초록 ▼

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 a

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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An excavation system, comprising:an above ground tracker; a cutting tool coupled to a drill pipe; an adjustable steering mechanism provided on or in the cutting tool; a driving apparatus coupled to the drill pipe for moving the cutting tool along an underground path; and a controller communicativ

1. An excavation system, comprising:an above ground tracker; a cutting tool coupled to a drill pipe; an adjustable steering mechanism provided on or in the cutting tool; a driving apparatus coupled to the drill pipe for moving the cutting tool along an underground path; and a controller communicatively coupled to the driving apparatus, tracker, and cutting tool, the controller producing a control signal to adjust the steering mechanism for directing the cutting tool along the underground path in accordance with one or both of position information and orientation information produced by the tracker.