Spindle brake logic
US10557332B2 · kind B2 · utility
1Cited by
8References
19Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 2017 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 23, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D65/16
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A system for assuring that a rotation brake has engaged on a directional drilling machine. A pump-powered motor drives rotation of a spindle on the machine. The spindle is in turn attached to the above-ground end of a drill string. After the rotation brake is actuated, a controller causes the motor to transmit oppositely-directed rotational pulses to the spindle. If the brake is properly engaged, the pulses will produce spikes in pressure within the hydraulic circuit that powers the pump. When a pressure sensor detects such spikes, it signals the controller and confirms that the brake is engaged.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.