Boring tool control using remote locator
First Claim
1. In a drilling apparatus for performing underground boring including a locator/control arrangement, said apparatus also including a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground to form an underground bore, said boring tool including means for emitting a locating signal, said locator/control arrangement comprising:
- a) a portable device for generating certain information about the position of the boring tool in response to said locating signal, said portable device including means for generating command signals in view of said certain information and for transmitting said command signals to said drill rig; and
b) means located at said drill rig for receiving said command signals whereby the command signals can be used to control the boring tool.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A locator/control arrangement forms part of a drilling apparatus which also includes a boring tool that emits a locating signal. The locator/control arrangement is used for locating and controlling underground movement of a boring tool which is operated from a drill rig. The locator/control arrangement includes a portable device for generating certain information about the position of the boring tool in response to the locating signal. In addition, the portable device generates command signals based on operator input in view of the generated certain information and transmits the command signals to the drill rig. An arrangement located at the drill rig then receives the command signals so that the command signals can be used to control the boring tool. In one feature, the arrangement located at the drill rig for receiving the command signals may indicate the command signals to a drill rig operator. In another feature, the arrangement located at the drill rig for receiving the command signals may automatically execute the command signals at the drill rig in a way which eliminates the need for a drill rig operator. Drill rig monitoring may be provided for monitoring particular operational parameters of the drill rig.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. In a drilling apparatus for performing underground boring including a locator/control arrangement, said apparatus also including a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground to form an underground bore, said boring tool including means for emitting a locating signal, said locator/control arrangement comprising:
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a) a portable device for generating certain information about the position of the boring tool in response to said locating signal, said portable device including means for generating command signals in view of said certain information and for transmitting said command signals to said drill rig; and b) means located at said drill rig for receiving said command signals whereby the command signals can be used to control the boring tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. In a drilling apparatus for performing underground boring, said apparatus including a drill rig which operates a boring tool that is configured for moving through the ground to form an underground bore, said boring tool including means for emitting a locating signal, a method of controlling the boring tool comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a portable device for generating certain information about the position of the boring tool in response to said locating signal, said portable device also including means for generating command signals; b) in view of said certain information, generating said command signals and, thereafter, transmitting the command signals to said drill rig from the portable device; and c) using the command signals at said drill rig for controlling the boring tool. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. In a drilling apparatus for performing underground boring including a locator/control arrangement, said apparatus also including a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground to form an underground bore, said boring tool including means for emitting a locating signal, said locator/control arrangement comprising:
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a) a portable device for generating certain information about the position of the boring tool in response to said locating signal, said portable device including an arrangement which generates command signals in view of said certain information and which transmits said command signals to said drill rig; and b) a receiver located at said drill rig for receiving said command signals whereby the command signals can be used to control the boring tool.
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Specification