公开(公告)号：US10584573B2

公开(公告)日：2020-03-10

申请号：US16396748

申请日：2019-04-28

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： Guenter W. Brune ,  Albert W. Chau ,  Rudolf Zeller ,  John E. Mercer

IPC: E21B44/02 ,  E21B7/04 ,  G01V3/15 ,  E21B47/022

Abstract: A steering tool is movable by a drill string to form an underground bore along an intended path. A sensing arrangement of the steering tool detects its pitch and yaw orientations at a series of spaced apart positions along the bore, each position is characterized by a measured extension of the drill string. The steering tool further includes a receiver. At least one marker is positioned proximate to the intended path, for transmitting a rotating dipole field to expose a portion of the intended path to the field for reception by the receiver. The detected pitch orientation, the detected yaw orientation and the measured extension of the drill string are used in conjunction with magnetic information from the receiver to locate the steering tool. The steering tool may automatically use the magnetic information when it is available. A customized overall position determination accuracy can be provided along the intended path.

公开(公告)号：US10551409B2

公开(公告)日：2020-02-04

申请号：US15973277

申请日：2018-05-07

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  John E. Mercer ,  Scott Phillips

IPC: G01P15/18 ,  G01P3/00 ,  G01P15/00 ,  G01P15/08

Abstract: An accelerometer arrangement and method are described for determining accelerations of an inground tool. First and second triaxial accelerometers are supported such that a normal sensing axis of the first triaxial accelerometer is at least generally orthogonal to the normal sensing axis of the second triaxial accelerometer for determining the accelerations along the three orthogonal axes based on a combination of sensing axis outputs from one or both of the triaxial accelerometers. A weaker sensing axis of one triaxial accelerometer can be supported at least approximately normal to a weaker sensing axis of another triaxial accelerometer such that the weaker axes are not used. The triaxial accelerometers can be supported such that one axis of one accelerometer can be redundant with respect to another axis of another accelerometer. One triaxial accelerometer can be mounted on a tilted plane with respect to another triaxial accelerometer.

公开(公告)号：US10520537B2

公开(公告)日：2019-12-31

申请号：US15685790

申请日：2017-08-24

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： Loc Viet Lam ,  Albert W. Chau

IPC: G01R29/26 ,  G01V3/15

Abstract: A portable device and associated method are described for use with a system in which a locating signal is transmitted from within the ground during an operational procedure. The locating signal includes a transmission frequency that is selectable from a group of discrete transmission frequencies in a frequency range and the region includes electromagnetic noise that can vary. The portable device includes a receiver having a bandwidth that includes the transmission frequency range and is operable for measuring the electromagnetic noise in the transmission frequency range to establish a frequency content of the electromagnetic noise for use in selecting one of the discrete transmission frequencies that is subsequently transmitted as the locating signal during the operational procedure. The locating signal can be transmitted from a boring tool, a pullback arrangement or an inground cable. A predicted maximum operational depth for a transmitter can be determined prior to the operational procedure.

公开(公告)号：US10443316B2

公开(公告)日：2019-10-15

申请号：US15475843

申请日：2017-03-31

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Benjamin John Medeiros

IPC: E21B17/02 ,  E21B17/00 ,  E21B47/022 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B7/30 ,  E21B17/042

Abstract: A coupling adapter is insertable in at least one joint of a drill string as the drill string is extended from a drill rig. The coupling adapter includes an arrangement for receiving a data signal that is generated by an inground tool and for electromagnetically coupling the data signal onto at least a portion of the drill string that extends from the adapter to the drill rig such that at least some of the drill pipe sections cooperate as an electrical conductor for carrying the data signal to the drill rig. In another feature, a current transformer is resiliently supported to isolate the current transformer from mechanical shock and vibration that is produced by an inground operation that is performed using the drill string. In another feature, a drill string repeater is described.

公开(公告)号：US10422664B2

公开(公告)日：2019-09-24

申请号：US15090507

申请日：2016-04-04

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Rudolf Zeller ,  Guenter W. Brune ,  Albert W. Chau ,  John E. Mercer

IPC: G01V3/08 ,  G01D5/20 ,  E21B47/022 ,  G01V3/38

Abstract: A device rotates at least one static magnetic field about an axis, producing a rotating magnetic dipole field, and is movable in relation to the surface of the ground. The field is periodically sensed using a receiver to produce a receiver output responsive to the field. A positional relationship between the receiver and the device is monitored using the output. In one aspect, changing the positional relationship, by moving the device nearer to a boring tool which supports the receiver, causes an increase in accuracy of depth determination. In another aspect, determination of an actual overhead position of the boring tool, and its application, are described. Use of a plurality of measurements over at least one-half revolution of each magnet is disclosed. Establishing a surface radial direction toward a boring tool and resolution of multi-valued parameters is described. Calibration techniques, as well as a three transmitter configuration are also described.

公开(公告)号：US20190257191A1

公开(公告)日：2019-08-22

申请号：US16404393

申请日：2019-05-06

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Dmitry Feldman ,  Benjamin John Medeiros

IPC: E21B47/06 ,  E21B47/01

Abstract: Generally, a sonde, associated components and methods are described which can be used in conjunction with an inground tool having an inground tool housing that defines an inground tool cavity such that the inground tool cavity is exposed to an ambient pressure environment which surrounds the inground tool during an inground operation. A sonde housing assembly includes an exterior configuration that is receivable within the inground tool cavity. The sonde housing assembly at least partially defines a sonde interior and is further configured for receiving the pressure sensor body of a pressure sensor in a pressure sealed engagement. A sonde electronics package is supported within the sonde interior and is at least configured to receive the pressure signal and transfer a corresponding pressure signal from the sonde.

公开(公告)号：US10378334B2

公开(公告)日：2019-08-13

申请号：US16139100

申请日：2018-09-24

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： Guenter W. Brune ,  Albert W. Chau ,  John E. Mercer

IPC: E21B47/09 ,  E21B47/024 ,  G01V3/08 ,  G01V3/15 ,  G01V3/165 ,  G01C9/02 ,  G01V3/28

Abstract: A portable locator and method for establishing the location of the cable line in a region which includes at least one generally straight electrically conductive cable line extending across the region from which cable line a locating signal includes a first arrangement for measuring a local flux intensity of the locating signal at a first above ground point within the region with the portable locator in a particular orientation at the first above ground point. A second arrangement uses the local flux intensity to establish a cable line angular orientation which limits the possible directions to the cable line relative to the particular orientation of the portable locator at the above ground point. A third arrangement uses the measured local flux intensity to establish an actual direction of the cable line that is selected from the possible directions based on certain characteristics of the locating signal.

公开(公告)号：US20190234197A1

公开(公告)日：2019-08-01

申请号：US16382198

申请日：2019-04-12

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Thomas J. Hall

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  E21B47/12 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/022 ,  E21B47/01 ,  E21B47/02 ,  E21B44/00

CPC classification number: E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/01 ,  E21B47/02 ,  E21B47/02224 ,  E21B47/12 ,  E21B47/122

Abstract: A drilling area network hub is located proximate to a drill rig and includes an uphole transceiver in bidirectional communication with a downhole transceiver by utilizing the drill string as an electrical conductor. Certain information is collected including rig-based and/or location information. At least one field report is generated based on the certain information to characterize at least one of an inground operation, an operational condition of the downhole transceiver, an operational condition of the uphole transceiver, and an operational condition of the drill rig. A drilling area network server receives the field report from the Internet at a remote location and can generate a custom report and/or recommended actions based on field data. Region specific parameters can be applied to the operation of a drilling system. The drilling area network hub can transfer data logs to the remote location according to assigned priorities.

公开(公告)号：US10246985B2

公开(公告)日：2019-04-02

申请号：US15177297

申请日：2016-06-08

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： James W. Burrows ,  Guenter W. Brune ,  John E. Mercer

IPC: E21B44/00 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/022 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/10

Abstract: A boring tool moves having a pitch orientation, a yaw orientation and a roll orientation and is steerable underground using the roll orientation. A maximum drill string curvature is established for steering. The boring tool is advanced over a path segment. An averaged roll characteristic is determined for movement of the boring tool along the path segment. A path segment pitch orientation is established based on at least one measured pitch orientation along the path segment. Using the maximum drill string curvature in combination with the averaged roll characteristic and the path segment pitch orientation, the yaw orientation is determined. The averaged roll characteristic is determined based on a series of incremental roll measurements that are spaced across the path segment. A set of coupled ordinary differential equations is used to characterize movement of the boring tool.

公开(公告)号：US10227867B2

公开(公告)日：2019-03-12

申请号：US14208470

申请日：2014-03-13

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Loc Viet Lam ,  Scott Phillips

IPC: E21B47/12 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/024

Abstract: A transmitter is carried proximate to an inground tool for sensing a plurality of operational parameters relating to the inground tool. The transmitter customizes a data signal to characterize one or more of the operational parameters for transmission from the inground tool based on the operational status of the inground tool. A receiver receives the data signal and recovers the operational parameters. Advanced data protocols are described. Pitch averaging and enhancement of dynamic pitch range for accelerometer readings are described based on monitoring mechanical shock and vibration of the inground tool.