System and method for automatically controlling a pipe handling system for a horizontal boring machine
US6550547B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 11, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B19/20
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An automatic pipe handling system for automatically transporting pipe sections to and from a horizontal boring machine. The system comprises a pipe handling assembly, a pipe lubrication assembly, a makeup/breakout assembly, and an automatic control system. The pipe handling assembly stores pipe sections and transports the pipe sections to and from the drill string of a boring machine. As the pipe handling assembly transports a pipe section, the pipe lubrication assembly lubricates the appropriate pipe joints. The makeup/breakout assembly secures the drill string and pipe joints so that pipe sections can be added to or removed from the drill string. A programmed controller automatically operates the pipe handling system and its components by synchronizing the operations of the pipe handling system. The controller sequences and times the operation of each aspect of the pipe handling system during both the boring operation and the backreaming operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.