The Charles Machine Works, Inc.

Deere + Company

Richard Felix Sharp

Matthew Dock

Michael F Gard

Brian K Bailey

Floyd R Gunsaulis

Ryan Chilton

Adam R Hall

Michael Avitabile

Benjamin Hastings

David C Conner

David E Hall

Scott Bryan Cole

Kelvin P Self

Arun Prakash Jaganathan

Neven Simicevic

Brent G Stephenson

Dustin L Blessum

Kendall C Young

Jerry W Beckwith

H Stanley Mullins

F Loyd Sands

Wally E Shaffer

Damon C Webb

John Allan Skinner

Tony D Kukuk

Jason N MacDonald

Monika E B Salas

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 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 detection system used to alert an operator of a work machine of humans or objects dangerously close to the machine or a work tool attached to the machine. The detection system uses one or more cameras to capture images of an area surrounding the machine. The captured images are displayed on an interface electronically connected to a processor. Prior to operation, one or more zones surrounding the work tool or work machine are defined and projected on the images displayed on the interface. The processor analyzes the images captured by the cameras and determines if a characteristic of a predetermined object is within one or more of the identified zones. If the processor determines the characteristic of the predetermined object is within one of the zones, the processor will identify the object on the display and trigger a warning system to alert to the operator to take necessary precautions.

Object detection system and method

A beacon assembly located at a downhole end of a drill string proximate a boring tool. The beacon assembly transmits data to an above-ground receiver. The beacon has a housing with a housing wall located between its sensors, such as gradiometers, accelerometers, and other orientation sensors, and an antenna assembly. The antenna assembly has a protective covering made of electromagnetically transparent material.

External hollow antenna

A modular compaction boring device. The boring device comprises a compaction boring head which creates a borehole through a subsurface by operation of a thruster and a rear and forward anchor. Extension of the thruster while the rear anchors are engaged move the boring head forward. Retraction of the thruster while the forward anchors are engaged brings the rear anchors forward for an addition stroke. A steering geometry in the boring head and rotation of the boring head allow steering of the boring device. Steering, thrust, and anchors may be controlled remotely through an umbilical cable pulled through the borehole by the boring device.

Modular compaction boring machine system

A dual pipe drill string system having increased fluid flow. The dual pipe system comprises a plurality of pipe sections, each pipe section having an inner rod and an outer pipe. The inner rod and the outer pipe of each pipe section may be coupled to the inner rod and outer pipe of an adjacent pipe section. An annulus between the inner rod and the outer pipe defines a fluid flow path through the dual pipe system. The outer pipe defines a shoulder at each end of an individual pipe section. The inner rod defines at least one stop for maintaining the inner rod within the outer pipe. A spacing assembly disposed around the circumference of the inner rod defines paths for fluid flow and maintains a minimum distance between the stop and the shoulder at one end of outer pipe of the pipe section.

Dual pipe for increased fluid flow

A rotating inner member is used to drive a downhole tool housed within the hollow outer member of a dual-member drill string. The downhole tool preferably will be adapted to receive rotational energy from the inner member. In a preferred embodiment, the downhole tool is an electric generator connected to a downhole electric device. In another preferred embodiment the downhole tool is a mechanical transmission that uses the rotational energy from the inner member to drive a non-electric tool, such as a downhole hammer. This invention will increase the consistency and efficiency of downhole energy production.

Using a rotating inner member to drive a tool in a hollow outer member

A rotating inner member is used to drive operation of a retrieval tool connected to a dual-member drill string. The retrieval tool preferably has a gripping assembly adapted to receive rotational energy from the inner member. In a preferred embodiment, an electric actuator assembly operates the gripping assembly of the retrieval tool. In another preferred embodiment, the gripping assembly of the retrieval tool is mechanically operated by a screw driven cam assembly. In yet another embodiment, the retrieval tool is adapted to grip both the inside and outside of the object to be retrieved.

Rotary driven retrieval tool for horizontal directional drilling operations

A percussive tool adapted to receive rotational energy from the inner member of a dual-member drill string. In a preferred embodiment the percussive tool has a hydraulic pump, driven by a drive member, to operate the hammer assembly. In another preferred embodiment the percussive tool has a rotary-driven cam assembly adapted to mechanically operate the hammer assembly. This invention provides increased control and efficiency for the use of percussive force in horizontal directional drilling operations.

Rotary driven drilling hammer

A control device and method for opening and closing the nozzle of a fuel injector. The control device includes first and second cavities which are formed in the body of the fuel injector, with the second cavity being located close to the nozzle. First and second variable pressure supply chambers are connected to the nozzle and to the two cavities by several fluid passages. A spool valve and a needle valve are positioned in the first and second cavities, respectively, with the spool valve abutting a stem which projects into and terminating in the second cavity. Also situated in the second cavity between the stem and the needle valve is a spring which forms a link therebetween. The spool valve is pressure-actuated by a difference of pressure in the first and second pressure chambers to move between an open and a closed position. In the open position, fluid flow from one of the pressure chambers is permitted through the spool valve and to the second cavity. As the fluid pressure in the second cavity increases to a value greater than the compressive force of the spring, the needle valve will open and allow fluid flow through the nozzle of the fuel injector. As the spool valve moves to its closed position, it compresses the spring further and then urges the needle valve to close. The needle valve closes prior to a drop in fluid pressure in the second cavity.

Growing community of inventors

Perry, OK, United States of America

Richard Felix Sharp