Patents by Inventor Hans Kelpe
Hans Kelpe 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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Publication number: 20190234199Abstract: A locator device and methods of use are disclosed. The locator device includes a first locating system configured to generate to sense an electromagnetic field emanating from a sonde associated with a drill head, and a second locating system including a global positioning system. The locator device includes a display on the locating system configured to display a map of the area in which the locator device resides based on a location detected by the global positioning system. The locator device also includes control electronics configured to, upon receipt of an input from a user, record location data in a memory associated with the locator device for use by a horizontal directional drilling control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Applicant: VERMEER MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Scott Alan REMPE, Tony BRIGGS, David HANSON, Keith SJOSTROM, Nathan COPELAND, Hans KELPE, Tod MICHAEL, Chad VAN SOELEN
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Patent number: 10294776Abstract: A locator device and methods of use are disclosed. The locator device includes a first locating system configured to generate to sense an electromagnetic field emanating from a sonde associated with a drill head, and a second locating system including a global positioning system. The locator device includes a display on the locating system configured to display a map of the area in which the locator device resides based on a location detected by the global positioning system. The locator device also includes control electronics configured to, upon receipt of an input from a user, record location data in a memory associated with the locator device for use by a horizontal directional drilling control system.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Scott Alan Rempe, Tony Briggs, David Hanson, Keith Sjostrom, Nathan Copeland, Hans Kelpe, Tod Michael, Chad Van Soelen
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Publication number: 20170335677Abstract: A locator device and methods of use are disclosed. The locator device includes a first locating system configured to generate to sense an electromagnetic field emanating from a sonde associated with a drill head, and a second locating system including a global positioning system. The locator device includes a display on the locating system configured to display a map of the area in which the locator device resides based on a location detected by the global positioning system. The locator device also includes control electronics configured to, upon receipt of an input from a user, record location data in a memory associated with the locator device for use by a horizontal directional drilling control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Scott Alan REMPE, Tony BRIGGS, David HANSON, Keith SJOSTROM, Nathan COPELAND, Hans KELPE, Tod MICHAEL, Chad VAN SOELEN
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Patent number: 9611732Abstract: A locator device and methods of use are disclosed. The locator device includes a first locating system configured to generate to sense an electromagnetic field emanating from a sonde associated with a drill head, and a second locating system including a global positioning system. The locator device includes a display on the locating system configured to display a map of the area in which the locator device resides based on a location detected by the global positioning system. The locator device also includes control electronics configured to, upon receipt of an input from a user, record location data in a memory associated with the locator device for use by a horizontal directional drilling control system.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Scott Alan Rempe, Tony Briggs, David Hanson, Keith Sjostrom, Nathan Copeland, Hans Kelpe, Tod Michael, Chad Van Soelen
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Publication number: 20150090496Abstract: A locator device and methods of use are disclosed. The locator device includes a first locating system configured to generate to sense an electromagnetic field emanating from a sonde associated with a drill head, and a second locating system including a global positioning system. The locator device includes a display on the locating system configured to display a map of the area in which the locator device resides based on a location detected by the global positioning system. The locator device also includes control electronics configured to, upon receipt of an input from a user, record location data in a memory associated with the locator device for use by a horizontal directional drilling control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2012Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: VERMEER MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Scott Alan Rempe, Tony Briggs, David Hanson, Keith Sjostrom, Nathan Copeland, Hans Kelpe, Tod Michael, Chad Van Soelen
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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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Patent number: 8220564Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method of switching horizontal directional drilling procedures during bore path turning. Such methods can include identifying a hierarchal arrangement of a plurality of different boring procedures utilizing different boring techniques, the hierarchy arrangement representing boring procedures of increasing ability to bore through harder soil while changing a trajectory of a boring tool. Such methods can further include boring a first leg of a curved bore path using a boring tool connected to a drill rig by a drill string, the first leg being bored using a first boring procedure of the plurality of different boring procedures. Such methods can further include monitoring a plurality of boring parameters during boring of the first leg, the plurality of boring parameters comprising: torsional pressure of the drill string, rotational travel of the drill string, hydraulic pressure, and axial displacement.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Randy Ray Runquist, Hans Kelpe
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Patent number: 7999562Abstract: An operator detection and presence device includes a conductive sensor and a guard electrode. The sensor and electrode are physically located and electrically connected in a manner which helps the detection circuit measure if an operator's hand is on the handle or if the change in capacitance is due to water. The sensor and electrode are preferably physically located in the handle spaced apart from one another, where the sensor is located in an area that the operator will touch. The electrode is located in an area that the operator will not generally touch. A detection circuit is connected to the sensor and electrode for measuring whether the capacitance of the sensor has changed. The electrode is used to avoid false detections and/or the ability to detect of operator presence.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Yuriy Khapochkin, Hans Kelpe
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Patent number: 7607494Abstract: An earth penetrating apparatus includes a cutting tool and a sensor housing. A radar unit, rate sensor unit, processor, and transmitter are provided in the sensor housing. An antenna arrangement is coupled to the radar unit and configured for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals in a relatively forward and/or lateral looking direction relative to a distal end of the cutting tool. The rate sensor unit may include one or both of a gyroscope and an accelerometer. The processor receives radar data from the radar unit indicative of subsurface strata and obstacles respectively located generally forward and/or lateral of the cutting tool, and receives displacement data from the rate sensor unit indicative of one or both of longitudinal and rotational displacement of the cutting tool. The transmitter is configured for transmitting one or both of the radar data and the displacement data to an aboveground location.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2006Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kevin L. Alft, Gregory W. Draper, Hans Kelpe
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Publication number: 20090079444Abstract: An operator detection and presence device includes a conductive sensor and a guard electrode. The sensor and electrode are physically located and electrically connected in a manner which helps the detection circuit measure if an operator's hand is on the handle or if the change in capacitance is due to water. The sensor and electrode are preferably physically located in the handle spaced apart from one another, where the sensor is located in an area that the operator will touch. The electrode is located in an area that the operator will not generally touch. A detection circuit is connected to the sensor and electrode for measuring whether the capacitance of the sensor has changed. The electrode is used to avoid false detections and/or the ability to detect of operator presence.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Yuriy Khapochkin, Hans Kelpe
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Publication number: 20090062804Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a method of switching horizontal directional drilling procedures during bore path turning. Such methods can include identifying a hierarchal arrangement of a plurality of different boring procedures utilizing different boring techniques, the hierarchy arrangement representing boring procedures of increasing ability to bore through harder soil while changing a trajectory of a boring tool. Such methods can further include boring a first leg of a curved bore path using a boring tool connected to a drill rig by a drill string, the first leg being bored using a first boring procedure of the plurality of different boring procedures. Such methods can further include monitoring a plurality of boring parameters during boring of the first leg, the plurality of boring parameters comprising: torsional pressure of the drill string, rotational travel of the drill string, hydraulic pressure, and axial displacement.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventors: Randy Ray Runquist, Hans Kelpe
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Publication number: 20070240903Abstract: An earth penetrating apparatus includes a cutting tool and a sensor housing. A radar unit, rate sensor unit, processor, and transmitter are provided in the sensor housing. An antenna arrangement is coupled to the radar unit and configured for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals in a relatively forward and/or lateral looking direction relative to a distal end of the cutting tool. The rate sensor unit may include one or both of a gyroscope and an accelerometer. The processor receives radar data from the radar unit indicative of subsurface strata and obstacles respectively located generally forward and/or lateral of the cutting tool, and receives displacement data from the rate sensor unit indicative of one or both of longitudinal and rotational displacement of the cutting tool. The transmitter is configured for transmitting one or both of the radar data and the displacement data to an aboveground location.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2006Publication date: October 18, 2007Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kevin Alft, Gregory Draper, Hans Kelpe
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Patent number: 7143844Abstract: An earth penetrating apparatus includes a cutting tool and a sensor housing. A radar unit, rate sensor unit, processor, and transmitter are provided in the sensor housing. An antenna arrangement is coupled to the radar unit and configured for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals in a relatively forward and/or lateral looking direction relative to a distal end of the cutting tool. The rate sensor unit may include one or both of a gyroscope and an accelerometer. The processor receives radar data from the radar unit indicative of subsurface strata and obstacles respectively located generally forward and/or lateral of the cutting tool, and receives displacement data from the rate sensor unit indicative of one or both of longitudinal and rotational displacement of the cutting tool. The transmitter is configured for transmitting one or both of the radar data and the displacement data to an aboveground location.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2005Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kevin L. Alft, Gregory W. Draper, Hans Kelpe
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Publication number: 20060185899Abstract: Devices for sensing at an underground drilling device in communication with an above-ground locator involve transmitting a radar probe signal from the underground drilling device. A radar return signal is received at the underground drilling device. The radar return signal is processed at the underground drilling device to produce sensor data. The sensor data is transmitted in a form suitable for reception by the above-ground locator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2006Publication date: August 24, 2006Inventors: Kevin Alft, Brian Bischel, Gregg Austin, Hans Kelpe
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System for directional boring including a drilling head with overrunning clutch and method of boring
Publication number: 20050274548Abstract: A drilling system including a drill head configured to couple to a drill string. The drill head including an offset adapter, a one-way clutch, and a drill bit. The drill head being configured to provide straight drilling along a first axis, and deviated drilling along a second axis. The drilling system further including a gearbox configured to provide selective rotational operation corresponding to the straight drilling and the deviated drilling. The drilling system also including control systems to control the selected rotational operation of the gearbox.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2005Publication date: December 15, 2005Inventors: Rene Albert, Scott Rempe, Hans Kelpe, Tod Michael -
Publication number: 20050173153Abstract: An earth penetrating apparatus includes a cutting tool and a sensor housing. A radar unit, rate sensor unit, processor, and transmitter are provided in the sensor housing. An antenna arrangement is coupled to the radar unit and configured for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals in a relatively forward and/or lateral looking direction relative to a distal end of the cutting tool. The rate sensor unit may include one or both of a gyroscope and an accelerometer. The processor receives radar data from the radar unit indicative of subsurface strata and obstacles respectively located generally forward and/or lateral of the cutting tool, and receives displacement data from the rate sensor unit indicative of one or both of longitudinal and rotational displacement of the cutting tool. The transmitter is configured for transmitting one or both of the radar data and the displacement data to an aboveground location.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2005Publication date: August 11, 2005Inventors: Kevin Alft, Gregory Draper, Hans Kelpe
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Patent number: 6910541Abstract: A system and method for controlling an HDD machine to move a cutting tool along an underground path in accordance with a pre-established bore plan. Cutting tool movement is detected from above-ground. During HDD machine operation, one or more control programs are accessed. Each of the control programs can cause the HDD machine to execute a sequence of pre-defined HDD machine actions. A particular control program of the one or more control programs is executed to augment movement of a drill pipe or the cutting tool.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Hans Kelpe
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Publication number: 20040256159Abstract: Devices for sensing at an underground drilling device in communication with an above-ground locator involve transmitting a radar probe signal from the underground drilling device. A radar return signal is received at the underground drilling device. The radar return signal is processed at the underground drilling device to produce sensor data. The sensor data is transmitted in a form suitable for reception by the above-ground locator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2004Publication date: December 23, 2004Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kevin L. Alft, Brian J. Bischel, Gregg A. Austin, Hans Kelpe
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Publication number: 20040190374Abstract: An earth penetrating apparatus includes a cutting tool and a sensor housing. A radar unit, rate sensor unit, processor, and transmitter are provided in the sensor housing. An antenna arrangement is coupled to the radar unit and configured for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals in a relatively forward and/or lateral looking direction relative to a distal end of the cutting tool. The rate sensor unit may include one or both of a gyroscope and an accelerometer. The processor receives radar data from the radar unit indicative of subsurface strata and obstacles respectively located generally forward and/or lateral of the cutting tool, and receives displacement data from the rate sensor unit indicative of one or both of longitudinal and rotational displacement of the cutting tool. The transmitter is configured for transmitting one or both of the radar data and the displacement data to an aboveground location.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Kevin L. Alft, Gregory W. Draper, Hans Kelpe
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Patent number: 6766869Abstract: A remote lock-out system and method are employed with a drilling machine. The remote lock-out system includes a remote lock-out override controller capable of interrupting a drilling operation of the drilling machine. The remote lock-out override controller includes a transmitter and a receiver. A remote lock-out controller is capable of issuing a lock-out signal and a run signal, wherein the lock-out signal, when received by the HDD machine, initiates suspension of the HDD machine drilling operation, and the run signal initiates enablement of the HDD machine drilling operation. The remote lock-out controller includes a transmitter and a receiver. The HDD machine drilling operation generally includes displacing and rotating the drill string, and can further include supplying a drilling fluid through the drill string.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Ivan R. Brand, Scott Kilborn, Hans Kelpe, Gregg A. Austin