Steerable soil penetration system
US7347282B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 7, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B17/20
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A steerable soil penetration system having a steerable penetration head, which compacts and does not cut away the surrounding soil and which is connected to an elongate flexible tubing such that the orientation of the penetration head can be varied relative to the tubing. The elongate tubing and/or a downhole hammer or tractor pushes the penetration head through the subsurface formation. Preferably the tubing is surrounded by a narrow annulus so that buckling of the tubing is inhibited and the tubing protects the pierced hole against caving in. Optionally the tubing is circumferentially expanded after completion of the piercing process thereby increasing the width of the pierced hole and providing a permanent hole lining.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.