IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0402575
(2003-03-28)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Keane, James C.
- Doklovic, Brian C.
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
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대리인 / 주소 |
Jenkins, Wilson & Taylor, P.A.
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
21 인용 특허 :
3 |
초록
▼
An apparatus and method for steering a vehicle with zero turning radius capability includes a movable steering handle, first and second CVT devices for independently driving first and second drive wheels, respectively, a transmission control device, and first and second biased guide members. The tra
An apparatus and method for steering a vehicle with zero turning radius capability includes a movable steering handle, first and second CVT devices for independently driving first and second drive wheels, respectively, a transmission control device, and first and second biased guide members. The transmission control device interconnects the steering handle and the first and second CVT devices, and includes a mixing lever for controlling operations of the first and second CVT devices. Movement of the steering handle in a first steering direction causes the first guide member to move the mixing lever in a first actuating direction, and movement of the steering handle in a second steering direction causes the second guide member to move the mixing lever in a second actuating direction. The mixing lever can be positioned so as to cause the first and second CVT devices to drive the drive wheels in a manner permitting the vehicle to be steered at a zero turn radius in response to movement of the steering handle in a selected steering direction.
대표청구항
▼
An apparatus and method for steering a vehicle with zero turning radius capability includes a movable steering handle, first and second CVT devices for independently driving first and second drive wheels, respectively, a transmission control device, and first and second biased guide members. The tra
An apparatus and method for steering a vehicle with zero turning radius capability includes a movable steering handle, first and second CVT devices for independently driving first and second drive wheels, respectively, a transmission control device, and first and second biased guide members. The transmission control device interconnects the steering handle and the first and second CVT devices, and includes a mixing lever for controlling operations of the first and second CVT devices. Movement of the steering handle in a first steering direction causes the first guide member to move the mixing lever in a first actuating direction, and movement of the steering handle in a second steering direction causes the second guide member to move the mixing lever in a second actuating direction. The mixing lever can be positioned so as to cause the first and second CVT devices to drive the drive wheels in a manner permitting the vehicle to be steered at a zero turn radius in response to movement of the steering handle in a selected steering direction. ined by the length of the jack screw.11. The drilling system of claim 5, wherein the drive shaft pinion gear is movable along the drive shaft, such that the pinion may be brought into and out of engagement with each of the first geared nut and the second geared nut.12. The drilling system of claim 11, wherein a hydraulic cylinder moves the drive shaft pinion gear along the drive shaft, such that the pinion may be brought into and out of engagement with each of the first geared nut and the second geared nut.13. The drilling system of claim 11, wherein a pneumatic means moves the drive shaft pinion gear along the drive shaft, such that the pinion may be brought into and out of engagement with each of the first geared nut and the second geared nut.14. The drilling system of claim 5, wherein the first rotatable tubular connector is a main shaft connected to a drill string, and the second non-rotatable tubular connector is a gooseneck assembly connected to a drilling mud supply.15. A drilling system comprising: a first rotatable tubular connector;a second non-rotatable tubular connector;a washpipe assembly comprising at least one dynamic seal and defining a fluid conduit having at one end a first geared nut and at another end a second geared nut designed to interconnect with the first and second tubular connectors;a controllable and reproducible torque driver for transmitting a torque from the first rotatable tubular connector to the washpipe assembly.16. The drilling system of claim 15, wherein the controllable and reproducible torque driver comprises a torqueing sleeve for engaging the first rotatable tubular connector and a wrench connected to the torqueing sleeve for engaging the washpipe assembly.17. The drilling system of claim 15, wherein the controllable and reproducible torque driver comprises a torqueing sleeve and a wrench that are movable from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position the torqueing sleeve engages the first rotatable tubular connector and the wrench engages the first geared nut to transfer a torque from the first rotatable tubular connector to the first geared nut to connect the washpipe assembly to the first rotatable tubular connector, and wherein in the second position the torqueing sleeve engages the washpipe assembly and the wrench engages the second geared nut to transfer a torque from the first rotatable tubular connector to the second geared nut to connect the washpipe assembly to the second non-rotatable tubular connector.18. A method of connecting a washpipe assembly in a drill system comprising: providing a first rotatable tubular connector;providing a second non-rotatable tubular connector;providing a washpipe assembly comprising at least one dynamic seal and defining a fluid conduit having at one end a first mating connector and at another end a second mating connector designed to interconnect with the first and second tubular connectors; andapplying a controllable torque to the first and second mating connectors such that fluid connections are made between the first mating connector and the first tubular connector, and the second mating connector and the second tubular connector.19. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a controllable torque driver for applying the controllable torque to the first and second connectors, wherein the controllable torque driver is selected from the group consisting of a torque wrench, a torque drive motor, a hydraulic cylinder, and a torqueing sleeve.20. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a controllable torque drive motor for applying the controllable torque to the first and second connectors, wherein the controllable torque drive motor is selected from the group consisting of an air torque drive motor, a hydraulic torque drive motor, and an electric torque dr ive motor.21. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a positioning mechanism for moving the washpipe assembly between a washpipe assembly connecting position and a washpipe assembly replacement position.22. A method of connecting a washpipe assembly in a drill system comprising: providing a first rotatable tubular connector;providing a second non-rotatable tubular connector;providing a washpipe assembly comprising at least one dynamic seal and defining a fluid conduit having at one end a first geared nut and at another end a second geared nut designed to interconnect with the first and second tubular connectors;providing a drive shaft having a pinion gear for engaging the first and second geared nuts; andapplying a controllable and reproducible torque to the drive shaft, such that fluid connections are made between the first geared nut and the first tubular connector, and the second geared nut and the second tubular connector by manipulation of the drive shaft.23. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing a controllable and reproducible torque driver for applying the controllable and reproducible torque to the drive shaft, wherein the controllable and reproducible torque driver is selected from the group consisting of a torque wrench, a torque drive motor, a hydraulic cylinder, and a torqueing sleeve.24. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing a controllable and reproducible torque drive motor for applying the controllable and reproducible torque to the drive shaft, wherein the controllable and reproducible torque drive motor is selected from the group consisting of an air torque drive motor, a hydraulic torque drive motor, and an electric torque drive motor.25. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing a positioning mechanism for moving the washpipe assembly between a washpipe assembly connecting position and a washpipe assembly replacement position.26. The method of claim 25, wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a positioning yoke and a pivot link.27. The method of claim 26, wherein the pivot link comprises a jack nut and a jack screw that combine to allow the positioning yoke to move vertically along a path defined by the length of the jack screw.28. The method of claim 22, further comprising moving the drive shaft pinion gear along the drive shaft, such that the pinion may be brought into and out of engagement with each of the first geared nut and the second geared nut.29. The method of claim 28, further comprising providing a hydraulic cylinder to move the drive shaft pinion gear along the drive shaft, such that the pinion may be brought into and out of engagement with each of the first geared nut and the second geared nut.30. The method of claim 28, further comprising providing a pneumatic means to move the drive shaft pinion gear along the drive shaft, such that the pinion may be brought into and out of engagement with each of the first geared nut and the second geared nut.31. The method of claim 22, wherein the first rotatable tubular connector is a main shaft connected to a drill string, and the second non-rotatable tubular connector is a gooseneck assembly connected to a drilling mud supply.32. A method of connecting a washpipe assembly in a drill system comprising: providing a first rotatable tubular connector;providing a second non-rotatable tubular connector;providing a washpipe assembly comprising at least one dynamic seal and defining a fluid conduit having at one end a first geared nut and at another end a second geared nut designed to interconnect with the first and second tubular connectors; andtransmitting a torque from the first rotatable tubular connector to the washpipe assembly, such that fluid connections are made between the first geared nut and the first tubular connector, and the second geared nu t and the second tubular connector.33. The method of claim 32, wherein transmitting a torque from the first rotatable tubular connector to the washpipe assembly comprises transmitting a torque from the first rotatable tubular connector to the first geared nut, such that a fluid connect is made between the first geared nut and the first tubular connector; and transmitting a torque from the first rotatable tubular connector to the second geared nut, such that a fluid connect is made between the second geared nut and the second tubular connector.34. The method of claim 33, wherein transmitting a torque from the first rotatable tubular connector to the first geared nut comprises connecting a torqueing sleeve to the first rotatable tubular connector and connecting a wrench that is attached to the torqueing sleeve to the first geared nut; and wherein transmitting a torque from the first rotatable tubular connector to the second geared nut comprises connecting the torque sleeve to the washpipe assembly, when the washpipe assembly is connected to the first rotatable tubular connector and connecting the wrench to the second geared nut. 5/431; US-5433280, 19950700, Smith, 175/336; US-5590727, 19970100, Tank et al., 175/374; US-5655612, 19970800, Grimes et al., 175/401; US-5720357, 19980200, Fuller et al., 175/428; US-5912217, 19990600, Sumiya et al., 051/307; US-6102140, 20000800, Boyce et al., 175/374; US-6106957, 20000800, Fang, 428/545
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