公开(公告)号：US10281347B2

公开(公告)日：2019-05-07

申请号：US15719239

申请日：2017-09-28

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

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

IPC: G01L5/00 ,  G01L5/10 ,  B66C13/16 ,  B66C23/90 ,  B66D1/54 ,  G01L1/26

Abstract: A tension monitoring apparatus is used for installing an underground utility by retraction that is applied to the utility. The tension monitoring apparatus includes a sensor for inground sensing of the tension force that is applied to the utility to produce a sensor signal. A processor monitors the tension force in a series of measurement intervals such that a plurality of tension force readings is generated for each of the measurement intervals. The processor stores a data set including a maximum tension force selected from the plurality of tension force readings for each one of the measurement intervals and copies the data set to a different location to create a copied data set after installation of the utility for subsequent selection and presentation of an overall maximum tension force.

公开(公告)号：US10273796B2

公开(公告)日：2019-04-30

申请号：US15720865

申请日：2017-09-29

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

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

IPC: G01V3/08 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B44/02 ,  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：US09810053B2

公开(公告)日：2017-11-07

申请号：US15187917

申请日：2016-06-21

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： John E. Mercer

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B47/022 ,  E21B47/12

CPC classification number: E21B44/005 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B7/068 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/02224 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B47/122

Abstract: A drilling system performs underground boring using a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground under control of the drill rig to form an underground bore. A monitoring arrangement, forming part of the system, includes a detection arrangement at the drill rig for monitoring at least one operational parameter to produce a data signal relating to at least one of a utility to be installed in the underground bore, the drill rig and the boring tool. A portable device forms another part of the system for receiving the data signal relating to the operational parameter for use by the portable device. A communication arrangement, for example using telemetry, transfers the data signal from the drill rig to the portable device. The operational parameter may be monitored for the purpose of preventing equipment failure.

公开(公告)号：US09798032B2

公开(公告)日：2017-10-24

申请号：US15350639

申请日：2016-11-14

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

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

IPC: G01V3/08 ,  G01V3/15 ,  G01V3/38 ,  E21B47/09 ,  G01V3/30

CPC classification number: G01V3/081 ,  E21B47/0905 ,  G01V3/15 ,  G01V3/30 ,  G01V3/38

Abstract: An arrangement and an associated method are described in which a boring tool is moved through the ground within a given region along a path in which region a cable is buried. The boring tool and the cable transmit a boring tool locating signal and a cable locating signal, respectively. Intensities of the boring tool locating signal and the cable locating signal are measured along with a pitch orientation of the boring tool. Using the measured intensities and established pitch orientation, a positional relationship is determined to relative scale including at least the boring tool and the cable in the region. The positional relationship is displayed to scale in one view. The positional relationship may be determined and displayed including the forward locate point in scaled relation to the boring tool and the cable. Cable depth determination techniques are described including a two-point ground depth determination method.

公开(公告)号：US09789958B2

公开(公告)日：2017-10-17

申请号：US15345273

申请日：2016-11-07

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： John E. Mercer ,  Mark H. Marvin

IPC: B64C27/57 ,  B64C27/59 ,  B64C27/04 ,  B64C27/00

CPC classification number: B64C27/57 ,  B64C27/006 ,  B64C27/04 ,  B64C27/59

Abstract: A helicopter includes a rotor system having a rotor with an adjustable pitch that is controlled at least in part by a pilot using a collective control and which helicopter generates a Low RPM signal that is indicative of a threshold low rotational speed of the rotor. An actuator arrangement can move the collective control by exerting a force on the collective control such that the pilot is able to overcome the actuator force but which otherwise can move the collective control from a current operational position toward a minimum pitch position. A clutch can co-rotate with a motor to serve in transferring the actuation force to reduce the adjustable pitch and can slip relative to the actuator shaft assembly responsive to an application of a counterforce applied by the pilot to the collective control such that the counterforce overcomes the actuation force.

公开(公告)号：US09739140B2

公开(公告)日：2017-08-22

申请号：US14845231

申请日：2015-09-03

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Rudolf Zeller ,  Gary Garrabrant ,  Timothy Bayliss ,  John E. Mercer

IPC: E21B47/12

CPC classification number: E21B47/122 ,  E21B7/046 ,  G01S11/06

Abstract: A system includes a transmitter for use in conjunction with a horizontal directional drilling system that transmits a multi-bit symbol stream that characterizes sensor symbols for receipt by an aboveground portable device. The portable device receives the symbol stream for aboveground recovery of the sensor signals. The transmitter can precisely place the symbol frequencies at least to avoid a noise environment, as well as to avoid powerline harmonics, and can utilize wave shaping for transmitted symbols at least to provide for transmission power control, spectral content control and wideband antenna matching. The receiver can measure the noise environment to identify the symbol frequencies used by the transmitter. The noise can be scanned at an incremental resolution across a wide frequency bandwidth for display or automatic symbol frequency selection.

公开(公告)号：US09617797B2

公开(公告)日：2017-04-11

申请号：US14193280

申请日：2014-02-28

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Benjamin John Medeiros

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

CPC classification number: E21B17/028 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B7/30 ,  E21B17/003 ,  E21B17/042 ,  E21B47/02224

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：US09422802B2

公开(公告)日：2016-08-23

申请号：US13827945

申请日：2013-03-14

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Kenneth J. Theimer

IPC: E21B47/01 ,  E21B17/00

CPC classification number: E21B47/01 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B17/003 ,  E21B47/011 ,  E21B47/024

Abstract: A housing defines a through passage along its length and is configured to support a group of electrical isolators surrounding the through passage to form an electrically isolating break in a drill string such that each isolator of the group of isolators is subject to no more than a compressive force responsive to extension and retraction of the drill string. The housing defines a housing cavity to receive an electronics package having a signal port and is configured for electrical connection of the signal port across the electrically isolating break. A housing lid can cooperate with a main housing body to define elongated slots for purposes of enhancing the emanation of a locating signal. A housing arrangement can support electrical connections from an electronics package to bridge an electrically isolating gap.

Abstract translation: 壳体沿着其长度限定通过通道，并且构造成支撑围绕通道的一组电隔离器，以在钻柱中形成电隔离断裂，使得该组隔离器中的每个隔离器不得超过压缩 响应于钻柱的延伸和缩回的力。 外壳限定了容纳腔，以容纳具有信号端口的电子封装，并且被配置用于电信号端口跨越电绝缘断开的电连接。 为了增强定位信号的发射，壳体盖可以与主壳体主体配合以限定细长槽。 壳体布置可以支持来自电子封装的电连接以桥接电隔离间隙。

公开(公告)号：US09388683B2

公开(公告)日：2016-07-12

申请号：US14677099

申请日：2015-04-02

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： John E. Mercer

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/022 ,  E21B47/12

CPC classification number: E21B44/005 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B7/068 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/02224 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B47/122

Abstract: A drilling system performs underground boring using a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground under control of the drill rig to form an underground bore. A monitoring arrangement, forming part of the system, includes a detection arrangement at the drill rig for monitoring at least one operational parameter to produce a data signal relating to at least one of a utility to be installed in the underground bore, the drill rig and the boring tool. A portable device forms another part of the system for receiving the data signal relating to the operational parameter for use by the portable device. A communication arrangement, for example using telemetry, transfers the data signal from the drill rig to the portable device. The operational parameter may be monitored for the purpose of preventing equipment failure.

公开(公告)号：US09274243B2

公开(公告)日：2016-03-01

申请号：US13733097

申请日：2013-01-02

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Loc Viet Lam

IPC: G01V3/00 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B44/00 ,  G01V3/30 ,  E21B47/09 ,  E21B47/12 ,  E21B7/30

CPC classification number: E21B47/12 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B7/30 ,  E21B47/091 ,  E21B47/121 ,  G01V3/30

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.

Abstract translation: 描述钻柱通信系统。 井下收发器可以将信号耦合到钻柱上，其功率总是大于用于井下信号的可选功率。 可以使用井下收发器的最大井上发射功率重新启动从钻机到地下工具的通信。 一个程序可以为钻柱信号建立一组新的传动参数，以建立钻机和地下工具之间的通讯。 该系统可以包括步态定位器，其接收主动/非活动状态控制的电磁定位信号。 响应于定位信号劣化，重新配置命令可以修改定位信号。 井下收发器和井下收发器可以自动修改井下信号的至少一个参数。 井上接收器可以对传送的信号应用补偿响应，以补偿钻柱通道传递功能。