Abstract:
A coupling assembly (100) to interconnect an inner member (40) and an outer member (42) of a dual member drill string in torque transmitting engagement is disclosed. The coupling assembly (100) is adapted to transmit torque input from both members (40, 42) to a downhole tool. In one embodiment, the coupling assembly comprises a connector sub (102) that fixedly and non-fixedly couples both members. In another embodiment, the coupling assembly comprises a clutch mechanism (138) to interconnect both members when the rotational speed of the outer member exceeds the rotational speed of the inner member. In another embodiment, the coupling assembly comprises a mechanism to couple both members (40, 42) by axial downhole movement of the inner member (40) relative to the outer member (42). In another embodiment, the coupling assembly comprises a planetary gear system (556, 562, 558) that interconnects both members to provide high torque to the downhole tool at relatively low output speed of the dual member drill string.
Abstract:
A system and method for drilling horizontal directional boreholes with a continuous dual member drill string. A horizontal directional drilling machine is comprised of a flexible dual member drill string having a tubular outer member and an inner member rotatably disposed within the outer member. A downhole tool assembly and drill bit is connected to the downhole end of the inner member. The flexible drill string is stored in a coil on a reel or in a drum. At the uphole end of the drill string, a traction drive system provides thrust forces to advance and retract the drill string, and a rotary drive system rotates the inner member. The downhole tool assembly is steered by advancing the drill string with the traction drive and rotating the drill bit with the rotary drive.
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 horizontal directional drilling system is used to drive operation of a guidable reamer assembly connected to a drill string. The guidable reamer assembly preferably has a cutting member with a central longitudinal axis and a support member also having a central longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axes of the cutting member and the support member are collinear when the reamer assembly is in the non-steering position and laterally displaced when in the steering position. The assembly and method of this invention provide for increased control of reaming operations and product pipe placement.
Abstract:
A tracking receiver system (20) is used to track the progress of a downhole tool (10) along a subsurface path having a desired grade. The tracking receiver system is adapted to detect a reference line (22) originating from a reference line receiver (96) and to determine the position of the downhole tool (10) along a desired subsurface path relative to the reference line. In an alternative embodiment the tracking receiver system (20) may comprise a global positioning satellite system to provide information used to determine the position of the downhole tool relative to the desired subsurface path.
Abstract:
A work (10) having a first work member and a second work member, both operated from a pivotal control station (22). In a preferred embodiment the work machine has a backhoe assembly (18) and a loader assembly (20) both supported on a frame and operable from the pivotal control station (22). The work machine may have left and right low-profile drive systems (72, 74) that allow the first work member to perform work outside and parallel to the longitudinal center axis (83) of the work machine (10). The work machine has a low-profile power source (70) and operator platform that allow unobstructed visibility of the first and second work members (18, 20) from the control station (22).
Abstract:
An apparatus (24) for bursting pipe is preferably adapted to receive energy from a drill string (14). The apparatus has a plurality of spherical pipe-bursting members (70) driven by movement of the drill string to burst an in situ pipe. In a preferred embodiment a single-member drill string is used to drive operation of a plurality of spherical pipe-bursting members disposed about a frame (64) of the apparatus. In other preferred embodiments, rotation of the inner member of s dual-member drill string is used to drive operation of the spherical pipe-bursting members. Spherical pipe-bursting members increase the efficiency of pipe-bursting operations by utilizing rotational energy generated by the movement of the members.