Abstract: A tunneling apparatus includes a drill head and a steering shell. The drill head includes a main body having a distal end and an oppositely disposed proximal end. The steering shell is disposed at the distal end of the drill head and is movable relative to the main body of the drill head. The drill head includes structure that assists in maintaining a precise line.

Abstract: A drill rod is disclosed. The drill rod includes a casing assembly defining a length that extends axially between a first end and an opposite second end of the drill rod, and a drive shaft rotatably mounted within the casing assembly. The drive shaft extends axially along the drill rod generally from the first end of the casing assembly to the second end of the casing assembly. The drill rod also includes latching pins at the first end of the drill rod and latching pin receivers at the second end of the drill rod. The drill rod further includes latches provided adjacent the latching pin receivers. The latches are movable between latching and non-latching positions. The latches move along an orientation of movement then the latches between the latching and non-latching positions. The drill rod may also include biasing structures that apply retention forces to the latches for retaining the latches in the non-latching position.

Abstract: A tunneling apparatus includes a drill head and a steering shell. The drill head includes a main body having a distal end and an oppositely disposed proximal end. The steering shell is disposed at the distal end of the drill head and is moveable relative to the main body of the drill head. The drill head includes structure that assists in maintaining a precise line even in soft drilling conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tunneling apparatus including a drill head having a main body and a drive stem rotatably mounted within the main body. The main body defines a vacuum passage offset from the drive stem that extends through the main body from a proximal end to a distal end of the main body. The tunneling apparatus also includes an axial bearing structure for transferring axial load between the drive stem and the main body of the drill head. The axial bearing structure is proximally offset from the distal end of the main body of the drill head. The tunneling apparatus further includes a first radial bearing structure for transferring radial load between the drive stem and the main body of the drill head. The first radial bearing structure is positioned between the axial bearing structure and the distal end of the main body of the drill head and is distally offset from the axial bearing structure.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A backreamer includes a distal end configured for connection to product and a proximal end configured for attachment to a distal end of a drill string. The backreamer includes a backreaming cutter having a cutting side that faces toward the proximal end of the backreamer. The backreamer also includes a proximal assembly that extends between the proximal end of the backreamer and the backreaming cutter. The proximal assembly defines a vacuum passage for removing material cut by the backreaming cutter. The backreamer further includes a drive stem for transferring torque to the backreaming cutter for rotating the backreaming cutter. The drive stem is rotatably supported within the proximal assembly such that the drive stem and the backreaming cutter are rotatable relative to the proximal assembly. The backreamer additionally includes a distal assembly that extends between the backreaming cutter and the distal end of the backreamer.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tunneling apparatus including a drill head having a main body and a drive stem rotatably mounted within the main body. The main body defines a vacuum passage offset from the drive stem that extends through the main body from a proximal end to a distal end of the main body. The tunneling apparatus also includes an axial bearing structure for transferring axial load between the drive stem and the main body of the drill head. The axial bearing structure is proximally offset from the distal end of the main body of the drill head. The tunneling apparatus further includes a first radial bearing structure for transferring radial load between the drive stem and the main body of the drill head. The first radial bearing structure is positioned between the axial bearing structure and the distal end of the main body of the drill head and is distally offset from the axial bearing structure.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cutting component for a tunneling apparatus. The cutting component includes a cutting unit main body having a front cutting side and a rear side. The cutting unit main body includes a hub portion defining a socket providing a torque transfer interface. The socket extends through the hub portion in a rear-to-front orientation and has an open end at least at the rear side of the cutting unit main body. The cutting unit main body defines an axis about which the cutting unit main body is rotated during cutting. The axis extends through a central region of the socket in the rear-to-front orientation. The cutting unit main body also including a plurality of cutting arms connected to the hub portion. The cutting arms project generally radially outwardly from the axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a backreamer including a distal end configured for connection to product and a proximal end configured for attachment to a distal end of a drill string. The backreamer includes a backreaming cutter having a cutting side that faces toward the proximal end of the backreamer. The backreamer also includes a proximal assembly that extends between the proximal end of the backreamer and the backreaming cutter. The proximal assembly defines a vacuum passage for removing material cut by the backreaming cutter. The backreamer further includes a drive stem for transferring torque to the backreaming cutter for rotating the backreaming cutter. The drive stem is rotatably supported within the proximal assembly such that the drive stem and the backreaming cutter are rotatable relative to the proximal assembly. The backreamer additionally includes a distal assembly that extends between the backreaming cutter and the distal end of the backreamer.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.