Cutting head and method for horizontal directional tunneling
US11608685B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2020 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B10/26
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A cutting head has a mounting bracket for attachment to a pipe and a cutter wheel. A double tapered bearing is connected between the mounting bracket and the cutter wheel. The bearing allows the cutter wheel to be rotated without rotation of the pipe. A drive shaft connector on the cutter wheel is connectable to a pilot hole drive shaft for rotating the cutter wheel and pulling it and the pipe. A pilot hole is drilled in a conventional manner. The pipe is attached to the mounting bracket and an end of the pilot hole drive shaft is then connected to the cutter wheel. Simultaneously the pilot hole is enlarged and the pipe and cutter wheel are pulled along the enlarged hole by the drive shaft. The cutter wheel advances along the pilot hole and the pipe is simultaneously advanced through the enlarged hole immediately behind the cutter wheel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.