Patent Publication Number: US-10309155-B2

Title: Steering head

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/480,304 filed Sep. 8, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,551,187 issued Jan. 24, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/027,839 filed on Sep. 16, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,827,007 issued Sep. 9, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/669,068 filed Nov. 5, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,534,385 issued Sep. 17, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/243,231 filed Sep. 23, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,302,704 issued Nov. 6, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/433,587 filed Apr. 30, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,276,687 issued Oct. 2, 2012, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to a steering head for use with an auger for boring through soil. 
     Underground dredging and boring operations are necessary for the laying of underground utility lines (e.g. water, sewer, and power). The boring or tunneling of the soil to clear a path for such underground utility lines requires the use of a steering head, a casing, an auger unit, and an auger machine. The casing is typically weldably mounted to the steering head at one end and engaged to the auger machine at the opposite end, with an auger unit extending from the auger machine through the casing and into the steering head. The auger machine rotates the auger, thereby enabling the auger unit to perform the boring or tunneling operation through the surrounding soil. The auger removes the soil through the steering head and into the auger machine. As the bore hole is lengthened, additional sections of casing are welded to previously laid casings until a utility crossing line is completed. The auger machine, auger, and steering head are then removed, and a utility line is then run through the interconnected casings. 
     The cutting direction of the steering head through the soil will largely determine the path of the underground piping. Accordingly, the maneuverability of the steering head is critical to accurately cutting a desired path through the soil. The more maneuverable the steering head, the easier it may be to accurately steer through the soil. As a result, the maneuverability of the steering head may also improve the efficiency of the boring operation. 
     It is understood that prior art steering heads included a lateral hinge on each side of the steering head. A pipe-like rod mounted on top of the steering head by a nut and bolt configuration engageably connected each lateral hinge. The rotational loosening or tightening of the nut and bolt by a wrench allowed the position of each lateral hinge to be modified, thereby enabling the adjustment of the elevational direction of the steering head along a vertical axis. However, the position of the steering head along a horizontal axis could not be adjusted in these prior art steering heads. Furthermore, the amount of vertical adjustment was limited by the amount of torsion that could be applied to the nut and bolt configuration Other prior art steering heads utilized projections allowing some adjustment of the direction of the steering head along both vertical and horizontal axes. However, it is understood that the projections on these steering heads could not be completely closed. As a result, the frictional and impact forces between the projections and the surrounding soil wall as well as the penetration of soil under these projections reduced the efficiency of operation and maneuverability of these steering heads. Accordingly, more power and time was required to complete the boring operation. This resulted in increased labor and utility costs budgeted for a project. Furthermore, it is understood that the repeated impact between the steering head projections and the soil wall deformed these projections, thereby damaging the steering head and reducing its operational efficiency, resulting in added equipment and repair costs. In order to partially offset the occurrence of deformation, it is understood that these prior art steering head projections could be partially closed manually, a process that again reduced the efficiency of the boring operation. 
     Accordingly, there appears to be a need in the art for a new steering head with increased maneuverability along vertical and horizontal axes through various types of soil material for increased efficiency in the boring operation. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering head for use with an auger and a casing engaged to the auger for boring through soil. The steering head comprises a generally cylindrical body defining a longitudinal body axis. The body may have a first body end and an opposing second body end. The second body end may be mounted to the casing. The body may further have a bore channel with a channel surface concentrically received in the body, a front lip radially extending from the bore channel proximate to the first body end, and a rear lip radially extending from the bore channel proximate to the second body end. The body may further have a body surface enveloping the body from the front lip to the rear lip. The body may also have a lead edge radially extending from the front lip at the first body end, with the lead edge having a first soil face and an opposing lead face. The steering head may further have an outer tube having an internal side and an opposing external side. The internal side may generally face and be operative to cover the body surface and the lead face from the first body end to the second body end. The steering head may further have a steering flap disposed on the external side of the outer tube defining a longitudinal flap axis and a generally lateral flap axis disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal flap axis. The steering flap may have a first flap face and an opposing second flap face. The first flap face may be disposable facing toward and generally parallel to the body surface in a retracted position. The first flap face may be disposable radially away from the body surface in an extended position. The steering flap may further have a distal end and a hinge end. The hinge end may generally be disposed between a distal end and the lead edge. The hinge end may be mountable to the outer tube by a biased hinge operative to retract the steering flap into the retracted position. The steering head may further have a powered actuator mountable to the first flap face and the body surface. The powered actuator when activated may be operative to extend the first flap face into the extended position. 
     The steering head is innovative in that the powered actuator may be mounted to the first flap face of the steering flap and the body surface of the steering head&#39;s body. When operative, the powered actuator may extend the first flap face into the extended position, thereby enabling the steering head to change the direction of its cutting path. In the extended position, the steering flap will encounter frictional resistance forces with the soil wall, thereby causing the lead edge of the steering head to move in a direction opposing the extended steering flap. For example, if a steering flap on the right side of the steering head is extended, the lead edge of the steering head will tend to move in a direction toward the left through the soil. These same frictional resistance forces will cause the lead edge of the steering to tend to move in an upward direction in the soil with a steering flap extended on the bottom of the steering head. Once the desired alignment has been achieved, the powered actuator may then be deactivated. This in turn uniquely enables the biased hinge at the hinge end of the steering flap to automatically retract the steering flap into a completely closed position by operation of the spring action of the biased hinge with the assistance of the frictional impact forces of the soil wall pushing on the steering flap. This configuration uniquely allows the steering head to be more maneuverable and therefore easier to steer through a desired cutting path in the soil, along both vertical and longitudinal axes. The steering head is therefore able to operate more efficiently, thereby reducing the amount of time spent and power consumed in the boring operation on a project. Furthermore, as the steering flap may be automatically closed at the hinge end by the biased hinge, the steering flap may be less likely to be deformed or allow soil to enter the steering head underneath a steering flap in the extended position. Accordingly, the steering flap may not sustain damage as frequently during the boring operation and its longevity may therefore be increased. 
     According to other embodiments of the present invention, the body of the steering head may be made of any durable metal, including steel. Similarly, the lead edge of the steering head may also be made of a durable metal, including steel. 
     In a further embodiment of the present invention, the steering head may further include a stiffening ring concentrically extending from the front lip proximate to the lead edge. The stiffening ring may have a second soil face facing toward the longitudinal body axis. The stiffening ring may further have an opposing ring face covered by the outer tube facing away from the longitudinal body axis between the body surface and the lead face. 
     In another embodiment, the steering head may further include a rear edge concentrically extending from the rear lip and mountable to the casing. The rear edge may have a casing face facing toward the longitudinal body axis and an opposing rear face facing away from the longitudinal body axis. The rear face may be covered by the outer tube. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the steering head may include a plurality of steering flaps disposed on the external side of the outer tube. Each steering flap may define a longitudinal flap axis and a generally lateral flap axis disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal flap axis. Each steering flap may have a first flap face and an opposing second flap face. Each first flap face may be disposable facing toward and generally parallel to the body surface in a retracted position. Each first flap face may be disposable radially away from the body surface in an extended position. Each steering flap may further have a distal end and an opposing hinge end. Each hinge end may be generally disposed between the distal end and the lead edge. Each hinge end may be mountable to the outer tube by a biased hinge operative to retract the steering flap into the retracted position. 
     As discussed above, this configuration uniquely enables the steering head to be more maneuverable in soil and therefore more efficient in its boring operation. The plurality of steering flaps may enable an efficient change of direction of the steering head toward the desired cutting path. For example, if a steering flap on the right side of the steering head is extended, a steering head on the left side of the steering head may be retracted, thereby steering the lead edge of the steering head toward the left. Likewise, these same frictional resistance forces will cause the lead edge of the steering to tend to move in an upward direction in the soil with a steering flap extended on the bottom of the steering head and retracted on the top of the steering head. With the deactivation of the powered actuator on a steering flap, the configuration of the spring action on the biased hinge of each deactivated steering flap uniquely enables these steering flaps to uniformly retract with the assistance of the frictional impact forces of the soil wall on the steering flaps. This configuration may therefore improve the efficiency of the boring operation and the longevity of the steering head. 
     In another embodiment, the biased hinge on the steering flap may be spring-loaded. In an alternative embodiment, the biased hinge may be made of spring steel. As discussed above, the spring operation of the biased hinge uniquely enables the steering flaps to retract into their retracted position with the assistance of the frictional impact forces of the soil wall. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the steering head may further include a plurality of biased hinges on the hinge end of the steering flap. 
     In another embodiment, the steering head may have a plurality of powered actuators mounted to the first flap face of each steering flap. 
     In another embodiment, the powered actuator may be a hydraulic air or electric actuator having a motor, a cylinder, and a shaft. The shaft may be mounted to the first flap face. The hydraulic air or electric actuator may be operative to extend the first flap face, with the cylinder powered by the motor in the case of an electric actuator to extend the shaft mounted to the first flap face. 
     According to another embodiment, a steering head may include a plurality of powered actuators, with each steering flap having a powered actuator mountable to each first flap face. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the steering head may include an altitude sensor disposed on the outer tube proximate to the second body end. The altitude sensor may be operative to measure the position of the steering head along a vertical soil axis in the soil. In another embodiment, the steering head may also include a first positional sensor on the rear lip proximate to the second body end. The first positional sensor may be operative to measure the position of the steering head along a horizontal soil axis in the soil. The steering head may also include a second positional sensor adjacent to the first positional sensor. 
     The combination of an altitude sensor and one or more positional sensors may uniquely enable the steering head to be accurately positioned in the desired cutting path of the soil, along vertical and horizontal axes. The information gathered by the altitude sensor and the positional sensors may therefore indicate when one or more of the steering flaps should be extended or retracted, depending on the position of the steering head in reference to the desired cutting path. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the steering head may further include a rear hatch on the outer tube proximate to the second body end. The rear hatch may be operative to cover at least one power and/or communication line from an external control system to the steering head. In another embodiment, the steering head may also include a top box on the outer tube extending from the rear hatch toward the first body end. In one embodiment, the top box may be operative to cover a multifunctional sensor positioned underneath the top box. The multifunctional sensor may be operative to measure the depth, position, pitch, and roll of the steering head in the soil. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the steering head may further include one or more shields laterally disposed on the first flap face of the steering flap adjacent to the outer tube. The shields may be operative to prevent soil from entering beneath the steering flap in the extended position and to provide support to the steering flap. In another embodiment, a center rib may be disposed proximate to the shields operative to provide additional support to the steering flap. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the steering head showing a plurality of steering flaps with biased hinges in the retracted position; 
         FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view of one steering flap mounted to the outer tube in the retracted position; 
         FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of two shields and a center rib disposed on the first flap face of the steering flap; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the steering head showing a plurality of steering flaps with biased hinges in the retracted position; 
         FIG. 3  is a frontal view of the steering head body from the first body end showing the bore channel with a channel surface concentrically received in the body, a front lip, a steering head, and a lead edge; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the steering head from the second body end showing the rear lip radially extending from the bore channel, a rear edge, a first positional sensor, a second positional sensor, and an altitude sensor; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the steering head with a steering flap in the extended position with a powered actuator operative to extend the first flap face; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the steering head with the second body end engaged to a casing with one of the steering flaps in the extended position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The drawings referred to herein are for the purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention and not for the purposes of limiting the same. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are an embodiment of the steering head  10  having a generally cylindrical body  14  defining a longitudinal body axis  16 . The body  14  may have a first body end  18  and an opposing second body end  20 . The second body end  20  of the steering head  10  may be mounted to a casing  108  as depicted in  FIG. 6 , preferably by welding. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the casing  108  is also engaged to an auger machine  12 , with an auger unit  112  engaged to and extending from the auger machine  12  through the casing and the steering head  10 . The auger unit  112  may be equipped with a drill bit  110  for cutting through various types of soil  11 , from running sand to round rock. The auger machine  12  rotates the auger unit  112 , thereby enabling the auger unit  112  to perform a boring or tunneling operation through the surrounding soil  11 . The auger unit  112  removes the soil  11  through the steering head  10  and into the auger machine  12 . As the bore hole is lengthened, additional sections of casing  108  are welded to previously laid casings  108  until a utility crossing line is completed. The auger machine  12 , auger unit  112 , and steering head  10  are then removed, and a utility line (e.g. power, water, sewer) may then run through the interconnected casings  108 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the body  14  of the steering head  10  may further have a bore channel  22  with a channel surface  24  concentrically received in the body  14 . The body  14  may have a front lip  26  radially extending from and generally perpendicular to the bore channel  22  proximate to the first body end  18 . However, it is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the front lip  26  may be tapered or non-orthogonal to the bore channel  22 . The body  14  may further have a rear lip  28  radially extending from the bore channel  22  proximate to the second body end  20 . A body surface  30  envelops the exterior of the body  14  extending from the front lip  26  to the rear lip  28 . Both the front lip  26  and the rear lip  28  are hollow in the preferred embodiment of the steering head  10 , although it is contemplated that the front lip  26  and the rear lip  28  may be solid if made of a relatively lightweight durable material. The body  14  may further have a lead edge  38  radially extending from the front lip  26  at the first body end  18 . As discussed below,  FIGS. 1-3  depict an embodiment of the steering head  10  having a stiffening ring  32 . In this embodiment, the lead edge  38  is shown to radially extend from the stiffening ring  32 , not the front lip  26 . The lead edge  38  may have a first soil face  40  that comes into contact with and cuts through the soil  11 . The lead edge  38  may further have a lead face  42  opposing the first soil face  40 , as shown in  FIG. 1A . The first soil face  40  of the lead edge  38  may be comprised of a welded metal material for added durability and strength in cutting through soil  11  as well as rock material. 
     In one embodiment of the steering head  10 , the distance between the front lip  26  and the rear lip  28  is approximately 48 inches. However, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the distance from the front lip  26  to the rear lip  28  may be more or less than 48 inches, depending on the requirements of the boring operation. 
     Although the steering head  10  depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is cylindrical, it is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the various aspects of the steering head  10  may be employed with a body  14  that has a polygonal, rectangular, or other configuration. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the body  14  is shown to have at its first body end  18  a bore channel  22  with a channel surface  24  concentrically received in the body  14  along a longitudinal body axis  16 . A front lip  26  is shown radially extending from the bore channel  22  proximate to the first body end  18 .  FIG. 3  depicts the body surface  30  enveloping the body  14  beginning at the front lip  26 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , the steering head  10  also includes a stiffening ring  32  concentrically extending from and generally perpendicular to the front lip  26  proximate to the lead edge  38 . However, it is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the stiffening ring  32  may be tapered or non-orthogonal to the front lip  26 . The stiffening ring  32  may have a second soil face  34  facing toward the longitudinal body axis  16  that makes contact with the soil  11  while the steering head  10  is in operation. As shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 1A , the stiffening ring  32  may further have an opposing ring face  36  facing away from the longitudinal body axis  16  between the body surface  30  and the lead face  42 . The stiffening ring  32  may reinforce the steering head  10  when it is used in a mixture of rock and soil  11 . The stiffening ring  32  may therefore prevent the steering head  10  from bending or deformation when used in inconsistent soils  11 .  FIGS. 1-3  depict an embodiment of the steering head  10  having a lead edge  38  radially extending from the stiffening ring  32  at the first body end  18 . As discussed above, the lead edge  38  may have a first soil face  40  and an opposing lead face  42 . 
     Referring now to an exploded rear view of an embodiment of the steering head  10  in  FIG. 4 , the rear lip  28  is shown radially extending from the bore channel  22  proximate to the second body end  20 . In this embodiment, the steering head  10  may also include a rear edge  74  concentrically extending from the rear lip  28 .  FIG. 6  shows the rear edge  74  of the steering head  10  mounted to the casing  108 . The rear edge  74  may have a casing face  76  facing toward the longitudinal body axis  16  and an opposing rear face  78  facing away from the longitudinal body axis  16 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1A , the steering head  10  may further include an outer tube  44  having an internal side  46  and an opposing external side  48 . The internal side  46  may generally face and be operative to cover the body surface  30  and the lead face  42  spanning the first body end  18  to the second body end  20 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1A , the internal side  46  of the outer tube  44  also covers the ring face  36 , with the ring face  36  facing away from the longitudinal body axis  16 . In  FIG. 4 , the internal side  46  of the outer tube  44  is shown to cover the rear face  78  of the rear edge  74 . 
     In one embodiment of the steering head  10  with an outer tube  44  whose diameter is greater than 30 inches, the bore channel  22  may have a corresponding diameter that is approximately 12 inches less than the diameter of the outer tube  44 . However, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the ratio of the diameter of the outer tube  44  and the bore channel  22  may be varied, depending on the requirements of the boring operation. 
     Although the steering head  10  may be typically made of metal such as steel to withstand the impact and frictional forces of soil  11  pressing upon the lead edge  38 , the outer tube  44 , and the channel surface  24 , it is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the various aspects of the steering head  10  may be employed from any hard, durable material. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the embodiment of the steering head  10  may have a plurality of steering flaps  50 ,  80  disposed on the external side  48  of the outer tube  44 . The steering flaps  50 ,  80  define a longitudinal flap axis  54  and a generally lateral flap axis  56  disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal flap axis  54 . The steering flaps  50 ,  80  may each have a first flap face  58  and an opposing second flap face  60 . The first flap face  58  may be disposable facing toward and generally parallel to the body surface  30  in a retracted position  62 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 2 . Each of the steering flaps  50 ,  80  may have a distal end  66  and a hinge end  68 , with the hinge end  68  generally disposed between the distal end  66  and the lead edge  38 . The hinge end  68  may be mountable to the outer tube  44  by a biased hinge  70  operative to retract each of the steering flaps  50 ,  80  into the retracted position  62 . In the embodiment of the steering head  10  in  FIG. 2 , each of the steering flaps  50 ,  80  is shown to have a plurality of biased hinges  70  on the distal end  66  of each hinge end  68  operative to retract each steering flap  50 ,  80  into the retracted position  62 . Although the steering head  10  depicted in  FIGS. 1-2  has a plurality of steering flaps  50 ,  80  disposed on the external side  48  of the outer tube  44 , it is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that a steering head  10  may only have a single steering flap  50 ,  80  disposed on the external side  48  of the outer tube  44 . Furthermore, although  FIGS. 1 and 2  both depict the steering head  10  having a plurality of biased hinges  70  on the hinge end  68  of each steering flap  50 ,  80 , it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the steering head  10  may only have a single biased hinge  70  at the hinge end  68  of each steering flap  50 ,  80 . 
     In one embodiment of the steering head  10 , the steering flaps  50 ,  80  will have a diameter that is approximately 114 inch wider than the diameter of the outer tube  44 . This configuration uniquely enables the steering flaps  50 ,  80  to absorb most of the frictional resistance and impact forces with the soil wall  11 , thereby potentially reducing the amount of drag and friction on the casing  108  mounted to the second body end  20  of the steering head  10 . However, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the diameter of the steering flaps  50 ,  80  as compared to the diameter of the outer tube  44  may be varied, depending on the requirements of the boring operation. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-2, 5-6 , it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the biased hinge  70  may either be spring-loaded or be made of a spring steel material. Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the spring steel biased hinge  70  may be recessed into the second flap face  60  of the steering flap  50 ,  80 . This configuration uniquely enables the steering flaps  50 ,  80  rather than the biased hinge  70  to absorb most of the frictional resistance and impact forces with the soil wall  11 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , an embodiment of the steering head  10  is shown to have a plurality of steering flaps  50 ,  80 , with one of the steering flaps  50 ,  80  having the first flap face  58  disposed radially away from the body surface  30  in an extended position  64 . 
     Although the steering flaps  50 ,  80  depicted in  FIGS. 1-2, 5-6  are generally rectangular, it is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the various aspects of the steering head  10  may be employed with a steering flap  50 ,  80  that has a polygonal, oval, square, or other configuration. 
     In one embodiment of the steering head  10 , the hinge end  68  of the steering flaps  50 ,  80  may be positioned between approximately 8 to 18 inches from the lead edge  38 , thereby enabling a quicker response time for the lead edge  38  to change direction. However, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the hinge end  68  of the steering flaps  50 ,  80  may be positioned less than 8 inches or more than 18 inches from the lead edge  38 , depending on the requirements of the boring operation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A, 2, and 5 , an embodiment of the steering head  10  may further include a powered actuator  72 ,  82  mounted to the first flap face  58  of each steering flap  50 ,  80  and to the body surface  30  of the steering head  10 . Each powered actuator  72 ,  82  when activated may be operative to extend the first flap face  58  into the extended position  64 . Although the steering head  10  depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 5  show a single powered actuator  72  mounted to each first flap face  58  on each steering flap  50 ,  80 , and to the body surface  30 , it is contemplated that the steering head  10  may include a plurality of powered actuators  72 ,  90  mounted to the first flap face  58  of each steering flap  50 ,  80  and to the body surface  30 . The powered actuator  72  may be a hydraulic electric or air actuator  82  having a motor  84  or a cylinder  86  mounted to the motor, and a shaft  88  disposable in the cylinder  86  mountable to each first flap face  58 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the hydraulic actuator  82  may extend the first flap face  58  of one of the steering flaps  50 ,  80  into the extended position  64  by operation of the extension of the shaft  88  from the cylinder  86 , thereby causing the hydraulic actuator  82  to open the steering flap  50 ,  80  radially away from the body surface  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 1A, 2 and 5 , the steering head  10  is innovative in that the powered actuator  72  may be mounted to the first flap face  58  of the steering flap  50 ,  80  and the body surface  30  of the body  14 . When operative, the powered actuator  72  may extend the first flap face  58  into the extended position  64 , thereby enabling the steering head  10  to change the direction of its cutting path. In the extended position, the steering flap  50 ,  80  may encounter frictional resistance forces with the soil wall  11 , thereby causing the lead edge  38  of the steering head  10  to move in a direction opposing the steering flap  50 ,  80  in the extended position  64 . In one embodiment of the present invention, it is estimated that the amount of frictional resistance force applied by the soil wall  11  against the steering flap  50 ,  80  in the extended position  64  may be approximately 60 tons. However, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the amount of force exerted by the soil wall  11  against the steering flap  50 ,  80  may be less than or exceed this amount. 
     For example, if a steering flap  50 ,  80  on the right side of the steering head  10  is in the extended position  64 , the lead edge  38  will tend to move in a direction toward the left through the soil  11 . These same frictional resistance forces will cause the lead edge  38  of the steering head  10  to tend toward an upward direction in the soil  11  with the steering flap  50 ,  80  in the extended position  64  on the bottom of the steering head  10 , as depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Once the desired alignment has been achieved, the powered actuator  72  may then be deactivated. This configuration uniquely enables the biased hinge  70  at the hinge end  68  of the steering flap  50 ,  80  to automatically retract the steering flap  50 ,  80  into a completely closed position by operation of the spring action of the biased hinge  70  with the assistance of the frictional impact forces of the soil wall  11  pushing on the steering flap  50 ,  80 . As discussed above, the biased hinge  70  may be spring-loaded or made of spring steel. The steering head  10  is thus more maneuverable through a desired cutting path in the soil  11 , along both vertical and longitudinal axes in the soil. The steering head  10  is therefore able to operate more efficiently, thereby reducing the amount of time spent and power consumed in the boring operation on a project. The efficiency of the boring operation may also be improved because the steering flap  50 ,  80  is automatically rather than manually closed once the desired cutting path in the soil  11  has been determined. Furthermore, as the steering flap  50 ,  80  may be automatically closed by the biased hinge  70 , the steering flap  50 ,  80  may be less likely to be deformed or allow soil to enter the steering head  10  underneath a steering flap  50 ,  80  in the extended position  64 . Accordingly, the steering flap  50 ,  80  may not sustain damage as frequently during the boring operation and its longevity may therefore be increased. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1B , another embodiment of the steering head  10  may also include one or more shields  118  laterally disposed on the first flap face  58  of the steering flap  50 ,  80  adjacent to the outer tube  44  which may prevent soil  11  from entering beneath the steering flap  50 ,  80  in the extended position  64 . As a result, the shields  118  may protect the underlying body surface  30  and the powered actuator  72  mounted thereon. The shields  118  may also provide support to the steering flap  50 ,  80  so as to reduce the occurrence of deformation of the steering flap  50 ,  80  caused by frictional resistance and impact forces with the soil wall  11 . A center rib  120  disposed between the shields  118  may provide further support to the steering flap  50 ,  80 . 
     A plurality of steering flaps  50 ,  80  may enable an efficient change of direction of the steering head  10  toward the desired cutting path. For example, if a steering flap  50 ,  80  on the right side of the steering head  10  is extended, a steering flap  50 ,  80  on the left side of the steering head  10  may be retracted, thereby steering the lead edge  38  of the steering head  10  toward the left. Likewise, these same frictional resistance forces will cause the lead edge  38  of the steering head  10  to tend in an upward direction along a vertical soil axis  94  with the steering flap  50 ,  80  on the bottom of the steering head  10  in the extended position  64  and with a steering flap  50 ,  80  on the top of the steering head  10  in the retracted position  62 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . With the deactivation of the powered actuator  72  on a steering flap  50 ,  80 , the configuration of the spring action on the biased hinge  70  of each deactivated steering flap  50 ,  80  uniquely enables such steering flaps  50 ,  80  to uniformly retract with the assistance of the frictional impact forces of the soil wall  11  on the steering flaps  50 ,  80 . As discussed above, this configuration may therefore improve the efficiency of the boring operation and the longevity of the steering head  10 . 
     Although one of the steering flaps  50 ,  80  depicted in  FIGS. 5-6  is shown to be slightly open in the extended position  64 , as used herein, the term “extended position”  64  should not be construed narrowly but rather broadly to mean any opening of the steering flap  50 ,  80  intended to aid in changing the direction of the steering head  10 . Furthermore, as used herein, the term “retracted position”  62  should not be construed narrowly, but rather broadly to mean the closure of the steering flap  50 ,  80 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 4 and 6 , an embodiment of the steering head  10  may further include a rear hatch  106  on the outer tube  44  proximate to the second body end  20 . The rear hatch  106  may be operative to cover at least one power and/or communication line  104  from an external control station  114  to the steering head  10 . The power and/or communication line  104  between the external control station  114  and the steering head  10  may be operative to control the operation of the powered actuators  72  mounted to the first flap face  58  of the steering flaps  50 ,  80 , as well as that of an altitude sensor  92 , a first positional sensor  96 , and/or a second positional sensor  100  on the steering head  10 . 
     The altitude sensor  92  may be disposed on the outer tube  44  proximate to the second body end  20 . The altitude sensor  92  may be operative to measure the position of the steering head  10  along a vertical soil axis  94  in the soil  11 . With information obtained from the altitude sensor  92 , the steering flaps  50 ,  80  may be adjusted such that the steering head  10  may be positioned to go higher and/or deeper into the soil  11 , depending on the desired cutting path. In a further embodiment, the steering head  10  may also include a first positional sensor  96  on the rear lip  28  proximate to the second body end  20 . The first positional sensor  96  may be operative to measure the position of the steering head  10  along a horizontal soil axis  98  in the soil  11 . In yet a further embodiment, the steering head  10  may further include a second positional sensor  100  adjacent to the first positional sensor  98 . The first positional sensor  96  and/or the second positional sensor  100  may for example be light fixtures operative to fix the position of the steering head  10  by illuminating the cutting path of the soil  11 . With the information provided by the first positional sensor  96  and/or the second positional sensor  100 , the steering flaps  50 ,  80  may be adjusted and the direction of the steering head  10  may accordingly be modified to the left or to the right in the soil  11 , depending on the desired cutting path. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , another embodiment of the steering head  10  may also include a top box  102  on the outer tube  44  extending from the rear hatch  106  toward the first body end  18 . The top box  102  may be operative to cover a multifunctional sensor  116  positioned underneath the top box  102 . The multifunctional sensor  116 , commonly referred to as SONE, may be operative to provide information about the depth, position, pitch, and roll of the steering head  10  in the soil  11 , in addition to or in lieu of the information provided by the first positional sensor  96 , the second positional sensor  100 , and the altitude sensor  92 . The power and/or communication line  104  between the external control station  114  and the steering head  100  may be operative to control the operation of the multifunctional sensor  116 . With the multifunctional sensor  116  positioned closer to the lead edge  38  of the steering head  10 , it is able to provide real time information about the location of the steering head  10  earlier than the first positional sensor  96 , the second positional sensor  100 , and the altitude sensor  92 . 
     The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.