阅读说明：本技术 具有操作员升降机的水平定向钻探系统 (Horizontal directional drilling system with operator elevator ) 是由 詹姆斯·布瑞恩·托雷 杰弗里·戴尔·兰纳 于 2020-05-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种水平定向钻探机械,所述水平定向钻探机械包括提供底座的机架、能够相对于底座移动至不同的钻探角度的导轨、和具有用于接合钻杆的旋转组件的托架,所述托架能够沿导轨移动以将钻杆驱动到地面中。水平定向钻探机械还包括操作员升降机,该操作员升降机包括设置在导轨旁边的操作员区域,并且所述操作员升降机相对于导轨的高度是能够调节的,以提供对托架的访问,从而进行电缆操作。操作员升降机由机架的至少一个机架元件支撑。(A horizontal directional drilling machine includes a frame providing a base, a guide rail movable to different drilling angles relative to the base, and a carriage having a rotating assembly for engaging a drill pipe, the carriage movable along the guide rail to drive the drill pipe into the ground. The horizontal directional drilling machine further comprises an operator lift comprising an operator area disposed beside the guide rail, and the height of said operator lift relative to the guide rail is adjustable to provide access to the carriage for cable operations. The operator lift is supported by at least one frame element of the frame.)

1. A horizontal directional drilling machine, comprising:

a frame providing a base;

a guide rail movable to different drilling angles relative to a base;

a carriage having a rotation assembly for engaging a drill rod, the carriage being movable along the guide rail to drive the drill rod into the ground;

an operator lift including an operator area disposed alongside the guide rail and adjustable in height relative to the guide rail to provide access to the carriage for cable operations, wherein the operator lift is supported by at least one frame element of the frame.

2. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 1, wherein the height of the operator lift is adjustable via one or more height controls of the horizontal directional drilling machine.

3. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 2, wherein the control is provided separately from a drilling control of the horizontal directional drilling machine.

4. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 1, wherein the height of the operator lift is adjustable independently of the movement of the guide rail.

5. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 1, wherein an electronic control system for the horizontal directional drilling machine is configured to determine a prescribed location for wireline operations with the operator lift and to automatically stop raising of the operator lift at the prescribed location.

6. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 1, wherein the lift mechanism of the operator lift comprises a collapsible scissor lift mechanism.

7. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 6, wherein the operator area is positioned on top of the scissor lift and extends further beyond the scissor lift in one longitudinal direction of the guide rail than in the other longitudinal direction of the guide rail.

8. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of steps disposed adjacent the operator area only at a lowered position of the operator lift.

9. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 1, wherein the operator lift comprises a boom having one or both of a hinged arm portion and a telescoping arm portion.

10. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 9, wherein the cantilever has a base coupled to a ground anchor of the horizontal directional drilling machine that supports a forward end of the guide rail.

11. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 1, wherein a set of controls for operating the horizontal directional drilling machine are disposed in the operator area.

12. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 11, wherein the set of controls in the operator area are restricted controls configured to provide only limited operation of the carriage as compared to a main set of drilling controls on the horizontal directional drilling machine.

13. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 1, further comprising an electronic control system including a weight sensor, the electronic control system providing a weight limit function for the operator lift.

14. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 1, wherein there is a tilt limit to the functionality of the operator lift.

15. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 1, further comprising an electronic control system, wherein operation of the operator lift by the electronic control system is limited by an operator interlock or an operator presence.

16. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 1, further comprising a second operator area that is not adjustable in height, the second operator area being disposed at a fixed location alongside the guide rail, the operator lift providing access to the second operator area.

17. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 1, wherein the operator lift includes one or both of an emergency off switch and a manual override feature to control the operator lift in the event of a loss of functionality.

18. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 1, wherein the operator area of the operator lift includes an access door, and wherein a control system interlock is configured to prevent movement of the operator lift when the access door is open.

19. The horizontal directional drilling machine of claim 1, wherein a control system interlock is configured to prevent simultaneous operation of a surface drive of the horizontal directional drilling machine and a set of elevator controls that control elevation of the operator elevator.

20. A method of installing a cable into a drill pipe on a horizontal directional drilling machine, the method comprising:

arranging a drill rod on a guide rail of the horizontal directional drilling machine;

raising a cable technician using a movable operator lift supported on a frame member of the horizontal directional drilling machine to access an upper end of the drill pipe; and

from the operator lift, the upper end of a length of cable extending through the drill pipe is processed and connected to an electrical connector on the horizontal directional drilling machine.

21. A horizontal directional drilling machine, comprising:

a frame providing a base;

a guide rail movable to different drilling angles relative to a base;

a carriage having a rotation assembly for engaging a drill rod, the carriage being movable along the guide rail to drive the drill rod into the ground;

An operator lift including an operator area disposed alongside the guide rail and adjustable in height relative to the guide rail to provide access to the carriage for cable operations, wherein the operator lift is not fixed to the guide rail and is therefore configured to move independently to facilitate connection of a cable extending through the drill pipe.

Background

The present invention relates to a Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) system configured to drive a drill string into the ground for trenchless underground utility installation. At the end of the drill string is a rotary drill or bit.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the present invention provides a horizontal directional drilling machine that includes a base, a guide rail movable to different drilling angles relative to the base, and a carriage having a rotating assembly for engaging a drill pipe, the carriage movable along the guide rail to drive the drill pipe into the ground. The horizontal directional drilling machine further comprises an operator lift comprising an operator area disposed beside the guide rail, and the height of said operator lift relative to the guide rail is adjustable to provide access to the carriage for cable operations. The operator lift is supported by at least one frame member of the horizontal directional drilling machine.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of installing a cable into a drill pipe on a horizontal directional drilling machine. The drill rod is arranged on a guide rail of the horizontal directional drilling machine. The cable technician is raised to access the upper end of the drill pipe using a movable operator lift supported on a frame member of the horizontal directional drilling machine. From the operator lift, the upper end of a length of cable extending through the drill pipe is processed and connected to an electrical connector on the horizontal directional drilling machine.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a horizontal directional drilling machine that includes a base, a guide rail movable to different drilling angles relative to the base, and a carriage having a rotating assembly for engaging a drill rod, the carriage movable along the guide rail to drive the drill rod into the ground. The horizontal directional drilling machine further includes an operator lift including an operator area disposed beside the guide rail and adjustable in height to provide access to the carriage for wireline operations. The operator lift is not fixed to the guide rail and is therefore configured to move independently to facilitate connection of the cable extending through the drill pipe.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the horizontal directional drilling machine of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an operator lift assembly of the horizontal directional drilling machine of fig. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the operator lift assembly of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the horizontal directional drilling machine of fig. 1 and 2, showing the operator lift assembly in a partially raised position.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the horizontal directional drilling machine of fig. 1 and 2, showing the operator lift assembly in a partially raised position.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the operator lift assembly in a fully raised position.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the operator lift assembly in a fully raised position.

Fig. 9 is a side view of a horizontal directional drilling machine according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the operator lift assembly includes a cantilevered lift.

Fig. 10 is a side view of the horizontal directional drilling machine of fig. 9 showing the cantilevered lift in an extended position.

Fig. 11 is a side view of a horizontal directional drilling machine according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the operator lift assembly includes a cantilevered lift and the horizontal directional drilling machine further includes a work platform mounted on the carriage, the work platform being accessible by the operator lift assembly.

Fig. 12 is a side view of a horizontal directional drilling machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the operator elevator assembly includes a cantilevered elevator having a base that is supported on an earth anchor of the horizontal directional drilling machine.

Detailed Description

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

Fig. 1 to 8 show a Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) machine 100 according to a first illustrative embodiment. The horizontal directional drilling machine 100 is part of a horizontal directional drilling system that includes a plurality of drill rod assemblies that are sequentially connected in an end-to-end manner on the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 to form a drill string. The drill string is driven into the ground by a horizontal directional drilling machine, such as for trenchless underground utility installations. At the end of the drill string is a drill bit having a rotating drill or bit. As discussed further below, the drill bit may include electronics (e.g., one or more gyroscopic sensors, data relay receivers, beacons, steering mechanisms) for tracking and/or steering the drill bit underground and cables located within the drill string to connect the electronics of the drill bit to the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 during operation. The horizontal directional drilling machine 100 includes a base 104 that supports a plurality of mechanical systems operable to assemble and disassemble the drill string and operable to insert and retract the drill string into and from the ground in a direction that is at least partially horizontal relative to the ground. The substructure 104 may include a main frame 106 and optionally a drive system, such as the illustrated tracks 108, configured to move the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 along the ground under its own power (e.g., powered by an on-board diesel engine or an alternative power source). In other configurations, the base 104 is stationary and the frame 106 may be attached to additional support structures (e.g., rails or trailers) or alternatively to a floating structure (e.g., a barge or floating platform). The guide rails 112 are movably supported on the base 104, and in particular on the main frame 106. The guide rail 112 is an elongated structure defining an axis a that sets the initial drilling direction.

The rear ends 112A of the guide rails 112 are configured to be adjustably raised above the ground by a lifting mechanism (e.g., one or more hydraulic cylinders) between the base 104, and in particular the main frame 106, and the guide rails 112. The front end 112B of the guide rail 112 is supported by an earth anchor 116. The ground anchor 116, which in some configurations may be separate from one or more of the frame elements forming the main frame 106, constitutes another frame element of the horizontal directional drilling machine 100. The rail 112 supports the carriage 120 and includes a gear rail 124 to enable driving of the carriage 120 along the rail 112. Although not all shown, the carrier 120 includes a plurality of motors, a gear box 126, and an output pinion engaged with the gear rail 124. One of the plurality of motors, together with the gearbox 126, defines a rotational system 127 of the carriage 120 and the horizontal directional drilling machine 100, the rotational system 127 being operable to rotate the drill string and/or the single drill rod on the guide rail 112 about the axis a. In other configurations, the rotational system 127 may be a direct drive system in which the motor directly drives the output without the need for an intermediate gearbox. The splice protector 128 is supported at the forward end of the carrier 120 and forms part of a rotating assembly that is rotated by the rotation system 127. Adjacent the front end 112B of the guide rail 112, a fixed or movable disconnect mechanism 132 (e.g., a vise system) is provided for selectively clamping the upper end of the bottom hole drill string during attachment to and detachment from the lower end of the drill-on-rail rod assembly. After a new drill rod assembly is coupled (to the drill string), the rotation system 127 travels longitudinally on the guide rails 112 toward the disconnect mechanism 132 while rotating the drill rod assembly to continue the drilling operation. When the rotation system 127 reaches the disconnect mechanism 132 at the end of the guide track 112, the rotation system 127 is decoupled from the drill rod assembly and retracted to the rear end 112A of the guide track 112 to accommodate the next drill rod assembly. This process is repeated until the drilling operation is complete, and then reversed during a pullback operation during which the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 removes the drill bit from the surface, one drill rod assembly at a time.

Alternatively, the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 may include a storage compartment for the drill rod assemblies and a fixed operator station (e.g., a cabin as shown in fig. 9-11) having seats and controls for operating the horizontal directional drilling machine 100. The cabin may be attached to the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 or provided separately (e.g., as a box positioned near the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 by a tether connecting the cabin to the machine). Whether the drill rod assembly is stored on the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 or not stored on the horizontal directional drilling machine 100, a drill rod assembly handling device (e.g., crane, articulated arm, etc.) is used as part of the horizontal directional drilling system, either on the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 or adjacent to the horizontal directional drilling machine 100. The engine compartment 136 at least partially encloses a diesel engine, a fuel tank, one or more hydraulic motors, a pump, and a reservoir for operating hydraulic implements (the hydraulic implements moving the rail 112 and/or operating the tongs in the disconnect mechanism 132), and a water pump for pumping drilling fluid along the drill string.

Behind the engine compartment 136, the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 includes an operator lift 140 for supporting an operator (i.e., a technician) above the substructure 104. The operator lift is not fixed to the guide rail 112 and thus the operator lift 140 is operable to move independently of the guide rail 112. As shown in fig. 3-4, the operator lift 140 may include controls 145 within an operator area 144 (e.g., a personnel bucket, cage, or platform), the controls 145 configured to raise/lower the lift 140 on the horizontal directional drilling machine 100, and optionally also control one or more appliances on the horizontal directional drilling machine 100, including controlling one or more of: the drive of the rotation system 127, the output of the diesel engine, the movement of the carriage 120 along the guide rail 112, the movement of the guide rail 112 relative to the base 104, the vise or clamp within the disconnect mechanism 132, and the rotation of the carriage/drill string. The operator lift 140 may alternatively or additionally be controlled by a remote control. In some configurations, the remote control may be docked in a docking station on the operator lift 140.

The operator lift 140 may be positioned alongside the guide rail 112 with or without a direct connection to the guide rail 112. In FIG. 3 andthe operator lift 140 is shown in greater detail in the retracted or lowermost position in fig. 4. One or more steps in the form of a fixed or retractable ladder or stairs 146 may provide access to the operator area 144 of the lift 140. The steps may be configured to provide access to the operator area 144 only when the operator lift is in its lowered position (e.g., lowermost). For example, the floor of the operator area 144 may be raised by more than 2 feet (e.g., up to 4 feet, 6 feet, or more) while the steps may be supported in place on the main frame 106 and held in place on the main frame 106. While the stand-alone elevators that are commonly available provide a very limited operating range, in fact requiring a nearly flat work surface, it may be necessary to operate the operator elevator 140 incorporated into the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 on terrain that is inclined up to 10 degrees. As is generally recognized by those skilled in the art, a typical self-propelled lift will have tilt limits, for example, inhttps：//www.youtube.com/watchv＝P8JOf mxEE3w4s " Scissor Lifts: tilt or Tilt limits such as those disclosed in How Variable Tilt Technology Work "(i.e., Tilt in excess of 1.5 degrees, lift is limited stepwise, and the elevator can only operate at Tilt angles of 2.75 degrees or less). While it may be possible to first prepare a flat work area for the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 during certain operations, this is often not reasonable or economical and the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 needs to be able to operate on a slight incline or inclination. Such operating conditions would prevent direct incorporation of conventional elevators and would typically result in a person skilled in the art not adding an operator elevator to a horizontal directional drilling machine as set forth herein. Because horizontal directional drilling machine 100 provides a wider plan view footprint for operator lift 140 and includes a large number of bodies positioned outside of operator lift 140 (i.e., a majority of the body of the horizontal directional drilling machine is outside of operator lift 140), conventional lift tilt or inclination angle limitations are not necessarily appropriate.

In some configurations, as shown, operator area 144 has a longitudinal length L that is greater than a lateral width W, with the longitudinal direction being parallel to axis a of rail 112 when rail 112 is lowered to a horizontal position. Operator area 144 may be rectangular in plan view as shown, or may take alternative forms including regular and irregular geometric shapes. As shown, at least when the carriage 120 is positioned at the rear end 112A of the rail 112 (or closer to the rear end 112A than the front end 112B), regardless of the height or angular setting of the rail 112, the operator area 144 provides personnel access near the front end of the carriage 120 and allows an operator to access the rotation system 127 and/or the splice protector 128, and in particular access or install the cable 200 (fig. 2), from the operator lift 140. Thus, the operator hoist 140 is a cable hoist. However, the operator lift 140 may be used for inspection, repair, or maintenance in certain configurations or under certain circumstances. The length L of the operator area 144 may be 4 feet, 5 feet, or 6 feet, with longer lengths accommodating variations in the length of the drill rod assembly, which requires different starting positions of the carriage 120. The operator lift 140 includes a collapsible scissor lift mechanism 148, and the collapsible scissor lift mechanism 148 is hydraulically (e.g., hydraulic cylinder 172, fig. 7 and 8) or otherwise actuated to extend to increase the height of the operator area 144. The operator area 144 may extend horizontally further from the scissor lift 148 in one longitudinal direction (e.g., forward) than in the other longitudinal direction. Likewise, the operator area 144 may extend horizontally further from the scissor lift 148 in one width direction than in the other width direction. The scissor lift mechanism 148 is supported by a bracket 152, and the bracket 152 is mounted (e.g., using a plurality of bolted joints) to the frame 106 of the horizontal directional drilling machine 100. In particular, operator lift bracket 152 is coupled to a rearward-most extension of frame 106 behind engine compartment 136. The bracket 152 positions the operator lift 140 over a water pump manifold 154 having a water inlet and a water outlet. Fig. 5 and 6 illustrate the operator lift 140 in a partially raised position on the horizontal directional drilling machine 100. Fig. 7 and 8 show the operator lift 140 in a fully raised position.

Via the controller 300, the various operating features of the operator lift 140 described herein may be implemented separately or in combination. The controller 300 is programmed with various instruction sets and operates with additional electrical connection hardware to provide a control system. Some example features are described below. In some configurations, an inclinometer 162 may be provided on the horizontal directional drilling machine 100, and if an inclinometer 162 is provided, the inclinometer 162 may detect the inclination of the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 (including the operator lift 140). The inclinometer 162 can report a corresponding signal to the controller 300 such that the controller 300 maintains the operator elevator 140 in an operable state only within a specified range of inclination relative to the flat ground. In some configurations, the upper limit of the specified tilt range may be without limitation: 3 degrees or more, 6 degrees or more, or up to 8 degrees. A tilt of the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 beyond a prescribed range may result in a warning indicator signal being provided to the machine operator. In some configurations, the operator lift 140 automatically stops at a specified position relative to the guide rail 112 (i.e., a specified elevation unless the operator lift has a horizontal range of movement as in the following embodiments). The auto stop feature may be implemented solely by controller logic (e.g., using PLC or microprocessor controls, relays, etc.) by taking into account the mechanical characteristics of the operator hoist 140 and the current angle of the guide rail 112. Alternatively or additionally, one or more sensors (e.g., proximity sensor 156) may be used to properly position the lift 140 to achieve a prescribed height of the operator area work platform relative to the rail 112 by detecting a portion of the rail 112 or the carriage 120 on the rail 112. The one or more sensors for stopping the operator lift 140 may include a photoelectric sensor, an inductive sensor, a magnetic sensor, a LIDAR sensor, or a biosensor, among others. As disclosed, the operator lift 140 is designated for one or more human technicians, and in some embodiments is not provided for a lifting device, and thus there may be a suitable weight limit (e.g., less than 1000 pounds, or less than 700 pounds, and in some configurations the weight limit is 500 pounds) for the functionality of the operator lift 140, the operator lift 140 may communicate with the controller 300 using the weight sensor 158. The weight sensor 158 may be a load cell or pressure transducer incorporated into the work surface of the lift mechanism top or into the lift mechanism itself (e.g., within lift cylinder 172 as shown in fig. 8). Alternatively, the weight limitation may be implemented in a passive manner, such as a relief or balancing valve, or simply designing the electrical or hydraulic system to operate only at a specific lifting capacity. Detection of an overweight condition may cause one or more indicator lights to illuminate for display to the operator. The weight limit may be used only to limit the raising of the operator lift 140, while the lowering function is unaffected.

The operator lift 140 is selectively enabled via an operator interlock/operator presence device to limit operation of the lift 140 when operator engagement is detected and/or operator presence is detected. For example, an activation switch is provided and must remain in an "on" position to place the elevator 140 in an operable state for movement. For example, the up/down switch may only be active when the enable switch is held in an on position (e.g., prevented from being biased toward an "off position). Such controls may be provided at operator area 144 for an on-board operator and may also be provided at a fixed operator station, with the operator area controls having priority. The operator lift 140 may include one or both of an emergency shutdown switch and a manual override feature to control the lift (e.g., controlled descent) in the event of a loss of functionality (e.g., a power outage). If the door is open, an interlock on the access door of the operator lift 140 may be enabled to prevent movement of the lift 140. An interlock may be provided between the surface drive and the elevator control of the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 such that if the surface drive is activated, the operator elevator 140 is prevented from moving and vice versa. When the operator lift 140 is raised above its bottom or "delivery" position or a specified elevated level, movement of the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 along the ground, such as by the drive system and the rails 108, may be prevented by the control system. For example, a sensor 159 (with a physical detection switch or other electronic detection device) is provided to detect the operator lift 140 in the transport position and report to the controller 300 a prerequisite for activating the drive system.

In an exemplary method of the present disclosure, an operator (i.e., a worker) occupies the operator area 144 of the operator lift 140, for example, via a ladder or stairs 146, when a drill rod 160 is placed onto the guide rail 112 for attachment with an existing drill string. The operator handles the new length of cable 200, feeds the new length of cable 200 down through the drill pipe 160 from its upper end, or receives the new length of cable 200 (e.g. via a threader) as the new length of cable 200 is fed up from the bottom. The upper end of the newly added cable 200 is coupled via an electrical connector 164 (e.g., a terminal, alligator clip, etc., and a rotating electrical joint in the form of a swivel or slip ring) to a length of wire on the rail 112 that extends to the controller 300, along with a display and controls that communicate with the controller 300. In some configurations, the cable 200 may be threaded through a port in the joint protector 128. Before connecting the drill rod 160 at the disconnect mechanism 132, the operator or another operator splices the lower end of the cable 200 to the existing cable that extends through the drill string to the drill bit. Splicing may include stripping insulation, crimping wires or cables, and applying a heat shrink wrap over the splice joint. An operator may lower the operator lift 140 from a raised position adjacent the carriage rotation system 127 and splice protector 128 to a lowered position and then descend from the operator area 144 and operator lift 140 to work on the ground adjacent the disconnect mechanism 132 to perform a cable splicing operation. A similar method, performed in reverse, is used during drill string pullback to extract and remove segments of the wireline 200 so that the wireline 200 can remain functional during pullback. Alternatively, the entire cable 200 may be removed prior to pullback.

A conventional lock switch near the carriage 120 may be toggled by the cable technician to stop the rotation motor from rotating (not rotating any attached components-chuck, joint protector, drill pipe, drill string) and to stop the carriage 120 from moving up and down (no thrust or pullback) the rail 112. In an alternative configuration, automatic locking of any or all of these functions may be triggered in response to detecting that a cable technician or operator lift 140 in or near operator area 144 is in the raised position. In some configurations, the control system may provide only limited functionality of the carriage 120 for a drilling operator (as opposed to a wireline technician) based on the operator area 144 and/or the elevation of an operator in the operator lift 140 to a position near the carriage 120. The limited functionality may include: limited rotation (low torque, low speed- "jogging" rotation to facilitate access to cable components, such as ports on splice protector 128), and/or limited up and down movement of carriage 120 along the guide rail (low torque, low speed-carriage 120 "jogging" up and down the guide rail to facilitate access to cable components). These limited or restricted tray functions may be obtained through operator controls in the operator area 144 on the operator hoist 140 so that these limited or restricted tray functions may be controlled by a cable technician in the operator area 144 to facilitate cable operations. Such operator controls in operator area 144 may be limited controls having limited capabilities (e.g., limited range of movement and/or limited speed) as compared to the primary drilling controls of the horizontal directional drilling machine.

A horizontal directional drilling system including horizontal directional drilling machine 100 may be operated with a control system to execute a plurality of software instructions that, when executed by controller 300, cause the system to implement the methods and otherwise operate and function as described herein. In some examples, the controller 300 communicates with the diesel engine, the rotational system 127, the guide rail 112, the disconnect mechanism 132, electronics in the drill bit, operator controls/one or more displays, and/or other components of the system. The controller 300 may include what is commonly referred to as a microprocessor, Central Processing Unit (CPU), Digital Signal Processor (DSP), or other similar device, and may be implemented as a stand-alone unit or as a device shared with components of the system 100 (e.g., the horizontal directional drilling machine 100). The controller 300 may include memory (e.g., RAM and/or ROM) for storing software instructions, or the system may further include a separate storage device for storing software instructions that is electrically connected to the controller 300 for bi-directional communication between instructions, data and signals. In some examples, controller 300 waits to receive a signal from an operator's control before communicating with and operating components of horizontal directional drilling machine 100. In other examples, controller 300 may operate automatically without receiving signals from operator controls to communicate with and control the operation of components of a horizontal directional drilling system that includes horizontal directional drilling machine 100.

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate a horizontal directional drilling machine 100 according to three additional embodiments of the present disclosure₂、100₃、100₄Unless expressly prohibited, each horizontal directional drilling machine 100₂、100₃、100₄May include the controller 300, the control system, and any or all of the features and functions described above. Accordingly, the following description focuses on the horizontal directional drilling machine 100₂、100₃、100₄Those features not covered in the foregoing description. Each horizontal directional drilling machine 100₂、100₃、100₄A portion of a horizontal directional drilling system may be provided that is operable to manipulate drill rods of a drill string for horizontal directional drilling.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, an operator lift 140₂Is a cantilevered lift that includes (e.g., at a distal end thereof) a cantilever 170 that supports an operator area 144. Boom 170 may be an articulated arm and/or a telescoping arm. As shown, boom 170 has a hinged arm portion 170A and a telescoping arm portion 170B. Thus, boom 170 is operable to articulate to assume different shapes and/or to telescope in length by one or more actuators, which may include one or more hydraulic cylinders 172. Base 174 of boom 170 may be pivotally or fixedly coupled to base 104, and in particular, horizontal directional drilling machine 100 ₂The main frame 106. The cantilever 170 extends from its base 174 in a direction away from the ground anchor 116 and toward the rear end 112A of the guide rail 112. In some constructions, the cantilever 170 is a supportOperator lift 140₂One of the plurality of arms of operator area 144. The boom 170 is operated to move relative to the guide rail 112 so that an operator has access to at least the front end of the carriage 120 and the upper end of the drill pipe on the guide rail to perform cable installation and/or removal operations as described above. Like the operator lift 140 including the foldable scissor lift mechanism 148, the operator lift 140 having a cantilever 170₂Operator area 144 may be elevated to a prescribed working height adjacent to carriage 120, either automatically with an operator or via manual controls (e.g., manual controls within operator area 144). Operator lift 140₂May be manipulated to place operator area 144 at or near ground level (e.g., such that the operator support floor is within 18 inches or 12 inches of ground level) to provide direct operator access to adjacent horizontal directional drilling machine 100₂The ground and an outlet. However, the operator lift 140₂May alternatively or additionally be manipulated to be adjacent to the horizontal directional drilling machine 100 ₂On-board or adjacent horizontal directional drilling machine 100₂To position operator area 144 to provide access to and from operator area 144. Operator lift 140₂There is a working range that provides the necessary operator access for cable operations regardless of the height or angular setting of the guide rails 112.

FIG. 11 illustrates a horizontal directional drilling machine 100₃In addition to the operator cantilevered lift 140 supporting the operator area 144₂Outside, horizontal directional drilling machine 100₃A separate operator area 182 is also included, mounted on the rail. Operator area 182 may include a personnel bucket, cage, or platform. In some configurations, operator area 182 is positioned in longitudinal alignment with joint protector 128 and/or at least a forward portion of rotation system 127. As shown, operator area 182 may directly overlap joint protector 128 and/or at least directly overlap a front portion of rotation system 127 in side view. Operator lift 140₂Is operated to provide access to an operator area 182 mounted on the rail and an operator occupies the rail-mounted operator areaOperator area 182 to perform cabling operations. One or both of operator areas 144, 182 may have a latching door to provide for movement of an operator therebetween. In some configurations, the rail-mounted operator area 182 is open on one side and the operator lift 140 ₂Is brought to the open side (e.g., directly adjacent to or against the open side), and the control system locks the operator lift 140 when an operator occupies the rail-mounted operator area 182₂Further movement of (a). This may be accomplished by one or more weight sensors, one or more presence sensors, or other suitable devices. Operator area 182 may be mounted directly or indirectly to rail 112 via bracket 120. The mounting may include a pivot 184 for setting the horizontal orientation of the operator area 182 through a range of different operating rail angles. The control system may automatically set the orientation of operator area 182 in response to setting the rail angle for drilling. A tilt or inclination limiter may be provided to physically prevent the tilt or inclination from exceeding a prescribed angle relative to the horizontal.

FIG. 12 illustrates a horizontal directional drilling machine 100 according to yet another configuration₄Configured as a horizontal directional drilling machine 100₄On operator lift 140₂Alternative mounting locations are provided. Rather than supporting the cantilever base 174 on the main frame 106, the base 174 is supported on the ground anchor 116 and the front end 112B of the guide rail 112 is coupled to the ground anchor 116. Operator lift 140 ₂May have the same configuration, e.g., have an extended range, as one or both of the operator lifts of fig. 9-11 or a modification thereof. As shown, operator area 144 may be mounted such that the distal end of boom 170 is coupled to an upper or upper edge of operator area 144, rather than a lower or lower edge of operator area 144, as shown in fig. 9-11. Will operator lift 140₂Benefits of mounting on the ground anchor 116 include: the elevator does not add to the horizontal directional drilling machine 100₄In the horizontal directional drilling machine 100₄Will not increase with simple reconfiguration between left or right sides ofThe telescoping function of the boom 170 allows a greater range of motion to position the operator, plus the transport height or width, and the operator lift 140₂The guide rail 112 can be moved up, down, left, right, or longitudinally up and down.

In a further configuration, the features of the above embodiments may be combined, including providing more than one operator lift on the horizontal directional drilling machine. In some configurations, the horizontal directional drilling machine supports an operator hoist and a separate hoist for handling drill pipe (loading/unloading onto/from the guide rails 112). One or both of these lifts may be supported on an earth anchor 116. In other configurations, one or both of such lifts are supported on the main frame 106. It is also contemplated that a single elevator (e.g., a cantilevered elevator) may be switched from the drill pipe handler end effector to the operator area and vice versa, or that a single elevator may provide both the drill pipe handler end effector and the operator area. The control system may operate to change the available functions of the elevator (e.g., software programming to change or limit the speed and/or range available, locking of a designated device or function) based on the configuration as the drill pipe handler as opposed to the operator elevator. One such scenario is that when configured or used as an operator hoist, the operator hoist may be disabled via a remote control for drill pipe handling. The various operator lifts disclosed herein may be positioned on the right hand side or left hand side of the guide rail 112. In some configurations, the operator lift is removably attached (e.g., using bolted joints or other removable fasteners, rather than being permanently secured by welding or other means). Further, the operator lift may be supported on the horizontal directional drilling machine by a folding mechanism, placing the lift in a non-operational loading position (e.g., below the guide rails 112) for transport by the horizontal directional drilling machine.

Changes may be made in the above methods and systems without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore to be understood that what is included in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.