Apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine

A method for controlling an underground boring tool, comprising:

• displacing the boring tool along an underground path;
• rotating the boring tool at a selected rate while displacing the boring tool;
• flowing a liquid from a liquid dispensing pump to the boring tool at a flow rate;
• concurrently modifying the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path and rotating the boring tool at the selected rotation rate in response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path;
• and
• modifying the liquid flow rate in response to the boring tool displacement rate.

A method for controlling an underground boring tool, comprising:

• displacing the boring tool along an underground path;
• rotating the boring tool at a selected rate while displacing the tool;
• flowing a liquid from a liquid dispensing pump to the boring tool at a flow rate;
• concurrently modifying the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path and rotating the boring tool at the selected rotation rate in response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path;
• and
• modifying the boring tool displacement rate in response to the liquid flow rate.

A system for controlling an underground boring tool, comprising:

• a rotation pump;
• a pressure sensor, coupled to the rotation pump, for producing a pressure limit signal in response to a rotation pump pressure exceeding a pressure limit;
• a displacement pump;
• a boring tool coupled to a drill pipe, the drill pipe coupled to the rotation pump for rotating the boring tool and coupled to the displacement pump for displacing the boring tool along an underground path;
• a controller, coupled to the displacement and rotation pumps, for concurrently controlling a rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path and controlling the rotation pump at a selected level in response to the pressure limit signal;
• and
• a liquid dispensing pump, coupled to the controller, for dispensing liquid from the boring tool.

A method for controlling an underground boring tool, comprising:

• moving the boring tool along an underground path;
• delivering a liquid at the boring tool at a flow rate;
• and
• modifying either one of a rate of boring tool movement along the underground path as a function of the liquid flow rate, or the liquid flow rate as a function of the rate of boring tool movement along the underground path.

A method for controlling an underground boring tool, comprising:

• moving the boring tool along an underground path;
• dispensing a liquid at the boring tool at a flow rate;
• and
• modifying the flow rate of the liquid dispensed at the boring tool so as to prevent seizing of the boring tool while the boring tool moves along the underground path.

A system for controlling an underground boring tool, comprising:

• a rotation pump;
• a displacement pump;
• a boring tool coupled to a drill pipe, the drill pipe coupled to the rotation pump for rotating the boring tool and coupled to the displacement pump for displacing the boring tool along an underground path;
• a liquid dispensing pump for dispensing liquid at the boring tool through the drill pipe;
• and
• a controller that controls a rate of fluid flow to the boring tool and a rate of boring tool movement along the underground path to prevent seizing of the boring tool along the underground path.