Automated lubricant dispensing system and method for a horizontal directional drilling machine
US6557651B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 11, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 6, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 11, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B17/006
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A lubrication system and method for dispensing a lubricant to threads of a drill rod and/or a spindle of a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine during a rod loading or unloading operation employs a pumping system having a lubricant reservoir, a pump, an applicator, and a lubricant supply conduit coupled between the pump and applicator. A heating unit is coupled to the pumping station and heats lubricant contained within the pumping system. A control unit coupled to the pumping system activates the pumping system to dispense a volume of lubricant from the applicator to the threads of the drill rod and/or spindle in response to an operator signal or an HDD machine control signal. A lubricant may be sprayed onto the spindle/drill rod threads. Alternatively, the lubricant may be communicated through a passageway defined within the spindle to one or more apertures defined within the threads of the spindle and/or the drill rod. The rate of lubrication application is preferably proportional to a rate of spindle rotation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.