Randy Ray Runquist

Scott Alan Rempe

Mark Van Houwelingen

Peter C Rozendaal

Trail Price

Steven C Erickson

Duane E Norby

Mark Van Howelingen

Michael Lee McGriff

A control system for a drilling machine is disclosed. The drilling machine includes a rod driver for driving a string of rods into the ground, and for removing the string of rods from the ground. The drilling machine also includes a magazine for storing rods near the rod driver. A rod transfer mechanism moves rods between the magazine and the rod driver. Vices are used to make and break joints between the rods of the drill string. The control system includes joysticks equipped with switches for controlling operational sequences of the vices and the rod transfer mechanism.

Method and apparatus for attaching/detaching drill rod

Systems and methods for sensing at an underground drilling device in communication with an above-ground locator involve transmitting a radar probe signal from the underground drilling device. A radar return signal is received at the underground drilling device. The radar return signal is processed at the underground drilling device to produce sensor data. The sensor data is transmitted in a form suitable for reception by the above-ground locator.

Underground drilling device and method employing down-hole radar

A lubrication system and method for dispensing a lubricant to threads of a drill rod and/or a spindle of a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine during a rod loading or unloading operation employs a pumping system having a lubricant reservoir, a pump, an applicator, and a lubricant supply conduit coupled between the pump and applicator. A heating unit is coupled to the pumping station and heats lubricant contained within the pumping system. A control unit coupled to the pumping system activates the pumping system to dispense a volume of lubricant from the applicator to the threads of the drill rod and/or spindle in response to an operator signal or an HDD machine control signal. A lubricant may be sprayed onto the spindle/drill rod threads. Alternatively, the lubricant may be communicated through a passageway defined within the spindle to one or more apertures defined within the threads of the spindle and/or the drill rod. The rate of lubrication application is preferably proportional to a rate of spindle rotation.

Automated lubricant dispensing system and method for a horizontal directional drilling machine

An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at a selected rotation rate to optimize excavation productivity. The controller may also monitor the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjust the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool.

Apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine

A horizontal directional drilling machine for generating a bore with a drill string. The machine includes a frame defining a thrust axis. A rotational drive head for rotating the drill string is mounted on the frame. A thrust mechanism is provided for moving the rotational drive head in a first direction along the thrust axis to push the drill string into the ground, and a second direction along the thrust axis to pull the drill string from the ground. The horizontal directional drilling machine also includes an anchoring arrangement connected to the frame. In one embodiment, the anchoring arrangement includes a stake-down unit that is pivotally movable about a pivot axis that is generally transversely oriented relative to the thrust axis. The stake-down unit includes a power auger, and a stake-down actuator for moving the power auger toward and away from the ground. The anchoring arrangement also includes a tilt actuator for pivoting the stake-down unit about the pivot axis. In another embodiment, the anchoring arrangement can include a stake-down unit as described above that is laterally adjustable relative to the thrust axis.

Anchoring system for a directional drilling machine and methods of use

A system, apparatus and method for automatically limiting the thrust force applied to a drill string during an underground boring process, in order to prevent the deformation or collapse to the drill rods due to reaching the yield point of the rods. One or more drill string characteristics that have an impact on the yield point of the drill string, or portions of the drill string, are determined. The yield point of the drill string or portion is computed, where the yield point is computed as a function of the drill string characteristics. The thrust force imparted to the drill string is adjusted in response to the computed yield point.

Directional drilling machine and method of directional drilling

Systems and methods for controlling an underground boring tool involve rotating the boring tool and sensing a parameter of boring tool rotation. The boring tool is also displaced along an underground path and a parameter of boring tool displacement is sensed. Various sensors monitor boring machine activities, boring tool location, orientation, and environmental condition, and geophysical and/or geologic condition of the soil/rock at the excavation site. Data acquired by these sensors is processed by a boring machine controller to provide closed-loop, real-time control of a boring operation. The controller receives the boring tool signal and other sensor signals in real-time and, in response, transmits control signals to each of the rotation and displacement units substantially in real-time so as to control one or both of a rate and a direction of boring tool movement along the underground path.

Excavation system and method employing adjustable down-hole steering and above-ground tracking

An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated at a-selected rate of rotation. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system concurrently modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at the selected rotation rate. The controller monitors the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjusts the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool. Sensors are provided to sense pressure levels in the rotation, displacement, and liquid dispensing pumps and an electronic controller continuously monitors the levels detected by the sensors. When the controller detects a rise in rotation pump pressure above an unacceptable level, the controller disengages the boring tool by reducing the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path, while maintaining rotation of the boring tool at a pre-selected rate. Such disengagement reduces the load on the rotation pump and allows the pressures to recover to an acceptable level. The controller re-engages the boring tool after detecting that the rotation pump pressure has fallen below a set level.

An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated at a selected rate of rotation. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system concurrently modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at the selected rotation rate. The controller monitors the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjusts the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool. Sensors are provided to sense pressure levels in the rotation, displacement, and liquid dispensing pumps and an electronic controller continuously monitors the levels detected by the sensors. When the controller detects a rise in rotation pump pressure above an unacceptable level, the controller disengages the boring tool by reducing the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path, while maintaining rotation of the boring tool at a pre-selected rate. Such disengagement reduces the load on the rotation pump and allows the pressures to recover to an acceptable level. The controller re-engages the boring tool after detecting that the rotation pump pressure has fallen below a set level.

Growing community of inventors

Hartland, WI, United States of America

Brian John Bischel