Patent · US Active

Mechanical disconnect for rotation drive

US10563458B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by

5References

13Claims

0Family size

Assignee

American Augers, Inc. · US

Inventors

David L. Horst · Ashland, US
B J Burky · Garden Isle, US
Tim Casey · San Jose, US

Key dates

Filing date	Dec 22, 2017
Grant date	Feb 18, 2020
Priority date	—
Expiry date	May 2, 2038

Classification

Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
CPC primaryF16D11/00
WIPO fieldCivil engineering
WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A horizontal directional drilling system. The system has a pilot drill and an exit side drill, with a drill string extending between them. A backreamer is positioned between the drills to enlarge a borehole. The pilot drill pulls and rotates the backreamer. The exit side drill adds segments to the product pipe and pushes the product pipe into the enlarged borehole. The exit side drill is equipped with a rotational disconnect. The disconnect is engaged to allow torque transfer between a motor and a spindle when adding segments to the product pipe. The disconnect is disengaged to prevent torque transfer between the motor and the spindle when pushing the product pipe into the enlarged borehole.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.