US3630295A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering apparatus for soil-burrowing mole
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1969-12-10
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1989-12-10
Abstract
Abstract This application discloses a steering scheme for an earthburrowing device. The scheme involves an articulatable tail with an active fin or fins. The fin stabilizes the device in steering situations where control would otherwise be lost, by permitting simultaneous steering and roll actions. In one embodiment, the fin protrudes a fixed distance into the soil stream but is pivoted perpendicular to the tail sleeve so that its angle of attack provides variable direction and speed of roll. In another, two retractable fins are used to impart respectively clockwise and counterclockwise rotation.
Inventors
- 👤 James C Coyne
- 👤 Robert G Mccoy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:24
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/04; E21B7/06; E21B7/068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
For a soil-burrowing mole having a main missilelike body, steering apparatus comprising: a tail comprising a flattened exterior rear surface, means for articulating said tail about an axis on the after part of said body, a pivot pin extending from the tail interior perpendicularly through said surface, an elongated fin rigidly mounted on said pin with a majority of the fin''s surface area aft of said pin, and means for rotating said pin thereby to vary the reactive forces impinging on said fin from soil contact.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
For a soil-burrowing mole having a main missilelike body, steering apparatus comprising: a tail comprising a flattened exterior rear surface, means for articulating said tail about an axis on the after part of said body, a pivot pin extending from the tail interior perpendicularly through said surface, an elongated fin rigidly mounted on said pin with a majority of the fin''s surface area aft of said pin, and means for rotating said pin thereby to vary the reactive forces impinging on said fin from soil contact.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said rotating means comprises a crank connected to the interior end of said pivot pin and having at least one arm, and a hydraulic piston for driving each said arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said rear surface is a flat depression having a forward wall formed to a radius slightly in excess of the circular path described by the forward end of said fin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein the extreme bottom portions of said fin are in close proximity to said flat depression.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
For a soil-burrowing mole having a main missilelike body, steering apparatus comprising: a tail comprising a skin slot, a clevis pin mounted in perpendicular relation to the longitudinal axis of said body, means for articulating said tail about said clevis pin a fin pivoted from the interior of said tail for travel through said slot, and means for effecting the pivoting of said fin from a position in which the leading edge is substantially flush with the tail surface adjacent said slot, to any one of plural extended positions offering varying amounts of fin surface area for impingement with soil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
For a soil-burrowing mole having a main missilelike body, steering apparatus comprising: a tail comprising a skin slot, a clevis pin mounted in perpendicular relation to the longitudinal axis of said body, means for articulating said tail about said clevis pin a fin pivoted from the interior of said tail for travel through said slot, and means for effecting the pivoting of said fin from a position in which the leading edge is substantially flush with the tail surface adjacent said slot, to any one of plural extended positions offering varying amounts of fin surface area for impingement with soil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein the number of said fins comprises two; and in which the angle of intersection of the respective planes of motion of said two fins is in the range 90* to 150* , with the line of intersection of said two planes being in a plane that is substantially normal to the axis of said clevis pin and that contains the tail axis, said line of intersection being inclined to said tail longitudinal axis by about 30* .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |