公开(公告)号：US11591078B2

公开(公告)日：2023-02-28

申请号：US17159156

申请日：2021-01-27

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： John E. Mercer ,  Nicholas Albion ,  Mark Bartel ,  Marc Feifel ,  Mark Marvin

IPC: B64C27/57 ,  B64C27/56 ,  G05D1/10 ,  B64C13/18 ,  G05D1/08 ,  G05D1/00 ,  B64C13/28 ,  B64C13/04 ,  B64C27/58 ,  B64C27/59 ,  B64C27/64 ,  B64C27/68

Abstract: A helicopter autopilot system includes an inner loop for attitude hold for the flight of the helicopter including a given level of redundancy applied to the inner loop. An outer loop is configured for providing a navigation function with respect to the flight of the helicopter including a different level of redundancy than the inner loop. An actuator provides a braking force on a linkage that serves to stabilize the flight of the helicopter during a power failure. The actuator is electromechanical and receives electrical drive signals to provide automatic flight control of the helicopter without requiring a hydraulic assistance system in the helicopter. The autopilot can operate the helicopter in a failed mode of the hydraulic assistance system. A number of flight modes are described with associated sensor inputs including rate based and true attitude modes.

公开(公告)号：US11480446B2

公开(公告)日：2022-10-25

申请号：US17015680

申请日：2020-09-09

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

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

IPC: G01D5/20 ,  G01V3/08 ,  G01V3/38 ,  E21B47/0232

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：US20220311284A1

公开(公告)日：2022-09-29

申请号：US17838841

申请日：2022-06-13

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Scott Phillips ,  Benjamin J. Medeiros

IPC: H02J50/80 ,  H02J1/00 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/01 ,  E21B47/09 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/13 ,  E21B47/125 ,  E21B41/00 ,  E21B47/024

Abstract: A transmitter is powered by a regulated battery voltage and is installable in one of a plurality of different housings, each housing is characterized by a different design and each can form part of an inground tool for performing an inground operation in which a drill string extends from a drill rig to the inground tool. An antenna driver drives an antenna based on the regulated voltage to emanate an electromagnetic signal for remote reception. A controller limits power consumption from the regulated voltage so as not to exceed a power consumption threshold, irrespective of installation of the transmitter in any one of the housings when the transmitter would otherwise exhibit a different power consumption for each housing design. A corresponding method is described. Features relating to power consumption threshold modification based on temperature as well as mechanical shock and vibration are described.

公开(公告)号：US20220275720A1

公开(公告)日：2022-09-01

申请号：US17749138

申请日：2022-05-20

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

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

IPC: E21B47/06 ,  E21B47/017

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：US11352876B2

公开(公告)日：2022-06-07

申请号：US17322530

申请日：2021-05-17

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

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

IPC: E21B47/13 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/107 ,  E21B47/0228

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：US11339645B2

公开(公告)日：2022-05-24

申请号：US17011194

申请日：2020-09-03

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

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

IPC: E21B47/01 ,  E21B47/06 ,  E21B47/017

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：US20220127956A1

公开(公告)日：2022-04-28

申请号：US17571536

申请日：2022-01-10

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： ALBERT W. CHAU ,  LOC Viet Lam

IPC: E21B47/12 ,  G01V3/30 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/095 ,  E21B47/125 ,  E21B7/30

Abstract: A drill string communication system is described. An uphole transceiver can couple a signal onto the drill string at a power that is always greater that a selectable power for a downhole signal. Communication from a drill rig to an inground tool can be re-initiated using a maximum uphole transmit power of an uphole transceiver. A procedure can establish a new set of transmission parameters for a drill string signal to establish communication between the drill rig and the inground tool. The system can include a walkover locator that receives an active/inactive status-controlled electromagnetic locating signal. Responsive to a locating signal degradation, a reconfiguration command can modify the locating signal. The uphole transceiver and a downhole transceiver can automatically modify at least one parameter of a downhole signal. An uphole receiver can apply a compensation response to a transferred signal to compensate for a drill string channel transfer function.

公开(公告)号：US11118442B2

公开(公告)日：2021-09-14

申请号：US16988671

申请日：2020-08-09

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

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

IPC: E21B44/00 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B47/0232 ,  E21B7/10 ,  G01V3/08 ,  G01V3/38

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：US20210247539A1

公开(公告)日：2021-08-12

申请号：US17157106

申请日：2021-01-25

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： John E. Mercer ,  Albert W. Chau

IPC: G01V3/08 ,  G01V3/12 ,  G01V3/17 ,  G01V3/165

Abstract: Discriminating between a cable locating signal and a false cable locating signal is described. A reference signal, which contains a locating signal frequency impressed on it, is transmitted in a way which provides for detection of a phase shift between the locating signal and the false locating signal. Based on the phase shift, a receiver is used to distinguish the locating signal from the false locating signal.

公开(公告)号：US11067700B2

公开(公告)日：2021-07-20

申请号：US16114189

申请日：2018-08-27

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Mark Marvin ,  Brian Kelly

IPC: G01S19/14 ,  G01S19/35 ,  G08B5/36 ,  H01Q1/22

Abstract: A portable locator includes a locator housing having a display head that supports a display. A GPS module includes a frame and an antenna arm extending from a side margin of the frame. The frame defines a display aperture such that the frame is removably installable on the display head of the portable locator with the display visible through the display aperture. An electrical interface provides for electrical communication with the portable locator with the frame removably installed thereon.