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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Patent Agency Ranking
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.
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公开(公告)号：US10746892B2
公开(公告)日：2020-08-18
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
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.
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公开(公告)号：US20200232317A1
公开(公告)日：2020-07-23
申请号：US16841641
申请日：2020-04-06
Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.
Inventor： Albert W. Chau , Jason Pothier
Abstract: An inground housing supports a transmitter for receiving electrical power from a battery. The transmitter transmits at least one signal using at least two different transmit power levels for at least one of locating the transmitter and characterizing an orientation of the transmitter. Based on detecting the battery voltage, the transmitter selects one of the transmit power levels. Transmitter output power can be controlled based on one or both of signal gain and duty cycle.
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69.发明申请公开(公告)号：US20200150147A1
公开(公告)日：2020-05-14
申请号：US16745317
申请日：2020-01-16
Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.
Inventor： Albert W. Chau , John E. Mercer , Scott Phillips
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.
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70.发明授权公开(公告)号：US10598712B2
公开(公告)日：2020-03-24
申请号：US15685790
申请日：2017-08-24
Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.
Inventor： Loc Viet Lam , Albert W. Chau
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.
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