Patents by Inventor Robin W. Carlson
Robin W. Carlson 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: 9598905Abstract: The present disclosure provides a drill drive unit and drill string make up and break up unit with a method for use with a dual pipe drill string configuration. The drill drive unit is mounted to a single carriage and includes an outer drive spindle in a position fixed to the carriage with inner drive spindle configured to rotate independent of the outer drive spindle while being able to move longitudinally at least 12 inches relative to the outer drive spindle. The method involves connecting and disconnecting inner shafts and outer shafts of the dual pipe drill string.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Michael D. Van Zee, Ryan D. Otis, Clint M. Recker, David Wisniewski, Robin W. Carlson
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Patent number: 8235142Abstract: 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: May 24, 2010Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Robin W. Carlson, Randy R. Runquist
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Patent number: 8136612Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention concern HDD in an automatic drilling mode. Such embodiments can include maintaining a constant output parameter while performing a drilling operation using an HDD rig (20) having a thrust pump, generating hydraulic fluid pressure measurements from one or more pumps of the HDD rig, comparing the hydraulic fluid pressure measurements to a variable pressure limit, calculating a derivative value using the measured hydraulic fluid pressure measurements, comparing the derivative value to a derivative threshold, decreasing the variable pressure limit when the derivative value exceeds the derivative threshold, wherein the amount that the variable pressure limit is decreased is based on one or more of the hydraulic fluid pressure measurements, and reducing output of the thrust pump when the comparison of the hydraulic fluid pressure measurements to the variable pressure limit indicates that one or more of the hydraulic fluid pressure measurements exceed the variable pressure limit.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Vermeer CorporationInventors: Robin W. Carlson, Philip R. Lane
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Publication number: 20100230168Abstract: 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: May 24, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: VERMEER MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Robin W. Carlson, Randy R. Runquist
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Publication number: 20100139982Abstract: An horizontal directional drilling (HDD) system having dynamically scalable control settings is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Robin W. Carlson, Philip R. Lane
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Publication number: 20100133009Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention concern HDD in an automatic drilling mode. Such embodiments can include maintaining a constant output parameter while performing a drilling operation using an HDD rig (20) having a thrust pump, generating hydraulic fluid pressure measurements from one or more pumps of the HDD rig, comparing the hydraulic fluid pressure measurements to a variable pressure limit, calculating a derivative value using the measured hydraulic fluid pressure measurements, comparing the derivative value to a derivative threshold, decreasing the variable pressure limit when the derivative value exceeds the derivative threshold, wherein the amount that the variable pressure limit is decreased is based on one or more of the hydraulic fluid pressure measurements, and reducing output of the thrust pump when the comparison of the hydraulic fluid pressure measurements to the variable pressure limit indicates that one or more of the hydraulic fluid pressure measurements exceed the variable pressure limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2008Publication date: June 3, 2010Inventors: Robin W. Carlson, Philip R. Lane
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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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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: 6880430Abstract: A vise apparatus for use on a drilling machine to thread together pipe to form a drill string. The vise apparatus also for use on a drilling machine to break pipe threaded together in a drill string. The vise apparatus having scissor members that open to receive various size pipe diameters and close to contact the pipe around the pipe diameter at equally distanced locations.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2004Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Robin W. Carlson
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Publication number: 20040226412Abstract: A vise apparatus for use on a drilling machine to thread together pipe to form a drill string. The vise apparatus also for use on a drilling machine to break pipe threaded together in a drill string. The vise apparatus having scissor members that open to receive various size pipe diameters and close to contact the pipe around the pipe diameter at equally distanced locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Robin W. Carlson
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Patent number: 6752043Abstract: A vise apparatus for use on a drilling machine to thread together pipe to form a drill string. The vise apparatus also for use on a drilling machine to break pipe threaded together in a drill string. The vise apparatus having scissor members that open to receive various size pipe diameters and close to contact the pipe around the pipe diameter at equally distanced locations.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Robin W. Carlson
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Publication number: 20030056623Abstract: A vise apparatus for use on a drilling machine to thread together pipe to form a drill string. The vise apparatus also for use on a drilling machine to break pipe threaded together in a drill string. The vise apparatus having scissor members that open to receive various size pipe diameters and close to contact the pipe around the pipe diameter at equally distanced locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Robin W. Carlson
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Patent number: 6517733Abstract: A continuous flow slurry cleaning method, apparatus and system including a filter portion and a mud re-circulation manifold for receiving partially filtered slurry, containing the slurry and mixing the slurry with liquid ready for use and thereby enabling a continuous, re-circulating flow through the filter portion. The continuous flow slurry cleaning apparatus and system further include a tank for storing and delivering liquid ready to be used by a drilling machine. The continuous flow slurry cleaning method, apparatus and system further includes a mud circulation/agitation system for keeping solids in suspension and for mixing additives along with the liquid ready for use and thereby modifying the makeup of the liquid ready for use.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2000Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Robin W. Carlson