公开(公告)号：US11598198B2

公开(公告)日：2023-03-07

申请号：US17151612

申请日：2021-01-18

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

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

IPC: E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B47/0232 ,  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.

公开(公告)号：US11555352B2

公开(公告)日：2023-01-17

申请号：US17209177

申请日：2021-03-22

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Timothy 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：US11408273B2

公开(公告)日：2022-08-09

申请号：US16918355

申请日：2020-07-01

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Benjamin John Medeiros ,  Craig Caswell

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/06 ,  E21B47/02 ,  E21B47/10 ,  E21B21/08 ,  E21B47/13 ,  E21B47/12 ,  G01V3/18

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are described for purposes of initiating a response to detection of an adverse operational condition involving a system including a drill rig and an inground tool. The response can be based on an uphole sensed parameter in combination with a downhole sensed parameter. The adverse operational condition can involve cross-bore detection, frac-out detection, excessive downhole pressure, a plugged jet indication and drill string key-holing detection. A communication system includes an inground communication link that allows bidirectional communication between a walkover detector and the drill rig via the inground tool. Monitoring of inground tool depth and/or lateral movement can be performed using techniques that approach integrated values. Bit force based auto-carving is described in the context of an automated procedure.

公开(公告)号：US20220065098A1

公开(公告)日：2022-03-03

申请号：US17501438

申请日：2021-10-14

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Rudolf Zeller ,  Timothy Shaw ,  Timothy Bayliss ,  Craig Caswell

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  G01B3/12 ,  G01S19/49 ,  G01S19/13 ,  E21B7/04

Abstract: A planning tool plans movement of a boring tool for an underground drilling operation. The planning tool includes one or more wheels for rolling on a surface of the ground along a path responsive to movement by an operator to characterize the surface contour and to generate guidance for the boring tool to reach a target position. Planning can additionally be based on waypoints. The planning tool can be rolled unidirectionally or bidirectionally to characterize the surface contour. Bidirectional movement cancels accelerometer fixed bias. Path stitching is used to plan around obstacles. The planning tool can facilitate tracker placement. The planning tool can collect noise information for frequency selection purposes. A described technique maximizes linear drilling in an underground plan. Compensation and/or warnings are provided for unsteady, fast and slow movement of the planning tool while measuring the surface contour.

公开(公告)号：US20210340819A1

公开(公告)日：2021-11-04

申请号：US17373553

申请日：2021-07-12

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Bruce Kolpack ,  David Bahr ,  Thomas J. Hall ,  Benjamin J. Medeiros

IPC: E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B41/00 ,  E21B44/00

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.

公开(公告)号：US11118447B2

公开(公告)日：2021-09-14

申请号：US16298988

申请日：2019-03-11

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Loc Viet Lam ,  Scott Phillips

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

Abstract: A transmitter is carried proximate to an inground tool for sensing a plurality of operational parameters relating to the inground tool. The transmitter customizes a data signal to characterize one or more of the operational parameters for transmission from the inground tool based on the operational status of the inground tool. A receiver receives the data signal and recovers the operational parameters. Advanced data protocols are described. Pitch averaging and enhancement of dynamic pitch range for accelerometer readings are described based on monitoring mechanical shock and vibration of the inground tool.

公开(公告)号：US11060355B2

公开(公告)日：2021-07-13

申请号：US16994619

申请日：2020-08-16

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Bruce Kolpack ,  David Bahr ,  Thomas J. Hall ,  Benjamin J. Medeiros

IPC: E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B41/00 ,  E21B44/00

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.

公开(公告)号：US11035218B2

公开(公告)日：2021-06-15

申请号：US16775276

申请日：2020-01-29

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

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

IPC: G01V3/15 ,  E21B44/02 ,  E21B47/0228 ,  E21B47/0232 ,  E21B7/04

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：US11008856B2

公开(公告)日：2021-05-18

申请号：US16782948

申请日：2020-02-05

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

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

IPC: E21B47/13 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B47/0228 ,  E21B7/04 ,  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：US10895145B2

公开(公告)日：2021-01-19

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 ,  E21B47/0232 ,  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.