Control system and interface for a tunneling apparatus

Abstract

A tunneling apparatus is disclosed. The tunneling apparatus includes a drill string formed by a plurality of drill string sections. The drill string has a proximal end and a distal end. The tunneling apparatus also includes a drill head mounted at the distal end of the drill string, the drill head including a cutting unit, a rotational driver that provides torque for rotating the cutting unit, and a thrust driver for applying thrust to the drill string. The tunneling apparatus further includes a vacuum system for withdrawing spoils generated by the cutting unit during operation of the tunneling apparatus and a drilling fluid system for providing drilling fluid to adjacent the cutting unit during operation of the tunneling apparatus. The tunneling apparatus includes a control system that allows an operator to select between a drilling mode and a break-out mode. The tunneling apparatus also includes a control interface that allows an operator to monitor vacuum pressure which concurrently controlling operation of various systems of the tunneling apparatus.

1 . A tunneling apparatus comprising:
 a drill string formed by a plurality of drill string sections, the drill string having a proximal end and a distal end;   a drill head mounted at the distal end of the drill string, the drill head including a cutting unit;   a rotational driver that provides torque for rotating the cutting unit;   a thrust driver for applying thrust to the drill string;   a vacuum system for withdrawing spoils generated by the cutting unit during operation of the tunneling apparatus;   a drilling fluid system for providing drilling fluid to adjacent the cutting unit during operation of the tunneling apparatus; and   a control system for controlling operation of the tunneling apparatus, the control system including an operator interface including a thrust control element for controlling the thrust driver, a rotation control element for controlling the rotational driver and a drilling fluid control element for controlling a drilling fluid flow rate provided by the drilling fluid system, the operator interface also including a display showing an indication of a vacuum pressure level corresponding to the vacuum system, wherein the operator interface is configured such that the operator can monitor the vacuum pressure level while concurrently having access to the thrust control element, the rotation control element and the drilling fluid control element.   
     
     
         2 . The tunneling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the display includes a screen display device displaying the indication of pressure level. 
     
     
         3 . The tunneling apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the screen display device also displays an indication of the drilling fluid flow rate. 
     
     
         4 . The tunneling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum system a source of vacuum, a first passage section that extends along the drill string and a second passage section providing a transition between the first section and the source of vacuum. 
     
     
         5 . The tunneling apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a pressure sensor for use in taking vacuum pressure readings at the second passage section, wherein the vacuum pressure readings provide a basis for the indication of vacuum pressure level shown by the display. 
     
     
         6 . The tunneling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the operator interface is portable. 
     
     
         7 . The tunneling apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the operator interface communicates with a main system controller by a wireless connection. 
     
     
         8 . The tunneling apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the operator interface communicates with a main system controller by a tether. 
     
     
         9 . The tunneling apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the operator interface is housed within a carrying case. 
     
     
         10 . The tunneling apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the carrying case includes a base and a cover, wherein a steering display device is mounted to the cover, wherein the steering display device shows a position of a laser relative to a target, and wherein a control panel arrangement is mounted within the base. 
     
     
         11 . The tunneling apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the control panel arrangement includes a steering control element, the thrust control element, the rotation control element, the drilling fluid control element and the display showing the indication of vacuum pressure level corresponding to the vacuum system. 
     
     
         12 . A tunneling apparatus comprising:
 a drill string formed by a plurality of drill string sections, the drill string having a proximal end and a distal end;   a vacuum passage that extends along the drill string;   a drilling fluid passage than extends along the drill string;   a drill head mounted at the distal end of the drill string, the drill head including a cutting unit;   a rotational driver that provides torque for rotating the cutting unit, the rotational driver having a rotation mode and an oscillation mode;   a thrust driver for applying thrust to the drill string;   a source of vacuum for applying vacuum pressure to the vacuum passage to withdraw spoils generated by the cutting unit during operation of the tunneling apparatus;   a drilling fluid pump for pumping drilling fluid down the drilling fluid passage;   a vacuum break valve for connecting and breaking fluid communication between the source of vacuum and the vacuum passage;   a drilling fluid valve for opening and closing fluid communication between the drilling fluid pump and the drilling fluid passage;   the tunneling apparatus being operable in a drilling mode in which: a) the source of vacuum is connected from the vacuum passage; b) the drilling fluid pump is in fluid communication with the drilling fluid passage; and c) the rotational driver is in the rotation mode;   the tunneling apparatus being operable in a break-out mode in which: a) the source of vacuum is disconnected from the vacuum passage; b) the drilling fluid pump is not in fluid communication with the drilling fluid passage; and c) the rotational driver is in the oscillation mode; and   the tunneling apparatus including an electronic control system that, when the tunneling apparatus is switched by an operator from the drilling mode to the break-out mode, automatically causes: a) the vacuum break valve to break fluid communication between the source of vacuum and the vacuum passage; b) the drilling fluid valve to close fluid communication between the drilling fluid pump and the drilling fluid passage; and c) the rotational driver to operate in the oscillation mode.   
     
     
         13 . The tunneling apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein when the tunneling apparatus is switched by the operator from the break-out mode to the drilling mode, the electronic control system automatically causes: a) the vacuum break valve to connect the source of vacuum to the vacuum passage; b) the drilling fluid valve to open fluid communication between the drilling fluid pump and the drilling fluid passage; and c) the rotational driver to operate in the rotation mode. 
     
     
         14 . The tunneling apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the source of vacuum is powered by a vacuum engine that is operable in a low idle mode and a high idle mode, wherein the vacuum engine operates in the low idle mode when the tunneling apparatus is in the break-out mode and operates in the high idle mode when the tunneling apparatus is in the drilling mode, and wherein the electronic controller automatically switches operation of the vacuum engine from the high idle mode to the low idle mode when the operator switches the tunneling apparatus from the drilling mode to the break-out mode. 
     
     
         15 . The tunneling apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the thrust driver is operable in a low drive pressure mode and a high drive pressure mode, wherein the thrust driver operates in the low drive pressure mode when the tunneling apparatus is in the break-out mode and the thrust driver operates in the high drive pressure when the tunneling apparatus is in the drilling mode, and wherein the electronic controller automatically switches operation of the thrust driver from the high drive pressure mode to the low drive pressure mode when the operator switches the tunneling apparatus from the drilling mode to the break-out mode.