Gripping mechanism for a directional drilling machine
US6408954B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B19/15
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A horizontal directional drilling machine including a rod transfer member having a rod retainer that is movable between a first position and a second position. When the rod retainer is in the first position, the rod retainer is adapted to retain a pipe on the transfer member. By contrast, when the rod retainer is in the second position, a rod can be moved from the transfer member without being obstructed by the rod retainer. A sensor is provided for detecting when a pipe is positioned on the pipe transfer member, and for causing the rod retainer to automatically move from the second position to the first position when a rod is detected.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.