Patents by Inventor James Richard Rankin

James Richard Rankin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6554082
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at a selected rotation rate to optimize excavation productivity. The controller may also monitor the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjust the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Brian John Bischel, James Richard Rankin
  • Publication number: 20020112893
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at a selected rotation rate to optimize excavation productivity. The controller may also monitor the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjust the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Brian John Bischel, James Richard Rankin
  • Patent number: 6382330
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at a selected rotation rate to optimize excavation productivity. The controller may also monitor the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjust the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Brian John Bischel, James Richard Rankin
  • Publication number: 20010037899
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at a selected rotation rate to optimize excavation productivity. The controller may also monitor the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjust the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: VERMEER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian John Bischel, James Richard Rankin
  • Patent number: 6289997
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated at a-selected rate of rotation. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system concurrently modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at the selected rotation rate. The controller monitors the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjusts the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool. Sensors are provided to sense pressure levels in the rotation, displacement, and liquid dispensing pumps and an electronic controller continuously monitors the levels detected by the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Brian John Bischel, James Richard Rankin
  • Patent number: 6109367
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated at a selected rate of rotation. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system concurrently modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at the selected rotation rate. The controller monitors the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjusts the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool. Sensors are provided to sense pressure levels in the rotation, displacement, and liquid dispensing pumps and an electronic controller continuously monitors the levels detected by the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Brian John Bischel, James Richard Rankin
  • Patent number: 5944121
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated at a selected rate of rotation. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system concurrently modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at the selected rotation rate. The controller monitors the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjusts the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool. Sensors are provided to sense pressure levels in the rotation, displacement, and liquid dispensing pumps and an electronic controller continuously monitors the levels detected by the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Brian John Bischel, James Richard Rankin
  • Patent number: 5746278
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated at a selected rate of rotation. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system concurrently modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at the selected rotation rate. The controller monitors the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjusts the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool. Sensors are provided to sense pressure levels in the rotation, displacement, and liquid dispensing pumps and an electronic controller continuously monitors the levels detected by the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Brian John Bischel, James Richard Rankin