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 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 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: 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 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 dual-member pipe joint having an outer member and an inner member which is disposed coaxially within the outer member. Both the outer member and the inner member have a pin end and a box end. The pin end of the outer member is threadable to the box end of another outer member. The pin end of the inner member is geometrically shaped. The box end of the inner member forms a recess which conforms to the geometric shape of the pin end of the inner member. The box end of the inner member nonthreadably receives the pin end of another inner member in "slip-fit" connection. "Slip-fit" means the pin end of the inner member slides into the box end of a like inner member and forms a connection that is capable of transmitting torque. The advantage of this dual-member pipe joint is that both the inner and outer members of a pipe joint may be connected to a drill string in a single action with just one connection.

Abstract: A backfiller and tamper unit (10) is disclosed which is a self contained unit that acts to both backfill and compact soil into a trench for complete restoration. The unit includes a tractor (12) which mounts a vibrator and tamping wheel assembly (14) and a backfill auger assembly (16). The vibrator and tamping wheel assembly (14) is mounted on a mast (50) which is pivotally secured to the tractor for limited arcuate motion from vertical. This permits the mast to be tilted so that the compaction force of the vibrator and tamping wheel assembly is most effectively directed to compact the soil in the trench. The vibrator and tamping wheel assembly is free floating on the mast which isolates the tractor from vibration generated by the vibrator and tamping wheel assembly and provides greater compaction efficiency. Further, the vibrator and tamping wheel assembly can be lifted vertically on the mast by a lift mechanism (62) for storage.

Abstract: Directional boring bits (1100, 1200) are disclosed which have at least one roller cone (1202, 1104) and also each define a deflecting surface (1104) for deflecting the boring bit when the bit is advanced without rotation. The borehole can be curved by pushing the bit forward without rotation.

Abstract: Improved back reamers (20, 60, 80, 100) are disclosed for use in back reaming a pilot bore in a trenchless boring operation. In three of the heads (20, 60, 100), truncated cylinders are mounted on a body (22) of the head with the truncated cylinders each defining a convex truncated surface facing the walls of the bore. Rotation of the head while moving the head in the direction to be reamed, the convex truncated surface will compact the soil into a wall of the bore of desired final diameter and stabilize the wall. A back reamer (80) is provided with a plurality of directional cams (84) which permit the head to be oscillated in either direction about the drill string axis. The heads can be reversed to act as drill bits as well.

Abstract: A soft excavator (10, 90, 110, 130) is disclosed which utilizes a jet of high velocity fluid flow such as air or water flow, preferably supersonic, through a nozzle (48, 92, 112) to excavate a material, such as the ground. A second passage for air flow is provided which is directed by an evacuator skirt (52, 102) in a direction along the excavator generally opposite the direction of discharge of the high velocity excavating flow to entrain the material excavated for disposal.

Abstract: Directional multi-blade boring heads (1000, 1050) are disclosed which have first and second blades (1030, 1032) which each define a deflecting surface (1036, 1038) for deflecting the boring head when the head is advanced without rotation. At least one intermediate blade (1034) extends between the deflecting surfaces in a three blade design. In a four blade design, a second intermediate blade (1042) extends on the side opposite the first intermediate blade (1034). The boring head is particularly effective in drilling a straight borehole through a variety of soil conditions when the boring head is simultaneously rotated and advanced along the direction of boring.

Abstract: A drill unit (12) is disclosed which uses slides (18, 20) mounted on the saver-sub (16) of the drill unit to lock the drill pipe (14) to the saver-sub (16) for joint rotation. Dogs (32) are engaged with flats (50) on the drill pipe by moving an outer collar (42) over the end of the drill pipe. The outer collar holds the dogs within the flats to ensure joint rotation between the saver-sub and the drill pipe. The outer collar (42) can be retracted away from the drill pipe to move the dogs out of engagement with the flats and move the slides (18, 20) to the retracted position.

Abstract: A series of bits (600, 680, 690, 710, 720, 780, 800, 820, 860, 920) are illustrated which can be used with a boring machine to drill a borehole underground with enhanced directional control. As an illustration, one drill bit (600) is formed of a body portion having a hexagonal cross-section where the bit attaches to the drill string which defines six parallel surfaces (610-620) with parallel cutting edges (622-632) defined at the intersection of each of the parallel surfaces. Angled surfaces (634, 636, 638) extend from intermediate the ends of the bit to the forward end. As the bit rotates, a cylindrical borehole is formed. When the bit is stopped to change the direction of drilling, a relief area exists between the parallel surfaces and the wall of the borehole and between the angled surfaces and the wall of the borehole to more easily deflect the bit to begin drilling in a new direction.

Abstract: Improved back reamers (20, 60, 80, 100) are disclosed for use in back reaming a pilot bore in a trenchless boring operation. In three of the heads (20, 60, 100), truncated cylinders are mounted on a body (22) of the head with the truncated cylinders each defining a convex truncated surface facing the walls of the bore. Rotation of the head while moving the head in the direction to be reamed, the convex truncated surface will compact the soil into a wall of the bore of desired final diameter and stabilize the wall. A back reamer (80) is provided with a plurality of directional cams (84) which permit the head to be oscillated in either direction about the drill string axis. The heads can be reversed to act as drill bits as well.

Abstract: A soft excavator (10, 90, 110, 130) is disclosed which utilizes a jet of high velocity fluid flow such as air or water flow, preferably supersonic, through a nozzle (48, 92, 112) to excavate a material, such as the ground. A second passage for air flow is provided which is directed by an evacuator skirt (52, 102) in a direction along the excavator generally opposite the direction of discharge of the high velocity excavating flow to entrain the material excavated for disposal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling a horizontal controlled borehole in the earth includes a drill frame, a drill string and a downhole tool. The drill frame includes a wrench attached to the frame for assisting in breaking and forming joints. The downhole tool includes removable blade assemblies having, for example, stepped or spade-like profiles and hard facing at areas of primary contact with the soil. When fluid is added for cooling, lubricating and flushing away cuttings, the downhole tool can include a nozzle parallel to the centerline of the longitudinal axis of the drill string, a check valve means for preventing downhole particles from entering the fluid passageway and/or a transmitter protecting waterproof plug for diverting fluid to a fluid passageway and for allowing an on-board downhole transmitter to be near the drill bit. Also, the blade assembly can be placed so as to divert fluid from the nozzle to an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the drill string.

Abstract: A multiple pipe chute installation for continually and progressively excavating a trench, laying flexible utility pipe a predetermined vertical distance apart, refining and refilling the soil around the laid pipes, and compacting the refilled soil is disclosed. The installation includes a trenching chain assembly pivotably mounted to the rear of a vehicle for excavating a trench. A multiple pipe chute assembly including a plurality of chutes is pivotably attached to a support frame extending from the trenching chain assembly. A support arm is pivotably attached to the support frame and extends rearwardly of the chute. A backfiller assembly is attached to the end of the support arm and a compacting rod is attached to the support arm adjacent the backfiller assembly. A hydraulic cylinder is attached between an extension of the support frame and the support arm. The chute assembly may be selectively linked to either the trenching chain assembly or the support arm.

Abstract: Directional boring bits (1100, 1200) are disclosed which have at least one roller cone (1202, 1104) and also each define a deflecting surface (1104) for deflecting the boring bit when the bit is advanced without rotation. The borehole can be curved by pushing the bit forward without rotation.

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 dual-member pipe joint having an outer member and an inner member which is disposed coaxially within the outer member. Both the outer member and the inner member have a pin end and a box end. The pin end of the outer member is threadable to the box end of another outer member. The pin end of the inner member is geometrically shaped. The box end of the inner member forms a recess which conforms to the geometric shape of the pin end of the inner member. The box end of the inner member nonthreadably receives the pin end of another inner member in “slip-fit” connection. “Slip-fit” means the pin end of the inner member slides into the box end of a like inner member and forms a connection that is capable of transmitting torque. The advantage of this dual-member pipe joint is that both the inner and outer members of a pipe joint may be connected to a drill string in a single action with just one connection.