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).

  • Patent number: 7721821
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robin W. Carlson, Randy R. Runquist
  • Patent number: 7694753
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robin Carlson, Randy R. Runquist, Tod J. Michael, Shawn Moyer
  • Publication number: 20070163806
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robin W. Carlson, Randy R. Runquist
  • Patent number: 6668946
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James R. Rankin, Richard K. Smith, Jr., Peter C. Rozendaal, Randy R. Runquist, Scott A. Rempe
  • Patent number: 6588516
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Randy R. Runquist, Mark Van Houwelingen, James R. Rankin, Rene′ Marcel Albert
  • Patent number: 6533052
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignees: 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.
  • Patent number: 6516899
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignees: Earth Tool Company, L.L.C., Vermeer Manufacturing Company (US)
    Inventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane, Randy R. Runquist, Mark K. Van Houwelingen
  • Publication number: 20030024739
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Randy R. Runquist, Mark Van Houwelingen, James R. Rankin, Rene Marcel Albert
  • Patent number: 6454025
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Randy R. Runquist, Mark Van Houwelingen, James R. Rankin, RenéMarcel Albert
  • Patent number: 6439319
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignees: Earth Tool Company, L.L.C., Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane, Randy R. Runquist, Mark K. Van Houwelingen
  • Publication number: 20020096362
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: James R. Rankin, Richard K. Smith, Peter C. Rozendaal, Randy R. Runquist, Scott A. Rempe
  • Publication number: 20020096367
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane, Mark D. Randa, Randy R. Runquist, Richard K. Smith
  • Patent number: 6390207
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignees: Earth Tool Company, L.L.C., Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane, Randy R. Runquist, Mark K. Van Houwelingen
  • Publication number: 20020043406
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane, Randy R. Runquist, Mark K. Van Houwelingen
  • Publication number: 20020011355
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Steven W. Wentworth, Robert F. Crane, Randy R. Runquist, Mark K. Van Houwelingen
  • Patent number: 5778991
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Randy R. Runquist, James R. Rankin, Mark VanHouwelingen