Patent ID: 6402524
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A system for transfer of data or electric current for a steerable horizontal boring machine for laying and/or destructive replacement of supply lines comprising a drill head, a drive, a string having a longitudinal axis, a consumer, a drive adapter, a string adapter and a consumer adapter, wherein the drive adapter includes: a string connector for connecting to the string, an electrical connecting element which is carried on the string connector and which is secured for rotation with the string connector and is movable relative to the string connector along the longitudinal axis of the string, and a current collector which is stationary with respect to a data utilising unit or power source, the electrical connecting element and the current collector being mounted to allow axial displacement therebetween along the longitudinal axis of the string without interruption of data or electrical current, the axial displacement being sufficient to accommodate percussive boring;the string adapter is in the form of a length of drill string having a string head at each end and an internal electrical lead, the ends of the leads being fixed in the string head of the string length and being aligned such that connecting two string lengths result in automatic connection of the leads; and the consumer adapter is provided with a string-side connecting element and a consumer-side connecting element connected thereto, the connecting elements allowing relative axial movement between the electrical consumer and the connecting cable along the longitudinal axis without interruption of data or electric current, the axial movement being sufficient to accommodate percussive boring when the electrical consumer and the connecting cable are engaged.