公开(公告)号：US11230921B2

公开(公告)日：2022-01-25

申请号：US15676057

申请日：2017-08-14

Applicant: Merlin Technology, inc.

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

IPC: E21B47/13 ,  E21B7/04 ,  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：US11215635B2

公开(公告)日：2022-01-04

申请号：US16745317

申请日：2020-01-16

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：US10954719B2

公开(公告)日：2021-03-23

申请号：US16588836

申请日：2019-09-30

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Tim Shaw ,  John E. Mercer ,  Albert W. Chau

IPC: E21B44/00 ,  E21B7/06 ,  G01V3/34 ,  G01V3/38 ,  E21B47/024 ,  G01V3/18 ,  E21B47/13 ,  E21B47/0232 ,  G01V3/08 ,  G01V3/15

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.

公开(公告)号：US10926872B2

公开(公告)日：2021-02-23

申请号：US16510897

申请日：2019-07-13

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 ,  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：US20190257707A1

公开(公告)日：2019-08-22

申请号：US16400771

申请日：2019-05-01

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

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

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

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.

公开(公告)号：US20190249539A1

公开(公告)日：2019-08-15

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 ,  E21B47/022 ,  E21B7/04 ,  G01V3/15

CPC classification number: E21B44/02 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B47/02216 ,  E21B47/02224 ,  G01V3/15

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：US20190011590A1

公开(公告)日：2019-01-10

申请号：US16131432

申请日：2018-09-14

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

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

IPC: G01V3/08 ,  H01Q9/28 ,  H01Q7/00 ,  H01Q1/04

CPC classification number: G01V3/08 ,  H01Q1/04 ,  H01Q7/00 ,  H01Q9/28

Abstract: Location determination is performed using a transmitter including an elongated generally planar loop antenna defining an elongation axis. The elongation axis is positioned along at least a portion of a path. A magnetic field is then generated which approximates a dipole field. Certain characteristics of the magnetic field are then determined at a receiving position radially displaced from the antenna elongation axis. Using the determined certain characteristics, at least one orientation parameter is established which characterizes a positional relationship between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The magnetic field may be transmitted as a monotone single phase signal. The orientation parameter may be a radial offset and/or an angular orientation between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The antenna of the transmitter may be inserted into a first borehole to transmit the magnetic field to a receiver inserted into a second borehole.

公开(公告)号：US10101487B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-16

申请号：US15785986

申请日：2017-10-17

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： John E. Mercer ,  Albert W. Chau

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

Abstract: A transmitter is part of a cable locating system for use in a region which contains at least first and second in-ground cables such that, when the first cable is driven at a locating signal frequency to emit a locating signal, the locating signal is coupled to the second cable to cause the second cable to generate a false locating signal. A frequency generator produces the locating signal frequency for coupling onto the first cable and a reference signal, which includes the locating signal frequency, such that the reference signal includes a modulation envelope for distinguishing the locating signal from the false locating signal. A switch selectively couples the locating signal frequency to the first cable in a selected coupling configuration such that the locating signal is subject to a coupling phase shift that varies based on the coupling configuration. A phase shifter phase shifts the locating signal frequency responsive to the selected coupling configuration such that the locating signal frequency at least approximately matches the phase of the locating signal to compensate for the coupling phase shift.

公开(公告)号：US20180208303A1

公开(公告)日：2018-07-26

申请号：US15926972

申请日：2018-03-20

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Mark Marvin ,  John E. Mercer ,  Derek Vetter

IPC: B64C27/57 ,  B64C27/56 ,  B64C27/59 ,  B64C27/00

CPC classification number: B64C27/57 ,  B64C27/006 ,  B64C27/56 ,  B64C27/58 ,  B64C27/59

Abstract: An emergency collective actuator includes an actuator motor to produce an actuation force and an actuator linkage that directly engages a friction control lever that is pivotally supported on the collective stick of a helicopter to apply the actuation force directly to the friction control lever such that the actuation force initially disengages the friction control and then reduces the adjustable pitch toward a minimum collective pitch position. The actuator can include a clutch that slips to allow the pilot to overcome the actuation force and that slips responsive to an engagement of the friction control by the pilot, but otherwise the clutch co-rotates with the motor shaft to bias the adjustable pitch toward a minimum collective pitch position.

公开(公告)号：US20180023380A1

公开(公告)日：2018-01-25

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

CPC classification number: E21B44/02 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B47/02216 ,  E21B47/02224 ,  G01V3/15

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.