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:
May. 14, 2013
Filed:
Feb. 11, 2010
Stuart Harrison, Clyde, AU;
Andis Normunds Salins, Footscray, AU;
Matthew Arlen Mills, Pella, IA (US);
Melvin Nguyen, Pella, IA (US);
Stuart Harrison, Clyde, AU;
Andis Normunds Salins, Footscray, AU;
Matthew Arlen Mills, Pella, IA (US);
Melvin Nguyen, Pella, IA (US);
Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Pella, IA (US);
Abstract
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.