System and method for automatically controlling a pipe handling system for a horizontal boring machine

A pipe handling system for use with a horizontal boring machine having a drive system, a drill string comprised of a plurality of pipe sections connectable at pipe joints, a spindle comprising a spindle pipe joint for connecting the drill string to the drive system, and a spindle connection area, the pipe handling system comprising:

• a pipe handling assembly adapted to store and to transport pipe sections to and from the boring machine by executing a plurality of operations;
• and
• a handling assembly control system adapted to automatically operate the pipe handling assembly by initiating and coordinating the plurality of operations executed by the pipe handling assembly.

A pipe lubrication system for use with a horizontal boring machine having a pipe handling system comprising a pipe handling assembly for storing and transporting a plurality of pipe sections to and from the horizontal boring machine, the pipe sections having pipe joints at opposing ends of each of the pipe sections, the pipe lubrication system comprising:

• a pipe lubrication assembly adapted to apply lubricant to at least one pipe joint by executing a plurality of operations;
• and
• a pipe lubrication control system adapted to automatically operate the pipe lubrication assembly by initiating and coordinating the plurality of operations executed by the pipe lubrication assembly.

A makeup/breakout system for use with a horizontal boring machine having a drive system, a drill string comprised of a plurality of pipe sections connectable at threaded pipe joints, a spindle comprising a spindle pipe joint for connecting the drill string to the drive system and a spindle connection area, the makeup/breakout system comprising:

• a makeup/breakout assembly adapted to secure the drill string and at least one pipe section in the spindle connection area as the at least one pipe section is connected to, or disconnected from, the drill string by executing a plurality of operations;
• and
• a makeup/breakout control system adapted to automatically operate the makeup/breakout assembly by initiating and coordinating the plurality of operations executed by the makeup/breakout assembly.

A method for drilling a horizontal borehole comprising:

• advancing a boring tool through the earth using a drill string comprised of a plurality of pipe sections connected at threaded pipe joints;
• and
• repeatedly adding individual pipe sections to the drill string by performing a plurality of operations to transfer pipe sections to the drill string, wherein the plurality of operations are automatically initiated and coordinated.

A method for backreaming a horizontal borehole comprising:

• pulling a drill string composed of a plurality of pipe sections connected at threaded pipe joints back through a previously bored horizontal borehole;
• and
• repeatedly removing the pipe sections from the drill string as the drill string is shortened by performing a plurality of operations to transfer pipe sections away from the drill string, wherein the plurality of operations are automatically initiated and coordinated.