Technique for steering and monitoring the orientation of a powered underground boring device
US4714118A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 22, 1986 |
| Grant date | Dec 22, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 22, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B47/024
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A technique for providing a continuous underground tunnel is disclosed herein. This technique utilizes an elongated boring device including a forward facing, off-axis high pressure fluid jet which is rotated about the elongated axis of the device while the latter is urged forward through the soil, whereby to cause the device to bore a tunnel through the soil as it moves forward. In accordance with one feature of this technique, the boring device is steered by modulating the speed and/or the direction of rotation of its off-axis fluid jet in a way which depends upon the desired direction to be taken by the boring device within the soil. In accordance with another feature of the overall technique, the pitch angle of the boring device, as defined by its elongation axis, is monitored relative to a horizontal ground plane, independent of the roll position of the device. In accordance with still another feature of the technique, the roll angle of the boring device and the position of its off-axis jet are simultaneously monitored whereby to monitor the precise rotational position of the jet relative to its roll position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.