Underground utility installation tension monitoring arrangement and method
First Claim
1. In a method of operating a drilling system for the purpose of installing an underground line, said system including a drill rig which is positionable at a drilling site and a drill string which is configured for extension by said drill rig such that the drill string is extendable in a way which forms a bore and which is further configured for retraction, such that one end of a line may be attached to an end of the drill string in a predetermined way and pulled through said bore to the drill rig as the drill string is retracted, the improvement comprising the steps of:
- a) during said retraction, monitoring tension levels in said line which tension levels are caused by the force of said retraction on the line; and
b) transmitting said tension levels to an above ground location using an electromagnetic signal for use in establishing the condition of said line as it is installed underground.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved method of operating a drilling system for purposes of installing an underground line and associated apparatus are disclosed. The drilling system includes a drill rig which is positionable at a drilling site and a drill string which is configured for extension by the drill rig such that the drill string is extendable to a predetermined location in a way which forms a pilot bore and which is further configured for retraction, such that one end of a line may be attached to the drill string at the predetermined location and pulled through the pilot bore from the predetermined location to the drill rig as the drill string is retracted. The improvement comprises monitoring tension levels in the line during retraction which tension levels are caused by the force of retraction on the line and transmitting the tension levels to an above ground location for use in establishing the condition of the line as it is installed underground. The associated apparatus includes means for monitoring tension levels in the line caused by the force of retraction on the line and means for transmitting the tension levels to the above ground location.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. In a method of operating a drilling system for the purpose of installing an underground line, said system including a drill rig which is positionable at a drilling site and a drill string which is configured for extension by said drill rig such that the drill string is extendable in a way which forms a bore and which is further configured for retraction, such that one end of a line may be attached to an end of the drill string in a predetermined way and pulled through said bore to the drill rig as the drill string is retracted, the improvement comprising the steps of:
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a) during said retraction, monitoring tension levels in said line which tension levels are caused by the force of said retraction on the line; and b) transmitting said tension levels to an above ground location using an electromagnetic signal for use in establishing the condition of said line as it is installed underground. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a drilling system for use in installing an underground line, said system including a drill rig which is positionable at a drilling site and a drill string which is configured for extension by said drill rig such that the drill string is extendable in a way which forms a bore and which is further configured for retraction, such that one end of a line may be attached to an end of the drill string in a predetermined way and pulled through said bore to the drill rig as the drill string is retracted, the improvement comprising:
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a) means for monitoring tension levels in said line which tension levels are caused by the force of said retraction on the line; and b) means for transmitting said tension levels to an above ground location using an electromagnetic signal for use in establishing the condition of said line as it is installed underground. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification