Apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine

(54) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR

CONTROLLING AN UNDERGROUND
BORING MACHINE

(75) Inventors: Brian John Bischel, Pella, IA (US);

James Richard Rankin, Montezuma,
IA (US)

(73) Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company,

Pella, IA (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

(21) Appl. No.: 10/128,772

(22) Filed: Apr. 22, 2002

(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2002/0112893 Al Aug. 22, 2002

Related U.S. Application Data

(62) Division of application No. 09/808,280, filed on Mar. 14, 2001, now Pat. No. 6,382,330, which is a division of application No. 09/605,594, filed on Jun. 28, 2000, now Pat. No. 6,289,997, which is a division of application No. 09/384,754, filed on Aug. 27,1999, now Pat. No. 6,109,367, which is a division of application No. 08/614,532, filed on Mar. 13, 1996, now Pat. No. 5,746,278.

(51) Int. CI.7 E21B 44/00

(52) U.S. CI 175/24; 175/27; 175/48

(58) Field of Search 175/19, 24, 26,

175/27, 40, 48

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 4,787,463 A 11/1988 Geller et al.

An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at a selected rotation rate to optimize excavation productivity. The controller may also monitor the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjust the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool.

25 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets