Horizontal directional drilling rig

Abstract

A horizontal directional drilling rig is described. The rig can be entirely electrically powered. The performance (or “health”) and/or the life cycle of individual components of the rig can be electronically monitored. This permits identification of specific individual components that are performing in a substandard manner or are not performing properly or have reached the end of their life cycle. Individual improperly performing components or components at the end of their life cycle can thus be specifically identified. The improperly performing component(s) or components at the end of their life cycle can then be replaced. In some embodiments, when a component is identified as performing improperly, the operation of other, properly functioning components of the rig can be modified accordingly to account for the improperly performing component.

1 - 17 . canceled 
     
     
         18 . A horizontal directional drilling rig, comprising:
 a support frame having a first end and a second end;   a traverse carrier movably disposed on the support frame for forward and reverse movement on the support frame to drive and retract drill pipe during horizontal directional drilling, the traverse carrier includes a traverse carrier drive mechanism that is engageable with the support frame for driving the traverse carrier in forward and reverse directions on the support frame;   the traverse carrier includes drill pipe rotation components that engage with the drill pipe to rotate the drill pipe clockwise or counterclockwise;   a vise carrier movably disposed on the support frame for forward and reverse movement on the support frame, the vise carrier includes a vise carrier drive mechanism that is engageable with the support frame for driving the vise carrier in forward and reverse directions on the support frame;   the vise carrier includes a make/break vise mechanism that is configured to connect and disconnect drill pipe during horizontal directional drilling; and   at least one of the following:   a) the traverse carrier can be driven off or loaded from the first end or the second end;   b) the vise carrier can be driven off or loaded from the first end or the second end.   
     
     
         19 . The horizontal directional drilling rig of  claim 18 , comprising a) and b). 
     
     
         20 . The horizontal directional drilling rig of  claim 18 , wherein the traverse carrier can be driven off or loaded from the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         21 . The horizontal directional drilling rig of  claim 18 , wherein the vise carrier can be driven off or loaded from the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         22 . The horizontal directional drilling rig of  claim 18 , further comprising a wheel assembly mounted on the support frame, and the wheel assembly can be driven off or loaded from the first end or the second end. 
     
     
         23 . A horizontal directional drilling rig, comprising:
 a support frame having a toothed rack that extends from a first end to a second end of the support frame;   a traverse carrier movably disposed on the support frame between the first end and the second end for forward and reverse movement on the support frame to drive and retract drill pipe during horizontal directional drilling, the traverse carrier includes a traverse carrier platform disposed on the toothed rack and a plurality of traverse carrier drive components on the traverse carrier platform that are in driving engagement with the toothed rack for driving the traverse carrier in forward and reverse directions on the support frame;   the traverse carrier includes a plurality of drill pipe rotation components disposed on the traverse carrier platform to rotate the drill pipe clockwise or counterclockwise;   a vise carrier movably disposed on the support frame adjacent to the first end for forward and reverse movement on the support frame, the vise carrier includes a vise carrier platform disposed on the toothed rack, and a plurality of vise carrier drive components on the vise carrier platform that are in driving engagement with the toothed rack for driving the vise carrier in forward and reverse directions on the support frame;   the vise carrier includes a make/break vise mechanism disposed on the vise carrier platform that is configured to connect and disconnect drill pipe during horizontal directional drilling;   the traverse carrier can be driven off or loaded from the first end or the second end; and   the vise carrier can be driven off or loaded from the first end or the second end.   
     
     
         24 . The horizontal directional drilling rig of  claim 23 , wherein the traverse carrier can be driven off or loaded from the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         25 . The horizontal directional drilling rig of  claim 23 , wherein the vise carrier can be driven off or loaded from the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         26 . The horizontal directional drilling rig of  claim 23 , further comprising a wheel assembly mounted on the support frame, and the wheel assembly can be driven off or loaded from the first end or the second end. 
     
     
         27 . A horizontal directional drilling rig, comprising:
 a support frame having a toothed rack that extends from a first end to a second end of the support frame;   a first carrier movably disposed on the support frame between the first end and the second end for forward and reverse movement on the support frame, the first carrier includes a first carrier platform disposed on the toothed rack and a plurality of first carrier drive components on the first carrier platform that are in driving engagement with the toothed rack for driving the first carrier in forward and reverse directions on the support frame; and   the first carrier can be driven off or loaded from the first end or the second end.   
     
     
         28 . The horizontal directional drilling rig of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a second carrier movably disposed on the support frame between the first end and the second end for forward and reverse movement on the support frame, the second carrier includes a second carrier platform disposed on the toothed rack and a plurality of second carrier drive components on the second carrier platform that are in driving engagement with the toothed rack for driving the second carrier in forward and reverse directions on the support frame; and   the second carrier can be driven off or loaded from the first end or the second end.   
     
     
         29 . The horizontal directional drilling rig of  claim 27 , further comprising a wheel assembly mounted on the support frame, and the wheel assembly can be driven off or loaded from the first end or the second end.