Virtual brake system
AssigneeThe Charles Machine Works, Inc.
InventorsJoseph G. Greenlee, Aleksander S. Wolfe, Jarred R. Callaway, Max A. Metcalf
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A brake system for maintaining an angular position of a spindle assembly. A pump-powered motor drives rotation of a spindle on the machine. When no rotation is desired, the spindle will slow, then stop at a desired angular orientation. A rotational sensor will determine the clock position, and a controller compares that to a desired angular orientation. If an error tolerance is exceeded, the motor will rotate the spindle back to the desired orientation.
Claims14
A method comprising:
- using a rotating spindle to drive rotation of a drill string;
- selecting a desired spindle orientation;
- rotating the spindle to the desired spindle orientation;
- advancing the drill string;
- monitoring the spindle position while advancing the drill string;
- and
- rotating the spindle to maintain the desired spindle orientation while advancing the drill string.
A method of using a system comprising:
- a spindle assembly;
- a motor for rotating the spindle assembly;
- a sensor for determining a clock position of the spindle assembly;
- and
- a controller having a virtual brake condition, in which the controller receives signals indicative of the clock position from the sensor, compares the clock position to a desired orientation, and actuates the motor to rotate the spindle assembly to the desired orientation;
- the method comprising:
- using the spindle assembly to drive rotation of a drill string;
- selecting a desired spindle assembly orientation;
- rotating the spindle to the desired spindle orientation;
- monitoring the spindle position while advancing the drill string;
- and
- rotating the spindle to maintain the desired spindle orientation while advancing the drill string.
A method for drilling using a drilling system, the drilling system comprising:
- a drill string comprising a plurality of drill pipe sections having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to a downhole tool and the second end is operably connected to a horizontal directional drill comprising:
- a machine frame;
- a carriage movable along a length of the machine frame;
- and
- an assembly comprising:
- a spindle assembly;
- a motor for rotating the spindle assembly;
- a sensor for determining a clock position of the spindle assembly;
- and
- a controller having a virtual brake condition, in which the controller receives signals indicative of the clock position from the sensor;
- the method comprising:
- rotating the drill string with the spindle and advancing the drill string with the carriage;
- selecting a desired orientation of the spindle;
- stopping the spindle at the desired orientation;
- advancing the drill string without rotation;
- monitoring a clock position of the spindle;
- and
- rotating the spindle to the desired orientation when the difference between the clock position and the desired orientation exceeds an error tolerance.
A system comprising:
- a spindle assembly;
- a motor for rotating the spindle assembly;
- a sensor for determining a clock position of the spindle assembly;
- and
- a controller having a virtual brake condition, in which the controller receives signals indicative of the clock position from the sensor, compares the clock position to a desired orientation, and actuates the motor to rotate the spindle assembly to the desired orientation;
- and
- a rotation brake movable between an engaged and a disengaged position, in which the rotation brake physically prevents rotation of the spindle when in the engaged position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.