Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Other

Matthew Arlen Mills

Gregg Alan Austin

Stuart Ronald Harrison

Keith Allen Hoelting

Steven C Erickson

Andis Normunds Salins

Robert Hoch Shuman, V

Tod Michael

Matthew Stephen Vos

Douglas Eugene See, Jr

Jeffrey James Utter

Melvin Nguyen

Stuart Harrison

Tod Jason Michael

Robert Hoch Shuman V

A drill rod is disclosed. The drill rod includes a casing assembly defining a length that extends axially between a first end and an opposite second end of the drill rod, and a drive shaft rotatably mounted within the casing assembly. The drive shaft extends axially along the drill rod generally from the first end of the casing assembly to the second end of the casing assembly. The drill rod also includes latching pins at the first end of the drill rod and latching pin receivers at the second end of the drill rod. The drill rod further includes latches provided adjacent the latching pin receivers. The latches are movable between latching and non-latching positions. The latches move along an orientation of movement then the latches between the latching and non-latching positions. The drill rod may also include biasing structures that apply retention forces to the latches for retaining the latches in the non-latching position. The retention forces have at least components that extend in directions perpendicular to the orientation of movement of the latches. The drill rod may further include cam arms for moving the latches into a latching position and for retaining the latches in a latching position.

Latching configuration for a microtunneling apparatus

The present disclosure relates to a tunneling apparatus including a drill head having a main body and a drive stem rotatably mounted within the main body. The main body defines a vacuum passage offset from the drive stem that extends through the main body from a proximal end to a distal end of the main body. The tunneling apparatus also includes an axial bearing structure for transferring axial load between the drive stem and the main body of the drill head. The axial bearing structure is proximally offset from the distal end of the main body of the drill head. The tunneling apparatus further includes a first radial bearing structure for transferring radial load between the drive stem and the main body of the drill head. The first radial bearing structure is positioned between the axial bearing structure and the distal end of the main body of the drill head and is distally offset from the axial bearing structure.

Drill head for a tunneling apparatus

The present disclosure relates to a tunneling apparatus including a pipe string having a distal end and a proximal end. The pipe string includes a plurality of pipe-sections connected end-to end. The pipe string also includes a cutting head coupled to a distal-most one of the pipe-sections. The pipe string defines a vacuum passage that extends through the pipe string from the proximal end to the distal end of the pipe string. A source of vacuum is in fluid communication with the vacuum passage for drawing cuttings through the vacuum passage. A blockage sensor can be used for sensing whether a precursor blockage condition exists within the vacuum passage. A source of air pressure can be used to force air distally through the pipe string to assist in moving cuttings proximally through the vacuum passage.

Tunneling apparatus including vacuum and method of use

Provided is a thermal device for applying thermal energy to the body of a person, animal, or other surface including segmented organic filler. The device may have the general appearance of a child's toy or other configuration.

Thermal device and method

Provided is a thermal device for applying thermal energy to the body of a person, animal, or other surface including segmented organic filler.

Thermal device

The apparatus, system and method is capable of providing power from a directional or vertical drilling apparatus at an origin above the ground to an electronic device located in a drill head of the directional or vertical drilling apparatus located below the ground. The apparatus, system and method is also capable of providing an electrical signal from below ground back to the origin, above ground, from the electronic device. Accordingly, the mechanism for feeding electrical power down a hole to the electronic device located in the drill head and transmitting a signal back to the origin, greatly enhances the drilling process making it faster, more reliable and more efficient.

Apparatus and method for providing electrical transmission of power and signals in a directional drilling apparatus

Bear thermal device

A drilling apparatus including a magazine for holding a plurality of pipes, and a drive head is disclosed herein. The drive head includes a drive member adapted to be coupled to a pipe. The drive member is aligned along a drive axis. The drilling apparatus includes a first drive mechanism for rotating the drive member about the drive axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the drive member axially along the drive axis. The drilling apparatus also includes a pipe transfer member for transferring pipes between the magazine and the drive head. The pipe transfer member defines a pipe receiving region for receiving a pipe. The pipe transfer member is movable between a first orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located under to the magazine, and a second orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located under the drive axis of the drive head.

Pipe loading device for a directional drilling apparatus

A drilling apparatus including a magazine for holding a plurality of pipes, and a drive head is disclosed herein. The drive head includes a drive member adapted to be coupled to a pipe. The drive member is aligned along a drive axis. The drilling apparatus includes a first drive mechanism for rotating the drive member about the drive axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the drive member axially along the drive axis. The drilling apparatus also includes a pipe transfer member for transferring pipes between the magazine and the drive head. The pipe transfer member defines a pipe receiving region for receiving a pipe. The pipe transfer member is movable between a first orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located under the magazine, and a second orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located adjacent to the drive axis of the drive head. The drilling apparatus further includes a pipe retainer that moves to a retaining position only when the pipe receiving region is located under the magazine.

A magazine for holding a plurality of pipes, and a drive head including a drive member adapted to be coupled to a pipe. The drive member is aligned along a drive axis. The drilling apparatus includes a first drive mechanism for rotating the drive member about the drive axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the drive member axially along the drive axis. The drilling apparatus also includes a pipe transfer member for transferring pipes between the magazine and the drive head. The pipe transfer member defines a pipe receiving region for receiving a pipe. The pipe transfer member is movable between a first orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located adjacent to the magazine, and a second orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located adjacent to the drive axis of the drive head. The drilling apparatus further includes a magnet for magnetically attracting a pipe received at the pipe receiving region of the pipe transfer member at least when the pipe member is in the second orientation. The magnet is adapted to magnetically hold the pipe in coaxial alignment with the drive axis while the drive member of the drive head is being coupled to the pipe or uncoupled from the pipe.

Growing community of inventors

Pella, IA, United States of America

Matthew Arlen Mills