Patent · US Active

Modular pipe loader assembly

US11578541B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by

16References

18Claims

0Family size

Assignee

The Charles Machine Works, Inc. · US

Inventors

Pete Ramos · Enid, US
Rick G. Porter · Perry, US
Aleksander S. Wolfe · Stillwater, US

Key dates

Filing date	Jun 15, 2020
Grant date	Feb 14, 2023
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Nov 28, 2040

Classification

Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
CPC primaryE21B19/20
WIPO fieldCivil engineering
WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A horizontal directional drilling machine having a modular pipe loader system. The system comprises a first and second pipe loader assembly supported on a drill frame. Each assembly supports a shuttle arm. The shuttle arms are configured to move independently of one another along a shuttle path that is traverse to a longitudinal axis of the drill frame. Movement of each shuttle arm is powered by an actuator supported on each pipe loader assembly. Each pipe loader assembly includes a sensor used to measure parameters related to the position of each shuttle arm relative to the drill frame. A controller analyzes the measured parameters and directs operation of each actuator in order to keep the shuttle arms moving in unison during operation.

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