The Charles Machine Works, Inc.

Ramos, Pete

Pete Ramos

Aleksander S Wolfe

David Paul Thimm

Rick G Porter

Josiah LaColla

Cole J Rush

Clinton T Cosgrove

Seth T Matthesen

Max Allen Metcalf

Grey Parker

Joseph G Greenlee

Dirk A Wilson

A horizontal directional drilling machine having a modular pipe loader system. The system comprises a first and second pipe loader assembly supported on a drill frame. Each assembly supports a shuttle arm. The shuttle arms are configured to move independently of one another along a shuttle path that is traverse to a longitudinal axis of the drill frame. Movement of each shuttle arm is powered by an actuator supported on each pipe loader assembly. Each pipe loader assembly includes a sensor used to measure parameters related to the position of each shuttle arm relative to the drill frame. A controller analyzes the measured parameters and directs operation of each actuator in order to keep the shuttle arms moving in unison during operation.

Modular pipe loader assembly

A method of handling pipe segments during makeup and breakout of a drill string. The method uses a hydraulic circuit, which provides fluid to a motor or motors for translating a drill pipe segment. The drill pipe segment is supported by a carriage, which places the segment next to a drill string for addition thereto. Hydraulic pressure within the circuit is monitored to determine if a pressure fluctuation exists. If so, the translation speed is adjusted by modifying the hydraulic fluid flow to the motors. Sensors may be utilized to determine whether or not the system is in a 'transition zone' and therefore ready for pressure monitoring for makeup and breakout functions.

Virtual assisted makeup

A slide cartridge having a base member and a channel defined by a pair of opposed walls. The walls extend from the base member and are configured to partially cover the rail of a horizontal directional drilling machine. The slide cartridge is supported on a carriage that is movable between the front and back of the drilling machine along the rail. The cartridge is positioned to engage the rail and to support the carriage for sliding movement along the rail.

Slide cartridge

A system for assuring that a rotation brake has engaged on a directional drilling machine. A pump-powered motor drives rotation of a spindle on the machine. The spindle is in turn attached to the above-ground end of a drill string. After the rotation brake is actuated, a controller causes the motor to transmit oppositely-directed rotational pulses to the spindle. If the brake is properly engaged, the pulses will produce spikes in pressure within the hydraulic circuit that powers the pump. When a pressure sensor detects such spikes, it signals the controller and confirms that the brake is engaged.

Spindle brake logic

Horizontal directional drill

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Enid, OK, United States of America

Pete Ramos