Abstract:
A pipe handling device and method for use with a horizontal directional drilling system. The pipe handling device stores sections of drill pipe in a magazine. The magazine is constructed so that it can be mounted to a boring machine in a pin-up or pin-down orientation. A pipe-handling assembly, disposed on the boring machine, has a pair of shuttle arms that are used to grip and transport pipe sections from an open bottom of the magazine to a spindle of the boring machine. A pipe sensor is disposed to detect the presence and absence of pipe sections within the magazine. The pipe sensor provides data used by a processor to select which column of the magazine the shuttle arms will remove pipe sections from or place pipe sections into. A plurality of proximity sensors and pivotal flags may be assigned to individual columns of the magazine and used to detect the presence and absence of pipe sections within a respective column.
Abstract:
A control system for a work machine. The control system allows an operator to selectively maintain control of a ground drive, a work tool, or both the ground drive and the work tool. The system provides a foot pedal movable between multiple positions. The foot pedal allows an operator to selectively hold the position of one or both of the ground drive control and work tool control. When the foot pedal is in a first position, the work tool control and ground drive control are not affected. When the foot pedal is in a second position, the position of the work tool control is maintained, while the ground drive control is not affected. When the foot pedal is in a third position, the position of the work tool control is maintained and the position of the ground drive control is maintained. A work tool control lock is used to prevent the work tool control from engaging when the foot pedal is in the second position or the third position.
Abstract:
An automatic pipe handling device (10) is disclosed which includes a support frame (12) mounted on a boring device. Removable pipe racks (16, 80, 130, 140) can be placed in position on the support frame (12) to deliver pipe to the spindle axis or to remove pipe therefrom as required. The pipe sections are removed from the pipe rack and positioned on the spindle axis by pipe grippers (32) mounted on hydraulic cylinders (28, 30) mounted on a rotating longitudinal shaft (20). The grippers and shaft similarly return the used pipe sections for storage to the pipe rack. In one pipe rack (16), an S-shaped guide path (72) is used. In another pipe rack (80), a plurality of rows (88, 90, 92) of pipe sections are used.
Abstract:
An improved locator system is provided which transmits digital and analog information over an electromagnetic field (32) that is radiating from an underground source (20). The locator system includes a transmitter (100) that modulates its output signal by turning its output signal on and off in response to a sequence of digital words. The transmitter also modulates an analog signal onto the transmitted signal. The modulated analog signal can include an audio frequency or voice signal. The improved locator system also includes a receiver (200) that senses and detects the transmitted digital or analog signal impressed on the radiated electromagnetic field. The receiver also demodulates the transmitted audio frequency signal and provides an audio output signal to an operator.
Abstract:
An angle sensor (5) for determining the roll angle of a rotating member includes an array of paired electrical components (15), each electrical component having an electrical characteristic which varies. A fluid (27) is placed within the cavity (24) and is responsive to the rotation of the rotating member causing the electrical characteristic of a first one of each pair of electrical components to be different than the electrical characteristic of a second one of each pair of electrical components. A comparator compares the electrical characteristics of the first and second ones of each pair of electrical components to determine the roll angle of the rotatable member.
Abstract:
A slide cartridge having a base member and a channel defined by a pair of opposed walls, The walls extend from the base member and are configured to partially cover the rail of a horizontal directional drilling machine. The slide cartridge is supported on a carriage that is movable between the front and back of the drilling machine along the rail. The cartridge is positioned to engage the rail and to support the carriage for sliding movement along the rail.
Abstract:
A turret (14) mounted compact tool carrier (10). The tool carrier (10) is a small, ride-on machine. The tracked substructure (24) is connected to the upper section (16) of the machine (10) by a 360 degree turret (14), which allows the upper section (16) of the machine (10) to face any direction, independent of the direction of the tracks (26). The distance between the tracks (26) is adjustable, depending on particular application. An operator rides on a platform (54) at the back (53) of the upper section (16), while a work tool (22) is connected to the front of the upper section (16). Thus, the operator always maintains a line-of-sight parallel to the direction of operation of the work tool (22), resulting in a greater degree of safety. The machine (10) has lift arms (66) that are extendable (108), allowing the work tool (22) to be pushed without operating the tracks. These features give the tool carrier (10) the ability to fully operate in narrow spaces and with limited operation of the tracks (26), resulting in more efficient use and less ground damage than traditional skid loaders.
Abstract:
A system for controlling a work machine and work tool from a remote controller. The remote controller sends a control signal to a receiver assembly and machine controller. The machine controller processes the control signal to determine the location of the remote controller relative to the receiver assembly and to alter operational characteristics of the machine or work tool based on the control signal or the location of the remote controller relative to the receiver assembly. The system may include a tag system to detect the presence of workers at the jobsite and to alter operation of the machine and work tool based upon the location of the workers relative to the machine or work tool. In another embodiment, a signal may be transmitted from the work machine and detected by a remote receiver assembly. A processor uses the detected signal to determine the position of the remote receiver assembly relative to the work machine.
Abstract:
A system for determining the location of and communicating with a downhole tool assembly. A tracker assembly comprises a vertical transmitting antenna, a plurality of receiving antennas, and a processor. The downhole tool assembly has a beacon assembly comprising a plurality of receiving antennas, a transmitting antenna, an orientation sensor, and a processor. The transmitter in the tracker transmits a substantially vertical dipole field. The beacon assembly detects the vertical field and processes the signals to determine the location of the beacon relative to the tracker. The beacon assembly transmits the beacon location and operational information to the tracker assembly. The tracker assembly displays the beacon location and operational information on a visual display. The tracker assembly may also transmit operational commands or requests for information to the beacon assembly.