US3853185A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Guidance system for a horizontal drilling apparatus
Assignee: Consolidation Coal Co
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Filing: 1973-11-30
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1993-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A drilling apparatus for forming a horizontal borehole substantially parallel to a first drilled horizontal borehole which has a signal generating apparatus inserted into the first borehole. A horizontal drill is inserted into the subterranean strata adjacent the first drilled borehole and operated until it is in the formation. A signal receiver contained in the horizontal drill apparatus will then receive a signal generated by the signal generating apparatus. The signal generating apparatus will always be maintained a fixed distance behind or in front of the horizontal drilling apparatus. The signal receiver in the horizontal drill will also include an antenna sensitive to direction which can orient itself with the signal generating apparatus. Knowing the angle between the horizontal drill and the signal generating apparatus, along with the distance along the first borehole between the horizontal drill and the signal generating apparatus, will provide sufficient data to calculate the distance between the first horizontal borehole and the drilling apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 H Dahl
- 👤 T Edmond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:13
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/04; E21B47/00; E21B47/02; E21B47/022; E21B47/0228; E21B7/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for drilling a second elongated horizontal borehole substantially parallel to a first drilled horizontal borehole comprising: a. inserting a horizontal drill into the ground along an axis parallel to a drilled hole and spaced from said first hole; b. positioning a signal generating means in said first hole a known distance with respect to said horizontal drill; c. maintaining said known distance along the axis of said first hole as said second hole is drilled; d. receiving said generated signal on said drill; e. calculating the distance of said signal generated from said receiver; and f. controlling said horizontal drill in accordance with said calculation to maintain a predetermined distance between said drill and said signal generating means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for drilling a second elongated horizontal borehole substantially parallel to a first drilled horizontal borehole comprising: a. inserting a horizontal drill into the ground along an axis parallel to a drilled hole and spaced from said first hole; b. positioning a signal generating means in said first hole a known distance with respect to said horizontal drill; c. maintaining said known distance along the axis of said first hole as said second hole is drilled; d. receiving said generated signal on said drill; e. calculating the distance of said signal generated from said receiver; and f. controlling said horizontal drill in accordance with said calculation to maintain a predetermined distance between said drill and said signal generating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as described in claim 1 wherein said signal generating means is positioned in said first hole equal to the distance said receiving means is positioned in said hole being drilled.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as described in claim 1 wherein said signal generating means is maintained a known distance with respect to said receiving means in said borehole being drilled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus for driLling a second elongated horizontal borehole substantially parallel to a first drilled horizontal borehole comprising: a. means for inserting a signal means in said first borehole; b. horizontal drilling means; c. means for propelling said horizontal drill means into the ground along an axis parallel to said first drilled borehole to form a second elongated horizontal borehole; d. signal means in said horizontal drill means; e. means for generating a signal in one signal means and receiving said generated signal in said remaining signal means; and f. means for maintaining said first signal means a predetermined distance in said drilled borehole with respect to the position of said second signal means in said second borehole.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus for driLling a second elongated horizontal borehole substantially parallel to a first drilled horizontal borehole comprising: a. means for inserting a signal means in said first borehole; b. horizontal drilling means; c. means for propelling said horizontal drill means into the ground along an axis parallel to said first drilled borehole to form a second elongated horizontal borehole; d. signal means in said horizontal drill means; e. means for generating a signal in one signal means and receiving said generated signal in said remaining signal means; and f. means for maintaining said first signal means a predetermined distance in said drilled borehole with respect to the position of said second signal means in said second borehole.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said signal is generated by said first-mentioned signal means and wherein said signal is received by said second-mentioned signal means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
108 words
An apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said second-mentioned signal means comprises: a. a directional antenna; b. means coupled to said directional antenna for determining the direction of said horizontal drill axis from said first-mentioned signal means; and c. means for maintaining said first signal means a predetermined distance from said second signal means, whereby the angle between said first and second signal means can be determined and whereby the linear distance between said first and second receiving means can be determined so that the distance between said borehole containing said first signal means and the borehole being drilled containing said second signal means can be calculated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said second-mentioned signal means comprises: a. first and second directional antenna means mounted on said drilling apparatus and spaced apart a predetermined distance; and, b. means coupled to each of said first and second directional antenna to determine its orientation with respect to said signal means in said first hole.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
An apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said means for maintaining said first signal means a predetermined distance in said drilled borehole with respect to the position of said second signal means in said second borehole comprises: a. a first reel having a first line stored thereon; b. a second reel having a second line stored thereon; c. means for connecting said first line to said first-mentioned signal means and means for connecting said second line to said second-mentioned signal means; and, d. means for metering the lengths of said first and second lines played out by said respective first and second reels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein said first-mentioned signal means comprises a housing; means for propelling said housing along said borehole; and, means for attaching said first line to said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said means for attaching said first line to said housing comprises a pressure sensitive switch, and means for coupling said pressure sensitive switch to said propelling means, whereby when said propelling means moves said housing against the tension on said first line, said pressure sensitive switch means will turn off the propulsion means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |