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AssigneeThe Charles Machine Works, Inc.
InventorsDavid R. Payne, Cody L. Sewell, Kelvin P. Self, J. Kevin Wilda, David A. Rorabaugh
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An automatic pipe handling system for automatically transporting pipe sections to and from a horizontal boring machine. The system comprises a pipe handling assembly, a pipe lubrication assembly, a makeup/breakout assembly, and an automatic control system. The pipe handling assembly stores pipe sections and transports the pipe sections to and from the drill string of a boring machine. As the pipe handling assembly transports a pipe section, the pipe lubrication assembly lubricates the appropriate pipe joints. The makeup/breakout assembly secures the drill string and pipe joints so that pipe sections can be added to or removed from the drill string. A programmed controller automatically operates the pipe handling system and its components by synchronizing the operations of the pipe handling system. The controller sequences and times the operation of each aspect of the pipe handling system during both the boring operation and the backreaming operation.
A pipe lubrication system for use with a horizontal boring machine, the horizontal boring machine comprising a spindle with a spindle pipe joint and a spindle connection area in which pipe sections are added to and removed from a drill string, wherein each pipe section of the drill string comprises a pipe joint at each end of the pipe section, the pipe lubrication system comprising:
A method of using a pipe lubrication assembly to lubricate a pipe joint when a pipe section is added to or removed from a drill string, the method comprising:
A pipe handling system for use with a horizontal boring machine, the horizontal boring machine comprising a spindle, and a drive system, wherein the drive system is adapted to drive a drill string, composed of a plurality of pipe sections connectable at pipe joints, and wherein the spindle comprises a spindle pipe joint that is adapted to connect the drill string to the drive system in a spindle connection area, the pipe handling system comprising:
An automated pipe handling system for use with a horizontal directional drilling system, the horizontal directional drilling system comprising a drive system, and a drill string comprised of a plurality of pipe sections connectable at pipe joints, wherein the automated pipe handling system comprises:
A control system for a pipe handling system of a horizontal boring machine, wherein the pipe handling system comprises a pipe lubrication assembly, a makeup/breakout assembly and a pipe handling assembly, and wherein the pipe handling assembly is adapted to store and transport at least one of a plurality of pipe sections toward and away from a spindle connection area of a spindle when the spindle is in position to receive and release a pipe section, the control system comprising:
An automated makeup/breakout system for use with a horizontal boring machine, wherein the horizontal boring machine comprises a drive system, a drill string having a plurality of pipe sections connectable at threaded pipe joints, and a spindle having a spindle pipe joint for connecting the drill string to the drive system in a spindle connection area, the automated makeup/breakout system comprising:
An automated backreaming system for use with a horizontal boring machine, the horizontal boring machine having a drill string comprised of a plurality of pipe sections connectable at threaded pipe joints, a spindle having a spindle pipe joint for connecting to the drill string, and a spindle connection area where a pipe section is disconnected from the drill string, and wherein the disconnected pipe section is automatically transported and stored away from the spindle connection area, the automated backreaming system comprising:
A pipe handling system for use with a horizontal boring machine during backreaming, the horizontal boring machine having a drill string comprised of a plurality of pipe sections connectable at threaded pipe joints, a spindle, and a spindle connection area where a pipe section is disconnected from the drill string, the pipe handling system comprising:
A horizontal boring machine comprising:
A breakout control system for a breakout assembly for use with a horizontal boring machine during backreaming, the horizontal boring machine having a drill string comprised of a plurality of pipe sections disconnectable at threaded pipe joints, a spindle, and a spindle connection area where a pipe section in the spindle connection area is disconnected from the drill string, the breakout control system comprising:
An automated pipe handling system for use with a horizontal boring machine, the horizontal boring machine comprising a drive system, a drill string comprised of a plurality of pipe sections connectable at threaded pipe joints, a spindle having a pipe joint, and a spindle connection area to disconnect a pipe section in the spindle connection area from an exposed uphole end of the drill string, the automated pipe handling system comprising:
A method for backreaming a horizontal borehole, the method comprising:
A method for backreaming a horizontal borehole comprising automatically initiating and coordinating a plurality of operations to sequentially remove pipe sections from a drill string comprising a plurality of pipe sections for transport and storage away from the drill string.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.