Title:
REAL-TIME CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN UNDERGROUND BORING MACHINE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2001021927
Kind Code:
B1
Abstract:
Systems and methods for controlling an underground boring tool involve rotating the boring tool and sensing a parameter of boring tool rotation. The boring tool is also displaced along an underground path and a parameter of boring tool displacement is sensed. Various sensors monitor boring machine activities, boring tool location, orientation, and environmental condition, and geophysical and/or geologic condition of the soil/rock at the excavation site. Data acquired by these sensors is processed by a boring machine controller to provide closed-loop, real-time control of a boring operation. The controller receives the boring tool signal and other sensor signals in real-time and, in response, transmits control signals to each of the rotation and displacement units substantially in real-time so as to control one or both of a rate and a direction of boring tool movement along the underground path.
Inventors:
ALFT KEVIN L
Application Number:
PCT/US2000/026183
Publication Date:
December 06, 2001
Filing Date:
September 22, 2000
Export Citation:
Assignee:
VERMEER MFG CO (US)
International Classes:
E21B7/26; E21B47/022; (IPC1-7): E21B7/26; E21B47/022; E21B21/08
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