18431668. HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILL WITH FREEWHEEL MODE simplified abstract (Vermeer Manufacturing Company)
Contents
- 1 HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILL WITH FREEWHEEL MODE
- 1.1 Organization Name
- 1.2 Inventor(s)
- 1.3 HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILL WITH FREEWHEEL MODE - A simplified explanation of the abstract
- 1.4 Simplified Explanation
- 1.5 Potential Applications
- 1.6 Problems Solved
- 1.7 Benefits
- 1.8 Potential Commercial Applications
- 1.9 Possible Prior Art
- 1.10 Original Abstract Submitted
HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILL WITH FREEWHEEL MODE
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Jacob Rewerts of Altoona IA (US)
Zach Buckley of Ankeny IA (US)
Robert D. Franz of Independence IA (US)
HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILL WITH FREEWHEEL MODE - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18431668 titled 'HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILL WITH FREEWHEEL MODE
Simplified Explanation
The abstract describes a patent application for a horizontal directional drilling machine with a hydraulic motor that can switch between drive and freewheel modes using a hydraulic circuit with rotary ball valves.
- The patent application is for a horizontal directional drilling machine with a hydraulic motor that can switch between drive and freewheel modes.
- The machine includes a hydraulic circuit with rotary ball valves that control the flow of fluid to the motor.
- The hydraulic circuit has a first fluid flow path connecting the motor to the drive pump and a second fluid flow path connecting the motor to the other side of the pump.
- The hydraulic circuit allows the motor to apply torque in drive mode and disables torque in freewheel mode.
- The rotary ball valves ensure there is no pressure drop across them in the drive mode configuration.
Potential Applications
The technology described in this patent application could be used in the construction industry for horizontal directional drilling projects, such as laying underground utilities or pipelines.
Problems Solved
This technology solves the problem of efficiently switching between drive and freewheel modes in a horizontal directional drilling machine, improving overall performance and control during drilling operations.
Benefits
The benefits of this technology include increased efficiency, better control over drilling operations, and potentially reduced wear and tear on the drilling equipment.
Potential Commercial Applications
The potential commercial applications of this technology include selling or licensing the patented drilling machine design to construction companies or equipment manufacturers for use in various drilling projects.
Possible Prior Art
One possible prior art for this technology could be existing horizontal directional drilling machines with hydraulic motors, but without the specific hydraulic circuit design and rotary ball valves described in this patent application.
Unanswered Questions
How does this technology compare to existing drilling machine designs on the market?
This article does not provide a direct comparison between this patented technology and existing drilling machine designs, leaving the reader to wonder about the specific advantages or differences.
What are the potential limitations or challenges in implementing this technology in real-world drilling operations?
The article does not address any potential limitations or challenges that may arise when implementing this technology in actual drilling operations, leaving room for speculation on practical issues that could arise.
Original Abstract Submitted
A horizontal directional drilling machine includes a drill string rotational drive unit having an output member configured to connect with and selectively drive rotation of a drill string, the rotational drive unit including a hydraulic motor. A hydraulic circuit has a configuration that puts the motor in a drive mode to apply torque and a second configuration that puts the motor in a freewheel mode disabled from applying torque. The hydraulic circuit includes a first fluid flow path for connecting the hydraulic motor through a first rotary ball valve to one of an inlet side and an outlet side of a drive pump, and a second fluid flow path for selectively connecting the hydraulic motor through a second rotary ball valve to the other side of the drive pump. In the first configuration, there is no pressure drop across the first and second rotary ball valves.
