The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 03, 2018
Filed:
Jul. 24, 2017
Vermeer Corporation, Pella, IA (US);
Philip R. Lane, Pella, IA (US);
Vermeer Corporation, Pella, IA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method automatically tally drill string rods for use with a drilling machine. The machine comprises a rack and a rotary drive configured for longitudinal displacement between first and second longitudinal positions. A sensor system is configured to monitor the machine to detect a clamping force applied to rotationally immobilize the drill string and to detect a break-out torque generated by the rotary drive, detect a first longitudinal position of the rotary drive whereat the break-out torque is generated, and detect a second longitudinal position of the rotary drive whereat a make-up torque is generated by the rotary drive. A controller is configured to prevent release of the clamping force until the make-up torque is detected, and automatically enable release of the clamping force after the make-up torque is detected and, concordantly, to update a drill rod tally only when the first and second longitudinal positions are different.