Laser Control System and Apparatus for Drilling and Boring Operations
A laser control system and apparatus for guiding a drilling or boring operation during a trenchless technology implementation. In most if not all trenchless technology applications, direction of the pipe or utility structure through the earth is of utmost importance. Proper directional guidance throughout the trenchless technology implementation ensures not only that the resulting utility infrastructure is placed properly, but also ensures that the trenchless technology operation does not hit or otherwise damage (such as through vibrations) existing utilities and other underground objects. The laser control system and apparatus of the present invention comprises a laser, a laser control head having a prism, an audible alignment indicator operatively coupled to the laser control head, and a target having a laser beam hole.
This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/827,116 filed on Sep. 27, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to control systems for drilling and boring operations, and more particularly to a laser based control system and apparatus for drilling and boring operations.
2. Description of Related Art
Trenchless technology is a growing field that includes a wide variety of methods and techniques for installing and rehabilitating underground infrastructure with minimal surface disruption and without the destruction and subsequent rebuilding of essential infrastructure that is common with trenching and excavation. Examples of trenchless technologies include, but are not limited to, microtunneling, pipejacking, pipe ramming, sliplining, guided boring, haul systems, tunnel boring, and earth pressure balance systems.
In most if not all trenchless technology applications, direction of the pipe or utility structure through the earth is of utmost importance. Proper directional guidance throughout the trenchless technology implementation ensures not only that the resulting utility infrastructure is placed properly, but also ensures that the trenchless technology operation does not hit or otherwise damage (such as through vibrations) existing utilities and other underground objects.
In some trenchless technology operations such as microtunneling and guided boring, the boring or tunneling tool can be guided during the operation itself by various techniques. In other trenchless technology operations, such as pipejacking and pipe ramming, the method is non-steerable, and pipes installed by these methods are laid straight. Often times a pilot tube is placed prior to the pipejacking or pipe ramming operation using a technique such as microtunneling. The subsequent pipejacking or pipe ramming operation will then follow the pilot tube to ensure that the pipe is installed in it's proper location.
In guiding a trenchless technology operation, knowledge of when the cutting head is deviating from it's intended course is extremely valuable so that the machine operator can make adjustments necessary to bring the direction of the cutting head back on course. The cutting head may deviate from it's intended course for a variety of reasons, such as machine or operator inputs, encounter of different soil types, encounter of a rock or boulder, and the like. Knowing when such a deviation occurs and the extent of such a deviation is important to ensure that timely course corrections are made.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a laser control system and apparatus for drilling and boring operations. It is another object of the present invention to provide a laser control system and apparatus for drilling and boring operations where the control head is low cost in the event of a cutting head malfunction. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a laser control system and apparatus for drilling and boring operations where the control head does not require a power source. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a laser control system and apparatus for drilling and boring operations that is reliable and not susceptible to failure. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a laser control system and apparatus for drilling and boring operations that can optionally be operated remotely.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the present invention, there is provided a laser control system and apparatus for drilling and boring operations comprising a laser, an optical control head, an audible alignment indicator operatively coupled to the optical control head, and a target having a laser beam hole.
The foregoing paragraph has been provided by way of introduction, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention as defined by this specification, drawings, and attached claims.
The invention will be described by reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which:
The present invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, however, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention to the embodiment described. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by this specification, drawings, and appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSFor a general understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements.
It is often times inconvenient or impossible to view the target 115 while operating the drive unit 109. In these situations, an optional video camera 121 is directed at the target 115 and a display unit (not shown) may be placed in a position convenient for the operator or others to view the target 115.
During operation of the laser control system and apparatus of the present invention, the target 115 is continuously monitored during a drilling or boring operation, and minor course deviations are corrected through operator intervention by slowing or stopping the rotation of the pipe 107, orienting the pipe 107 and attached pipe head 111 in an angular position that will allow the pipe head 111 to travel in a direction that will compensate for the detected course deviation, providing horizontal displacement of the pipe 107 and pipe head 111 until such time as the course is corrected, and then returning to rotational and horizontal displacement boring or drilling.
As will become evident to one skilled in the art after reading this specification with the attached drawings and claims, the laser control system and apparatus of the present invention is well suited to a variety of trenchless operations, and also to vertical boring and drilling operations.
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It is, therefore, apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the various objects of the present invention, a laser control system and apparatus for drilling and boring operations. While the various objects of this invention have been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of this specification, drawings, and appended claims.
Claims
1. An optical control head for drilling and boring operations comprising:
- a prism assembly having a prism, the prism assembly being connected to a shaft;
- a first flange operatively coupled to said shaft;
- an audible alignment indicator operatively coupled to said shaft; and
- a second flange operatively coupled to said shaft.
2. The optical control head as recited in claim 1, further comprising an expandable plug connected to said shall.
3. The optical control head as recited in claim 1, further comprising a tightener connected to said shaft.
4. The optical control head as recited in claim 1, wherein said audible alignment indicator comprises a bell housing and a striker.
5. The optical control head as recited in claim 1, wherein said audible alignment indicator comprises a bell housing, a striker, a pivot pin and a stop.
6. The optical control head as recited in claim 1, wherein said audible alignment indicator is electronic.
7. The optical control head as recited in claim 1, further comprising a strut connected to said first flange and said second flange.
8. The optical control head as recited in claim 1, wherein said prism has a visual alignment indicator marking.
9. A target for drilling and boring operations comprising:
- a target backing;
- a laser beam hole made in the target backing; and
- angular displacement markings made on the target backing.
10. The target for drilling and boring operations as recited in claim 9 further comprising a laser beam termination.
11. The target for drilling and boring operations as recited in claim 9, wherein said angular displacement markings are clock indicators.
12. The target for drilling and boring operations as recited in claim 9, wherein said angular displacement markings are in degrees.
13. Tile target for drilling and boring operations as recited in claim 9, wherein said angular displacement markings are in radians.
14. The target for drilling and boring operations as recited in claim 9 further comprising a laser beam sensor.
15. A laser control system for drilling and boring operations comprising:
- a laser;
- an optical control heady;
- an audible alignment indicator operatively coupled to the optical control head;
- and a target having a laser beam hole.
16. The laser control system for drilling and boring operations as recited in claim 15, further comprising a pipe operatively coupled to said optical control head.
17. The laser control system for drilling and boring operations as recited in claim 15, is further comprising a prism operatively coupled to said optical control head.
18. The laser control system for drilling and boring operations as recited in claim 17, wherein said prism has a visual alignment indicator marking.
19. The laser control system for drilling and boring operations as recited in claim 15, wherein said audible alignment indicator is mechanical.
20. The laser control system for drilling and boring operations as recited in claim 15, wherein said audible alignment indicator is electronic.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 26, 2007
Publication Date: Mar 27, 2008
Inventors: Jason Austin Cartwright (Honeoye Falls, NY), Dewight Lavergne Cartwright (Pittsford, NY)
Application Number: 11/862,177
International Classification: E21B 44/00 (20060101);