Apparatus and method of anchoring a horizontal directional drilling machine

Abstract

An anchoring device that includes both rotation at the leading edge of the stake which engages the ground and longitudinal thrust of the stake into the ground is disclosed. The stake portion which is driven into the ground also includes a portion which is square. This shape has been found to promote additional stability of the anchoring device. The portion of the stake which is inserted into and engages the ground includes a sleeve portion and a rotating section. The rotating section is located at the second end of the sleeve and a rotary force device is located at the first end of the sleeve. A shaft extends through the sleeve from the rotary force device to the rotating section. The sleeve portion is supported by guides mounted on the frame of the machine to be staked down. A longitudinal force imparting device is also connected to the frame. The rotating section is made up of a cutter device, an adapter section, and a tube. The rotating section is selectively rotatable so that as downward longitudinal force is applied to the sleeve, the cutter section rotates and assists with the insertion of the anchor device (or “stake”) into the ground.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to equipment used for horizontal ground boring; and more specifically to a method and apparatus for securing a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine to the ground while in operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Horizontal directional drilling, commonly referred to as a HDD is a process used in a number of applications such as installing utilities underground. The HDD process, regardless of the application, includes a pilot hole-boring step. In this step, a bore hole is created that extends underground—generally horizontal or parallel to the surface of the earth—starting at a launch point and ending at a termination point.

The bore hole is created by the HDD machine by pushing a drill string through the ground. A drill bit is attached to the leading end of the drill string. In some instances, the drill string may also be rotated. The drill string itself is created by connecting individual drill rods together end-to-end from a supply of drill rods stored on the boring machine. The connection between the rods is made up, and subsequently broken in a later step, by the boring machine. A typical boring machine includes a gear box that connects to the drill string, a drill rod storage magazine, and a rod loading mechanism. The rod loading mechanism moves the individual drill rods from the storage magazine into alignment with the drill string and the gear box where the individual drill rod is connected to it and made a part of the drill string.

In the past, many horizontal directional drilling machines utilized a pit launch method. In this method, a pit is first dug to the approximate grade of the desired horizontal bore hole. The machine is then lowered into the pit such that the bore is almost horizontal. Because of the time and expense of digging one or more pits, many HDD machines generally are capable of performing a surface launch method. In this latter case, the machine (or at least the rack frame portion of the machine) is tilted at a shallow angle with respect to the ground. The drill string enters the ground at this shallow angle, continues for a distance, and then is steered back to the surface over the course of the horizontal bore.

In either case, due to the large forces required to push the drill string through the earth, it is essential that the HDD machine remain securely fixed at the desired physical location—so that the drill string is advanced through the earth rather than the machine being pushed backwards. Various stake down systems have been employed on HDD machines to secure the machine at the physical location. Usually such systems are employed at the leading edge of the rack frame (e.g., at the front end of the machine, and most commonly in the vicinity of the drill rod vises), and are stakes which are driven into the ground with a hydraulic cylinder.

Because of the large number and variability of soil conditions, as well as the requirement that the HDD machine remain fixed and stable in operation, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus for efficiently and securely anchoring an HDD machine while in operation. The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art, and addresses these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preferred anchoring apparatus and method constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes both a rotation at the leading edge of the “stake” which engages the ground and a longitudinal thrust of the stake into the ground. The stake further includes a portion which is not round. Such shapes promote additional stability of the anchoring device. While the anchoring device (also referred to herein as a “stake down”) is particularly useful for anchoring an HDD machine, the principles could be applied to other earth working equipment, with an HDD machine being one example only.

Accordingly, the present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for securely anchoring an HDD machine to the ground in operation. The preferred apparatus implementing the invention includes a sleeve portion, a rotating section, a longitudinal force imparting device, and a rotary force device. The rotating section is located at the second end of the sleeve and the rotary force device is located at the first end of the sleeve. A shaft extends through the sleeve from the rotary force device to the rotating section. The sleeve portion is supported by guides mounted on the frame of the HDD machine. One end of the longitudinal force imparting device is also connected to the frame.

The rotating section is made up of a cutter device, an adapter section, and a tube. The rotating section is selectively rotatable so that as a downward longitudinal force is applied to the sleeve, the cutter section rotates and assists with the insertion of the anchor device (or stake) into the ground. In one preferred embodiment, the shape of the sleeve is square and a portion of the sleeve is also inserted into the ground so that it is engaged therewith. This provides improved holding capability as it is more difficult to rotate the square portions of the stakes once inserted into the earth.

Therefore, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a powered stake down, comprising: a sleeve having a first end and a second end; a rotating section rotatably connected to the second end of the sleeve; a longitudinal force imparting device connected to the first end of the sleeve; and a rotary force device mounted at the first end of the sleeve, and having a shaft extending through the sleeve and connected to the rotating section, wherein when longitudinal force is applied to the sleeve toward the earth, the rotary device turns the rotating section to assist with the insertion of the rotating section into the earth.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an anchoring device for a horizontal directional drilling machine, the device comprising: a rotating section located at the bottom end of a sleeve, the rotating section operatively connected to a motor on the opposite, upper end of the sleeve, the motor selectively rotating the rotating section, the rotating section further including a cutting section arranged and configured for engagement with and cutting through hard soils; a sleeve, the sleeve having a longitudinal axis and supported on the drilling machine; a hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic cylinder attached to the upper end of the sleeve and the drilling machine, wherein the hydraulic cylinder exerts force along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve to push the rotating section into engagement with the soil, and wherein the hydraulic cylinder is arranged and configured exert force until at least a portion of the sleeve is also engaged with the soil.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided an anchor device for an HDD machine, the device comprising: a sleeve, having a longitudinal axis and secured from rotating by guides mounted on the HDD machine, the sleeve arranged and configured to move longitudinally with a hydraulic cylinder to transfer longitudinal force and adapted to engage the ground; a shaft, located within the sleeve that is connected to and rotated by a hydraulic motor; an adaptor attached to the shaft and adapted to engage the ground; and a cutting section attached to the adaptor on the side opposite the shaft, and adapted to cut and engage the ground.

According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for anchoring earth working equipment, the method comprising: supporting a sleeve on the equipment, the sleeve having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end; rotating a cutting section located on the second end of the sleeve, the cutting section cutting into and engaging the ground in operation; and imparting a longitudinal force on the first end of the sleeve, wherein the cutting section and at least a portion of the sleeve enter into the ground and are engaged therewith.

While the invention will be described with respect to preferred embodiment configurations and with respect to particular devices used therein, it will be understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited in any manner by either such configuration or components described herein. While the example of anchoring an HDD machine is provided herein, the principles of this invention extend to any environment in which anchoring of an earth working machine is desired. These and other variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a more detailed description of the invention.

The advantages and features which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. For a better understanding of the invention, however, reference should be had to the drawings which form a part hereof and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the an anchoring device constructed according to the principles of the present invention utilized in connection with an HDD machine;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 with the stakes in a raised position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 with the stakes in a lowered position;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of one of the stakes of FIG. 2 (wherein the hydraulic motor, the hydraulic cylinder and the cutting section are not shown in cross-section);

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the cutting section, illustrating the diameters of several components; and

FIG. 6 is an isometric exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The principles of the present invention apply particularly well to its application in a horizontal directional drilling environment. However, other environments in which an anchoring or powered stake down device is desired may also employ the principles of this invention. For example, the present invention may be employed in other applications of earth moving equipment. To better describe the invention, a detailed description will be deferred pending a brief overview of a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine environment.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a typical HDD machine 10 is illustrated. The HDD machine 10 includes an operator station and console 12, a main frame 14, a power supply 16 (e.g., a prime mover), a rack frame 18 mounted on the main frame 14, and a gear box 20 that is arranged and configured to move back and forth along the longitudinal axis of the rack frame 18. Endless track 22 may be used to assist movement of the HDD machine 10 to desired locations. For clarity, a drill pipe storage magazine is not shown. However, such magazines may also be included on the HDD machine 10. A plurality of pipe vises 24 are located at the lower end of rack frame 18. The pipe vises 24 help make up and break the joints between drill rods to make a drill string. The pipe vises 24 are best seen in FIG. 1 where the drill string would extend through the vises 24 at opening designated by 26. The anchoring or stake down device is shown generally at 28.

Turning now to anchoring or stake down apparatus 28, reference will be had to FIGS. 2-6. It is noted that in the preferred embodiment there are two stake down devices 28 located on opposing sides of the drill string opening 26. For clarity, however, only one stake down device will be described herein. In the preferred embodiment, the second stake down device 28 is preferably constructed in an identical fashion as the first device. It is also possible to utilize a single stake down device 28 as described herein together with other known types of stake down devices on the opposing side of the machine. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to use of identical stake down devices 28 in connection with a single machine.

Stake down device 28 includes a sleeve 30. The sleeve 30 is slidably mounted on main frame 14 with guides 31 (best seen in FIG. 1). Guides 31 keep the sleeve 30 from rotating about its longitudinal axis, but allow motion along the longitudinal axis. The movement of sleeve 30 along its longitudinal axis is designated at 32 in FIG. 2. Preferably, sleeve 30 has a square, rectangular, or other shape including one or more angles of 90° or less. Such star, square, diamond, rhomboid, rectangular or triangular shapes are thought to provide better stability when engaged into soil 9 (apparently due to the resistance to turning within the soil based on the angles and connecting sides of those geometric shapes). It is also believed that shapes such as ovals and/or other oblong shapes might be used to promote better stability. Accordingly, while in the preferred embodiment, a square shape is utilized, other shapes may be used which include ovals, oblong shapes, and other geometric shapes with at least one of the angles identified above.

Sleeve 30 has a first end 33 and a second end 34. Connected at the second end 34 is rotating section 42 comprised of a cutting section 44, an adapter section 46, and a tube 48. Mounted proximate the first end 33 is a rotary force device 36 and a longitudinal force imparting device 38. A shaft 40 extends within sleeve 30 from the first end 33 to second end 34. The shaft 40 is attached to the rotary force device 36 at the first end 33 and is attached to a rotating section 42 at the second end 34 of sleeve 30. The rotary force device 36 is preferably a hydraulic motor operatively connected to a hydraulic fluid pump (not shown) which may be driven by the prime mover 16. If hydraulics are not available, then electric motors, belt or chain driven motors and other rotary motion imparting devices may be employed. The functional requirement is to provide rotation via shaft 40 to the rotating section 42.

Longitudinal force imparting device 38 is preferably a hydraulic cylinder with one end attached to main frame 14. The second end of the device 38 is attached to first end 33. Extension of the hydraulic cylinder 38 lifts the sleeve 30 up and out of contact with soil 9 (e.g., movement is along the longitudinal axis designated at 32). Contraction of the arm drives the cutting section 44, adaptor section 46, tube 48, and second end 34 of sleeve 30 progressively into contact with the ground 9.

During the application of the longitudinal force by the hydraulic cylinder, the rotational force can be applied by the hydraulic motor to rotate the rotating section 42—and in particular the cutting section 44—as the stake comes in contact with the ground 9. This rotation in combination with the longitudinal force assists with the insertion of the anchor device into the ground, and particularly in hard and/or compressed soils.

FIG. 2 illustrates the stake down devices 28 in a first or raised position. FIG. 3 illustrates the stake down devices 28 described in connection with FIG. 2 where the stake down devices 28 are in a second or lowered position. In the lowered position, the stake down devices are inserted into the soil 9 to anchor the HDD machine 10.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a cross sectional view of one of the stake down devices 28 of FIG. 2. In this Figure, it is seen that shaft 40 is preferably coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 30. Shaft 40 extends to the second end 34 of sleeve 30 and attaches to the tube 48 via shear pin 52. The tube 48 is connected to the adaptor 46 which is in turn connected to the cutting section 44. Thrust washer 50 transfers the longitudinal force from the sleeve 30 to the rotating section 42.

Preferably, the adaptor section 46 has a frustoconical section with the first end adapted for connection with the cutting section 44 (e.g., at the minor diameter) and the second end connected to the tube 48 (e.g., at the major diameter). The shaft 40 preferably extends beyond the second end 34 of the square section of sleeve 30 and is operatively connected to the tube 48 for rotation. However, it will be appreciated the position and exact manner of the attachment to the tube 48 may be varied. Since the brackets 31 (best seen in FIG. 1) only permit longitudinal axis motion, as the shaft 40 rotates, the cutting section 44 bores into the ground 9 as force is applied to the tube 48.

Turning now to FIG. 5, the diameters of one preferred embodiment are illustrated. Cutting section 44 preferably has a maximum diameter of 1.6 inches with the tube 48 having a diameter of 2.0 inches. The sleeve 30 has a square section of 2.62 inches. Therefore, in this embodiment, the maximum diameter of the cutting section 44 is less than the diameter of the tube 48, which is less than the square section of the sleeve 30.

Due to these relative sizes between the components which are driven into and engage the ground 9 during movement to the second or lowered position of the stake down devices 28, the ground that is disturbed by the cutting section 44 is smaller than the area of the square section of the sleeve 30 which is preferably also engaged into the soil. The engagement of the sleeve 30 with the soil 9 in this manner provides additional stability and anchors the HDD machine 10 into position.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the entire rotating section 42 may be considered to act as a cutting edge. Also, the rotating section 42 may be constructed to have a larger diameter in some environments. For example, the cutting section 44 may be sized to cut a hole into which the sleeve 30 fits (e.g., where the sleeve is large and/or in mixed soil conditions where pushing the sleeve 30 into the ground 9 may be impossible or may otherwise damage the sleeve 30). The size, design and location of the guides 31 may need to be considered when the diameter of the rotating section 42 is larger than the sleeve. For example, clearance may need to be maintained relative to guides 31 during retraction of the anchoring devices 28 to the first position.

Turning now to FIG. 6, the hydraulic connection and hydraulic distribution manifolds are further illustrated. Hydraulic connections 80 are provided at the hydraulic cylinder 38 and connections 81 are provided at the hydraulic motor 36. Manifold 82 provides distribution to the hydraulic components of the present invention. Also shown in FIG. 6 is the geared connection between the hydraulic motor 36 and the shaft 40. The hydraulic motor 36 includes a male gear 90 on the output shaft of the motor which is slidably inserted into a female connection 91.

The hydraulic cylinder 38 is connected to the main frame 14 in a known manner. In the preferred embodiment, bolt and nuts 92 are used. However, it will be appreciated that welding and other forms of connection might be utilized. At the first end 33 of sleeve 30, mounting bracket 93 is used to mount the hydraulic motor 36 and the hydraulic cylinder 38.

It will be appreciated that the terms anchoring device and stake down device are used interchangeably throughout the specification. It should also be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of the supporting hardware and software routines and data structures, and to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A powered stake down, comprising:

(a) a sleeve having a first end and a second end;

(b) a rotating section rotatably connected to the second end of the sleeve;

(c) a longitudinal force imparting device connected to the first end of the sleeve; and

(d) a rotary force device mounted at the first end of the sleeve, and having a shaft extending through the sleeve and connected to the rotating section, wherein when longitudinal force is applied to the sleeve toward the earth, the rotary device turns the rotating section to assist with the insertion of the rotating section into the earth.

2. The powered stake down of claim 1, wherein the rotating section includes:

(a) a cutting section;

(b) a tube, the tube supported in the first end of the sleeve; and

(c) an adapter section for connecting the cutting section to the tube.

3. The powered stake down of claim 2, wherein the tube is supported in the second end of the sleeve with a bushing.

4. The powered stake down of claim 2, wherein the adapter is frustoconical with the minor diameter at the connection to the cutting section and the major diameter at the connection to the tube.

5. The powered stake down of claim 1, wherein the sleeve forms a geometric shape viewed along its longitudinal axis having at least one 90 degree angle.

6. The powered stake down of claim 5, wherein the geometric shape is a square.

7. The powered stake down of claim 5, wherein a portion of the second end of the sleeve is lowered to a position where it is engaged into the earth.

8. The powered stake down of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal force imparting device is a hydraulic cylinder and the rotary force device is a hydraulic motor.

9. The powered stake down of claim 1, wherein the powered stake down is attached to a horizontal directional drilling machine.

10. An anchoring device for a horizontal directional drilling machine, the device comprising:

(a) a rotating section located at the bottom end of a sleeve, the rotating section operatively connected to a motor on the opposite, upper end of the sleeve, the motor selectively rotating the rotating section, the rotating section further including a cutting section arranged and configured for engagement with and cutting through hard soils;

(b) a sleeve, the sleeve having a longitudinal axis and supported on the drilling machine; and

(c) a hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic cylinder attached to the upper end of the sleeve and the drilling machine, wherein the hydraulic cylinder exerts force along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve to push the rotating section into engagement with the soil, and wherein the hydraulic cylinder is arranged and configured exert force until at least a portion of the sleeve is also engaged with the soil.

11. The anchoring device of claim 10, wherein the rotating section further includes:

(a) an adaptor section having a frustoconical shape, the adaptor having a minor diameter at a first end and a major diameter at a second end, the first end connected to the cutting section; and

(b) a tube connected to the motor via a shaft running generally along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, the tube transferring longitudinal force to the adaptor, and connected to the adaptor at the second end of the adaptor.

12. The anchoring device of claim 1 1, wherein the major diameter of the adaptor is greater than the diameter of the cutting section.

13. The anchoring device of claim 10, wherein the sleeve forms a geometric shape viewed along its longitudinal axis having at least one 90 degree angle.

14. The anchoring device of claim 13, wherein the geometric shape is a square.

15. An anchor device for an HDD machine, the device comprising:

(a) a sleeve, having a longitudinal axis and secured from rotating by guides mounted on the HDD machine, the sleeve arranged and configured to move longitudinally with a hydraulic cylinder to transfer longitudinal force and adapted to engage the ground;

(b) a shaft, located within the sleeve that is connected to and rotated by a hydraulic motor;

(c) an adaptor attached to the shaft and adapted to engage the ground; and

(d) a cutting section attached to the adaptor on the side opposite the shaft, and adapted to cut and engage the ground.

16. A method for anchoring earth working equipment, the method comprising:

(a) supporting a sleeve on the equipment, the sleeve having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end;

(b) rotating a cutting section located on the second end of the sleeve, the cutting section cutting into and engaging the ground in operation; and

(c) imparting a longitudinal force on the first end of the sleeve, wherein the cutting section and at least a portion of the sleeve enter into the ground and are engaged therewith.