Patents by Inventor Randy R. Runquist
Randy R. Runquist 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).
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Patent number: 7721821Abstract: A method and system for controlling a horizontal directional drilling machine having a boring tool. A rate of rotation and a rate of thrust are selected by an operator. Controls allow an automatic boring operation mode to be initiated to maintain the selected rate of rotation and thrust without further input from the operator. Periodically, when the rotation and thrust are interrupted, such as to modify the drill string, the automatic boring operation mode is interrupted. The automatic boring operation mode may be resumed without requiring the operator to select the rate of rotation and rate of thrust. The rate of rotation is resumed before the rate of thrust to reduce drill string shock loads and increase drilling performance.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2007Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robin W. Carlson, Randy R. Runquist
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Patent number: 7694753Abstract: A drill rod assembly including inner and outer drill rods. The drill rod assembly further including flow passages that are in fluid communication with an annular fluid flow path defined between the inner and outer drill rods. The passages preventing blockage of a drill string fluid flow path when a number of drill rod assemblies are interconnected to form a drill string.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2007Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robin Carlson, Randy R. Runquist, Tod J. Michael, Shawn Moyer
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Publication number: 20070163806Abstract: A method and system for controlling a horizontal directional drilling machine having a boring tool. A rate of rotation and a rate of thrust are selected by an operator. Controls allow an automatic boring operation mode to be initiated to maintain the selected rate of rotation and thrust without further input from the operator. Periodically, when the rotation and thrust are interrupted, such as to modify the drill string, the automatic boring operation mode is interrupted. The automatic boring operation mode may be resumed without requiring the operator to select the rate of rotation and rate of thrust. The rate of rotation is resumed before the rate of thrust to reduce drill string shock loads and increase drilling performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2007Publication date: July 19, 2007Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robin W. Carlson, Randy R. Runquist
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Patent number: 6668946Abstract: A steerable reamer and method for use in horizontal directional drilling. The reamer includes a carrier frame rotatably coupled to a reaming body, a carrier frame housing slidably coupled to the carrier frame, and an hydraulic cylinder for tilting the carrier frame relative to the carrier frame housing. The reamer may also include sondes for monitoring the position and orientation of the reamer during operation or a laser guidance system for automatically steering the reamer along a pilot bore.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: James R. Rankin, Richard K. Smith, Jr., Peter C. Rozendaal, Randy R. Runquist, Scott A. Rempe
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Patent number: 6588516Abstract: A drill head for an apparatus for horizontal directional drilling. The drill head includes a device for detecting angular orientation, a holder for the device for detecting angular orientation, the device for detecting angular orientation being disposed therein, a hammer driven by a liquid and a drill bit. The holder, the hammer and the drill bit are connected head to tail along a longitudinal axis of a drill string with the holder at a proximate end of the drill head and the drill bit at a distal end of the drill head.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2002Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Randy R. Runquist, Mark Van Houwelingen, James R. Rankin, Rene′ Marcel Albert
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Patent number: 6533052Abstract: A drill bit suited for impact-assisted directional boring in rock includes a bit body having a frontwardly facing, circular main cutting surface having a number of main cutting teeth disposed thereon. A gage cutter extends radially outwardly from the main cutting surface, which gage cutter mounts at least one frontwardly facing gage cutting tooth thereon suitable for cutting in a circle during straight boring and over an angle defined by less than a full rotation of the bit in order to steer the bit. A heel on an outer side surface of the bit body at a position opposite to and behind the gage tooth provides a reaction surface for the gage cutter. The bit body and gage cutter have a nearly circular side profile along a front portion thereof such that a maximum radial clearance between the side profile and a side wall of a hole being drilled is not greater than about 10 percent of the radius of a circle cut by the gage tooth.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignees: Earth Tool Company, L.L.C., Vermeer Manufacturing Company (US)Inventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane, Mark D. Randa, Randy R. Runquist, Richard K. Smith, Jr.
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Patent number: 6516899Abstract: A drill head of directional boring includes a bit, a holder for a device for detecting angular orientation of the bit, and a hammer including a striker, wherein the bit assembly, holder and hammer are connected head to tail with the bit at a front end. The bit has a frontwardly facing main cutting surface having a plurality of main cutting teeth disposed thereon and a gage tower extending radially outwardly from the main cutting surface, which gage tower has at least one frontwardly facing gage cutting tooth thereon suitable for cutting over an angle defined by less than a full rotation of the bit. In one embodiment, the main cutting surface is substantially flat and circular and has fluid ejection ports thereon, and the drill head has passages for conducting a drill fluid therethrough to the ejection ports.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignees: Earth Tool Company, L.L.C., Vermeer Manufacturing Company (US)Inventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane, Randy R. Runquist, Mark K. Van Houwelingen
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Publication number: 20030024739Abstract: A drill head for an apparatus for horizontal directional drilling. The drill head includes a device for detecting angular orientation, a holder for the device for detecting angular orientation, the device for detecting angular orientation being disposed therein, a hammer driven by a liquid and a drill bit. The holder, the hammer and the drill bit are connected head to tail along a longitudinal axis of a drill string with the holder at a proximate end of the drill head and the drill bit at a distal end of the drill head.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Randy R. Runquist, Mark Van Houwelingen, James R. Rankin, Rene Marcel Albert
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Patent number: 6454025Abstract: A drill head for an apparatus for horizontal directional drilling. The drill head includes a device for detecting angular orientation, a holder for the device for detecting angular orientation, the device for detecting angular orientation being disposed therein, a hammer driven by a liquid and a drill bit. The holder, the hammer and the drill bit are connected head to tail along a longitudinal axis of a drill string with the holder at a proximate end of the drill head and the drill bit at a distal end of the drill head.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Randy R. Runquist, Mark Van Houwelingen, James R. Rankin, RenéMarcel Albert
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Patent number: 6439319Abstract: A drill head for an apparatus for directional boring according to the invention includes a bit, a holder for a device for detecting angular orientation of the bit, and a hammer including a striker for delivering impacts to the bit, wherein the bit assembly, holder and hammer are connected head to tail with the bit at a front end. The bit of the invention has a frontwardly facing main cutting surface having a plurality of main cutting teeth disposed thereon and a gage tower extending radially outwardly from the main cutting surface, which gage tower has at least one frontwardly facing gage cutting tooth thereon suitable for cutting over an angle defined by less than a full rotation of the bit. The device for detecting angular orientation is in a predetermined alignment with the gage tower so that it determines the orientation of the gage tower relative to the axis of rotation of the drill head.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignees: Earth Tool Company, L.L.C., Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane, Randy R. Runquist, Mark K. Van Houwelingen
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Publication number: 20020096362Abstract: A steerable reamer and method for use in horizontal directional drilling. The reamer includes a carrier frame rotatably coupled to a reaming body, a carrier frame housing slidably coupled to the carrier frame, and an hydraulic cylinder for tilting the carrier frame relative to the carrier frame housing. The reamer may also include sondes for monitoring the position and orientation of the reamer during operation or a laser guidance system for automatically steering the reamer along a pilot bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2002Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventors: James R. Rankin, Richard K. Smith, Peter C. Rozendaal, Randy R. Runquist, Scott A. Rempe
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Publication number: 20020096367Abstract: A drill bit suited for impact-assisted directional boring in rock includes a bit body having a frontwardly facing, circular main cutting surface having a number of main cutting teeth disposed thereon. A gage cutter extends radially outwardly from the main cutting surface, which gage cutter mounts at least one frontwardly facing gage cutting tooth thereon suitable for cutting in a circle during straight boring and over an angle defined by less than a full rotation of the bit in order to steer the bit. A heel on an outer side surface of the bit body at a position opposite to and behind the gage tooth provides a reaction surface for the gage cutter. The bit body and gage cutter have a nearly circular side profile along a front portion thereof such that a maximum radial clearance between the side profile and a side wall of a hole being drilled is not greater than about 10 percent of the radius of a circle cut by the gage tooth.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane, Mark D. Randa, Randy R. Runquist, Richard K. Smith
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Patent number: 6390207Abstract: A drill head for an apparatus for directional boring according to the invention includes a bit, a holder for a device for detecting angular orientation of the bit, and a hammer including a striker for delivering impacts to the bit, wherein the bit assembly, holder and hammer are connected head to tail with the bit at a front end. The bit of the invention has a frontwardly facing main cutting surface having a plurality of main cutting teeth disposed thereon and a gage tower extending radially outwardly from the main cutting surface, which gage tower has at least one frontwardly facing gage cutting tooth thereon suitable for cutting over an angle defined by less than a full rotation of the bit. The device for detecting angular orientation is in a predetermined alignment with the gage tower so that it determines the orientation of the gage tower relative to the axis of rotation of the drill head.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2001Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignees: Earth Tool Company, L.L.C., Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane, Randy R. Runquist, Mark K. Van Houwelingen
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Publication number: 20020043406Abstract: A drill head for an apparatus for directional boring according to the invention includes a bit, a holder for a device for detecting angular orientation of the bit, and a hammer including a striker for delivering impacts to the bit, wherein the bit assembly, holder and hammer are connected head to tail with the bit at a front end. The bit of the invention has a frontwardly facing main cutting surface having a plurality of main cutting teeth disposed thereon and a gage tower extending radially outwardly from the main cutting surface, which gage tower has at least one frontwardly facing gage cutting tooth thereon suitable for cutting over an angle defined by less than a full rotation of the bit. The device for detecting angular orientation is in a predetermined alignment with the gage tower so that it determines the orientation of the gage tower relative to the axis of rotation of the drill head.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2001Publication date: April 18, 2002Inventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane, Randy R. Runquist, Mark K. Van Houwelingen
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Publication number: 20020011355Abstract: A drill head for an apparatus for directional boring according to the invention includes a bit, a holder for a device for detecting angular orientation of the bit, and a hammer including a striker for delivering impacts to the bit, wherein the bit assembly, holder and hammer are connected head to tail with the bit at a front end. The bit of the invention has a frontwardly facing main cutting surface having a plurality of main cutting teeth disposed thereon and a gage tower extending radially outwardly from the main cutting surface, which gage tower has at least one frontwardly facing gage cutting tooth thereon suitable for cutting over an angle defined by less than a full rotation of the bit. The device for detecting angular orientation is in a predetermined alignment with the gage tower so that it determines the orientation of the gage tower relative to the axis of rotation of the drill head.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2001Publication date: January 31, 2002Inventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane, Randy R. Runquist, Mark K. Van Houwelingen
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Patent number: 5778991Abstract: A directional boring apparatus is disclosed where the apparatus is controlled through a method which includes deviating a drill head from a straight path into a desired direction angled away from the straight path. The deviation is achieved by applying an axial force to the drill head when a drill head cutting member is positioned within an arc of rotation through which the desired direction passes. The drill head is retracted when the cutting member is outside of the arc of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1996Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Randy R. Runquist, James R. Rankin, Mark VanHouwelingen