Boring or penetrating the earth – Automatic control
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-02
2001-01-30
Neuder, William (Department: 3672)
Boring or penetrating the earth
Automatic control
C175S052000, C175S085000, C184S015200, C414S022540, C414S022650
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179065
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of horizontal underground boring, and in particular to automated pipe handling systems for automatically loading and unloading pipes on a horizontal boring machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises an automated pipe handling system for use with a horizontal boring machine having a drive system, a drill string comprised of a plurality of pipe sections connectable at threaded joints, a spindle comprising a spindle pipe joint for connecting the drill string to the drive system, and a spindle connection area. The automated pipe handling system comprises a makeup/breakout assembly, a pipe handling assembly, a pipe lubrication assembly, a handling assembly control system, a pipe lubrication control system, and a makeup/breakout control system. The makeup/breakout assembly is adapted to secure the drill string and at least one pipe section in the spindle connection area so that the at least one pipe section in the spindle connection area can be connected to and disconnected from the drill string. The makeup/breakout control system automatically operates the makeup/breakout assembly. The pipe handling assembly is adapted to store and transport pipe sections to and from the spindle connection area. The handling assembly control system automatically operates the pipe handling assembly. The pipe lubrication assembly is adapted to apply lubricant to at least one pipe joint. The pipe lubrication control system automatically operates the pipe lubrication assembly.
The present invention is further directed to an automated control system for a pipe handling system comprising a pipe handling assembly, a pipe lubrication assembly, and a makeup/breakout assembly. The automated control system comprises a handling assembly control system, a pipe lubrication control system, and a makeup/breakout control system. The handling assembly control system automatically operates the pipe handling assembly. The pipe lubrication control system automatically operates the pipe lubrication assembly. The makeup/breakout control system automatically operates the makeup/breakout assembly.
Further, the present invention comprises an automated pipe handling system comprising a pipe handling assembly and a handling assembly control system. The pipe handling assembly is adapted to store and transport pipe sections to and from a connection area. The handling assembly control system automatically operates the pipe handling assembly.
In another aspect, the present invention comprises an automated pipe lubrication system for use with a pipe handling system comprising a pipe handling assembly that stores and transports pipe sections having pipe joints, to and from the pipe handling system. The automated pipe lubrication system comprises a pipe lubrication assembly and a pipe lubrication control system. The pipe lubrication assembly is adapted to apply lubricant to at least one pipe joint. The pipe lubrication control system automatically operates the pipe lubrication assembly.
In yet another aspect, the present invention comprises an automated makeup/breakout system for use with a pipe handling system having a pipe handling assembly. The automated makeup/breakout system comprises a makeup/breakout assembly and a makeup/breakout control system. The makeup/breakout assembly is adapted to secure at least one pipe section so that the pipe joints of the at least one pipe section can be connected to or disconnected from at least one other pipe joint. The makeup/breakout control system automatically operates the makeup/breakout assembly.
The present invention further comprises a horizontal boring machine comprising a frame, a drill string, a drive system, and an automated pipe handling system. The drill string comprises a plurality of pipe sections connected at threaded pipe joints. The drive system, attached to the frame, rotates and advances the drill string through the earth. The automated pipe handling system is used to add and retrieve pipe sections to and from the drill string. The automated pipe handling system comprises a pipe handling assembly, a lubrication assembly, a makeup/breakout assembly, and a control system. The pipe handling assembly is adapted to transport pipe sections to and from the boring machine. The pipe lubrication assembly is adapted to apply lubricant to at least one pipe joint. The makeup/breakout assembly is adapted to secure at least one pipe section so that the pipe section can be connected to or disconnected from the drill string. The control system automatically operates the pipe handling system.
In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a method directed to drilling a horizontal borehole. The method comprises driving a boring tool through the earth using a drill string composed of pipe sections and repeatedly adding pipe sections to the drill string until the borehole is completed. The pipe sections are added by automatically delivering pipe sections to the drill string.
Finally, the present invention is directed to a method for pulling a drill string back through the borehole. The method comprises pulling the drill string back through the earth and repeatedly removing the pipe sections from the drill string. The pipe sections are removed by automatically transporting the pipe sections from the drill string.
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Payne David R.
Rorabaugh David A.
Self Kelvin P.
Sewell Cody L.
Wilda J. Kevin
McKinney & Stringer, P.C.
Neuder William
The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
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