Abstract: A pipe handling assembly for transporting pipe sections to and from the drill string of a horizontal boring machine. The system comprises a magazine, a cradle for supporting the magazine, a support member, a drive system, and a transfer assembly. The drive system may move the cradle and the magazine laterally on the support member or may pivot the magazine. The transfer assembly transfers pipe sections between the magazine and the spindle connection area. The magazine and the support frame are disposed above the spindle connection area such that only empty columns of the magazine are outside of the footprint of the boring machine. The magazine may be removed from the cradle when empty or full to continue with the boring operation.

Abstract: A dual pipe drill string system having increased fluid flow. The dual pipe system comprises a plurality of pipe sections, each pipe section having an inner rod and an outer pipe. The inner rod and the outer pipe of each pipe section may be coupled to the inner rod and outer pipe of an adjacent pipe section. An annulus between the inner rod and the outer pipe defines a fluid flow path through the dual pipe system. The outer pipe defines a shoulder at each end of an individual pipe section. The inner rod defies at least one stop for maintaining the inner rod within the outer pipe. A spacing assembly disposed around the circumference of the inner rod defines paths for fluid flow and maintains a minimum distance between the stop and the shoulder at one end of outer pipe of the pipe section.

Abstract: A tracking receiver system is used to track the progress of a downhole tool along a subsurface path having a desired grade. The tracking receiver system is adapted to detect a reference line originating from a reference line receiver and to determine the position of the downhole tool along a desired subsurface path relative to the reference line. In an alternative embodiment the tracking receiver system may comprise a global positioning satellite system to provide information used to determine the position of the downhole tool relative to the desired subsurface path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and avoiding an underground object during a horizontal directional drilling operation. The apparatus comprises a boring tool with a ground penetrating radar detection system. The boring tool is operatively connected to a drill string and advanced through the earth to create a borehole. The radar detection system includes at least one transmitter, at least one detector, and a processor. The transmitter is located on a surface of the boring tool and is adapted to transmit electromagnetic waves. At least one detector is located on the surface of the boring tool, and detects the electromagnetic waves reflected by underground objects. The processor determines the location of the underground object from characteristics of the reflected waves. Using this information, the drill string may be pulled back up the borehole or redirected to avoid the object. The boring tool may be caused to breakout of the existing borehole using a pivoting boring tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating an underground object. The apparatus comprises an excavation head, a wave emitter, a receiver, and a processor. The excavation head is adapted for soft excavation of soil. The excavation head may use mechanical means to dislodge soil, pressurized air or water, or a combination of methods. The wave emitter, located proximate the excavation head, transmits waves into the soil. The receiver receives waves reflected by underground objects. Information about the reflected waves is processed by the processor to determine the location of the underground object.

Abstract: A system for monitoring deflection of a downhole tool assembly. The system comprises a beam source directing a beam at a receptor positioned proximate the downhole tool assembly. The receptor detects the position of incidence of the beam at the receptor. A processor receives signals from the receptor and determines angular deflection of the downhole tool assembly based on incidence of the beam at the receptor. Information from other orientation sensors is also used to determine magnitude and direction of deflection. Deflection information is used by an operator or a control system to maintain or correct the course of the downhole tool assembly.

Abstract: An assembly for installation of a silt fence. The assembly comprises a cutting member, a silt fence guide, and a spool of silt fence material. The cutting member may be a plow blade, a trenching assembly, or another cutting means. A vibrator may be utilized to enhance the effectiveness of a plow blade. The silt fence guide may be a grab wheel adapted to place the silt fence material into an opened trench or other means. The spool of silt fence material is preferably adjustable to change a position at which the silt fence material contacts the silt fence guide. Preferably, a roller or similar means is used to compact the soil proximate installed fence. Alternatively, a second cutting member and a second silt fence guide may be utilized to cut another trench. A second spool of silt fence material allows simultaneous installation of two fences. The assembly may be adapted to cut a curved path behind a work vehicle traveling in a generally straight direction.

Abstract: A silt fence with configurable barrier sections. The silt fence comprises a plurality of posts mounted on or in the ground, a fence panel, an apron panel, and a plurality of configurable barrier sections. The fence panel is secured in a vertical position to the posts and has a fence toe adapted to be buried in the ground. The apron panel is attached to the fence panel and extends from the fence panel to rest on the ground. An apron toe is also adapted to be buried in the ground to prevent erosion. Each of the plurality of configurable barrier sections has a panel edge and an apron edge, with the panel edge attachable to the fence panel perpendicular to the length of the fence panel and the apron edge attachable to the apron panel perpendicular to the length of the apron panel. The configurable barrier sections may be flexible or removable, and may be positioned in a barrier position or a cleaning position.

Abstract: A method and receiver system for identifying a location of a magnetic field source using two horizontally displaced tri-axial antennas. In a preferred embodiment two tri-axial antennas are positioned at opposite ends of a receiver frame. Each antenna detects in three dimensions a magnetic field from a source or transmitter. The receiver is maintained in a horizontal plane and the receiver is moved in the horizontal plane until a flux angle measured at each of the two points is zero so that the receiver is in the vertical plane perpendicular to the axis of the source. The depth and location of the source in three dimensions relative to the receiver is determined using the detected field values. The receiver is moved in a direction defined by a line containing the two points of the receiver until a magnitude of the magnetic field detected at each of the two points is substantially the same so that the receiver is positioned above the source.

Abstract: An electric horizontal directional drilling machine. An electric horizontal directional drilling machine is powered by an electric power assembly. The power assembly is made up of a fuel cell and inverter, or multiple fuel cells with synchronized inverters, are used to power an electric motor controller and electric motor. The electric motor operates hydraulic pumps used to advance a drill string and downhole tool through the earth and operate various machine functions. Mechanical functions of the drilling machine may also be satisfied through the use of electric rotary actuators (e.g., motors) and linear actuators (e.g., linear motors and solenoids).

Abstract: A tracking receiver system is used to track the progress of a downhole tool along a subsurface path having a desired grade. The tracking receiver system is adapted to detect a reference line originating from a reference line receiver and to determine the position of the downhole tool along a desired subsurface path relative to the reference line. In an alternative embodiment the tracking receiver system may comprise a global positioning satellite system to provide information used to determine the position of the downhole tool relative to the desired subsurface path.

Abstract: An electric horizontal directional drilling machine. An electric horizontal directional drilling machine is powered by an electric power assembly. The power assembly is made up of a fuel cell and inverter, or multiple fuel cells with synchronized inverters, are used to power an electric motor controller and electric motor. The electric motor operates hydraulic pumps used to advance a drill string and downhole tool through the earth and operate various machine functions. Mechanical functions of the drilling machine may also be satisfied through the use of electric rotary actuators (e.g., motors) and linear actuators (e.g., linear motors and solenoids).

Abstract: A system for controlling a tool carrier and work tool from either a first remote control or a second remote control. The first remote control and the second remote control both transmit respective first and second control signals to a controller system supported on the tool carrier. The controller system is programmed to select either the first control signal or the second control signal to control operation of the tool carrier. The system may include programming to allow autonomous movement of the tool carrier between a first work zone and a second work zone. Further, the controller system may be programmed to avoid obstacles within its path and to reroute its path between the first work zone and the second work zone to avoid such obstacles.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for maintaining control of a machine which produces thrust, rotation or other outputs in response to input signals. The apparatus has two distinct parts, namely the operator input portion and the output portion. The operator input portion consists of the primary thrust, rotation and other output control, and the input signal generation, signal maintenance and signal resume control. Through these controls, the operator enters the desired operation at conditions and levels for rotation, thrust, and other input signals. The output portion consists of an information processing and control portion and the power units for rotation, thrust and other outputs generated from the machine. The information processing and control system interprets all of the desired operational conditions and levels from the input portion and sends commands to the thrust, rotation and other power units to produce the desired outputs in response to the input signals.