Electric horizontal directional drilling machine system
AssigneeThe Charles Machine Works, Inc.
InventorMichael F. Gard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electric horizontal directional drilling machine. An electric horizontal directional drilling machine is powered by an electric power assembly. The power assembly is made up of a fuel cell and inverter, or multiple fuel cells with synchronized inverters, are used to power an electric motor controller and electric motor. The electric motor operates hydraulic pumps used to advance a drill string and downhole tool through the earth and operate various machine functions. Mechanical functions of the drilling machine may also be satisfied through the use of electric rotary actuators (e.g., motors) and linear actuators (e.g., linear motors and solenoids).
Claims12
An electrically powered horizontal directional drilling machine comprising:
- an electric power assembly comprising:
- plurality of direct current power sources;
- plurality of inverters, each one of the plurality of inverters operatively connected to one of each of the plurality of power sources;
- an electrical transformer having a plurality of input windings;
- and
- a control unit operatively connected to each inverter;
- wherein each of the at least one inverters is connected to an input winding of the transformer;
- an electric motor operatively connected to the power assembly;
- a drill string, having a first end and a second end;
- a drive system powered by the electric motor and operatively connectable to the first end of the drill string;
- and
- a downhole tool connectable to the second end of the drill string;
- wherein the drive system is adapted to advance the drill string and the downhole tool though the earth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.