Modular compaction boring machine system

An apparatus for boring through a subsurface comprising:

• a modular compaction boring device comprising:
• a boring head to compress the subsurface;
• a first anchor;
• a second anchor in which the boring head is rotatable relative to the second anchor and nonrotatable relative to the first anchor;
• and
• a thrust module comprising a thrust member disposed between the first anchor and the second anchor, and a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is moveable relative to the second section to push the head in response to operation of the thrust section.

A method for advancing a tool through a subsurface comprising:

• orienting a boring head by rotating a first end of the tool relative to a second end of the tool without thrust;
• extending a first anchor;
• longitudinally extending the tool;
• extending a second anchor;
• retracting the first anchor;
• and
• longitudinally retracting the tool.

An apparatus for boring through a subsurface comprising:

• a modular compaction boring device comprising:
• a forward anchor module comprising an extendable anchor arm;
• an aft anchor module comprising an extendable anchor arm in which the forward anchor module is rotatable relative to the aft anchor module;
• an extendable and retractable thrust module disposed between the forward anchor module and the aft anchor module;
• and
• a rotatable boring head disposed proximate the forward anchor module;
• an electrical power source;
• a controller for directing extension of the extendable anchor arm of the forward anchor module and the aft anchor module, directing extension and retraction of the thrust module, and rotation of the boring head;
• and
• an umbilical cable comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the umbilical cable provides power from the electrical power source to the modular compaction boring device.

A compaction boring device comprising:

• a frame comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is reciprocally moveable axially relative to the second end, and wherein the frame defines a window;
• an extendable anchor supported within the frame extendable from a first position to a second position wherein the extendable anchor is entirely disposed within the frame in the first position and protrudes from the window in the second position;
• a boring head connected to the first end of the frame;
• and
• wherein the first end of the frame is rotatable relative to the second end to manipulate an orientation of the head.

A compaction boring device comprising:

• a frame comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is reciprocally moveable axially relative to the second end;
• an extendable anchor supported within the frame extendable from a first position to a second position;
• a boring head connected to the first end of the frame wherein the first end of the frame is rotatable relative to the second end to manipulate an orientation of the head;
• and
• a wedge and an anchor actuator, wherein the anchor actuator is disposed between the frame and the wedge and movable from a first position to a second position such that the wedge directly contacts the extendable anchor to extend the extendable anchor when in the second position.

An apparatus for boring through a subsurface comprising:

• a modular compaction boring device comprising:
• a forward anchor module comprising, an extendable anchor arm;
• an aft anchor module comprising an extendable anchor arm;
• an extendable and retractable thrust module disposed between the forward anchor module and the aft anchor module wherein the thrust module defines a stroke length, and wherein the extendable anchor arm of the forward anchor module and the extendable anchor arm of the aft anchor module are spaced apart at a multiple of the stroke length;
• and
• a rotatable boring head disposed proximate the forward anchor module;
• an electrical power source;
• a controller for directing extension of the extendable anchor arm of the forward anchor module and the aft anchor module, directing extension and retraction of the thrust module, and rotation of the boring head;
• and
• an umbilical cable comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the umbilical cable provides power from the electrical power source to the modular compaction boring device.

An apparatus for boring through a subsurface comprising:

• a modular compaction boring device comprising:
• a boring head to compress the subsurface;
• a first anchor;
• a second anchor;
• and
• a thrust module comprising a thrust member disposed between the first anchor and the second anchor, and a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is moveable relative to the second section to push the head in response to operation of the thrust section, and wherein the first anchor and second anchor exert a force on the subsurface having a component which is parallel to a length of the modular compaction boring device when the thrust module is not moving.

An apparatus for boring through a subsurface comprising:

• a modular compaction boring device comprising:
• a forward anchor module comprising an extendable anchor arm;
• an aft anchor module comprising an extendable anchor arm;
• an extendable and retractable thrust module disposed between the forward anchor module and the aft anchor module;
• a rotatable boring head disposed proximate the forward anchor module;
• and
• a rotation module, wherein the rotation module causes relative rotation between the boring head and the aft anchor module, and wherein the rotation module and thrust module are independently operable;
• an electrical power source;
• a controller for directing extension of the extendable anchor arm of the forward anchor module and the aft anchor module, directing extension and retraction of the thrust module, and rotation of the boring head;
• and
• an umbilical cable comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the umbilical cable provides power from the electrical power source to the modular compaction boring device.

A compaction boring device comprising:

• a frame comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is reciprocally moveable axially relative to the second end;
• an extendable anchor supported within the frame extendable from a first position to a second position;
• a boring head connected to the first end of the frame, wherein the first end of the frame is rotatable relative to the second end to manipulate an orientation of the head;
• and
• a rotation module configured to cause rotation of the first end relative to the second end of the frame, wherein the rotation module and thrust module are independently operable.