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US 12,760,607 B2Granted
Semi-automatic directional drill and method
AssigneeTT Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJohn A. Olander, Noah Raymond Ericson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A horizontal directional drill and associated methods are disclosed. Examples are shown that include providing a linear bump to threads of a drill string to aid in thread engagement. Examples are also shown that include monitoring a linear location of a drill head to detect a threading or unthreading linear speed.
Claims20
A method of automatically threading drill stem segments, comprising:
- holding a distal drill stem segment in a vise;
- rotating a proximal drill stem segment adjacent to the distal drill stem segment, the proximal drill stem segment coupled to a drill head;
- floating the drill head;
- checking for a lack of linear motion while rotating the proximal drill stem segment;
- and
- applying a linear bump of the proximal drill stem segment towards the distal drill stem segment when the lack of linear motion while rotating the proximal drill stem segment is detected.
3 more elements
A method of automatically unthreading drill stem segments, comprising:
- holding a distal drill stem segment in a vise while a proximal drill stem segment is threaded into the distal drill stem segment, the proximal drill stem segment coupled to a drill head;
- counter rotating the proximal drill stem segment at a selected rotational speed with the drill head;
- monitoring a linear location of the drill head to detect an unthreading linear speed;
- recording the unthreading linear speed;
- and
- applying a reverse thrust to the drill head that matches the unthreading linear speed.
3 more elements
A horizontal directional drill, comprising:
- a drill carriage, including a drill stem vise at a distal end, and a drill head movable along a linear axis of the drill carriage;
- a linear encoder coupled to the drill carriage to detect a location of the drill head;
- a control circuit configured to;
- actuate the drill stem vise to hold a distal drill stem segment when in operation;
- rotate a proximal drill stem segment adjacent to the distal drill stem segment when in operation, the proximal drill stem segment coupled to the drill head;
- float the drill head;
- monitor a linear location of the drill head to detect thread engagement;
- and
- apply a linear bump of the proximal drill stem segment towards the distal drill stem segment if no linear motion is detected.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.