Patents by Inventor Michael Swanbom

Michael Swanbom 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).

  • Steerable ground piercing tools
    Patent number: 8511403
    Abstract: A steerable ground piercing tool includes an elongated outer housing having a lengthwise extending bore and an inner assembly at least in part disposed within the outer housing. The inner assembly includes a rotatable chisel having a longitudinally extending shaft at least in part disposed within the housing bore. The chisel has a first end defining an asymmetric tip and a second end defining a first impact surface for receiving a reciprocating action impact to drive the tool through the ground. The inner assembly further includes a conversion mechanism to selectively convert upon activation thereof at least a first portion of the reciprocating action imparted to the first impact surface into combined reciprocation and rotation of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Louisiana Tech University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Erez N. Allouche, David Hall, Michael Swanbom, Slade Richard
  • STEERABLE GROUND PIERCING TOOLS
    Publication number: 20130000987
    Abstract: A steerable ground piercing tool includes an elongated outer housing having a lengthwise extending bore and an inner assembly at least in part disposed within the outer housing. The inner assembly includes a rotatable chisel having a longitudinally extending shaft at least in part disposed within the housing bore. The chisel has a first end defining an asymmetric tip and a second end defining a first impact surface for receiving a reciprocating action impact to drive the tool through the ground. The inner assembly further includes a conversion mechanism to selectively convert upon activation thereof at least a first portion of the reciprocating action imparted to the first impact surface into combined reciprocation and rotation of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Louisiana Tech University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Erez N. Allouche, David Hall, Michael Swanbom, Slade Richard
  • Steerable ground piercing tools
    Patent number: 8256539
    Abstract: A steerable ground piercing tool includes an elongated outer housing having a lengthwise extending bore and an inner assembly at least in part disposed within the outer housing. The inner assembly includes a rotatable chisel having a longitudinally extending shaft at least in part disposed within the housing bore. The chisel has a first end defining an asymmetric tip and a second end defining a first impact surface for receiving a reciprocating action impact to drive the tool through the ground. The inner assembly further includes a conversion mechanism to selectively convert upon activation thereof at least a first portion of the reciprocating action imparted to the first impact surface into combined reciprocation and rotation of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Louisiana Tech University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Erez N. Allouche, David Hall, Michael Swanbom, Slade Richard
  • STEERABLE GROUND PIERCING TOOLS
    Publication number: 20110024196
    Abstract: A steerable ground piercing tool includes an elongated outer housing having a lengthwise extending bore and an inner assembly at least in part disposed within the outer housing. The inner assembly includes a rotatable chisel having a longitudinally extending shaft at least in part disposed within the housing bore. The chisel has a first end defining an asymmetric tip and a second end defining a first impact surface for receiving a reciprocating action impact to drive the tool through the ground. The inner assembly further includes a conversion mechanism to selectively convert upon activation thereof at least a first portion of the reciprocating action imparted to the first impact surface into combined reciprocation and rotation of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Erez N. Allouche, David Hall, Michael Swanbom, Slade Richard