The Charles Machine Works, Inc.

Other

Kelvin P Self

Floyd R Gunsaulis

Gerald A Stangl

David R Payne

Scott Bryan Cole

Brian K Bailey

Nathan E Kiner

H Stanley Mullins

Cody L Sewell

David A Rorabaugh

J Kevin Wilda

Michael F Gard

Richard Felix Sharp

Dirk A Wilson

Brent G Stephenson

Jerry W Beckwith

Bradley E Mitchell

Donald J Keating

Joel B Edwards

A method and apparatus for installing a monitoring cable or other utility near an existing pipeline. An electromagnetic signal may be induced on the pipeline, either directly, or by transmitting a signal from a vehicle carrying a sensor array. The sensors disposed on the vehicle communicate with a processor to determine a distance and orientation of the vehicle relative to the pipeline. The signal may be electromagnetic, acoustic, capacitive, or the like. A plow or other digging tool may be on the vehicle or a secondary vehicle. Such a digging tool opens a trench and installs the cable along a path disposed next to the pipeline within an acceptable distance range from the pipeline. The vehicle may be remotely or automatically operated.

Pipeline following sensor arrangement

A system and method for controlling a work machine system having a work machine and work tool. Operational characteristics of both the work machine and work tool are configured by a machine controller based upon the type of work tool attached to the work machine, the operating environment of the work machine, and the location of work site personnel or other observers relative to the machine or work tool. The operational characteristics of both the work machine and work tool may then be automatically altered during operation of the work machine system to limit or expand functions of the work machine system in response to changes in the operational environment or movement of personnel or observers relative to the work machine system.

Determination of remote control operator position

A system for controlling a tool carrier and work tool from either a first remote control or a second remote control. The first remote control and the second remote control both transmit respective first and second control signals to a controller system supported on the tool carrier. The controller system is programmed to select either the first control signal or the second control signal to control operation of the tool carrier. The system may include programming to allow autonomous movement of the tool carrier between a first work zone and a second work zone. Further, the controller system may be programmed to avoid obstacles within its path and to reroute its path between the first work zone and the second work zone to avoid such obstacles.

Remote control machine with partial or total autonomous control

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.

System and method for tracking and maintaining an on-grade horizontal borehole

System for tracking and maintaining on on-grade horizontal borehole

A system for controlling a work machine and work tool from a remote controller. The remote controller sends a control signal to a receiver assembly and machine controller. The machine controller processes the control signal to determine the location of the remote controller relative to the receiver assembly and to alter operational characteristics of the machine or work tool based on the control signal or the location of the remote controller relative to the receiver assembly. The system may include a tag system to detect the presence of workers at the jobsite and to alter operation of the machine and work tool based upon the location of the workers relative to the machine or work tool. In another embodiment, a signal may be transmitted from the work machine and detected by a remote receiver assembly. A processor uses the detected signal to determine the position of the remote receiver assembly relative to the work machine.

A horizontal directional drilling system is used to drive operation of a guidable reamer assembly connected to a drill string. The guidable reamer assembly preferably has a cutting member with a central longitudinal axis and a support member also having a central longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axes of the cutting member and the support member are collinear when the reamer assembly is in the non-steering position and laterally displaced when in the steering position. The assembly and method of this invention provide for increased control of reaming operations and product pipe placement.

Directional reaming system

System for tracking and maintaining an on-grade horizontal borehole

A system for boring horizontal boreholes and installing products using a dual member drill string. The system is comprised of a boring machine with a frame and a rotary drive supported on the frame, a downhole tool, and a dual member drill string. The drill string comprises an inner member disposed within a tubular outer member such that the inner member is rotatable independent of the outer member. The outer member has at least one helical projection supported on an exterior surface of the outer member. The projections on the outer member function as an auger to clear spoils and support the bore. The auger arrangement with the dual member drill string can be used in forward reaming or backreaming operations.

Dual-member auger boring system

A system for monitoring the position and orientation of a downhole tool assembly having multiple beacons. In a preferred embodiment the first and second beacons are supported by the downhole tool assembly. Both beacons are adapted to transmit signals that are indicative of the orientation and position of the downhole tool assembly. A receiving assembly detects the signals transmitted from the first and second beacons. The receiving assembly transmits the detected signals to a processor that processes the signals to produce a composite of the relative positions and orientations of the receiving assembly and the downhole tool assembly. The composite of the relative positions of the receiving assembly and the downhole tool assembly are communicated to the operator using a display. The orientations of the first and second beacons are also communicated to the operator using the display.

System and method for locating and tracking a boring tool

An apparatus for bursting pipe is preferably adapted to receive rotational energy from the inner member of a dual-member drill string. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of pipe-bursting members, driven by the interconnected inner members, cut or burst a subterranean pipe. In another preferred embodiment, a plurality of screw drives move the pipe-bursting members between an expanded position and a retracted position in response to rotation of the interconnected inner members.

Rotary driven pipe-bursting tool

A coupling assembly to interconnect an inner member and an outer member of a dual member drill string in torque transmitting engagement is disclosed. The coupling assembly is adapted to transmit torque input from both members to a downhole tool. In one embodiment, the coupling assembly comprises a connector sub that fixedly and non-fixedly couples both members. In another embodiment, the coupling assembly comprises a clutch mechanism to interconnect both members when the rotational speed of the outer member exceeds the rotational speed of the inner member. In another embodiment, the coupling assembly comprises a mechanism to couple both members by axial downhole movement of the inner member relative to the outer member. In another embodiment, the coupling assembly comprises a planetary gear system that interconnects both members to provide high torque to the downhole tool at relatively low output speed of the dual member drill string.

Growing community of inventors

Stillwater, OK, United States of America

Kelvin P Self