Sonde Housing

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The patent-pending Radius housing offers the Protection of an end-load housing with all the access of a side-load unit.

Since the introduction of HDD rock bits in the late 1990’s, the tool has seen a number of innovations that offer improved control and durability with the Radius rock bit being the latest in that evolution.

Until now, however, the sonde housing has gone relatively unchanged.  The fundamental side load housing design was carried over from the flat blade or duck bill drilling tools.  The development of newer and stronger rock bits is allowing drillers to bore through tougher and tougher conditions - conditions the original side load housings were not designed to encounter.  Harder conditions mean greater rotational torque on the tooling.  Housings crack, doors or lids fail, tools break, bores are lost and so is a significant amount of money in down time and new tools.

The Radius team confronted that problem head on and developed the patent pending “Lock & Load” sonde housing.  The combination of increased rotational torque and flexing on older housing designs caused the cavity lids to ultimately fail, resulting in the loss of sonde.  There have been a number of different door designs attempting to solve the problem, but ultimately, it is the housing design itself and not the door that causes the failure.

By reducing the door or window size by almost half, the Radius housing is able to withstand the increased rotational torque associated with rock drilling.  The partial opening also lessons the amount of linear flexing that causes cracks and breaks occurring around the cavity and transmitter slots of older “full opening” side load housings.  The combination of increased rotational torque and flexing on older housing designs causes the cavity lids to eventually fail, resulting in the loss of sonde and sometimes the entire tool.

A detailed look into a few of the design improvements

Recessed Cavity Design
The sonde is secured into the body of the housing and locked in place. Rubber o-rings minimize vibration and protect the beacon inside the cavity.

Interchangeable Sonde Blocks and Spacers
As the capabilities of sondes advance, so does the tool that houses them.  Not only will the Radius housing accept all brands of locating electronics including Digitrak® Mark III, IV & Eclipse® and Subsite®, but also a number of additional styles including wireline units.  Non-magnetic housings are also available for geo-navigation systems.

Reduced Sonde Window
The combination of increased rotational torque and flexing on older housing designs with “full open cavities” caused the housing lids to eventually fail. No more than half the size of all other cavity openings, the reduced window of the Radius housing can withstand the heavy torque and flex loads that come with drilling in tough conditions.  Finish the bore with the door – every time.

Thickest Lid in the Industry
No matter how tough the housing is, however, it gets ugly underground.  Thus, the Radius housing lid is built to last as well.  At 3⁄4” thick and heat treated to optimal hardness, the Radius housing lid is built to survive the abrasive wear conditions and the pounding of drilling through the tough stuff.

Metal Sonde Blocks
Rubber sonde blocks on other housings sound good.  They  cushion the sonde, are cheap to manufacture and do not transfer heat.  Unfortunately, they should transfer heat.  All Radius sonde blocks are machined from steel and aluminum.  The transfer of heat through these blocks to the heat sensor in the beacon is critical to receiving real-time temperature data soon enough to recognize a problem and correct it.

Standardized Connections
Tested and proven API regular and IF connections are offered on most size bits and housings to allow a number of connection and use possibilities. This is an extremely popular feature for contractors who want to get out of the rat race of ever-changing OEM threads and connections.

Styles and Options
Besides our standard housing for rock drilling, the Radius lines of sonde housings are available for wire-line systems and High Flow Models for motors. Custom thread options are also available for unique tooling arrangements.

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Radius Sonde Housings – Sizes & Specs

SLH-3000 3.0” Sonde Housing 2” IF BOX x 3” Radius PIN tool diameter 3.2” fluid ports 2 @ ¼” Retail Price $ 2300.00 USD Rock Bit TRB-3000
SLH-3500 3.5” Sonde Housing 2-3/8” REG BOX x 3.5” Radius PIN tool diameter  3.55” fluid ports 2 @ 5/16” high flow 4@ 5/16” wireline option Retail Price $ 2500.00 USD Rock Bit TRB-3500
SLH-4500 4.5” Sonde Housing 2-7/8” REG BOX x 3.5” Radius PIN tool diameter 4.2” fluid ports 2 @ 3/8” high flow 4 @ 3/8” wireline ready Retail Price $ 3000.00 USD Rock Bit TRB-4500
SLH-6000 6.0” Sonde Housing 3-1/2” REG BOX x 3-1/2” REG BOX tool diameter 4.87” water ports 5 @ 1/2” wireline ready Retail Price $ 5000.00 USD Rock Bit TRB-6000
SLH-8000 8.0” Sonde Housing 4-1/2” REG BOX x 4-1/2” REG BOX tool diameter 5.75” water ports 5 @ 5/8” wireline ready Retail Price $ 6000.00 USD Rock Bit TRB-8500