Boring or penetrating the earth – Processes – Boring horizontal bores
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-23
2001-11-06
Pezzuto, Robert E (Department: 3671)
Boring or penetrating the earth
Processes
Boring horizontal bores
C175S320000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311790
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to boring head assemblies for horizontal drilling machines, and more particularly to boring head assemblies with removable boring heads.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Horizontal drilling machines are utilized to drill underground bore holes for utility lines and other underground pipes. Using this type of trenchless drilling minimizes disruption of surface soil. This decreases the cost of laying utility lines especially in developed areas, and also substantially decreases the possibility of damaging previously buried utility lines and other underground structures.
In most cases the drilling machine comprises a frame, a motorized drive system mounted on the frame, and a drill string connected on one end to the drive system and on the other end to a boring tool/boring head assembly. The motorized drive system provides thrust to advance the drill string through the ground according to a planned bore path.
The boring head is commonly steered using a “slant-face” drill bit or some other suitable mechanism. A radio transmitter or other tracking device such as a “beacon” encased in housing may be provided in or directly behind the boring head to permit the tracking of the boring head.
Underground boring operations involve thrusting and rotating of the boring head in rocky and abrasive soil conditions, thereby increasing the probability of damage to the component parts of the boring head. To permit removal and/or replacement of the drill bit and other components, it is desirable for the boring head to be removably attached to the end of the drill string or beacon housing. To this end many boring heads are attached by a threaded connection. However, because of high rotational impact loading exerted on such joints, it is often difficult to disengage or “break out” these threaded joints.
In addition it is difficult to utilize a threaded joint to connect a replaceable head. This is especially true when utilizing a beacon housing where the transmitter is inserted from the side for easy maintenance of the electronics and where the orientation of the head should match the “clocking” of the beacon.
Therefore, while conventional removable boring heads have provided advantages in repair and maintenance of boring head assemblies, there remains a need for a more easily detachable boring head that is used in conjunction with a radio transmitter. The present invention is directed to an improvement to boring head assemblies with removable boring heads that specifically address this problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a boring head assembly for attachment to the end of a drill string on a horizontal drilling machine. The boring head assembly comprises a connecting member having a front end and a rear end, a boring head having a front end and a rear end, a tapered shank, a sleeve defining a shank receiving recess, means for locking the tapered shank longitudinally in the shank receiving recess and means for providing a positive torque transfer from the connecting member to the boring head.
The rear end of the connecting member is connectable to the end of the drill string, while the tapered shank extends from the front end of the connecting member or the rear end of the boring head. The sleeve defining the shank receiving recess may either extend from the front end of the connecting member or the rear end of the boring head. The shank receiving recess is shaped to conform to the tapered shank. The torque transfer means is adapted to transfer torque at least in part by urging the shank deeper into the shank receiving recess to provide frictional engagement therebetween.
Another preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a boring head assembly for attachment to the end of a drill string on a horizontal drilling machine, the boring head assembly comprising a connecting member having a front end and a rear end, a boring head having a front end and a rear end, a tapered shank, a sleeve defining a shank receiving recess, a longitudinal locking assembly, and a torque transfer assembly.
The rear end of the connecting member is connectable to the end of the drill string; while the tapered shank extends from the front end of the connecting member or the rear end of the boring head. The sleeve defining the shank receiving recess may either extend from the front end of the connecting member or the rear end of the boring head. The shank receiving recess is shaped to conform to the tapered shank. In the present embodiment the torque transfer assembly is adapted to transfer torque from the connecting member to the boring head at least in part by urging the shank deeper into the recess to provide frictional engagement therebetween. Finally, the longitudinal locking assembly is adapted to lock the tapered shank longitudinally in the shank receiving recess.
Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a horizontal drilling machine for attachment to the end of a drill string, the boring head assembly comprising, a connecting member having a front end and a rear end, a boring head having a front end and a rear end, a tapered shank, a sleeve defining a shank receiving recess, a longitudinal locking assembly, and a torque transfer assembly.
The rear end of the connecting member is connectable to the end of the drill string; while the tapered shank extends from the front end of the connecting member or the rear end of the boring head. The sleeve defining the shank receiving recess may either extend from the front end of the connecting member or the rear end of the boring head. The shank receiving recess is shaped to conform to the tapered shank. In the present embodiment the torque transfer assembly is adapted to transfer torque from the connecting member to the boring head at least in part by urging the shank deeper into the recess to provide frictional engagement therebetween. Finally, the longitudinal locking assembly is adapted to lock the tapered shank longitudinally in the shank receiving recess.
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Beckwith Jerry W.
Gunsaulis Floyd R.
McKinney & Stringer, P.C.
Pezzuto Robert E
The Charles Machines Works, Inc.
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