Abstract: A portable mapping tool for use in a horizontal drilling system and associated methods use a boring tool configured for transmitting a locating signal. The mapping tool also includes at least one electromagnetic field detector which is configured for measuring the locating signal from a fixed position proximate to the surface of the ground in a drilling area. The mapping tool includes a housing and a transmitter arrangement supported by the housing for transmitting a setup locating signal for reception by the detector in the region for use in determining certain initial conditions at least prior to drilling. The associated methods include the step of configuring the mapping tool for transmitting a setup locating signal for reception by the detector in the region and using the received setup locating signal in determining certain initial conditions at least prior to drilling.

Abstract: A portable mapping tool for use in a horizontal drilling system and associated methods use a boring tool configured for transmitting a locating signal. The mapping tool also includes at least one electromagnetic field detector which is configured for measuring the locating signal from a fixed position proximate to the surface of the ground in a drilling area. The mapping tool includes a housing and a transmitter arrangement supported by the housing for transmitting a setup locating signal for reception by the detector in the region for use in determining certain initial conditions at least prior to drilling. The associated mathods include the step of configuring the mapping tool for transmitting a setup locating signal for reception by the detector in the region and using the received setup locating signal in determining certain initial conditions at least prior to drilling.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for tracking and/or guiding an underground boring tool use one or more detectors to measure the intensity of an electromagnetic field which is transmitted from an underground boring tool. The measured intensities may then be used to determine the location of the boring tool. In a dead reckoning embodiment of the invention, one detector may be employed while, in a position determination embodiment, two or more detectors may be employed. In any embodiment, physically measurable parameters may be used in addition to measured magnetic intensities. A highly advantageous mapping tool instrument for use in the position determination embodiment and a cubic antenna for use in any magnetic field detector are employed herein.

Abstract: Specific apparatus and associated methods are described for use in establishing the positions of locating field detectors and for path mapping within a region for the purpose of tracking and/or guiding the movement of an underground boring tool. In one aspect, an improvement is provided forming part of an arrangement for tracking the position and/or guiding the boring tool using an electromagnetic locating signal which is transmitted from the boring tool as the boring tool moves through the ground. At least two detectors are located at fixed positions within the region, each being operable in a transmit mode and in a receive mode such that each one of the detectors in the transmit mode is able to transmit a relative locating signal to the other detector for use in determining the relative position of one detector in relation to the other and such that both detectors receive the electromagnetic locating signal in the receive mode for use in determining the position of the boring tool within the region.

Abstract: A portable mapping tool for use in a horizontal drilling system and associated methods use a boring tool configured for transmitting a locating signal. The mapping tool also includes at least one electromagnetic field detector which is configured for measuring the locating signal from a fixed position proximate to the surface of the ground in a drilling area. The mapping tool includes a housing and a transmitter arrangement supported by the housing for transmitting a setup locating signal for reception by the detector in the region for use in determining certain initial conditions at least prior to drilling. The associated methods include the step of configuring the mapping tool for transmitting a setup locating signal for reception by the detector in the region and using the received setup locating signal in determining certain initial conditions at least prior to drilling.

Abstract: Specific apparatus and associated methods are described for use in establishing the positions of locating field detectors and for path mapping within a region for the purpose of tracking and/or guiding the movement of an underground boring tool. In one aspect, an improvement is provided forming part of an arrangement for tracking the position and/or guiding the boring tool using an electromagnetic locating signal which is transmitted from the boring tool as the boring tool moves through the ground. At least two detectors are located at fixed positions within the region, each being operable in a transmit mode and in a receive mode such that each one of the detectors in the transmit mode is able to transmit a relative locating signal to the other detector for use in determining the relative position of one detector in relation to the other and such that both detectors receive the electromagnetic locating signal in the receive mode for use in determining the position of the boring tool within the region.

Abstract: Specific apparatus and associated methods are described for use in establishing the positions of locating field detectors and for path mapping within a region for the purpose of tracking and/or guiding the movement of an underground boring tool. In one aspect, an improvement is provided forming part of an arrangement for tracking the position and/or guiding the boring tool using an electromagnetic locating signal which is transmitted from the boring tool as the boring tool moves through the ground. At least two detectors are located at fixed positions within the region, each being operable in a transmit mode and in a receive mode such that each one of the detectors in the transmit mode is able to transmit a relative locating signal to the other detector for use in determining the relative position of one detector in relation to the other and such that both detectors receive the electromagnetic locating signal in the receive mode for use in determining the position of the boring tool within the region.

Abstract: Arrangements, specific apparatus and associated methods for skin depth compensation in underground boring applications are described. Compensation for skin depth error is accomplished by measuring a locating signal transmitted from a boring tool such that measurements of the locating signal include skin depth error introduced as a result of the electrical conductivity characteristic of the earth. Thereafter, the measurements are used in a way which determines a skin depth corrected position of the boring tool. In one aspect, a multi-frequency approach is provided which utilizes measured intensities of the locating field at two or more frequencies to extrapolate a zero frequency value of intensity. The zero frequency value of intensity is then used in position determination.

Abstract: Specific apparatus and associated methods are described for use in establishing the positions of locating field detectors and for path mapping within a region for the purpose of tracking and/or guiding the movement of an underground boring tool. In one aspect, an improvement is provided forming part of an arrangement for tracking the position and/or guiding the boring tool using an electromagnetic locating signal which is transmitted from the boring tool as the boring tool moves through the ground. At least two detectors are located at fixed positions within the region, each being operable in a transmit mode and in a receive mode such that each one of the detectors in the transmit mode is able to transmit a relative locating signal to the other detector for use in determining the relative position of one detector in relation to the other and such that both detectors receive the electromagnetic locating signal in the receive mode for use in determining the position of the boring tool within the region.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for tracking and/or guiding an underground boring tool are disclosed. Each system or arrangement uses one or more detectors to measure the intensity of an electromagnetic field which is transmitted from an underground boring tool. The measured intensities may then be used to determine the location of the boring tool. In a dead reckoning embodiment of the invention, one detector may be employed while, in a position determination embodiment, two or more detectors may be employed. In any embodiment, physically measurable parameters may be used in addition to measured magnetic intensities. A highly advantageous mapping tool instrument and a cubic antenna are disclosed. The former for use in the position determination embodiment and the latter for use in any magnetic field detector employed herein.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for tracking and/or guiding an underground boring tool are disclosed. Each system or arrangement uses one or more detectors to measure the intensity of an electromagnetic field which is transmitted from an underground boring tool. The measured intensities may then be used to determine the location of the boring tool. In a dead reckoning embodiment of the invention, one detector may be employed while, in a position determination embodiment, two or more detectors may be employed. In any embodiment, physically measurable parameters may be used in addition to measured magnetic intensities. A highly advantageous mapping tool instrument and a cubic antenna are disclosed. The former for use in the position determination embodiment and the latter for use in any magnetic field detector employed herein.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for tracking and/or guiding an underground boring tool are disclosed. Each system or arrangement uses one or more detectors to measure the intensity of an electromagnetic field which is transmitted from an underground boring tool. The measured intensities may then be used to determine the location of the boring tool. In a dead reckoning embodiment of the invention, one detector may be employed while, in a position determination embodiment, two or more detectors may be employed. In any embodiment, physically measurable parameters may be used in addition to measured magnetic intensities. A highly advantageous mapping tool instrument and a cubic antenna are disclosed. The former for use in the position determination embodiment and the latter for use in any magnetic field detector employed herein.

Abstract: An antenna member, associated orthogonal antenna arrangement and method are disclosed. The antenna member is configured such that an orthogonal antenna arrangement may utilize two or three identical ones of the disclosed antenna member. Accordingly, the antenna member includes a support member defining a through hole which includes a predetermined configuration. Furthermore, an arrangement of conductive members is supported by the support member and surrounds the through hole such that an antenna pattern is defined along an axis which extends through the through hole. The predetermined configuration of the through hole is such that a two orthogonal axis antenna subassembly may be formed by receiving a first one of the antenna members in the predetermined configuration of the through hole of a second one of the antenna members in a way which arranges the axes of the first and second antenna members orthogonally with respect to one another.

Abstract: A slicing machine includes a blade-plate assembly and a stationary support structure capable of slicing multiple as well as varied food products at the same time. The blade-plate assembly includes a spiraled outer edge support plate and a circular blade having a spiraled inside cutting edge detachably mounted to the support plate. The slicing machine is particularly adept at high speed, hands free slicing of food product.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus for providing an underground tunnel utilizing a steerable pneumatically powered, elongated percussive downhole hammer having a forwardmost cutting bit which is asymmetrically configured with respect to the elongation axis of the hammer. This hammer is steered through the ground, that is, made to move along a straight path or a particular curved path, by controlling the way in which it is pneumatically powered and/or the way in which it is urged forward and/or the way in which its cutting bit is rotated.