Abstract: A taper-drive replaceable boring head for use in horizontal directional drilling applications that utilizes a taper-lock shank with an engaged tang to drive the replaceable boring head during drilling. The boring head assembly utilizes a non-threaded slip-fit connection composed of a tapered shank and a cooperating sleeve along with a mechanism for urging the shank deeper into the cooperating sleeve to provide frictional engagement therebetween. The shank includes a non-circular, asymmetrically shaped tang driver that provides torque transfer from the drill string to the boring head. It only permits one clocking orientation of the boring head relative to the position of the beacon located within the beacon housing. The boring head is retained in position by a longitudinal locking assembly using multiple set screws threadably received in the shank receiving recess sleeve openings. The set screws bear against a circumferential groove on the surface of the tapered shank.

Abstract: An enclosed articulating joint for coupling a drive motor to an auger type earth anchor. The joint comprises a socket member attached to the drive motor and a ball member attached to the anchor. The socket member has a polygonal internal cross section which matingly engages the contour of the ball member. A locking assembly is included for locking the ball and socket members together during operation of the system. An optional non-locking coupler is provided for bypassing the locking assembly for rapid, successive driving operations. An optional offset coupler is provided to accommodate greater degrees of axial and longitudinal misalignment between the anchor and the socket member. This drive system is particularly suitable for use with horizontal boring machines, but has many other applications.

Abstract: A directional boring head assembly having a directional boring head, with a deflection surface capable of steering the directional boring head, combined with a replaceable cutting member is provided. The position of the cutting member relative to the deflection surface permits the directional boring head to steer the boring machine along the desired path while providing enhanced cutting action adaptable to different soil types. As the boring machine is advanced with rotation, the leading edge of the cutting member contacts only a small portion of the perimeter of the borehole thereby increasing the contact stress between the cutting member and the face of the borehole for more aggressive cutting action in hard ground conditions. Additionally, the directional boring head is provided with a pocket adapted to conform to the cutting member.

Abstract: A device and method for enlarging a bore and installing a utility line. The device comprises an elongate shaft having a first and second end. The first end of the shaft is connectable to the drill string of a horizontal boring machine. The second end is connectable to a utility line or other device to be installed in the bore. The device is pulled through a pilot bore and enlarges the bore to a desired diameter while simultaneously pulling in a utility line. A set of cutting elements supported near the first end of the shaft, with 120 degree spacing therebetween, enlarges the bore to an intermediate diameter. A series of blades are supported on the shaft between the cutting elements and the second end. The first blade further enlarges the hole behind the cutting elements to the final desired diameter. Along its outer edge, the first blade comprises a plurality of teeth adapted to slice through the wall of the bore.

Abstract: An anchor assembly for securing a boring machine to the earth is provided. The anchor assembly includes a shaft equipped with a helical assembly by which the shaft can be driven into and removed from the earth like a screw. The helical assembly preferably includes a plurality of flights and a plurality of wings pivotally attached to the flights and helically aligned therewith. The wings and flights are configured so that rotation in one direction urges the wings into the retracted position. However, counter-rotation for only part of a turn forces the wings into the extended position, which expands the diameter of the helical assembly. Thus, the extended wings bite into soil that was undisturbed during the initial insertion, providing increased frictional engagement between the anchor and the soil. Yet, because the wings are helically aligned with the flights, the extended wings do not substantially resist withdrawal of the anchor assembly from soil by reverse rotation.

Abstract: An automatic pipe handling system for automatically transporting pipe sections to and from a horizontal boring machine. The system comprises a pipe handling assembly, a pipe lubrication assembly, a makeup/breakout assembly, and an automatic control system. The pipe handling assembly stores pipe sections and transports the pipe sections to and from the drill string of a boring machine. As the pipe handling assembly transports a pipe section, the pipe lubrication assembly lubricates the appropriate pipe joints. The makeup/breakout assembly secures the drill string and pipe joints so that pipe sections can be added to or removed from the drill string. A programmed controller automatically operates the pipe handling system and its components by synchronizing the operations of the pipe handling system. The controller sequences and times the operation of each aspect of the pipe handling system during both the boring operation and the backreaming operation.

Abstract: A method for steering a drill bit are disclosed that allow steered horizontal drilling to be performed in rocky, semi-hard, or hard soils and rock, including the steps of stopping the advancement and rotation of the drill string, positioning the upper cutting portion so that the upper cutting portion is pointed in the direction it is desired to deflect the drill string, rocking the drill bit in an arc, thrusting the drill string forward while rocking, and rotating the drill bit.

Abstract: An automatic pipe handling device (10) is disclosed which includes a support frame (12) mounted on a boring device (14). Removable pipe racks (16, 80, 130, 140) can be placed in position on the support frame (12) to deliver pipe to the spindle axis or to remove pipe therefrom as required. The pipe sections are removed from the pipe rack and positioned on the spindle axis by pipe grippers (32) mounted on hydraulic cylinders (28, 30) mounted on a rotating longitudinal shaft (20). The grippers and shaft similarly return the used pipe sections for storage to the pipe rack. In one pipe rack (16) an S-shaped guide path (72) is used. In another pipe rack (80) a plurality of rows (88, 90, 92) of pipe sections are used.In another embodiment, pipe is stored in an arcuate path.

Abstract: An improved above-the-knee prosthesis with an anatomically configured socket is characterized by one or more contours which correspond to a pre-selected anatomical contour of the upper or lower residual thigh. By exaggerating the depth of the contour in the socket as compared with the corresponding contour in the thigh, the socket grips the residual thigh and maintains the femur in proper alignment. The new channels and contours allow the patient using the socket to have improved rotational support and control over the prosthesis by providing structures which the muscles of the upper and lower residual thigh can "grip." The socket snugly contains the thigh and maintains it, throughout the gait cycle, in a proper anatomical position. This fit increases the comfort of the prosthesis and minimizes gait abnormalities common with other artificial limbs. The increased support helps maintain the physical condition of the residual limb.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deviating the direction of a borehole. The method comprises the steps of rotating a boring head underground through a material which is to be cut and oscillates the boring head to achieve a desired direction change. The boring head has one or more roller cones and may further comprise a deflection structure. The deflection structure may be separately mountable to the boring head or may be integrally formed with the boring head. The boring head is rotated to bore a generally straight hole. To change direction, the roller cone is oriented to achieve the desired direction change and oscillated to deviate the direction of the borehole. Oscillation of the roller cone may be carried out by oscillating the drill string, the boring head and/or the roller cone.

Abstract: A radiation counter and method for measuring lean muscle mass. The invention is small, lightweight, economical and easily transportable because it eliminates the use of large, heavy room-sized and source-size shielding to block ambient radiation. The radiation counter is particularly suited for measuring gamma radiation from K.sup.40 out-of-doors since the primary outdoor sources of K.sup.40 are animals and the ground. The radiation counter comprises a frame for supporting a radioactive source and a radiation detection unit ("RDU"). The RDU comprises a scintillation detector and a lead shield partially enclosing the scintillation detector. An aperture is formed in the top side of the shielding to expose a portion of the scintillation detector and thus permit the detection of radiation in the desired energy level. The radiation counter is positioned with respect to the source so as to block the penetration of background radiation and eliminate the use of a large, heavy shield.

Abstract: A machine for extinguishing ground fires comprises an extinguisher assembly having a plurality of beating members which forcefully impact the ground as the machine travels over the terrain. The beating members are attached to a core which rotates as the machine advances, thereby imparting a rotating motion to the fibers. The beating members repetitively impact the ground, which motion extinguishes the fire. The machine may be walked or ridden.

Abstract: An improved waste rubber processing system which pyrolyzes waste rubber to produce pyrolysis oil and carbon black and then purifies and refines these end products to broaden their commercial applications and to increase their market value. The pyrolysis oil purification system of this invention produces a high quality oil which is clear and colorless and which is marketable as a plasticizer or extender oil for rubber and plastic compounding applications. The carbon black purification system mills the carbon black to a fine grade and removes oversized contaminants such as fiberglass and ferrous particles to produce a low structure furnace black. The plasticizer/extender oil is many times more valuable than the end product of conventional pyrolysis systems which is a low quality fuel oil. Similarly, the low structure furnace black is of much greater value than the low grade carbon black produced by conventional pyrolysis systems.

Abstract: A guidance module for an underground horizontal boring assembly. The module determines the pitch angle of the boring tool independent of roll using a single accelerometer sensor. The accelerometer sensor has a single sensitive axis which is aligned parallel to, and preferably coaxial with, the longitudinal axis of the boring tool. The accelerometer sensor is calibrated to obtain a temperature offset and a gain compensating gain factor. Data samples are read from the accelerometer sensor while the boring tool is rotating. The temperature is read from the temperature sensor. The data samples from the accelerometer sensor and the temperature from the temperature sensor are transmitted to a processor. The processor applies simple average filtering to the accelerometer data samples to get an average result, and adjusts the average result for gain. The average result is adjusted for the temperature offset and for the gain compensating gain factor.

Abstract: A system for regulating an alternating current voltage source has a pair of P-channel MOSFETs and a pair of N-channel MOSFETs in a bridge configuration with an inductor-capacitor tank there between. A processor in conjunction with a feedback circuit regulates the energy transferred to the tank by modulating the pulse width of signals that are output from the processor and which are used as inputs to the gates of the MOSFETs. By increasing or decreasing the pulse widths transmitted to the various gates of the MOSFETs, the processor increases or decreases the energy transferred to the tank. The feedback circuit is connected between the tank and the processor so that the processor can compare the feedback voltage from the tank to a threshold level in the processor and modify the pulse widths at the output of the processor accordingly.

Abstract: A directional boring machine equipped with a boring head comprising a blade assembly. The blade assembly may comprise a plurality of blades with deflecting surfaces. Alternately, the blade assembly has a single, stepped or serrated blade. The serrated blade assembly has a planar blade which is tapered in thickness and width from its base to its forward end. The forward end has teeth cut away on the backside to provide a recess or relief space for cuttings during the drilling process. A relief space or slot also is provided between the front two teeth for the same purpose. The blade is divided into two halves, and the halves are offset so that each of the teeth on each half provides a separate cutting point. The blade is angled in an upward direction relative to the base of the blade assembly to improve penetration and cutting actions. The blade assembly in combination with the boring head body provides exceptional cutting performance in a variety of soils and rock.

Abstract: A housing for electrical/electronic apparatus associated with the boring apparatus has a coolant flowpath for directing coolant fluid to cool the electrical/electronic apparatus and/or the housing. A relief coolant outlet port is closed by closure comprising fusible material which fuses at a predetermined temperature thereby to open the relief outlet port. The temperature at which the material of the closure fuses is lower than the temperature at which substantial thermal damage would occur to the electrical/electronic apparatus within the housing (typically at a temperature substantially at or below 200.degree. C).

Abstract: A pier and beam bridge structure is formed essentially entirely from steel reinforced, precast concrete elements including elongated, hollow tubular pier members, pier collars, pier base and cap beams, deck beams, deck slabs and side railing members. In forming the support pier structures, the pier members are inserted into dry-drilled pier base excavations through opposite end openings formed in the ground-supported base beams, and are outwardly circumscribed by the collars which are received at their opposite ends in the base beam end openings and openings in the cap beams which are supported at the upper pier ends. A loose aggregate material is dumped into the pier member interiors, and the annular collar and excavation spaces surrounding the pier members. Polymer concrete is then forced downwardly through the pier member interiors, and upwardly through these annular spaces, and cures in a matter of minutes to complete the fabrication of each pier structure.