Patents by Inventor Tod Michael

Tod Michael 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).

  • Publication number: 20190234199
    Abstract: A locator device and methods of use are disclosed. The locator device includes a first locating system configured to generate to sense an electromagnetic field emanating from a sonde associated with a drill head, and a second locating system including a global positioning system. The locator device includes a display on the locating system configured to display a map of the area in which the locator device resides based on a location detected by the global positioning system. The locator device also includes control electronics configured to, upon receipt of an input from a user, record location data in a memory associated with the locator device for use by a horizontal directional drilling control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: VERMEER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott Alan REMPE, Tony BRIGGS, David HANSON, Keith SJOSTROM, Nathan COPELAND, Hans KELPE, Tod MICHAEL, Chad VAN SOELEN
  • Patent number: 10294776
    Abstract: A locator device and methods of use are disclosed. The locator device includes a first locating system configured to generate to sense an electromagnetic field emanating from a sonde associated with a drill head, and a second locating system including a global positioning system. The locator device includes a display on the locating system configured to display a map of the area in which the locator device resides based on a location detected by the global positioning system. The locator device also includes control electronics configured to, upon receipt of an input from a user, record location data in a memory associated with the locator device for use by a horizontal directional drilling control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Scott Alan Rempe, Tony Briggs, David Hanson, Keith Sjostrom, Nathan Copeland, Hans Kelpe, Tod Michael, Chad Van Soelen
  • Publication number: 20170335677
    Abstract: A locator device and methods of use are disclosed. The locator device includes a first locating system configured to generate to sense an electromagnetic field emanating from a sonde associated with a drill head, and a second locating system including a global positioning system. The locator device includes a display on the locating system configured to display a map of the area in which the locator device resides based on a location detected by the global positioning system. The locator device also includes control electronics configured to, upon receipt of an input from a user, record location data in a memory associated with the locator device for use by a horizontal directional drilling control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Scott Alan REMPE, Tony BRIGGS, David HANSON, Keith SJOSTROM, Nathan COPELAND, Hans KELPE, Tod MICHAEL, Chad VAN SOELEN
  • Patent number: 9611732
    Abstract: A locator device and methods of use are disclosed. The locator device includes a first locating system configured to generate to sense an electromagnetic field emanating from a sonde associated with a drill head, and a second locating system including a global positioning system. The locator device includes a display on the locating system configured to display a map of the area in which the locator device resides based on a location detected by the global positioning system. The locator device also includes control electronics configured to, upon receipt of an input from a user, record location data in a memory associated with the locator device for use by a horizontal directional drilling control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Scott Alan Rempe, Tony Briggs, David Hanson, Keith Sjostrom, Nathan Copeland, Hans Kelpe, Tod Michael, Chad Van Soelen
  • Publication number: 20150090496
    Abstract: A locator device and methods of use are disclosed. The locator device includes a first locating system configured to generate to sense an electromagnetic field emanating from a sonde associated with a drill head, and a second locating system including a global positioning system. The locator device includes a display on the locating system configured to display a map of the area in which the locator device resides based on a location detected by the global positioning system. The locator device also includes control electronics configured to, upon receipt of an input from a user, record location data in a memory associated with the locator device for use by a horizontal directional drilling control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: VERMEER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott Alan Rempe, Tony Briggs, David Hanson, Keith Sjostrom, Nathan Copeland, Hans Kelpe, Tod Michael, Chad Van Soelen
  • Publication number: 20070272444
    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: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robin Carlson, Randy Runquist, Tod Michael, Shawn Moyer
  • Patent number: 7172035
    Abstract: A sonde (transmitter) housing having a one-piece design for improved housing rigidity. The housing includes a mechanically-adjustable mounting configuration adaptable to a variety of sonde applications. A method of making the sonde housing in a one-piece design and infinitely orienting the sonde clocking electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Tod Michael, Ric Smith, Mark Facile
  • Patent number: 7121363
    Abstract: A sonde (transmitter) housing having a one-piece design for improved housing rigidity. The housing includes a mechanically-adjustable mounting configuration adaptable to a variety of sonde applications. A method of making the sonde housing in a one-piece design and infinitely orienting the sonde clocking electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Tod Michael, Ric Smith, Mark Facile
  • Publication number: 20060151213
    Abstract: A sonde (transmitter) housing having a one-piece design for improved housing rigidity. The housing includes a mechanically-adjustable mounting configuration adaptable to a variety of sonde applications. A method of making the sonde housing in a one-piece design and infinitely orienting the sonde clocking electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Applicant: VERMEER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Tod Michael, Ric Smith, Mark Facile
  • Patent number: 7036609
    Abstract: A sonde (transmitter) housing having a one-piece design for improved housing rigidity. The housing includes a mechanically-adjustable mounting configuration adaptable to a variety of sonde applications. A method of making the sonde housing in a one-piece design and infinitely orienting the sonde clocking electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Tod Michael, Ric Smith, Mark Facile
  • Publication number: 20060060384
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to back reamers having bases including leading ends that can be connected to a drill string and trailing ends that can be connected to product desired to be pulled through a bore being backreamed. The back reamers also include reaming components that are detachably secured to the bases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventor: Tod Michael
  • Publication number: 20050274548
    Abstract: A drilling system including a drill head configured to couple to a drill string. The drill head including an offset adapter, a one-way clutch, and a drill bit. The drill head being configured to provide straight drilling along a first axis, and deviated drilling along a second axis. The drilling system further including a gearbox configured to provide selective rotational operation corresponding to the straight drilling and the deviated drilling. The drilling system also including control systems to control the selected rotational operation of the gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Rene Albert, Scott Rempe, Hans Kelpe, Tod Michael
  • Publication number: 20050205299
    Abstract: A sonde (transmitter) housing having a one-piece design for improved housing rigidity. The housing includes a mechanically-adjustable mounting configuration adaptable to a variety of sonde applications. A method of making the sonde housing in a one-piece design and infinitely orienting the sonde clocking electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Tod Michael, Ric Smith, Mark Facile
  • Publication number: 20030131992
    Abstract: A sonde (transmitter) housing having a one-piece design for improved housing rigidity. The housing includes a mechanically-adjustable mounting configuration adaptable to a variety of sonde applications. A method of making the sonde housing in a one-piece design and infinitely orienting the sonde clocking electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Tod Michael, Ric Smith, Mark Facile