Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Fred G Delonti

Kevin L Alft

Christopher Dean Rettig

Paul A Cartwright

Ivan Ray Brand

Gregg Alan Austin

Systems provide for electronic development of a bore plan for use in connection with an underground boring machine. Electronically developing a bore plan involves providing topographical information representative of topography of the bore site and providing bore path information representative of an intended bore path for the bore site. The bore path information includes at least two target points through which the intended bore path is to pass. The intended bore path can define a pilot bore path or a backream path. The target points comprise an entry point and an exit point, and each of the target points is defined by at least a distance value, lateral value, and a depth value.

Automated bore planning system for horizontal directional drilling

A system and method provide for electronic development of a bore plan for use in connection with an underground boring machine. Electronically developing a bore plan involves providing topographical information representative of topography of the bore site and providing bore path information representative of an intended bore path for the bore site. The bore path information includes at least two target points through which the intended bore path is to pass. The intended bore path can define a pilot bore path or a backream path. The target points comprise an entry point and an exit point, and each of the target points is defined by at least a distance value, lateral value, and a depth value.

Automated bore planning method and apparatus for horizontal directional drilling

A system and method provide for electronic development of a bore plan for use in connection with an underground boring machine. Electronically developing a bore plan involves receiving bore path plan information representative of an intended bore path at the bore site, which may include topographical and utility related information. A pre-established bore plan is generated using the received bore path plan information. Actual bore path information is acquired indicative of an actual bore path produced by the boring machine. A modified bore plan is generated using the actual bore path information and at least some of the bore path plan information. The modified bore plan comprises data representative of a modified bore path that minimizes a deviation in alignment between the actual bore path and the intended bore path. Selected bore plan data can be displayed in both textual and graphical forms.

Systems and methods for remotely altering operation of a horizontal directional drilling machine provide for remotely disabling movement of a drill string coupled to a cutting head or reamer and, in addition, disabling dispensing of fluid, foam and/or air communicated through the drill string. A lockout signal is transmitted from a portable or hand-manipulatable remote unit operated by an operator remotely situated with respect to the drilling machine. The lockout signal is received at the drilling machine. In response to the received lockout signal, a controller of the drilling machine prevents movement of the drill string and thus the cutting head or reamer. The controller also disables dispensing of fluid, foam and/or air through the drill string in response to the received lockout signal. The controller effects transmission of a verification signal from the drilling machine to the remote location. The verification signal indicates successful receipt of the lockout signal by the drilling machine, disablement of drill string movement and, if applicable, disablement of fluid, foam and/or air supply through the drill string. The remote unit, in response to the verification signal received from the drilling machine, communicates to a user of the remote unit one or more of a visual, audible, and/or tactile indication that the verification signal has been received, thus providing unambiguous assurance to operators working on or proximate the drill string/cutting head that all drill string/cutting head movement and fluid dispensed through the drill string has been successfully disabled.

Remote lock-out system and method for a horizontal direction drilling system

A system, method, and computer-readable media provide for electronic development of a bore plan for use in connection with an underground boring machine. Electronically developing a bore plan involves receiving topographical information representative of topography of the bore site, receiving utility information representative of one or more utilities situated at the bore site, and receiving bore path information representative of an intended bore path at the bore site. A bore plan data is generated using the received topographic, utility, and bore path information. The bore plan data includes data representative of an intended bore defined along the intended bore path and with respect to the representative topography at the bore site. The topographical en information representative of the bore site topography may be received as two-dimensional data or three-dimensional data. A user-interface permits user alteration of one or more of topographic data, utility data, bore path data, and other bore plan data. A user may also alter the graphical representations of a selected utility, topographic or bore path element. Data corresponding to the selected utility, topographic or bore path element may be displayed while graphically altering the B graphical representation of the selected utility, topographic or bore path element. A selected bore plan report or graph, a minimum ground cover report or graph, a sonde information report or graph, or a warnings/errors report or graph may be displayed or otherwise produced.

Growing community of inventors

Asheville, NC, United States of America

Fred G Delonti