Sonde housing structure
AssigneeEarth Tool Company, L.L.C.
InventorsSteven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for mounting an electronic device therein for use in an underground boring machine includes an elongated housing having an elongated, lengthwise central cavity opening at one end thereof, a cartridge containing a sonde therein, which cartridge fits in the cavity; and a keying mechanism for securing the cartridge and sonde in a predetermined orientation relative to the housing when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity through the opening. One or more lengthwise fluid passages isolated from the cavity extend through the housing. A sonde housing of the invention may be used with a drill string and bit assembly in directional boring.
Claims20
An apparatus for mounting an electronic device therein for use in an underground boring machine, comprising:
- an elongated housing having an elongated, lengthwise central cavity opening at one end thereof;
- a cartridge configured to fit in the cavity and retain a sonde therein, the cartridge including:
- an outer tube and a guide, the guide being configured for engagement with a slot in the tube proximate an end of the tube, the guide including a tab positioned at a first end of the guide and configured to engage the sonde to retain the sonde in a fixed orientation with respect to the tube, the guide having a second end configured to engage the elongated housing and retain the tube in a fixed orientation with respect to the housing;
- and
- an end cap configured to close a second end of the tube, the end cap including a flange for engaging the elongated housing and permitting the cartridge to be installed in the cavity only in a selected orientation.
A drill head for use in directional drilling, comprising:
- an elongated housing having an elongated, lengthwise central cavity opening at a front end thereof;
- a cartridge configured to fit in the cavity and retain a sonde therein, the cartridge including:
- an outer tube and a guide having a first generally U shaped end configured to engage a pin extending across the cavity, the first end of the guide including a longitudinally extending member configured for engagement with a longitudinal slot proximate a first end of the tube, the guide further including a tab extending from a second end thereof and configured to engage the sonde to regain the sonde in a fixed orientation with respect to the tube, the second end of the guide being configured to engage the elongated housing and retain the tube in a fixed orientation with respect to the elongated housing;
- an end cap configured to close a second end of the tube, the end cap including a tab for engaging the elongated housing and permitting the cartridge to be installed in the cavity only in a selected orientation;
- and
- a bit assembly coupled to elongated housing.
An apparatus for mounting an electronic device therein for use in an underground boring machine, comprising:
- an elongated housing having an elongated, lengthwise central cavity opening at one end thereof;
- a lengthwise fluid passage extending through the housing, the fluid passage and elongated lengthwise central cavity branching from a common rear opening of the housing;
- a cartridge configured to receive a sonde therein;
- a keying mechanism for securing the cartridge and sonde in a predetermined orientation relative to the housing when the cartridge is inserted into the cavity through the opening, the keying mechanism including an end cap positioned to close the cavity following insertion of the sonde therein, the end cap including a flange with a tab configured to engage the elongated housing in a single orientation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.