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Probe Drill Guidance System. Volume 1.

PB247064

Publication Date	1973
Personal Author	Rubin, L. A.; Hipkins, D. L.
Page Count	136
Abstract	The objective of the research was to develop, demonstrate, and deliver a field-test model of a probe-drill guidance system. This system was to be applicable to a transportable drill built for the Bureau of Mines to locate and aid trapped miners through a 28-inch hole from the surface. The Bureau also procured a probe drill designed to drill rapidly a smaller hole through which supplies could be provided to trapped miners until the larger drill could reach them. The drill guidance system was required to be operable to a depth of 2,500 feet and to enable the probe drill to hit a 5-foot diameter target at a depth of 1,500 feet. Guiding a drill to a precise position as must be done with the probe drill has always been more difficult and slower than simply 'making a hole' without regard to its direction. The Telcom approach to the telemetry problem was to use a unique cableless system, employing the drill pipe as one conductor and the earth as the other conductor constituting a complete electrical circuit. The field test model proved every aspect of system performance, but was unreliable as an operationally ready system.
Keywords	Guidance Drills Control equipment Drilling Telemetry Rescue operations Coal mining Underground mining Mine rescues
Source Agency	Bureau of Mines
NTIS Subject Category	48A - Mineral Industries 94F - Tooling, Machinery, & Tools
Corporate Authors	Telcom, Inc., McLean, VA.; Bureau of Mines, Twin Cities, Minn. Twin Cities Mining Research Center.
Document Type	Technical Report
Title Note	Research rept. 1971-73.
NTIS Issue Number	197604
Contract Number	H0122007

Probe Drill Guidance System. Volume 1.

Probe Drill Guidance System. Volume 1.
PB247064

Publication Date	1973
Personal Author	Rubin, L. A.; Hipkins, D. L.
Page Count	136
Abstract	The objective of the research was to develop, demonstrate, and deliver a field-test model of a probe-drill guidance system. This system was to be applicable to a transportable drill built for the Bureau of Mines to locate and aid trapped miners through a 28-inch hole from the surface. The Bureau also procured a probe drill designed to drill rapidly a smaller hole through which supplies could be provided to trapped miners until the larger drill could reach them. The drill guidance system was required to be operable to a depth of 2,500 feet and to enable the probe drill to hit a 5-foot diameter target at a depth of 1,500 feet. Guiding a drill to a precise position as must be done with the probe drill has always been more difficult and slower than simply 'making a hole' without regard to its direction. The Telcom approach to the telemetry problem was to use a unique cableless system, employing the drill pipe as one conductor and the earth as the other conductor constituting a complete electrical circuit. The field test model proved every aspect of system performance, but was unreliable as an operationally ready system.
Keywords	Guidance Drills Control equipment Drilling Telemetry Rescue operations Coal mining Underground mining Mine rescues
Source Agency	Bureau of Mines
NTIS Subject Category	48A - Mineral Industries 94F - Tooling, Machinery, & Tools
Corporate Authors	Telcom, Inc., McLean, VA.; Bureau of Mines, Twin Cities, Minn. Twin Cities Mining Research Center.
Document Type	Technical Report
Title Note	Research rept. 1971-73.
NTIS Issue Number	197604
Contract Number	H0122007