Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
175053000 | ENLARGEMENT OF EXISTING PILOT THROUGHBORE REQUIRING ACCESSIBILITY TO EXISTING OPPOSITE BORE ENDS TO INSERT AND REMOVE TOOL | 14 |
20080217060 | Auger boring machine with two-stage guidance control system - An auger boring machine includes a two-stage guidance control system for controlling a pilot tube during formation of an underground pilot hole which is subsequently followed by an auger to form a larger hole for installation of underground pipe. The system includes a first stage guidance control mechanism for guiding the pilot tube during a first stage of driving the pilot tube and a second stage guidance control mechanism for guiding the pilot tube during a second subsequent stage of driving the pilot tube. The first stage mechanism typically includes a theodolite which allows for pilot tube control during the first several hundred feet of pilot hole formation. The second stage mechanism typically includes a sonar sensor such as a radio frequency receiver for sensing signals transmitted from within the pilot tube and allows for pilot tube control when the first stage mechanism is no longer functional. | 09-11-2008 |
20080217061 | Pilot tube system and attachment mechanism for auger boring machine - A pilot tube drive assembly used with an auger boring machine includes a height adjustment mechanism for aligning the pilot tube path of travel with an axis about which an auger of the machine rotates during trenchless installation of underground pipe. A drive mechanism mounted on a drive assembly frame drives the pilot tube to form a pilot hole in the ground for guiding the auger. The height adjustment mechanism may include shorter and taller mounting assemblies which are typically removably mounted on the drive assembly frame. The shorter and taller mounting assemblies may be alternately mounted on the frame at the same location. Typically, the mounting assemblies are removably mounted on spaced rails of an auger boring machine frame via mounting legs which are removably inserted into openings in the spaced rails by an actuating mechanism between the rails. | 09-11-2008 |
20080296066 | Bore hole sleeve reaming apparatus and method - A bore hole sleeve reaming apparatus which is characterized by one or more subterranean bore clearing devices or sleeves for use with one or more clearing or bursting heads attached to a pull rod or cable and a pulling apparatus. One or more tapered sleeves are attached in spaced-apart relationship to a string of tandem-mounted plastic pipe when the clearing or bursting head or heads are attached to the pipe string to be pulled through the bore hole. The tapered sleeves are designed to straighten bore irregularities and clean, smooth and free the bore hole from collapsing earth, roots and/or rock and broken pipe and facilitate pulling the pipe string through the bore hole with minimum friction on the pipe string. The clearing sleeve elements are sequentially pulled through the bore hole with the clearing or bursting head(s) and pipe string from an entry pit using a pull rod or cable and a pulling apparatus is seated in a corresponding exit pit spaced from the entry pit and receives the opposite end of the pull rod or cable. A method for clearing and cleaning a subterranean pilot bore or tunnel, which includes the steps of placing one or more clearing or bursting heads in an entry pit; connecting the clearing or bursting head(s) to a pulling apparatus using a rod or cable; connecting a string of typically plastic pipe to the clearing or bursting head(s); mounting at least one tapered clearing sleeve on the pipe string; and operating the pulling apparatus to pull the clearing or bursting head(s), pipe string and clearing sleeve or sleeves through the pilot bore, pipe or tunnel and clean, smooth and free the resulting bore from collapsing earth and other debris. | 12-04-2008 |
20090250266 | SECTIONAL BACK REAMER FOR HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING - An improved back reamer for horizontal directional drilling is provided with multiple components which can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled before and after the back reaming process. The reamer includes a main shaft connectable to the drill string, a reamer head removably mounted on the main shaft, and a pull tab removably attached to the main shaft. The components are much lighter than prior art one-piece reamers, and thus improves safety to the installer and operator during the horizontal drilling operation. | 10-08-2009 |
20090301783 | MICROTUNNELLING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS - A microtunnelling apparatus and system that includes an external drive system having rotational and linear thrust drive means, a drill head section having drill rotor and drill rod and connecting to intermediate drill rods allowing extension of the boring hole created by the drill head section driven by the drive system. The drill head includes a modular construction having a plurality of circular disc like elements, a bearing module, a steering module, a spacer module, and a mounting module, for axial alignment and abutment and mounting within a cylindrical steering shell. Directional steering of the drill head includes a plurality of substantially radially extending channels in steering module, each with an hydraulically movable protuberance movable by control means to redirect the outer steering casing and thereby redirect the drill head section mounted on the distal end of the drill rods. | 12-10-2009 |
20100012379 | Joint for use in back reaming - A joint according to the invention for connecting a pair of members rotatable about a common axis end to end. A sleeve has a non circular profile on an inner surface thereof whereby the sleeve can be slidably mounted on non circular exterior surfaces of the first and second members when such surfaces are brought into alignment by rotation of one member relative to the other in a manner effective to pass torque from one member to the other by means of the non circular surfaces. A fluid release passage includes a radial port that extends from the first longitudinal fluid supply passage to a clearance between the sleeve and the first member, which clearance communicates with a second clearance between the sleeve and the second member, which second clearance has a discharge opening. | 01-21-2010 |
20100252326 | MODULAR SYSTEM FOR A BACK REAMER AND METHOD - A modular back reamer to be used in subterranean drilling includes a drive stem connected to a drill string and configured to support a reamer body, the reamer body providing a plurality of receptacles, wherein the receptacles are configured to retain a cutting leg assembly at varying heights within a predetermined range, and a plurality of shims engaged within the receptacles to secure the cutting leg assemblies at a specified height within the predetermined range, wherein the cutting leg assembly is secured to the reamer body with at least one mechanical fastener. | 10-07-2010 |
20100319993 | DOWNHOLE TOOL LEG RETENTION METHODS AND APPARATUS - A back reamer includes a drive stem configured to support a main reamer body, the main reamer body including a plurality of receptacles, and a plurality of cutting leg assemblies in positive locking engagement with the plurality of receptacles to restrict radial movement of the cutting leg assemblies. | 12-23-2010 |
20110139510 | Apparatus and Method for Reaming a Wellbore During the Installation of a Tubular String - An apparatus for reaming a wellbore without rotating a tubular string that is extendable to a surface. A mandrel ( | 06-16-2011 |
20120043132 | Reamer Assembly - An adapter for connecting drilling components having an elongate tubular member with a non-circular exterior surface profile and a connector. A ground engaging member generally characterized as a reamer has a non-circular inner surface profile whereby the ground engaging member is slidably mounted on and engages the non-circular exterior surface of the tubular member. A flange assembly is connected to the ground engaging member and the tubular member to restrict axial movement of the ground engaging member relative to the tubular member. | 02-23-2012 |
20120132469 | Reamer - A downhole apparatus for reaming a borehole incorporates two sets of cutting structures into two integral blade stabilizers, one oriented downhole and the other oriented uphole. The cutting structures comprise polycrystalline diamond cutters that are brazed into a wedge of steel that is inserted into the body of the reamers in an axial direction and retained by a stop block and retention cover that is bolted into the reamer. The two integral blade stabilizers have a combination left hand/right hand blade wrapping to provide 360° support around the circumference of the reamer. Between the two stabilizers, an impeller and a flow accelerator agitate cuttings on the low side of the borehole to mix the cuttings in with the drilling mud. | 05-31-2012 |
20120285743 | WELLBORE OBSTRUCTION CLEARING TOOL AND METHOD OF USE - A wellbore obstruction-clearing tool connected to the bottom of a tubing string, such as casing, utilizes a sleeve which is axially and rotationally moveable in response to axial reciprocation of a tubing string to engage and clear obstructions in the wellbore. Fluid is discharged through the casing and the tool to engage the obstructions and to convey debris through the annulus to surface. Thus, the obstructions are cleared from the wellbore, permitting the casing to be advanced, without the need to rotate the casing. | 11-15-2012 |
20140374161 | DEVICE FOR ENLARGING CAISSON BASES - The present invention relates to a device used to mechanically enlarge the base de caissons, so as to form a semi-spherical cavity in the base de the caisson formed, in which said device includes a socket in the upper extremity thereof for the engine shaft, a guide ring, a soil excavating mechanism and a recipient for collecting the excavated soil. | 12-25-2014 |
20150096806 | MECHANIZED SLOT DRILLING - A system and method are provided for providing access to surfaces within a formation is provided, the method including: providing a wellbore from a first surface location to a second surface location; inserting into the wellbore a cylindrical cutting assembly connected to at least two wellbore tubulars, one of the wellbore tubular extending to each of the first surface location and the second surface location; and rotating the radial cylindrical cutting element. | 04-09-2015 |