Device for detecting inclination of boring head of boring tool

• US 5,363,926 A
• Filed: 01/03/1994
• Issued: 11/15/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Takachiho Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Takachiho Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Mizuno, Morio
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael Powell
• Application Number:
  US08/176,423
• Time in Patent Office: 316 Days
• Field of Search: 175/24, 175/45, 175/61, 175/62, 405/184, 324/345, 324/346
• US Class Current: 175/45
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/0232 at least one of the energy sources or one of the detectors being located on or above the ground surface

Abstract

A boring head of a boring tool for boring the ground includes a device for detecting inclination of the boring head therein. The device includes a roll angle sensor and a pitch angle sensor. The roll angle sensor detects an angular position of the boring head in a roll direction and outputs a roll angle detecting signal. The pitch angle sensor detects an angular position of the boring head in a pitch direction outputs a pitch angle detecting signal. A signal modulating circuit converts the roll angle detecting signal and the pitch angle detecting signal into a serial signal and modulates the serial signal. An output circuit receives the modulated serial signal and outputs a magnetic field which is receivable by a receiver located on the ground and which permits determination of the roll angle and the pitch angle of the boring head.

Claims

1. A device mounted on a boring head of a boring tool for boring the ground and adapted for detecting inclination of the boring head, comprising:

a roll angle sensor for detecting an angular position of the boring head in a roll direction and for outputting a roll angle detecting signal;

a pitch angle sensor for detecting an angular position of the boring head in a pitch direction and for outputting a pitch angle detecting signal;

signal modulating means for converting said roll angle detecting signal and said pitch angle detecting signal into a serial signal and for modulating said serial signal; and

output means for receiving said modulated serial signal and for outputting a magnetic field which is receivable by a receiver located on the ground and which permits determination of the roll angle and the pitch angle of the boring head.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 and further including a power supply circuit disposed within the boring head and operable to output a stabilizing voltage;

and a power saving circuit operable to stop outputting of said stabilizing voltage when a predetermined time has elapsed after stopping of rotation of the boring head.

3. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said roll angle sensor includes a plurality of mercury switches spaced from each other in a circumferential direction of the boring head by a predetermined angle;

and each of said mercury switches sealingly contains a mercury drop therein and is operable to be turned on and off according to the roll angle of the boring head.

4. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said pitch angle sensor includes a magnetic variable resistor having an internal resistance varying with the pivotal angle of a pivotal shaft mounted on the boring head;

a weight is mounted on said pivotal shaft so as to normally keep said pivotal shaft in position relative to said weight which is directed to a direction of its gravity, so that said pivotal shaft pivots according to the change of the pitch angle of the boring head and that said pitch angle sensor outputs an electric signal according to the pivotal angle of said pivotal shaft.