Steering and lubricating apparatus for portable earth boring machine with steering head

• US 4,977,967 A
• Filed: 09/22/1989
• Issued: 12/18/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Augers Unlimited, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Augers Unlimited, Inc.
• Inventors: Alston, Howard W., Schondell, Douglas G., Peacock, Ronald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Neuder, William P.
• Application Number:
  US07/411,564
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 175/45, 175/61, 175/62, 175/73, 175/74, 175/75, 175/76, 175/122, 175/171, 74/467, 173/154
• US Class Current: 175/45
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/01 Arrangements for handling drilling fluids or cuttings outside the borehole, e.g. mud boxes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/062 the tool shaft rotating inside a non-rotating guide travelling with the shaft E21B7/067 and E21B7/068 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/201 with helical conveying means

Abstract

A combined steering and lubricating apparatus for use with earth boring apparatus includes a casing extension pivotally attached to one end of a casing section and controlled by an elongate tube which is movable along an axis parallel to the axis of the casing to pivot the casing extension. The invention includes a first connector for connecting one end of the tube to the casing extension and a second connector assembly connected to the other end of the tube for moving the tube and pivoting the casing extension and for providing lubricating fluid to the tube and first connector for deposit on the exterior of the casing.

Claims

1. Combined steering and lubricating apparatus for use with an earth boring apparatus of the type that forms horizontal holes and pushes sections of casings into said holes, comprising:

(a) a casing section;

(b) a casing extension pivotally attached to one end of said casing;

(c) pivot means connecting said casing to said casing extension for pivoting said casing extension relatively of said casing;

(d) control means mounted on the exterior of said casing adjacent the opposed end thereof and connected to said pivot means;

(e) said control means being adapted for releasable connection with a source of fluid;

(f) said pivot means being in fluid communication with said control means and the exterior of said casing whereby fluid may be deposited on the exterior of said casing adjacent its point of attachment to said casing extension; and

(g) said pivot means and said control means being interconnected by an elongate hollow tube and releasably connected to opposed ends thereof by hollow first and second connectors in fluid communication with the interior of said tube.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pivot means includes a pivot bracket mounted on said casing extension and an elongate said first connector having one end pivotally attached to said bracket and its opposed end releasably attached to one end of said elongate hollow tube.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first connector includes a pivot arm, one end of which is apertured for receipt of a pivot pin and for attachment to said bracket;

a hollow body portion secured to the opposed end of said pivot arm and a hollow threaded extension secured to said body for releasable attachment to said one end of said tube;

said body having at least one radial bore therein.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means include a housing releasably mounted on said casing.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said second connector is releasably and adjustably attached to the opposed end of said elongate hollow tube.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said second connector includes a first hollow, threaded end for engagement with said tube, an enlarged hollow body attached to said first end;

and a second threaded end projecting from said body.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said housing includes a threaded bracket for receipt of said second threaded end of said second connector.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein a mounting bracket is attached to said casing;

and said housing includes a base plate for releasable engagement with said bracket.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein adjustment means are threadingly received on said second threaded end of said second connector and disposed on opposed sides of said threaded bracket.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongate hollow tube has at least one through radially directed aperture in proximity with the end thereof adjacent said casing extension.

11. Steering apparatus for attachment to a pipe casing, comprising:

(a) a casing extension pivotally attached to one end of the casing;

(b) steering means disposed on the exterior surface of the casing and including

(1) a first connector releasably attached to said casing extension,

(2) an elongate hollow tube, one end of which is releasably attached to said first connector,

(3) a second connector assembly releasably attached to the opposed end of said tube;

(c) said first connector being in fluid communication with the interior of said hollow tube;

(d) said second connector assembly being in fluid communication with an external source of fluid supply and with the interior of said hollow tube; and

(e) means for advancing and retracting said steering means along an axis parallel to the axis of the casing.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first connector is in fluid communication with its own exterior surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said hollow tube has at least one through radial aperture therein;

and said second connector assembly is in communication with a source of fluid supply.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said second connector assembly includes a threaded shaft extending parallel to the axis of said casing;

a threaded backet projecting radially with respect to said casing; and

adjustment means disposed on said threaded shaft and on opposed sides of said bracket.