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151.
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
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.
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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.
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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
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.
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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.
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公开(公告)号:US20190048711A1
公开(公告)日:2019-02-14
申请号:US16161043
申请日:2018-10-15
Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.
Inventor: Guenter W. Brune , John E. Mercer , Albert W. Chau
IPC: E21B47/024 , E21B47/022 , E21B7/04 , E21B44/00
Abstract: A boring tool that is moved by a drill string to form an underground bore. A transmitter transmits a time varying dipole field as a homing field from the boring tool. A pitch sensor detects a pitch orientation of the boring tool. A homing receiver is positionable at a target location for detecting the homing field to produce a set of flux measurements. A processing arrangement uses the pitch orientation and flux measurements with a determined length of the drill string to determine a vertical homing command for use in controlling depth in directing the boring tool to the target location such that the vertical homing command is generated with a particular accuracy at a given range between the transmitter and the homing receiver and which would otherwise be generated with the particular accuracy for a standard range, different from the particular range. An associated system and method are described.
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公开(公告)号:US20180346110A1
公开(公告)日:2018-12-06
申请号:US16109170
申请日:2018-08-22
Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.
Inventor: John E. Mercer , Marc Feifel , Mark Marvin , Nicholas Albion
CPC classification number: B64C27/58 , B64C13/0421 , B64C13/18 , B64C13/343 , B64C27/57 , F16F15/121 , Y02T50/44
Abstract: An autopilot actuator includes first and second motors each including a rotatable motor output shaft such that either one or both of the motors can drive an actuator output shaft. An autopilot main unit enclosure is removably mounted to the helicopter proximate to a cyclic control and commonly houses autopilot actuators as well as main autopilot electronics. A cyclic vibration isolator is removably supported by an actuator shaft for co-rotation and coupled to the cyclic control to attenuate a cyclic vibration frequency at the actuator shaft while output rotations of the actuator shaft below a resonant frequency are coupled to the cyclic control. A force limited link includes first and second ends and a variable length between. The force limited link having a relaxed length when less than an unseating force is applied and the variable length changes when an applied force exceeds the unseating force to permit pilot override.
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公开(公告)号:US10107090B2
公开(公告)日:2018-10-23
申请号:US15231764
申请日:2016-08-08
Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.
Inventor: Guenter W. Brune , John E. Mercer , Albert W. Chau
IPC: E21B47/024 , E21B47/022 , E21B7/04 , E21B44/00
Abstract: A boring tool that is moved by a drill string to form an underground bore. A transmitter transmits a time varying dipole field as a homing field from the boring tool. A pitch sensor detects a pitch orientation of the boring tool. A homing receiver is positionable at a target location for detecting the homing field to produce a set of flux measurements. A processing arrangement uses the pitch orientation and flux measurements with a determined length of the drill string to determine a vertical homing command for use in controlling depth in directing the boring tool to the target location such that the vertical homing command is generated with a particular accuracy at a given range between the transmitter and the homing receiver and which would otherwise be generated with the particular accuracy for a standard range, different from the particular range. An associated system and method are described.
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公开(公告)号:US20170342774A1
公开(公告)日:2017-11-30
申请号:US15675439
申请日:2017-08-11
Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.
Inventor: Tim Shaw , John E. Mercer , Albert W. Chau
CPC classification number: E21B7/06 , E21B44/005 , E21B47/02224 , E21B47/024 , E21B47/122 , G01V3/081 , G01V3/15 , G01V3/18 , G01V3/34 , G01V3/38
Abstract: A boring tool is movable through the ground. A transmitter supported by the boring tool transmits an electromagnetic homing signal. A portable device monitors the electromagnetic homing signal and receives the electromagnetic homing signal in a homing mode for guiding the boring tool to a target position. A processor generates steering commands for guiding the boring tool based on a bore plan in a steering mode such that at least some positional error is introduced without using the electromagnetic homing signal. Switching from the steering mode to the homing mode is based on monitoring of the electromagnetic homing signal as the boring tool approaches the portable device to then guide the boring tool to the target position location in compensation for the positional error. Intermediate target positions are described as well as guiding the boring tool based on the homing signal so long as the portable device receives the signal.
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公开(公告)号:US20170268329A1
公开(公告)日:2017-09-21
申请号:US15611429
申请日:2017-06-01
Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.
Inventor: Guenter W. Brune , Albert W. Chau , John E. Mercer
CPC classification number: E21B47/0905 , E21B47/024 , G01C9/02 , G01V3/08 , G01V3/15 , G01V3/165 , 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.
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公开(公告)号:US20170129599A1
公开(公告)日:2017-05-11
申请号:US15415469
申请日:2017-01-25
Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.
Inventor: John E. Mercer , Marc Feifel , Mark Marvin , Nicolas Albion
CPC classification number: B64C27/68 , B64C13/04 , B64C13/18 , B64C13/30 , B64C27/57 , B64C27/58 , B64C27/59 , F16F15/121 , Y02T50/44
Abstract: An autopilot actuator includes first and second motors each including a rotatable motor output shaft such that either one or both of the motors can drive an actuator output shaft. An autopilot main unit enclosure is removably mounted to the helicopter proximate to a cyclic control and commonly houses autopilot actuators as well as main autopilot electronics. A cyclic vibration isolator is removably supported by an actuator shaft for co-rotation and coupled to the cyclic control to attenuate a cyclic vibration frequency at the actuator shaft while output rotations of the actuator shaft below a resonant frequency are coupled to the cyclic control. A force limited link includes first and second ends and a variable length between. The force limited link having a relaxed length when less than an unseating force is applied and the variable length changes when an applied force exceeds the unseating force to permit pilot override.
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