公开(公告)号：US20130319136A1

公开(公告)日：2013-12-05

申请号：US13957929

申请日：2013-08-02

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Rudolf Zeller ,  John E. Mercer ,  Charles Yu Yat Tsang

IPC: G01L1/26

CPC classification number: G01L5/10 ,  B66C13/16 ,  B66C23/905 ,  B66D1/54 ,  G01L1/26 ,  G01L5/103

Abstract: Tension monitoring is described using a sensor which may exhibit an offset for which compensation may be provided to produce a zero voltage amplified output or to increase dynamic range. An arrangement determines whether a power reset is responsive to a battery bounce such that an initially-measured system start-up parameter can be retained. The start-up parameter is automatically saved at start-up if the power reset is responsive to a start-up from a shut-down condition. The start-up parameter may be a zero tension amplified output responsive to the sensor offset at zero tension. Protection of a tension data set is provided such that no opportunity for altering the data set is presented prior to transfer of the data set. A housing configuration forms part of an electrical power circuit for providing electrical power to an electronics package from a battery.

Abstract translation: 使用可以表现出可以提供补偿以产生零电压放大输出或增加动态范围的偏移的传感器描述张力监测。 一种布置确定电源复位是否响应于电池反弹，使得可以保持初始测量的系统启动参数。 如果电源复位响应于关闭条件下的启动，启动参数将在启动时自动保存。 启动参数可以是响应于零张力处的传感器偏移的零拉伸放大输出。 提供张力数据集的保护，使得在传送数据集之前不提供改变数据集的机会。 壳体配置形成用于从电池向电子组件提供电力的电力电路的一部分。

公开(公告)号：US20130239650A1

公开(公告)日：2013-09-19

申请号：US13829731

申请日：2013-03-14

Applicant: MERLIN TECHNOLOGY INC.

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

IPC: G01P15/08 ,  G01P21/00

CPC classification number: G01P15/08 ,  G01P15/18 ,  G01P21/00

Abstract: A device is described for use in performing an inground operation. An accelerometer is supported by the device for generating accelerometer readings that characterize the inground operation subject to a native temperature drift of the accelerometer. A set of compensation data is developed and stored for use in compensating for the native temperature drift. The compensation data is applied to the accelerometer readings to produce compensated accelerometer readings that externally compensate for the native temperature drift to yield an enhanced thermal performance which is improved as compared to a native thermal performance of the accelerometer. A seven position calibration method for a triaxial accelerometer is described. An air module is described which isolates the accelerometer of the device at least from a potting compound that at least fills otherwise unoccupied volumes of the device interior.

Abstract translation: 描述了用于执行地下作业的装置。 该装置支持一个加速度计，用于产生表征加速度计本机温度漂移的地下作业的加速度计读数。 开发和存储一组补偿数据，用于补偿天然温度漂移。 补偿数据应用于加速度计读数，以产生补偿加速度计读数，外部补偿天然温度漂移，产生与加速度计的本机热性能相比提高的热性能。 描述了三轴加速度计的七位置校准方法。 描述了一种空气模块，其将装置的加速度计至少从灌封化合物中分离出来，该灌封化合物至少填充了装置内部未占用的体积。

公开(公告)号：US20130175092A1

公开(公告)日：2013-07-11

申请号：US13725718

申请日：2012-12-21

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Bruce Kolpack ,  David Bahr

IPC: E21B7/04

CPC classification number: E21B7/046 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B41/0092 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/024

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used in conjunction with a system for performing horizontal directional drilling, the system including a drill string extending from a drill rig to a boring tool such that the boring tool is steerable based on a roll orientation. The system also includes an arrangement for generating steering commands for guiding the boring tool to a target position. Responsive at least in part to the steering commands, a display is configured to selectively indicate each of a rotate command, a push command and a spin command. A steering indicator is described which indicates a current roll orientation of the boring tool. A 3-D grid can be animated and centered on either a steering or target indicator. Rounding of a steering command ratio can limit the display of target roll orientations to only those that a given boring tool transmitter is capable of sensing and indicating.

Abstract translation: 一种装置和方法与用于执行水平定向钻井的系统结合使用，该系统包括从钻机延伸到钻孔工具的钻柱，使得钻孔工具可基于滚动方向操作。 该系统还包括用于产生用于将钻孔工具引导到目标位置的转向指令的装置。 至少部分地响应于转向命令，显示器被配置为选择性地指示旋转命令，推送命令和旋转命令中的每一个。 描述了指示钻孔工具的当前滚动方向的转向指示器。 三维网格可以动画化，并以转向或目标指示器为中心。 转向指令比率的四舍五入可以将目标滚动方向的显示限制到只有给定的钻孔发射机能够感测和指示的方向。

公开(公告)号：US20130146415A1

公开(公告)日：2013-06-13

申请号：US13761980

申请日：2013-02-07

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： John E. Mercer

IPC: F16D27/01

CPC classification number: F16H1/06 ,  F16D21/02 ,  F16D27/004 ,  F16D27/01 ,  F16H3/30 ,  Y10T74/19251 ,  Y10T74/19307 ,  Y10T74/19372 ,  Y10T74/19488 ,  Y10T74/19614

Abstract: A drive train is used at least including an input shaft and an output shaft. A clutch member is rotatable by a clutch shaft about an axis of rotation. The clutch shaft is supported for lateral movement along the axis of rotation to move the clutch member to cooperate with the drive train at a first lateral position to cause the output shaft to turn and to move the clutch member to a second lateral position to disengage the output shaft from rotation of the input shaft. A permanent magnet is supported by one end of the clutch shaft and arranged for receiving an external magnetic biasing force along the axis of rotation to selectively move the clutch member between the first and second lateral positions. A traveling shaft can be used to support a selected gear for movement by the permanent magnet to implement transmission and reversing configurations.

Abstract translation: 传动系至少包括输入轴和输出轴。 离合器构件可以通过离合器轴绕旋转轴线旋转。 离合器轴被支撑用于沿着旋转轴线的横向移动，以移动离合器构件以在第一横向位置与传动系协调，以使输出轴转动并将离合器构件移动到第二横向位置，以使 输出轴从输入轴旋转。 永磁体由离合器轴的一端支撑，并被布置成沿着旋转轴线接收外部磁偏置力，以选择性地在第一和第二横向位置之间移动离合器构件。 可以使用行进轴来支撑通过永磁体移动的所选择的齿轮，以实现传动和倒车配置。

公开(公告)号：US20130146356A1

公开(公告)日：2013-06-13

申请号：US13761632

申请日：2013-02-07

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

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

IPC: E21B47/022

CPC classification number: E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B44/005 ,  E21B47/02224

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.

Abstract translation: 一个钻孔工具，通过钻柱移动以形成地下孔。 发射机从钻孔工具发送时变偶极场作为归位场。 俯仰传感器检测钻孔工具的俯仰方向。 归位接收器可定位在目标位置，用于检测归位域以产生一组通量测量。 处理装置使用具有确定的钻柱长度的俯仰方向和通量测量来确定用于控制将钻孔工具引导到目标位置的深度的垂直归位命令，使得以特定精度产生垂直归位命令 在发射机和归巢接收机之间的给定范围内，否则将以与特定范围不同的标准范围的特定精度产生。 描述了相关联的系统和方法。

公开(公告)号：US20240255543A1

公开(公告)日：2024-08-01

申请号：US18622682

申请日：2024-03-29

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

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

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

CPC classification number: G01P15/18 ,  G01P3/00 ,  G01P15/00 ,  G01P15/0888 ,  B81B2201/0235

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：US11971428B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-30

申请号：US18206574

申请日：2023-06-06

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

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

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

CPC classification number: G01P15/18 ,  G01P3/00 ,  G01P15/00 ,  G01P15/0888 ,  B81B2201/0235

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：US20240060416A1

公开(公告)日：2024-02-22

申请号：US18380971

申请日：2023-10-17

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Rudolf Zeller ,  Gary Garrabrant ,  Timothy Bayliss ,  Scott Phillips

IPC: E21B47/13 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/024

CPC classification number: E21B47/13 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B47/107

Abstract: A transmitter for inground use controls a depth signal transmit power in relation to a data signal transmit power such that one reception range of the depth signal at least approximately matches another, different reception range of the data signal. A portable device can form a system with the transmitter in which the portable device scans a plurality of frequencies within at least one low frequency depth signal range to measure the electromagnetic noise at each one of the plurality of frequencies and identify at least one of the frequencies as a potential depth frequency for the transmitter. The portable device can include a dual mode filter having a rebar mode and a normal mode filter. The depth signal frequency is dynamically positionable in relation to low frequency noise.

公开(公告)号：US20240019478A1

公开(公告)日：2024-01-18

申请号：US18371363

申请日：2023-09-21

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： Loc Viet Lam ,  Albert W. Chau

IPC: E21B47/13 ,  G01V11/00

CPC classification number: E21B47/13 ,  G01V11/002

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：US20230203938A1

公开(公告)日：2023-06-29

申请号：US18117419

申请日：2023-03-04

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

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

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  E21B47/0232 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B44/00

CPC classification number: E21B47/024 ,  E21B47/0232 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B44/005

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.