Patents by Inventor Andis Salins
Andis Salins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8439132Abstract: A microtunnelling apparatus and system that includes an external drive system having rotational and linear thrust drive means, a drill head section having drill rotor and drill rod and connecting to intermediate drill rods allowing extension of the boring hole created by the drill head section driven by the drive system. The drill head includes a modular construction having a plurality of circular disc like elements, a bearing module, a steering module, a spacer module, and a mounting module, for axial alignment and abutment and mounting within a cylindrical steering shell. Directional steering of the drill head includes a plurality of substantially radially extending channels in steering module, each with an hydraulically movable protuberance movable by control means to redirect the outer steering casing and thereby redirect the drill head section mounted on the distal end of the drill rods.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Andis Salins, Stuart Harrison
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Publication number: 20130008718Abstract: A tunneling apparatus is disclosed. The tunneling apparatus includes a drill string formed by a plurality of drill string sections. The drill string has a proximal end and a distal end. The tunneling apparatus also includes a drill head mounted at the distal end of the drill string, the drill head including a cutting unit, a rotational driver that provides torque for rotating the cutting unit, and a thrust driver for applying thrust to the drill string. The tunneling apparatus further includes a vacuum system for withdrawing spoils generated by the cutting unit during operation of the tunneling apparatus and a drilling fluid system for providing drilling fluid to adjacent the cutting unit during operation of the tunneling apparatus. The tunneling apparatus includes a control system that allows an operator to select between a drilling mode and a break-out mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2010Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Melvin Nguyen, John Wesley Philbrook, Andis Salins, Stuart Harrison, Louis C. Hartke, Matthew Stephen Vos, Robert Hoch Shuman, V, Hans Kelpe, Douglas Eugene See, JR., Jeffrey Scieszinski
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Publication number: 20130008723Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a drilling apparatus including a cutting unit defining at least one through-hole that provides fluid communication between a distal side and a proximal side of the cutting unit. The cutting unit includes a plurality of cutting elements at the distal side of the cutting unit. The cutting unit also includes a shutter for selectively opening and blocking the through-hole of the cutting unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2010Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Keith Allen Hoelting, Andis Salins, Stuart Harrison
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Publication number: 20120241221Abstract: A microtunnelling apparatus and system that includes an external drive system having rotational and linear thrust drive means, a drill head section having drill rotor and drill rod and connecting to intermediate drill rods allowing extension of the boring hole created by the drill head section driven by the drive system. The drill head includes a modular construction having a plurality of circular disc like elements, a bearing module, a steering module, a spacer module, and a mounting module, for axial alignment and abutment and mounting within a cylindrical steering shell. Directional steering of the drill head includes a plurality of substantially radially extending channels in steering module, each with an hydraulically movable protuberance movable by control means to redirect the outer steering casing and thereby redirect the drill head section mounted on the distal end of the drill rods.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Andis SALINS, Stuart HARRISON
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Patent number: 8151906Abstract: A microtunnelling apparatus and system that includes an external drive system having rotational and linear thrust drive means, a drill head section having drill rotor and drill rod and connecting to intermediate drill rods allowing extension of the boring hole created by the drill head section driven by the drive system. The drill head includes a modular construction having a plurality of circular disc like elements, a bearing module, a steering module, a spacer module, and a mounting module, for axial alignment and abutment and mounting within a cylindrical steering shell. Directional steering of the drill head includes a plurality of substantially radially extending channels in steering module, each with an hydraulically movable protuberance movable by control means to redirect the outer steering casing and thereby redirect the drill head section mounted on the distal end of the drill rods.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2006Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Andis Salins, Stuart Harrison
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Patent number: 7976242Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a drill head having a drill head main body including a front end portion and a back end portion. The back end portion is configured to be connected to a drill rod. A steering shell is mounted over the front end portion. A drive shaft extends through the back end portion and the front end portion of the drill head main body. The drive shaft has a front end adapted for connection to a cutting unit and the drive shaft is rotatably supported within a bearing at the front end portion of the drill head main body. A steering shell driving arrangement is incorporated into the front end portion of the drill head main body for generating relative radial movement between the steering shell and the drill head main body.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Andis Salins, Stuart Harrison
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Patent number: 7942217Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microtunnelling apparatus including a cutting apparatus adapted to be rotated by a drill shaft defining a central axis of rotation that extends along a length of the drill shaft. The cutting apparatus includes a front cutting rotor having a hub defining a shaft receiver that extends at least partially through the hub in a direction extending from a back side toward a front cutting side of the front cutting rotor. The shaft receiver is configured to receive the drill shaft. The drill shaft and the shaft receiver cooperate to define a torque transmitting mechanical interface for allowing torque to be transferred between the drill shaft and the front cutting rotor such that the drill shaft can be used to rotate the front cutting rotor about the central axis of rotation. The front cutting rotor also includes a plurality of cutting bars that project at least partially radially outwardly from the hub.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Andis Salins, Stuart Harrison
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Patent number: 7845432Abstract: A microtunnelling apparatus and system that includes an external drive system having rotational and linear thrust drive means, a drill head section having drill rotor and drill rod and connecting to intermediate drill rods allowing extension of the boring hole created by the drill head section driven by the drive system. The drill head includes a modular construction having a plurality of circular disc like elements, a bearing module, a steering module, a spacer module, and a mounting module, for axial alignment and abutment and mounting within a cylindrical steering shell. Directional steering of the drill head includes a plurality of substantially radially extending channels in steering module, each with an hydraulically movable protuberance movable by control means to redirect the outer steering casing and thereby redirect the drill head section mounted on the distal end of the drill rods.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Andis Salins, Stuart Harrison
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Publication number: 20100206635Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tunneling apparatus including a pipe string having a distal end and a proximal end. The pipe string includes a plurality of pipe-sections connected end-to end. The pipe string also includes a cutting head coupled to a distal-most one of the pipe-sections. The pipe string defines a vacuum passage that extends through the pipe string from the proximal end to the distal end of the pipe string. A source of vacuum is in fluid communication with the vacuum passage for drawing cuttings through the vacuum passage. A blockage sensor can be used for sensing whether a precursor blockage condition exists within the vacuum passage. A source of air pressure can be used to force air distally through the pipe string to assist in moving cuttings proximally through the vacuum passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Inventors: Stuart Harrison, Andis Salins, Matthew Arlen Mills, Melvin Nguyen
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Publication number: 20090301783Abstract: A microtunnelling apparatus and system that includes an external drive system having rotational and linear thrust drive means, a drill head section having drill rotor and drill rod and connecting to intermediate drill rods allowing extension of the boring hole created by the drill head section driven by the drive system. The drill head includes a modular construction having a plurality of circular disc like elements, a bearing module, a steering module, a spacer module, and a mounting module, for axial alignment and abutment and mounting within a cylindrical steering shell. Directional steering of the drill head includes a plurality of substantially radially extending channels in steering module, each with an hydraulically movable protuberance movable by control means to redirect the outer steering casing and thereby redirect the drill head section mounted on the distal end of the drill rods.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2006Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Andis Salins
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Publication number: 20090152010Abstract: A microtunnelling apparatus and system that includes an external drive system having rotational and linear thrust drive means, a drill head section having drill rotor and drill rod and connecting to intermediate drill rods allowing extension of the boring hole created by the drill head section driven by the drive system. The drill head includes a modular construction having a plurality of circular disc like elements, a bearing module, a steering module, a spacer module, and a mounting module, for axial alignment and abutment and mounting within a cylindrical steering shell. Directional steering of the drill head includes a plurality of substantially radially extending channels in steering module, each with an hydraulically movable protuberance movable by control means to redirect the outer steering casing and thereby redirect the drill head section mounted on the distal end of the drill rods.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Andis Salins, Stuart Harrison
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Publication number: 20090152012Abstract: A microtunnelling apparatus and system that includes an external drive system having rotational and linear thrust drive means, a drill head section having drill rotor and drill rod and connecting to intermediate drill rods allowing extension of the boring hole created by the drill head section driven by the drive system. The drill head includes a modular construction having a plurality of circular disc like elements, a bearing module, a steering module, a spacer module, and a mounting module, for axial alignment and abutment and mounting within a cylindrical steering shell. Directional steering of the drill head includes a plurality of substantially radially extending channels in steering module, each with an hydraulically movable protuberance movable by control means to redirect the outer steering casing and thereby redirect the drill head section mounted on the distal end of the drill rods.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: Vermer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Andis Salins, Stuart Harrison
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Publication number: 20090152008Abstract: A microtunnelling apparatus and system that includes an external drive system having rotational and linear thrust drive means, a drill head section having drill rotor and drill rod and connecting to intermediate drill rods allowing extension of the boring hole created by the drill head section driven by the drive system. The drill head includes a modular construction having a plurality of circular disc like elements, a bearing module, a steering module, a spacer module, and a mounting module, for axial alignment and abutment and mounting within a cylindrical steering shell. Directional steering of the drill head includes a plurality of substantially radially extending channels in steering module, each with an hydraulically movable protuberance movable by control means to redirect the outer steering casing and thereby redirect the drill head section mounted on the distal end of the drill rods.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Andis SALINS, Stuart HARRISON