US 12,352,152 B2
Horizontal directional drilling system and method
Hans Frederick Kelpe, Pella, IA (US); and Alan Wilson-Langman, Pleasant Hill, IA (US)
Assigned to Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Pella, IA (US)
Filed by Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Pella, IA (US)
Filed on Feb. 8, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/436,842.
Application 18/436,842 is a continuation of application No. 17/949,389, filed on Sep. 21, 2022, granted, now 11,927,090.
Application 17/949,389 is a continuation of application No. 17/155,793, filed on Jan. 22, 2021, granted, now 11,473,418, issued on Oct. 18, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/964,267, filed on Jan. 22, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0175347 A1, May 30, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 47/13 (2012.01); E21B 7/04 (2006.01); E21B 47/002 (2012.01)
CPC E21B 47/002 (2020.05) [E21B 7/046 (2013.01); E21B 47/13 (2020.05)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
14. A horizontal directional drilling system comprising:
a horizontal directional drilling machine;
a drill string terminating at a drill head and configured to be driven by the horizontal directional drilling machine to create an underground borehole extending at least partially horizontally between an entry point and an exit point;
an electromagnetic (EM) sensor, including an antenna arrangement, provided within a sensor housing coupled to the drill string; and
a product connection housing having a portion configured to secure a utility line for installation into the borehole during pullback of the drill string toward the entry point,
wherein the product connection housing is coupled to the sensor housing through a pair of flexible high-strength conductors, and
wherein the pair of flexible high-strength conductors are configured as load-bearing members to carry pullback loads between the sensor housing and the product connection housing.