The Charles Machine Works, Inc.

The Charles Works, Inc.

Floyd R Gunsaulis

Kelvin P Self

Scott Bryan Cole

Gerald A Stangl

David R Payne

Greg Lowell Slaughter, Jr

Brian K Bailey

Max Allen Metcalf

H Stanley Mullins

Michael F Gard

Richard Felix Sharp

Jerry W Beckwith

Michael R Campbell

Kody D Mason

David E Hall

Matthew Dock

Arun Prakash Jaganathan

Neven Simicevic

Brent G Stephenson

Michael L Anderson

A method for converting material within a vacuum tank that contains a mixture of liquid and solid material into a solidified batch of material. The method utilizes various devices to measure different features and properties of the tank and its contents to determine an amount of drying agent to be added to the tank. The method further utilizes various devices and methods for adding the drying agent to the tank and mixing the drying agent with the material within the tank. The method described herein may be completed automatically in response to human input on a handheld display device.

Batch processing of material collected by a vacuum excavation unit

A pipe assembly has a hollow inner member nested within a hollow outer member. A series of pipe assemblies are connected end-to-end to form a dual-member drill string useful in horizontal directional drilling operations. The drill string has mutually exclusive first and second fluid paths. Fluid seals, interposed between adjacent inner members of the string, isolate the first fluid path from the second fluid path. Compressed air is delivered into the first fluid path from above ground level, and routed to an underground boring tool. The expelled air and spoils are returned to above ground level by way of the second fluid path. One or more baffle elements are supported on the drill string adjacent the boring tool. The baffle elements are configured to prevent compressed air and spoils from flowing between the walls of the borehole and the drill string.

Horizontal directional drill string having dual fluid paths

A check valve assembly disposed within a pipe joint. The valve assembly is bounded by a pin end on one side and a liner tube on the other. In a first flow condition, a ball is forced away from the pin end and toward a stop member. The stop member has a geometry to allow fluid flow around the ball and through passageways within the stop when in the first flow condition. In a second flow condition, opposite the first flow condition, the ball is forced toward a tapered seat on the pin end, restricting fluid flow in the second flow condition.

Drill pipe with internal flow check valve

A crossbore detection system. The system is located in a downhole tool proximate a drill bit. The system comprises circuitry sensitive to a subsurface environment and a sensor that detects changes in the circuitry. The sensor detects changes in the circuitry that indicates that the drill bit has struck an underground pipe. The sensor may detect a series of electromagnetic signals indicative of the strike or may detect changes to an impedance bridge at a capacitive sensor.

Horizontal directional drilling crossbore detector

A telemetry pipe system used to transmit a beacon signal through a drill string. The system comprises a plurality of pipe sections joined end-to-end to form the drill string, each pipe section having an inner tube made from a conductive material. The system further comprises a plurality of connectors. Each connector is installed within a pipe joint formed between adjoining pipe sections. The connector comprises an elongate spine and a bristle assembly supported on each end of the spine. The spine and bristle assemblies are each made of a conductive material. The spine extends between adjacent pipe sections within the pipe joint such that each bristle assembly is conductively engaged with adjacent inner tubes. The inner tubes and connectors form a conductive path within the drill string for transmitting the beacon signal through the drill string.

Telemetry pipe system

A spindle assembly for connecting a drill string to a rotational drive for use in a horizontal directional drilling operation. The assembly comprises a saver sub attached to the rotational drive, and a drive chuck for connection to the drill string. The drive chuck and saver sub form a torque-transmitting connection by engaging through a seat in the saver sub and an engagement point on the drive chuck. Dowel pins may be used to rotationally lock and provide the engagement between the saver sub and the drive chuck. A collar may thread to the saver sub and cause an interference fit by engaging the drive chuck at a shoulder.

Horizontal directional drill pipe drive connection with locking feature

A reamer for use in underground drilling back-reaming operations. The reamer comprises a body comprising a plurality of pockets. The pockets are configured such that an arm, a rolling cutter, and a retainer may fit within each of the pockets. Each of the rolling cutters is connected to each of the arms via a spindle. The rolling cutters are held on the spindle and connected to each of the pockets via a retainer. Each of the arms is secured to each of the pockets via a plurality of fasteners. A mechanical lock is used to secure at least one of the fasteners in place. Each of the arms comprises a grease passage and a pressure compensation system. The rolling cutters are replaceable with rolling cutters of like size or rolling cutters of different sizes and shapes.

Reamer with replaceable rolling cutters

A reamer for use in horizontal directional drilling back-reaming operations. The reamer comprises an elongate body having an intermediate section, a first end, and a second end. The circumference of the intermediate section is larger than the circumference of the first end and the second end. A pocket or a plurality of pockets are formed on the intermediate section. The pockets are configured such that a cutter or a plurality of cutters may be secured within the pockets via the use of fasteners. The cutters are replaceable with cutters of like size or cutters of different sizes and shapes.

Reamer with replaceable cutters

A reamer for use in underground drilling back-reaming operations. The reamer comprises a body comprising a plurality of pockets. The pockets are configured such that an arm, a rolling cutter, and a retainer may fit within each of the pockets. Each of the rolling cutters is connected to each of the arms via a spindle. The rolling cutters are held on the spindle and connected to each of the pockets via a retainer. Each of the arms are secured to each of the pockets via a plurality of fasteners. A mechanical lock is used to secure at least one of the fasteners in place. Each of the arms comprise a grease passage and a pressure compensation system. The rolling cutters are replaceable with rolling cutters of like size or rolling cutters of different sizes and shapes.

A method and system for identifying a location of a magnetic field source. A total magnetic field is measured during a calibration routine prior to a drilling procedure. During the drilling procedure, a magnetic field measurement is obtained. Using the measured magnetic field and the calibrated field, a set of possible angles and distances is calculated. After the source is advanced a known distance, a second magnetic field measurement is obtained. A second set of possible angles and distances is calculated. The relative location of the source is then determined using the first set and second set of values, along with the known distance and a pitch angle of the source.

Determining beacon location using magnetic field shape measurements

A tracking receiver system is used to track the progress of a downhole tool along a subsurface path having a desired grade. The tracking receiver system is adapted to detect a reference line originating from a reference line receiver and to determine the position of the downhole tool along a desired subsurface path relative to the reference line. In an alternative embodiment the tracking receiver system may comprise a global positioning satellite system to provide information used to determine the position of the downhole tool relative to the desired subsurface path.

Growing community of inventors

Perry, OK, United States of America

Floyd R Gunsaulis